#til the deer and rabbits pass

[fishyfletch]

sean and my oc.. toof surgery..

his name is COINCIDENTALLY arthur montgomery (i created him before i knew abt the game)

here's a drawing of him and his gf daniela 😛

[bornfromwhiskey]

save a horse, ride a cowboy

[nightingaelic]

Not a good idea, maybe, but still... NV Followers' reaction to how the Courier tells the follower that sometimes all their adventures seem like a kind of deathbed dream to them (a bullet in the head after all...)

Just know, anon, that I am strongly resisting the urge to go full Shane Madej and Ryan Bergara with every single one of these reactions.

"Maybe this is all just... me." The courier waved their hand through the scorching air, tracing the shimmering line of the horizon that sang false promises of water. "A mirage. An oasis in the desert that I can't quite reach, but my eyes keep telling me is there if I just walk far enough."

Their hand went to the scar on their forehead. "I don't know. The things I've seen, since Goodsprings... if I told them to half the people in the Mojave, they'd toss me in the same shack as No-bark. HELIOS One? The Burned Man, in the crispy flesh? Jason Bright and his followers? Hell, the Sierra Madre? How do I know I didn't actually bite the dust in that graveyard, and all of this is the work of the bullet Benny put in my noggin?"

Arcade Gannon: "I guess there isn't a very convincing way I can answer that question," Arcade admitted. "But the fact that I know exactly how close you came to dying could be some evidence to the contrary. I doubt you were walking around with much medical knowledge about cranial vulnus sclopetarium prior to encountering it firsthand."

The courier looked somewhat interested, so the researcher continued hesitantly. "Did that doctor who checked you out not explain what happened to your brain? It's honestly a miracle that you're still walking around."

"I might've been a little preoccupied with the shock of being awake," the courier admitted. "Here, show me."

They guided Arcade's hand to the wound site, which he felt gingerly, trying not to awaken any pain. "Okay, close, very close range, left side... trajectory was too high, so it missed the speech center... probably sustained the most damage in the frontal and parietal lobes... well that tracks, that would affect problem-solving skills and spatial relationships..."

"Arcade?"

"Mm-hm?"

The courier grinned. "Just keep talking to me in Latin and I'll stop caring whether I'm dead or not. It sounds nice."

Arcade blushed.

Craig Boone: "Mmm." Boone pondered the thought, but immediately felt the shadow of guilt fall over his shoulders. Had any of his targets felt that way as they lay dying? Had Carla? He tried to shake the feeling off before it reached his face.

The courier, for their part, didn't notice, or at least knew enough to pretend not to notice. "That snake Benny was using a handgun, too, and who knows what caliber," they said, looking off into the distance.

"Low," Boone offered.

"Come again?"

"The bullet," Boone clarified. "It's still in your head. Slow and small caliber, if you're not already dead from it."

"But I could already be dead from it."

"Nah."

The courier looked as though they wanted to probe further, but Boone straightened his sunglasses and walked past them, signaling that the conversation was over. Headshot wounds, hypotheticals, they weren't his strong suit, but he did know one thing: The orders he had followed and the lives he had ended were far too real to be the figment of some Mojave wastelander's imagination.

Lily Bowen: "Come now, dearie, you're giving your imagination too much credit." Lily patted the courier lightly on the shoulder. Well, as lightly as a nightkin could. "Grandma's seen many strange things too, ever since she left the vault behind."

The courier smiled. "Stranger than the ones I've seen? Like what?"

Lily made an ugly face. "I saw many things when working for the Master. Golden geckos in Klamath. Ghosts in Baja. The Master himself, with his brain in the computers and the computers in his brain."

"Eugh." The courier mimicked the face Lily was making. "One of those, huh? Always seemed unsanitary to me."

"Good things too," Lily went on wistfully. "I saw Marcus' first city, when it was big and full of people. Humans, but also super mutants, ghouls. How I would have liked to take Becky and Jimmy there."

Her voice faltered a little, remembering the grandchildren that had been lost, left behind long ago. The courier reached out and took her hand. "I'm here, Lily."

After the memory passed, Lily returned to her smiling self. "You are, pumpkin. We're here together."

Raul Alfonso Tejada: "I know how you feel, boss." Raul sighed. "There are plenty of things in my past that I can't help but question the authenticity of. All I can say is that after a while, you stop asking and just go along for the ride."

"Right." The courier crossed their arms. "I suppose it's not that different a mindset from becoming a ghoul. Time stretching on in front of you, no clear end in sight, no expectation there will ever be one."

"Eh." Raul shrugged. "That might just be a mindset of mine. I stopped worrying about dying a long time ago. Or maybe I was looking for it, but never managed to find it. Either way, time doesn't bother me the way it used to."

"But it still does?"

"Sí. Now I worry more that I'll forget the crazy things I've seen altogether, or that they don't mean anything."

The young courier looked like they weren't quite ready to ponder that possibility. They stood together in silence for a while, watching the horizon's haze.

"Should we keep going?" the courier finally asked, shouldering their pack.

"Desde luego."

Rose of Sharon Cassidy: "Sometimes I wonder the same thing," Cass replied with a nod. "Well, not the exact same thing, but somethin' similar. Plenty of times in my life, I've woken up in someone else's bed or on the floor of a bar and wondered if I actually survived the fight I was in the night before, or if I finally drank enough to make my heart stop. It's a strange feeling, but then someone douses me in water or slaps me too hard on the ass and the pain of the wakin' world creeps back in, little by little."

"Do you slap them back?" the courier joked, chuckling.

"Them and the world," Cass confirmed. "I always figured if I'd actually died in my sleep, why bother makin' up some desert full of sadness and sunburns to fill my time? Had enough of that in life, so I can't see my mind keepin' it around. Much rather conjure up a house by the beach somewhere, with a basement full of caps and enough booze to last me 'til the bombs fall again."

The courier eyed her mischievously. "Maybe you're in hell."

Cass held her canteen up. "Well then. To bein' stuck in hell with a true friend."

She drank, long and deep, and the courier retrieved their canteen to do the same.

Veronica Santangelo: "Oh, Six." Veronica's face filled with sympathy. "Is that really what you think about, when you're trying to sleep at night in the casino and Cass is snoring in the bed next to you?"

The courier blinked. "Cass snores?"

"How have you not noticed?" Veronica pulled her power fist off and flexed her fingers, re-stimulating her circulation as best she could. "Arcade said he wanted to trade with me, after Boone had his second night terror incident, but he changed his mind again after one night of her racket. At this point, I'm used to it. When she's not around, I have trouble sleeping, can you believe that? Brotherhood bunks really prepared me for the Lucky 38."

"No, I hadn't noticed." The courier sat down on a nearby rock and stretched their legs out. "I guess I haven't been there much, lately."

Veronica sat down next to them. "You know, the more often you're gone having adventures around the desert, the more crazy things you're going to see. People who rest on their laurels and stick to the Strip don't lie awake wondering if they actually died back when they choked on those buffalo gourd seeds at The Gourmand."

"Touché."

ED-E: The eyebot let out a few beeps of disagreement and rolled from side to side in mid-air, indicating as best it could that in its experience, being shot in the dome was a good method for scrambling circuitry but was actually terrible for fusing new connections. The courier laughed and reached out to rub the robot's side. "Thanks, buddy. Maybe I'm right, or maybe reality is just a weird place."

ED-E beeped its satisfaction and bounced forward as if chasing the mirage. The courier trailed after the eyebot, their giggles blowing out with the wind into the desert for all to hear.

Rex: The old cyberdog whined and licked its companion's hand, uncertain what they were asking. Any dreams the canine had were good ones, long runs over grassy plains and prey that was always a hair too slow. Life with the courier was good too, but full of many more dangers than a savannah dotted with rabbits and deer. The courier scratched the dog on his ruff affectionately, before continuing over the hot sand toward their destination. Rex followed behind, happy and panting.

[yandere-daydreams]

TIL there are bug fuckers. I also just realized that the idea of a yandere spider is genuinely terrifying to me. Literally just a regular ol spider, following you around, watching you sleep, climbing into your bed... ive finally found yandere fiction that scares me

tw - stalking, mentions of animal death, isolation, threats of violence, implied abduction.

I am a simple monster-fucker. I see the words ‘spider’ and ‘yandere’ in the same paragraph, and my mind goes places. Feel free to shame me for the outcome. 

I just think it’d be sweet, on the surface. Not so much a normal spider, but a drider, a half-human half-insect abomination that’s far too big and far too imposing to move so silently and you, a temporary hermit, someone who’s already wandered a little too far into the wilderness and lingered for a little too long, despite how little sunlight breaches the forest’s canopy. It doesn’t matter why you’re isolating yourself, if you’re keeping the rest of society at a distance for your own sake of everyone else’s, if you’re only dipping your toes into seclusion or devoting yourself to it entirely, not if you’re alone, not after you’ve caught the attention of your silent admirer. Not after you let yourself acknowledge that the eyes burning into the back of your neck, too intense and too many to be human, might be something a little more real than a symptom of an unoccupied imagination. 

They’re watching you, constantly. Following you, nipping at your heels, barely bothering to hide when you think to glance over your shoulder and try to catch a glimpse of the presence constantly looming just behind you, just close enough to let you know that they’re there. It was easy enough to ignore, at first, to write off as lingering nerves and the new, familiar paranoia that came with moving to a place where your closest neighbor is half a day’s drive away, but that kind of melancholy optimism becomes more difficult when weeks pass and the gentle terror fails to fade, when you become too aware of the local flora and fauna to tell yourself the strange tracks circling your cabin are just a lost rabbit or a particularly distressed bird, when you finally admit it just isn’t possible that a deer did that much damage to your front door, however much you’d like to believe that you were only dealing with a few scared animals. They’re not scared. You haven’t decide if they’re an animal yet, if you’re willing to give them the benefit of the doubt and convince yourself they’re only acting out of instinct, but they’re not scared. They can’t be scared. They aren’t scared. 

If they were scared, they wouldn’t act like that. If they were scared, they’d be deturbed when you lock your window, they’d learn to keep their distance when you replace your locks with deadbolts, they’d run back to whatever web or den or cavern they call home rather than just moving out of sight, rather than just buying their time until go back to pretending you're not being stalked by some hulking, unseen thing. They wouldn't leave you such macabre gifts, the bodies of mutilated creatures all-but drained dry, and they wouldn't feel so comfortable letting themself inside your home, inside your bedroom, sitting on the edge of your bed while they think you're asleep and simply watching, staring, never touching you aside from a few gentle, fleeting strokes to your cheek, small things, gestures of affection they've stolen away from what little of humanity they've seen. They wouldn't try to smile like that, to mirror the expressions you've long-since learned to keep from them. They wouldn't care so little for your fear, your terror, even if they've never done anything more follow in your tracks when you try to hide yourself away.

Even if they've never done anything more bring you back, when you try to run away.

[edwardelricsrightarm]

Riza Hawkeye as a child/young teen but she's just this Annie Oakley ass prodigal sharp shooter little shit who cuts her hair off with kitchen scissors and runs absolutely buckwild in the woods on her father's estate terrorizing small animals (humanely hunting I'm just being dramatic)

Roy boy is just this awkward nerdy little cornball who wants to get along, but they also kinda have that dynamic from the Swan Princess when Derek and Odette were kids ya feel me? Just watch the childhood montage from that movie you'll understand- ☠️

They have like nothing in common at the time (so they assume) and yet they end up thick as thieves cause Riza hasn't had many friends that she can see outside of her education and had an extremely isolated upbringing, so this goofy sweet baby faced dork just got her like that, even if he sometimes drives her nuts a little bit.

Riza would get upset fairly often bc her neglected social and emotional upbringing would get to her (bc realistically,,,,we know that was the case), and Roy got extremely good at knowing when she's upset and would often be the one to listen to her air her thoughts out (callback to the phone call scene after her encounter with pride, this lends background to how he knows her so well and reads her stress levels like a book even over the phone)

Mundane headcanons:

Roy would transmute little clay/dirt doves and targets for Riza bc he was worried about her shooting glass bottles and other assorted not necessarily safe objects.

Roy is trans, I can't untrans him that's just who he is to me. Riza is a self declared tomboy who I hc as nonbinary/demigirl. They're also bi4bi it's canon Arakawa told me.

Riza didn't really know good birthdays, and when Roy realized this it broke his heart bc Chris always tried to remember stuff like that for him and she's not even his own biological mother. So, he made an annual routine of gifting her something (often transmuted and unique).

Riza loved being out in nature back then and knew the wooded areas around the estate like the back of her own hand, when she and Roy had warmed up more to one another she made a routine of showing him all the neat little spots she'd found in the area for one reason or another, just for the sake of sharing that with someone. These remain some of their fondest memories.

Riza would be more likely to go out to shoot targets when she was angry or upset, if she was having a good day and had the time she would be more likely to go hunting because she enjoyed the hiking and tracking but couldn't focus on it when internally upset. Roy eventually figured this out as well.

Riza climbed so many trees, rocks, outcroppings, etc- and was always scraped up from something she probably shouldn't have climbed getting the better of her.

Riza used to have a nanny birddog named Otto, but he passed away before Roy came around, so making a new friend in him after that loss was a big comfort to her. She was hesitant to have other dogs until Hayate.

They're both autistic.

Relatedly, Riza would go nonverbal and lock herself in her room sometimes. Roy, concerned, would approach this by slipping little notes under the door offering company if needed, while not pushing her to talk.

Riza would sing/hum while doing chores or out and about exploring and on every occasion Roy overheard this he'd turn red from ear to ear- if she caught it and realized he'd heard she'd be twice as embarrassed.

Riza would take Roy foraging and showed him some useful/edible plants, and safe berries and mushrooms that she knew in the region. He was honestly always pretty impressed, especially considering some mushrooms that are safe have toxic siblings that look identical.

Both of them are varying levels of nerd. Riza is the type who's full of trivia, especially weird facts about her special interests (animal behavior, guns, bushcraft, navigation and tracking stuff, etc), Roy started out neutral to this but over time infosharing kinda became their love language, and he'd start to infodump right back. They'd spend hours like that some days.

Riza knows constellations really well for navigational reasons, and there were times that she showed Roy a way to get onto the roof from the attic and they'd stargaze. She would teach folk names of constellations, regional lore behind them, navigational uses for them etc; Roy would tell her basic facts about space and astronomy that come with understanding of alchemy.

Riza typically stuck to small prey (rabbits, fowl, easy to retrieve misc.), but Roy had an awakening when Riza first killed a whole ass deer (albeit a young one) and came back with it thrown over both shoulders with the determined energy of a small lionness.

Riza is REALLY good at cooking and baking because she had a bit too much free time to fuck around in the kitchen. She also learned how to cure and smoke meats bc of her hunting. It certainly helped them stay well fed.

Roy developed a habit of cooking for the household pretty regularly in a swapped routine with Riza after only a while of being around because he saw how much she had to be self sufficient in almost every way and honestly just wanted to relieve her of the constant responsibility and self parentification. He'd also help with chores constantly.

Roy had major internal conflict even early on because he respected his teacher greatly for his intelligence and brilliance, but also kned that Riza wasn't being raised well, and that no matter what he does, Berthold can only decline mentally. This is the root of his protective and caretaking behavior with her, ultimately.

Roy doodled and sketched a lot back in the day and had a little booklet that he guarded with his life bc it started out random assorted things, but eventually devolved into a book full of cute little doodles of mostly Riza jammed into the last half of the book (She can never know-). He still has it stored away.

Riza could easily pick him up even then, this never changed. She got to show this once when he sprained his ankle on a hike with her and she held half his weight as a crutch with no strain to herself. He never quite recovered from that (but boy did it make his crush worse).

Roy would notice rarely he'd have a shirt go missing and never could figure out why til he'd find Riza wearing an identical shirt. (She told herself it's just cause they're cozy of course- she just likes boys clothes too! They look nice under overalls and are comfortable to sleep in! nothing more /s) They never said a word about it even though it was right in front of them, they couldn't dare.

Roy had a bike, and she'd ride behind him down some of the rural roads and paths that could support it for fun sometimes.

During winter the home would get pretty chilly because of its size and not enough stoves/fireplaces to fully warm the declining estate, so when snowed in on miserably cold winter days they'd usually end up reclined in the study by the space heater or in the loungeroom by the fireplace reading separately, but still occasionally talking back and forth.

Riza stopped hunting post-Ishval. She couldn't bring herself to derive that same innocent pride and appreciation for the circle of life she once had, and felt she no longer deserved to have that respectful exchange with the cycle of life and death after what her skills had been used for. She never stops going to shooting ranges, but it's either for standard upkeep of practice or to vent.

[monstersandmaw]

Female vampire x female hunter (sfw) - Streaming story

Edit which I’m including in all my works after plagiarism and theft has taken place: I do not give my consent for my works to be used, copied, published, or posted anywhere. They are copyrighted and belong to me.

Hey folks! Here’s the edited version of the story I wrote with your input on my Twitch writing stream. Names were suggested in the chat for Olena (the vampire), our huntress, and the black cat, so thank you! I hope you had fun watching the stream and watching how I write and work, and maybe we can do another one in the future if there’s enough interest.

This feels like a part one to me, so maybe we can continue it together? Also Olena is basically Striga from the Netflix Castlevania series...

Content: (POV vampire) snow, scheming cats, grumpy lesbian vampire, slightly daffy huntress, and a teeny bit of sass. Wordcount: ~2.7k

She’d seen a hundred winters like it, but the sight of dancing snowflakes as winter really sank its teeth into the landscape never failed to ease something inside her. The summers here were intense and hot, but in the dead of winter the sun barely managed to haul itself above the tall row of looming elms on the horizon and everything lay muffled beneath dense blankets of pristine snow.  

Her breath fogged against the leaded panes of the mullioned windows as snowflakes flailed around the dark courtyard beyond and she found her thin, dark lips tugging into a wry, private smile. Yes, winter was her time; it was a time of wolves and hunting; of long nights, solitary stars, and gusting winds.

As she shifted her weight - on the point of turning away from the worsening storm - her light, soft-soled fur boots sounding barely a whisper on the smooth, time-worn flagstones of the bastion which she’d called home for the past two centuries, a movement in the barbican gate caught her sharp eye. Scowling, she focused her gaze on the distant, shadowed arch below. Squinting past her own severe, pale reflection and the flickering of the fire behind her, her heavy, dark brows knotted a little more tightly together when she figured out exactly what she was seeing.  

“No,” she breathed, astonished. “No fucking way. A human? Out in this weather?”

Easy pickings, perhaps. 

It had been long enough since her last feed that the thought of hot, fresh blood straight from the vein enticed her out into the cold.  

With a grunt, she turned away from the window and stalked through the castle on long, lean legs, fur-trimmed cloak swirling behind her like pirate’s sail. It didn’t take much effort to haul open the monstrous, iron-studded castle doors, and the blast of icy air that hit her in the face barely registered. Narrowing moss-green eyes against the biting wind, she stepped out into the drift-riddled courtyard.  

Up ahead she thought she could make out the figure of a young, human leading a horse. “The fuck?” she snarled. While her body didn’t particularly need blood at the moment -  no burning thirst prickling the back of her throat - as she neared the human and caught the faintest traces of her scent on the wind the instinctive urge to feed sparked a dull throb in her canines. It didn’t help that the woman’s pulse was rabbiting, but she could ignore that for now.  

The next scent she caught was the sour tang of horse, and she wrinkled her nose in disgust. Still, the human seemed to have noticed her at last because a voice that would have been too faint for human ears rose above the yowling of the wind a moment later.  

“Oh by the gods,” the young woman practically whimpered, staggering a little into the body of her chestnut horse who seemed to be a little lame on the nearside fore, head nodding with each step. The syncopated motion set a nicely-made, tooled leather quiver rocking on the saddle, revealing a decent number of arrows. The woman was a hunter then, and either her horse had gone lame before she’d managed to shoot anything, or she wasn’t very good.  

Olena stilled and let them approach her, a single, incredulous eyebrow raised.  

“I know it’s late!” the woman continued, tugging fruitlessly on the reins of the mare who had planted her feet and refused to take another step.

Animals could usually sense the supernatural, and this mare clearly had more sense than her owner when it came to marching up to a predator uninvited and introducing itself.  

“But, Buttercup here threw a shoe about half a mile back and it’s twisted the clenches a bit, and I didn’t want to keep riding her with one shoe off, so I got off and walked, but then it got late, and dark, and the snow started to worsen and…”  

Olena remained perfectly still, wondering how the woman’s mouth could be moving so quickly when the rest of her seemed half frozen.  

“So… uh… any chance we could find some help here? At least a roof over our heads til tomorrow? I don’t mind sleeping in the stable with Buttercup. Well,” she added tilting her head a bit and patting the mare’s shoulder, “Maybe not with with, because I don’t want to get crushed, but… you know… On a hay bale or something.”

After a brief pause while Olena’s brain tried to catch up with the sheer speed of the woman’s speech, she said, “I think we have a spare trough for you.”

For a split second, the human didn’t react and Olena wondered if she had, finally, frozen in place. Her eyes were wide and brown, somewhere between the colour of honey and hazel, and she blinked a few times before spluttering, “Wait, are you serious? You’re gonna offer me a fucking trough?”  

A tiny smile played at the corner of Olena’s mouth but she resisted the urge to let it blossom into something more expressive. With a quick jut of her chin, she indicated the stable block - mostly disused these days - and muttered, “Stable the mare in there. When you’re done, come up to the castle.”  

Without checking to see if the human had any more questions or spontaneous monologues to spout, Olena turned on the spot and left her to it.  

As she paced steadily through the falling snow, the vampire’s keen ears caught the soft sounds of the hunter nattering on to the horse - something about creepy castles and grumpy noblewomen - followed by the raucous squeak of the stable door as it opened, the clop of the mare’s hooves on hard stone, and then she was back at the castle doors herself and passing beneath leering carved gargoyles and grotesques.  

She debated fleetingly with herself as to whether she should close the doors again, partly so that the drifting snow didn’t pile up in the hallway again, but mostly so that Luna didn’t decide she wanted to go out all of a sudden, and then disappear for hours, only to turn up in the middle of the day, mewling to come in with something unmentionable dangling from her needle-sharp teeth.  

“Bloody cat,” Olena muttered fondly.

It had been a while since she’d been in any real position to gauge a human’s strength - in any context - but she had the feeling that this woman was probably stronger than her slim build suggested. Perhaps she was wiry rather than slender. A life where someone needed to come poaching deer in the forest, rather than having fine meals made, had a tendency to tip a person towards a leaner constitution. It was a build that had always appealed to her, despite certain expectations that someone as tall and muscular as Olena would prefer someone softer and altogether more delicate. Not that she’d given herself the slightest occasion to sample any kind of pleasure from any kind of woman in the past century or so, but that was on her.  

Despite the thickness of the castle walls between the entrance hall and the kitchens below, Olena could still make out the stump of the woman’s boots as she kicked off the worst of the snow before slamming the doors closed behind her with an echoing boom that shattered the stillness of the castle.  The vampire only realised once she was standing in the empty kitchen that she had no food fit for humans whatsoever. Perhaps there was a solid wheel of what had once been cheese lurking in a far corner of the cellars, but other than offering her a freshly-caught mouse, courtesy of Luna, there wasn’t much to bring up other than a pitcher of water.  

She shook a jar of something that could have been black tea a hundred years ago, but given that it resembled little more than mouse droppings, she returned it to the shelf and left the kitchens with the jug of water and a small earthenware cup. The human would have to be grateful for the fire and the shelter, if not the food.  

With footsteps quieter than even the cat’s, Olena’s progress along the stone corridors was unmarked by any eyes, save for perhaps a stray spider lurking in the vaulted ceilings. It hadn’t been until the strong heartbeat of another being had entered the halls that she’d appreciated quite how alone she was here. Memories, distant and dusty, of parties and gatherings filtered back to her through the layers of dust that seemed to cling to every surface of the castle, and something old and stale and painful stirred inside her at the sound of that new, fresh heartbeat.  

Mixing gradually with the steady rhythm of the new heartbeat came another sound. A soft voice, hoarse from the cold, hummed an old melody from the region that Olena was certain no one alive still knew, and the force of it hit her squarely in the chest. The last person who had sung that in her presence had been gone for nearly two centuries now.  

From her abrupt halt in the corridor, she caught the faint thrumming of another heartbeat. A moment later and Luna coiled softly around her ankles in silent greeting before fluffing up her tail and pricking her black ears forwards, suddenly alert. Then, bold as brass, she trotted into the drawing room, taking a direct path over the rug in the centre of the room, and introduced herself to the hunter without preamble.  

The human’s gentle warbling cut off the moment she spotted the cat, and she let out a little chuckle, crouching down into a childlike pose that almost drew a smile from Olena. She’d clearly been drying her russet-brown hair in the heat blasting off the fire in the grate, and Olena’s green eyes darted instantly to the soft curve of her now exposed neck.

Unconsciously, she licked her lips.  

The colours of the flames glimmered enticingly on the sliver of bare skin, dancing first gold then to a deeper amber.  

Her pulse beat steady and strong.  

Olena blinked and licked her lips again.  

Concentrating harder on her senses, she realised that the ferrous tang of blood tinted the air, and she deepened her habitually stern scowl. The hunter hadn’t seemed hurt. Honing her focus still further, it was with a strange sense of relief that she realised that the blood was not human. A second later, she spotted the source. A tiny mouse had been deposited on the hearth rug, and she grimaced. Luna had clearly been hunting and had left a present there for her on her return.  

The human, upon spotting the grim little offering, pulled a face and then, to Olena’s surprise, laughed. “Well, you did better than me,” she said, scratching the cat under the chin as Luna tilted her dark, fluffy face upwards for a moment before coiling languorously around the stranger’s ankles like a shadow come to life. “So far I’ve caught absolutely nothing.”

It wasn’t until the raucous purring of the traitorous cat reached her ears that Olena realised she’d been standing there staring like a suit of armour for too long.  

The human finally noticed her presence, jumping quietly and gasping, which startled Luna a little. In rebuke, the cat bristled and stalked away. She was acting as if this new arrival to the utter stillness of their castle meant nothing at all to her, though Olena could see that she was secretly fascinated with the human. Remembering how long the cat had taken to warm up to her in the first place brought a fresh sting to her chest and a bitterness to her mouth.  

She rolled her green eyes and shot the cat a look, but Luna just ignored her.  

“Cute,” the human grinned, and Olena frowned, swivelling her gaze to the human and pinning her to the spot with a well-practised glare.  

“Excuse me?”

“Your cat,” the hunter said with a surprisingly girlish giggle for someone dressed like a soldier in supple leathers. “She’s cute.”

Olena had only the merest grunt in answer to that. “I can’t offer you anything to eat, but if you’re thirsty, there’s water. Or wine.”

The hunter tilted her head slightly, more curious than offended. “No servants to cook for you?” she asked archly. “Did you send them all away for the winter festivities and now have no one to feed you?”

She felt her features tighten in response - the urge to flash her fangs at the sheer audacity of this frail little human surged hot and bright in Olena, almost blinding her for a second before she reined herself in.  

The human, however, was apparently not finished. “Or perhaps you rely on the scraps your cat brings you?”

She was the next thing to letting her eyes flare red. Instead, she ground her jaw and set the pitcher of water down on the table near the fire without a word, and left the room.  

Luna, clearly unused to all the drama, let out a soft ‘mrrrp’ from the depths of the squashy chair where she’d apparently set up camp for the evening, and the hunter looked over at her. “I know,” she grinned. “These aristocratic types are so touchy.”

Olena’s last thread of patience snapped and she whirled on the spot. “What would you know?” she hissed, voice low and dangerous, and for the first time, she saw the spark of apprehension begin to kindle in the human’s eyes. The reason this castle was echoing and empty made her insides ache. “Perhaps you should have stayed in the stables if you’re so picky…”

The hunter’s mouth opened and shut a few times before she finally croaked, “Look, I’m sorry. I was out of line. You didn’t have to let me shelter here for the night.” She tucked a wayward strand of hair behind her ear, Olena’s eyes instantly tracking the movement, before adding, “I’ve got some supplies in my saddlebag. I can eat those.”

And with that, the human turned on her heel and left the room.  

The absence of her heartbeat in the vacuum left behind left Olena reeling.

In the days of the castle’s former life, no one would have dared to speak to her like that, and yet, in the snows of winter, a desperate and chilly huntress had just talked back at her like they were village teenagers scrapping over nothing at all, and had abruptly flounced out. If she’d known what Olena was - who Olena was - would she still have been so bold?

Feeling petulant, Olena just let her go, but once she’d heard the doors slam, she slumped down into a fire-warmed chair and let out a long breath and did her best to ignore the nagging sensation at the back of her mind, and forget about the human altogether.  

Luna, however, had other ideas.  

The cat refused to settle, and eventually she trotted from the room and disappeared with a flurry of her black, fluffy tail. “Oh you too, huh?” Olena growled at the cat’s retreating back. The wind had picked up, tugging at the turrets of the castle and battering the glass of the windows with a steady hail of ice and snowflakes, and with a deep, regretful sigh, Olena stood.  

“You’re right,” she grumbled to the memory of the cat who was now nowhere to be seen. “I wouldn’t leave a dog out in this weather…”

The wind caught her full in the face as she cranked the castle doors open one more time, and almost all evidence of their earlier journey across the courtyard had been obliterated by the fresh, gusting snow. The main doors to the stable block had been battened down against the weather, but she had no difficulty in opening them.  

A warning whicker from the mare - who names a horse like that Buttercup anyway? she mused - alerted the human to her approach, and Olena caught the rustle of straw as she stood, heartbeat ticking faster. She could taste the woman’s fear on the air now.  

By the time she reached their stall, the human was on her feet, expression set in a wary glare.  

“You shouldn’t sleep out here.”  

The hunter blinked. “Where else am I supposed to sleep? I’m not staying up in that creepy castle with you.”

Olena almost admired her guts. “Well, it’s that or frostbite. Your choice.” And with that, she headed back to her ‘creepy castle’ alone. Let the stubborn human freeze if she wanted.  

However, she was gratified to hear a short squawk a few seconds later, followed by the crunch of boots in the snow as the human barrelled after her at an unsteady run. “Wait!” she yelled over the fierce wind. “Wait…”

Olena’s footsteps halted and she half turned to look over her shoulder. The human’s cheeks were flushed with the cold, and her breath swirled upwards like campfire smoke before the wind whisked it away.  

“Wait,” the human panted, heartbeat thundering out now despite the noise of the wind. “What’s your name?”

“You can call me Olena,” she replied, setting off again.  

She didn’t have to ask for the human’s in return because the audacious young woman just blurted, “I’m Annika. Please don’t call me Anni though. It’s just Annika.”

“Annika,” Olena murmured, finding that she rather liked the shape of the name on her tongue. “Annika.”

—

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[porkchop-ao3]

A Thrill I’ve Never Known (Chapter 5)

Light Duties

Mostly just some conversation in this chapter because damn it I love doing dialogue! I’m sorry if this seems to end abruptly, as I was writing this chapter it got really long so I split it in half. The next chapter is (hopefully) a bit more exciting :P

(All chapters tagged with #ATINK and also posted on Ao3, username PorkChop)

-

I was so embarrassed. My memories of that night had been hazy, partly because I had tried not to remember. It wasn't a good night; my brother wasn't the nicest of men but I still grieved for him, it was like Arthur had said, family was important and that night I'd lost the last of mine. But I'd acted like such a fool, a hussy, a disaster of a woman. Arthur must've wanted to run a mile when he saw me at the camp for the first time, wondering how on earth I'd decide to harass him this time. I wished I hadn't brought it up.

I stared at a rock on the ground as we stood in silence for a few moments, both of us recalling how it’d gone down. The worst part was, Arthur likely remembered more than I did. Who knows what else I'd said that had slipped my mind.

I'm such a goddamn idiot.

“I remembered you as soon as I saw you.”

“I'm surprised, it was a year ago at least,” I noted.

Arthur nodded in acknowledgement. “Normally I might've forgotten, but... I won't lie, every time I thought back I felt a little guilty, since that night.”

I looked up at him in shock. “What? Why would you feel guilty? You helped me.”

“Yeah, well, I had the opportunity to help your brother and I didn't. I was back in town the next morning and I heard what had happened. I checked at the hotel, but you'd already gone.”

“You did?” I questioned, the crease in my brow softening as he nodded. “Well, I couldn't stick around. The guy who owned the bar wanted me to pay up for damages; whoever starts a fight pays, he said. Since it was my brother, the bill fell to me.”

“I'm sorry about your brother. I saw how bad the fight was getting, I should've stepped in.”

“And got your own face caved in? Henry wouldn't've stopped for much. My pa tried to pull him off of me once, ended up looking worse than I did.”

“You mean he hit you?” Arthur's eyes flashed up at me in horror.

“Sometimes. He'd hit anyone if they bothered him, I learned to keep my mouth shut around him and it didn't happen often towards the end… of him,” I explained. “I know it's bad, but– well, he's gone now.”

“Suddenly I don't feel so guilty,” he said, his voice low. I looked at him, not really sure what to say to that, so I steered the topic a little.

“I apologise for my behaviour that night. I was a mess.”

“No apologies necessary.”

“No, it is necessary. I was not respectful of you at all, even though you were nothing but kind to me. I wouldn't've blamed you if you'd just left me there, but you didn't. You're a real gentleman and you deserve my apology,” I lifted my head and spoke clearly and concisely despite the fact my face was burning and I wanted to hide away.

“We've all been there, acted silly on the liquor. It's fine,” he shook his head, flushing too. I knew he was recalling some of the things I'd said.

“Thank you, Arthur. I'd like to pay you back for that hotel room, soon.”

“You don't have to do that, I was just doing a good deed. I don't want nothing from you, ma'am. Besides, it was a year ago, I'll waive your debt,” he smiled at me and touched my elbow; my cheeks burned hotter. He looked lovely when he smiled.

“Well then, I'll return the favour some other way,” I decided, turning and running my fingers through the horse's mane so I had something to do with my hands.

“Just keep on doing them chores, new girl, that's good enough for me,” he said, finally stepping away and heading towards his horse. “Come on, let's take these animals back to camp. Good work on those rabbits, all this’ll keep us fed for days.”

“I'm glad I could be of some help,” I told him, mounting my horse.

“You've been a real help, these last few days. Moving to a new camp ain't easy, we haven't been there long, you've helped us more than you know,” he told me, climbing onto his own horse. He started trotting back the way we came, I sidled up to him.

“I've only been doing basic chores,” I reminded him.

“Basic chores still need someone to do 'em. The girls always have their hands full with keeping things going while us fellers are out lookin’ for opportunities. I'm sure they appreciate you shouldering some of that. Like I said, we ain't been here long, and the first few weeks is always the busiest.”

“You were staying in Blackwater before, weren't you? I saw it in the newspaper. I thought Dutch was gonna… well, do something not so nice to me when I realised who you all were. Dutch's Boys, that's what they called you in the papers.”

“Yeah, I know that made him think twice,” Arthur sighed. “But don't worry. You're one of us now, at least for the meantime. You're eager to work, Dutch likes that. He told me so.”

“So that's why he spared me?”

“That and he don't take kindly to hurting ladies,” he frowned, as if remembering something. “Most of the time, anyway.”

“Well I certainly am eager to work, I like to keep busy. And Dutch said if I stick around to help he might help me out too; getting my horse back,” I said and Arthur looked at me with interest, prompting me to continue. “I mentioned that a while back my horse was stolen. I'd been planning on robbing the guy who took her, it obviously didn't go to plan; but I'd know him if I saw him and he kept mentioning Emerald Ranch.”

“So you wanna go over there and get her back?”

“At least try to,” I nodded. “I'd kept meaning to when it first happened but I was on my own and I'd already pissed the guy off enough, I didn't know what I was stepping into so I just– I was too much of a coward.”

“Well, we'll help you get her back. No promises though, don't get your hopes up.”

“I know. For all I know he could've sold her and she's long gone. But even if there's a chance, I wanna try, especially since I wouldn't be going it alone.”

“You've been completely on your own, then, since Henry passed?” He questioned and I nodded my head.

“That's right. I imagine I've been living not too differently to you, moving around, camping out, going into towns for the sake of making money. In my case, I made most of my money off'a meat and animal hides. It weren't a lot, but enough to buy everything that needed buying. Ammunition, arrows, soap and clothes, you know.”

“You ever get lonely?”

“Sometimes. Mostly after Rayna, my horse, was gone,” I shrugged, not dwelling on it. “She was like a blanket, kind of, I felt safe and warm when she was outside my tent at night. It's been rough without her, I won't lie.”

For the first time in months, I felt a lump in my throat. I coughed and turned my head, taking in the scenery to distract myself.

“I guess it explains why you're so quiet 'round camp. I barely heard a peep out'a you 'til today.”

“I ain't used to talking this much, I'll end up with a sore throat,” I chuckled, turning back to him. He smiled at me with a trace of pity in his eyes. I hardened at that. “Don't get me wrong. I enjoy being alone, too.”

“So do I,” Arthur breathed. “Sometimes I like to just take it slow getting back to camp, like we're doing now. Gives me a chance to think,” he adjusted his hat and looked forwards. We were getting close to camp.

“That's true. Though I must admit, it's been nice talking to you today. Sometimes I forget that human contact ain't always bad,” I laughed.

“Glad I could remind you,” he smiled.

When we got back into camp, Pearson came straight over to us, looking pleased. He pulled the deer off of the horse I was on as Arthur took his own. I followed them, taking the rabbits with me, towards the camp's makeshift kitchen.

“Am I glad to see all this,” Pearson said, I could hear his smile in his voice. “These look like a good pair of deer, should be able to make something nice with them.”

“You good to skin those rabbits? We'll take the deer,” Arthur said, dropping his deer down on the ground.

“Sure, you got a knife?” I asked and Pearson handed me one.

I'd had a lot of practice with skinning animals, and I'd gotten better at it over time. My pelts fetched a decent price. I cut down the underside of the first rabbit and then used the knife to gently prise the skin away from the tissues underneath. I couldn't help but notice that my technique was a little different to Pearson and Arthur's; who seemed to favour brute force and after making the initial cut pulled the pelt away mainly with their hands, using the knife sparingly. I cocked a brow but otherwise didn't comment.

“They got you skinning rabbits now? Sure ain't no work for a lady,” Karen walked by and teased me. I looked up at her after finishing up the first rabbit.

“And I killed it myself, too,” I quipped back, moving onto the next one.

“Wow,” she lilted, face wrinkling just a little in disgust. She watched as I drew my blade down the rabbits belly. “I think I'll leave you to it.”

By the time I was finished with the three rabbits, Pearson and Arthur had hung the deer from the side of the wagon, Pearson took the rabbits from me, thanking me.

“Those are some clean pelts,” Arthur said, running his hand over the rabbit fur. “If you want, we can go out now and sell 'em.”

“Yeah?”

“Sure. We'll bring the deer ones too, put a little money in your pocket,” he placed them both down on the table by the rabbits.

“You'd let me keep the money?” I asked as I rolled up all of the pelts, bundling them nicely together.

“You killed almost all of 'em,” he laughed. “You've helped enough with the meat, I think you deserve the pelts.”

“It'd be nice to buy a new dress or some pants, so Mary-Beth can have her dress back before I ruin it.”

“Well then, let's go��"

“You can't go, Arthur. Aren't you supposed to be meeting Trelawny and Javier? Charles just left,” Pearson piped up, cleaning off his knife.

“Sean,” Arthur sighed, remembering. “Yeah you're right. I'm sorry,” he turned to me and I shrugged.

“It's okay, another time.”

“John ain't doing anything, why don't you ask him?” he pointed over at where he was sitting at the table nursing a bottle of beer. He looked up when he heard his name. “He's mostly on light duties anyway, on account of that little scratch on his face.”

Arthur was wearing a smirk and John sighed, slamming his bottle down a little too hard before getting up, coming over to us.

“What do you need?” He asked.

“This little lady needs taking out to sell these pelts. You can handle that, can't you Marston?” Arthur asked, hands on his hips.

“'course,” he said, eyes narrowed at Arthur, who only chuckled.

“And drop by Valentine too, she'd like some new clothes.”

“Women and their priorities,” John teased me, and once again I was quick on the defense.

“One or two outfits is fine for me, this dress ain't mine,” I explained as I followed him over to the horses.

“I know, I'm messing with you. We'll get you some clothes,” he chuckled. He climbed onto his horse then held his hand out to help me up too; this time I rode sidesaddle with the pelts on my lap. It'd save some of the awkwardness of the dress riding up as I was sitting right behind him.

“Where am I taking you?”

“I know a guy who gives me a good price. He moves around a lot but he should be over on the other side of Dakota river, near the station,” I told him, holding onto his waist.

“I think I know the guy,” he nodded. “Arthur mentioned him once after taking down this massive bear Hosea helped him find. Came in wearing the damn thing on his head,” he laughed as we set off.

“Seriously?”

“Yeah, looked pretty stupid if you ask me. I told him that, he ain't worn it since," John snorted.

“Aww,” I said sadly. “You must've hurt his feelings.”

“He's a big boy, he can take it. Besides, he gives me enough crap about these wounds.”

“I noticed that. How'd you get them? Some kind of animal, I'm guessing,” I said, tilting my head so I could see the side of the face and the claw marks marring it.

“Wolves. Nasty business, thought I'd had it,” he told me with an audible breath.

“I bet. That's my worst nightmare, I think. I've had a couple of run-ins with angry bucks, but other than that I've been lucky. Though, I was bit by a snake when I was just a girl, I'd recommend that about as much as your run in with the wolves.”

“Owch. You suck the venom out?”

“My pa did,” I nodded. “Like you, I thought I was done for. Never been in so much pain in my life.”

[jessikahathaway]

An Angel and her Lover

Oof, hi again.

So, for the first time I want to dedicate a fic to someone here. @jeonggukingdom. Rosebud, I love you and thanks for being an awesome friend. Let’s be together for a long time, yes?

So, for my darling Rosebud, I present a Jungkook Frankenstein!AU, or the monster, whatever. Literature buffs, get out. 

Pairing: Jeon Jungkook x Reader

Words: 26,760 (oh my God I’m sorry)

Warnings: Violence, Graphic depictions of blood and gore, Hanging, Triggers, attempted murder, smut (duh?)

Genre: Romance, Fantasy, Frankenstein!AU, Smut, Slight Horror (if ya squint ya eyeballs)

Summary: Unable to let the fates of the world betray the life of such a beautiful young man, you defy the work of God, and save him. Now, you must deal with the consequences... One of them, falling in love with he who shouldn’t have lived.

People always fear what they can never understand.

People understood your father’s medical knowledge. But that doesn’t mean they liked him in any respect. Didn’t let their children near your family home, one that used to be ran by your father.

He was the towns physician, not by a choice of the people. But because he knew what he was doing. You studied under him with dedication and drive, wanting to provide that same care and love to the people once your father was unable.

But Karma was a cruel mistress, and she worked in interesting ways.

He died of consumption last frost. Your mother had died when you were a child, so you were left entirely alone in the world. No grandparents, no aunts or uncles. No cousins or even friends to confide in when loneliness overtook you at night.

The town left small tokens at your front gate, noting the passing of your father. But no one confronted you, no one came to the door to share in your loss. They let you suffer alone, and that’s all you would ever be.

But, you continued your father’s work, even after he had passed... it was all you knew.

Little did the people know, your father had a particular obsession since your mother had passed all those years ago...

He believed there was a way to bring the dead back to life.

He thought that if there was a storm big enough, he could harness the charge in the air and the electricity being produced would be enough to jumpstart the human brain back into function. Although, the problem was you had to catch the individual not long after dead in order to make it work. Unfortunately for you mother, that meant there was no bringing her back, and once your father had discovered this...

He went insane.

Staying up into late hours, ignoring his basic human needs for days on end. You’d bring him plate after plate of food, only to return to remove a stale version. Talking to himself, answering in a different tone as if there was a different person in the room with him. You were slightly frightened of the man he had become...

He hid it well in front of others, however you saw the devastation it raved on his mind. The father you’d grown up with was slowly crumbling when the ailment took its course through his body.

You were heartbroken, but at the same time you were a little relieved that he had managed to pass before he was completely lost. You weren’t sure if you could’ve watched that happen, you might have had to leave him if it had gone much further...

He caught consumption from handling corpses too often, something you had warned him about, but he didn’t listen. Every time a storm came in... He had to try, at least with one body. However, he couldn’t get it to work in the larger bodies... It never lasted long. Generally, it was enough for the corpse to shudder, possibly move an appendage and then their brain became overwhelmed from the strain of the electricity and it cooked... After that there truly was no second chance.

While your father desperately tried his method over and over again, you researched into the probability of herbal concoctions being added to the corpse to add in the regeneration process. You believed that if there was a herbal barrier between the electricity, that the corpse wouldn’t burn up... The electricity could be funneled through the body efficiently, instead of focusing in one area.

Even though your father didn’t see the point, you were certain if a particular mixture was added to the point of contact for the electrodes on the body, then there was a way to make it work. If you added a conductor to the process, then the possibility of success might increase.

But finding a fresh body was difficult, and generally frowned upon by the local peoples. The graveyard had been ravaged by your father, and the townspeople thought it was some animal digging up their loved ones. So, they had built a gate to dissuade any living being that came in during the night hours.

With your father being older, climbing the large fence by himself would be difficult, with a body added to it, procuring a subject would be near impossible. This lef your father with much smaller beings to work with, such as rabbits and deer that he managed to trap and kill while out on hunting excursions. Fish, also, were a medium that your father had some success in.

But it always came back to human beings in his mind. He truly believed that he could bring back people from the dead. And he wasn’t going to stop until he managed to do it.

Yet, death took him as well and no doubt to a place where he wouldn’t be with your mother either... Your father was a good man, but he had been overtaken with sadness and guilt of your mother’s death, and it turned him into someone he wasn’t by the end.

This didn’t make his absence hurt any less however. It was still difficult to eat breakfast without his whistles being heard from the other room. Every time it rained you thought of him, and when lightning cracked in the sky you wondered if it was really possible...

Was he actually on to something? Was there a way for you to bring the dead back to life?

These thoughts lead you to some research left in your father’s library. He had many scribbles and notes that didn’t make much sense. However, there was one letter that was written and dated about four years before he passed.

He was still writing in cohesive sentences. It must’ve been before he really went off the deep end...

It went as follows:

Dear Y/N,

I fear my mind isn’t entirely my own any longer. These thoughts in my head, it feels too overwhelming. As if another is controlling my thoughts and making me do things I don’t entirely want to, or feel the need to do...

But, my daughter, please believe me every time I say I love you. You remind me of your mother dearly, and perhaps that’s what hurts me the most. The fact that even though she isn’t here, I still get to see her in you... Your intelligence is blinding, much like hers. And I hope when I am no longer to finish my work... You will be able to take after me. Would you do me that honour?

Even if I become someone I am not, will you stay with me my child?

Til the end?

Your adoring father...

After finding that letter you sat in his study and sobbed. The emptiness in the home didn’t suit you. You hated waking up alone, going to bed alone and always being alone. You clutched the letter to your chest, heaving in breaths as you tried to calm your racing heart.

“Yes father,” you whimpered... “I will do as you ask.”

Soon you were going out and finding new herbs, flowers, trees and animals to test your theories out on. You healed the sick animals to see if they responded well to the treatment, and if they didn’t you did your best to aid them anyways.

If they died from their injuries then you tried to get their bodies on ice as quickly as possible. That way their organs didn’t rot and they were in the state akin to life just placed on pause.

However, you never crossed over to humans. That was something you weren’t going to do. If you successfully brought an animal back from the dead, then you would close up your father’s laboratory and begin his physicians practice once more.

That lead you to the day you found a dog, dying on the road.

It whimpered in pain, you remember it clearly. You had never felt so much anguish for an animal in your life. You quickly collected the pooch into a blanket and hurried home, a storm was brewing...

Getting home you found the extent of his injuries. He had been trampled by some horses, and left for dead no doubt. The thought made rage boil in your stomach, but you didn’t let it weigh you down. There was far too much work to do. Breaking into your strongest medicines and painkillers you tried to keep the poor animal at ease. Cooing it into slumber, patting it’s head affectionately and staying by it’s side the whole night.

At around midnight, the animal stopped breathing. Your heart lurched in your chest and you heard a crack of thunder in the distance. The wind beat itself against the windows and you saw your father’s old cot laying in the corner.

Before thinking too much about the prospects you acted. Gathering his old electrodes and clamps you moved the dog onto the cot, wheeling him towards the center of the room... Slathering your own concoctions onto his head you prayed that his fur wouldn’t obstruct your work too much. Grabbing the bolts you hammered them into his temples, then connecting the final wires to them. Next you found your father’s serum... It was the only thing he used, and it must have some sort of reanimative properties if his corpses were able to regain a form of movement after the electricity came through... Pushing a few droplets into the poor animals mouth, you stepped back.

The ceiling had a prong sticking high into the sky in hopes of catching a lightning strike and directing the energy towards a body, aiding in the reanimation process. This was one of the first projects your father had undergone after your mother died. It took him nearly three years to complete, and was the beginning of his end. You father also covered in glass so that he could see the lightning rod without much difficult. So you watched and waited... Rain howled loudly outside, making you bite your lips in nerves. This was it, you could feel the static charge prickle along your skin.

CCRRAACCKKK!

The room was engulfed in light and you threw the lever connecting the lightning rode to the electrodes. You had to shield your eyes from the brightness of it all.

When the ringing had stopped in your ears and the blue spots disappeared from your vision, you found the dog whimpering on the cot. Tip toeing over you peered at the canine from afar.

He wasn’t just jolting, he was actually breathing, eyes looking around and staring at his surroundings. Your mouth dropped open. Minutes went by, and the animal didn’t fall still once more. If anything, he became more animated, wanting to sit up but the clamps preventing his movements.

It had worked.

Falling to your knees beside the dog you began to sob into the animal’s soft fur. You had did it... He had come back to life, and your father was right. Your father’s hard work hadn’t gone to waste, he wasn’t an insane fool... his death now meant something.

It felt so good to cry with someone in the room. You weren’t so alone anymore, because this being here was able to be with you now... Because you had done the impossible, and brought him back from the land of the dead...

And that was the last time you were ever going to do it. You swore...

You woke up with the sun shining bright in your eyes, as well as a numb arm.

“Ugh, get off Garçon,” you whined, pulling your arm out from underneath his warm body. Your dog groaned and shuffled over, making himself comfortable against your pillows once more.

Scoffing at his attitude you got out of bed, grabbing your robe and tying it around your waist before heading downstairs. The beauty of having an undead animal was that they didn’t eat anything. He never was hungry and you were alright with that.

Less money out of your coin purse every week.

You began to make coffee, boiling the water on the stove like you did every morning.

A soft knock came from the door and you raised an eyebrow.

Who would be here this early in the morning?

Walking over you opened the door and the bright smile of Kim Taehyung greeted you. Smiling back you leaned against your door. “Good morning, Taehyung, what can I help you with?”

Taehyung’s eyes moved down your body before clearing his throat and looking into your eyes. “I have the money for my Father’s medicine, and I know that you’re not going to-”

“Taehyung I’ve told you many times that I don’t want money from you, his payment was birthing one of the kindest people I know... So go buy something you really want with that money, okay? I know you must’ve worked very hard for it,” you urged.

“D-Do you think, I could buy both of us dinner tonight with it?” he asked, a soft blush painting his features.

The wind blew your hair away from your face and you giggled. Taehyung bit his lip nervously as you appeared to mull the thought over in your mind. “Mmm, what would we be eating Taehyung?” you asked.

“Whatever you want!” he announced firmly.

“What if what I want isn’t on that particular menu?” you winked. Taehyung smirked and leaned against your door frame.

“Then you can order off the private menu if you’d like,” he suggested.

“Perhaps I could join you for dinner then,” you agreed.

“Really? You mean it?” he asked, eyes glimmering with hope.

“I would be delighted to join you, just tell me where?” you asked.

“Jin’s tavern, he serves the best food I’ve ever had,” he stated.

“But you haven’t tasted the best cuisine yet,” you flirted, pulling on your nightgown with a mischievous glint in your eyes.

“Perhaps I could sample it for dessert tonight?” he whispered.

“If you’re lucky,” you winked. “I really would like to join you for a meal. All jokes aside,” you confirmed.

“Then meet me at an hour before dusk at the tavern, and we’ll eat there,” Taehyung offered.

“I’ll see you then, Taehyung.”

He smiled and kissed your hand demurely before trotting off down your drive with a spring in his step. Shutting the door you slid down it on your back and squealed into your lap.

You’d liked Taehyung for years, even when the village folk didn’t accept you after your father passed... He had found you outside playing with Garçon and he had become a dear friend of yours ever since. When you brought your face up you found Garçon staring at you with an amused expression. “Oh stop it pooch, I’m allowed to be excited for my first date!” you yelped.

Garçon wagged his tail, coming closer and curling up next to you on the floor. You patted his head, trying to keep yourself from going crazy with excitement.

“Finally, finally I can be a normal girl for once. I don’t have to be the reclusive doctor, I can go out and maybe get to have my first kiss, huh?” you stared at Garçon eagerly. He just barked and you hugged him tight.

You progressed with your day, trying to keep focused on your work and not so much on the cute boy with a smile bright enough to melt your heart. You messed up two rosemary salves and one lemongrass and ginger herbal tea for someone else. You decided it would just be better if you didn’t continue working, in fear of something blowing up in your face.

So, you roamed around your home. Trying to keep yourself preoccupied was proving to be difficult. As high noon came around you tried to get a bath running so your hair would be dry by the evening. Pouring in your favorite scented oil you smiled, rose filling your nostrils.

Peeling off your clothing, you submerged your body and sighed in relief. As you sat in the warm water, you wondered briefly if Taehyung would still go on a date with you if he knew what you had done...

No one really knew that Garçon was dead, because they weren’t there... And he looked healthy, due to the fact that his broken ribs had been reset by you. So now he acted like any normal dog... But if Taehyung knew the truth about him, would he accept that? Would he understand that you were a scientist who had brought back a dog...

You shook your head quickly, not letting the thoughts overwhelm you. It would never come up in conversation, and therefore it wouldn’t matter. Taehyung didn’t have to know, because you weren’t going to do it again. You weren’t certain you could.

Leaving the anxious feeling behind you let yourself sink lower into the water and began to clean your skin.

Standing in front of your bedroom mirror you tried to think of the best dress to wear out for the night. It was going to be a little chilly, so you wanted to wear one with sleeves. But, if the night progressed how you hoped... Then you wanted the dress to be alluring for Taehyung to view.

However, you didn’t want to seem like a floozy. Even though your interaction earlier wasn’t exactly proper...

Looking through your wardrobe you found a soft pink dress that had sleeve with a square neckline that left a little for the imagination. You smiled and pulled the soft material on over your body, letting it settle accordingly before adjusting as needed.

Buttoning up the bodice you looked outside to see the time. You had approximately forty five minutes left before Taehyung’s meeting time. Hurrying to pull your hair up, you found a pin and twisted your locks in a simple fashion, leaving a few strands to frame your face.

Grabbing your mother’s necklace you put it around your neck. The familiar weight calmed your nerves as you sat at your vanity. You did simple brushes of powder and added a smidge of blush cream. A soft rose blend on your lips for color. You looked beautiful...

A tear fell down your cheek as you thought of your parents.

They would want to see you at this moment. How much you had grown, and how beautiful you had become. The picture of them smiling with you as a babe sat on your vanity gazing at you. You knew they could see you, and you knew they were proud.

Although, you hoped once the night progressed they would turn their eyes away...

Gathering your purse and accessories you trotted down the stairs, slipping your feet into your shoes at the bottom of the stairs. Garcon waited patiently at the door for you, ready to walk with you to the end of the drive like he did nearly every day. You moved with haste, noticing the sun beginning to move lower into the sky. You got to the door and opened it, leaving it cracked so Garçon could get back in and shut it when you left.

For being dead, he was a pretty smart boy.

You almost sprinted to your gate before flinging it open in excitement.

Once outside, you turned and waved at Garçon who was sitting patiently. He always watched you walk away before he would go back in the house. He wanted to make sure you got off where you were going safely. As you turned your back you felt a chill run down your spine. Looking off towards the East you saw almost black clouds rolling in.

A storm? Tonight?

It seemed unlikely, especially with the beautiful weather you’d had all week. Perhaps it would pass over. You didn’t think too much before you headed towards the tavern.

Jin’s Tavern was over on the other end of town, tucked back towards the edge of the forest. It was a long walk, so you picked up your pace. Jogging through the village everyone looked on in shock as the Physician’s daughter passed them by. A few waved, mostly the farmers whom you interacted with regularly.

“Where are you getting off to so gussied up?” Mrs. Yening asked, pulling in some of her flowers.

“Taehyung asked me to dinner tonight,” you smiled brightly. She fussed over you and pressed your cheeks, much like a mother would her babe. Since you ventured out of your home, and left the daunting facade of the quack doctor’s daughter behind, people actually started to respect you.

Not everyone was as kind as Mrs. Yening, but they were civil, and you were so grateful for it. Your loneliness had killed you. The people in the village scared of the grief-consumed individual you had turned into.

However, Garçon had brought you from that darkness. He had given you Taehyung, and when Taehyung came along, everyone else did as well.

Mrs. Yening placed a delicate alyssum bundle in your hair, cooing at the sight you gave her. “Now, hurry along, don’t keep the anxious boy waiting any longer!”

Nodding you ran off, a huge grin on your face as you made it to Jin’s Tavern. It was a little after the time Taehyung had stated, so you hoped you didn’t make him wait long...

Entering the large doors you were hit with the smell of food and drink. Everyone was laughing boisterously, glasses clinking and men whistling. You saw Jimin, the baker’s son, sitting at a table with Namjoon and Yoongi. Two of the local law enforcement. They mainly just settled little disputes here and there to keep everything intact. Hoseok and Seokjin were chatting at the bar when Jin noticed you standing at the door.

“Y/N! Come on over here!” he urged.

Excusing yourself through the crowd you came up to the older man and sat down. Hoseok passed you a glass of water as Jin wiped down the counter in front of you.

“You seem to be flushed, what’s got you all in a rush?” Hoseok smiled.

“I-I’m having dinner with Taehyung, here,” you said, huffing before taking large gulps of the water.

“Oh, are you? I haven’t seen him yet,” Hoseok wondered.

“He’s sure to turn up if Y/N is waiting, the boy will come for miles if it means she’s going to be there,” Jin teased.

You blushed and waited. The men before you chatting still, making small little comments to see you smile.

However, time rolled on.

And Taehyung didn’t show up.

You sat on the stool and every time the door opened you whipped around with a smile on your face, until you discovered none of the people entering were Taehyung. Hoseok looked at you worried, passing you another glass of water.

Jimin came over and offered you something to eat, but you declined... Taehyung had offered to purchase your meal tonight and you wanted to make sure you had an appetite for when he arrived.

Namjoon and Yoongi approached as well, asking if you wanted them to go out to look for the man in question. You weren’t sure if that was necessary. “I don’t think anything bad happened to him. I know he’ll be here. I’m sure he will.”

The night kept progressing.

Your stomach protested with the lack of food in it, but you held firm. Each time it growled Hoseok and Jin would offer to make you something to eat. On the house, but you refused each time. Taehyung would buy you a meal tonight... He said he would.

People began to flood from the doors. The liveliness of the evening narrowing out as it turned night. Jin started walking around the emptying tavern and began collecting plates, cups and getting ready for the place to close up for the night.

“Are you sure he meant tonight, Y/N? Maybe he meant tomorrow?” Jin offered as he walked past with a stack of dishes in his hands.

You held your head up in your palm, a sad expression on your face. “No, he asked me to dinner tonight. I know I didn’t mishear him,” you answered.

“P-Perhaps he got caught up at the mill?” Hoseok tried.

“He doesn’t have to work at the mill for at least two more days. The shipment of lumber from the yard isn’t due here until then,” you sighed.

Jin and Hoseok shared a solemn expression. “Y/N, it’s almost time for me to close... I-I don’t think the lad is coming tonight.”

You felt the sharp burn of tears in your eyes as you realized his statement.

A crack of thunder was heard in the distance and the two men looked at you with worried eyes. “I can make you up a bed for the night, it looks like it’s going to rain,” Hoseok stated.

“No,” your voice cracked. Hoseok placed his palm on your shoulder, rubbing it with a tenderness only a friend could offer.

“Y/N, don’t cry,” Jin pleaded.

“He said he wanted to use the money he made from extra hours at the mill to dine with me... Why would he lie and then not show up? Maybe something bad did happen to him...” you pulled on your lower lip with your teeth.

“Should I go get Yoongi and Namjoon? Maybe we should go out to look for him, you know he wouldn’t miss an opportunity to be with Y/N,” Hoseok said, standing up.

“They might be asleep but I could go get Namjoon-”

“No, it’s fine,” you whispered, letting the tears fall freely down your face. “I should just accept that he isn’t coming. Because he didn’t want to... I think I’m just going to go home for the night.”

“Y/N, it’s going to storm out there! We can’t just let you go!” Jin protested.

“I’ll be fine you two, believe me,” you smiled weakly.

Hoseok gave you a tight hug before wiping your tears. “I’m sure he wanted to come tonight, he’s sure to have a good reason. Don’t worry about it and hurry home, Garçon should be waiting for you.”

You nodded and gathered your things before heading out the door.

It was bitterly cold as you came out from Jin’s warm tavern. The wind was blowing hard and you felt your pin beginning to unfurl from your hair. Collecting your skirts you began to head home.

It was hard not to feel upset and hurt, but you tried to keep your head held high as the tears flowed freely. Jin and Hoseok were probably right, something came up. It’s not that he didn’t want to be here, something must’ve come up... It had to...

“DEAR GOD HELP ME!”

Your head turned so sharp you felt it pop slightly at the motion.

“SAVE ME PLEASE!”

The sound of a petrified man carried over the screaming wind.

“ANYONE PLEASE! I’M DYING!”

You didn’t even think as you took off towards the sound of the voice. Your feet flew into the forest before you could even think about what you were doing. The voice sounded so terrified, in so much pain.

What had happened?

You had to hurry, someone needed you and you weren’t going to let them down.

“ARE YOU THERE?! ANSWER ME!” you screamed, trying to hear their voice once more.

“PLEASE! THIS WAY!” a distinct male voice answered again.

You could hear him, he wasn’t that much further. He couldn’t be, if you could hear him over this wind.

Your skirt caught on a branch, halting your movements. Grabbing the fabric you simply ripped yourself free from the tree, heading off once more. The frigid air burned your delicate skin, but it was secondary at this point. Someone needed you.

“WHERE ARE YOU?” you yelled again.

“Help... me!”

He sounded weaker, but even closer than last time.

Deeper into the woods you went, trying to keep your pathway straight as possible so you could get out quickly. You heard deep gasping, as if someone was struggling to breathe. Looking around frantically, your eyes found a horrific sight.

A man, probably around your age, lay with a tree stump protruding from his stomach. Crimson blood leaked from his injury and you had to cover your mouth to keep from crying in horror. He was already gravely pale, and you wondered if you were going to be able to do anything.

Not letting your doubt fall into your mind, you fell to your knees beside him.

“Hey, can you hear me?” you asked, cradling his head in your hands. He was beautiful, skin smooth and clear. Body lean and structured, a strong young man. His forehead was damp with sweat, no doubt from the pain. Biting your lip you looked at his wound. The stump wasn’t too thick, but it carved a disgusting whole in his mid section.

“H-help... me...” he sputtered, coughing up blood onto his pouty lips.

“I will, I’ll help you,” you promised, brushing the blood away from his mouth. Looking at the stump and his stomach you grew worried. There wasn’t going to be anyway for you to move him, not without causing him to hemorrhage. The stump was the only reason he hadn’t bled out before you found him.

“What’s your name?” you asked, brushing his damp hair away from his face.

“J-Jung-gkook,” he rasped.

“I’m Y/N,” you answered, dabbing at his sallow cheeks tenderly. You were going to stay with him. As long as it took, you were going to keep him as comfortable as you could.

“So-so, tired,” he whimpered.

“Then sleep,” you urged, moving so he could rest his head in your lap. His skull rested against your thighs solidly, making you flush. Disgust at your own thoughts raved in your mind. He was dying, you weren’t going to think of him in that way during his final moments.

You frowned at the sight before you. He was obviously young like yourself, so handsome. Looking at him you noticed a piece of paper crumpled in his hands. Pulling it away from him you examined it.

A note from his mother...

Dear Jungkook,

Please hurry... Your father isn’t doing well and we need the tea from the doctor in that town. We love you so much son, hurry back and be safe.

Your devoted parents.

Tears thatched to your eyelashes as you swallowed hard.

He was trying to save his father...

And he must’ve tripped on the vines a few feet from here and fell onto the stump, impaling himself. It made you sick to your stomach to view his pain.

“Jungkook?” you asked, smoothing his hair gently.

“Mmm,” he answered quietly, his breathing was slowing. He didn’t have much time left.

“Are you scared?” you asked.

“No... an angel is wi-ith me,” he sputtered, looking at you through his lashes.

“I’m not an angel,” you shook your head.

“Can yo-u, g-get that note,” he swallowed hard, obviously straining to speak. It obviously pained the poor man to speak, but he wasn’t going to give up. “Get it... to the town’s doctor... M-my dad... sick...”

You smiled. “I am the town’s Doctor, and I will make sure your father gets the treatment he needs,” you stated.

“An-gel,” he whispered. “Th-ank... you...”

His eyes fell shut and his harsh breathing stopped. You bit your lip and felt tears streaming down your face. Why did this happen? How could someone so caring and so sweet, lay there dead in your lap. Cradling his head in your hands you smoothed his cheeks gently, as if trying to calm a fitful babe.

Another crack of thunder jolted you from your thoughts.

Thunder...

Your mind froze.

You said you wouldn’t do it again... But, you had to try.

If anyone deserved another chance, it was Jungkook.

Mind made up, you laid his head gently on the ground. You got your hands underneath his still warm torso before pushing up with all your might. A sickeningly wet sound pounded in your ears as Jungkook’s body came free of the stump. He fell on top of you, lips placed on your throat. Cringing from the weight and idea of a dead man laying atop you, you scrambling to your feet. Widening your stance you pulled on his hands, letting his front touch your back. You winced as the feeling of blood dripped down your spine. You swallowed thick, trying to keep yourself from getting sick.

Locking your arms around his upper chest, you began to run, as fast as you could with Jungkook on your back.

The wind howled as you did so.

It didn’t matter that your legs and arms were in agony from the haul.

You just had to get home...

And fast.

Falling into your home you gasped in much needed air.

“GARÇON!” you cried.

The distinct sound of his paws hitting the wooden floor upstairs came fast.

Soon, you felt him licking your face.

“Grab him, and get him to Dad’s laboratory,” you urged.

Something that had surprised you when Garçon had come back was how strong he was. He was a Great Dane, but still his strength seemed a little outrageous. Also, his intelligence was startling. At first, he was a little slow... But watching you he seemed to learn, you taught him commands and places in your home, and he was able to perform them. No mere canine was that brilliant, you wondered if it would work with other animals, but you weren’t going to try...

At least not until a young man with a golden heart fell into your lap.

You heard him pulling Jungkook as you ran ahead, getting your dress off and grabbing a robe to throw on. Throwing on your physician’s robe you just didn’t want to be naked. Quickly, as if the stairs were made of burning coals, you made your way down into the lower level of the house.

Grabbing the bannister you locked your fingers around it and propelled yourself down the hallway. Passing Garçon and Jungkook on the way you hurried to unlock your father’s laboratory. You pulled on the door aggressively, but it wasn’t budging. It hadn’t been open since the morning after you reanimated Garçon, and that was almost five years ago now...

Planting your feet firmly on the ground, you yanked with a great deal of strength, and the door came free. Stumbling backwards into the wall you winced at a stinging sensation. You peered down at your arm and noticed a gash bleeding through your robe. Letting the burn of pain disappear in your mind, you flew through the door and bolted over to your father’s former desk and counters. They were covered in dust and grime making you wondered if you should even attempt this...

The sound of dragging made you turn. Garçon had Jungkook’s body in the doorway. “Good boy, Garçon. Over here,” you said, pointing towards the center of the room. You had to hurry and find the bolts and wires that connected to the main line that stuck up in the air from the ceiling.

Throwing open a few cabinets you coughed at the collection of dust that sat atop it. You kneeled on the floor and pushed aside various bottles and jars of salves that would do you no good during this process.

Finding two jars towards the back you gripped them in your hand and pulled them before you. They were the ones you wanted: Rosemary and Witch hazel ointment then a Bergamot and Yarrow salve. The witch hazel and rosemary for cleansing and bergamot and yarrow for healing.

Garçon barked at you, sitting next to Jungkook’s body. You nodded and grabbed the old cot that had been the place of Garçon’s rebirth. Pushing it towards the center of the room, the jars of your ingredients set on the bedding.

Once you latched the bed down into the floor, you grabbed Jungkook’s body and hauled it up onto the bed, staining the sheets with blood. You winced when his hand brushed your shoulder, but you continued on. Garçon pushed with his nuzzle, aiding you in getting Jungkook up onto the cot with ease.

You huffed in exhaustion, the run back to your home and adrenaline beginning to dissipate in your system. But you weren’t done, you had to try. He was owed that much.

Finding a medical kit on the counter towards the windows, you grabbed it and pulled on the gloves inside. Pushing aside various pieces of gauze and surgical tape you found the sutures and thread that would provide useful.

Lighting a candle you held the suture needle over the flame and sanitized it best you could. Grabbing a couple clamps and more dabbing cloths you set to work. Taking Jungkook’s shirt in your hand, you ripped the delicate fabric down and revealed the extent of his wound.

The sight made you slightly ill, you had no idea it was this severe. You were surprised he had managed to hang on as long as he did. It was a testament to his love for his family, especially his ailing father.

These revelations made you even more determined to succeed.

You had to work fast, Jungkook’s body was already settling into rigor mortis. Once it fully set in, there wasn’t much to be done after words. So, you began stitching and cutting out the already permanently damaged flesh. You had to close the wound before you attempted reanimation, because if it was successful... He could be walking around with a giant hole in his chest.

Fingers cramping and brow slick with sweat you wondered if you were going to find triumph in your endeavor. You wanted to be right. You wanted Jungkook to go home to his parents...

But you hadn’t brought a human back before, and you were unsure of the progression of age on the body after he was resurrected. However, you’d cross that bridge when it appeared.

Finally...

Finally you were closing the surface wounds. The thunder clapped outside, reminding you of the urgency for the situation. You set down your instruments and pulled off your gloves. Moving towards the head of the cot, you looked at Jungkook’s pale face.

He was beautiful.

Soft eyelashes, plush lips and chiseled bones underneath smooth skin... You were entranced by him, even in this state he was a vision.

Shaking your head you moved for the bolts and fasteners. Placing steel bolts next to his temples, you hammered it into place. Swallowing at the sickening sound of his bones yielding to the tool, you felt slightly nauseous.

Next you grabbed the salves and placed them over his stitches. Placing a few dollops of your father’s serum in his mouth, you stepped back. Heaving in gulps of air you realized you hadn’t been breathing out of nerves.

Locating the electrodes, you began to attach them appropriately. Once the last one was secure, you looked at your work. He was hooked up and all you had to do was wait for the perfect time.

This was the hardest part.

You had to wait until a lightning bolt hit the rod, then throw the switch to allow the electricity to flow freely. It was a shock that your father had mastered it years ago, and even more so that you had done it with Garçon.

To duplicate the miracle was unlikely; but the rod was high enough in the air and made out of copper.

Moving over to the switch on the wall you gripped it and watched the sky with nerves eating you up inside. Your reaction time was the most imperative part of this moment. Garçon whined in the corner of the room, however you didn’t move.

“Don’t distract me Garçon, I need to fo-”

CRACK!

WHAM!

You pulled the lever down hard, and the room lit up brightly, much like it did years ago with Garçon. You flew to the ground, covering your head with your hands. The sound of glass cracking made your heart race, but you stayed still.

Garçon ran over, placing his head atop yours to protect you.

Another bolt of lightning struck and you saw Jungkook’s body sitting up on the cot.

Your eyes widened as you looked at his frame. He was rigid on the bed, shoulders squared. Garçon stood in front of you, looking at Jungkook warily.

“J-Jungkook?” You whispered, voice weak.

His head snapped towards yours. That’s when you realized you hadn’t fastened the stamps on the cot. Jungkook was freely moving.

Standing up you noticed as Jungkook kept his eyes on you. Placing your hands up slowly, you moved to approach him. However, you couldn’t stop your trembling. Had you really done it? Brought a human back from the planes of the unknown? Your throat was raw with anxiety.

When you were about six feet from Jungkook, is when it all went south.

Jungkook started gripping at the electrodes attached to his frame. Knowing that they were still charged you needed to keep them attached so the circuits could run their course. If he pulled them now, he could fall dead once more.

“Jungkook, don’t!” You yelped, moving to his side quickly.

The wind left your lungs as he threw his arm out. Landing on the ground in a pained heap you cried in distress. Garçon came over, growling at Jungkook.

“Garçon, down,” You huffed.

“No..” he mumbled, tugging at the equipment. You stood back up, albeit struggling, and tried once more to get close.

“Jungkook you need to wait,” you urged, trying to take his hand.

Yet again, he pushed you away. This time you lost your footing and hit the edge of the cabinets with your side. Gasping in anguish you hit the ground on your injured shoulder.

“Ah!” You whimpered, laying on the ground in pain. Jungkook turned his body at the sound.

“Please, you need to wait. Otherwise you might get hurt,” you whispered. Jungkook tilted his head, as if he understood.

He took his hands away from his wiring. You stood up, knees wobbling in strain and holding your arm in pain. But you needed to check on him, make sure that he was alright. His animation seemed to be holding well, however that could change in an instant.

Making it over to him, he peered at your face with curiosity. You reached out your hand carefully, showing the palm to him. Jungkook looked down at your palm, then to your face once more. “Jungkook?” you asked.

His head tilted, seeming to recognize the name. “J-Juung-koooook,” he mimicked, seeming unsure of his voice.

“That’s you, yes,” you smiled.

“Juung-koooook,” he said once more, pointing at you.

“No, I’m Y/N, you’re Jungkook,” you whispered, pointing at him.

“Ann-gell,” he whispered. You raised an eyebrow and your mind went back to earlier in the evening. He had called you an angel, before he’d passed.

“I think we can take these off now, can I-” you began to move towards him, without realizing your palm was covered in your own blood. Jungkook’s eyes widened at the sight.

“NO!” he screamed, shoving your hand away. You gasped at his violent reaction, unsure of where the hostility came from. Jungkook looked up at your shoulder, where blood was collecting on your robe. His eyes grew in fear as he moved away from your hand.

“Jungkook it’s alright!” you urged, holding your hands up in a peaceful manner. However, this seemed to upset him more.

“Pain! No!” he gasped, ripping the electrodes and pads off of his flesh.

“Jungkook stop!” you cried, trying to grip his arms to cease his frantic movements. But he was much stronger than you. Something he seemed unaware of, because he shoved you away yet again.

You tripped on a bucket and felt yourself hit the cabinet behind you, much firmer this time causing your body to collapse in a slump on the floor. Garçon whined in panic, rushing over to lick your face.

Jungkook stared at your body on the floor. You weren’t moving.

“A-an-gelll,” he whispered, attempting to move towards you with hesitance.

You whimpered in pain, holding your side. Jungkook looked down at his own hands then to you. Had he really pushed you so hard? What had he done?

“J-Jungkook,” you weakly gasped. Garçon whined in fear, licking your face frantically.

“P-painn, Angelll,” he said with such remorse it made your heart heavy.

“Jungkook, stop... You’re going to hurt yourself,” you whispered, trying to sit up.

“Angelll, p-pain,” he gasped, standing up and ripping the posts from his skull. You screamed in fear for him, watching as he stumbled into a standing position. Jungkook managed to stagger to the door, getting it open and heading down the hall.

Your throat tightened in worry, he wasn’t stable yet. You needed to keep a close eye on him until he adapted. “G-Garçon, follow him,” you demanded.

Garçon whimpered, licking your face before heading out the door after Jungkook. Finally hauling yourself up into a seated position you rested your head back against the aged wood. Exhaustion flooded your body, adrenaline and endorphins completely wiped out of your system.

You knew Garçon would follow him and keep him safe. For now you needed to get a little bit of rest before you went after Jungkook. He was stronger than you, and if you had any chance of helping him... you needed to be ready.

With heavy eyelids, you let yourself fall asleep...

Unsure of when you would open them again.

You awoke with your tongue stuck to the roof of your mouth and a severe bruise forming on your left side.

For a moment you weren’t sure why you were in your father’s laboratory. Then, the prior events flooded your mind.

Jungkook.

Garçon.

The reanimation...

You had to find them, and you had to do it fast.

With some difficulty you stood up, hanging onto the wood for support. Gathering yourself you managed to get out to the kitchen, when there was furious knocking at your door.

Was it Jungkook?

Did Garçon bring him back!?

Hurrying over to the door you threw it open to find...

“Taehyung?” you asked, eyebrow raised. He had the most pathetic look on his face as he weakly offered you a bouquet of wildflowers.

The anger of being stood up by the young man had long been forgotten, all that mattered right now was finding Jungkook and Garçon. However, Taehyung couldn’t know anything had happened last night. For all he knew, all he did was stand you up on a date. You must be furious with him.

“Y/N, I’m so sorry about last night, honestly I am such a fool and-”

“It’s fine, Taehyung,” you said, looking down the road for any signs of Garçon or Jungkook to be seen.

“No, Y/N, wait... What happened to your shoulder?” he asked, taking your arm in his hand. Normally, the gesture would send butterflies galore in your stomach. However, now it just sent fear. Fear of being discovered and found out to be a freak who brought the dead back to life. You couldn’t let it slip.

Bringing your arm back to your body you flipped your hair to cover the wound. “Just slipped last night, it rained quite a bit you know,” you dismissed.

“But, Y/N, it looks rather bad-”

“Taehyung, honestly. I’m alright, what did you want?” you asked.

His eyebrows raised at the hostility in your voice before swallowing hard. “Uh, I came to give these to you and to apologize for last night. Father had a fit and started to become weak. Mother needed help to keep an eye on him and I was going to come and find you after they were asleep but the rain had started by that point and-”

“I understand, don’t let it trouble you,” you urged.

“But, Y/N. I want to go out with you, properly. Shall we get breakfast? Right now? That way we won’t run the risk of-”

“I’m a little busy right now Taehyung, with the rain last night no doubt people will be coming down with colds and I should really get ahead on the tea and herbal oils to help treat them. Perhaps another time?” you asked, itching to go up to change so you could head out to look for Jungkook.

“I-I, uh, sure. Certainly, Y/N,” Taehyung said, smile lowering a little at your cold rejection.

“Thank you for the flowers, they’re beautiful,” you said, taking them from his hands. “But I really should go now. If your father gets sick again let me know and I can brew a medicine for it, bye!” you yelped, shutting the door in his face before throwing the flowers on the kitchen table and running for the stairs.

You had to get out and fast. You didn’t have any clue of where Garçon and Jungkook could be, but you had to find them and quick. Jungkook was extremely volatile right now and could be dangerous if not handled properly. Garçon was with him, but there isn’t much he would be able to do in regards to Jungkook hurting someone.

Grabbing your discarded dress from last night off the floor you went to find your outdoor wear, hoping that it would work for wherever Jungkook had wandered off to.

Where would he go? You wondered as you wrapped your arm in a simple bandage and began to pull on your clothes. He wasn’t local, that much you knew. With a town as small as yours you would’ve ran into him at some point if he was.

He was in the Southern woods when you’d found him, so perhaps he was coming from that direction? The only town close enough for walking distance here is the Lunar Isles, perhaps he could’ve come from there?

As you went to place your dirtied dress down, a small piece of parcel fell from the fabric. You noticed it was covered in blood, so it was smeared lightly. Picking it up you unfolded it and recognized the handwriting.

It was the note Jungkook had on him when he passed.

Searching the piece frantically you found the seal, and it was indeed from the Lunar Isles. The Moon Lily being a dead give away. Jungkook would be heading towards his family. And that meant serious trouble.

Quickly gathering your belongings in your satchel you ran towards the door. You had to find Jungkook fast.

Before it was too late.

The road was desolate as you trekked your way towards the Lunar Isles. It would only take a few hours on foot to get there, however it was more barren than you remember. Normally, there would be traders and merchants parading this pathway. Although, last nights rain probably made the soil to unstable for carriages to have good purchase.

You kept forward, hoping that you’d be able to find some sort of sign that Jungkook or Garçon had been this way. But the rain must’ve washed away any kind of prints last night. So, tracking them would have to start when you came upon the village.

The Lunar Isles were known for their beautiful fabrics and Floral Festival that they put on each year. When the moon rose at its highest peak for the year, they have these beautiful flowers that open only on that night. It’s the only opportunity they have to pollinate, so the villagers gather to celebrate the beauty of the flowers.

They eat, dance and drink together. A large parade takes place, then later on in the evening the locals light lanterns and let them go over the river that runs through the village. After the lanterns disappear, they all gather in the fields to the East of town to watch the flowers bloom.

You’d only been once, years ago with your father. He had some business with the Apothecary of the village, and you happened to stay for the festivities.

You remember the flowers being nothing like you’d ever seen before. So beautiful and delicate. Something out of a child’s tale. Many people propose on that night, presenting a Moon Lily to their lover in hopes of their love blooming under the moon’s protection.

It was beautiful to experience. You wish you had more merry business with the town than to collect one of their passed inhabitants. But, Jungkook would most certainly go home. If his note from his family was any indication of their connection.

The sound of a carriage approaching made you turn your head. A gentleman and his wife sat in their seats, holding the reins to their horse with diligent hands. Sending them a gentle wave, you noticed they were wearing the insignia of the Lunar Isles. A Moon Lily on a pin for the lady and an embroidered sleeve for the gentleman.

They waved back at you, sending soft smiles your way.

You were close.

Even though your hair was slick with sweat and your legs, as soon as you reached the crest of the next hill you saw it. The bustling streets and ached bright colors of the Lunar Isles.

Pushing forwards you managed to make it into the main market place without too much trouble. Looking around you tried to find traces of Jungkook or Garçon.

However, there were so many people around that you had trouble looking in one spot for very long. The whirlwind of other people became slightly overwhelming. In your anxious whirlpool you ran into an older woman, knocking her down to the ground. You gasped in surprise and turned to help her up. “Ma’am, I’m so sorry, are you hurt?” you asked, steadying her by her forearms.

“I’m alright, dear, just a little distracted,” she answered with a soft smile. Looking into her face you almost passed out.

She looked like a spitting image of Jungkook. His soft eyes and delicate lips were on her face as well, making your mouth gape open like an unattractive fish. She raised her eyebrow at you in confusion. “I-Is something wrong dear?” she asked, looking slightly uncomfortable.

“Oh! I’m so sorry, it’s rude to stare. But, you just look like someone I know,” you whispered.

“Really? That is curious, but I have to hurry home and tend to my husband, goodbye,” she waved.

Before she could turned completely, you grabbed her wrist. “Ma’am! Is your husband ill? I-I’m an apprentice under Y/N from Solstice,” you attempted. Her eyes widened, almost exactly like Jungkook’s yet again.

“Truly? Y-You know her?” she asked, gripping your hands tightly. “Have you heard from my boy? Jungkook is his name, he went to search for her in hopes of procuring a medicine to help my ailing husband. We haven’t heard from him and he left days ago,” she whispered.

“I’m unsure of his whereabouts, but I do know Miss Y/N, and I could help you if you’d allow me,” you offered.

If you could find their home, Jungkook would surely be nearby.

“Yes, please come with me,” she stated, ushering you through the large crowd and towards the more residential area of the village. You hadn’t been in this section in your travels with your father.

Following Jungkook’s mother you could feel your heart clench in pain for her. She had no idea that Jungkook had died trying to save his father. And now? Now you had lost her reanimated child. Guilt ate you up inside. How were you to know if he could ever assimilate back into normal society? Would he be able to come back here and live with his family? Would he age?

All of these things didn’t come to you when you brought him back, you just couldn’t let him die like that. Alone and worried for his father’s condition. You wouldn’t allow that. But now, you might’ve cause more pain than if you had just let him die...

Jungkook’s mother, who’s name you discovered to be Minsoo, lead you into their home. It was modest and comfortable, something you wished your home would provide...

“He’s this way,” she stated. You followed her into a room that had several bottles and jars collected on cabinets and shelves. “We’ve tried everything that the Doctor’s he could think of. But they only lessen the symptoms, and they come back within weeks of starting the medicine,” she explained.

“I see, let me take a look,” you stated.

Upon examination, you found that Jungkook’s father was ill, and he was being treated for the symptoms of his ailment, not the main cause. He must’ve grown up near a large mill, because his lungs seemed to be struggling.

Luckily, there was a solution.

“I have a tea and serum that when drank and applied twice weekly will ease his difficulty breathing. Keep him away from large groups of people and try to get him into the mountains, the fresh air there does many wonders for people with weak lungs,” you explained, feeling your worry ease.

Jungkook’s mother burst into tears as she hugged you tightly. “You are truly a gift from God, thank you so much dear,” she stated. You wrapped your arms around her as well.

No wonder Jungkook was loved so deeply. His parents were such kind souls, people that didn’t deserve for their son to be taken away from them in such a horrific manner. You kept your tears back, when you heard it. Garçon’s bark.

Your head perked up, looking out the window to see if you could spot him.

“Well, I must be going, I was here to do some shopping for my lady,” you coughed awkwardly.

“Well, one moment let me at least give you some money for these-”

“No, I don’t want you to pay for it,” you stated.

“But dear!”

“Do me a favor, and I’ll consider it payment. When you see your son again, tell him how much you love him. Any child that is willing to travel so far for their parent is one to be cherished,” you whispered.

Jungkook’s mother looked at you with confusion but nodded. “Of course, I promise.”

“Good,” you smiled. “Now, I really must be on my way.”

She followed you to the door and handed you some bread for your travels back. Thanking you profusely you smiled. Once the door was shut you bolted in the direction you last remembered hearing Garcon’s bark. It had stopped a few minutes prior, but you recalled where it had originated from.

Heading towards the streets you called out for you pet. “GARÇON!” you cried, trying to locate your beloved friend.

“BARK!”

“GARÇON!” you yelled.

The sound of paws on pavement caught your attention as Garçon came flying around the corner. You rushed over and caught him in a tight hug. “Good boy, Garçon! Good boy!” you cried. He whimpered and licked your face, as if trying to check you over. “Garçon, Garçon where is Jungkook?” you asked, pulling him off of you and looking into his eyes.

“Bark!” he yelped, heading off down the road. You quickly chased after him, worried about the condition of the man who had stumbled from your home the night before.

Making around another corner you found yourself at a dead end, with Jungkook laying in a heap on the ground. Your heart stopped. “Jungkook!” you yelled, falling to your knees beside him.

He was trembling against the stonework. Garçon paced back and forth, whining. He was filthy, as if he had fallen in the mud and rolled in grass. Collecting his face in your hands you wiped away some of the grime. “Jungkook, can you hear me?” you asked, smoothing his hair away from his face.

His eyes opened slowly, seemingly weary. “Aan-gelll,” he groaned, head teetering back. You collected him and pulled him to your chest.

“Oh thank God,” you breathed, holding him tightly. “Don’t you dare run off on me again,” you warned.

Jungkook murmured against your body, but seemed to relax in your hold. Garçon came up next to you and licked his face gently, an action that made your heart swell. He had kept him safe, and here so you could find him. “Good boy, Garçon,” you praised, patting his head. You grabbed your satchel and pulled a loose fitting shirt from it and pulled it around his shoulders. “Come on Jungkook, time to go home,” you stated.

He didn’t fight you as you pulled him to his feet. Garçon walked beside him, letting his arm wrap around his neck for added support.

You all walked like that until a carriage offered to take you to Solstice, seeing as how he was heading in that direction anyways. The driver asked what happened to Jungkook, you merely patted his head affectionately. “My poor husband had a bit much to drink, so we’re just trying to get home,” you lied. The carriage driver smiled and said something about young love.

But it was silent the rest of the drive. You keeping Jungkook close to your frame while Garçon laid on his lap. Jungkook had an absent look in his eyes as if he wasn’t there, but was trapped in his own mind.

The sight was frightening, but it was both of your realities now...

And you had to live with it.

The carriage dropped you off outside of your home and you thanked him, giving him a few pouches of sweet tea in gratitude. He waved you off, disappearing into the distance. You looked at Jungkook and wrapped his arm around you.

“Come on Jungkook, we need to get you in a bath,” you stated.

Hauling him towards the house you noticed him become tense at the sight. You brushed your hand down his back soothingly, sending Garçon ahead to bump the door open.

Jungkook’s fingers were interlocked with yours as you both made your way up the drive. You looked at him cautiously, wondering if there was anything running through his mind. You wondered if he felt anything. Garçon seemed to be able to feel worry and happiness... But animals were much less complex than human beings.

Did Jungkook feel worry and joy? Did he feel safe with you?

It was all so new, and you’d have to discover it together.

You hoped Jungkook would adapt well, but you’re not off to a great start. Running off after seeing a little bit of blood and almost killing himself again after just coming back to life wasn’t what you considered a win. But, he was back here now. And now you could start to figure him out.

Getting Jungkook in the house proved to be the easiest part of the evening.

You didn’t know that water would terrify the man to the point of trembling in the corner of your bathroom. Trying to coax him into the warm water was even more difficult than trying to keep him in the same room as it. He definitely didn’t like the fire underneath the basin that was heating it for him either.

“Jungkook please come here,” you said, pointing towards the tub with an annoyed look.

“N-No,” he defied you, shaking his head.

“Jungkook now, you aren’t going to stay in those filthy clothes covered in dirt! I won’t allow it!” you warned.

“No!”

Rolling your eyes you tried to think of how to get him into the bathtub. “Jungkook?” you asked, sitting on the floor near the bathtub. He peeked at you warily, keeping himself close to the wall.

You began to crawl towards him, smiling softly as you extended your hand towards him. Jungkook looked at your hand and smooshed himself against the wall harder, making his face contort in a hilarious way. You couldn’t hold the laughter that burst from you at his expression.

Jungkook’s eyebrows raised as he watched you laugh.

“Hee hee hee,” Jungkook mimicked. You tilted your head at his observation.

“You made me laugh, Jungkook. Because you were silly,” you smiled.

“N-no, Juuungkoook,” he said, pointing at himself. “N-n-no Sillllly,” he shook his head.

“No no, Jungkook. You aren’t named silly, you were just acting silly. Like this,” you demonstrated, smooshing your face with your hands like he had against the wall. Jungkook watched your face move into a goofy appearance and he let loose a couple involuntary giggles of his own.

You once more reached out for him, offering your hand to see if he would bite this time. He stared down at your skin, then back up to your eyes before giving you his hand. Carefully, you pulled him forward, towards the bath. Jungkook followed, letting you lead him where you wanted.

Having him stand up, you helped him disrobe. You flushed when you saw the attractive male's chest. You had never seen a man in this state of bareness.You averted your eyes as Jungkook lowered his pants. For just being reanimated, he seemed to know how to undress himself.

It was the little victories right now. You helped him get into the water. He sat down, letting it envelope him entirely. Watching him carefully, you smiled as he let a little sigh out of his pouty mouth. Just as he seemed to be relaxing, you noticed he was almost getting a little too comfortable. You gasped when he let his head go under the water.

“Jungkook, no!” you yelped, reaching in to grab under his shoulders. He came back up, looking at you with raised eyebrows.

“No?” he asked, looking at the water with a huff.

“No, if you do that you can hurt yourself,” you warned, grabbing the soap to start washing his hair.

“No,” he confirmed, nodding his head. Chuckling to yourself you started to lather the soap and run it through his hair. Jungkook leaned back into your hands, making soft sounds of approval.

“Does it feel good?” you asked, grabbing a cloth to wash his shoulders with.

“Mmm, go-od,” he confirmed.

“I’m glad,” you said, wiping the dirt and dried blood of his body. You winced when you peeked through the water to see his stomach. It was just starting to heal, something you noticed he had been capable of. There were small cuts on him last night that weren’t there any longer.

Perhaps he had a form of accelerated healing due to the reanimation?

You’d find that out later, for now what mattered was cleaning him up.

Jungkook splashed the water around a little bit, blowing at the soap bubbles that formed around his skin. You watched and laughed when he was goofy, behaving more like a young child.

When you finished washing his hair, you tapped his shoulder. He gazed up at you with bright eyes, ones that left you reeling for a few moments. Your heart constricted in your chest as he looked at you with such adoration in his eyes you didn’t think it was possible.

“No?” he asked, raising his eyebrows. You brought yourself from your thoughts before giving him a reassuring smile.

“It’s alright, just need to wash your face. Come here,” you encouraged, having him turn around to face you. Jungkook leaned towards you, letting you wipe his face with the warm cloth.

His eyes closed as he relaxed into your hands. It was so rewarding to have him like this. Safe, warm and happy in your hands. You wanted him to feel like this all the time.

But there was a long road ahead.

You needed to know what Jungkook still knew how to do, what he remembered, and if there was any chance of him regaining that lost knowledge. You could tell that his vocalizations needed work. It appeared that he could understand you a little, but wasn’t able to express his feelings towards what you wanted or what he needed.

Although, it would come with time. He needed to get adjusted, and perhaps once he did memories and things of the like would return as well.

“Good,” Jungkook murmured. You brushed his hair away from his face and smiled.

“Good,” you confirmed.

The follow days were hard.

Jungkook wasn’t good at communicating, and it was difficult for you to understand what he needed.

It started with trying to get him to remember small things.

‘Do you remember your family?’

‘No.’

‘Who are you?’

‘Juuungkooook.’

‘What did you like to do?’

‘No.’

It all became very repetitive. Jungkook didn’t remember much of anything. Jungkook only knew about seven or eight words. Jungkook, Angel, Silly, Good, No and Pain.

Whenever he liked something or enjoyed something, he’d answer good.

If you made a weird noise, or did something out of the ordinary he’d say silly.

If Jungkook didn’t understand or wasn’t sure of something he’d say no.

And when he was upset, he’d say pain.

Jungkook had been trying very hard, because he wants to make you happy. At least, that’s what you thought anyways. He also had a problem with knowing his own strength. Many of your dishes and silverware had been the victim of his powerful hands.

But you weren’t going to give up on him. He needed you, and you were the reason he was like this. You had a responsibility to him, to make him better if you could.

Today you wanted to see if Jungkook could read. You wondered if he remembered any kind of books from the Lunar Isles. So, you brought out a book about Moon Lilies.

Walking down the stairs you heard Jungkook laughing. No doubt at Garçon, who had taken to him quickly. They were the same in a way. Experiencing life after death, and they had a common friend in you.

You smiled as you reached the kitchen, seeing Jungkook throw Garçon’s toy to have him bring it back. “Good!” he announced, patting Garcon on the head.

“Jungkook?” you asked, coming around the corner and setting the book you selected for him on the kitchen table.

“Angel!” he yelled.

“Jungkook, are you having fun with Garçon?” you asked, looking at the pair with fondness.

“Good!” he nodded, patting Garçon on the head once more.

“Good,” you confirmed. “I want to try something, would you like to try something new?” you asked.

“Nnnnnn,” Jungkook tried, squinting at your lips as you said the last word.

“New,” you said slow, waiting for him to repeat.

“Nnneeewwww,” he said, exaggerating his face to mimic yours. You nodded and clapped.

“That’s right, new!” you said.

“No,” Jungkook pouted.

“Now, Jungkook,” you admonished. “We need to try new things.”

“No, Angel,” Jungkook said.

“Oh yes, Jungkook. Here,” you said, handing him the book.

Jungkook looked at it for a moment before running his hands over the front cover. You watched with rapt attention. He turned it over in his hands, sniffing it for a brief moment which worried you a little. Jungkook had taken a bite of Hemlock when you showed it to him for the first time, making you panic.

Good thing is, Jungkook wasn’t affected.

Peeling the front cover back, Jungkook touched the paper. He rubbed it, making it ripple and move. His eyes widened, moving the paper quickly back and forth until it ripped. You frowned, not wanting him to destroy your things. “Jungkook, no,” you said, holding his hand.

He looked at you then to the book. “No?”

“No, you don’t want to rip it,” you said, pointing at the rip in the paper. Jungkook pointed at it with you.

“No,” he said to the rip.

“That’s right, no,” you stated. He nodded before turning the pages slowly. He peered at the words with confusion, until he hit the picture of the Moon Lily. It was all over his hometown, so you hoped this would spring some sort of reaction in him.

Jungkook patted the picture, as if he was trying to get it out of the page. “Good,” Jungkook whispered. “L-Lily.”

“That’s right!” you praised, holding his face. “That’s a Moon Lily,” you encouraged.

“Good?” he asked, smiling brightly.

“So good, Jungkook!”

A knock came to your door and you turned harshly. No doubt another customer coming to seek a remedy. You looked at Jungkook and smiled softly.

“Just stay here, okay? I’ll be right back,” you said, standing up and moving towards the door.

You opened it, and to your surprise... Yoongi and Namjoon stood before you. You raised an eyebrow at both of them before stepping outside. “Good morning, gentleman,” you greeted.

“Y/N,” Yoongi acknowledged. “We’re here to ask you a few questions.”

“About?” you wondered.

“Do you know anything about the disappearance of a young man named Jeon Jungkook?” Namjoon questioned.

Your blood ran cold. Why would they be looking for him?

“The Lunar Isles is asking for aid in helping to locate the betrothed of the Mayor’s Daughter. Jeon Jungkook apparently was coming to you in search for a remedy for his father. But he hasn’t been seen in almost two months,” Yoongi stated.

“I-uh, I’m sure I have no idea. I see a lot of people,” you said casually. Or what you hoped was casual.

“Yes, we’re aware of that. But, there’s been search parties and not even a body has turned up. Surely we would’ve found something by now. So, we were wondering if you’d seen him, or at the very least heard of him?” Namjoon asked.

“I’m afraid I haven’t,” you coughed. “But, I’m sure if I see him or hear of him I’ll let you know.”

Yoongi and Namjoon looked at one another before nodding. “Y/N, if you do hear something... Please let us know, the Lunar Isles is rather upset that the pride and joy of their town has gone missing. They’re blaming us for his disappearance. I heard from Seokjin that they are threatening to cut off trade if no news of the young man comes in. So please, if you do hear anything... Come find us, alright?” Yoongi asked.

You nodded firm. “Absolutely, if I hear, see or smell something you’ll be the first to know,” you offered.

The men smiled at you before waving their farewells.

Your heart thudded dangerously against your chest. Jungkook, was engaged to be married to the Mayor’s daughter? Surely not, he was just a simple merchants son... But that didn’t make sense with the house his family was living in.

It was large and spacious, not something a merchant would be able to afford... Then it hit you. Jungkook must’ve agreed to marry the Mayor’s daughter to provide for his family. And when they couldn’t find a cure for his father...

Oh God, what had you done?

Hurrying back inside you leaned against the door, feeling the anxiety swallowing you whole. What were you to do? You couldn’t return Jungkook to them in this state. He barely was able to hold a sentence, let alone pass off for someone who hadn’t died and been brought back to life.

And once they knew what you had done... No doubt you’d be killed for your disgusting act of science. Even though it brought Jungkook back, even though you saved him you would still be punished. It would be seen as reversing God’s work. And that would no doubt bring death’s scythe upon your head.

“Angel?” Jungkook asked, coming around the corner to look at you.

Looking into his face you knew.

He had no idea what was wrong. He was innocent in this whole matter, it was all your fault. And he was now suffering because of what you had done. Because you decided to rewrite fate. It wasn’t your decision to make. Your father had been wrong to do it all those years ago, and you were even more disgusting for continuing to do his bidding after his death.

Jungkook being stood here before you was a mistake... But you didn’t want him to die. He seemed too lost and afraid while he laid in your lap that night. And during these past weeks, he’d been trying so hard to please you. To make you happy, and he wasn’t sure why he was doing either. You felt tears burn in your eyes as you looked at the man before you. “Jungkook, I’m so sorry,” you whispered, bringing him into your arms to hold him. “I’m so sorry I did this to you.”

Jungkook wrapped his arms around you, something you’d taught him to do. “Angel... Pain?” he asked, keeping hold of you.

“Yes Jungkook,” you nodded, crying into his shoulder.

“No... No pain angel,” he whispered.

“I need to fix this,” you breathed, holding his face in your hands. You smoothed your thumbs over his cheeks, taking in his beauty. “I have to make this right.”

That night you look up at the stars and wonder if you could do it. Could you destroy the one thing that had been bringing you joy and happiness in your pointless existence?

Jungkook had been doing well over the last few days. Starting to learn more words, figuring out how to use utensils once again. He even managed to eat something!

He didn’t need to, obviously. But he still seemed to enjoy it. Because now he kept asking for food.

‘Angel? Food now?’

He and Garçon were so close, you felt like he was Jungkook’s best friend. They played together in the yard, yipping and laughing. Garçon was good for Jungkook, because he reminded Jungkook to be gentle. Especially when it came to you. Garçon was so keyed into your reactions, he’d nip or nudge Jungkook when he was getting a little too rough.

And Jungkook was learning.

He was beginning to speak more. Smiling at you with those adorable teeth and a giggle that made you feel like your heart was going to jump out of your chest. Everything he did was something new.

He’d learned to be gentle with books, not ripping them when he peered at the pages. You weren’t sure if he could read, but he seemed to like the feeling of the pages between his fingers. You often found him in your library, perusing the shelves just to feel the spines of your books.

And he loved baths. More specifically, he loved you washing his hair. Each time you did he seemed like a little cat, purring and trying to get you to continue your movements as the water cooled underneath him. He would sit in the water for hours if you let him, just to have you play with his hair.

It made your heart hurt. You felt so much guilt eating you up inside each day that you got to see Jungkook smile, to watch him learn new things. It wasn’t for you to see. He was supposed to be decaying in a forest right now... But you couldn’t let nature run its course. You wouldn’t allow yourself to be the passerby, the witness to a tragedy that everyone must face.

No, you intervened and you were being punished for it. The guilt and shame you felt each day, knowing Jungkook’s parents were waiting in agony for their son to return. You were being so incredibly selfish. Keeping Jungkook here for yourself. He wasn’t yours to keep, he wasn’t like Garçon...

He had a life before you. A life that was to end in the forest. And yet, you wouldn’t allow it.

The Lunar Isles were now becoming a serious threat for Solstice. Hoseok had informed you that they had recently been cut off from shipments of wine for Jin’s tavern. A house specialty that had brought many a patron.

And the lumber from the Isles was also getting siphoned. Taehyung said that he wasn’t getting enough work, so he had to double up and help at the stables to afford enough to eat.

So many people were beginning to suffer, because you couldn’t let him go... You couldn’t release the sweet boy who burrowed his way into your lonely heart. The one you were so desperate not to have, now filled with a light that shouldn’t be there.

You began to wonder if you truly could let Jungkook go?

Should you do it?

Dare you do it?

Looking to your vanity you saw your father’s hunting knife sat there. You had brought it out a few days ago to help with a new dress fastener that you had purchased. However, should it serve a different purpose?

Walking over to it you gazed at the grooves and worn metal. Would it be enough? You’d never thought about killing Garçon before, but certainly they could be killed again...

You had to make it right.

He wasn’t supposed to be alive right now, you didn’t deserve the joy he was bringing you. It was wrong, so wrong for you to feel elated when he smiled at you. When he held you in his arms... His strong arms that still clutched you a little too tight.

But it wasn’t his fault.

He’s doing everything that he can, and you are considering to take everything away from him... Even though he’s just getting it all back again? Do you have the right to fix your mistake?

Taking the knife, you slowly walked towards Jungkook’s bedroom. Even though he was reanimated, you noticed him and Garçon both needed sleep still. The air in the hallway was still, and you heard the thundering of your heartbeat in your ears as you stood outside his door.

Opening the old oaken paneling slowly, you moved inside his room. Jungkook was laying in his bed, moonlight shining on his skin. He looked so at peace...

Approaching his bed, you found your hands shaking. Tears were running down your cheeks and you couldn’t stop them. You didn’t want to hurt Jungkook. You cared about him so much, and you knew that this was going to be for the best. And if this was going to be the only way, then so be it...

Touching his face gently, you cradled his cheek in your palm. His skin was warm to the touch, proving his life. And soon his blood would run cold. Trembling you brought the knife to his neck, your vision blurring because of the tears.

Jungkook flinched in his sleep, but remained still.

You began to push down a little harder, when Jungkook shifted slightly. You froze your movements and kept your eyes trained on him. A soft smile made its way to his face, he must be dreaming about something. “Angel...” he said, body relaxing even further.

In that moment you knew you could never hurt this man...

Looking at the knife to his neck you cried and threw it on the ground. Jungkook groggily looked up at you, eyes fluttering open. He recognized you and his eyes turned worried. “A-Angel, pain?” he asked, sitting up.

You threw your arms around him, holding him close to your body. “I’m so sorry Jungkook, I can’t do it,” you cried. “I can’t hurt you. I never could.”

Jungkook tilted his head and nestled it into the crook of your neck. He brought his arms to your hips, rubbing his thumbs into your skin. Even though it was rough, you shivered at the contact and couldn’t help the flutter that occurred in your heart.

He wrapped his arms around your waist and made you lay down, keeping your body close to his. As you fell asleep next to him, you made a promise to yourself.

That you were going to make Jungkook human again. And you were going to give him back to his family...

And you were certain it would kill you.

The following days and weeks proceeded slowly.

Namjoon and Yoongi came by again, asking if you’d seen the location of Jungkook or heard any rumors of the man’s whereabouts. You lied once more, saying you hadn’t seen him or heard anything about him.

All the while, the very man sat in your room playing with Garçon.

Lying to the people you’d grown so attached to in your life made you sick, but it was necessary. If they took Jungkook now, they certainly kill him. He wasn’t ready yet.

You were seated in your study, looking through your ledger for this month. The gold certainly wasn't flowing as it had in previous months. The Lunar Isles were cutting trade with Solstice left right and center, making it difficult for people to afford your treatments. Times were dark, and you worried for how long you could keep Jungkook a secret before people started to get severely hurt.

“Angel, look!” Jungkook announced, coming around the corner into your study with Garçon hot on his heels. Being pulled from your thoughts you turned away from the window to smile at him.

“What is it?” you asked.

“Made this... for you,” he tried, holding up a picture. You came forward and looked at the drawing.

It was a beautiful sketch, one starring you.

You were sitting out in the front yard, hair down and blowing in the wind. Garcon was next to you, laying in your lap as you peered of into the distance. You thought back and remembered it was just a few days ago this had taken place.

But you thought Jungkook had gone to take a bath at that time...

“Jungkook... This is incredible,” you praised.

“Good? You like?” he asked, biting his lip nervously.

“I love it, Jungkook,” you breathed, taking it from his hands. You smiled and set it right on your desk. “I’ll keep it here, so that way I remember this day and you forever.”

You knew it was a lie. Once you gave Jungkook back, they’d seize the house and everything in it. And the picture would be lost. But for now, for now it belonged to you. And it was a beautiful belonging to hold.

“Angel?” he asked, poking your cheek. “Being silly.”

“Oh, sorry Jungkook. Do you want something to eat?” you asked, raising an eyebrow.

“Yes! Food Angel! Angel’s food!” he cheered. You rolled your eyes and walked down the stairs, heading towards the kitchen to start baking.

Jungkook’s favorite food of yours had quickly become steak with a small salad on the side. The boy could pack it in until you were certain his scar tissue would open up. But, he always patted his stomach and whispered for it to all stay in.

You prepped the meat and you felt warm arms wrap around your middle. You turned to see Jungkook looking down at the food with interest, head resting on your shoulder. “How?” he asked, looking at your hands work.

“Do you want to learn, Jungkook? I can teach you,” you said.

“Please?” he asked.

One thing you drilled into his head early on was manners. You weren’t going to give Jungkook back as a rude, privileged boy...

Moderately spoiled on the other hand...

You were certain he was before anyways.

At least, you hoped so.

Telling Jungkook the list of ingredients, he watched you work the knife with rapt attention. He was incredibly observant that sometimes it made you nervous. You always ate with more elegance, hoping that he would follow you. You treated things with the utmost care, hoping he’d mimic your behavior.

He was still a little rough, but Garçon was teaching him well.

“Angel?” Jungkook asked while you sliced the carrots and celery for the salad.

“Yes, Jungkook?” you responded, keeping your eyes focused.

“When can... When can I... outside?” he asked, raising an eyebrow.

You stiffened as his requested.

With Jungkook’s search continuing, you had told him he needed to stay inside. It wasn’t okay for him to be out where anyone could see him. Namjoon and Yoongi were around your house nearly every other day, asking about information.

They were becoming desperate in the Lunar Isles. The Mayor’s daughter had refused any other suitor her father brought her way. She wouldn’t give up until Jungkook’s body was recovered or he came home to her.

So, the trade deals had all be but shut off in the meantime.

Taehyung had lost his job at the mill, so he worked at the stables full time.

Jin had to shut down the tavern for three nights a week.

Namjoon and Yoongi were getting heat from your own town’s mayor, saying there were useless because they couldn’t even find a body for the young man.

You even tried to reason with the mayor, stating that perhaps some animals had come by and eaten the carcass. He refused that, however. Stating that the wolves in the surrounding area weren’t brave enough to come close to town.

Of course he wouldn’t listen to reason with the Lunar Isles practically threatening to go to war with him over one man. You couldn’t believe how out of control the whole situation had gotten. The Mayor’s unbelievable daughter, his response to her demands, and the effect that it had on your town.

“I’m sorry Jungkook, but you know it’s not safe outside. I need you in here with me,” you said, smiling softly.

“Need me?” he asked, looking at you.

“Yes, Jungkook. I need you here with me,” you said.

“Okay! I stay inside!” he said.

“Maybe we can have a picnic one day, hmm?” you asked, knowing that you’d never allow it to happen. But it wouldn’t hurt to give him some hope.

“What’s... picnic?” he asked.

“It’s where we take a blanket, and I make some food and we go outside and eat it out there,” you explained, watching as Jungkook’s eyes brightened at the idea.

“When picnic?” he asked, practically jumping up and down.

“Someday,” you promised.

“Picnic with Angel!” he yelled.

You shushed him before finishing the meal. You had him set the table, gathering the silverware and plates accordingly. Bringing the food over you set his plate up with plenty of everything.

Jungkook bounced in his chair, excited for the meal. You watched him set his book aside carefully, making sure that it wasn’t going to fall off of anything.

Jungkook had taken to reading a lot, recently. He was doing so much better at vocabulary and understanding the story, even though he couldn’t fully articulate what he wanted to say.

After a hard jolt of his knee against the table you chastised him.

“Easy baby,” you calmed. You then realized your mistake. A bright flush flew over your cheeks.

“What’s baby?” he asked.

“Um, it’s nothing Jungkook,” you tried to dodge his question.

“But Angel,” he whined. “Want to learn!” he complained.

“Jungkook, I said it was nothing,” you warned.

“Angel...” he pouted.

“Fine! Fine fine,” you acquiesced. “It’s a... term of endearment,” you explained.

“En-endear-mint?” he tried.

“No, endearment,” you stated. “It means to be something beloved or important. So, the term is one of affection.”

“Affection?” he tried.

“Yes, it means... Well... That I’m fond of you,” you reasoned.

“Angel like me?”

You almost spit out your drink, but you swallowed half of it, inhaling the other. You coughed loudly, making Jungkook rush over to your side.

“Angel!” he yelped, worried.

“It’s-okay,” you coughed. “I’m okay.”

“Angel,” he whined, holding your hand. “Scary.”

“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to scare you,” you soothed, coughing a few more times before wiping your eyes. “I’m alright.”

Jungkook wrapped his arms around you yet again. You found the man to be extremely clingy, hanging off of you at most times of the day. And when he did, you generally almost lost a rib or two.

“Ooh! Jungkook-ah!” you winced. Garçon growled in the corner, making Jungkook back off.

“Garçon mad?” he asked.

“Jungkook, I think your next lesson needs to be on how to be gentle with people,” you confirmed.

“Gentle?”

"Finish your food," you encouraged. At the thought of learning something new, Jungkook hurried to comply. You watched as he quickly ate all the food you put on his plate, smiling when he cleaned it off for you.

“Done Angel!” he beamed.

“Come upstairs,” you said, standing up. Jungkook nodded and took your hand, walking with you up the stairs.

Leading him into your parlor room, you had him sit down on the slipper sofa. He bounced on it a few times, smiling when his body jolted back up.

“Now, Jungkook,” you started, sitting next to him.

“Yes, Angel?” he asked.

“What is it called when I hold you like this?” you asked, wrapping your arms around his neck carefully.

“Hug! Hug Angel!” he said, squeezing you back.

“Oof,” you breathed harshly. “Jungkook,” you warned. He let go, albeit pouting the whole while.

“Jungkook bad, Angel?” he asked.

“No baby, not bad,” you shook your head. “You’re very strong, Jungkook. Stronger than me, that means you can hurt me.”

Jungkook’s eyebrows flew up at the word hurt. He knew it meant pain, and Jungkook didn’t want that. “No! No hurt Angel!”

You calmed him, rubbing his cheeks with your thumbs. “No baby, you don’t mean to. I know you don’t. But you need to learn to be careful with other people, otherwise they can get hurt.”

“No... No want hurt,” Jungkook whispered.

“I know Jungkook, I know,” you nodded. “Because you’re so good, Jungkook. But I’m going to show you gentle,” you stated.

“Gentle, good?” Jungkook asked for confirmation.

“Yes, Jungkook. Gentle is good,” you nodded. “Here, hold my hand.”

Jungkook looked at your outstretched palm and wrapped his hand around yours. You brought your hands to his and pointed out how loose he was holding on. That was gentle. You touched his face softly, saying it was gentle.

Calling Garçon in, you pet his head slow, making sure Jungkook watched.

“See, this is gentle, now you try,” you said, moving Jungkook’s hand to Garçon’s head. He followed your hand, brushing along his fur slowly. Garçon grumbled in approval, leaning into Jungkook’s hand.

“Gentle,” Jungkook repeated.

“Yes, now try on me,” you said, turning to face him.

“Gentle,” he breathed, placing his hand on yours. You nodded, placing his hand on your cheek. Jungkook moved his hand around the skin there, watching as a pink blush moved to your cheek.

“That’s good, Jungkook,” you approved.

“Pink,” he said, poking your cheek with his finger.

“Blushing,” you explained.

“Me too?” he asked, pointing to his face.

“No, Jungkook,” you answered.

“Why?” he asked.

“It’s because... Well...” you bit your lip, looking at your lap. Honestly, you were embarrassed by this whole ordeal. But if Jungkook didn’t learn how to be careful with others, then he would be in serious danger. You also knew that Jungkook would regret hurting anyone. He hating seeing others in pain or people upset.

Especially you.

“It’s because you make me happy, Jungkook.”

“Want to blush!” Jungkook demanded.

“Baby you can’t just-”

“Angel make Jungkook happy!”

“I know, but you don’t... You don’t understand why I’m happy,” you flushed once more.

‘I’m happy because you’re touching me. I’m happy because I get to be here with you, and to see you each day. You make me so happy I can hardly contain myself. I want to kiss you, hold you, share everything I am with you... But you can’t ever know that...’

“Angel make me blush!”

“Jungkook,” you tutted. “We’re learning how to be gentle.”

“Want to learn how to blush!”

“No, Jungkook. Gentle first,” you stated.

“Gentle,” he sighed. “Okay.”

“Now, try to hug me. Gently,” you said.

Jungkook nodded and leaned forward, placing his hands around your waist, pulling you into his body. Although, instead of feeling like you were going to pop like a grape... You just felt safe, protected in his strong arms. Jungkook kept ahold of you, resting his head on your shoulder.

“Gentle, Angel?” he asked.

“Yes, Jungkook. Very gentle,” you confirmed.

“Angel teach blush now?” he asked.

“Goodness you’re persistent!” you stated, moving away from his embrace.

“Blush!”

“Alright, hold on,” you bit your lip.

Carefully, you placed a soft kiss to his cheek. You peeked an eye open, and Jungkook’s face was red as a tomato.

“Oh! Jungkook!” you said, placing your cool hands on his cheeks.

“A-Angel,” he whispered. “What that?” he asked.

“You’re blushing,” you wavered.

“No... Cheek touch?” he asked.

“U-Um... That’s called a kiss, Jungkook,” you whispered.

“Want another,” he said.

“Jungkook-”

“Angel kiss,” he asked.

“Okay, okay!” you relented, placing another soft kiss to his cheek.

“Good,” he said, smiling. “Jungkook like kiss.”

“Well, that’s good,” you nodded, blushing hard once more.

“Angel blush,” he said, placing his hand on your cheek.

“Y-Yes, I’m blushing,” you said.

“Angel happy?”

“Yes, Jungkook... I’m happy.”

“Jungkook happy too.”

And that’s all that mattered.

You really shouldn’t have taught Jungkook what a kiss was.

Because now he wanted them all the time.

“Angel, kiss!” he’d ask when you’d wash his hair. You’d kiss his head and he’d giggle like a boy with his crush. But your heart fluttered in your chest each time you gave in and kissed him. You began to look forward to when he asked, and then you were doing it without him asking... This was dangerous. You shouldn’t be giving him this much affection. Because eventually, you were going to have to leave him.

As much as it pained you, you knew that you couldn’t keep him with you forever. Jungkook had even stopped sleeping in his own room, coming into your bed during the night and holding on to you.

He claimed he slept better with you, and he would be sad if you didn’t let him stay. Obviously at first you told him no, and then he would ask why. You simply explained that it wasn’t proper for people who weren’t married to share a bed.

Of course then he asked you to marry him, and you had to go off on a tangent about marriage... It all became taxing to an extent, but you always smiled because it meant Jungkook was learning something new everyday.

But, then Jungkook started asking about other things...

One day you were stood in the kitchen, making porridge for breakfast when Jungkook set his book down on the table in front of him.

“Angel, what is... Uh... French kiss?” he asked, raising his eyebrow at you.

“What do you mean?” you flushed, stirring the pot of oats before you with renewed vigor.

“You’re blushing!” he squeaked. “Happy?”

“Where did you hear about French Kisses?” you asked, trying to calm your flaming cheeks.

“In book,” he said, pointing to a romance novel on the table.

Just your luck he would pick that one.

“Well, you can read about it then,” you huffed, looking down at your pot full of food. Heart heavy with sadness, you set the spoon down. Jungkook was almost ready to be sent back... His sentences were much better, careful with people, and most importantly...

You needed to give him away before you couldn’t stand to let him go...

“No, Angel! I need help!” he whined.

“Jungkook, I’m not teaching you about that,” you said, cutting the conversation there.

“But Angel-”

“No Jungkook,” you said.

“Then I’ll go outside,” he huffed.

“Don’t you dare!” you growled. Jungkook smirked.

“Then show me french kiss!”

“Jungkook this isn’t a joke,” you warned.

“French kiss, or outside,” he said, heading towards the door. The both of you knew that if he wanted to go outside there wasn’t anything you could do to stop him. He knew his strength and he could easily overpower you.

“Jungkook you get back here right now!” you demanded.

“Outside or french kiss, outside or-”

“Fine! Fine fine fine, get over here,” you winced. Jungkook smiled and trotted back to you happily. “You’re such a little brat.”

“Angel, french kiss!” he said.

“Close your eyes,” you said, swallowing hard. Jungkook did so, standing in front of you. Before you lost your courage, you leaned up slowly and placed your lips on his. Jungkook stiffened, opening his eyes to look at you.

But the longer you gently kissed his mouth, he relaxed and shut his eyes once more... You did the same, folding your arms around his neck.

His mouth was soft, gentle against your own. You felt your toes tingle at the sensation of being this close to him. You knew this was wrong, oh God was it wrong... But you couldn’t help it. You wanted this so badly.

The boy you brought back had become someone you cared for so deeply that you couldn’t even believe it yourself. He made you smile, he gave you a purpose. Jungkook was so kind, so sweet and willing to learn. He was curious, and outgoing. He had such a courageous spirit. Wanting to do everything and anything he could.

You admired him so much...

You also adored the smiles you shared over meals. You longed to hear his feet patter down the stairs in the morning to meet you for breakfast. The laughs you had while he bathed. How he gave you all of himself, everyday. How he was so unapologetically himself with you. Because he didn’t have to be anyone else for you to love him as much as you did.

You didn’t want anyone else but him.

Jungkook’s hands rested on your waist, pulling you closer. Your eye popped open at the motion, making you seperate your lips from his.

“Angel!” Jungkook whined. “More~”

“No, Jungkook stop,” you said, placing your hand on his chest.

“French kisses have tongues, that’s what book said” he said, licking his lips. “How do we do that?”

“Jungkook we should stop-”

“Kiss more, Angel,” he breathed moving down to capture your lips once more when you placed your hands against his lips. You giggled at his expression before shaking your head.

“Jungkook, only lovers should be doing this kind of thing,” you stated.

“Lovers? What are those?” he asked. You mentally cursed yourself, letting another intimate detail slip.

“Uh... Lovers are people who are in love,” you stated lamely.

They were, you weren’t wrong.

“What is love?”

Well shit.

“Um, love is... Well, that’s kind of a weighted question Jungkook. Because it’s different for everybody,” you said.

“Tell me,” he urged. “Want to know.”

“Well... What I think love is... Is when you care about someone, a lot. When you’re not with them, you’re thinking about them... When you’re together, you want to talk about things that make you happy. When you’re with them, you feel like another part of you is there again... You feel complete when the person you love is with you. Because when you love someone, you want to be with them all of the time. Love is caring and being with someone despite their flaws and their misgivings... Love, is one of the most powerful emotions out there.”

“Angel... I... I love-”

BAAAMM!

Your door slammed in.

You and Jungkook jumped, looking at the entryway to see floods of people entering your home.

“Y/N! YOU ARE UNDER ARREST FOR THE KIDNAPPING OF JEON JUNGKOOK OF THE LUNAR ISLES!” Yoongi yelled.

Jungkook wrapped his arms around you protectively. “Angel?” he asked, looking at you.

Oh God, they knew... How did they know? How was anyone able to figure it out?? You had been so incredibly careful.

“Yoongi, Namjoon wait please-”

“Please come forward, we don’t want to hurt you Y/N,” Namjoon warned.

A few other guards were at their back, ones that had the Lunar Isles crest on their arms. They were here, because of Jungkook...

“Please understand, I didn’t kidnap him!” you pleaded.

“Y/N, we want to believe you, but all this time he’s been here with you... While his family and fiance are worried about him... It doesn’t look good,” Yoongi warned.

“I didn’t kidnap him,” you pleaded. “I-I had to...”

“Come on, Y/N, we need to take you to the jail,” Namjoon said. “Let him go.”

Jungkook looked at you, fear in his eyes. “Angel,” he whispered.

“Jungkook, be gentle. Don’t hurt anyone, alright? Be good,” you said. “I have to go.”

“No, Angel stay!” he whimpered, tears forming in his eyes.

“I can’t Jungkook, I was wrong to keep you,” you frowned. “But I couldn’t help it... Because you didn’t deserve what happened to you... I had to help you. I’m sorry.”

“Angel,” he cried softly. “Stay.”

“I can’t stay, Jungkook you need to go home,” you said, wiping his tears away. However, your own were quickly falling as well.

“Home is Angel,” he stated, looking into your eyes with such agony you couldn’t bear it.

“Your home is with your family, not with me... I took you away from them,” you explained.

“No,” Jungkook shook his head, wrapping his arms around you. “Home is Angel.”

“Y/N, we have to go,” Yoongi warned.

“Behave Jungkook, don’t hurt anyone. Be gentle...”

Stepping out of his arms you felt your heart shatter as you walked towards Namjoon’s frame. Yoongi quickly fastened wooden cuffs around your wrists to keep you from moving. You winced and hissed in pain, making Jungkook furious.

“Angel!” he bellowed, moving forward, knocking over a few kitchen chairs in his wake.

“Restrain him,” Namjoon ordered, pulling you back.

“No don’t! He doesn’t know! He won’t hurt anyone!” you declared.

You watched as four or five men struggled to keep Jungkook at bay, your heart shattering as they held him still while you were pulled away from him.

“Angel! Please!” he cried, pulling against their hold. “Ow!” he winced.

“Stop! Stop don’t hurt him please! Please, Namjoon please,” you begged, looking at your friend.

You could see the pain in his eyes as well. You looked to Yoongi who held a similar expression. They didn’t want to do this to you. They knew you weren’t doing it to hurt anyone, but they had to do their duty. You had lied, and this was your punishment for doing so. There wasn’t anything your friends could do for you now.

“Angel! Angel stay!”

You felt your throat burning as you were dragged away from Jungkook’s cries. Garçon whimpered on the doorstep, looking at you for guidance.

“Stay with Jungkook! Garçon!”

You were pulled along your driveway, hearing the one you cared for most cry out your name. Pleading for you to stay with him...

You knew this day was coming...

You just didn’t want it to be today...

Or tomorrow...

Or the next day...

The stone floor of your cell was frigid against your skin.

You’d been thrown in here a few hours prior, being left with your thoughts. You wanted Jungkook, and wondered if he was alright... Had they taken him back to the Lunar Isles? Was he with his family? You hoped he was happy with them...

Was he excited to marry that girl?

Jealousy burned in your veins at the thought of him holding another woman. Asking her to kiss him. However, the jealousy was soon replaced with shame. You had no right to be jealous, he wasn’t yours. Jungkook didn’t belong to you, but you belonged to him... he just didn’t know it.

Your wrists ached from the weight of the cuffs around them. But all you cared about was Jungkook. He’s all that mattered in your mind at the moment.

You longed to see him, his cute smile and bright eyes. It was his bath night, he no doubt would be pulling you up the stairs at this moment, saying it was time for Angel to wash his hair.

A small sob came from you as you imagined the scene...

Him sitting in the water, playing with the bubbles. You’d tell him to quit moving, otherwise he’d get soap in his eyes. Jungkook hated getting soap in his eyes, it made him so frustrated. But the water made him happy, he couldn’t help but bounce around in it. He had so much energy, it was almost unreal.

He’d argue for more time in the water, even though his skin was starting to prune. You’d tell him to quit being a little brat and to get out. Jungkook would listen, like he always did. But, he’d pout about it for a few minutes. Of course you’d offer to make him something to drink before he went to bed, something he’d always agree to.

The forced exit of the bath would be long forgotten.

His feet would fly down the stairs, you’d yell after him to tell him he was just in a towel. You’d chase him down and throw his clothes in his face. He’d begin to strip in the front room, making you shriek and turn quickly to avoid a show.

You’d feel warm arms wrap around you, Jungkook’s head settling on your shoulder.

‘Angel... Cocoa?’ he’d ask.

You’d always say yes, hurrying over to the stove to warm some milk for him. Yawning as you pulled the liquid from the heat and putting the cocoa powder in his drink would make Jungkook smile. You’d set the drink down in front of him, warning Jungkook of its heat.

He’d never listen, always yelping when the scalding liquid touched his tongue.

‘Jungkook be careful,’ you stated, sipping your own drink.

He’d nod and apologize, taking it slower. You’d ask him about what book he had finished. Jungkook would brighten as he would tell you the tale. Sometimes he struggled to find the words and you’d help, giving him your full attention.

‘Then, the father did... uh... word?’ he asked.

‘Saved? Is that it?’ you’d ask.

‘Yeah! He saved daughter! Everyone is happy,’ Jungkook would gush.

He loved stories that ended happily. He wanted to read about the family getting back together, the man finding his true power within himself, the dog getting the bone he wanted. Anything that ended where the people were at peace, it was all Jungkook cared about.

You had asked him about his family, to see if he remembered them at all. He explained that he does remembered them, but not their faces or names.

‘I-I know face, but not name,’ he had told you one morning after breakfast.

‘You don’t remember your mother or father then? Do you miss them?’

‘Yes, but don’t know why I miss,’ he said. ‘Just miss.’

Tears were flowing down your face freely as you thought of the man you had come to love... There wasn’t any point trying to deny it when you knew you did. It was improper to feel such a way for him, but you had long accepted your fate...

“Y/N?” a voice echoed from the hallway.

You turned quickly to see Taehyung, eyes glassy as he approached your cell.

“Taehyung!” you yelped, grabbing the bars.

He looked at you frantically, reaching in to touch your face. “Fuck, I’m so sorry,” he croaked. “This is my fault.”

“Taehyung what do you mean?” you asked, looking at him with confusion. What part of this was his fault?

“I-I was the one who told them you had Jungkook... I saw you two, hugging through your window one morning. I came by to, to ask you out for breakfast and... he matched the description they had been advertising around town. The Lunar Isles cut off trade with us, and only his return was going to end that! I lost my job at the mill, my mother and father are weak, they can’t work... The stables isn’t enough money to support them... But putting you in here feels so wrong, Y/N, you shouldn’t be here,” Taehyung confessed.

“Taehyung,” you breathed.

He’d told. He used you to get money back in his own wallet. You knew that this was going to be your fate when you refused to kill Jungkook... But to have someone you trusted, someone you had loved at one point turn you over for coins... It left a bitter taste in your mouth.

“Y/N, please understand I didn’t have a choice!” he declared.

“Why are you here, Taehyung?” you asked, voice cold. Taehyung winced at your tone, but swallowed regardless.

“I wanted to visit you, Yoongi and Namjoon told me I could,” he explained. “I wanted to apologize to you.”

“You’ve apologized,” you informed him.

“I-I know,” he breathed.

“Then you don’t have anymore business with a criminal like me, do you?” you asked, raising a brow.

“Y/N, that’s not fair,” he stated.

“It’s not fair,” you scoffed. “Was it fair when you stood me up for our meal? Was it fair that my mother died and my father went insane from grief? Is it fair that I was ripped away from the one thing that had given my life meaning since his passing... Learn something from me right now, Taehyung. Life. Isn’t. Fair.”

He sighed and stood, knowing trying to sooth your anger was moot. As he moved to walk away, he turned to face you once more. “They are to give you your verdict in the morning, in front of the whole town... I-I hope you’re prepared for whatever could happen.”

“I am.”

With that, Taehyung left, leaving you on the cold floor to think of what could have been...

You stood, hands bound before a crowd of people. A jury was to your left, Namjoon and Yoongi behind you. The people of Solstice were dead silent. Someone who had cared so deeply about them, was now ahead of them to be charged as a criminal.

A passerby would be able to hear a pin drop, even with the crowd.

“Miss Y/N, you stand here before jury to face judgement for your crimes against the people of Solstice and the people of the Lunar Isles,” Yoongi spoke, voice wavering.

“We announce... Mr. Carlisle Devereaux and his daughter Luna Devereaux... Along with her fiance and victim of these crimes, Jeon Jungkook,” Namjoon declared.

Jungkook? He was here?

Looking through the crowd you found Jungkook being held tightly by Luna. She was glaring at you with eyes so vicious you wondered if you’d be struck dead just from the sight. Jungkook seemed panicked as he looked at you, but something was holding him back. You knew the look in his eyes.

He was in pain.

They were hurting him to keep him in place, to keep him from moving.

“No,” you whispered.

“You stand here on trial, how do you plead?” the Jury asked.

“What is the crime?” you breathed.

“Kidnapping and lying to the people of Solstice and the Lunar Isles,” the Jury stated.

“I plead not guilty for Kidnapping, I plead guilty for lying,” you announced.

“These crimes are not exclusive to one another, you either plead guilty or not guilty,” a large man in the front declared.

“The crimes are exclusive, I did not kidnap anyone... However, I did lie when I was asked if I knew his whereabouts,” you answered. “Jungkook was injured and I had to nurse him back to health. If anyone interfered with the care, it could’ve been disastrous... He could have died,” you stated.

You weren’t lying completely.

Half truths.

“If you lied once, who is to say you aren’t lying now!” a woman towards the back screamed at you.

“We are going to assume you plead guilty,” the Mayor declared from the back on his podium.

“Hold on! That’s not fair!” a man shouted from the crowd. You soon saw it was Seokjin. A wave of relief fell over you. “These are two different crimes! You can’t just assume her plea! That’s a crime in that of itself!”

“Seize him,” the mayor yelled. Guards came in from the side, taking his arms and pulling him towards the jail. “He will be arrested for obstruction of justice.”

“Please!” you screamed. “Stop, he isn’t doing anything wrong. Let him go, I plead guilty!”

“And what are you guilty of?”

Taking a deep breath you looked directly at Jungkook. “I’m guilty of being a woman of science... I’m guilty of challenging fate. I’m guilty of loving someone, whom I didn't have the right to love... But I loved him anyways. I’m guilty of being a woman, with a weak heart, who couldn’t sit by and watch a young man die alone,” you said, a tear rolling down your cheek.

Jungkook struggled against Luna’s arm. She adjusted something, making Jungkook squirm in pain from the action. Your heart thudded against your chest so hard you were certain your ribs would crack. Someone was hurting him, and you couldn’t make them stop.

“Very well. Since you are so keen on lying, we will give you a liars punishment. Miss Y/N, the jury here today convicts you of kidnapping, as well as lying to the people of Solstice and the Lunar Isles... And most importantly, you are convicted of lying on trial. In light of your several crimes towards our two towns... I sentence you to hang until dead tomorrow morning at dawn.”

The crowd gasped, looking at their Mayor with shock. The jury didn’t even give him their verdict, he simply decided your fate for himself. The Mayor of Solstice was a power hungry man who had fought tooth and nail to be in the position he is now. He had done many despicable things in order to achieve his rank... And his cruelty was known throughout the lands.

You felt your knees wobble as you collapsed to the ground heavily. You could see your friends faces in the crowd, eyes filling with tears.

Jungkook fought against his restraints, trying to move away from Luna... But he was unable.

“ANGEL! NO!” he screamed. The crowd looked at him, then to the Mayor with a questioning look. You watched Jungkook get tugged back into place, and you smiled as you saw Garçon right by his side. Exactly where you told him to be.

“The verdict has been spoken, take her to her cell,” the Mayor demanded.

Namjoon grabbed you gently. “Y/N, stand up, easy... There you go,” he cooed, helping you walk towards the jailhouse.

Jungkook’s voice rang in your head.

People came in to say their farewells...

Taehyung, eyes filled with tears, blaming himself for the whole ordeal. You simply stared at him with broken eyes, ones that would haunt him for the rest of his life.

Hoseok came in too, holding your face through the bars.

“Y/N, what were you thinking? Why didn’t you challenge the verdict! You had the right!” Hoseok yelped.

“Hoseok, do you really think the Mayor of the Lunar Isles would let me go? There’s not a chance, not when our whole town is involved... They could be viewed as weak if they did,” you explained.

He frowned, staring at you with sad eyes. “You don’t deserve this, don’t you dare think you do... You didn’t do anything wrong,” he declared.

But you did... You changed fate, disrupted God...

“I don’t want this to be your fate... It isn’t fair,” Hoseok whispered.

“I’ll be with my mother and father again... I’ll be happy with them,” you smiled weakly.

‘Angel... Happy?’

Jimin came by soon after Hoseok, bringing you a cupcake and forcing you to eat it. He wanted you to smile, to enjoy one more thing. He cried, holding your face through the bars also. You wished he wouldn’t cry, it didn’t suit him.

Yoongi and Namjoon came as well, telling you they were sorry. That they wished there was something they could do. You didn’t blame them. They were just following orders, doing their duty. It wasn’t their fault.

The only person at fault was you.

Sleep evaded you as you thought about Jungkook.

You wondered if they would let him see you. It was highly unlikely. Seeing as how they took him away from you. But you wished... you wished you could tell him you love him.

Even if there was nothing to come of your feelings, you wanted him to know that you cared about him. That the time you’d spent together was the most cherished part of your life. Waking up each morning to him was a privilege. You wished that you could pet Garçon, tell him to be a good boy.

You remembered him by Jungkook’s side and you felt your heart swell with pride. He’d been such a good boy, and Jungkook would have him... Hopefully, Luna would allow him that much.

You thought of Jungkook and Garçon, your little family you’d made as the darkness turned to light shades of blue and purple. The jangling of keys made you turn your head. There was the town’s Priest, no doubt to allow you confession before you walked to your death.

“Miss Y/N, I am here to listen to your confessions and to deliver you to the hands of God,” he announced, calm.

“I have nothing to confess, Father. But thank you for your words,” you said soft. Namjoon bit his lip, watery eyes turning away from you.

“Very well, I will read your last rites before you hang,” he stated, heading towards the stairs. Yoongi looked at you and unlocked the door.

“Time to go, Y/N,” he said.

You nodded and stood up, following after them. They locked chains around your hands, even though they weren’t necessary. You weren’t going to fight them. What would be the point? They were much stronger than you, and if you caused too much of a fight then certainly someone would finish you off before the noose.

Seokjin looked up from his cell and stared at you. A small cry coming from his mouth. You gave him a gentle gaze before carrying yourself up the stairs, into the pale light of morning.

There wasn’t a sound but the clanking of your chains as you approached the gallows. Breathing deeply, you managed to ascend the walkway. The gallows were dark, stained with time. You saw the crowd watching you, wanting to express something, but they weren’t sure what it was. Looking at the noose, you stepped forward. Namjoon helped you up, unlocking your chains and throwing them behind you.

Your eyes scanned the people before you. They were watching on, unsure of the tension in the air. The Mayor clapped his hands, making the attention go to him.

“Today, we witness the death of a criminal. A woman who kidnapped an innocent man, and harbored him against his will in her den of debauchery!”

You furrowed your brow at that statement. But, listened on regardless.

“We also bare witness to the death of a liar! Someone who withheld the truth from us, and did so to prolong our pain. She watched from her window as we all struggled to feed ourselves, and needed to scrounge enough money to pay our dues. Today she hangs, to pay for the crimes she has committed! May God have mercy on your soul, child.”

“May he have mercy on yours as well,” you stated.

The crowd raised their brows at your statement, some chuckling at your bold disrespect for authority. The Mayor glared at you, clearing his throat once more. “As per tradition, may our Father announce your last rites!”

“Through this holy anointing may the Lord in his love and mercy help you with the grace of the Holy Spirit. May the Lord who frees you from sin save you and raise you up,” the Father read.

You nodded and smiled.

“Our heavenly Father, who art in Heaven. Hallowed be thy name. Thy Kingdom come, thy will be done, on Earth as it is in Heaven...”

The crowd joined him in prayer, almost as if they were sending you off as well. You finally found Jungkook in the crowd. Once again, attached to Luna’s side. You smiled at him, letting him see your joy. You were so glad to see him, even if it was to be the last. You were so glad, so overjoyed to see him there.

Next to him was his mother and father. He was standing, breathing easily. It made you happy to know he was well also. You locked eyes with his mother, and she stared at you with shock.

"This is the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world. Happy are those who are called to his supper,” the Priest stated, looking to you.

"Lord I am not worthy to receive you, but only say the word and I shall be healed."

The crowd looked shocked as you answered. The Priest also appeared stunned, but nodded and closed his Bible, looking to the Mayor for the final words.

“Miss Y/N, you may have your final words,” he declared.

“Thank you,” you said. “My final words... Are to one person in this crowd. You know who you are, baby,” you smiled.

Jungkook’s head popped up at his nickname. You smiled softly and continued. “I’m so sorry that you have to witness this. And know it isn’t your fault, it’s entirely mine. I was selfish, and you were so good... I couldn’t help but save you. I was glad to teach you everything again. I was glad to wash your hair. I was overjoyed to watch you eat the food I cooked. And I am so happy that I get to see your face again.”

Your voice cracked.

Yoongi came over and tied your hands behind your back with rope, so that you couldn’t keep yourself from hanging. But it didn’t stop you from speaking your mind. Finally telling Jungkook everything that you had wanted to say for so long. “I remember you asked me what love was,” you said. “And I realized that everything I told you I believed it was applied to you. Jeon Jungkook, I love you,” you breathed.

“LET HER HANG!” the Mayor cried.

“ANGEL NO!”

The sound of the trapdoor beneath your feet opening hit your ears, and then sharp pain erupting from your neck took over your senses.

Unfortunately, your neck didn’t snap. You could feel your head pounding with the amount of blood being forced to it from your neck restriction. Your lungs burned with the need for oxygen, but none was being produced...

The world was swimming and you were in agony when you felt someone touching your legs.

“Angel! Let go, please!” you could hear Jungkook’s voice.

“NAMJOON NOW!”

Suddenly, you dropped and slumped into Jungkook’s arms. “Angel!” he yelled, lowering you to the ground. Your eyes were closed, but you could hear him... You could feel his hands...

“KILL THE TRAITORS!”

“JUNGKOOK GO!”

“THIS WAY!”

You felt yourself being adjusted, then hauled into the air. The jolting of your body told you that Jungkook was running. The sound of panting had you realize that Garçon wasn’t far behind him either.

“My son! Save her!” Jungkook’s mother yelled from behind him.

“This way come on!” Taehyung’s voice hit your ears.

“AFTER THEM!”

“Give her here, Jungkook,” Seokjin’s voice was heard to your left.

“YAH!” Jimin’s high tone shouted from in front of you.

You heard whinnying and then the breeze along your face became harsh. The sound of hooves hitting dirt took over. But you felt gentle hands touching your face, brushing your hair from your eyes.

“Angel...” Jungkook whimpered.

“Hang on!” Jimin yelled.

A sharp turn sent you flying into a warm frame, one you didn’t recognize. It must’ve been Seokjin.

Exhaustion creeped in your bones, as you felt the effects from your ordeal taking over. You weren’t sure if it was death taking your or sleep as you accepted the darkness. All you knew, is that a warm hand was in yours the whole time...

Your neck was stiff as you tried to peel your eyes open.

Warmth covered your right side, shallow breaths being felt against your frame. You managed to peek one eye open, even though the vision was blurry. Garçon’s floppy ears greeted you, like they did nearly every morning.

“G-Gar,” you tried, feeling your voice crack as you tried to speak. His head flew up, looking at you.

“Bark! Bark bark bark!”

Then you were overwhelmed with his kisses on your face. You laughed weakly, patting his head.

“Garçon, easy,” you reminded.

A door opened and you heard wood dropping to the floor. You turned your head and saw Jungkook looking at you with tears brimming in his eyes.

“Angel...” he breathed, smiling.

“Jungkook,” You whimpered, reaching out for him. He was beside you in an instant, taking you in his arms.

“Angel, Angel,” he repeated in your neck. His wet tears hit your skin, making you run your fingers through his hair to calm him. “I love you.”

Your chest constricted at his broken confession. “Shh, baby, it’s alright, I love you too” you managed.

“Thought... I thought... I-I lost you,” he sobbed. You shook your head, placing soft kisses to his ear.

“No, I’m here,” you urged. “I’m here Jungkook.” Pulling his face away from your neck you wiped his tears away. He leaned into your touch, seeming to love the way your hands glided against his skin.

Jungkook stared at your eyes for a moment, before his gaze flicked to your lips. He leaned in slowly. “Angel... kiss,” he whispered.

You happily connected your lips, wrapping your arms around his neck. Tangling your fingers in his hair you pulled him closer. Jungkook moaned against your mouth, nipping at your lips lightly.

“Jungkook,” you breathed, licking your lips.

“Angel, want to kiss you.” Jungkook grabbed at your hips, bringing you into his embrace. You almost let him do just that, before you remembered what had happened.

The trial, your hanging... How were you alive right now?

“Jungkook-mmm, wait,” you murmured as he pecked your lips impatiently.

“Angel,” he pouted. “Kisses.”

“Hold on, where are we?” You asked.

Jungkook pulled back, sighing at the fact he wouldn’t get his kisses without an explanation. He brushed your hair behind you ear and took your hands in his. “We’re in woods. Your friends... brought us here... Hoseok said, um.. Hoseok said we stay here,” he tried.

“Hoseok...” you trailed off. Then you remembered. “It’s his hunting cottage. Of course,” you said. Hoseok traded furs sometimes to gain extra money, he must’ve brought you and Jungkook here to hide... No doubt the guards would be looking for you both.

“Yes! We move to... to um... I don’t know,” he stated.

“That’s alright, are you alright?” you asked, running your hands over his shoulders. You remembered that they must’ve been doing something to keep him by Luna’s side... But Jungkook smiled and pulled you in by the waist.

“Kisses, Angel?”

“You’re such a spoiled boy,” you laughed. He nodded before pulling you in once more. You kissed slowly, enjoying the feeling of his mouth on yours.

It felt like a dream to be here in his arms. To finally have him. Jungkook let go of your lips to trail kisses down your neck. He place several gentle pecks to your throat, a small cry coming from him as he did so.

“What’s wrong?” You asked, feeling his trembling mouth against your sensitive skin.

Jungkook brought his hand up, placing his fingers on your neck. It ached a small amount, but you didn’t flinch. “People hurt you... that makes me... sad,” he sniffed. You placed a soft kiss to his mouth, making him relax just a bit.

“But you saved me, I’m here because of you,” you told him.

“I... tried harder...”

You shook your head, coddling him like a child. “No, Jungkook... You did everything right. I’m so proud of you, baby. You stayed put and waited for me, and when it mattered you came to save me. You, all of our friends,” you said smiling.

“M-My friends... too?” he asked, eyes twinkling with light.

“Absolutely, they wouldn’t help you unless they considered you their friend too,” you encouraged. Jungkook laughed at the prospect of having more friends. Garçon whined, licking your hand impatiently.

You conceded to his wishes and scruffed up his ears and head, watching as his tail thumped against the bedding. Jungkook patted his rear a few times before standing up and going to collect the wood he dropped upon his entry. Garçon seemed to be satisfied with the miniscule amount of attention you gave him, as he jumped up and trotted out the open door.

Your eyes wandered back to Jungkook, who was setting the wood onto the pile in the corner. You watched as his biceps bulged underneath the fabric of the shirt he was wearing. It pulled as his back arched, showing you his strength without much effort.

The sight made your mouth water lightly, creating a slight ache between your thighs. You wanted him badly, although you weren’t sure if he understood what this meant... Would be be able to consent to your actions? To your wishes?

“J-Jungkook,” you breathed. He turned and looked at you, eyebrow raised.

“Angel? Okay?” he asked, setting the wood on the table and coming over again. He sat down beside you and took your hand.

“I-I, want to try something new with you, but I’m not sure if you know what it is, or what it means,” you frowned. “I love you, and I want to show you...”

“Then show, Angel,” he said, pressing his forehead against yours. The sensation made your neck scream with discomfort, but you wouldn’t move.

“Jungkook, remember when you asked what French kissing was?” you blushed.

“Yes... Only lovers... Lovers could do it,” he recalled. “I love you, can we kiss... like lovers?”

“Jungkook, to be lovers with someone is more than just kissing them, you... you bare parts of yourself no one else is allowed to see. If I give you all of myself, then you have to promise I have all of you as well. I won’t share you with anyone, and you can’t share me with anyone either. At least, not in the way I want you,” you explained.

Jungkook seemed to think for a moment, and his eyes widened for a moment. “Angel, make love to me,” he whispered. “I read in book, I-I put myself... inside of you...”

The lewd phrasing of his words had fire running through your veins. His eyes were unreadable, as if he was purposefully being secretive with you. When did Jungkook learn to be so shifty?

“That’s right, but are you okay with that?”

“Angel... I want to,” he agreed. “I-I know how.”

“What?” you squeaked.

“I read from book, and Seokjin told me some... some things,” he said, coming forward to push you onto your back. You looked up in astonishment, Jungkook’s frame towering over your body.

“You’ll need to show me this book, and I think i’ll need to have a conversation with Seokjin” you said.

“No, I’ll show,” he announced, diving in to capture your lips.

Jungkook’s whole demeanor changed as he kissed you harder. You found it almost difficult to keep up with him. His mouth moved against yours as if he were trying to steal the very breath from your lungs. You’d give it to him. Whatever he wanted from you he could have it, as long as he kept kissing you this way. As long as he kept loving you, whatever you had could be his...

Jungkook licked into your mouth, something you weren’t expecting. The sensation of his wet tongue moving across your lips made you gasp. Jungkook took this opportunity to taste you. He moaned impatiently when you didn’t respond right away, nibbling at your upper lip in frustration.

You grabbed his shirt in your fists and aggressively molded your mouth to his again. It created an ache in your neck, but the strong desire between your legs was far more agonizing than your sore throat.

“Angel, pretty,” he murmured, licking his lips. “Take off.” He pulled on your dress with longing.

You flushed before gripping your bodice and pulling it open. Jungkook watched as your chest relaxed, no longer being held together by tightened fabric. You let your dress slacken at the neck, making it fall to your elbows.

Shivering because of your newly exposed skin, you blushed as Jungkook came closer.

“Angel, so soft,” he admired, running his hands down your shoulders. You shuddered as he brought his hands to cup your breasts. His strong palms dug into your sensitized flesh. You let out a soft cry when he tugged on a pebbled nipple. Jungkook was entirely absorbed in your body.

Lifting your arms to drape around his neck, you urged him closer. The sensation of his hands on your supple skin made your mind wild with desire. You wanted his hands all over you, caressing your frame with tender touches.

“Jungkook, that feels nice,” you complimented as he smoothed his fingers down your stomach. You squirmed, letting out a soft giggle as it tickled.

“Can I... touch more?” Jungkook requested, looking at you for permission. You nodded, pulling your arms from your dress. He didn’t hesitate as he moved to touch your chest. You sighed as the sensations took over. Jungkook panted against your mouth, seemingly overwhelmed at the new feelings coursing through his veins. You wondered breifly if he had sex before dying in the forest that night. You didn’t want to think of that time, but as he licked at your swollen lips you found the memory easily forgotten.

Although, these heated kisses didn’t seem to be enough for the man.

“Ah!” You cried out as Jungkook placed an open mouth kiss on your breast. He looked at you with worry written on his features, but you shook your head. “Keep going.”

He did so, licking your soft skin. His arms wrapped around your body, making your arms lock and push your chest out towards him. This pleased Jungkook, watching as your ample breasts was on display for his eyes only.

“My Angel,” he cooed, taking a nipple in his mouth.

“Nngh,” you moaned, thighs pulling together from the ache building between them. A gush of slickness slipped past your lower lips, getting into your knickers and causing light discomfort.

Jungkook suckled on your flesh, nipping and teasing your sensitive chest. You whimpered, gripping his shirt in your hands. Jungkook laved his tongue over your breasts, making sure each one got equal attention. You winced when he sucked harshly, hard enough to make your skin turn a reddish purple hue. Jungkook’s eyes sparkled at the sight. He took your nipple into his hot mouth once more, swirling his tongue over it and pulling his head back slightly. His pupils dilated when he let the peaked bud go and your breast jiggled from the force.

Getting tired of being the only naked one, you urged for Jungkook to remove his clothing as well. “Take your shirt off, Jungkook,” you said, tugging on the fabric. He pouted as he pulled away, obviously not through with your chest. However, he unbuttoned his shirt and then pulled it over his head to throw it on the floor.

“Better?” He tested.

Your mouth pooled with saliva. His chest was toned, pert nipples sitting on his pecks. You looked down to see defined muscles wrapping around his body. His skin was smooth, almost golden. However, his pale and slightly sallow complexion would be there permanently.

Your eyes moved down his body until the hit the center, were a warped and twisted scar sat. You crawled forward, coming eye level with the raised skin. Carefully, you placed your fingers on the lines. Jungkook hissed at your cold digits on his skin. You looked at him with worry. “Does that hurt?”

“N-no, I...Know it is... ugly. Sorry,” he said, ashamed. You shook your head viciously, coming up to hold his face in your hands.

“No, it isn’t ugly, Jungkook. Nothing about you is ugly to me. This scar here, this scar is the reason I can hold you in my arms. I love it, because it’s apart of you. Because of this scar, I am able to be with you. And for that, I am forever thankful to this scar,” you declared.

Jungkook gazed into your eyes, blinking slow. You dragged your hands down his body until they reach his hips. You held them there, before leaning in and placing soft kisses to his scar. Jungkook let out a shaky breath, bringing his hands to cradle your face as you moved along the long and mangled scar lines. His thumbs brushed your cheeks so delicately you felt your heart trembling in your chest.

“Angel, love you,” he breathed.

“I love you too, all of you. Jungkook,” you announced. Jungkook gently brought your mouth back to his. The kisses quickly became urgent, longing and desire burning hot between you. You laid back once again, Jungkook following with his mouth attached to your chest. Letting a gentle whine come from your throat, Jungkook continued to suck delicate blossoms into your flesh.

He brought your tender skin between his teeth and carefully pulled, suckling and huffing against his work. You ran your fingers through his hair and tugged him away from your sternum. Jungkook pouted in displeasure when you did so, letting a little whimper escape from his red lips.

“As much as I love your mouth on me, perhaps you could kiss me lower?” you asked, raising a teasing brow in his direction. Jungkook’s face furrowed in confusion.

“How?” He asked.

You shimmied your dress off, throwing it to the ground with his shirt. Jungkook watched with rapt attention as you spread your legs apart. “Come here,” you said, crooning your finger towards him. He followed like a man possessed, until he was level with your center.

“Angel,” he whined, kissing your knee and thighs hungrily.

“Shh, kiss me here darling,” you instructed, pulling your lips apart to invite him. You were surprised at your bold behavior. For a maiden, you were more brazen than you wanted to admit.  Jungkook nodded, placing a soft kiss to your mound. You moaned, hips hitting against his mouth in wanton desire. Licking his lips Jungkook moved back in, kissing again.

“Angel, you taste... good,” he whispered, eagerly kissing your core deeper, using more of his tongue. His mouth connected to your swollen center, making you writhe in pleasure underneath him.

“Oh, Jungkook!” You mewled, tangling your fingers in his hair as he licked deeper. Jungkook wasn’t neat with the way he was pleasuring you, loud sounds escaping him. Cute little cries of bliss were smothered by your heated skin as he refused to move away from you for a second.

His movements were sloppy, smearing your slick on your thighs and his chin. Whenever he came up to take your clit in his mouth you gasped at the pleasure and the sight of Jungkook’s soaked mouth. He found your pearl and played with it softly, giving your small shockwaves a pure, unadulterated gratification. More of your wetness leaked from your lips and Jungkook almost snarled with glee.

“You taste... so good, Angel,” he groaned, nudging your clit with his nose as he captured more of your bliss. He couldn’t keep himself still for the life of him, squirming in pleasure. He kept grabbing at your hands, encouraging you to touch him more, living for your hands grazing his heated flesh.

“Angel, Angel,” he whined, rutting against the mattress. You felt your insides clench at the action, want to be the mattress badly.

“Jungkook, more please,” you begged, gripping his hair. He groaned at the sharp sensation it brought, making his mouth leave your center.

“Angel, I... I want, inside, but want to make you... happy too” he tried, licking his lips like he’d just finished a great meal.

“Baby I’m already happy because I can be here with you, does it hurt?” you asked, gazing as he tried to keep himself occupied by kissing your knee and shins. but the tent in his pants told you it would come soon enough.

“Y-yes, pain, Angel,” he whined, bucking into the sheets pathetically.

“Okay, baby. Take your pants off,” you said, hooking your fingers in his belt loops. Jungkook leaned back, letting you disrobe him happily. He kicked his feet, getting the annoying material off of him. He sat up on his knees, coming back towards you. You watched as his cock was revealed to you. He was hard, tip smeared with precum. Jungkook smiled as you leaned down, stroking his lower stomach with interest.

“Want mouth,” he said, running his thumb over your lips. You took his thumb in your hot cavern, enveloping his digit in wet heat. Jungkook gasped as the sensation, wanting nothing more than to be inside of you.

Letting go of this thumb with a lewd pop, you licked your lips and took his length in your fist. He cried out, hunching forward at your touch. “Needy baby,” you tutted.

Jungkook bucked his hips into your grasp, whining from desire. “Angel, please...”

With a smirk you took his tip into your mouth. Jungkook cried out, gripping your shoulder right. It hurt, but the bliss on his face was worth every second of discomfort.

Moving slow, you inched your way down his dick. You felt your throat tighten in discomfort, but you pushed forward. Jungkook was panting, looking at you as if you were an exquisite piece of art before him. He tangled his fingers in your hair, urging you forward with gentle pressure to your head. He wanted you so bad. Needed you to keep going, it was torture so sweet it consumed him. Your tongue licked along the base of his shaft, finding a vein their to tease.

“F-fuck, Angel,” he groaned. You looked up at him in shock, mouth coming off his weeping cock. Jungkook hissed at the loss.

“Where did you learn a word like that?” You asked, pumping him entirely too slow to be pleasurable.

“U-um,” he avoided, biting his lip.

“Jungkook, tell me,” you warned, gripping the base of his dick to cut off his pleasure.

“You! Heard from Angel!”

You? When did you ever swear around him?

“Jungkook, don’t lie,” you growled, enjoying the agony on his face from your ministrations.

“At night! Y-you alone, in bed,” he huffed, looking at the ceiling.

“What was I doing?” You asked.

“Touching... pleasuring...”

“I was touching myself?” You asked. “And you watched me?” You asked, licking his dick to tease him.

Jungkook cried out and hunched forward, sweating with effort. “Angel... hurts, want to... finish,” he whimpered. You rubbed your hands on his sweaty back and kissed his chin.

“Tell me why you watched me, and I’ll let you cum,” you promised.

“Because,” he whined. “I wanted... to touch... I wanted to... p-pleasure Angel.”

“You will, baby, but cum first,” you smiled, letting your hand fly over his slick covered cock. Jungkook moaned loudly, you almost thought you were hurting him. But he bucked into your hands, panting with effort.

“Finish,” he cried out.

“Are you cumming baby?” You asked, rubbing your thumb right underneath the head of his purple tip.

“Yes, cumming for Angel,” he cried out, white strings of cum painting your chest, hot against you skin. You moaned, feeling the betwixt liquid fall onto your stomach and nipples.

“Good boy,” you praised as Jungkook collapsed against your shoulder. His harsh breaths warmed your skin. Now, there was a painful sensation between your legs you knew only Jungkook could satisfy. “Are you alright baby?” You asked, kissing his damp forehead.

“Just... a minute Angel,” he said, licking at your skin.

“Breathe, baby... I can wait for you,” you said, smoothing your hands down his shoulders and upper back.

“Love Angel,” he said, nudging your jaw with his nose, placing soft kisses to your flesh.

“I love you too,” you smiled, heart fluttering wild in your chest.

Jungkook moves from your shoulder to your chest, licking at his cum the splattered your skin. You gasped as he did so, tongue swirling around your pebbles nipples.

“Mmm, Angel you’re... sweet,” he smiled. “Tastes good.”

“I want you so bad,” you moaned. Jungkook nodded, grabbing your thighs to force you down. Going forward on his knees, you felt his cock against your impatient pussy.

He took his member in his hand, pumping it slowly. You noticed he wasn’t hard, but he was growing before your eyes. A cold sweat broke out on your neck, making your grab Jungkook’s hand in fear. You’d never been this far with a man, you only knew how to please him because of a book you’d read. You hoped Jungkook hadn’t noticed.

“I-I’ve never, I’m a virgin Jungkook,” you whispered. His eye widened, looking at your center with a soft expression.

“I’ll be... first?” He seemed shocked, but excited nonetheless.

“Yes, and the only,” you reminded.

“Only, me?”

You nodded and took his hand in yours, interlocking your fingers. Kissing his knuckles you wiggled your hips a bit, brushing your hot skin against his. Jungkook bucked lightly, dipping inside your entrance ever so slightly. He moaned at the contact, making you jolt from the noise.

“Please hurry, I want it,” you begged. “But you have to be gentle.”

“Gentle,” he confirmed. Slow, but firm Jungkook began to push inside of you. His body seemed to know what to do, because he carefully pulled himself out to set a steady pace. You winced as he got further in, but Jungkook was patient. “Okay?” He asked when you tended up at his intrusion. You nodded, placing your fingers to your clit. Rubbing gently making you clench around his hardened length. Jungkook hissed and rutted against you, causing you to cry out. He apologized, kissing your lips softly. “Angel, you feel... good,” he groaned.

“You too, Jungkook... so big,” you whined as another inch disappeared inside of you.

“Soft, hot... tight,” he practically snarled. You were a mess underneath him, wanting him deeper. The pain was secondary to the rising feeling of fullness that overtook your senses.

“More, give me all of it,” you begged. Jungkook listened and you felt his hips against yours. The pair of you breathed in harshly, letting each other get used to the foreign sensations. You swear you could feel him in your throat with how deep inside of you he was.

Experimentally, you clenched your walls, feeling Jungkook’s pulsing member seated deep within your.

“Ah! Angel don’t,” he whined. You looked up, seeing his brows furrowed and pinched in concentration.

“What’s wrong?” You asked.

“Too good, close,” he whimpered.

“Relax, I’m okay, you can move,” you said. Jungkook did so, pulling back and hitting his pelvis against your swollen heat. You called his name, urging him on. He lowered himself, getting a better angle to push himself back into your sweet embrace. Placing his hands on either side of your head he gasped when you adjusted your hips to accommodate his movement.

“Angel, shit,” he groaned. The difference in his thrusts made your walls clench hard, causing Jungkook to smack himself equally as forceful against your hips. “Ah, fuck!”

You arched you back at the sudden wave of pleasure that came over you. “Jungkook, harder,” you pleaded, wanting to be suffocated with that sweet feeling that had already abandoned you. He didn’t need to be told twice, soon he was plowing into your virgin center with reckless abandon. You writhed from the pleasure, grasping at his biceps to keep you grounded.

“A-Angel, Y/N,” he whispered. You froze...

He’d never said your name before, you loved how it sounded from his mouth. “Y-You said my name,” you panted, cradling his face in your hands. Jungkook’s forehead was damp with sweat, making you dab it with your forearm lovingly.

“Y-You’re my... Angel, Y/N,” he breathed, kissing your mouth deeply. You interlocked your fingers behind his neck, gently rolling your hips along with his thrusts. Jungkook grunted as you hit against his pelvis with a particularly hard thrust. Moving your lips against his you licked into his mouth, moving your tongue with his in tandem to his brutal pace within you.

“Ah, Angel, so good,” he whimpered, licking along your jawline.

“Jungkook, Jungkook more please!”

“W-want to... Move... different,” he whined.

He wanted a different position? Thinking in your brain you placed your hands on his shoulders, making him look at you with confusion. “Let me try something,” you stated. Jungkook nodded, pulling away from you.

The pair of you winced as his cock slipped from your trembling walls. Carefully you moved onto your knees, bending forward to present your ass to him. Jungkook groaned, coming forward to place several kisses along your spine.

“Angel,” he whimpered. “How do... do I?” he questioned.

Moving yourself backwards you gripped his length in your hands, directing it towards your soaked core. “Just like this baby, take it easy,” you said, pushing yourself back onto his dick. Jungkook bit his lip harshly before bucking into your battered maw once more.

“Ah, t-tighter,” he whimpered, grabbing onto your hips to get himself even deeper into you.

You were panting hard, lungs on fire as you felt him moving you both towards a precipice that felt it had no end. Wrists straining to keep you up and Jungkook’s harsh movements were starting to throw you off the deep end.

“So tight,” he moaned. You clenched at his words, making his hips stutter in their movement. You almost sobbed at the loss of momentum that had you swirling in the throes of pleasure. Moving your hands to his that were secured on your waist, you pulled them down your body.

“Jungkook, touch me here,” you said, bringing his hand to your clit. “Rub it.” He was now hunched over your body, hot breath fanning across the nape of your neck. He nodded, timing his thrusts with quick flicks of his thumb against your sensitive nub. You felt molten heat flying through your veins at the motions.

“Y-Y/N, I love you, Angel... Angel I love you so much,” he puffed into your sweaty skin.

“I love you too, Jungkook. Keep going, make me cum please,” you cried, thighs trembling from the activity.

“Closer, want you... want you closer,” he fussed, trying to get his arms around your body.

“Baby, easy, be gentle,” you warned, his bucking hips proving to be a little harsh against your tender walls. “How about this?”

You straightened yourself up, wrapping his arms around your waist as you sat down on his lap. Jungkook whined in your throat from the new bliss he found himself experiencing. You placed your knees next to his, lining yourself up so you could be comfortable. Jungkook moved up, seeing how he could move in this setting.

Gasping you brought his hand to your stomach. “I can feel you here, oh God, Jungkook,” you cried, resting against his chest. He was overwhelmed with love and desire for you that it didn’t seem real.

He loved you so much, and it made him emotional to hold you so intimately.

Fullness suffused your entire being, but you felt hot droplets of water touching your neck. You turned your head to see Jungkook’s eyes filling with tears. Alarm coursed through your chest. “B-baby, are you alright?” you asked, nudging his cheek with your nose.

“I-I’ll die without you,” he whimpered, crying out when you adjusted against him.

“I know, baby, I know... I love you, I’m no-ah! I’m not going to leave you. Never, Jungkook. I will never leave you again,” you promised, kissing him so firmly you thought you would bruise each others lips. Jungkook caressed your face, brushing his thumb along your cheek as he kept fucking into you so desperately.

You thighs were burning, wanting nothing more than the sweet release of an orgasm to sate the ravenous appetite building in your lower stomach. But you’d take this pain, all of it if it meant you could feel Jungkook inside you.

If you could hold him in your arms every day after this. You would go through so much more agony, even more bloodshed and hell if it meant you could see his smiling face at the end of the trauma.

Because you would do anything for the man who held you so close, yet so delicate because he didn’t want to hurt you.

Anything.

“Angel, cumming,” he warned. You felt his cock throbbing inside you, no doubt ready for his second release. God you wanted his hot seed inside you. To paint your quivering walls in his white seed. You briefly wondered if Jungkook could get you pregnant, but since he had been dead prior to your love making, you thought that it was unlikely.

“Please Jungkook, please do it,” you begged, tears in your eyes. You gripped your breasts, pulling and teasing your nipples for more stimulation. He brought his mouth to your neck once more, heaving deep breaths into the hollow of your throat, but he licked and sucked to occupy his distraught mind.

“Angel, I love you,” he moaned, each thrust he made becoming more solid into your swollen womanhood.

“Jungkook, I love you too,” you cried out. He leaned down, quickening his thrusts inside of you where you were certain the bed was going to shatter. Jungkook’s mouth found yours, desperately licking and sucking on your swollen lips.

You could feel him everywhere, and it wasn’t enough. You wanted to feel him in the deepest parts of you. “Inside me, cum inside me,” you sobbed.

Jungkook stiffened at your sentence, before letting out a choked off cry. Then, you felt scorching heat in your walls that sent you over as well, shuddering violently against your lover’s toned body.

“Angel, oh fuck, good,” he whimpered, pumping you both through your orgasms. You clenched sporadically around his sensitive dick, pulling each spurt of his cum deep inside of you.

Jungkook soon fell lax against you, nearly crushing you with his weight. You moved, having his length remove itself from you bruised core. But you didn’t care. Laying on your back you brought Jungkook to your chest. You combed your fingers through his hair softly, cooing into his ear about how gentle he had been. What a good boy he was for loving you so much.

“Jungkook?” You asked a few minutes later. Jungkook was lazily licking at your chest, pulling a nipple into his mouth. You squirmed at the feeling, but kept your focus.

“Mmm, Angel?” He responded, licking up your throat to you lips.

“Was that... was that your first time too?” You asked.

“I-I don’t, think so,” he worded. “Feels... familiar. But, better with you.”

You had a feeling Jungkook hadn’t been a virgin, but it didn’t matter. He was yours now, and you were his.

---

As you lay in his arms that night, naked and sweating from several more rounds of torrid love making. You couldn’t help but think of the days to come.

Where were you and Jungkook going to go? We’re your friends safe? How was Solstice going to repair relations with the Lunar Isles?

You believed that peace could be brought to your people, but would the town fair without you? As far as you knew, you were the only person who delved into medical practices there. Heart racing you feared for those you’d come to care for. Even if they had demanded your hanging. They were frightened people, wanting nothing more than to have an answer to their pain. You couldn’t blame them for being human.

“Angel,” Jungkook murmured against your breast, kissing a few of his love bites tenderly.

Then all anxious thoughts disappeared. You wrapped your arms around him, running your fingers through the nape of his neck to his hair. Jungkook relaxed against you, arm tightening across your lower stomach.

You then found it didn’t matter.

Jungkook was here, and that’s all you cared about. You had the man you loved by your side. He was breathing, sleeping easily beside you. He was also turning out to be an insatiable beast, but you'd deal with that when you stopped being one as well.

In that moment, you weren’t a human and a reanimated corpse... you were two people, who’d fallen in love. And even though there might be complications, you’d handle all of them if it meant Jungkook was there at the end for you.

You’d run as fast as you could, for as long as you could to reach him. And you know he’d do the same for you.

For an Angel and her Lover. Nothing was impossible.

[easilydistractedbyfanfic]

The 100 Ask Game

Thanks for tagging me, @mamabearsdontthink - this looks like FUN!

1. What Station on the Ark would you be from?

I have a pretty green thumb with houseplants and outside flowers and some fruits/veggies. I could realistically be in Farm Station, I think, though Factory might be a fit too. 

2. What would you get arrested for on the Ark?

Political protest, for sure. Possibly with regard to the hierarchical aspects of their society and/or the representation of the people in the lowest stations. 

3. Would you take off your wristband when you landed on the ground?

No, not at all if I was aware that people on the Ark needed to know we were alive in order for them to also be saved.  

4. What would the necklace Finn would make for you look like? (Clarke: deer/Raven: a raven duh..)

Probably a rabbit or an owl, based on what I like and have jewelry about

5. If you could resurrect any MINOR character who would it be?

Jacapo Sinclair, no question

6. Create a squad of 5 characters to go on missions with. Who are they?

Raven, Diyoza, Abby, Luna & Murphy - yeah that’s gonna be wild and I might die but it sure would be fun beforehand

7. What Grounder Clan would you belong to you?

I’m from the area of the Boat People and could see myself as a member of Floukru although I might miss land and gardening

8. What would your name be in Trigedasleng? (example: Octavia=Okteivia…just make it up!)

Jenn = let’s go with Jynn

9. Thoughts on Finn? Some people hate him, and others love him, so I’m curious

Disliked him fully upon first viewing but after rewatch I think he had some merit. He was not loyal to Raven but I don’t think he did it on purpose

10. Be honest. How willing would you have been to take the chip without knowing all the horrible things it does?

Nope, I would be a holdout. I don’t give in to peer pressure, I’m a skeptic and I’ve lived a long time without ever smoking a cigarette or doing drugs, plus I like organics and refuse to invite Alexa or Siri into my home. Yeah, don’t trust The Man, man! LOL

11. What character do you relate to most?

Oh, Raven, easily. We are not the same, but I get the way she made herself strong by focusing on what she was good at and burying the hurt, and her constant desire to keep the painful emotions bottled up. She’s outwardly confident but inwardly worried, and she tells herself all the time “I’ve got this” even when she’s freaked out. 

12. What character do you like the least?

Dr. Tsing, that horrible horrible horrible so-called “doctor”

13. Describe your delinquent outfit. (Would you wear something like Murphy’s jacket with the spikey red shoulder patch or have a trademark like Jasper’s goggles? Be creative, yet practical)

I don’t like to be dirty and I hate being cold, so I’m in dark colors and probably bundled up compared to others. My favorite color is blue though, and if I am from Floukru, maybe I have a dark blue jacket or a shirt with blue patches on it. I would also always carry an extra pair of socks in case my feet got cold. 

14. Favorite type of mutant animal?

There’s not many to choose from

15. What would your job be on the Ark?

I could see myself working a bit undercover like Nigel, getting covert things for people or making deals, although my regular job might be for Farm Station

16. Would you have willingly pumped Ontari’s heart if Abby asked?

yeah, I could do that

17. If Lexa wasn’t Heda, but she was still alive then who would have made the best commander?

I’d pick Indra. She was kind of blood thirsty in the beginning and turned away Lincoln from Trikru, but she proved open to other suggestions, she learned to trust Kane and she even avoided killing Pike although she wanted revenge because she realized they needed him to complete the mission they were on. So later Indra, not early Indra. Otherwise probably Luna. 

18. How would you act if you ate the hallucinogenic nuts like Jasper and Monty?

Hmmmm.... I get overly affectionate when drunk, so if that’s any indication, I should probably stay away from those nuts

19. How would you have dealt with Charlotte’s crime? A more John Murphy approach or Bellamy Blake approach?

Consequences with compassion - hopefully the Bellamy Blake version

20. Who should have been the Chancellor, if anyone?

Jacapo Sinclair, mostly because he wouldn’t have wanted the job. The best leaders are the ones who are least likely to want power

21. Would you have been on Pike’s side like Bellamy or on Kane’s side? Or Clarke in Polis?

Kane’s side

22. Mount Weather had a lot of modern commodities. (example: Maya’s Ipod) What is the one thing you would snatch while there?

Ingredients for food like cake and other desserts. Yum!

23. What would your Grounder tattoos look like? Hairstyle? War paint?

I have a rune compass tattoo at the base of my neck. I might have more tattoos if I was a Grounder, but not obvious ones - maybe inner wrist, maybe something on my ankle or behind my ear. They would likely be symbols of things or types of characters that would provide protection or inspiration of a life goal. No war paint, I don’t think, though that could change if the cause were just. For hairstyle - I wear my hair down about 98% of the time, so maybe there would be some small braids but I doubt my hair would ever be fully pulled back. 

24. Favorite quote?

You know, it’s not well known, but Murphy tells Ontari that “It’s better to lie your way out of a problem than kill” and that always sticks with me. Plus anything Sinclair ever says to Raven (oh my heart)

25. If all of the characters were in the Hunger Games, who would have the best shot at winning?

Luna, because I think she could outlive everyone either by fighting until the death OR by stomping off by herself and outlasting everyone out of sheer willpower

26. Least favorite ship? Favorite canon ship? Favorite non canon ship? NOT INCLUDING CL OR BC OR BE

Least: I have never been onboard the mem0ri train

Favorite canon: Murphy & Raven and their whole dynamic

Favorite non-canon: Murven but now there’s sex

27. A song that should be included in the next season? If there had to be another guest star like Shawn Mendes on the show, who would you want to make a cameo?

"What’s Good” by Fenne Lily or “Bill Murray” by Phantogram for songs in the show. For a guest star, I could really get behind Pink being someone who lives on the new planet and is kinda crazy and all about being a strong female leader. She could do something wild or she could do some haunting ballad that would make us all have feelings and I could so see this now

28. What would you do if you were stuck in the bunker with Murphy for all that time?

Is this a trick question? I mean, there was wine in that lighthouse bunker, and I already said what happens when I get drunk. 

29. You’re an extra that gets killed off. How do you die?

I wanna go like Sinclair, barrette dad or David Miller - protecting someone I love. It would probably be Raven, honestly. 

30. A character you’d like to learn more about and get flashbacks of?

Diyoza

31. A character you’d bang?

Damn, this is a revealing quiz. I’d totally bang Diyoza but this question probably needs it’s own list

32. Would you stay in the Bunker? Go up to Space? Or live on your own in Eden?

I’d probably prefer the Eden environment, but ultimately I’d go to space even if it scared me and felt claustrophobic because I would need peer relationships

33. In the Bunker, would you follow Octavia? What would you do to pass the time underground?

yeah, I’d go along but mentally I might be preparing my eventual escape - creating a fantasy world to escape from the reality of it all

probably read and learn some kind of martial arts

34. What crime would you commit in the Bunker that lands you in the fighting pits?

I don’t like to recite pledges or make oaths I don’t intend to keep

35. Up in Space, who would you bond with first? Who would be the most difficult for you to get along with?

I’d get along with Raven right away, and not just because I love her but because we do have some things in common and I could put up with her snark. Tougher would be Em0ri if she was being mean to Murphy like in S5

36. How long do you think you would last on Earth by yourself?

I think I could go awhile if I had berries, leaves and water as choices. If I had to eat bugs though, I’d probably find a way to kill myself quickly. I’d eventually get lonely, which would be a problem, but if I could find books I’d last a hell of a lot longer too. 

37. When the Eligius ship lands what do you do?

Watch for a while, for sure. See if I could find a way to lure them away from my area for good. 

38. Favorite Eligius character? Least favorite?

Diyoza is my favorite for sure

least favorite - McCreary but in a I love to hate him way

39. Would you Spacewalk?

No. I love roller coasters but I wouldn’t bungee jump either

40. Would you prefer to eat Windshield Bugs, Space Algae, or Bunker Meat?

Algae if I had to pick, otherwise my life would totally be in danger because I’d be so repulsed

41. Would you start a war for the last spot of green on earth? What would your solution be to avoid it?

I’m up for diplomacy and would keep trying til all options were gone before I’d head to war. Maybe inter-marriages, or skill trading/trainings

42. Would you rather dig out flesh-eating worms or stick thumb drives into bullet holes?

Thumb drives into bullet holes since at least I wouldn’t get infected by that

43. Are you willing to poison your sister for the Traitor Who You Love? What would you do to stop Octavia?

Yeah, if I thought the biggest chance would be that it knocked her out rather than kill her, and that having her out of the way would mean peace

44. Would you go to sleep in cryo or stay awake like Marper?

Sleep along with my faves

45. Who are you waking up first to explore the new planet?

Not too different from the show, maybe, although I would have sent Indra down to explore with that team since she’s an experienced leader and fighter, but if we wanna go a bit fantasy like for a moment, then I’d wake up Raven & Murphy and “accidentally” lock them in a closet together for as long as it would take. 

Consider yourself tagged if you wanna participate, and I’d love to read your own choices! 

[fishyfletch]

daniela dump + micah and artie

micah would hit on her even though he's way older than her and she is actively seeing and is pregnant with artie's child.. messed up old man

he just would, i fear

daniela would punch a man though. she would punch nearly half of the gang including dutch.. that led to a big fuss.

[bornfromwhiskey]

i was doodling a drawing of what arthur's mom, ashley, would look in this au and it turned out near identical to two designs i did that were what arthur and ronja/daniela's children would look like. (save for skin colour and features that would belong to the mother. eyelids and nose shape respectively.)

what i gather from this is that arthur's daughter would most likely look like his mom and i think that's very wholesome.

[womb-and-the-cloud]

Resurrection Hare Melts Winter to Spring

Dark the winter long, Begun when Adam fell; The frosted globe shivered without a robe, The naked shame bit blue by polar prince— For Pluto held with chains, enslaved the lands: Cold and brutal steel, slippery icy sin, A sepulchre the cosmos, The cosmos couldn’t grin.

The deer, the elk, their little fawns, No foliage for the plate; For dry the bones, not green but white, Antarctic earth—the snowy fields made muddy            from the diggings vain. And pain and pain the sombre world, The springtime lute and laugh forgotten now, Its echoes stilled against the ice. The howl of wolf and hoot of owl And mixed with hade’s tanning stench, Made blanket of the moose’s cowl.

So long that moonless night,            far gone the light, But O happy night That won for us so great, so glorious a sight:

 First bright the fullest moon appeared Mirrored ‘neath in rabbit white—            spotless like the snow— She burrowed through the drifts and soil, Making up a hearth on earth. The Stag kept guard and couched beside, A coal within his mouth he dropped inside. The Rabbit laid an egg, a Hare crawled out; Thirty days on emerged, hopping through the woods, Snow gave way to green each step;            flowers shooting up,                        birds gathering ‘round. Winter knocked, Boreas blown, And angry Pluto groaned—his shackles shook,            for Hare thumped upon his home.

So Hades, Mighty Og, barked order at Cerberus, Hell’s ugly bear who prowled the frosted plains; three-headed beast nicknamed Pride: one head, lust of flesh, lust of eyes, third, pride of life— And calling to its pups its litter yelped,            fierce Bashanite dogs, Tearing through mountain pass, frightfully fast, And set upon the Hare:            ravaged, tore, ripped and mauled, Slew, scarlet snow, north wind blew,            flew the birds, dark returned, Moon was covered over, As Rabbit and the eagle placed lifeless Hare Within the cold and damp, dark den.

Hades poured a glass, victory on his mind, When drip, drip from ceiling top was felt in hellish blaze. For enkindled was the earth, the cold den a warm hearth; Until the snows of sin made melted by a warmly wind            flooded Pluto’s realm— leaving deepest pit, But filling the void between. The serpents, the scorpions, the lions stayed,            at home therein, But long-paddling oxen, buffalo and caribou           rose as water rose                     ‘til out of Hade’s spot.

 Since all the while the second sight, justified the night; Moon in place with sun beside, the dawning light at last, As down beneath in mirrored form the burrow closed did yawn— down the soil and up the soil, down and up, down and up; Breathing as it were, Then burst the leaping Hare victoriously from the earth— His burial plot a place of birth— Springing from the burrow, Spring returned with sun yellow that gleamed on His red coat. The fierce dogs whimpered at the sight,            teeth falling to the ground they died And from their fangs new pups sprang           and tamed by Hare                     they chased away the bear           who slinking back lay dying in its lair.

 To and fro the Hare sped round, all across the globe,            breathing fire as He went, Awakening the nymphs, defrosted from their lent,           and so their rivers flowed, colours rose, and helped Him find the eggs, Incubating first, and then the first born rabbits He had sent. For a myriad myriad eggs the White Rabbit laid when Hare was torn and slain— These all cracked at Hares warm breath And hatched, still hatching,            Hare out of sight but traced in scent of rose.

 O what strangeness—a flock of rabbits            hatching from their eggs; Multiplied they filled and fill the once sombre empty earth, And as Adam first named the first rabbit            in the season in which he fell; This Hare called Adam-Two named the rabbits too:           Peter Rabbit first, Then the rest He called by name new, Wrote down by Stag on white pebbles,           taken from spring’s water                      which was once winter’s slough.

Ten-Stringed Lyre of the New Israel, 22 April, 2019.

[falloutboy-on-boy]

house of gold- a thomas dubroin playlist

listen on spotify

track list under the cut

always // panic! at the disco

it was always you falling for me now there’s always time calling for me i’m the light blinking at the end of the road blink back, to let me know

black butterflies and déjà vu // the maine

i lose my voice when I look at you  can’t make a noise though I’m trying to  tell you all the right words  waiting on the right words  just another lovesick afternoon  black butterflies and déjà vu hoping for the right words waiting for the right words

brother // gerard way

the lights we chase the nights we steal the things that we take to make us feel this i can’t go back don’t think i will i won’t sleep tonight as long as i still hear the drums of the city rain

daylily // movements

i think it’s time you had a pink cloud summer ‘cause you’ve gone too long without a smile i think it’s time you found another reason to stay for a while you should stay for a while

deathbeds // bring me the horizon

that little kiss you stole it held my heart and soul and like a deer in the headlights i meet my fate don’t try to fight the storm you’ll tumble overboard tides will bring me back to you

follow you // bring me the horizon

so you can drag me through hell if it meant i could hold your hand i will follow you 'cause i’m under your spell and you can throw me to the flames i will follow you, i will follow you

happy endings are stories that haven’t ended yet // mayday parade

you could be my compass teach me how to read these broken lines hold me like a lover we’ll find a way, to run away, tonight tell me when it’s over, promise that you’ll always keep me in mind burning like a soldier, i’ll find my way to you and save the day

house of gold // twenty one pilots

she asked me, “son, when i grow old will you buy me a house of gold? and when your father turns to stone will you take care of me?”

i believe // christina perri

i believe that tomorrow is stronger than yesterday and i believe that your head is the only thing in your way i wish that you could see your scars turn into beauty i believe that today it’s okay to be not okay

i’ll always be around // waterparks

you know i’ll always be around i’d never i’d never i’d never leave you hanging out to dry because the world’s gonna pass me by but if you wanted, i’d never i’d never i’d never leave your leave your side i’d never i’d never i’d never leave you out to dry i’d never i’d never i’d never get you off my mind

if i could tell her // dear evan hansen

if i could tell her tell her everything i see if i could tell her how she’s everything to me but we’re a million worlds apart and i don’t know how i would even start

parachute // neck deep

i wanna break out and get away i wanna just try and live for me 'cause if we don’t try then we won’t believe that we could have had it i wanna let go, and fall for you and when it gets rough, be your parachute i wanna do the things that you only read about are you ready?

scene two-roger rabbit // sleeping with sirens

nobody’s gonna love you if you can’t display, a way to capture this nobody’s gonna hold your hand and guide you through no, it’s up for you to understand

summertime // my chemical romance

and if you stay i would even wait all night or until my heart explodes. how long? 'til we find our way in the dark and out of harm you can run away with me anytime you want

tear in my heart // twenty one pilots

my heart is my armor she’s the tear in my heart she’s a carver she’s a butcher with a smile cut me farther than i’ve ever been

the end of all things // panic! at the disco

in these coming years many things will change but the way i feel will remain the same

the ghost of you // my chemical romance

get the feeling that you’re never all alone and i remember now at the top of my lungs in my arms she dies she dies

the only exception // paramore

i’ve got a tight grip on reality but i can’t let go of what’s in front of me here i know your leaving in the morning, when you wake up leave me with some kind of proof it’s not a dream, oh

the only hope for me is you // my chemical romance

if that’s the best that i could be? than i’d be another memory can i be the only hope for you? because you’re the only hope for me and if we can’t find where we belong, we’ll have to make it on our own face all the pain and take it on because the only hope for me is you alone

the scientist // coldplay

come up to meet you, tell you i’m sorry you don’t know how lovely you are i had to find you tell you i need you tell you i set you apart

trees // twenty one pilots

why won’t you speak? where i happen to be silent in the trees standing cowardly

truce // twenty one pilots

stay alive, stay alive for me you will die, but now your life is free take pride in what is sure to die

[totalfanfreak]

Ain’t No Angel [Red Canyon]

Ain’t No Angel

[So I’m diverting a little bit, I need to quit going through Wikipedia at Reedus’ filmography. I decided to skim off of Boondock’s to give something different, this is for Red Canyon. And I feel like I should put a warning here, you know, for violence, rough stuff, language…etc. Will it be OoC, probably, but do I care? Sadly, I have no answer.]

 Mac believed you to be a lot of things, but an angel sure as hell wasn’t one of them.

 SAINT:

He had spotted you right away, huddled up against the bar and looking at your drink like you had no idea what to do with it. From that look you had you probably didn’t. Dolled up like a little girl on her way to Sunday school – yellow sundress that frilled at the knees, hair curled to waves around your face, strappy sandals with an ankle bracelet to top it off. You certainly didn’t look like you belonged at the fucking Luna Mesa. He bellied up next to you, slamming his hand down demanding a drink, you hadn’t moved, didn’t even flinch from the sudden intrusion, little hands still flexing around the glass like you were psyching yourself up to down it.

“Ain’t from around here are ya, girl?”

You did startle then, and Mac couldn’t help but smirk. Turning to him, you stared up with doe eyes before smiling. Wasn’t hard to get girls to smile at him, there were shit pickings in Caineville, and with his build and blue eyes it wasn’t hard to get a girl to spread her legs. It was the other shit that had them turning tail and running. One of them being his teeth, letting his lips pull apart to grin at you, the blackened rot flashing as he proceeded to pick an imaginary fragment from them. His teeth were the first put off, disgusting them. Bitches like that thinking they were better than him, not only them, too many people thought they were higher up than him, but every one of them were the fucking same. Still cried, still bled.

He waited for you to shirk away, drawing the conclusion that he was trash, nothing but a filthy drug addicted redneck and blow him off. Then the fun could begin. Yet you didn’t, your eyes still holding the deer in headlights expression but smile remaining.

“You would be correct. Sort of passing through, you could say…would you be the welcoming committee Mr. – “

“Mac, everyone around here calls me Mac.”

Your smile grew, perfect polished teeth shining while you stretched out your hand. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Mac. I’m Y/N.”

He looked down at your hand, trailing up to look at your unblemished arms, he could imagine the things he could do to them. The bites, rope burns, knife marks – his, and his alone. Grasping your hand in his, he let he own smile grow, feeling your pulse leap under his touch. Perhaps not like a deer at all, but a little rabbit about to be caught in a snare trap.

“Pleasure’s all mine. Think you’ll like it here, might enjoy it so much you’ll never want to leave.”

He hadn’t taken you that day, a big mistake if he thought about it. For someone just passing through you ran your mouth off to a lot of fucking people. He’d watch you, dropping everything to help an old lady with her groceries, tending to another one’s garden, even getting down a kite that was hung in a tree for the kids at the park. During his observations you had caught him a few times, bounding towards him like the two of you were old friends, going as far as to hug him goodbye. That surprised him, enough so he didn’t think to push you off him. Mac wasn’t a hugger, never had one, didn’t need one, especially a pity hug from some dumb bitch. He didn’t allow people that right, but for that moment feeling your pert body pressed against his, that heart still going like a jackhammer, he faltered. He didn’t like the weakness from that, and though he had most people around here in his pocket, he didn’t like you bustling around town helping everyone, and he sure as hell didn’t like that you thought you could touch him. He knew it was an act, all of it was, acting like you were some kind of fucking saint, he knew better. And he’d teach you to try and fool him. Like all women, deep down you were nothing but a whore, and he’d be glad to help put you in your place.

It hadn’t been hard to get you in the truck, car broken down due to a few missing plugs, he almost sneered at how you smiled at him pulling up. Like he was some kind of hero or something, Mac already knew he was anything but. He had driven up to the canyons, and you hadn’t questioned anything until he put the truck in park. He watched as your eyebrows knitted in confusion, a question on your lips as they pursed. Before you could get out a word, he grabbed you by the back of the head, pulling you by the hair out the driver’s side, letting you fall in the dirt.

“Come on then, girlie, let’s have us some fun.”

You glanced up, panting from the struggle, before lurching up and head-butting him in the stomach. He doubled over, giving you time to run, you weren’t screaming, and he gave you some credit on that. They always screamed, though there wasn’t a soul out here for miles, the sound echoing off the canyon walls alerting him on where to go. Too bad you were too slow, making it easy for him to catch up and tackle you. On your stomach you let your arm draw back, hitting him square in the nose, he felt warmth rush in his mouth, tasting the copper of his blood.

“That’s right ya little bitch! Keep it up! All you’re doing is makin’ me love you!”

You grunted, trying to get on your back, he leaned up feeling you tense and relax as you rolled over. Your eyes were wide as plates, mouth gasping for air, red dirt splayed over you like dried blood. He narrowed his eyes as you began to nod.

“You’re doing the same to me.”

He was about to grab you again, demand what kind of shit you were talking about, when you grabbed him first, kissing him. Kiss being the operative words, your mouths were touching, but that was all. From the looks of you, he thought you’d be the kind to daydream of those sweet touches, kisses on the face when your lips barely touched each other. He felt everything now, your teeth clacking against his, nicking gums, making them bleed. Your incisor grabbing his bottom lip biting down hard enough to draw blood, he held back a groan as you lapped at it your tongue prodding at his rotted teeth when he finally snapped back to earth and pushed you off him, your skull ricocheting on the ground.

“Stupid little whore!”

His anger intensified at the sound of your laughter. “Can’t say I’m much of one yet, but I wouldn’t mind it – being your whore. You’re the first…you want to break things, don’t you Mac? I want to be broken. I knew it as soon as you looked at me at the bar, that you wanted me to hurt as much as you, that you wanted to eat me alive. So are you, Mac?”

He breathed in deep, feeling her body trembling under his hands, now realizing not in fear but anticipation. He gnashed his teeth, blood still trickling over his lips, letting the corner of his tongue lick it up. This was new, and he wasn’t sure how to proceed though he knew what was going to happen. He’d eat you up all right; devour you til there was nothing left but your bones bleaching in the desert sun.

MARTYR:

A virgin. A fucking virgin? Mac wanted to tilt his head back and cackle at the sky upon hearing that. But finding out the fact firsthand shut him up real quick. Girls usually saved themselves for their true loves and shit, then there was you, saving it until you found someone as fucked up as you were.

“Not that hard to find a guy that’ll smack a woman around. It is hard to find one that doesn’t blubber out an apology the next day, one that pays attention and sees she likes it, and finds a way to use it to his advantage.”

Oh, he could do that, had begun to over the next few weeks. Doing everything and anything that came into his twisted head, throwing him off each time when you took it with a smile. You’d scream, but then there was always that underlying moan that followed, the one that made him stop for a second and blink in disbelief. After a while he moved you in with him, telling himself that it’d be quicker access for him. He had pulled out your drawers, dumping everything out, while telling you to grab as much you could in three minutes or he was lighting the place on fire with you in it. You were quick getting four suitcases out with twenty seconds to spare. The first night you were made to sleep in the corner of the room on the floor, no blanket or pillow to comfort you. He’d break you, then he remembered you wanted to be broken. The next day you had begun cleaning everything, and though he didn’t mind it, would’ve told you to do it; he choked you for not asking him first. His hands tightened so hard your face turned purple, eyes rolling back before going limp. And for a split second he panicked. He hadn’t meant to…

Don’t go.

But seeing the rise and fall of your chest, he realized you only passed out. Waking a few hours later with a smile on asking if he wanted some dinner. No, he didn’t want any fucking dinner, he wanted to backhand you, wanted you to curse him, and instead grabbed his coat going out the door to get a fix. He took more than he usually did, bounding up the steps, falling through the door. You went to help him, and he snarled.

“Did I say you could fucking touch me, bitch!”

Shaking your head, you sat down beside him. Waiting.

You always waited, and for a while it drove him crazy. Now he expected it. Coming home from the shop or, like now, the caves. Spreading the red dust on the floors you cleaned as he came in to find you cooking his supper. You looked up from the pot you were stirring, a warm smile spreading on your face as you looked at him. He never did it back, but he didn’t hit you for it anymore, his hands twitched and some part in the back of his mind told him to pummel your face in until it cracked open and spilt like an egg but some other part had begun to override it. You looked at his dirty boots, turning back to the pot as the smile slipped.

He smirked, you knew what was up there, and not just the drugs they cooked. “Jealous?”

You shook your head, and he almost chewed his thumb, a habit he hadn’t done since high school.

“What is it then? Ya think you’re gonna bitch at me for dirtying the floors?”

Shaking your head again, you turned the stove off. “Feel bad, I guess.”

He snorted. “What the fuck ya feel bad about?”

“Those girls aren’t like us…If – if you wanted, I could switch with them.”

His eyes narrowed slits of cerulean peeking through. “The fuck you on about, girl?”

“They’d be fine, cooking and cleaning for you, but the chains – I could do the chains.”

He pressed his fingers into his eyes, if anything you were batshit crazy. He knew that when he went in dry and you called out his name like a god. He laughed; there was no god out here.

“Mac?”

He was still buzzing, the high from earlier calming down and stuttering him.

“Shut up.”

You turned away to the cupboards and he jerked you back, letting the plates crash to the floor.

“The fuck’s wrong with you?”

The fuck’s wrong with me?

You shook your head looking down, his nostrils flared, he had vowed to not fuck up your face. The bruises and the swelling getting to him with those fucking eyes, but you were pissing him off. Grabbing your chin hard, he made you look at him.

“You want away from me, huh? Want some other girl here sucking me off while every other meth head fucks you on the cave wall?”

Your mouth gaped open. “I thought it was only you…that, you know…had them.”

You were right, many times in his life Mac was given nothing, and now that he had the power to he took all he could only giving scraps back. But not you.

“Don’t fucking matter who had ‘em, you’re staying here til I say otherwise. You got me!”

You nodded, dropping down to pick up the shards of glass. Eyes flashing, he took you by the nape of your neck and dragged you until you were in the broken pieces, flesh cutting, as he saw blood skimming the floor. With his free hand he began to undo his coveralls.

“Want to be a martyr, princess, you stay on those knees and suck my cock while you bleed.”

Your cheeks pinked, more so when his girth was exposed.

“Mac…please.”

Any other girl would be pleading him to stop, but he knew your looks and cues now, and knew what you wanted.

“You crazy slut, take your clothes off and spread that little pussy for me. Bet your wetter than a river right now.”

“Can I – “

“You don’t get off, not until I say, and right now you got a few sacrifices to make.”

You did as told, mouth and hand on him, while the other kept yourself displayed for him, folds glistening as you worked.

“You slut…my sweet slut. All mine, you dirty bitch.”

SAVIOR:

“What the fuck you tryin’ to say, princess?”

It was the first time he ever saw fear in your eyes. It unnerved him. You threw the stick on the coffee table, getting up to go to the kitchen. He stayed seated though his body roared at him to move. Feeling something cold hit his cheek, he glanced up to see you handing him a glass of whiskey before sitting down with your own. You were not his equal, he made sure you knew that, but you were his, and that fact had embedded itself enough that you were comfortable around him now. He gulped the contents down, wincing as the flame embalmed his belly.

“How the fuck did this happen?”

You snickered. “If you don’t know the mechanics –“

“Shut that smart mouth now.”

The humor was still in your eyes, but did as you were told. The look quickly faded into anxiety.

“What do you want me to do Mac?”

How the fuck was he to know, hell, he might’ve produced spawn from here to Oregon wasn’t one bitch going to admit it was his. He didn’t know what to do.

“I don’t think I could use a hanger, but if you – if you put those boots on and kicked hard enough –“

“Jesus, are you out of your mind?”

“I didn’t think you’d want me to go to a clinic.”

“Maybe I want to fuckin’ keep it, you think of that?”

From the look on your face, he knew you hadn’t.

“We’re not meant to be parents, Mac. Look what ours did to us, broken into so many pieces the two of us are still shifting through them to get whole. We’d warp the kid. You know I don’t care what you do to me when you get high, but a baby, God, we can’t –“

“I could quit, cut down a little at a time and quit.”

Your eyes looked at him, not perceiving what he was saying.

“We’d do better than our parents.”

You scoffed, making him get up and sinking in front of you, a warning in his eyes.

“You think you’re gonna start calling the shots now? That’s my kid in you and you’ll do as I fucking say.”

It was a whisper, the fear creeping more heavily into you.

“I don’t want to kill it.”

“Then fuckin’ don’t!”

“No, I don’t know how – I don’t even think I’d know how to love it…could you? Do either of us even know how to do that?”

He stood up, pacing, before his eyes traveled back to you. He didn’t want to, didn’t think he’d ever would, but God be damned, he did. Looking at you, no matter how fucked up it all was he did know how.

[trashpandaorigins]

GSRB Scenes from a Life: Prototype

From the team that brought you The Shrapnel in Your Heart, who really should have had their Tumblr messenger apps taken away by now, comes an intimate portrayal of a retired life of leisure, except for when it’s not. Based on the ridiculous head-canon that Groot, Steve, Rocket and Bucky all live together in a New York City apartment after Infinity War. From misadventures, pranks, and drinking shenanigans to harrowing reckonings of their past, Groot, Steve, Rocket and Bucky will eventually carve out an odd little family for themselves. That is, if they don’t kill each other first. A series of incorrect quotes, flash fics and funny scenes/dialogues. Lots of humor and fluff, some angst….okay, moderate amounts of angst.

Read the entire GSRB Scenes from a Life Series on A03

Check out the work of my partner in crime at Skarabrae_stone on A03 and follow them here @captaintoomanybattles

*Warning: This fic contains discussions of torture, animal abuse, graphic descriptions of violence, and ptsd.*

1945

“Move, soldat!”

The man who was no longer Bucky Barnes, not yet the Winter Soldier grunted at the rough shove of the guards. His eyes tried to focus past the fog of pain as he was escorted down the long windowless hall.

“Move!”

The man who had been Bucky looked up as he walked, glaring out from the top of his mask. He knew the routine, better to do as they said then resist and get another beating. His eyes scanned the dull concrete walls; eventually, the one on the right-hand side opened to a window, into another room. He frowned, his mind never having seen this chamber before. Yet again, the tests did odd things to his brain. Cages of animals, the man who had been Bucky recognized them. More scientists and doctors restraining the creatures, taking notes. A fox being tasered, a recently dead rabbit being dissected. A raccoon kit dumped back in its cage, squeaking with the thud.

“Stop,” The guard ordered.

The man who had been Bucky halted, watching the animal lab as two agents and doctor discussed something. Whatever it was, it was not important. Either way, the man who was Bucky would have his agony waiting for him at the end of the hall. A deer limped back and forth in its cage; a gloved hand reached out and injected a coyote with something that made it wobble and collapse. The man who had been Bucky searched with feverish eyes and stopped.

“Move!” The guard ordered. The little raccoon kit, barely a week old, stared at him through the bars of its cage, baring its teeth, the red brown eyes piercing.

“I said move, Soldat!”

Another jabbing pain stung the man’s side and he lumbered forward towards the end of the hall. Towards his unmaking.

75 Years Later

“Are you sure it was him?” Steve murmured, fingers stroking Bucky’s arm as they lay together in bed.

Bucky stared at the glowing city lights through the window, listening to the traffic and shouting from people down below, a lullaby he’d missed so much. Steve’s arms around his waist tightened, head resting against his shoulder from behind.

“I’m sure,” Bucky whispered, knot in his stomach.

“Are you going to tell him?” Steve asked, a soft kiss to his neck. Bucky turned, examining Steve’s face in the nighttime shadows.

“I don’t know. What do you think I should do?”

He watched Steve consider for a moment, carefully calculating every possible outcome with equal thoughtfulness. It made him love him all the more.“I think you should do what you think is right.”

Bucky shook his head, rolling over onto his back and pulling Steve down on top of him. “That’s not very helpful.”

Steve’s musical laughter lifted Bucky’s gloomy heart. “It’s really up to you, Buck. But whatever you decide you know I’ll be with you…”

Bucky kissed him before Steve could finish, tasting that sweetness tinged with its own sorrow. “Til the end of the line.” Bucky broke the kiss for a moment, holding Steve’s face an inch from his own. “I know.”

Steve grinned goofily, kissing him again. “Good. Now, we going to agonize over impossible decisions, or do something else?”

Bucky felt the heat rise in his cheeks. “Well, you know how much I love analyzing my traumatic past, but if you insist , I suppose we can...do something else. What did you have in mind?”

Steve reached up, running his fingers through his hair, and kissed his chest. “I’ll show you.”

Despite the pleasure of the nights, the knowledge of his part in Rocket’s creation ate at Bucky throughout the days for every day that week. He could barely look at the raccoonoid even as the two of them moved through the small apartment. Every now and then, Bucky would spare a grunt in response to Rocket’s demands and would turn away, avoiding him whenever possible. Still, the guilt threatened to consume him, and would not be contained. After hours of overthinking, Bucky managed to narrow the consequences of telling Rocket the truth down to two possible outcomes: he’d get  shot, or he’d get shot more than once. Neither were ideal, so Bucky settled on dropping the confession unless Rocket himself brought up the subject.

Unfortunately for him, the raccoonoid did just that several days later, after the four of them had been playing cards and drinking beer in the living room. Groot turned in for the night first, growing them each a flower before taking off down the hall to his room.

Steve followed suit. “Good night, guys.” He stood, throwing in his cards.

“You’re leaving?” Bucky accused, fixing him with a look. Sure, he’d decided to let Rocket bring up the subject first, but Steve was not helping by leaving the two of them alone.

“I’m gonna go finish the drawing I was working on.” He kissed Bucky on the head, waved to Rocket and departed with a wink.

When the door shut behind him, Bucky shivered with the chill of the unspoken words lingering in the air of the room. Rocket hissed, finishing his beer, and began to reshuffle the cards.

“You gotta step up your poker game Barnes, you’re losing to a genetically modified….whatever I am. ”

Bucky leaned back against the sofa, taking a swig of his own beer and set it down. There it was, the door was wide open... He took a deep breath. “Prototype.”

A tense silence fell between them, Rocket’s ear twitched slowly. He looked over his shoulder to Bucky, glaring.

“Prototype? What...what are you saying, man?”

Too late to go back now, just tell him. He deserves to know.

Bucky leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees and folding his hands in nervousness.  “What I’m saying is….the reason they did those things to you, created you...was because they were perfecting their tests. So they could do them on me.”

He waited for Rocket to turn on him, expected to be staring down the barrel of a gun. But Rocket only fully turned to face him, eyes glaring suspiciously.

“Tsch , ain’t true! Your back from when, caveman times?” His voice rose in anger.

“1940s,” Bucky answered as calmly as he could manage.

Rocket’s clawed hand balled into a fist, his tail lashing. “Whatever! I wasn’t even around then! How could I be…”

With that the walls came down, tears of some ineffable emotion took hold behind Bucky’s eyes, heart hammering. “89P13!” He managed, voice hoarse. “That was your number! I saw it. Burned into your ear. I saw you when they were taking me down for another test. They were...They experimented with cryogenics too. I thought I was the first, but…”

Rocket starred up at him, eyes wide with a fear that was quickly covered by a cutting glare. “What do you mean by that?” he growled.

Bucky lowered his head once more. If he closed  his eyes, he could see that laboratory, the cages, the animals...

“The stuff they did to me it ….it….was precise. Invasive…..so many times I thought I was going to die. I ...I...wanted to die, but they made sure I didn’t. I was too valuable. A chief asset….they needed a prototype, Rocket. Something more…” The words died in his mouth; he couldn’t bring himself to say it. Suddenly, the city lights outside seemed to have gone out, replaced only by Rocket’s glowing red gaze.

The raccoonoid looked away, eyes shifting, piecing it together. Bucky glanced up, watching the fur on the creature’s body shaking.

“They needed something expendable. Exploitable. Something cheap that could be replaced with little cost...but close enough to human biology. A mammal, a rodent. One large enough to withstand the tests, docile… like a raccoon.” Rocket spoke the last few words so softly Bucky could hardly hear him.

“I’m so sorry...If I hadn’t…”

“No!” Rocket snapped.

Bucky withdrew his head from his hands to see the raccoonoid’s unreadable face leaning closer to him. “Don’t be sorry! If anyone here’s to blame, it’s me!”

Bucky opened his mouth to speak but Rocket continued, words moving as rapidly as his own thundering heart.

“I should’ve failed the tests, should’ve clawed out my implants…sabotaged the experiments...I….I should’ve died,” he wished for it with such longing Bucky winced.

Rage replaced the sorrow within Bucky, rage for the scientists who’d tortured them both, who robbed them of normal lives.

“Maybe if I’d just dropped dead they would’ve rethought the project, cancelled it.”

“Want to know what would’ve happened if you’d died?” Bucky’s voice mounted despite the hour. “They would’ve ripped out your cybernetics, tossed your pelt in an incinerator and moved on to  the next poor animal! It wouldn’t’ve made a damn difference!”

Rocket leapt up at that, fur on edge, his claws tightened on the couch cushion beside Bucky, his teeth bared. Bucky reached out, the impulse to physically comfort strong within him as his hand moved to touch the fur of Rocket’s arm. The raccoonoid shrank back, crouching on all fours, hissing, his teeth bared and ears flat.

“Don’t touch me!” He snarled the warning with the same terror he’d seen in Rocket as a kit when the scientists with the gloved hands approached him.

Bucky dropped his hand, Rocket’s fright searing his heart. A heartbeat passed, another one, then another, the weight of the silence threatening to crush Bucky.

“I don’t want your pity, Barnes,” The raccoonoid said after a second, though with less venom the before. He blinked, stepping closer once more, head lowered as if out of a daze, embarrassed.

“You were a kit, Rocket!” Bucky’s voice broke. “A baby!” The image of the small raccoon burned into his mind, the pathetic squeaking cries for help echoing in his ears. “For God's sakes, you’d barely opened your eyes, you were probably no more than a week old! I let them do that to you, to all the creatures they had in there-- I--” He heaved a breath, trying to calm himself. “All this time, I thought, at least it was just me-- at least, if they were torturing me, if they had me, they weren’t doing it to anyone else. But-- but that’s not true. I was just the-- the end product, the result, and you… you paid the price.” His pulse was no longer racing with anxiety; instead, he felt hollow, worn out and exhausted. “I just wish I’d at least tried to save you,” he said. “Any of you.”

There was a long silence; then a small paw landed gently on his forearm. Bucky raised his head, hardly daring to believe it, and found himself meeting Rocket’s red eyes.

“The only human who ever made me feel less alone in this whole dast galaxy once told me we were alive and they weren’t and that was all that mattered.” Rocket’s voice trailed off and he reached for Groot’s unfinished beer on the table, draining it in a single gulp. “He was right,”

It took Bucky a moment, but he smiled sadly, remembering their first encounter, the first time he’d spoken to anyone other then Steve in any detail about his torture at the hands of Hydra.

“He was, huh?”

“Yeah,” Rocket whispered, “he was.” he looked up at Bucky and managed a bittersweet grin.  One paw still rested on Bucky's arm and the two of them watched the reflection of the lights out the window. Outside, traffic still rumbled by, even at this late hour; music filtered up from a nearby apartment, and a siren echoed somewhere in the distance. Bucky and Rocket sat together, just close enough to touch, in companionable silence. Later, there would be other conversations, and the nightmares that inevitably followed this kind of revelation. For now, though, they kept vigil together, drawing comfort in each other’s presence as the night slowly drifted toward dawn.

[locochronic-blog]

1.

Cue the helicopters.

Federal agents soar high above California’s northern coast like eagles with a bird’s eye view of this multi-billion dollar black market marijuana industry. They see a symmetrically beautiful Yin Yang of rough blue sea and rolling green hills. Rhythmic waves crash like percussions on the shore ‘n rugged, mountainous terrains mimic the ups and downs of hill life for weed growers and trimmers, locals and transplants alike.

The task force chopper in the air slightly descends, losing sight of its moving target as a line of cars disappears under a Redwood forest canopy that is too dense.

Launch the drones.

Agents rely on monitoring live stream footage from their remote controlled drones as the little fed cameras swoop closer to the ground, able to finagle through trees with ease. Able to stalk this criminal brigade mobbin through the woods.

Humboldt, Mendocino and Trinity Counties are collectively known as the Emerald Triangle for ranking highest in Cannabis production throughout the United States for all of time… Don’t quote nothin tho. These counties have been putting in work since before getting high was this cool… and with all the recent advancements of this underground industry, getting high has never felt so sensational. 

This that LoCo Chronic, sucka.

Majestic rays of love and light filter through giant, ancient trees as the dusty mountain road begins to narrow on a summer’s eve. From the sun, rays of light travel a hundred million miles in under ten minutes and still must reposition around these mystical Redwood beings. 

Beings wider than the SUVs that maneuver amongst them through roads ’n coves. 

Fallen beings crafted into big castles.

It’s the green Wild West, baby.

Primitive ferns carpet the forest floor and rattle as the ground rumbles out of nowhere. Ballerinas of Godly mist percolate above vines and mossy rocks, dancing with mountain lions, bobcats, bald eagles and bears. One might imagine Louis Armstrong’s “What A Wonderful World” playing merrily in the background.

Shit ain’t sweet out here tho, so Tupac’s “High Til I Die” gets progressively louder with its deep bass and quick pace. People are really out here mobbin in the middle of nowhere.

“Smokin chronic muthafuckas, causing ruckus”, Tupac’s distinctly sexy voice stabs at the tranquility of surrounding nature. “It’s the last of the drank pull over, can’t hear a damn thing sober. High til I die, loced til they smoke me, the shit don’t stop til my casket drop… I’m high til I die…”

Oversized wheels race by, one set of beefy black rims after the other as five or six off-road capable trucks and SUVs cruise swiftly through the woods. The racket approaches Wyatt and Chaska's ranch rapidly, reverberating sounds of music throughout the hills, causing critters to scatter at once, with chills.

Rabbits and deer steer clear.

For growers and trapstars, summer in Humboldt is when all goes well, or, well, you’re fucked. And the drought ain’t over. Won’t be anytime soon. All this heat and wildfire smoke is a bitch, it’s making some hill workers go crazy.

“I know the feds watchin!” Chaska shouts above the music playing in the car, “Why else they circlin round here on a Sunday? Can't be no dang electric company!”

Chaska is co-owner of the grow-op and acts as both the armed guard and the DJ in the passenger seat. His buzz cut glistens with sweat on this hot August day and he wears a couple gold chains that contradict his country boy demeanor yet reinstate his unpredictable priorities. He also wears his machine gun like a seatbelt.

A gorgeous, soft spoken Alicia Keys look-a-like named Aura drives with one hand, adjusting the rearview mirror with the other to be sure of what she sees.

“We’ve got visitors!” Aura warns.

She feels alert and refreshed, refusing to put the A/C on anything other than high while she is behind the wheel. Curls poppin, dancing with the air that blows in their direction. Her beaded charm bracelets jingle over bumps and potholes as she transports a load of workers to the farm. Her favorite and most unique charm on her wrist was decorated by her son Carmelo after his last day of Kindergarten a couple months ago. He painted a beautiful rendition of her head and hair’s silhouette onto a plain wooden coin and she looks even more like a Goddess through the eyes of her child.

Aura is a mother, a college student and a bartender who hosts karaoke every Thursday night. With a demeanor so sweet, nobody would believe the lifestyle she truly lives… Not that she talks much about herself to strangers anyways.

Aura and Chaska teamed up to drive and guard the last car in the criminal convoy today. The goal of this backup squad is to deter cops and crooks, by any means necessary, from following the rest of the gangsta fleet of guards and workers up to Chaska and his brother Wyatt’s weed farm. 

Rose turns around from the middle row of the overly lifted SUV and peaks through the tinted back window. She finds herself at eye level with a couple steadily approaching drones and instantly snaps around to face front, paranoid about having her face on camera. She pulls her long, wavy hair into a sloppy bun and throws on a black hoodie to cover the distinct tattoos painted preciously on her arms.

The drones stream footage up to agents in the helicopter, revealing a line of pimped out trucks and SUVs all painted forest matte green so deep they look black at night. Each whip is equipped with massive all-terrain tires, heavily tinted windows, spotlights ’n grille guards.

Incidentally, all the doors and windows of this brigade are also bulletproof. Some markings decorate the exterior of a couple cars like souvenirs from upset shooters whose bullets never made it to the person riding shotgun.

Ironic.

Drivers, armed guards and over a dozen blindfolded passengers bump up the mountain on the hottest day in years. A sunny Humboldt summer that’s hot with the cops, too.

“Yeeee”, Chaska haws as he pops a magazine into his modified gun and loads the chamber, “I’m sher glad I done chose to git in your vehicle today, Miss Aura. Now open that sunroof for me, if you be so kind”.

Aura is Chaska’s sister-in-law, though she and his brother Wyatt split up a year ago. Wyatt waits at the ranch for the convoy of cars to pull up, caring for Carmelo along with other little kids and making lunch for the guards who stayed with them for the day.

Chaska and Wyatt look similar but act totally different. They are muscular and healthy, half Portuguese half Native American with a natural tan to their skin year round. They could pass as twins despite their different personalities and hairstyles. Wyatt is younger yet wiser and he flaunts his Native roots with long, silky black hair he keeps tied back while working. Chaska is a couple years older and keeps his hair short as if he’s about to deploy with the militia. 

Chaska acts so savage and redneck it’s comical, considering his familial upbringing surrounded by countless tribal elders guiding him in the right direction. Soon as him and Wyatt’s folks died Chaska quit attending ceremonies, quit showing respect to food he hunts and quit following advice from his tribe. As much as Wyatt becomes enlightened, Chaska becomes equally as dark and twisted. Instead of going to group gatherings, dances and prayers, a young Chaska would disappear for days at a time to camp in the woods. He can drive every single back road that stretches north, south, east and west in the Emerald Triangle blindfolded. He can survive for months alone in the wilderness. 

And he can kill anything that moves without feeling a drop of remorse.

Aura presses a button on the dash and the sunroof slides back like a door to an action packed movie. Chaska takes off his shirt, ties it around his face and throws on a baseball cap leaving only a slither of his eyes as evidence in a potential case. In one fluid, almost rehearsed movement he places a hand on the roof of the car and thrusts himself upwards til he is standing on the passenger seat with his gun toting in the breeze. He switches the safety off and steadies his aim amidst such dusty, rugged curves in the road. 

Agents in the air monitor the cameras that lag only a second or two behind real time. They see a masked figure pop up out of nowhere and call through their radios that there is what appears to be an M4 aimed directly at their pricey cop toys. Orders from base are given to hold the drones back a few yards and begin swerving them from left to right on this winding mountain cut through.

Turn those fuckers off.

Distance and swerves are no match for Chaska’s tactical moves as he holds down the trigger and sprays in one sweeping motion. With a shot to the brain of each robot, footage is immediately ceased, leaving nothing but fuzzy gray connections up on the helicopters split screen.