#well. chip likely isnt any better at the moment.

[themostsanebug]

teehee!!!! joerry!!!!! yay!!!! theyre so awesome!!!!! :) lets check what their askblogs are gettin up t-

oh.

[spinster-sisters]

Thank you. KHJ.

TW: Dom!Jong, Sub!Reader, this isnt exacly a Mafia au its more like it just hints at unlawful buisness practices, i honestly dont know what to put here to describe this, Dollification? perhaps? I dont know if im usuing that correctly, a lot of posessiveness, unprotected sex, general dirty talk stuff the usual, despite the tags its actually kinda sweet (perhaps i just have a fucked up perception of sweet.)

WC: 2.8k

---

"Well, Hongjoong it seems you have beaten me again,"

The older man spoke from across the velvet table, placing his cards on the surface. You couldn't help feeling smug on behalf of your lover. You stood up from the corner you were sitting in and made your way over to the table falling into Hongjoongs lap now that the game was over.

"Sorry, I guess I'm just lucky," Hingjoong spoke in a mild tone but his wide wicked smile was enough to show everyone what they already knew. Hongjoong doesn't need luck, he's just that good.

You had been seeing him for quite a while. You started out as a waitress in this very Casino that Hongjoong owned. Nobody really knows exactly what he and his friends do for a living or the legality of it but the Casino was more of Hongjoongs personal side project than an actual job. While it made a lot of money he only ever took up ownership of it because he won it in a game against the original owner.

You had been taken with the man from the moment you laid eyes on him. He radiated confidence and power in every step he took and he had the looks to match. He was absolutely stunning. How your relationship got started wasn't exactly clear but after being his personal waitress for months you ended up in his office with your clothes hanging off the back of the couch.

"How about another game?" The older man asks with a grin. Hongjoong only chuckles. The older man had been eyeing your creepily all night and you looked to Hongjoong, hoping he would understand your discomfort. Your boyfriend meets your eyes for only a moment before looking back at the man.

"No offense sir but you're all out of chips," your boyfriend replies. As he spoke one hand came to rest on your thigh kneading it slightly in his grasp.

"I wasn't thinking about chips. How about something a little more valuable?" He sleazy man asks leaning forward onto the green velvet. Hongjoong was visibly intrigued, the higher the stakes the more fun it is. He raised an eyebrow in a way that says 'im listening.'

"My hotel chain against her," the man replied pointing a crooked finger at you.

You expected a hard no or a "get the hell out of my casino." But one never came. Your head snapped up to your boyfriend's face and to your disbelief, he was smiling. He was still gripping your leg as tightly as before but his hand was inching up the bare expanse of your leg. Hongjoong only waited a moment before responding.

"Let's play,"

You felt your gut drop through the floor as the game began you felt your hands start to shake in your lap, you knew better than to talk during a game but you wanted to scream at Hongjoong for putting you through this. It's not like you weren't confident in his abilities, of course, you were. But that isn't the only factor in card games like these, at a certain point it is simply luck of the draw, and while Hongjoong certain was lucky today could always be the day that luck would fail.

The game was nearing its conclusion and you could feel your palms sweating endlessly. The dealer spoke for the final time,

You watched in fear as the dealer began distributing cards to the two men. You were squirming helplessly in your spot on Hongjoongs lap, enough so that he had to pull you against his chest to keep you still. After looking at his cards your boyfriend placed a reassuring kiss on your temple but your nerves weren't settled, just what the man sitting across the table had in mind for you, you didn't know and you didn't want to. You didn't understand the game well enough to draw any conclusions so instead, you just watched as the game unfolded.

In true expert fashion, Hongjoong held the perfect poker face, not revealing anything in expression or body language. But the old man was all too telling, though his face did not betray him, his body was telling the story of utter confidence. Fuck.

“Reveal your cards,” he told the man. He sat up straighter with a smug smile before revealing his impressive hand on the table. Indeed, you didn't know much about the game, but you knew that your odds were slim right now.

“Come on Hongjoong, show us your cards. Not everyone can win all the time.” The greasy man poked at Hongjoong. You didn't dare look at Hongjoongs face, you didn't know what you would do if he looked upset. Slowly Hongjoong pulled the hand resting on you from your body and used it to reveal his cards. It took a moment for the room to react.

“Wipe that stupid smile off your face Hongjoong! You cheated and I know it!” The older man slammed his fist on the table making you jump, Hongjoong remained composed. Relife at the realization that your love won flooded through you as the younger man waved over an assistant, who sprung into action bringing over a stack of papers.

“Calm down sir. we both know I didn't cheat, I don't need to cheat to win. Now I believe we agreed that the ownership of your hotels now belongs to me?” the papers were placed in front of the man she stared in abject horror at them.

“There is no way I am signing these!” he cried out.

“I think you will find that you are. Trust me, sir, I am not the kind of man you want to get on the wrong side of.” Your boyfriend spoke, reclining back into his chair and pulling you with him. The man gauped wildly at Hongjoong before begrudgingly signing the papers and sliding them across to him. He lifted you from his lap before standing himself. Motioning for his assistant to take the papers Hoongjong turned to the man one final time.

“What's so funny!” you snapped, glaring in his direction. He was lounging against the kitchen counter.

“Make an offer like that again and I ruin you even more than I already have.”

-------

You stomped into the kitchen later that night. You could hear Hongjoongs calm footsteps behind you, but you ignore him and swing the fridge open at took a swig from a bottle of water. You were practically slamming the door closed when you heard your boyfriend's amused chuckle.

“You are doll face,” He said through a giggle, “Getting so worked up over nothing.” Your glare hardened.

“Oh, so you think risking your girlfriend in a bet against a disgusting old man is nothing?” you threw back, taking another swig from your water.

“It's not a risk if I knew I was going to win.” He replied calmly, resting his head on his hand.

“So you were cheating?” you replied with disdain.

“Nope,” he replied, popping the ��p” in emphasis, “As I said, I don’t need to cheat to win.” Your anger was only rising with each of his careless words.

‘Why would you even say that?” he asked almost childishly. You were stunned. He took your hand that was braced against the counter and led it to his lips. They placed fluttering kisses from the tips of your fingers to your wrist. His other hand began to gently cradle your hip.

“God Damn it Hongjoong! Do I really mean that little to you? Am I really just another bargaining chip? All you care about is yourself and I am over it!” You were screaming now. It wasn't your intention but you were so fucking mad. You dared to meet your boyfriend's eyes, expecting the same nonchalant look he always carried, but instead his bemused smile had dropped into a deep frown.

In a start he pushed off the counter and rounded on you, you stubbled backward onto the marble and his arms came around to cage you against the cool surface.

"You are the most perfect thing in my life, baby doll. Can't you see that?" He continued barely above a whisper.

All too quickly his hands went from slow and steady movement to feverish, like he couldn't touch enough of you. His lips were crawling up your arm and shoulder to your neck. He wasn't kissing to make marks, instead, it was quick pecks to every inch of your skin and you instinctively allowed him more room. All your anger was forgotten as his hands roamed you freely.

From where they began on your hip they had moved from your lower back to your butt, around to your tummy, and up to your chest each time taking care to caress every inch of you. You had become putty in his grasp, practically melting into the cool countertop, your eyes already glazed over and releasing soft noises.

"There she is, my little doll," Hongjoong mumbled with a quiet chuckle after observing your flushed face. His free hand reached up to cup your jaw, pulling your lolling head back to meet his eyes.

"You are still unhappy with me dolly?" He asked with a deceivingly innocent look in his gaze.

"No," you mumbled, wanting to feel the gentle pressure of his lips on you again. Hongjoong giggled freely at your wanton face.

"No," he mumbled, "my little doll doesn't know how to be upset with me does she?"

You shook your head no. How could you be mad when you could still feel the buzzing from everywhere his hands had touched. You had always bent so easily to his will and this time was no different, but you trusted him completely so it was easy to let go.

Two hands gripped your thighs suddenly. You let out a small yelp only to silence yourself, good dolls don't speak unless spoken to. His fingers dug into the flesh for a moment before cupping your thighs and nudging you up onto the counter. You followed through and pushed yourself up, spreading your legs enough so that Hongjoong could slip between them.

He was still kneading your upper thighs when he connected your lips. Hongjoong has such perfect lips and he knew how to kiss you exactly how you wanted. He was guiding you gently through the motions of the kiss, taking his time from pecking you gently to a slow precise kiss to pushing past your lips and exploring your mouth freely, all the while inching further up your legs till his hands were beneath the hem of your dress playing with the waistline of your underwear. In one quick pinch on the soft skin, he signaled for you to lift your hips enough to pull them off.

"Your already so wet baby doll," he hummed into your lips while his finger brushed your folds. "Always so ready for me. Always so good."

Your bottom was now connected to the cold counter but your body was heating faster than you could feel it. Two of his fingers gently prodded into you, slipping into your hole with ease. His firm grip on your leg kept you grounded as your hands reached out to his biceps holding on for dear life. Hongjoong had always enjoyed playing with your cunt as much as you enjoyed feeling it, he loved how silky your walls were and how they wrapped around his fingers so perfectly. He slowly pushed in and out of you at his own leisure, occasionally scissoring you open in preparation.

"You feel so nice down here dolly, so warm and wet. Almost like you were made for me" his breath fanned over your face as he spoke as he was still so close to you. His eyes were drinking in every tiny shift in your expression, your eyes were shut tight but you nodded frantically.

"Awe, you're so sweet. Wanna tell me something? Go ahead," Hongjoong cooed.

"All yours," feel past your lips in a quiet moan.

"I know doll, my most prized possession." You opened your eyes to beam at him and he gave an affectionate smile in return. His hand suddenly pulled out if you're almost bringing a whine past your lips but you held it in. You could not stop the pained expression as he was watching your face so closely.

"Don't worry doll your gonna be filled up soon." He chuckled as he spoke, pulling away from you enough to unzip his frighteningly expensive suit pants and pull his length from his boxers. Despite the sight being familiar, you blushed madly, remembering all of the times he fucked you before brought you anticipation to a new height and you could feel more wetness seep out of you onto the counter.

Hongjoong bunched your dress up around your hips and quickly pulled you to the edge of the counter and into his strong arms. Your hands came to rest in fists on his chest. One of his hands came down to grip his dick, pumping himself a few times spreading precut down his length.

"Ready to take it like a good doll?" He asked smirking at your expectant face.

"I am," you mumbled with a small nod. To focused on the desire for him to fill you up to say more. It took little else for him to thrust into you completely. There was a stretch, as there always was, but the gentle pain was only a reminder of your purpose. To take all he was willing to give you.

Hongjoong never restrained himself with you as there was no need. It only took a moment for him to build up a rapid pace and you wouldn't have it any other way. He was gripping your hips tightly keeping your body flush against his thrusts. You were twitching around him already from the stimulation he had already given you and your gasping breathes match his own soft grunts of exertion perfectly.

"Does my baby doll like it when I use her like this?" He spoke through his deep breaths. You squealed in both embarrassment and affirmation.

"This is what you love, to be used however I want, whenever I want. You really are the perfect doll." He huffed, angling his hips in just the right way to have you panting open-mouthed. Your eyes and lips were glossy with tears and saliva but you didn't care, and to Hongjoong you never have looked more beautiful than you did right at that moment. With a groan he reattached himself to your neck, pecking up and down your jugular showering you in praise.

He was pounding into you relentlessly. Hongjoong always took such good care of you, but in times like this, he allowed himself to be selfish, to use your little cunt as much as he pleased, each time forcing himself deeper and deeper into you. At times like these, he recklessly chased his own high as much as it brought you closer to your own but right now he honestly couldn't care less if you came, you would take it anyway and thank him afterward like a good girl. You could feel each thrust with deadly precision as he railed into you. It was hard to keep quiet with this kind of treatment, because as selfish as it was it still felt so good and every stroke reminded you that you were his.

Your head was positively spinning and you could feel your stomach tighten. Clearly, Hongjoong felt it as well.

"You gonna come dolly? It's ok, I'm getting there as well. Gonna fill you up so well, and you're going to take it so well aren't you." His pace was uneven as he spoke through his grunts. Your walls were clinging to him so perfectly as if you were destined for this.

"Yes, I will! I'll be good, I promise," your hands were clinging a little too tight to his shirt for you much money it cost but just as your sentence concluded you felt yourself snap. You bit your lip to keep your noises contained as waves of pleasure crashed through you and it was only a few more moments for your pulsing walls to pull Hongjoong's orgasm from him. He continued thrusting madly as each movement ripped more pleasure through your body and his cum was shooting into you in ropes keeping you full. It wasn't until Hongjoong felt the pain of overestimation himself that he pulled out.

With barely a moment to catch his breath and adjust himself, he had already sprung into action. You collapsed onto the counter without his support and you could feel his cum dripping out of you as you lay without the strength to move. A few moments of panting later Hongjoong returned to his place between your legs with a damp cloth to clean you up.

He chuckled breathily between your legs and looked up.

As he worked you twitched and mewled with every gentle movement between your oversensitive legs. At one particular stroke of the towel directly over your clit you cried out.

"Joooong!"

"Sorry baby, I know it hurts but what kind of man would I be if I didn't take care of my things," he asked flashing a million-dollar smile. As he finished his work he looked up to meet your eyes.

"Now, what do we say?" he asked.

"Thank you,"

[glowstickhaloboy]

jet and juno in recovery together

obviously, cw for addiction/alcohol mentions

((no description of relapse, but there is some stuff on cravings))

juno is newer to sobriety than jet. he hasn't really had anybody to talk to about this kind of stuff before, and wouldnt know how to go about it if he did

he's just kind of resigned himself to the fact that hes going to have a rocky path with addiction for awhile, and will have to get over a relapse or two every now and then

he didn't even know jet had ever had any problem with substance abuse until jet saw him struggling one day and brought up his own coping strategies. (not that jet ever hides his past. obviously its painful, but he'll talk about it when he needs to, especially when he believes it will help someone else.) he tells juno (so earnestly that juno kind of balks at first, but then really appreciates it) that he can come to him anytime he needs, and jet will be there for him

after that, juno little by little starts to share his progress with jet. he'll be like, "yeah, it's been five weeks since i've had a drink!" and jet will tell him that he's doing very well. or he'll be like, "yep, today sucks and i'm trying really hard but it feels like i'm getting nowhere" and jet stops what he's doing to listen

they'll help the other to avoid specific triggers. jet more so because he has more practice, but juno's detective hyper-awareness has helped them to avoid more than one situation which, in retrospect, would have put jet's sobriety in jeopardy

and this isnt even to MENTION how buddy becomes as fiercely protective of juno's recovery as she is with jet's

jet always seems so, so controlled, so it's a real surprise when he finally does have a bad night and he comes to juno. at first, juno doesn't even realize whats going on, because jet doesnt mention anything about alcohol and seems to be talking about a bunch of random things for no reason?? and it isn't until hours later when jet finally heads off to bed, after what juno basically writes off as the weirdest night ever, that he thanks juno for helping to distract him until the craving passed

most times, though, they speak very, very openly about their histories with drinking, and they'll go late into the night processing their current feelings and their previous behaviors. sometimes rita or ransom (or both) also hang out and listen, occasionally chipping in to offer emotional support

at a certain point in the night during every family celebration, they start to drift towards each other. jet doesn't always like to talk, and juno has a compulsive need to fill the silence, so they arent always a perfect match in those moments, but they only get better with time. sometimes ransom joins them (because the dude's got a lot of secrets and doesnt always like drinking) or vespa (similar boat).

i dont even have a conclusive direction to head in with this i just care that theyre BONDING and HELPING EACH OTHER STAY SAFE

[threecrowsinatrenchcoat]

Plant Your Hope With Good Seeds

Dukeceit Week Day 3: Snakes/Bugs

Remus and Janus break up. But literally everyone knows that's not what they want. Everyone, including their plants.

AO3 Link: [here]

Word Count: 4337

Warnings: n/a

@dukeceitweek <3

-

Unknown Number

hey so i kno i said i wouldnt text u but rupert isnt doin good. can i bring him back? he misses u

Janus stared at the text for several minutes. Rupert was, of course, the Monstera Variegata that he and Remus had raised together all the way from propagation. It had been one of the pride and joys of their plant collection. Losing Rupert in the split had hurt almost as much as losing Remus.

...Almost. 

Janus

Is it getting enough light? Remember it needed the grow light even next to the window. 

Janus texted back against his better judgement. He and Remus were broken up. They’d agreed not to text for a while. They’d agreed to give each other space, get used to being apart. 

It sucked, though. The apartment felt empty without Remus and half their plant collection.

Unknown Number

ya i kno. but i don’t have any south facign windows here. our place is better

Unknown Number

i mean ur place

Janus sighed morosely. Well, if it was for Rupert…

Janus

Fine. Rupert can come back.

Unknown Number

yay! ill be in town this weekend. ill bring him ok?

Janus

Ok.

And then Janus promptly threw his phone across the room.

Because here’s the thing. Janus and Remus were broken up. Remus had moved eight hours away and everything. He’d been accepted into the Nuclear Engineering graduate program a state away, and they had both heard too many horror stories about long-distance relationships to brother trying. So they’d had a very civil and mutual split. Janus kept the apartment. Remus took the TV. And they’d divided their plant family between them: they each kept their favorites, and Remus had taken the hardier plants, while Janus kept the ones that were likely not to survive an interstate move.

And then… Remus left.

And Janus had not immediately wanted him back. Not at all.

(And, of course, Janus was lying to himself.)

Remus texted him Saturday morning that he was on his way, and Janus spent the first few hours of the wait stress-cleaning. He then checked on every single plant in the apartment. Watered the ones that needed it. Rotated some of the more vivacious growers so that they wouldn’t lean full-body toward their light source. Moved his small army of Sansevierias out to the apartment balcony for some extra sun.   

Then, when all that still failed to fill up the entire eight hours of waiting, he started stress-cooking. So by the time Remus texted that he’d just gotten off the highway, Janus had himself a pot of minestrone soup simmering on the stove, a tray of made-from-scratch lasagna in the oven, and was mixing up a batch of double chocolate chip cookies. 

There was no way he was going to eat all this food himself, he realized. He was so used to booking big meals like this, because Remus ate like he was three people. And lasagna was his favorite.

“Oh, Jake, what am I doing?” he groaned to the N’Joy Pothos that cascaded down the side of the refrigerator. And then his doorbell rang. 

Janus opened the door to find Remus, dancing awkwardly from foot to foot, with his face half-hidden behind the green-and-white leaves of Rupert. 

“...Hey,” Remus said, sounding sheepish. Janus’ heart clenched.

“Hi,” he said. They stood there in the doorway for a full minute before Janus stepped back and motioned for Remus to follow. Remus hesitated, but obeyed. 

“Uh… I’ll just…” Remus looked around. Janus hated how uncomfortable he looked. Until about two weeks ago, this had been Remus’ apartment, too. “Can I put him in his old spot?”

“Sure,” Janus replied with a nod. Rupert’s old spot had been in the bedroom, where the big, beautiful south-facing window let in a ton of light. He’d moved Venus de Milos, his Marble Queen Pothos, and La Hoya Jackson, the finicky Hoya Carnosa that Remus had wanted but didn’t expect to make the 8-hour drive without going into shock, to free up Rupert’s spot. Remus hesitated again, before he nodded awkwardly and wandered off to the bedroom, all three feet of plant and two gallons of soil in tow. Janus went to the oven and took out the lasagna. 

“Howl looks good,” Remus said when he came back into the kitchen. Janus glanced up from where he was laying balls of cookie dough out onto baking sheets. 

“Thank you,” he replied. Howl was their dramatic fiddle leaf fig tree, which had decided to throw a fit just before Remus left. “I switched it to a terracotta pot with peat moss and pearlite, and doubled its water intake. It seems to be tolerating it well.”

“Good.” There was a long pause. Then,” How are you?”

Janus looked back to the cookies. “I’m doing well,” he lied. “And you? Do you start class soon?”

“Next week,” Remus answered. “And, uh. Yeah, I’m doin’ good.” Another long pause. “Uh… I’ll just. Head out, I guess.”

“You could stay,” Janus blurted out. Shit. “For dinner, I mean.” He gestured to the tray of lasagna, fresh from the oven. “If you want.”

Remus gave him an uncharacteristically shy smile, then nodded slowly. He didn’t say anything, though, so Janus just gestured for him to take a seat at the table. And then he joined him, a plate of lasagna for each of them.

“So tell me, how’s living with Roman again?” Janus asked, a few bites into the meal, because he could not take the awkward silence a moment longer.

“It’s ok,” Remus answered. He shoveled another forkful of lasagna into his mouth. “This is really good, Jan.”

Janus smiled softly. “Thank you.” A pause. “Roman doesn’t mind all the plants?”

“Nah, he’s dating this guy Patton who apparently loves plants, so the apartment being full of houseplants is a huge plus to him now.”

“Good for him.” The oven timer went off, startling him slightly. He started to get up, but Remus waved him off.

“I got ‘em, you did all the cooking.”

Janus didn’t protest. Remus got up and took the cookies out of the oven. And he even moved them to a cooling rack like Janus had taught him to do. He came back to the table. 

“How’s work?”

Janus sighed. “Oh, terrible as always,” he answered. “I really must start looking for a new job.”

“Finally getting fed up?” Remus teased. Janus rolled his eyes. More seriously, Remus continued, “You deserve better, Jan. You gotta find some place that treats you right and pays you what you’re worth.”

“Thank you, Remus.”

“And hey, just sayin’, I still think you’d make an excellent stripper.”

Janus snorted at that. “I haven’t fully ruled out that particular career change.”

They fell easily back into their usual banter, lingering late into the night over a dessert of milk and cookies. It was pushing 10pm when Remus glanced at his phone and cursed softly. Janus glanced at his phone as well.

“Ah, I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to keep you so late,” he said. Remus shrugged.

“Nah, it’s cool. Thanks for dinner, Jan. It was real good, as always.”

“Where are you staying?”

“Uh… well, the plan was to stay with Logan, but I guess he had some kind of family emergency, so I don’t wanna trouble him. I’ll probably see if I can find a hotel room.”

Janus’ brow furrowed at that. “Why don’t you just stay here?”

“Oh, uh. I don’t wanna trouble you. I kinda feel like I already overstayed my welcome a bit?”

“Nonsense. A hotel room will cost you at least $100 for the night, and that’s simply ridiculous,” Janus insisted. “You should just stay here.”

Remus worried at his lip, which Janus knew meant he was mulling over his options. Then, he nodded. “If it’s not a bother?”

“Of course not. You’re not a bother, Remus.”

Remus’ eyes softened, and he smiled. “Ok. Thank you. Oh… lemmie go get my overnight back outta my truck.”

When Remus came back inside, Janus had just about finished making up the couch. 

“Hey, you don’t gotta get all fancy,” Remus teased. “You know I can sleep basically anywhere.”

“This is for me,” Janus replied. He fluffed up one of the pillows a bit more. “You take the bed.”

An odd look flashed across Remus’ face. “No way, Jan. I’m good on the couch.”

“Remus, you just drove eight hours, and you’re doing it again tomorrow. I am not letting you fuck up your back.”

‘I don’t-”

“Yes you do, no matter how often you say you can sleep anywhere,” Janus scoffed. “You can’t lie to me.”

Remus’ eyes softened, and after a moment, he sighed. “Ok, Jan. But what about you?”

“I’ll be fine.”

“You hate sleeping on couches.”

“It’s only one night-”

“And don’t you work tomorrow?”

“Yes, but-”

“You’re going to be so grumpy at work without a proper night’s sleep.”

“I’m usually grumpy at work anyway,” Janus pointed out. Remus snorted.

“Ok, that’s true. But I don’t want you to be even grumpier,” he said. “Let’s just share the bed.”

Janus eyed him for a moment. This was a terrible idea. They should not do this.

“Ok,” Janus said anyway.

They got ready for bed in awkward silence, which just made Janus miss Remus’ long, rambling chatter that much more. When Janus finished in the bathroom, he found Remus sitting gingerly on what used to be his side of the bed. Janus came over and sat down on the other side.

“Hey, uh… thanks,” Remus said. “For lettin’ me stay.”

“Of course,” Janus answered. “I… I still think of you as a friend, Remus.”

At that. Remus grimaced slightly. He didn’t say anything, seeming unable to find the right words. Before he could, Janus pulled back the top blankets on the bed and laid down. After a moment, Remus did the same.

“Good night, Remus,” Janus said quietly.

“...Good night, Janus,” Remus answered. Then he reached over and shut off the light.

-

Remus played that night over and over in his head in the days after he got home, and each and every time, he was just as stumped. 

He knew, in his brain, why he and Janus had broken up. It had been the only thing that made sense at the time, when the facts were just that Remus was moving away to pursue a lifelong dream, and Janus would never ever try to stop him from doing so. So they broke up. It made sense… right? 

But… That morning, he’d woken up to Janus curled up in his arms, face smushed against Remus’ neck, and… Remus had completely forgotten why they had even broken up in the first place.

Remus was back at Roman’s apartment, now. Eight hours away in his own cold bed, arms empty of the man he loved, just staring at the ceiling. A sharp knock on his door snapped him out of his daze.

“Rise and shine, Sleeping Beauty,” Roman called. “Don’t you have class in like an hour?”

“Fuck!” Remus scrambled to get up, but succeeded only in rolling out of the bed.

“Don’t forget to lock the door when you leave,” Roman added. Clearly he was unconcerned by the loud “thump” of a body hitting the floor. 

“Yup, got it,” Remus groaned in reply. He staggered, successfully this time, to his feet. 

Getting dressed was a rushed affair of ‘grab whatever’s closest,’ and soon he emerged from the bedroom with one shoe on, the other in his hand, and his backpack slung over one shoulder. He rushed into the kitchen to grab the travel mug of coffee Janus always set out for him in the mornings. And then the realization hit: Janus didn’t live here.

Remus dropped his shoe. 

The rest of the day went about as well as it could have gone without any coffee- that is to say, terribly. He got lost trying to get to campus, then he got lost again trying to get to class. Then he got stuck in traffic on the way back to Roman’s apartment. And then, to top it all off, the grocery store had been out of his favorite chips. 

So here he was, mopey and chip-less, and fucking exhausted. He dumped his backpack and collapsed face-first onto the couch. Roman, who happened to be sitting on said couch, made a noise of protest.

“Move, I need to sulk,” Remus mumbled, though his voice was thoroughly muffled by Roman’s thigh, since that was where his face had landed. 

“What on earth do you need to sulk for?” Roman asked incredulously. He moved to shove Remus off of him, but Remus went full ragdoll, and Roman couldn’t do a damn thing. “You are a grown man, you know.”

Remus turned his head just enough to stick his tongue out at Roman. Roman stuck his tongue out back.

“I had a terrible day, I earned a good sulk.”

“Didn’t like your classes?”

“Nah, they were great.”

“Professors?”

“Great.”

“Classmates?”

“Great.”

“Then Zeus Almighty, what are you so mopey-dopey about?” Roman remanded.

Remus squirmed around so he was laying on his back, head still in Roman’s lap, to look up at his brother. “So… uh… you promise not to get all, like. I told you so and shit?” 

“You miss Janus!”

“No! I-”

“You do!” Roman crowed triumphantly. Remus rolled onto his side so he didn’t have to look at his brother’s dumb gloaty face.

“...Maybe,” he groaned. Abruptly, he clamored to his feet and started for the stairs. “I gotta go build a chair.”

“Carpentry won’t solve your relationship problems,” Roman called after him.

“I know,” Remus called back. “Wrong type of wood.” If Roman had a response to that, Remus was already out the door and didn’t have to hear it. 

Patton found him out in front of the apartment building some time later, a jigsaw in hand, and a pile of cut wooden dowels at his feet.

“Hey, kiddo, what are you up to?”

Remus looked up from where he was balancing a plank of wood precariously across a milk crate, because his work table was one of the things he’d had to leave behind at Janus’ place.

“Oh, hey. Ro-bro’s upstairs.”

Patton gave him the sort of smile teachers gave to the kid they caught eating glue for the fourth time. “That doesn’t look super safe. Do you want any help?”

Remus took in Patton’s soft blue sweater and the dad-jeans from the nicer end of his closet, as well as the reusable grocery store bag that smelled suspiciously like some kind of lovely home-cooked meal; he shook his head. “You look dressed for a date night,” he said. “I don’t wanna fuck up two relationships this week.”

Patton’s eyes, impossibly, got even bigger and softer than they normally were, which honestly was quite the feat. He walked over to the stairs but, instead of making his way up to Roman’s apartment, he plopped down on the third step, facing Remus. Remus stared, bewildered.

“Uh, what’chu doin’ there, pops?”

“Well, it just sounded like you needed to talk,” Patton replied cheerfully. “So here I am.”

Remus stared a moment longer, somehow even more bewildered than before. “Uh…”

“I know I haven’t known you very long,” Patton continued. “But something tells me you’re the type of person who busts out the power tools when you’re upset.”

“How the hell can you tell that?”

Patton glanced over his shoulder, then leaned forward slightly. “Because,” he said, voice lowered conspiratorially. “I’m like that too.”

Remus blinked. “You?”

“Yup! I replaced all the tables and chairs in my house with ones I made myself after my last breakup,” Patton giggled. “Only two of them collapsed when I sat in them, too!”

Remus glanced down at the jigsaw in his hands, and then he sighed. He set it down, and went to sit next to Patton on the steps. 

“Ok, well. Yeah, maybe I’m kinda upset.”

“Do you want to talk about it?”

“Yeah? No? Maybe?”

“Yup, those are your three options!” Patton teased. Remus rolled his eyes.

“Ok, fine. You win, daddy-o. I’m upset because I miss my boyfriend. Or, well, my ex-boyfriend. I want him to be my boyfriend again.”

“Have you told him that?”

“Of course not,” Remus whined.

“Why not?”

“Because… I mean. It wouldn’t change anything. I still moved away. And I don’t even know if he’d want to be my boyfriend again either. Maybe he’s happier now.”

“You don’t know that,” Patton said gently. “Sure, maybe the circumstances aren’t the best right now, but if you both want it, things have a funny way of working out. But you have to talk to him.”

“I…” Remus paused. And then he sighed deeply. “I guess you’re right. Hey thanks, that did actually sorta help.”

Patton offered him a gentle smile. “Of course, Remus! Any time!”

“Hey!”

They both turned to see Roman standing at the top of the stairs, arms crossed.

“My own brother, hogging my boyfriend like this! The betrayal-”

“Relax, Ro, he’s not my type,” Remus shot back. “I prefer sarcastic little menaces.”

Patton giggled at that. He stood up and patted Remus on the shoulder. “I hope things work out,” he said. Remus smiled back.

“Yeah, I hope so too.”

Really, he just wanted Janus to be happy. Ideally with him, but if Janus was happier without him, well… so be it. 

- - -

Janus was miserable. 

“Dude, c’mon,” Virgil grumbled, immediately upon seeing the state of the apartment. “You’ve been watering your plants and filling the humidifiers, but you can’t be bothered to throw out your gross pizza boxes?” A pause. “Wait, you don’t even like pizza, what the hell.”

Janus just shrugged. After letting Virgil and Logan into the apartment, he’d gone straight back into blanket-burrito-on-the-couch mode. And really, he’d only bothered to get up and let them inside in the first place because Virgil had threatened to axe down the door- and Janus knew for a fact that Virgil owned multiple axes. 

“I believe he is engaging in what is described as ‘emotional eating,’ or using food as a coping mechanism in a time of stress and emotional turmoil,” Logan said helpfully. Virgil just huffed.

“That’s fine and all, but Jesus Christ, dude.” He gestured around the livingroom where… ok, yeah, it was a mess.

“Did you two come here just to insult me?” Janus grumbled. His face was half-mashed into a pillow, though, so who knows how much of that was actually discernible.

“We came to make sure you were still alive,” Virgil snapped, indicating that at least most of what Janus had said was discernible. “You weren’t answering any texts.”

“Yes, and you called out of work three days in a row,” Logan added. “We are concerned for you, Janus.”

“I’m perfectly fine,” Janus lied from the comfort of his depression blanket burrito. He was not particularly surprised when neither Virgil or Logan looked even remotely convinced.

“Alright, drastic measure time,” Virgil growled. He walked over to the window, and picked up the young Burgundy Rubber Tree Janus had yet to name. Janus sat bolt upright. 

“Virgil? Don’t you dare-”

Virgil walked past him and vanished down the hall. When he came back, his hands were empty, and he had a smirk on his face.

“Oh, fuck you,” Janus hissed. He dragged himself up off the couch to go rescue the poor thing, finding it stashed in the dark, windowless bathroom. When he came back to the livingroom, Virgil and Logan were sprawled across the couch.

“Ha ha, very funny.” Janus set the rubber tree back on the windowsill alongside the Snake Plant Army. “Ok, I’m up. Are you heathens happy now?”

“I take offense to that,” Logan muttered, while Virgil just crossed his arms and said, curtly, “Spill it.”

“Spill what?”

“Why are you so upset?”

“I’m not upset-”

“Falsehood,” Logan interrupted. “I have known you since high school, Janus, and I have never seen you like this before. It is highly alarming.”

“Is this about Remus?” Virgil asked.

“No,” Janus said immediately. “Of course not.”

Virgil and Logan exchanged a Look. Janus groaned.

“Fuck. Ok, fine. Maybe it is.”

“Was that so hard?” Virgil asked. 

“Yes.”

“You-”

“Janus,” Logan interrupted Virgil’s retort. “It is my understanding that emotional distress is often alleviated through, as they say, ‘talking it out.’ It is clear you are not handling the break-up as well as you initially believed-”

“Of course I’m not!” Janus snapped. He took a deep breath, and turned back to the plants on his windowsill. Kaa, the Sansevieria Moonshine Remus had gotten for Janus as an anniversary present last year, was already leaning slightly toward the window again. He rotated it, and a few of the other snake plants on the sill. And then he realized the others had been quiet for far too long. He turned to find them both watching him with sympathetic expressions. “What?”

“Keep going,” Virgil prompted. Janus sighed. He felt exhausted.

“Of course I’m not,” he said again. “Because I love Remus.”

“And?” Virgil prompted.

“...And I didn’t want us to break up,” he finished, feeling glum. Wordlessly, Virgil stood up, and approached Janus, arms out. Janus stepped into the embrace. Nobody said anything; Janus didn’t cry, but he stood there for a long time. Then, he stepped back.

“Thank you,” he said, and he meant it. Virgil gave him a small smile. Logan cocked his head, seeming confused.

“I don’t understand. You just… needed a hug?”

“Hugs are great, Logan,” Virgil replied. “You should try them sometime- hey, where are you going?”

Janus strode past them both, beelining for his bedroom to find his laptop. Over his shoulder, he answered, “To fill out some job applications.”

- - -

Remus was outside building a new bookshelf- because Patton was moving in, and Roman's teenie-tiny sad little excuse for a bookshelf, which held only Disney DVDs and no actual books, wouldn’t suffice for all of Patton’s cookbooks- when his phone rang. Which was weird, because nobody ever called him, because he never fucking answered.

“Not interested, Mr. Spam Man,” he crooned over the sound of the generic iPhone ringtone. He was learning how to do kerf bending for this bookcase, and goddamn it he wasn’t going to be distracted by-

His phone started ringing again. He swore and ripped off his gloves to silence his phone. But as he did so, he realized the number flashing across his screen was a familiar one. 

“Janus? Are you ok?” he answered the call, half panicked, because Janus hated phone calls almost as much as he did.

“Hi. Yes, everything’s fine.” Janus sounded slightly hysterical, which made Remus feel even more frantic. “Where are you?”

“I’m at Roman’s. Are you sure you’re ok-”

“Great, don’t leave. I’ll be right there.”

“What does that mean-” Remus demanded, but the line was already dead. Remus swore again. He briefly considered calling him back, because what the actual fuck was that all about, but he was only about 30 seconds into that brief consideration before a familiar car tearing through the apartment complex parking lot caught his attention. He quickly brushed as much of the sawdust off his clothes as he could because holy shit Janus had just parked right there in front of Roman’s apartment.

Remus watched, dumbfounded, as Janus scrambled out of his car- dressed in his very nice black suit and pale yellow button-up- and came running across the lawn toward where Remus was working. He had a tiny plant clutched to his chest.

“Uh, Jan, you good?” Remus asked. Janus stopped in front of him and doubled over, breathless, for a few moments. Then, he straightened up, and fixed Remus with a look of sheer determination.

“Remus. I want to get back together.”

Remus’ heart, the traitorous bastard, leaped up into his throat and blocked all his words from coming out. 

“It’s… it’s ok if you don’t want that,” Janus continued. His look of determination faltered slightly. “It’s ok. But I needed to tell you. Because I love you, so much. And I… I didn’t want you to think I didn’t, even if you don't-”

Remus found his words abruptly. “Jan, fuck! I do! I do love you. I never stopped loving you. All I want is to be with you.”

Janus’ eyes softened. “Really?”

“Really.”

“Good, because I’ve just been offered a job here.”

Remus choked. Janus was eyeing him smugly. “You. Just like that, you got a job here?”

“Just like that,” Janus grinned. “I just came from the interview. They offered me a position on the spot.”

Remus couldn't help himself any longer. He lurched forward and pulled Janus tightly into his arms.

“Hey, be careful,” Janus said, though he made absolutely no effort to get out of Remus’ embrace. “You’ll crush our new son.”

Remus pulled back just enough to look at the small plant Janus held in his hands, and only then did his brain register what it was. 

“Is! Is that-”

“Yes,” Janus replied, holding up the tiny Drosera Capensis seedling. Remus had wanted one of these for ages.

“For me?”

“Well, for us, ideally,” Janus answered, with a shy smile. “But, mostly for you, yes.”

Remus gently plucked the baby octopus plant- their new son!- from Janus’ hands, and placed it carefully on top of the milk crate that was serving as his carpentry workbench. Then, he hoisted Janus up off the ground and spun him around.

“Oh- Re-” Janus exclaimed, though he was laughing. “Put me down!”

“No!” Remus trilled. He spun Janus around once more. Then he just stood there, holding Janus, gazing up at him. Janus’ eyes grew soft. Slowly, he carded his fingers through Remus’ hair.

“Hey,” Janus said.

“Yeah?”

“I love you.”

Remus set Janus down, but kept his arms still wrapped tightly around him. His heart felt warm.

“Hey.”

Janus looked up at him. “Yeah?”

“I love you, too.” 

[caitybug]

hi i have more hope this isnt annoying/// prompt! baz is the librarian for the local library n simon is the kid who always returns his books late

Definitely NOT annoying!! Thank you so much :D. 

I’ll put it under the keep reading :). 

(Also if anyone else wants to send a prompt... like go for it. I won’t complain. The more ridiculous the better tbh.)

(Also Meri I hope you were looking for a response that is 1500 words bc that’s what you’re getting kthnx.)

(Might fuck around later and post it to ao3 idk.)

It’s only a summer job, but it’s a job that frustrates the hell out of me at times. 

Especially people who cannot follow simple instructions. Return books to the drop off box, don’t shout, don’t run, and please do not participate in sexual activities in between the rows of books. 

I say the last one because I just walked into two teenagers groping each other in between the reference and biography shelves. 

Choose a better section at LEAST.

If I ever did I’d probably do it behind the romance section. It’s fitting for the mood, at the very back section, and no cameras can see you there. 

Not that I’ve thought about it.

I’m checking out a little kid and his mother when I see the worst person to ever walk into the library.

(The worst is probably dramatic. There is a guy who tries to bring in a water bottle that smells of whiskey and a bag of chips that gets crumbs all over the computer. But at least that guy leaves me alone... Simon Snow, however, can’t leave me be.)

Simon Snow can’t seem to pay his library fines. He turns in every book late. It’s ridiculous. There are certain rules in this world, and this can’t be that hard of one. He could just renew the book online even to buy himself some time.

But he never does.

He sneakily tries to drop his books off without me knowing, but he can’t ever get anything past me. 

“Snow,” I say, handing the woman her receipt and walking towards him.

He freezes and looks up, face scrunched in embarrassment. 

“Do you have money to pay your fines? I can only assume you’re turning these in late too,” I gesture to the books. 

“Uh, well,” he stammers. Snow always stammers. 

I cross my arms and raise an eyebrow, waiting for a proper answer. 

He starts digging in his pockets, pulling out a nickel, penny, a Dr. Pepper bottle cap, and some lint.

I grab the change and frown at the bottle cap.

“Why do you have-”

“There’s a code,” he shrugs, “I was hoping to win a prize.”

Of course, he would do something like that. 

“Please bring money next time you come in,” I say, moving to go check out another customer. 

He nods and walks out, leaving the Dr. Pepper bottle cap behind. 

I grab it and stash it in my pocket. 

After I check out the customer I decide to grab the books Snow was returning. What could he possibly be reading that takes him so long?

He has three books this time:

1. Fun Home

2. Heartstopper vol. 1

3. Bloom

I frown. 

They’re all graphic novels, so what is taking him so long?

Then I blush, realizing another trend they all have in common.

I shake my head and check his books back in.

I also erase his fines.

______

The next time Snow comes in it’s to check out some books. 

I can’t help but think of the books he turned in last time. I was also nosey and investigated the other books he had checked out the past couple of months. 

They’re all gay.

Is Simon Snow gay?

“Snow,” I say as he approaches. He has one book, the next volume of Heartstopper. “Do you have your money for your fines?”

He doesn’t have fines anymore, I erased them, but I can’t let him know that. 

“Uh,” he responds. 

He’s not good at using his words, but somehow watching him fluster about is incredibly adorable. 

Snow turns out his pockets and has a crumpled receipt, a french fry, and the cap to a pen.

I shake my head, God this boy is an idiot.

“Snow I’m going to have to stop letting you check out books if you can’t pay off your fines.” 

It’s an empty threat. His balance is zero.

He nods, however, and grabs his books and puts the receipt where I highlighted the due date into his pocket. 

When he goes to leave, I remember something.

“Wait, you left something last time you were here,” I open my drawer and pull out the Dr. Pepper cap. “Good luck winning, but I am sure you won’t.”

He smiles and grabs it.

“Thanks, Baz.”

I smile back. I didn’t know he knew my name.

_______

The next time I see him I’m shelving books. 

I don’t typically do this part of the job, but the page is out sick and we had a huge pile.

I also didn’t want to deal with all of the kids here for the magician. 

It’s in the LGBT section where I find him, staring at the books.

“I don’t think I’ve seen you so intensely in thought before,” I say.

Why am I such a jerk?

“Oh, uh, hey Baz.” He says. 

He looks like he is blushing. 

“Do you need help, Snow?”

He shakes his head and looks up at the top shelf. I look up, following his eye line, and see the third volume of heartstopper.

I step closer and reach up to grab it. 

I can’t help but smirk when I hand it to him. 

I’m at least three inches taller than him. Good to know.

“Thanks,” he mutters, before turning to leave.

Stop him, my brain says.

My body, however, doesn’t move.

______

The fourth time he comes into the library he is with a girl with brown frizzy hair and dimples on the back of her knees. She’s dragging him through the reference section, piling books into his arms.

It’s quite funny. I can see the whole scene perfectly from the front desk. 

They sit at a table and Snow and I make eye contact. He smiles, and I immediately look down.

It’s like looking into the sun when he smiles, blinding and overwhelming. Doctors should put a warning on him.

Don’t look directly at him, it’ll damage your eyes and you’ll be seeing stars for an hour.

We don’t talk, but we keep catching each other’s eyes. My face feels too warm and soft. 

I check his library account, and his book is already two days late.

Rolling my eyes, I renew the book and erase the fines.

If my boss found out about this I’d be murdered.

______

The next time I see him is at the back of the library, he is wandering around and I’m putting back books. A book club of middle-aged women came in, and with them, a stack of raunchy romance novels. 

“Oh, hey Baz,” Simon says, smiling up at me.

I swear my breath hitches.

“Snow,” I reply, reaching up to put a book on the top shelf.

It doesn’t go there, but I need him to know I can reach that high. Higher than he can. 

I’ll fix it when he leaves.

“So, uh, I won that Dr. Pepper prize.”

I look over and raise an eyebrow, waiting for an explanation.

“I got some money and thought I could pay my fines,” he continues.

I freeze. He doesn’t have any fines. 

“Well, Snow, you could go to the front desk and pay those off,” I say, grabbing another book and putting it on the top shelf.

Why am I putting all of these up so high? They don’t belong here.

“I did, actually,” he continues. I cringe. Fuck. “But they said I didn’t have any.”

“Well, they must have looked at the wrong spot because I can assure you there are fines.” There aren’t.

He steps closer to me, I drop my arm. He smells like popcorn and Old Spice.

Why does it smell good?

“Baz, did you forgive my fines?” He asks.

I scoff.

“Snow, why would I-”

“I think you did. The lady at the front, the one with the grey streak in her hair, said it looked like I had made payments these past few weeks.” I cringe, Fiona is going to kill me. “So, my only question is, why?”

I stare at him, not knowing how to respond. ‘Because I like you, Snow. I like the way your golden girls always look a mess. I like the stupid hoodie with a hole in the sleeve looks on you. You are covered in moles and I want to kiss every one of them.

I look at his lips, the thing I want to kiss the most. 

“I don’t know what you’re-”

“Baz,” he steps closer. “If I’m off base here feel free to tell me, but I-” he gulps, taking a moment. “I would like to take you out. Consider it repayment.” The way he smiles makes my heart skip.

I nod, not trusting my voice to respond. 

And then, fuck, he leans up and puts a hand on my neck, lips almost touching mine.

“Wait,” I manage to stay, pushing him back. His face drops, but I grab his hand and pull him around the corner.

The romance section, corner of the library, where there are no security cameras. If I’m ever going to kiss someone in the library, it’ll be here.

I push him against the stack and kiss him.

And, god, is it good.

[goldencuffs]

I'M HORRIBLE AT PROMPTS. laurent trying to do something really nice for damen&it kind of goes to hell but damen loves him so much&can't quit loving on him for it all? or laurent goes to some university&everyone thinks he's gorgeous but he's kind of a bitch&when he tells them he has a boyfriend everyone is like yeah right then damen comes to pick him up, looking hotter than anyone has any right to be&laurent melts with him? i'll read literally anything you write, it could be a n y t h i n g

@marrieddorkss​ im so so so sorry this took so fucking long lmao my god. im a mess. hopefully you still like it?? and it isnt such a fucking disaster lol?? 

Summary: Laurent decides to do something nice for Damen – and then immediately regrets it.

When Laurent comes back from his last class of the day, it’s to find Damen standing outside his dorm room, wearing a nice, oversized tank top and fraying shorts. The duffle bag by his feet is packed full; Laurent can see the sides of it are lumpy.

 “Hey.” Damen’s smile is pleasant. It transforms his face and makes him look younger, despite the stubble growing across his face.

 Laurent smiles too. “Hello,” he says, and when he’s close enough, he rests his hands on Damen’s hips and goes on his tiptoes to kiss his nose.

 Damen’s smile widens, the creases by his eyes deepening. He scans Laurent’s face intently. “I’m guessing that your presentation went well?”

“It went well,” Laurent says. He pauses. “Actually, it went very well. I managed to answer every single question at the end.”

 Damen wraps his arms around Laurent’s shoulders in a tight squeeze. “Fuck yeah!” He cheers. His enthusiasm is genuine, and it makes Laurent’s face heat.

 “It’s not that big of a deal – I’m sure there are other people who did way better.”

 “Stop that,” says Damen. He kisses Laurent’s forehead. “You killed it; I know you did.”

 Laurent doesn’t answer. He just tips his head up in a silent request. Damen’s smile softens around the edges, and then he leans down to kiss Laurent fully on his mouth.

 The kiss heats up quickly, as usual. Damen licks inside his mouth with vigour, his hand moving down Laurent’s back to grip his ass. Laurent moans into it, tugging on the front of Damen’s shirt to pull him closer.

 Damen’s cock is already hard; it presses up against the inside of Laurent’s thigh in a slow, teasing drag. Laurent shifts his own hips forward, his body tight with anticipation.

 A door slams shut at the end of the corridor and Damen detaches himself from Laurent in a measured pace, realising at the same moment Laurent does, that they’re in a very open, public setting.

 “Come inside,” Laurent tells him.

 Damen squeezes his ass again. “Here?” His smirk is sharp and arrogant.

 Laurent hates how much he likes it.

 He doesn’t let Damen know that though; instead, he rolls his eyes and drags Damen inside to his dorm room. It’s far from its usual pristine condition; Laurent hasn’t made his bed in a week, his dirty clothes are in a pile by the door and his desk is overflowing with papers, textbooks and plastic wrappers from food he’s bought lately.

 Laurent grimaces at the mess. Damen doesn’t seem to mind, or even acknowledge it; he flings himself onto the single bed with as much ease as he can, hauling his duffle bag up with him.

 “What’s in there?” Laurent asks.

 The duffle bag is an expensive, leather one. For years, it had sat alone and dusty in the Revere’s garage, until Laurent had gifted it to Damen over the summer. Now, it’s used constantly; Damen takes it with him to classes and football practice and is rarely seen without it. He takes good care of it too: he diligently cleans it once a week and keeps it stored in his closet, away from sunlight.

 Damen waggles his eyebrows in response to Laurent’s question. He sits up again and opens it with an exaggerated amount of fanfare, slowly inching the zipper in small tugs.

 It’s amusing; it shouldn’t be, but almost everything Damen does makes Laurent laugh. He likes that.

 Inside the lining of the bag, the tag is visible. It used to simply read ‘Revere’, but someone – probably Nikandros – has added, with marker, an apostrophe and the word ‘bitch’, so the entire thing says: ‘Revere’s bitch’.

 Laurent also likes that.

 Laurent doesn’t focus too long on the tag. The contents of the bag are much more appealing: there’s an assortment of treats packed haphazardly inside. Laurent can see chip packets, chocolate, tubs of ice cream and a four pack of Krispy Kreme donuts.

 Laurent taps the lid of one of the ice cream containers; it’s sea salt, his favourite. “Did you rob a grocery store? Is this your first step into the tantalising world of crime?”

 Damen’s shrug is uncharacteristically shy. His fingers are still toying with the zipper, but he still manages to look Laurent in the eye as he says, “They’re for you. I figured – depending on how your presentation goes – they’d either be celebratory snacks or conciliatory ones.”

 Laurent smiles. There’s a sudden, pressing warmth in his chest. “Really,” he says, touched.

 Damen is still shy; it’s a strange yet endearing look on him.

 Laurent’s smile doesn’t waver. He pushes the duffle bag a little, so it ends up against the wall, rather than between them. He crosses the now empty space, shifting closer to Damen until Laurent manages to straddle his lap, knees digging into the hard mattress below.

 He presses a soft kiss to the corner of Damen’s mouth. He keeps his mouth there, against the stubble across Damen’s jaw, and says: “Thank you. I love how thoughtful you are.”

 Damen swallows, eyes darkening. His hands rest on Laurent’s hips. His touch is deceptively light.

 This time, Laurent initiates the kiss. He keeps it slow, the way he favours, and Damen lets him. His hands begin to wander over Laurent’s body; even when they’re not fucking, Laurent has come to learn that Damen likes to touch him constantly.

 When Damen’s hands settle on Laurent’s ass once more, Laurent shifts his hips a little. Damen’s other hand drops to cup Laurent’s ass cheek.

 Laurent’s gasp is a quiet sound; most of it is swallowed by Damen’s mouth.

 They begin a slow, steady rut. It reminds Laurent of the first time they did this, a few months ago in a secluded booth in Route, the small club down the road from their campus.

 Laurent didn’t know Damen too well at the time, but he was always petering around the Student Life office, where Laurent had been volunteering on and off throughout the semester. He wasn’t sure what Damen did there: sometimes he volunteered to help with administrative tasks, but mostly, from what Laurent saw, Damen seemed to just want to hang around him.

 They formed a tentative, shallow relationship that consisted of very poor flirting on Laurent’s part and a lot of unprecedented confidence on Damen’s.

 It was obvious to everyone how much Damen wanted to fuck Laurent; he always looked half crazed every time Laurent so much as looked at him. Laurent found that he didn’t exactly mind it; Damen was attractive, receiving his attention was heady, and it wasn’t as though Laurent was swimming in proposals.

 So, when Damen had asked him to hang out at Route with him on a Saturday night, Laurent had said yes, fully expecting the outcome of the evening.

 Still, Damen had seemed surprised when, after two drinks, Laurent climbed into his lap. Their first kiss had been relatively innocent: just a short, chaste peck. Then Laurent, spurred on by the alcohol, deepened it. Damen responded eagerly, pulling closer Laurent and licking into his mouth with a shocking amount of indecency.

 After a while, he’d pulled back. His eyes had been so dark, and he’d gazed at Laurent with awe.

 Laurent had said: “If you’re going to keep looking at me like that, you might as well just fuck me here.”

 Damen had inhaled sharply; even with all the noise around them, Laurent still managed to hear it.

 Twenty minutes later, Laurent had been pressed down into his mattress as Damen licked him open for his cock.

 As he’d pushed into him for the first time, Damen panted into his ear, “Fuck, I don’t usually do this on a first date.”

 Laurent had laughed.

 Afterwards, Laurent had thought he wouldn’t see much of Damen anymore. He knew how one night stands worked. He suspected that now that Damen had been inside him – more than once, actually – he would stop loitering around the Student Life office.

 That didn’t happen. Instead, Damen seemed more persistent to hang around Laurent. Laurent let it happen. By this point, he’d grown fond of Damen, the way someone might feel fond over a stray puppy that constantly showed up at their door.

 Besides, as the weeks wore on, Laurent discovered that as well as being extremely sexually compatible, Damen and he were also compatible outside of bed; they became fast friends, much to the bemusement of everyone else.

 It’s amazing how far they’ve come, Laurent thinks. He doesn’t think he’s been so comfortable with anyone in his entire life.

 Now, in the silence of his bedroom, Damen’s lips drag across Laurent’s neck. Laurent shivers, fingers running over Damen’s shoulders. He’s careful as he tugs off Damen’s shirt. Damen’s chest is marvellous – it’s all sculpted pecs and hard planes. There’s a tattoo of a lion roaring on his right pec. It’s the most obnoxious thing Laurent has ever seen, and the first time Laurent had seen it, he’d licked it. He might’ve felt stupid about it at the time, but that feeling quickly evaporated when Damen’s hips stuttered, and he’d spilled his release inside Laurent.

 Once Damen’s shirt comes off, the need to get naked becomes a priority for both of them. Damen rolls Laurent onto his back after Laurent takes off his own shirt, mouthing over his collarbone, his nipples, his bellybutton, and then his hipbone.

 Laurent is quick to unbuckle his belt when Damen kisses the waistband of his jeans.

 Damen is always meticulous in preparing him. It doesn’t matter if it’s been five minutes or five days since they last fucked, Damen never rushes. Laurent’s given up on trying to coax him to be faster.

 Laurent’s knee jerks a little when Damen’s fingers, covered in cold lube, circle around his rim in sure strokes. Damen kisses the inside of his thigh, then the crease of his groin as Laurent pants. When his finger breaches Laurent, Laurent turns his head into the pillow, moaning against the silk fabric.

 “Please,” he says quietly, and Damen groans, long and loud. He likes it when Laurent begs, a fact that makes Laurent flush.

 Damen continues fingering him. The sounds are disgusting, wet and sloppy. Laurent doesn’t understand why he likes it so much.

 Finally, finally, Damen pulls away. Laurent’s fingers twist the bedsheets in anticipation. He knows he’s flushed all over; he can feel the colour vining across the bridge of his nose and down his chest.

 Damen’s cockhead drags down his crease. It makes Laurent delirious.

 “Yeah?” says Damen. His hand grips the base of his cock and his eyes are fixed on Laurent, like he can’t bear to look away.  Laurent knows the feeling; Damen looks so good like this.

 “Yes,” says Laurent, in Veretian.

 That makes Damen groan again. He only gets louder as he pushes into Laurent. Laurent’s eyes go cross eyed at the initial stretch. He loves this: the initial pain of Damen’s cock entering him.

 “God, Laurent.” Damen grunts as he starts thrusting, biting down on the column of Laurent’s neck.

 “Yeah, fuck me,” Laurent says. His hands slide down Damen’s sweaty back. “Harder – please, I need it.”

 “Fuck,” Damen gasps as he complies. He lifts his head from the crook of Laurent’s shoulder and kisses him.

 Laurent keens into it. He wraps his legs around Damen’s waist, murmuring encouragements in Veretian against Damen’s mouth.

 Damen’s thrusts start to get shallow; his rhythm isn’t synced, but it still makes Laurent’s toes curl.

 “Good?” Damen says. His biceps are straining with effort.

 “You know it is,” Laurent says.

 “I like the confirmation,” Damen says with that terrible smirk, and Laurent closes his eyes and lets himself take it.

 Damen comes first. He’s loud when it happens; Laurent is sure his neighbours hate him.

 His cock is straining against his stomach when Damen pulls out. Laurent flushes when he feels the wetness inside him, and he darkens further when Damen pulls his ass cheeks apart, watching in awe as his come dribbles out of Laurent’s hole.

 “Don’t touch your cock,” says Damen.

 “Fuck, fuck, fuck!” Laurent arches his back when Damen’s mouth seals over his hole.

 Damen slips his tongue in easily, licking into Laurent with enthusiasm. Laurent shakes under his grip. Damen’s stubble rubs against his skin, and Laurent knows it’s steadily pinkening.

 He feels on edge. His cock is so hard it hurts. He pulls on Damen’s curls desperately, and Damen buries into him deeper.

 Laurent’s mouth falls open. His quiet panting fills the room, joining the cacophony of sounds Damen’s mouth produces as he eats him out.

 Laurent feels like crying. He almost asks Damen to stop because it’s too much, too much, too much.

 Then Damen slows down to short, tiny licks. When he resurfaces, he gives Laurent a filthy wink. His chin is wet.

 Laurent comes.

 *

 Every Thursday, Laurent and Damen have lunch at a small brunch place just outside campus. It’s usually packed, but Damen always manages to secure them a table. Laurent suspects this is because Damen has slept with one of the baristas. Damen has never explicitly denied this detail.

 Today, their table is outside, along the gravel path leading to the campus gardens. The weather is nice; a rarity in Marlas, and Laurent enjoys the sunshine on his face.

 Initially their weekly lunch meetings had been a habit borne out of practicality: last semester, one of the only days they could meet up was on Thursday mornings. After a good, thorough fuck, Damen always needed a cigarette, and Laurent always got hungry, so their solution was to head out to this particular brunch place.

 Now, though, it’s become a fixed tradition between them. Damen also refers to it as their place – which Laurent still doesn’t quite understand.

 Damen orders his usual – the everything breakfast – and Laurent, pleasantly reminded of this morning’s activities when he moves in his seat, decides to order the same thing.

 Halfway through their meal, they’re interrupted by Nikandros, one of Damen’s teammates. Nikandros is wearing his letterman jacket, but he shrugs it off as he pulls up a seat at their table. He steals a chorizo sausage off of Laurent’s plate, despite Laurent’s protests.

 Nikandros starts talking to Damen about the statistics of their latest game while Laurent finishes up his food. Once he’s done, he pulls out his pack of cigarettes. He manages to finish half of it; he offers Nikandros the rest. Nikandros eyes fall on the cigarette, then Laurent’s mouth, before he forcibly tears his eyes away and shakes his head.

 He addresses Damen again, his voice slightly hoarse, “Hey! I just remembered – guess who I saw coming out the law library today?”

 “Who?” Damen takes Laurent’s cigarette.

 Nikandros pauses for dramatic effect. His smirk is not as attractive as Damen’s. “Lykaios.”

 Damen drops his cigarette. He doesn’t pay it much mind; instead, he leans forward in his seat, eyes alight. “Wait – seriously? You’re not messing with me?”

 “Nah,” Nikandros shakes his head, looking pleased. “Asked her what she’s doing here, apparently she’s starting postgrad law this semester.” Nikandros pauses again. “Like you.”

 “Wow.” Damen’s expression is brittle with disbelief. “What are the chances?”

 “Seems like fate.”

 “Who’s Lykaios?” Laurent asks.

 “Oh,” says Damen. “She’s an old friend from when I still lived in Ios.”

 “A friend,” says Nikandros. His expression is amused. “Oh, come on, you two were practically together.”

 “That’s not true,” Damen says quickly. He casts Laurent a reassuring look. “It honestly isn’t.”

 Laurent doesn’t understand why Damen is being so defensive; it’s not news to him that Damen has been with other people.

 “You were pretty much in love with her, dude.” Nikandros picks a sausage off Damen’s plate this time.

 “Oh,” Laurent says before he can help it. The statement takes him by surprise. One of the first things Damen had told him when they’d first started hooking up was: I don’t know what it’s like to be in love. In the stillness of the night, Damen had been vulnerable and open; it was the first time Laurent realised the person in his bed might be more multifaceted than he let on.

 “No,” Damen gives Laurent another reassuring look. His foot presses against Laurent’s underneath the table. “I wasn’t.” His voice is firm. “There was a time I thought I was, but I was wrong.”

 Nikandros clearly doesn’t believe him. He rolls his eyes and utters a small, “Whatever.”

 Laurent pulls out another cigarette, thinking.

 *

 Later that night, Laurent is contemplative. It’s late: almost two in the morning and the rain outside is a welcome, soothing noise.

 Laurent is so sore, he almost regrets the last round, as short as it was. It doesn’t keep him from draping himself over Damen’s chest, fingers lazily tracing over the tattoo on his pec.

 Damen keeps running his fingers through Laurent’s sweat soaked hair, his fingernails gently scratching against his scalp. It’s so relaxing, Laurent feels like he could fall asleep like this. Practically, he knows he shouldn’t: there’s dry come on his stomach and between his thighs. He’s also sweaty, and Damen is too.

 But instead of getting up, Laurent asks into the stillness of the night: “What is she like?”

 Damen jerks a little; his eyes have been closed for a while now.

 “Hm?”

 “Lykaios,” Laurent says. “I want to know what she’s like.”

 There’s a small pause. Damen shifts again. “Why?”

 “I don’t know. It seemed like she means a lot to you – and I’m interested.”

 “She meant a lot to me. As in, past tense.”

 “It didn’t seem that way during lunch,” Laurent points out. He doesn’t know why Damen is being so evasive and why it’s bothering him so much. “You seemed excited to hear about her.”

 “Well yeah,” Damen says. In the darkness, it’s hard to read his usually expressive face, but Laurent can still sense a growing tightness in Damen’s body. “But that’s only because it’s been a while since any of us have heard from her. She sort of disappeared after first year.”

 Laurent pinches Damen’s bicep. “Tell me.”

 Damen sighs. He rolls over, so Laurent is unfairly jostled aside. He turns on the lamp on the bedside table. As the room is washed in a dull yellow light, Laurent can see how matted Damen’s hair has become, as well as the fingernail indentations along his shoulders.

 “There’s honestly not much to say,” Damen says. His voice is very quiet, mindful of the neighbouring dorm rooms. “We were family friends for years, and in my senior year I realised I liked her a lot – more than I thought I did. But she had a boyfriend, so I never did anything about it. And then she dumped him because she liked me, but this time I was seeing someone. So, in the end, nothing happened.”

 “That’s it?” Laurent frowns. In his mind, he keeps replaying Damen’s reaction at lunch; surely, there must be more to the story. Damen huffs. It almost seems like he’s pouting. He pokes Laurent’s stomach, hard. “You’re being very annoying.”

 Laurent swats his hand away. “Are you still in love with her?”

 “I already told you I never was. I just thought I could be because I was a horny eighteen year old.”

 That makes Laurent laugh. It’s an unintentional sound, but it makes Damen smile.

 “I’m not interested in anyone but you,” Damen says, too sincerely. The words hang heavy in the air.

 Laurent doesn’t know what to make of it – not just the words, but Damen’s tone as well. It makes his stomach clamp up. He thinks Damen is making a point about how attractive he finds Laurent; in bed, the subject of Laurent’s body is always a welcoming topic.

 So, Laurent says, a little awkwardly, “Thank you.”

 Damen snorts. He looks fond. He kisses Laurent, and Laurent gladly welcomes it.

 It’s a slow, sensual kiss. Damen keeps mapping out Laurent’s body with his hands, fingertips tracing over the veins across Laurent’s wrist, his chest.

 “Think you can go again?” Damen says against his mouth. Pressed to each other like this, Laurent can feel Damen’s erection. It’s hot, he thinks to himself, how Damen physically reacts to him, even when Laurent hasn’t done anything to particularly excite him.

 He’s still sore, sweaty and gross, but Laurent says: “Yes.”

 *

 Laurent is late to his study session with Damen on Wednesday. They normally don’t study together; tonight is an exception. Damen is apparently tired of being cooped in his room alone as he pours over his essays.

 Outside the study room, Laurent pauses. Through the clear glass, he can see Damen is already seated, textbooks placed carelessly over the wooden tabletop. But he’s not alone. There’s someone seated on the edge of the table, in the one corner free of Damen’s things.

 It’s Lykaios. Laurent knows it must be; Damen’s face is exuberant, creased with warmth. His smile is filled with teeth, white and straight, and there’s a lingering softness there. Laurent’s chest clenches with a foreign feeling. He’s unsure what it is, but then deduces it must be relief at seeing Damen so happy.

 Laurent almost turns back. He wants to give Damen and his not-quite ex-girlfriend time to catch up. The thought of intruding on them with his presence fills him with anxiety. But he remains rooted on the spot because, for some strange reason, the thought of leaving them alone also fills him with anxiety.

 Luckily – or perhaps, unluckily; Laurent still hasn’t made up his mind – Damen spots him through the glass. His smile, now directed at Laurent, changes instantly; it dissolves into a steady kind of fondness. His eyes seem to shine brighter.

 It completely baffles Laurent.

 His chest tightens again; this time, it’s much more pleasant.

 Laurent supposes he should enter now. Damen seems to have forgotten about Lykaios; his eyes remain on Laurent as Laurent fumbles with the doorknob and steps into the room.

 “Hey,” he says. His smile – and voice – wobble. “Sorry I’m late.”

 “Don’t worry about it,” Damen’s smile, impossibly, widens even more. Laurent’s gaze is helplessly drawn to it.

 They stare at each other for a few moments longer than necessary until Damen seems to remember they’re not alone. He fumbles over the introductions, face flushed.

 Lykaios is unbelievably gorgeous. Like most Akielons, she’s very tall; even wearing flats she’s a few inches taller than Laurent. Laurent tries not to be bitter about it. Her hair isn’t as blonde as Laurent’s, but it’s long and shiny. Her eyes are amazing; long lashed and an intriguing colour, somewhere between green and blue.

 Standing next to Damen, the two of them look like a regal painting. They look good together. They complement each other.

 Laurent – unexpectedly, painfully – feels inadequate.

 Lykaios rounds the table and shakes Laurent’s hand with vigour. Her smile is kind and open; her enthusiasm is genuine. “It’s so nice to finally meet you! Damen has managed to mention your name about a hundred times in the last half an hour.”

 Damen flushes at that, suddenly busying himself with rearranging his textbooks.

 Laurent smiles. He can feel the heat travel across his face. “It’s nice to meet you too.”

 “I’m sorry for interrupting your study session.” Her voice is so sweet, Laurent thinks he could listen to her talk all day. “I was literally just walking past and saw Damen in here. I almost couldn’t believe it.” She turns to Damen and gives him in an assessing look. “It’s been what – six years?”

 “Fuck off,” Damen says, with little heat. “I don’t want to be reminded of how old I am.”

 Lykaios laughs at that. Her laugh is sweet too.

 Laurent says, “You guys will probably see more of each other now. You’re in the same course, right?”

 Lykaios beams. “Yep! Another weird coincidence.”

 “Or fate,” Laurent points out.

 Damen gives him a strange look. “Definitely just a coincidence.”

 “Ah, who knows the mysterious ways of the universe,” says Lykaios. She gives Laurent a wink.

 Laurent decides he likes her, despite the twisting in his gut.

 It’s why he says: “Did you want to stay and study with us? We were also going to grab some dinner afterwards. You could join us for that too.”

 Damen gives him another strange look; this one is brittle with disbelief.

 Laurent ignores it. He keeps his eyes on Lykaios, who smiles at him.

 “Thank you for the very kind offer, but I’ve already got plans tonight, I’m afraid.” She seems genuinely sorry, and it makes Laurent like her even more.

 “Maybe next time,” Laurent says.

 Damen frowns.

 Lykaios doesn’t stay too long after that; she claims she needs to start getting ready for her night out. When she leaves, she kisses Damen’s cheek. Laurent bristles a little at that.

 But his annoyance morphs into pleasantness when she hugs him goodbye – like Damen, she is very touchy, Laurent notices.

 As soon as the door closes behind her, Damen kisses Laurent, hard and open mouthed. It’s a terrible kiss; Laurent isn’t expecting it, and he almost topples backwards with the force of it. Then he starts laughing, so Damen’s mouth mostly meets his teeth.

 The second one is much, much better.

 “I’ve been wanting to do that for the past ten minutes,” says Damen. “Next time, kissing first, and then we move on to having a conversation.”

 “Shut up,” says Laurent. He pulls out his textbooks, trying not to laugh. After a few moments, he says, “She seems really nice. I can see why you liked her so much.”

 He imagines Damen at eighteen, maybe a little naïve and cocky, completely enamoured by Lykaios’ sweetness.

 Damen rolls his eyes. “Yeah, yeah.” He squints at Laurent. “You’re not still hung up on that are you?” His mouth deepens into a smirk. He waggles his eyebrows. “Need me to prove my loyalty, baby?”

 Laurent flushes. It’s not the first time Damen has used that endearment – he mostly says it in bed – but it still catches Laurent off guard every time.

 His mouth is suddenly very dry. The only thing he can manage to say is: “Shut up.” And then he gets to work, smiling into his shoulder when Damen’s foot wraps around his underneath the table.

 *

 Lykaios’ Instagram is an explosion of colour: she likes wearing a lot of red and green and purple. Her entire profile is filled with her travels, charity work, her friends, and some shots of her eyelids coated in glitter. The more Laurent scrolls, the more careful he is not to like anything.

 There are plenty of pictures of her from high school; Damen is in most of them, fresh faced and youthful. It’s strange to look at: nothing about Damen is boyish, but these pictures prove otherwise.

 Laurent comes across a photo of Lykaios and Damen from six years ago. In it, Damen has his arm around her waist while Lykaios rests her head on his shoulder.

 The caption is: hbd to this guy aka my soulmate #finally18

 Soulmate, Laurent thinks. His mouth purses.

 Damen’s comment is the first comment. It reads: love u ly!

 Laurent puts his phone down.

 His thoughts come too fast: he starts to think of all the ways Damen and Lykaios fit together, how connected they seemed even after so much time apart. He thinks of how nice they looked together.

 Then, Laurent starts thinking of all the nice things Damen has done for him over the last few months. The duffel bag full of his favourite snacks comes to mind, as does the time Damen took him to a fancy restaurant when Laurent had averaged a high distinction last semester. Damen had even driven him almost forty minutes to the dentist once, even though he had an assessment due in the afternoon.

 Damen is always doing nice things for him, and Laurent realises, guiltily, that he’s never quite returned the favour. His own gestures have often been small and unnoteworthy; they’ve never possessed the grandeur of Damen’s actions.

 Laurent knows exactly how to change that.

 *

 Laurent isn’t the most forthcoming person. It takes him an embarrassingly long time to gather enough courage to message Lykaios on Instagram. But once he makes it past his awkward introduction – hey this is laurent in case you don’t remember me – to which Lykaios had responded ofc i do silly!, their conversations are light and easy.

The more Laurent talks to her over the week, the more he’s convinced of his plan. Lykaios is everything Damen needs and vice versa. It’s crazy how similar their personalities are: they’re both incredibly sweet, intelligent and interested in almost all the same things, from okton to hiking.

 The next week, Laurent invites Lykaios to his and Damen’s weekly lunch outing.

 Damen smiles when he sees him. He doesn’t lose the smile on his face when he sees Lykaios, but his eyes snap to Laurent’s in confusion.

 “This is a nice surprise,” he says, although his tone is dry.

 Laurent pretends not to notice it. Lykaios kisses Damen’s cheek in greeting and Laurent scratches at his chest as he sits down.

 Damen leans over the table to kiss him, but Laurent quickly picks out the menu and starts to read it, even though he’s practically memorised it by now. He doesn’t want Damen to kiss him now – especially in front of Lykaios – and ruin his plan before it’s had the chance to even formulate.

 When he puts the menu back, Damen is openly frowning.

 It disappears as Lykaios begins talking. The transformation is amazing; Damen is instantly captivated by her. Laurent swallows. This is good, he reminds himself.

 Laurent waits about ten minutes. He’s started to notice that even though Damen is laughing along to all of Lykaios’ jokes, he’s still shooting Laurent glances every few seconds.

 The question on his face is clear: why is she here?

 Laurent plays with his phone for a while. He tries to make it look like he’s texting something important; he keeps his brows furrowed in concentration.

 Laurent isn’t the best actor, but even he’s proud of himself as he lets out a small gasp.

 “What is it?” says Damen, instantly alert.

 “Nothing,” Laurent waves him off. “It’s just that I completely forgot I had a study session right now.” He stands up, grabs his bag. “I should go.”

 “Wait –” Damen’s face pinches. “You’re leaving?”

 “I’m sorry, but this is really important.” Laurent turns to Lykaios and smiles. “You two stay and have fun.”

 “But –”

 “Bye!” Laurent says it too enthusiastically, cutting Damen off. He walks out of the brunch place with hurried steps. He turns back at the end of the gravel path just to check if –

 His chest tightens with pleasure – yes, pleasure, although he’s not sure why it doesn’t feel like it – when he sees his absence has made little disturbance. Damen and Lykaios are laughing together, mouths open in delight.

 Over the next few days, Laurent organises more and more outings with Damen and Lykaios. Damen never seems to stop looking confused whenever Laurent invites Lykaios, but he also seems happy to see her, so Laurent counts it as a win. During each outing, Laurent manages to come up with a different excuse each time as to why he needed to leave early. Damen always looks disappointed. Laurent is weak for it; he can’t count how many times that look has almost made him stay, but he doesn’t, because it would be detrimental to his plan.

 Laurent makes sure to text Damen whether or not he enjoyed his time with Lykaios. Damen’s responses are pretty much the same every time: Yes, but it would’ve been better if you were there too.

 It frustrates Laurent. Damen isn’t supposed to still be thinking of him while he’s hanging out with his potential soulmate.

 Lykaios is the first to grow suspicious. She confronts him at the next outing. They’re in an idyllic little bar in the city, with a cosy atmosphere. It’s a perfect date venue.

 Damen heads to the bathroom, and Laurent stands up, ready to leave, when Lykaios stops him with a hand on his arm.

 “Laurent,” she says. “Is there a reason you keep depriving us of your company?”

 Laurent manages a sheepish smile. He wonders if he should say anything at all. Then, he decides he should: he feels like Lykaios would appreciate his directive.

 Laurent plays with the little sugar packets on the table. “I’ve been trying to get you and Damen to spend more time together. Alone,” he adds, when he sees her confusion.

 “Why?”

 “Well…” Laurent hesitates; he’s just now beginning to realise how awkward this is. “I think you two would be good together…romantically.”

 Lykaios raises her eyebrows.

 Laurent continues, fingers still fidgeting. “It’s just…Damen mentioned how much you two liked each other a few years ago. And I think Damen still regards you very highly. Plus, you two are so alike – I just think it makes sense.”

 Lykaios’ eyebrows don’t lower, but she casts a backward glance towards where Damen has disappeared to.

 “I can’t say I haven’t thought about Damen and I…” she begins, and Laurent’s gut twists with…relief? Yes, he’s sure it’s relief. It’s a good – great – thing that Lykaios is interested in Damen. “But I thought –” Lykaios pauses for a few seconds. “I mean, I was under the impression that you and Damen were together.”

 Laurent laughs, and then he realises she’s being serious. “You – no. We’re not. We’re friends.” Friends who spent a lot of time sleeping together, sure, but Laurent doesn’t think mentioning that now will do him any favours.

 Lykaios’ face instantly changes. Her smile takes up her entire face; it’s stunning. She’s stunning.

 Laurent shifts in his seat. He clears his throat. “So – you…you want to date him?”

 She flushes, and it only makes her look more beautiful. “Like I said…I’ve definitely thought about it.”

 “Oh – good. That’s awesome. Damen will be so happy.” He stands up. “So, I’ll leave you two alone?”

Lykaios nods. “Thank you, Laurent.”

 “Don’t mention it.”

 He turns around to leave. Everything in his body is screaming not to.

 He keeps reminding himself that he’s doing something nice for Damen: that Damen will appreciate the fact that Laurent set him up with someone like Lykaios, a brilliant woman he has a past with. His mouth is dry, and Laurent’s palms are suddenly sweaty. Briefly, he wonders if this is always what happens when people do nice things for another. If it is…he might have to limit his niceness.

 *

 Laurent doesn’t mean to start ignoring Damen’s calls or texts. It just happens. He isn’t in the mood to listen to Damen go on about Lykaios; Laurent already knows she’s amazing.

 He’s also confident that they’re dating now – or at least getting there. Lykaios posted a lot of snaps from the last night Laurent left them alone, and all of them had been of Damen smiling, drinking, smirking at the camera. They’d been there until three in the morning; Laurent knows because he’d stayed up until then, refreshing his Instagram feed to see any updates on Lykaios’ story.

 What had they even been doing for so long anyway? Damen had called him until eleven, before he presumably gave up. Had Lykaios pulled a move on him? Had they gone back to Damen’s room, fucked on his bed? Had Damen thought of how he’d fucked Laurent on that same bed just last week? Or had he been so consumed by Lykaios and her pleasantness that Damen hadn’t even thought of Laurent?

 Laurent had had the worst night of sleep.

 And then a few nights ago, Nikandros had posted an image of the football team hanging around at his dorm room. (Laurent vaguely remembers being invited to that). In the photo, Laurent’s eyes had immediately been drawn to Damen in the corner, his head bent down as he said something to Lykaios, who had been smiling widely. It had looked very intimate. Laurent had turned his phone off when he saw it.

 Alone in his room, Laurent lies on his bed, heart constricting. He should be happy for Damen. It’s frustrating him that he isn’t. And worst of all, he doesn’t know why.

 He thinks it might be because he’s gotten so used to having Damen around all the time. If Damen starts seeing someone, then he’d obviously start spending less time with Laurent.

 Laurent doesn’t want Damen to spend less time with him. If anything, they should be spending more time together. He only sees Damen about four times a week! That’s too little. Laurent should talk to Damen about that. He should tell him, Damen, even though you have a girlfriend now, I still want you to spend all your time with me, and I still want you to take me to fancy restaurants and then fuck me hard when we get home.

 Horrified, Laurent rolls over and screams into his pillow.

  *

 A few hours later, while Laurent is trying to clean out his desk drawers, there’s a knock on the door. It’s a rapid set of knocks, loud and urgent.

 Laurent frowns. He opens the door and his heart jumps when he sees Damen there, wearing a shirt Laurent had gifted him in the summer. Damen’s face is annoyed; it’s not an expression Laurent has seen often on Damen - and even rarely directed towards him. 

 Damen pushes past Laurent into the room. He takes up most of the space in it. Laurent’s heart still hasn’t calmed down. 

 “Tell me,” says Damen.

 “What?”

 “Tell me what I did wrong. I don’t like this passive aggressive bullshit.”

 “What?” Laurent says again.

 Damen crosses his arms in front of his chest. “You haven’t returned a single one of my calls or texts. You don’t want to hang out with me anymore. And I waited all night for you to show up to Nikandros’ and you didn’t.” When Laurent doesn’t say anything, he presses on. “Well? What did I do to piss you off?”

 “I – nothing,” Laurent shakes his head, shocked. “I’m not mad at you.“

 "Please,” Damen scoffs. “You -”

 "I’m not,“ Laurent says. “I was just giving you some space.”

 ”Space. Why?“

 "Well…” Laurent finds himself hesitating. “So you and Lykaios can spend more time together.”

 “Why the fuck would I want to do that?”

 “Um. She didn’t tell you?”

 Damen’s eyes harden. His mouth presses into a tight line. “Can you please just give me a straight answer?”

 “I’m – I’ve been trying to set you and Lykaios up.” Damen’s mouth drops open. Laurent quickly adds, “I talked to her about it and she said she’s been thinking of dating you too! So you know…” He trails off weakly.

 There’s a sudden, pressing silence. It engulfs the small space of Laurent’s room.

 In a very quiet, measured voice, Damen says, “What makes you think I would want to date Lykaios?”

 “She really likes you Damen. And I think you two would be a good match. I mean – you’re so compatible.”

 “No.” Damen’s voice is hard. “I meant: why the fuck do you think I would want to date Lykaios when I’m already dating you?”

 Laurent’s eyes widen. His breath stutters in his chest. There’s a strange ringing in his ears. “We’re not dating.” His voice is too quiet; he can’t bring himself to repeat himself any louder.

 Damen’s eyes bulge. It would be a comical expression if the atmosphere in the room wasn’t so deadly.

 “Not. Dating.” Damen repeats between his teeth. “You – You really believe that?”

 Damen’s mouth loosens around the edges. He looks like he’s received the worst news of his life.

 “I –” Laurent fumbles with his words. The back of his neck prickles with discomfort. “We’re friends.”

 “Is that what we are?” Damen scoffs. “My mistake, then.”

 Laurent still feels wrongfooted. It’s almost like he’s not even experiencing this conversation, just watching himself have it.

 “I don’t understand,” says Laurent. “I was just trying to do something nice for you. I thought it’d be good for you if you had a girlfriend like Lykaios.”

 “For fuck’s sake, Laurent.” All of Damen’s anger melts away. His tone now is sullen.  “I’ve literally been obsessed with you for the last six months – are you seriously just realising this now?”

 “I’m –” Laurent swallows. “But you’ve never asked me out or called me your…boyfriend.” His tongue dries up around the world.

 “I asked you out to Route all those months ago!” Damen says.

 “No. You said: ‘do you want to go out with me to –’” Laurent cuts himself off. Now that he thinks about it, he’s sure that Damen did ask him out on a date. He’d also said, I don’t usually do this on a first date while they’d been in bed together, hadn’t he?

 The realisation stumps Laurent.

 “Oh,” he says.

 Damen sits down on the edge of the bed, groaning. He buries his head in his hands. “Oh my god, Laurent. How can someone so smart be so stupid?”

 Laurent supposes he should feel offended by that. He isn’t, though, because he genuinely feels stupid.

 “You still didn’t make anything official.” Laurent says after a while.

 Damen looks up. “Fuck you.” His eyebrows furrow. “What was stopping you from asking me?”

 “Why would I say anything?! I thought you were only interested in fucking me!”

 Damen groans again. He sounds like he’s dying. “If that were true, then why would I –” He gestures around the room. Laurent knows what he means. He thinks of all the…dates Damen has taken him on, all the gifts he’s been given, the fact that Damen doesn’t leave his side when they go to parties together.

 Laurent closes his eyes. This is too much. He’s shocked by the anger that overtakes him – anger at himself.

 “I’m sorry,” he says. “I can’t believe how stupid I’ve been.”

 Damen looks at him steadily. He gathers his thoughts. “Do you still think I should date Lykaios? Because you seem pretty invested in the idea and I –” Damen sighs. “I don’t want to – I don’t think I can be with you if you don’t feel the same as I do.”

 “How do you feel about me?” Laurent asks softly.

 Damen’s gaze is burning. Laurent is pinned beneath it. “Laurent, I love you.”

 Laurent gasps. It’s a soft sound, but in the stillness of the room it rattles against the walls. His throat closes.

 When a few silent moments pass, Damen sighs. He stands up, mouth drooping and fingers tense by his thighs. “Alright…That’s.” He stops. He gives Laurent a small nod. “I’ll just go then.”

 Laurent blocks his path with a shrill, “Wait!”

 Damen stops.

 Laurent’s fingers twitch. He wants to touch Damen. But he knows he should – “I don’t want you to date Lykaios. I don’t even know what the fuck I was thinking, alright? You just – you seemed so into her Damen, and I thought it would be nice if I did you a favour and set you up with her because you’re always doing nice things for me but then I got so sad and angry and confused every time you were together and then I felt guilty for feeling those things and I just –”

 “Okay, slow down,” Damen’s hands grip his shoulders.

 Laurent shakes his head. His chest is bubbling with all these emotions he’s refused to acknowledge. “I don’t want you to date Lykaios,” he repeats. “I want you to date me.” He pauses. “Only me.”

 Damen snorts. “Easy. I’ve already been doing that.”

 “I’m sorry I didn’t know,” Laurent says. His throat is still tight with emotion.

 “We’ll work on communicating better,” Damen says. He peers down at Laurent until their eyes meet. “I only want you, Laurent.”

 Laurent collapses into Damen. He buries his head against Damen’s chest, weak in his relief. He even sniffles a little, something Damen thankfully ignores. “I only want you, too.”

 Damen’s body loosens; he exhales and squeezes Laurent in his embrace. He kisses Laurent’s temple. “That makes me so happy.”

 “Me too,” Laurent says.

 Guiltily, he thinks of Lykaios. He remembers her excitement at the thought of being with Damen. Laurent needs to make it up to her, somehow, if she’ll let him. Maybe he could buy her flowers? Laurent has never bought flowers for anyone in his life, but he thinks Lykaios might like roses – unless that’s too romantic? Or maybe he could –

 “Hey,” Damen says, interrupting his thought process.

 Laurent looks up at him. Damen’s smile is radiant; it’s all white teeth and creased eyes. “Yeah?”

 “Do me a favour.”

 “Anything.”

 Damen kisses him. Laurent smiles into it as his entire body fills with an unparalleled warmth. He’s not sure if he loves Damen back…but he’s confident he’s getting there.

 Damen pulls back. He assesses Laurent with a stern frown. “Don’t ever do anything nice for me.”

 Laurent huffs. He hides his face in Damen’s chest again. “Shut up.”

[stardancerluv]

Being a Good Friend

Part 15

Summary: The day after the attack.

Arthor’s Note: Dialogue which is not mine and from the film is in italics

Having, locked the door him in a fresh t-shirt and pair boxers that he kept there and you in one of your extra long shirts, curled up against him. A safeness filled you being that close and he pulled you close.

“I’m grabbed the crisps.” You said coming back from the bathroom. You barely been able to look at your face. When you came back you put the chips beside him on the sofa and hugged him from behind.

Alex, leaned his head back and looked at you. “I found us something else to watch.” He grimaced. You shared a quick upside down kiss.

Coming, around you cuddled back up to Alex on the sofa. It felt so good to have his arm back around you while your cheek and hand laid against his chest as he settled on a movie that was playing. Even, though most of the day was over now you did not know how you felt. You did know that you felt safe cuddled up to Alex. All day, you had not been really apart.

Neither of you spoke or saw much of David. You actually were glad. What he had done despite rescuing you and Alex made you ill. Left you, feeling cold.

You glanced at Alex, earlier you had put icepacks on his calves. They were a vivid blue and purple from where that guy slammed the crowbar into him. You had tried to hold onto your icepack to your cheek but it grew tedious. So ice pack now sat on the coffee table.

You glanced up at Alex before looking back at the tv. Grabbing a chip, you nibbled on it thoughtfully.

He looked down at you. “Baby, what’s on your mind?”

“Nothing, I don’t know,” you sighed. “I just want out of here.” You whispered, the anguish just twisting your stomach into knots. Your eyes filled with tears.

“It will be ok, I promise.” He whispered, pressing a kiss to your forehead.

The door slammed against its hinges. You jumped, the tears you had been holding back finally fell from your eyes.

“Aw, did we interrupt a moment between the lovebirds?”

You looked up to Juliet’s dark, cynical voice Rose stood behind her. But then, Juliet’s face fell when she finally took in your face and perhaps saw Alex’s legs. She pushed aside the ice pack on the coffee table and sat down.

“What happened?”

“Juliet, join me outside. I need to have a smoke.”

“Alright.” Juliet got up.

“Alex.” You grabbed his hand.

He nuzzled, your temple. “I better talk to her.” His whispered. “Baby, I’ll be right back.” He said louder.

Moving aside, you took the ice packs away from his legs

“Oh, hell.” Juliet said, she looked at Alex and back at you. She put a hand on your shoulder, you winced. “You ok?” Her face had softened.

You sighed. “I’ll be ok.”

Rose, wrung her hands. You could see the concerned splashed across her face.

Alex, winced as he pulled on his socks and slipped into his loafers. He winked at you. “Can you make a cuppa while, we’re out there?”

You gave him a gentle smile. “Certainly, Earl Grey or Peppermint?”

“Earl Grey.”

******

“You’re frightened!” He had never heard, Juliet’s voice reach that tone.

He pressed the cigarette between his lips, he lit it and inhaled. He exhaled towards the ebony sky. The day, had been a comforting blur as you and him laid on the sofa watching whatever you could on the tv.

“I’m not. I’m a little terrified maybe.” He hobbled around behind Juliet. “Are you hearing me? Those last two that went up there alive and they came back down dead.”

“Well, they were lousy people.”

He braced him on the bench behind her. “Did you notice that? The difference I mean, alive dead, dead alive ...that sort of thing.” He pulled on the cigarette again. Unease, was rumbling hard in his stomach as images from the night before swirled in his mind.

Juliet, just gave him a look as she took a drag on her own cigarette.

“Juliet, he killed them both. David, can you believe that?”

She just shook her head.

“He cut them up.” He hollered, pointing back towards the flat. “Well, I did too but this time we didn’t have to draw straws or sticks to see who would do it. He just started doing it, after driving Y/N out there.”

She smiled at him. “You’ll be aright.”

“I do not want to go up there.”

Sure, the two of you and well Y/N were all certain that at some point David had stashed the money in the loft. Neither of you had gone up there to make sure. He took a final drag on his cigarette, exhaling and wincing he stamped out what was left of it.

“Alex,” She grabbed his hand. “You’ll be alright.”

“And how is that?”

“Because, you’re smarter then he is.”

“Well, that’s what I’ve always thought.” Alex admitted, looking up towards the flat.

*****

Rose, leaned against the counter. “Oh, Y/N we would have been here too but at the last minute, Juliet wanted us to stay at our flat.”

You grimaced. “If there would have been more of us, who knows what would have happened.” You shook your head.

Bracing, yourself on the counter you brought down two mugs. When you went around her, to bring down the tea tin, she grabbed your arm. “Look, I know we haven’t been close recently but I am really glad that you’re ok.” And then she hugged you. “Oh, Y/N this is so scary!” She practically cried.

“It was.” You hugged your friend tightly back. Pulling, back you grabbed the tea.

“I would have never thought David had any of that in him.”

“Same here.”

The clatter, of Juliet and Alex coming back in the flat could be heard. Cold from the outside, hung over Alex as he came over and hugged you from behind. “I’ll take some honey in my tea tonight.”

You wiggled. “Alex!” You squealed. “You are freezing.” Turning, you pushed him gently.

You all burst into laughter, nervous or otherwise it was nice.

Rose, sidestepped Juliet holding up a hand. “Don’t even think about it.”

The laughter grew even louder then.

Grabbing, the honey you put some spoonfuls in your mug then his. The kettle reminded everyone of its prescience. After, pouring water in you held up the kettle, “Rose...Juliet would you like a cuppa?”

Rose, smiled. “I’ll take it.”

You put the kettle down. “Enjoy.”

Grabbing, yours and Alex’s mug, you brought over his. “Here you go.”

“Thank you.” You leaned against him, he smiled down at you. “Am I not cold anymore?”

You giggled over your mug. “You warmed up.”

“I’m glad.” He wrapped his arm around you.

“Look at this.” David moved his head from side to side. “Just like the old days.”

For once, you all shared a looks before turning your eyes back to him.

“Did you tell her Alex?” He stepped closer to Alex before looking back at Juliet. You moved closer to Alex. “Did you tell her we had to cut two more men?”

“David, don’t..” Alex’s voice trailed off.

“No David, tell me!” Juliet stepped closer to him. “What did you have to do?” Rose grabbed her arm, but she pulled her arm away.

“Well, you see Juliet.”

@rentskenobi @mac-n-cheesie @dance-like-russia-isnt-watching @rosionis @theblackmaskclub @brookisbi @johallzy @darling-i-read-it @professionalclown @chogisss @obiwankenobiness @i-love-scott-mccall @stardust-and-starlight @the-mandalorian-clone-lover

[slumberinglabyrinth]

a while back i did a review of the prison chapter in por and it was totally overblown and whatever but i kinda wanna do that again for (what remains of) radiant dawn so i guess i will

I'll be doing them in batches since this got long. In this post: 3-5 through 3-9

3-5: it's been two years and i forget why we have to defend this castle

this was a pretty alright map. the reinforcements were annoying but that's because I generally don't actually turtle all that much on defend chapters and as a result I was Right There whenever and wherever they showed up. I tried to grab the energy drop off the boss but the dude ran away from Heather the moment I created an opening and I didn’t want to reset so :^/

I moved provoke off of shinon and onto Brom for this and its... probably way too strong? like it wasn't a 100% draw rate but there were several turns in a row where he was the only person being attacked which is. insane. and also super fun lmao. I think it's a shame that the hostility mechanics in fe aren't as well documented; on some level it ruins the magic, but in cases like this where you're actively influencing it i think it'd be useful to know to what degree you're actually influencing it

disarm + steal is also a really neat/fun idea that would be a great way to counteract how i apparently will never have any money for weapons while playing as the greilgallia party crew 😔 (not to be confused with the greilgallia polycule, which disbanded around twenty years earlier) but I can also never get disarm to proc and half the things that i was able to get unequipped were too heavy for Heather to actually steal 😔

all around a decent map to ease myself back into playing rd with. I certainly could have played better, but defend maps tend to be easier and I appreciated that here

3-6: dawn brigade returns and promptly sinks into a swamp

god this map sucked. it's really hard to pick where to start with it but while i get that lore dictates that they need to only be fighting laguz right here it was probably the wrong gameplay decision with everything else that was going on. I think maybe making tigers have ~4 less str across the board would have been a nice start since I kinda needed to either never get hit by them at all or to kill them first.

several chapters later I’m also realizing maybe i should have like. started to use bexp lol

fighting laguz is also really weird in terms of like... because they have boosted stats while transformed so you can either kill them while they're untransformed (which is fairly easy but since they don't attack, you have to kill them during player phase which means one per turn per unit), deal chip damage (or none at all) to burn down their gauge so you can actually kill them, or try to power through their boosted stats and hope you don’t die in the process.

Because I hadn't used bexp and almost all my units were super weak, I mostly had to rely on the eff against beasts knife that you can buy in the bargain shop this chapter and also volug, who had enough def (even with halfshift) to not die in one round. Honorable mentions go to noland (a fitting name for this map), jill (with canto!), and zihark, who were able to help pick off untransformed laguz, and to micaiah, who could deal magic damage and actually damage transformed laguz.

this was also the first dawn brigade map! i know lots of people people dont like their maps after act 1 and while i was trying to go into this one with an open mind... yeah, they totally got shafted by this map design. it's not really their fault but this map sucked hard. I know that they generally did one of each class variant (fire mage, wind mage, etc.) and not have duplicates but I think that the dawn brigade would have benefited from another mage of some kind if only so you could have someone who could deal with all these goddamned cats

also bk shows up but since he's not a bonus unit i didn't want to feed him kills so i didnt really use him. maybe that was a mistake. also why couldn't he like. warp someone that wasn't the furthest away from the action.

3-7: hey so we heard you liked the previous map

Zihark is there? fuck this i'm reverting to a previous save and unrecruiting him

3-6: i forgot to mention that this map was a swamp map and also had darkness

I know I've mentioned that the similar map in fe6 (desert+fog) was actually kinda alright but this one isnt that at all. Playing through it a second time helped because i knew where enemies were spawning, but it was still more annoying than fun.

Swamps commit the cardinal sin of forcing everyone that can't fly (in this case: everyone but jill) to suffer massive terrain penalties. Deserts at least let mages move a little bit further (which admittedly wouldn't help much here since it's only micaiah and laura), but here everyone friend and foe alike (except Jill) moves slowly and it makes gameplay just grind to a halt which is never, ever fun level design.

Also Fiona just. could not move beyond the starting island. she couldn't even wade a little bit into the swamp like i did with ed and leo to attack at range and get laguz to untransform. they let you deploy everyone but it genuinely felt like i wasn't handed the tools to succeed at this map. always a great goal to have when designing a game

I don't know how to improve this map. unrecruiting zihark (by flying him up to the northeast with jill and having him talk to mordy/lethe) wasn't particularly difficult (battle saves make it easy enough to scout out where they were, and it's not like i'd ever feel bad about 'cheating' on this map) but... would a greater field of view actually help? would making it not a swamp actually help? would giving you more allied units that'll throw themselves in the face of danger with no regard for their own lives actually help?

I don't know.

3-7: but for real this time

Back to ikequest!

this map is... literally the same map as the previous one, but with a different map objective. and larger. and backwards. and not at night.

it's still a swamp.

Luckily, it's a survive map, and the vast majority of the enemy force does not have the time to actually reach you if you hide up in the corner.

Which is exactly what i did.

Here's the list of the optional units (ike and ranulf are mandatory, which sucks because i don't like using twinks cat laguz and ike's plot promotion feels miles away) I deployed and why I deployed them

Haar: to fly out and recruit Jill

Gatrie: to be carried by Haar and specifically to bait the single thunder mage in Haar's way (and help Haar clean out that area so Jill can be safely recruited). I gave him corrosion two maps ago and it actually fully disarmed a guy on this map! 🎊

Brom: stand near where the swamp ends and draw the handful of enemies that actually make it all the way there away from ike and ranulf and ulki and jaffar (who are auto-recruits in this chapter).

This map is. so incredibly easy to both beat and complete the (meaningful) optional objectives on. I missed a conversation between Ike and Micaiah (which requires you to travel all the way across the map that i just finished saying takes forever to traverse and do it in 12 turns), but as long as you unrecruit Zihark on the previous map (he's.... right in the middle of the main force so good luck if you don't) you can probably do this map first try with no deaths even if you haven't trained haargatriebrom At All

I think that kinda underscores a problem that intsys had with rd which was... it feels like they didn't really have a lot of time to fine-tune stuff? like you're going from the hardest (or at least most unpleasant) map to the easiest one this side of the tutorial and it just. doesn't feel good? like there's going to be some inherent difficulty in balancing a difficulty curve when you're shifting from party to party but. this was bad. really bad.

Also a side observation but it does actually say who units can talk to in battle prep which is pretty useful thing to have! you need to shift the stat spreadsheet allllll the way over, but it's there!

i promptly forgot about it by the time 3-10 came around and was like "hey i should just. have ike run up to elincia, see if they'll talk, and then reset" though lol

3-8: Less-than-Lethal Lava Land

A fairly standard lava cave map. My only real comment here is that it was kinda nice how they made the spots where you'd take damage fairly obvious while still making them appear as natural parts of the terrain. I think it was the durandal map in 7 but its "if you're on these at the end of the turn you'll take damage" tiles looked super out of place while the armads map on the other hand wasn't super self-evident and i'm glad they improved

3-9: still cant use lucia >:(

Another party shift (this time to Elincia), and there was some good use of ledges in this chapter!

Most of your units couldn't use them but it created alternate paths for the ones that could (Calill and Devdan). Previous maps tended to use them more as holes in your defenses than needed to be plugged, but it created ways to progress (and ways for reinforcements to catch up) that are usually reserved for flying units, except now you're interacting with the map instead of ignoring it completely.

I think I've yet to meet someone who genuinely likes ledges as a map element, though I think this map really drives home that the sole (inherent) problem with them is the accuracy modifications (which, as this map also demonstrates when the stairs near the end become a chokepoint, are actually present with all elevation changes). While the +2 damage dealt while on the high ground is reasonable, +50 and especially -50 to hitrate are insane and completely unnecessary modifiers. They should be half that if you even choose to retain both.

Anyway.

the absolute lack of a (player-controlled) healer in Elincia's party was also........ interesting. Annoying, but interesting. Why must allied clerics choose death?1

[katsukikitten]

Princess prt 4

You lie awake, waiting on baited breath to hear his own slow. Still you are unsure. He may be hot tempered but he is the master at even breathing, even when he was sprinting full speed with your weight, cradled in those strong arms. People, guards you assume, walk near the tent in unpredictable rounds interfering with the moisture radius you've set alarming you to a possible threat.

Eventually exaustion pulls you under so hard and so fast that you cannot keep up with your normal radius.

Something pulls at the water in the air, calling it forth and instantly you react.

Contorting yourself, half turned at the waist, to aim your dominate hand at the threat. Holding a large bald man who is covered in tattoos by his blood.

Steaming water stays stooped in time, forever cascading into a mostly empty tub. Your breathing becomes ragged, he had generated so much water, had gotten much too close.

He could have killed you if he wished. You squeeze your hold on him and his eyes bulge just a bit. He cannot fight back like Father did.

As you watch his face twist in horror you feel something sing deep into your bones before you smell the heavy tang of blood, so much of it you can taste it in your mouth as if misted in the air.

The power calls to you to do it, you've done it countless times.

What's one more?

"*Princess*." A husky growl, and a tight grip on your hip, "I would appreciate if you didn't kill my favorite bath filler. He is one of the few in his family who can call upon it so hot."

You turn to face the King slowly, when you meet his eyes you begin to feel more than just the man's frantic heart beat and rushing blood.

More than the dark call of your power.

Starting with the heated touch of his skin to yours followed by the searing pain of your left cheek. Some how in the middle of the night you flipped onto your left, smothering your wound. You throw your hold with a flick of the wrist and the sound of water filling a tub returns almost drowned out by a man gasping for breath.

Birds sing, thankful for another morning. You clench your jaw and slowly exhale through your nose. The smell of spice already begins to fill the yurt.

Scarlet eyes look over the other figure in the room before holding onto yours.

You offer him nothing but a heated, overly alert gaze as the rest of the world moves on. He stands and you wrap yourself in the cool white sheets to sit as the man bows to the ash blonde.

"Thank you Mizu." Katsuki dismisses but before Mizu leaves you pipe up.

"There is only one tub?" Venom drips over every syllable as you feel you know the answer.

"Ah how could I forget about you Princess," He leans over and passes a small bucket to Mizu, "Fill this one for the lady."

"That will not be enough!"

"I've got rags. You can sponge yourself. What with your leg wound you cant submerge it." He hisses as he gets into the over sized tub letting out the smallest of sighs as he plunges himself shoulder deep.

The water is hot enough that you see sweat already forming on his brow.

Mizu fills the small bucket and gives the smallest bow before leaving. You stand and snatch the bucket up. It is more a size for washing ones face than their whole body.

Plus you *need* to submerge it to heal it.

You step into the tub and his face becomes that much more heated.

Red with anger, blush.

"What the fuck are you doing?!" He lashes but you still sit across from him.

You have more than enough room to keep your knees slightly extended that your feet are between his outstretched ones. Should you wish you could fully extend your legs and your feet would only reach his knees. The water comes up to your collar bone when you slouch.

"No one shares bath water with the King. Not even his queen." A growl so dark, had he not been engulfed in water explosions would have skittered across his skin in warning. You glare into his intense crimson eyes.

"Then it is a good thing that I have no King." You growl, feathers ruffled so early in the morning that only being enveloped in your weapon would make you feel better. You ignore his lingering glare as you begin to work your calf wound first, by the time the bath is over it should be nothing but a scar. But your face....

Well your face will be different story.

You attempt to collect water from the smaller bucket and splash it onto your face.

Your wound feels as if it coils away and you cannot help but wince. Your face contorts, worsening the second heart beat that is your cheek.

All the while scarlet eyes rover over the stitches that feel as if they are pulling your skin apart instead of together.

He watches many failed attempts before he grabs onto your wrist, with a steel grip.

"You'll never get it clean that way dumbass." He snarls, reaching for a white rag, he dips it into your little bucket of water making a come here motion with the rag.

You look at him with such malice that he snorts, eyes shifting away before coming back full force.

"Never had a face injury I see. They are more delicate than most wounds huh?" It is then do you look at him with sharp enough eyes to see the ever so faint scars upon his own face and even throat.

Faded with time, age and possibly proper treatment.

"Know that we are in my element." You growl before adjusting yourself to sit on your knees between his, you hold his once more to deliver a final threat, "Know at any second I could strip you of your sweat and drown you with it."

He gives a cruel smile in response before you close your eyes. He is gentle, much more gentle than the one they called Momo last night. Your eyes flutter as he wipes away the old ointment and some dried blood and you sink your nails into your thighs to avoid biting your swollen lip. He is even more gentle with your bottom lip as you feel a single digit follow over the curvature of it. Somehow you relax into his touch, time stretches and only the sound of sloshing water can be heard.

Before your eyes snap open to feel a fast approaching figure, they stay focused over the shoulder of the King who seems to watch your tension.

A ruby red head barges into the tent, sounding exasperated as he speaks.

"Your majesty I respect your decision but what the fuck?"

Then garnet eyes widen, cheeks slightly flushed as he bows.

"Princess. I beg your pardon." He gives his back to you both, "So she *is* your queen then."

"She isnt my Queen!" "I'm no one's Queen!"

We both yell with such fury but all that Prince Kirishima does is laugh.

"What is he doing here? In the badlands and not in the mountains."

A smile laced with mischief captured his almost kissable lips.

"He is my general." Katsuki says, placing the rag onto the side of the tub to dry.

"How could he be? He is a prince of his own lands."

"I started as a poor boy traveling the bad lands. I grew up with King Bakugou. He took me under his wing, taught me to best utilize my quirk. The mountain people, just like the badlandians do not go by lineage. They go by power, if you defeat the former King then you've earned the title. I'm repaying my debt by being his general as well. " Kirishima speaks and your eyes narrow.

Does this mean he murdered his own father?

"Did you not say you were a Prince at my auction?" You watch as Katsuki dunks his head under for just a second.

He is too trusting.

When he comes back up he runs his hands through his wet hair and some of it clings to his forehead, it's odd not to see it in it's usually spiked mess.

Your heart races.

"All titles are trivial when it comes to the High King aren't they?" Kiri asks peeking over his shoulder to see more of your exposed sunkissed skin. Only to get a cold glare from the king himself as he steps from the bath, wrapping a towel around his waist.

"Give me a moment and we can speak privately, General. As for you Princess I'll put ointment on your wound when you're done soaking." He sets down two fine bottles of creamy white liquid. Shampoo and conditioner you guess.

"You may speak in my audience. You'll need it considering you're now at war with the High King." With Bakugo out of the water you stretch to your hearts content. Practically moaning at the heat of the water.

Bakugo growls, turning to say something to you only half dressed.

"She's right. We are most likely at war." Eijirou inturpts and you smile satisfactory at him.

Eijirou sits in one of the two blood red chairs, the one that faces you in the tub, ruby eyes glitter as they stare at you. You've adjusted yourself to a better view for Eijirou to admire without realizing it. You sit straight now so you can focus and hear but that leaves the top of your breasts exposed to air.

Exposed to a hungry man with a toothy smile.

That is before a stern looking Bakugo looms over him.

Eiji stands to sit in the chair that gives you his back as Bakugou takes his seat with you in his sights. He stares coolly at your relaxed face as you lean your head back for a moment. Displaying your throat for him, he swallows the thought of his teeth nipping at that tender skin.

He looks to his general, forcing himself not to admire your body once more.

"She will be an excellent bargaining chip." Katsuki speaks and you roll your eyes.

"A bargaining chip that made the High King bow on his *knees* in front of thousands upon thousands of people and four foreign princes." You comment eyes still closed, "Not to mention you whisked this bargaining chip away before he could commit homicide on his own daughter in front of the crowd. That alone would have worked towards your advantage better than letting me live. Many would have questioned his sanity. His stability to rule. Instead you supported my declaration for war."

You slowly open your eyes to stare up at the ceiling of the tent, you realize now that the black canvas above is painted with flecks of silver and gold stars. You curse yourself for losing your observing touch all from wounding yourself.

Especially damning considering what is to come.

"She has a point." Kiri speaks up. Burning red eyes flick away from you and pierce into his general.

"How long do you think it will take your father to rebuild his ships?" Kiri looks over his shoulder and you shrug.

"Doesn't matter. I think this time he will wait for us to come to him but I won't know for sure until he sends a scout." You subconsciously swirl the water into the air with your fingers as you think, "If its Ares then war is coming to us and it's coming hard, if he sends any other brother then he's planning on waiting it out."

"That's right if King Toben sent you or Ares then it meant he wasn't playing around." Kiri comments, eyes still trailing in your direction.

You are surprised that the Prince of the Mountains would know that. It is not common knowledge and none have lived long enough to tell. Ares and yourself were on strick orders to kill on sight until Father arrived. You go to comment before you are rudely interrupted.

"Either way I will get what I want." Katsuki hisses, "General another time. Princess you've soaked long enough."

You glare with such intensity that any other man would quiver. But never the Barbadian King. You stand despite the general still being present and Bakugou gives you such a look that plants would whither beneath his heated gaze.

Kirishima silently enjoys the show, the curvature of your hips, your broad strong shoulders and your soft supple looking tits. He salivates at the thought of tasting you, that is until he sees his King turn to face him.

Kirishima bows, before exiting, "Another day my King."

He does not understand the King's hostility if he is so agaisnt keeping you.

"I see you have no shame." Katsuki passes you a fine towel. One that is neither too rough or soft. You take it greedily and begin drying yourself off, you start with your face, and the kind fabric pulls harshly on the rough stitch on your lip. You let out the smallest whimper trying hard to keep your eyes from tearing. An angry sigh fills the remaining silence of the tent.

"Gentle dumbass." He growls, tenderly disentangling the fabric, "You'll pull the stitch. That is unless you want Momo to have to start over again."

You shake your head as he pops the top of a small jar filled with a thick translucent gel. You hold still as swift fingers work over the stitches so softly that you barely feel them on your cheek.

You watch his blood red eyes as he works. They are hard, focused before they linger on your lips, something in them changes. He slowly drags his finger over your lip, it moves to the pad of his middle finger before he let's it go. You feel heat on your cheeks for no damn good reason. You turn away quickly.

"Thank you." You says harshly, "but next time I will apply it myself. My clothes?"

You hear him slam the jar down, before he produces the black outfit with the white fur.

"No way in hell." You snarl in his mother tongue. He chuckles.

"It's that or your towel Princess." He replies smoothly, his accent having almost a low drawl in his first language, "How did you learn? I've been dying to know since your argument with the old man."

"I must know all the languages of the kingdom, other wise how will I ever know when they conspire agaisnt me." You snatch the clothes from his capable hands before throwing the towel on the floor.

Still you hesitate. If you put this on will they think you his queen? Won't you be back at square one?

You smirk to yourself as you pull yourself into the tight but comfortable pants and the low cut vest adorned with contrasting white fur.

The King's slight blush confirms what you already know, that you look fucking killer.

No, with this outfit you will not be his queen. You will be the High Queen even if it's the last thing you do.

[drkcnry67]

title: Arranged to keep her safe

pairing: Ketch x Sister!Reader

kink square filled: Accent Kink

dark square filled: Ketch

heaven & Hell square filled: the colt

ABO square filled: arranged marriage

Rating: 18+

tags: Alpha claiming omega, Presenting as both Alpha and omega, fighting, vaginal penetration (like in the last few paragraphs), flirtation, making out, blood, sibling training

word count: 9,777

Created for @spndarkbingo  @spnkinkbingo @heavenandhellbingo @spnabobingo

Kink masterlist    H&H Masterlist   Dark Masterlist   ABO Masterlist

hunting for any reason at all is something you have always wanted to do… but your brothers Sam & Dean Winchester weren’t going to let you…

they instead were gonna honor your parents wishes & raise you to be normal… this meant no hunting for you, but you knew something was up one day when your brothers arrived back at the bunker with another man.

it wasn’t Cas or anyone you knew, it was someone new… someone who looked like he was striking a deal of sorts with your brothers.

Dean came over to you while Sam stayed talking with the mysterious guest. 

Dean: “come sis, let’s go for a walk.” 

You never turned down the chance to take a walk with your older brother. Dean as always takes your arm & leads you out of the bunker, both of you walking down the same long dirt road you often walked down. 

Dean: “I’m guessing you have questions about the hush hush visitor.” 

You nodded. Very unsure if you wanted to hear your brother’s answers. 

YN: “who is he first of all?” 

Dean: “his name is Arthur Ketch.. Look sis, Sammy and I have kept you out of as much of the danger as possible. But in their wills they said if Sam and I ever had to Bayer a deal, we were to use you as a bargaining chip. Well that had happened for we have arranged for you to marry Ketch… ” 

YN (yelling): “so what I don’t even have a say… I don’t get the chance to decide my own future… Yet you & Sam get to decide my future for me… In what universe did you think I would ever be okay with this…”

 Dean was a little shocked, he had never heard you raise your voice at him like ever… That kinda hurt him, but how else was he expecting you to react after all he just dropped bomb central on you. 

Dean: “YN look I know your upset, but please understand that this is a good thing especially with the danger Sam & I are heading into… I wanted to be the one to tell you about this kiddo cause i knew that Sam could finish this deal in propriety while I somehow convinced you that this marriage is a good thing.“ 

You were pacing, you had no idea what the hell was happening, your brothers were auctioning your life, your future. 

 YN: “what could possibly be so important that you and Sam would gamble my future away?" 

 Dean: "the colt!" 

You had heard the legends of this magnificent gun that could kill pretty much anything… You even got to see it in action once… 

 Yn: "are you sure it’s the same colt that Bella took & sold?" 

 Dean: "yep cause ketch showed it to us, the second we said we would make him an offer he couldn’t possibly refuse, you were that offer… we need to get the colt back, there is danger brewing sis, for what we fear is coming you cannot be here… you cannot witness whats about to happen. do not fight us on this… you can get to know him first but your getting married to him before he has to bring you back to his home. if there had been another bargaining option we would have done so… look let me make it up to you. ill take you on your first hunt as my way of an apology…what do you feel like sis, Ghost, poltergeist or vamps?”

YN: “thats okay bro, i like the sound of going on my first hunt but i say why not all 3, are they all roughly in the same area… but where is he from?”

Dean: “ketch is british… yes yes they are, about 5-10 minutes from eachother. all along the road to come back here. but sis, if we go on this string of hunts you must understand that if you start feeling weird like your body starts converging or starts to feel really really warm all of the sudden, tell me immediately.”

You looked really confusingly at your brother, but agreed none the less. then your mind went into the thoughts of omg, me married, thats a scary thought… 

YN: “what about your honoring mom and dads wishes?”

Dean: “well im sure they will be just as proud of how much we have trained and protected you all the same. but Sam and i want to see you wed incase trouble strikes sooner than expected.”

YN: “isnt Ketch apart of the British Men of Letters?”

 Dean: “yes he is…”

YN: “didnt they try to kill you guys?”

Dean: “that was a precaution according to them… they didnt know whether we were friend or foe…”

Your eyes went wondering what the british men of letters would think of you… not that you know they would be able to do anything, i mean by the time you get back you and Ketch technically would already be married.

YN: “do you think Ketch would want to join me for a run into town? i need a few things and i figure you guys want a beer & liquor stalk..”

Dean: “does this mean you are ready to meet him?”

you nod… nervous feelings building in your stomach but you dismissed them.

Dean: “okay i know your probably nervous as hell right now but chill. Ketch would be a fool not to fall instantly for you…”

you took a few breaths as you and Dean re-entered the bunker, Dean freely goes down the stairs, you peak over the railing as Dean calls…

Dean: “we are back…”

Sam and another man who you presumed was Ketch came out of the study and the first glance you got of Ketch practically knocked you off your feet… when Dean turned around to introduce you he noticed you werent behind him, so he figured your nerves were getting the better of you…

Dean: “come on down YN, there is someone down here who is anxious to meet you…”

you nervously went back up the stairs and stood up descending the staircase, you could feel the eyes of your brothers and one longing gaze from the man who was to be your husband.

Ketch made his way to the bottom of the staircase, to recieve your hand in his own and to plant a kiss to the back of your hand.

Arthur: “YN, you are even more radiant than your brothers described. my name is Ketch, Arthur Ketch.”

YN: “My dear brother had said you were dashing, he didnt say you were moi caliente.”

this made Arthur laugh as he helped you the rest of the way down the stairs. 

your brothers were seeing the way you and Ketch were looking at eachother, you and Arthur went to sit in the study, you went on your laptop and placed orders for your hunting clothing a couple other items and then Arthur had you help pick out the engagement/wedding bands. 

with everything ordered, you turned to Dean to bat your eye lashes…

Dean: “let me guess you want to stay here kiddo?”

YN: “ill call tim and tell him to have the usual order ready and if your worried about getting girl coodies all over baby, then take my jag… i mean ill let you drive it just this once Dean… but you break it you repair it, do you hear me…”

Dean: “of course… come on Sam, your coming with me to help me carry this shit..”

neither sam nor dean said much of a goodbye after you said they could take the jag… you and arthur just laughed at how fast they ran out of there. this left you and arthur alone in the bunker. 

you eventually got up to pour you and Arthur some drinks, his gaze not leaving your body. like he was mentally undressing you or something. 

YN: “see something you like?”

Arthur: “just enjoying the delicious view that is you…”

YN: “well that is something i certainly can easily get used to hearing.”

you brought the drinks to where you guys were sitting and pulled out your phone calling tim…

Tim: “YN hows it going girl?”

YN: “exceptional as always, man my brothers are doing the town run today… they are doing my bidding for once… can u have the usual order ready? i dont know how long till they get there… they have to stop at a few places for me first…”

Tim: “of course i will have that ready. see ya round chica.”

you hung up the phone and felt Arthur’s arm around your waist… this sent your body into a hotter state… Arthur smelled this right away.

Arthur: “i love that heated scent you are giving off…”

YN: “your accent is turning me on and i am getting another heated burst…”

Arthur: “do you get these heat bursts often?”

YN: “only around the full moon. but this time seems worse…”

Arthur: “your presenting… how much do you know about the history of hunters?”

YN: “my brothers have mostly kept me out of that loop… why what do you mean i’m presenting.?.”

Arthur: “YN just try to cool down… you need to keep your temp at a decent temperature like keep calm dont let your emotions go out of control.”

YN: “why whats happening to me?”

Arthur: “just do what i say… lets distract you… wanna show me this fabulous garage you guys have?”

you get up but a hand reaching for yours startles you slightly but feels normal as you both walk to the garage… you open the door and walk inside. you walk around and lean against the impala as Arthur looks around. 

Arthur: “and all these belong to you and your brothers.?.”

YN: “yep… its a family business find beaten down cars get them, sell them or keep them… spare cars… in hunting its needed or so my brothers say.”

Arthur: “you look sexy leaning against the impala like that…”

Arthur had removed his blazer and now stood in front of you… 

Arthur: “i saw that look back at the computer. do you want to talk about it?”

YN: “i saw the look on your face with those totals. i would understand if you want to yell at me… but know its gonna go a long way…”

Arthur in that moment answered the only way that he deemed logical… pressing himself against you as he held your waist planting a kiss to your lips… this was unexpected, this was also your first kiss… 

YN: “i think this conversation is better left for somewhere a little more comfortable…”

Arthur: “i dont know im pretty comfy right here…”

you had no complaints the next hour and a half were spent making out while having you sit on the hood of the impala… your heat bursts became more frequent as time passed. 

Arthur: “are you alright love? your burning up…”

YN: “make it stop… make the burning stop…”

Arthur: “your brothers are gonna walk in at any minute… but i can do this…”

Arthur in that moment pulls back from you and removes his shirt, the cooling sensation of his skin against yours made your heat bursts slow drastically.

Arthur: “im an alpha as such i have a right to wait till you present fully to claim you… to make my mark on you, to claim you as my own. your brothers are alphas as well, they have been massively protective of you, but thats their nature. thats how this works. your scent is all over the place i cant tell what you are presenting as but if your heat is this bad i would think maybe an alpha…”

you and arthur went back to making out, the sound of tires approaching on the dirt road, the purr of the sweet engine, you knew that was your jag, thats when it happened. 

you pulled back as Arthur backed away you turned to look at yourself in the mirror of the impala. you then let out a earth shattering scream, as your brothers pulled up into the garage upon the sight of you screaming. they got out of the jag and went to Arthur…

Dean: “whats happening?”

Arthur: “she’s presenting… did you guys not tell her about any of this?”

Dean: “no we didnt per to our parent’s wishes.”

Arthur: “well i couldnt tell from her scent what she is, but i guess we are about to find out…”

at that moment you let out a roar, it shook the entire compound. Dean, Sam and Arthur were all ready incase your instincts decided to turn you animal…

thats when you turned to look at everyone, your eyes flashed immediately from gold to red to kind of a blood gold. the words you heard after that went something like this…

Sam: “thats impossible…”

Dean: “arthur you need to be ready buddy, i dont know how she is entirely gonna be right now…”

Arthur: “she is the first hunter ever to present as both Alpha and Omega… lets see what i can do…”

Arthur took everything that could possibly scare you out of his pockets and off his person, then he made his slow approach to you…

Arthur: “YN, take it easy babe… lets try something.. nod if you can hear me and recognize who i am..”

you nod watching his blurry figure coming closer.

Arthur: “babe, nod if i can approach you fully…”

you nod again kind of un tensing at the soft touch of his hands on your forearms. Arthur came round behind you and wrapped his arms around your waist. he then brushed your hair away from your neck and shoulder. 

the next thing you hear is a growl from behind you, your eyes went wide at hearing this… it was like your entire body was no longer responding for its own, but instead to Arthur and his movements.

Arthur let out a loud shattering roar before sinking his fangs into your shoulder… this made you let out a moaning roar.. your brothers eyes went wide as they watched Arthur claim you… 

blood was dripping down your back and front, as well as down Arthurs chest. with each drop that hit the ground this made your brothers growl lowly… but nothing compared to how you would be feeling after this little session. 

After 5 minutes Arthur removed his fangs from you, he then spun you round to face him… the familiarity of his features was almost like a ray of sunshine. suddenly your eye sight became un blurred, it was also the fact that now you were seeing clearly that your eyes first saw the blood.

YN: “whose blood is that, ugh why do i feel weird, what happened…”

Arthur: “what do you remember?”

YN: “nothing, will someone explain while i go get towels so Arthur and i can get cleaned up…”

your brothers made sure the jag was in the garage and that the outside door to the garage was closed, before following to continue explaining to you what you couldnt remember.

Dean: “we got home to find you screaming into the impala side mirror, when we asked Arthur about it he said you were presenting and that he didnt know what you would be presenting as. then we saw your eyes… they will be that blood gold for a while, but the bloodlust and the other alphaic traits were subsided when Arthur claimed you thats why there was so much blood. look YN we are so sorry we didnt tell you about any of this but we are the best hunters around for a reason. our senses are heightened thats why hunting comes so easy to us. thats why its gonna be easy for you as well.. in fact i declare a family hunting trip. Ketch that includes you, your apart of this family now. so every gear up and do what you need to do, we leave at sunset… the poltergeist in the asylum is the first stop.”

You smiled at the thought of getting to hunt. This was what you had been training for. This is what you we’re waiting for. Your mind then turned to the thought of all the blood, you zoned out you could feel the blood calling to you. 

It wasn’t till you heard your name being called in 3 different vocal tones that you snapped out of it. 

YN: "sorry guys I must have zoned out… It was weird I could hear the blood calling to me, it wanted me to drain the source. I am unsure if I like how this is going. But if everyone here is willing to show me the ropes before we leave for this hunt and how to control the bloodlust then I’ll still go on this hunt as long as everyone feels like i can control my bloodlust and abilities perfectly.”

Arthur: “dont worry babe once we get cleaned up, we will all go over to the training center and we will teach you everything you need to know.”

you finish wiping off all the blood and then you walk to your room, going inside you close your door then taking off your bloody clothes you threw them in the laundry… 

you then picked up your phone and called Dean… 

Dean: “whats wrong sis?”

YN: “can you bring me my stuff from the jag so i can pack…”

your brother, your brother sure he was a giant pain in the ass, but he was the only person you trusted to bring you the stuff and not hesitate to walk in… he has seen you worse…

Dean however walks in several moments later as your at your mirror desk half robed looking at the bite mark…

YN: “will it ever go away?”

Dean: “it will just look like you got in a fight with something and won… honestly are you okay?”

YN: “honestly, i’m not sure… i mean physically except for the pain of having been bitten im fine but mentally there is something in there and its fighting me… Dean im scared, i dont want to hurt anyone. i would rather die than hurt anyone…”

Dean: “hey, theres no need for that kind of talk… look Ketch no matter how much of an ass he is, he loves you alot… he loved you enough to claim you… thats a huge deal… something Sam and i never could achieve… but your probably the most badass out of all of us, your half alpha and half omega… that makes you the strongest… now throw on your normal workout clothes and come along sis Arthur and Sam are waiting in the training center. now that you have presented we wont go easy on you..”

you turned to fully look at your brother… 

YN: “you mean you and Sam were going easy on me… does that mean when i beat you, you werent using your full strength…”

Dean: “now now sis, i knew you would react this way just take it easy…”

YN: “take it EASY… i feel like a fool… here i thought i was so strong to beat both of my brothers… geez Dean how much were you holding back…”

Dean: “i was only using 30% of my strength… over the years i gradually increased it… start soft work our way up, with each level passed we increased how much we were exerting… but now that you have presented we dont have to hold back anymore… we are gonna use our full 100% strength and its gonna be 10x harder to take us all down… we all have something to teach you: we talked it over Arthur will teach you how to control your anger, so when in public your eyes are normal color… Sam will work on your agility how to use your speed 10x the normal rate you would go… i will teach you how to tone up your strength so you dont hurt anyone normal when hugging them or shaking their hands. then we will all fight you in a fighters circle type thing. it is one of those mass exercises that are especially helpful in these types of situations…”

You finished getting into your workout gear, and glared at your brother, flashing your eyes quickly from gold to red letting off a low growl.

YN: “your gonna pay for taking it easy on me all these years… both you and sam are gonna be eating training mat…”

Those words made Dean cringe, hearing them come out of your mouth made them worse than necessary… you stalked your way out of your room, down the hallway, going left at the fork and then entering the room, you removed your sandals and charged at Sam whose back was facing you… you then pulled a natasha romanov… 

You wrapped your ankles round his neck and flipped him to the ground… 

YN: “thats for taking things easy on me bro… oh yeah Dean told me about that, lets just say im not happy about…”

Sam: “well i can tell that your not happy, but why flip me to the ground and how the hell did i not see this coming…”

YN: “what was it you told me… never turn your back on your opponant…”

You were aware at that moment of your other brother entering the room… Dean decided to try to pull that same move on you, you instead jumped and pinned him to the ground…

YN: “told you that both you and Sam would be eating training mat…”

Arthur let out a whistle that caught your attention, you got up off the ground and went over to him… his touch soothing you…  as both your brothers got up off the ground.

Arthur: “boys i dont think our lessons are gonna get through until we see what else she can do… cause that was some impressive skill that my girl just pulled off…”

Dean: “oh screw you Ketch… fine little sister thinks she is so tough, fine i challenge YN, my lesson might get taught right now it might not… Sam get off the floor, YN when your ready…”

You kissed Arthur before stepping foot on the floor… this was the kind of thing that always got you excited, this was what you now had been waiting for since presenting… a chance to show your brothers whose the more superior Winchester Sibling.

You took a stance in front of your brother who now was waiting for you to make the first move…

YN: “you think you can beat me bro… lets see im gonna give you a simple task do not hold back… use every ounce of strength you got… once i have taken you down, either Sam or Arthur are allowed to step into the ring to give me their lesson… of course you know bro that just because your my brother doesnt mean ill hold back even an ounce of strength…”

Dean: "are you gonna stand there running your mouth or are you gonna fight?" 

YN: "both…”

You and Dean now circling let off low growls… but you stepped to the left to circle the other way, and just dodged Dean lunging at you… he quickly recovered and you jumped high landing on his back…

YN: “had enough yet bro?”

Dean: “of course not…”

Dean flipped over and landed himself on top of you, letting out a roar of disapproval you bunched your knees beneath his body and lodged yourself free sending Dean flying across the room once more…

You half flipped yourself off the ground…

YN: “had enough yet bro?”

Dean: “whats a matter sis? You getting tired yet?”

YN: “not a prayer but i dont want to hurt you… so if you surrender now ill consider making you a few personal sized pies for the trip…”

Dean’s eyes went wide at the mention of pie… but non the less he attempted to lunge at you again… there was something inside you that brought your body into a flat state making Dean fly right over your body and straight into the stack of mats. 

Both Arthur and Sam watched as you now stood victorious…

Sam: “well i can just verbally give you your lesson sis… i have no desire to end up like Dean…”

Arthur: “come along babe ill help you make dinner as well as some food for the trip. While i give you my lesson in emotional anger control…”

You first helped your brother off the ground and you gave him a hug…

YN: “sorry D… dont know what came over me…”

Dean: “thats okay, happens to everyone… just dont ever give into the blind rage that you displayed on the floor… that kind of rage is what causes murder…  now you guys go make dinner i am gonna go take a hot shower and cool off my enflamed muscles…”

Sam gave you and Arthur a nod to go on your way as he helped make sure Dean got to his room on his own…

Sam: “geez Dean neither of us acted like that when we first presented did we?”

Dean shook his head…

Dean: “nope but i bet i know someone who will… we need to talk to Cas… see if he knows anything about female Alpha/Omega’s ill talk to him… it will be easier if i do the talking since i’m the one who said lets just not tell her and i didnt listen to you when you said we should…”

Sam: “dont blame yourself Dean… you couldnt have forseen any of this.. Now lets go together to talk to cas… lets go find out how to stop this from getting worse for our baby sister…”

Dean: “i still want to take my shower first… we will go after… i mean after dinner while YN and Arthur are being cute and stuff we will say that Cas wants to meet to talk about the impending doom…”

Sam: “you know she wont like it if we lie to her…”

Dean: “i know but Sammy what other choice do we have… we cant let her hunt like this…”

Sam knew Dean was right, so he left his brother so Dean could get his muscles healing… but he still felt bad for how they hid this from their sister… sure it was the right thing to do but when you turned 16 or became a teenager they could possibly have prepared you for this but not all of whats happened is their fault…

Dean texts cas and says to meet outside the bunker in 30 minutes its important… and to text when arrived… Cas responds with okay… 

Dean all through his time in his room, he kept running the fight through his head… those attacks you pulled were not normal.. Your fighting skills had never been like that… 

Meanwhile in the kitchen you and Arthur were pealing and cutting potatos…

Arthur: “how do you feel love?”

YN: “bout normal, whatever that means… i just cant believe i let Dean talk me into training i knew i would hurt someone… i dont know what came over me… it was like posession or something… but im just glad that through all that your vocals kept me from killing… is that my omega side responding to you my alpha?”

Arthur: “yes it is but that alpha side of yours needs to be put under control… otherwise its gonna be rough road ahead… you mentioned that it felt like posessson… how so love?”

You put the pealed potato on the cutting board in front of Arthur and sighed…

YN: “it was like i lost control of my body, like the actions were not my own… i didnt even recognize my own voice. Babe it was an awful feeling but i cant shake the fact that it didnt feel like me… it was like i lost myself…”

Arthur: “when did you start feeling this way?”

YN: “shortly after you claimed me… it was like a heatwave it just hit me and shortly after Dean hit the mats was when i snapped out of it… “

Arthur: “lets check the lore and see what we can find out but im gonna say that your not going on a hunt till you get this under control… we cant risk anything happening to you in the field… plus it will give us some alone time…”

Arthur winked at you, he had that seductive look in his eyes again… you smiled and went back to making sure you didnt peel your fingers instead of the potatoes… Arthur was definately getting used to your scent…

From the first time Arthur spoke you were used to his accent infact you were turned on by it… meanwhile Dean and Sam were making sure that neither you nor Arthur were looking as they snuck out of the bunker to meet with Cas… 

Dean: “thank you for coming Cas…”

Cas: “of course but what happened? You both seem worried.”

Dean: "its YN she presented as both an alpha and an omega… She is having problems gaining control. We are extremely worried… It Was the fact that Ketch bit her he claimed her… LikeLike the proof is right beside the impala… But her emotions she is spiraling. Cas what do you know about this?”

Cas: “her emotional spiral is apart of her alpha side arguing with her omega side, neither side will be at peace till she obeys the laws of the universe that were written out by God himself long before YN existed… she and ketch have to be properly married in the eyes of the holy hosts and consummate their union. Kind of like a royalty thing. This is their destiny, pre arranged by God himself. It cannot be denied. This is her bodies way of saying this needs to happen sooner rather than later." 

Dean:  "so wait your saying that we have to witness them getting married then their consummation…”

Both Sam and Dean were appauled by this thought but were happy at the idea of getting you back to normal… 

The 3 gentlemen went inside the bunker and into the study where they found you and Arthur looking through the lore… 

Dean: “hey sprout can I talk to you for a second.?”

YN:  “of course like privately?" 

Dean nods so you kiss Arthur on the cheek… You follow your brother to his room, where as soon as you enter he shuts the door… you turned around and looked very confusingly at your brother.

YN: “whats wrong D? Your not angry about what happened in training are you? Cause it felt like i was possessed when i was fighting you… like i wasnt in control of my own body..”

Dean: “cas knows how to save you… how you can regain control of your mind, body and emotions.”

YN: “thats great but how do we do that?”

Dean: “well like Sam and Cas are probably explaining to Arthur right now, and i gather that talk may not be going as well as this one… but here it goes… in order for you to be yourself again, you and Arthur have to get married, then consummate the marriage like in royal days where the dignitaries and important people have to witness the consummation… like ASAP…”

Your eyes went wide, but Dean went over to his closet and then pulled out a clothing bag… he lays the clothing bag on his bed and backs up a bit…

Dean: “go ahead sis, take a look… i got it for you as soon as we made this deal with Ketch… i knew you would need it eventually so i was waiting for the right moment to give it to you.”

You opened the bag to reveal a silver column styled one shoulder sequin lace cocktail dress. The side with the shoulder was the one that clearly showed your mark… your eyes went wide, a shocked small shrill of joy fell from your lips, tears of happiness fell from your eyes. You looked at your big brother who was tearing up himself then cleared his throat so he could speak again.

Dean: “YN, every year before now Sammy and i watched you grow into this beautiful young woman… but we know that not telling you about the family gene pool was stupid. But this marriage between you and Arthur was apparently decided by God himself. Which is a load of shit cause it just is, as well as the thought that you are gonna be a married woman… its just so hard… i wish mom and Dad were here to see this, to see the kind of woman you have become… to see you get married. You know they would have gone over board big white wedding type thing… but right now Sam has probably convinced Arthur to call Lady Bevell and request that they be present via skype for this ocassion. Cas is gonna decorate, make this place look more like a castle type setting… suitable for the events… Sam is gonna help Arthur cope with everything… just as im helping you… i know this is alot to process but i promise you, this new journey ahead of you will allow the winchester name and legacy to carry on through you and Arthur. I hope you can understand that once you and Arthur get married you guys arent leaving right away… Arthur wants you to have as much time as you need to adjust to being married before you guys go back to Britain…”

You instantly go over and embrace your brother, he returns your embrace and the moment lasts a few moments then is released…

YN: “thank you… without you and Sam protecting me i dont know what would have happened. I am just glad that i got the 2 best hunters in all of america as my brothers.”

Thats when you heard a knock at the bedroom door… you looked at your brother who then smirked.

YN: “whats going on? Whose at the door?”

Dean: “just go open the door… trust me YN this is needed… let me just grab my monkey suit… or at least the dress shirt…”

You went to the door and opened it to get tackled in a familiar female embrace…

Jo: “getting married huh? And you didnt invite me… good thing mom and i were in the area… we rushed right over here… we also saw bobby in the living room… and rufus and ash has already broken into your fireball whiskey there Dean… he wanted me to tell you that he challenges you to the fireball challenge.”

Dean: “he needs to be careful who he is messing with… ill leave you ladies to get ready… ill shoot a text when its time. Ill also send over your mom to help with anything… and to bring you gals some alcohol.”

Dean takes the shirt that he was gonna wear and leaves out his door closing it behind him… that was when Jo came over to sit on the bed beside you… 

Jo: “i know that look want to tell me why your suddenly getting married…”

YN: “to cut a long story short, my brothers found the colt that was stolen from them years ago, and have obeyed mom and dads wishes by trading me for the colt. They said something about needing the colt for the evil thats coming or that they think is coming or something like that… the guy that im set to marry, his name is Arthur Ketch, he is british, he is muscular hot and an alpha who claimed by alpha/omega ass yea i presented as both and it shocked everyone. It caused me to beat up Dean pretty badly in training earlier. I guess Dean and Sam went to Cas for answers now i have to marry Arthur as soon as possible and have it like a royalty thing where the important people witness the consummation between the wedded couple, cause apparently thats what God had put in the book of Destiny for me and Arthur… Cause thats apparently the only way to take the edge off of what my body is arguing over my alpha side and my omega side are arguing. They are fighting which explains alot now that i think about it.. But one thing isnt clear i dont know what to do… i am not even sure im ready for any of this… its like Dean and Sam arent telling me something and things will end up going wrong. Jo im scared…”

Jo hugs you from the side and fears you are gonna spiral if something happens to Sam and Dean… 

Jo: “this about it this way girl… your brothers love you very much and right now they are just making sure your future is secure and right now its pretty clear that if what you are telling me is true then we need at least 1 drink to help you through all of this.. By the way do you have any lingere…”

You texted Sam to send the bags from the jag with Ellen… Sam replyed with Ellen has already gotten those and is on her way. You and Jo just lay back and stare at the ceiling not daring to believe that there are forces who have control over the destinies of everyone because he wrote them in some sort of imaginary book… 

Jo: “i would be grateful that they at least found you someone hot to marry, i mean all the ones mom has sent my way were fat and ugly.. I couldnt believe they were alphas… i want to marry someone who understands me for me…”

YN: “you know Dean is in love with you right girl… that he has been for a few years now…”

Jo: “i know, he fell in love with me the day he and i danced to REO speedwagon in the roadhouse after hours. I turned him down, i was scared… i didnt want to ruin the friendship we kinda have. I would have told him that day in the roadhouse if mom wasnt picky about who i end up with…”

YN: “Jo as your best friend im gonna say this, i would tell him the truth or just you know kiss him… make him want to claim you… if what he says is true, im achieving what my brothers never could, but you can make this a reality for Dean… just take the risk… dont let your mom no matter how wonderful she is dictate your life. Take charge, we make our own futures…”

You and Jo hugged it out and then went back to admiring your dress… Jo then opened her bag and pulled out the accessories…

Jo: “Dean called me a week ago and warned me to have a few wedding accessories ready for you… he had a feeling that you and Arthur would be married before the end of the month so now lets wait for my mo…”

Before Jo could finish speaking, there was a rap at the door. Jo went and opened it and in came Ellen… 

Ellen: “oh honey you’ve grown so much since we last saw you… but now your getting married oh honey, he seems like a very nice man, but i take it from the rush and the hush hush of the wedding that it is a long and crazy story and a really good explanation behind this…”

YN: “it is a really interesting conversation… ill explain later or you can grill Dean for it… but it would mean alot to me Ellen if you and Jo would help me get ready… to look fabulous for the day my life gets back on track.” 

Both the ladies in that room with you nodded they sat you down in the chair and had you start going through the bags deciding what kind of lingere to wear with the dress, and what to do with your hair and your nails and it was just a blast… then came time for the dress.. This was the moment you, Jo and Ellen had all been waiting for, with your hair and nails done you felt the fabric slide over your skin, the low moan that left your lips was your thought of Arthur and how he felt against you.

Til this second you hadnt looked in the mirror for the nervous feeling that was gripping you tight was far to great. It wasnt till Ellen and Jo stood you in front of the closet mirror with your eyes closed that the nervous feeling kinda subsided.. It went away faster when they revealed to you your reflection in the mirror. 

You put your hands over your mouth for 2 seconds before moving them down your body… then letting out a low squeal of joy, you spun round in the dress. Ellen and Jo snapping photos from every angle… 

Jo: “that dress is sexy girl!!!”

Ellen: “YN, that dress is hella purty… your brother has good taste…”

YN: “yes it appears he does.. But i dont understand how the hell could he afford this… ive seen this particular dress, it was like super expensive… how did he afford this…”

Ellen: “your brother went and entered a blackjack tourney while on a hunt… Sam was investigating while Dean was cleaning house.. He used a luck charm he got from a psychic named Pamela Barnes. He said that it was the most he had ever won… but he said that he wanted to put the money away for something for you… something of a peace offering for putting your life and training through hell and back.”

Your eyes went wide, you knew your brother was a gambling shark but to hear that Dean changed his direction while on a hunting trip, just to make enough money to ensure your own happiness. 

You were unsure of how to respond… You were now helping Jo do her hair and do her dress up as you girls had done for ages on many numerous occasions. 

YN: "my brother strayed from a hunt, just to make money to secure my happiness… Why would he do that? Hunting is more important than my happiness.”

Dean who had been standing in the door way, stepped into the room and spoke. 

Dean: “cause you are the most important thing in my life. Being your big brother I wanted to make ensure that your future would be secure even after Sam and I were gone. We could not let you have the Winchester curse of swindling and card scams and and and… I know your still skeptical on marrying Arthur, but right now I can tell you this, the way that it looks out there and then way you look sis, this day is your day. Today is your inheritance. Today is your beginning to do and accomplish what Sam and I have never been able to… I know we were tough on you, but that was out way of protecting you. Anyway I’m here to escort you down the aisle sis. They are ready when you are…”

YN: “Jo Ellen can you guys give me a few moments alone with my brother?" 

Both ellen and Jo left the room, this left you and Dean alone. 

Dean: "you look exquisite in that dress sis! I knew I made the right choice.”

YN: “I hope someone else sees it that way. I know you are happy for me, but someone in the universe set this, my destiny in motion many a year ago.. Dean I don’t blame you or Sam for hiding the truth, I just wish I would have known about what was gonna happen to me. I love you bro, both you and Sam are the most important things to me. I’m so glad you guys are here to be with me on my wedding day. But bro be honest with me now, what danger is so important that you guys made this deal for the colt.”

Dean: “There is a darkness that is descending upon the world. It’s so bad that we figure having the colt not knowing what we are up against is a good idea. We also figure we can teach you how to hunt like a Winchester and secure your future before we get caught up in this war… This marriage is both your safe haven and your security. Both yours and Arthur’s names are the emergency fail safes on the lease for the impala and the storage container, Bobby’s yard!/house, the roadhouse and of course the bunker. Should me and Sam no longer be around to do anything concerning any of those places or it’s people we had you guys put down. There are also forms for you both to sign regarding the Winchester wills mine and Sam’s if this battle with the darkness goes south all we have is yours and Arthur’s.”

Sam walks in a few moments later and let’s off a whistle… 

Sam: “my God sis you look amazing!”

Dean:  “doesn’t she just look purty! Is everyone ready?" 

Sam nods… 

Sam:  "yes and everyone is waiting on YN… TheyThey sent me back to find out what’s happening?" 

Dean looks at you and you turn away so your brothers don’t see you cry… But they didn’t leave, instead they came up behind you and hugged you… This moment was when you just let the tears fall… both your brothers had you in a group hug, you felt so blessed to have brothers that cared enough to protect you like this. 

YN: "thank you for being the best big brothers I could ever have asked for." 

Both Sam and Dean sniffle but when you guys broke the hug Sam went back to the door and smiled. 

Sam: "see you out there shortly…" 

You straightened out and turned to your brother who was holding his arm toward you. 

Dean: "ready to do this step sis?" 

YN: "so long as you don’t let me fall bro…" 

Dean: "you won’t fall not so long as I’m holding onto you." 

You stook his arm as Dean sent a message to start the music, through the hall you could hear the start of So Close by John McLaughlin… Then you rounded the corner with Dean just as the crowd turned to see you. 

The one set of eyes you locked yours into was Arthurs your only saving grace was those blue eyes making your body feel weak, but making you feel like you wanted to jump him right then right there. 

The only thing you were focusing on right then were his eyes, Dean was making sure you didn’t fall, he knew your eyes were locked to Arthur’s but he also was the one thing keeping you from falling.. 

Reaching the end of the aisle Dean stood there beside you with Sam on the other side of you. 

The ceremony then went something like this: 

Castiel: "friends and honored guests both in person and on the internet, welcome to the wedding of YN Winchester and Arthur Ketch, who gives this woman to be with this man." 

Dean and Sam: "we do.." 

Castiel: "will one of you place her hand in his and say repeat after me.." 

Dean allowed Sam to do this part since Dean brought you down the aisle… Sam took your left hand and placed it in Arthurs… Castiel got ready to speak again… 

Castiel: "do you promise Swearing in good faith to release this young woman into the care of this man whose heart now captivates the heart of your dear sister here? Do you also swear not to take for granted the life you and Dean gave your sister to live even if you were concealing the truth from her.? You may now say your vow on behalf of you and your brother. " 

Sam: "YN, we concealed the truth from you as per to our parents wishes, but we made the decision to not tell you the truth when you technically came of age again. Cause you were so happy just training with us and helping us do research. We didn’t want to burden you with the hunters curse information and make you worry. So on profession of our good faith and trust, do so release our sister YN into her marriage to Arthur Ketch. We also swear not to take the life we let her lead for granted cause in the end of it we were just protecting her for the sake of our parents will. We love you so much biscuit, we hope you can be happy enough to allow the Winchester legacy to continue ever more through you.”

To hear your brother say those words made you start to cry as Sam placed a kiss to your cheek, he then backed away and left you with Arthur at the alter. Castiel continued. 

Castiel: “very well… marriage in the eyes of God and the hosts is how the love we give is the love we receive. Marriage is how what we are here to celebrate today… The bond that unites the souls of YN and Arthur is the same bond that unites an alpha with their omega… No manner of being is powerful enough to break that bond, Not even God himself. Now before we exchange rings and vows does anyone object to this union?”

No one spoke up so Cas continued… 

Castiel: “it’s time for the rings and the vows. When your ready Arthur you can place the ring on YNs left hand and say the vows you have for her.”

Arthur takes the ring places it on your finger and begins to speak. 

Arthur:  “my beautiful YN, my angel, my beauty to my beast. I love how much you have meant to me these last few hours. I know that learning the truth has not been easy for you, but knowing your now my claimed Omega had put my life back on track. Now i feel whole, for the first time in my life i have clarity and now i have a bright bright future. I love you so much my love. You are my new guiding star which i promise to love, cherish, honor, protect and care for for the rest of my natural life… i promise to uphold the basic deeds and to share the responsibilities of a husband. Neither of us ever have to walk the life of a hunter alone again.”

You felt the cool band on your finger and picked up his and did the same thing he just did to you.

YN: “Arthur, for years i was subjected to the protection of my brothers brought on by my parents wish left in their will. I now know my own strength has been within me this entire time. My sheer force of will was shown when i was training earlier it was like i had another person inside of me fighting to get out. But you brought me back from the edge of disaster, you brought me out of the dark. For that I will ever more be grateful. From hence forth I swear to protect, love, cherish, honor, respect, and care for you for the rest of our lives. I hope one day in the future when we have a family of our own, we will not make the mistake of hiding this from our kids. That we will tell them the truth no matter the consequences. I love you Arthur, always and forever!”

Castiel continued speaking for it was now time to sign the papers and do the heavenly blessing. 

Castiel: “now it’s time for our couple to come over here to sign the marriage papers for both Britain and USA. Legalities are a pain in the ass. Please wait patiently while they sign these documents.”

Both you and Arthur went to the table off to the side to sign the papers, after a total of 15 signatures on 6 different documents, you both took place once more in front of Cas in front of the crowd.

Castiel: “now as an Angel of the Lord, i am honored to bestow the heavenly blessing on these two…”

At that moment the room kinda darkened as Cas began to speak again.

Castiel: “By the powers of Heaven and its hosts i honorably bestow to thee the blessings written for thee in the book of knowing, that by the book all things are written so they shall be… this couple in the book of heaven has the following to be bestowed to them this day: Fertility, wisdom, strength, faith and many more. The will of the almighty who wrote the book is that you both live the life you have together and never let anything stand between you. On that note, it is my esteemed honor to introduce to you for the first time Mr and Mrs Arthur and YN Ketch. Arthur you may now kiss your bride.”

The entire room was exploding with applause. You giggled as Arthur pulled you square to his chest and kissed you passionately. Camera lights snapped and cheering errupted. The kiss lasted for a few moments. 

Then came the first dance… you of course had danced before but not like this… not at something celebrating you, of course dancing now with Arthur, your husband (geez that was gonna take some getting used to), making out a bit on the dancefloor. Was the highlight of your evening. 

Then the time for you and Arthur to give a speech was up… after the speeches that Sam, Dean, and Jo gave you and Arthur couldnt possibly do any worse.

Arthur: “thank you all so much for supporting us. I know i havent known all of you for that long but now having married one person who is most important to many of you im sure we will become good friends in no time at all.”

YN: “i have a couple of thank yous to give out… the first one is to Castiel, thanks Cas for directing the ceremony and for the decoration this is really spectacular. The next thank you goes to my best friend Jo, you are like my sister thank you for helping me get ready for this eventful evening which is why i have to also tie this thank you in with the one i have for Dean… would the both of you just make a move already… i have heard both ends of your love story for both sides… Bro would you do me a favor and kiss her already… i know this is my day but that doesnt mean you cant take 5 seconds and tell Jo how you really feel about her… plus i want to see you happy Bro… oh and Dean thank you for everything from introducing us earlier this day to getting me a dress ahead of time and all the other details in there… im sorry for being such a pain in the ass little sister. I hope you find some happiness with Jo… honestly you guys deserve to be happy with eachother. And finally to my husband, Arthur what i said in my vows, I remembered what happened in the garage it honestly terrified me… i cant believe i almost hurt you… but you claiming me brought me out of the dark and back to the light. I cant begin to imagine what that must have been like for you. And i know you and i have growing to do as a couple, i look forward to the day when we can look back on the events of this day from our meeting till now and see the journey of a thousand miles in one simple day. So thank you for being my kryptonite…”

Arthur: “on top of those thank yous i would also like to thank Sam and Dean for helping to raise such a feisty young woman, i am honored to call you two brother.”

Castiel steps up again and a kind of silent ish bell chimes.

Castiel: “its time for the consummation… those who were told ahead of time to witness this please follow us now but those that were not please enjoy the festivites as they do continue. The bar is fully stocked please enjoy your time.”

Arthur and You went followed by 10 other people to your room. Where it now looked like that of what would be in a palace. Arthur of course carried you over the threshhold and gently set you back on your feet as the crowd poured in watching as the following took place:

Arthur helping to undo your dress

You helping Arthur out of his shirt and unbuckling his pants, watching as he pushed them off.

Arthur then laying you down on the bed, diving himself between your legs his eyes locked to your own. His hard cock positioned at the entrance to your pussy.

Arthur: “just focus on me… no one else here matters right now. Its you and me right now. This is about us… ill go slow…”

YN: “i trust you…”

Arthur kissed you passionately as he thrust his hard cock into your pussy at the same time. 

You could feel the darkness melting into a corner, you felt comfortable, you felt normal… that feeling was the feeling of you coming into the powers of both your Alpha and Omega sides blending. 

*epilogue*

Twas the next morning that you both woke up to a knock at the door. Covering up you both stayed in bed cuddling…

Arthur: “enter.”

Dean enters the room and clears his throat…

Dean: “Sam and i were gonna go on those hunts later if you guys are interested in joining. Believe me when i say that these hunts are gonna be amazing. Cas already took on the ghost… which is fine… that leave the fun stuff for us 4 to deal with. What do you guys say?”

Arthur looked down at you and you looked up at him, then both of you back at your brothers.

Arthur: “sounds like a family hunting trip… hows about it babe? Ready to hunt!”

YN: “saving people, hunting things, it truly is the family business… when do we leave?”

Arthur reaches beside the bed and into his bag pulling out a box and tossing it to Dean. Dean opens it and brings it over to show you… The Colt.

Arthur: “as promised Brother here is the colt back now in your possession.”

~thats all folks~

[failes-xtra-bits]

 CHAPTER 7

             So they take off for Marlas the following morning, after a public hanging that does NOT put Makedon in good spirits. Damen and Laurent evenly matched, riding side by side. 

Damen was taller, but nothing could be done about that, Hendric, (the Veretian Herald) had said with an impenetrable expression. 

Damen couldn't tell if he was joking. He rode closer to Laurent.

'At Marlas, we’ll stay in adjacent chambers,’ said Damen. ‘It’s protocol.’

‘Of course,’ said Laurent, his eyes also on the road.

Laurent showed no sign of distress, and sat upright in the saddle, as though nothing at all had happened to his shoulder. He spoke charmingly to the generals and even made pleasant conversation in response to Nikandros, when Nikandros spoke to him.

‘I hope the injured boy was returned to you safely.’

‘Thank you, he returned with Paschal,’ said Laurent.

When they reached Delpha...

'Welcome home,’ Nikandros said.

Akielos. He drew in a breath of Akielon air. In months of captivity he had thought of this moment.

Damen glances over at Laurent, who is of course, above it all. To be fair, Delpha used to belong to Vere and the people there are more excited to see him, this must make him feel some kind of way.

Damen doesn't recognize Marlas when they arrive. It's grown lush and green with beautiful wildflowers, so drastically different from when they battled there. Also this.

Damen looked at the courtyard. The parapets were broken down and reshaped. The stonework hacked off. The stone itself carted off for use in new building, the splendid rooftops and towers levelled into an Akielon style. Now it looks bare and barren to him. Laurent does not react to the changes but thanks Nikandros for his welcome.

Inside the household is waiting for them. 2 dozen slaves lining the walls. At first Nikandros is upset because the King's preference is known, until they realize that they are for Laurent. Laurent, ever the gracious guest picks a young slave with the coloring of Damen and Nikandros(hmmm), named Isander.

‘I like that one,’ said Laurent.

The slaves were dressed in the northern style, in light gauzy silks that threaded through the link on their collar and covered very little. Laurent was indicating to the third slave to the left, a dark, bowed head.

‘An excellent choice,’ said Kolnas. ‘Isander, step forward.’

Damen realizing that Isander is pure frowns.

'The slave remains wholly untouched, kept pure for the first use of the Exalted.’

Laurent’s eyes lifted to Damen’s.

‘I never did learn how to command a bed slave,’ said Laurent. ‘Teach me.’

‘They cannot speak Veretian, Your Highness,’ Kolnas explained. ‘In the Akielon language, using the plain form of address is appropriate. To command any act of service is to honour a slave. The more personal the service, the greater the honour.’

‘Really? Come here,’ said Laurent.

Isander rose for the second time, a faint tremor in his body as he came as close as he dared before dropping to the ground again, his cheeks bright red. He looked a little dazed by the attention. Laurent extended the tip of his boot.

‘Kiss it,’ he said. His eyes were on Damen. He's such a little shit, toying with Damen. He knows what he's doing. Poor Isander.

Damen is preparing for the banquet and reflecting on how homecoming is not quite what he expected. I would even say he's feeling a bit misunderstood, alone, his world is bigger now so he doesn't quite fit. 

When the last laurel leaf (how did I never see this?) was arranged, the last piece of fabric wound into place, Damen proceeded with his squires into the hall.

Men and women reclined on couches, amid scattered low tables or on low, cushioned benches.

 Pallas, the handsome officer-champion, reclined with the easy posture that spoke to his aristocratic blood(and this! He isnt just a lowly soldier,  this feeds in to my theory on Laurent and Jealousy).

So they are now at the banquet Laurent and his immaculate manners and besotted slave to do his bidding, Damen brooding. Time comes to talk about pledging support.

Barieus stepped forward. ‘I want assurances that Vere does not hold undue influence over Akielos.’

Undue influence. ‘Speak plainly.’

‘They say the Prince of Vere is your lover.’

Silence. No one would have dared speak that way in his father’s court. 

‘Who we take to our bed is not your concern.’

‘If our King takes Vere to his bed, it is our concern,’ said Barieus.

‘Shall I tell them what really happened between us? They want to know,’ Laurent said.

Laurent began to unlace the cuff of his sleeve, drawing the ties through the eyelets, then opening the fabric to expose the fine underside of his wrist—and then the unmistakable gold of the slave cuff.

So apparently the cuff means ownership of the royal family. I don't think that Damen thought of it as ownership like his people do, just part of a shared experience and sentimentality over what brought them together. He's shrewd enough to know he's laying some kind of claim, but I bet Laurent thought the whole thing through and realized the complete meaning of the cuff or how people would see it. OWNERSHIP, deeply pledged to the royal family. 

Do I have the question clear?’ said Laurent, speaking in Akielon. ‘You are asking if I lay with the man who killed my own brother?’

Laurent wore the slave cuff with utter disregard. He had no owner, the aristocratic arrogance of his posture said that. Laurent had always possessed an essential quality of the untouchable. He cultivated a faultless grace on the reclining couch, his chiselled profile and marble-chip eyes those of a statue. The idea that he would let anyone fuck him was impossible.

Barieus said, ‘A man would have to be ice-cold to sleep with his brother’s killer.’

‘Then you have your answer,’ said Laurent. (I love this, because he answers the question, but it doesn't mean what they think, I'd they think differently he knows they won't press the issue.)

There was a silence, in which Laurent’s gaze held that of Barieus.

‘Yes, Exalted. They pledge to Damen.

Laurent requests The Fall of Inactos, Damen broods some more, jealous of Isander.

The wine came. As he took up the cup, he saw Jord approaching Aimeric's parents to pay his respects.

‘Thank you, soldier.’

She gave him the token attention a lady might give to any servant, and turned back to her conversation with her husband.

Before he realised it, Damen had lifted his hand and summoned Jord over. Approaching the dais, Jord made the three prostrations as ungracefully as a man wearing a new armour suit.

‘You have good instincts,’ Damen heard himself say.

It was the first time that he had spoken to Jord since the battle at Charcy. He felt how different this was to the nights they’d sat around a campfire swapping stories. He felt how different everything was. Jord gazed at him for a long moment, then indicated Laurent with his chin.

‘I’m glad you two are friends,’ said Jord.

‘It’s good that you could trust each other,’ said Jord. And then: ‘I think before you came, he didn’t really trust anyone.’

Damen said, ‘He didn’t.’

 He and Jord part ways Damen see's Laurent whisper to Isander and head out the door. He goes to follow him and realizes that he's abandoned the slave and gone for a ride. He finds Laurent at the site of his brother's death.

Clearing a last jut of stone, he saw the curve of a shoulder in the moonlight, the white of a loose shirt, his outer garments stripped, all wrists and exposed throat. Laurent was sitting on a stone outcrop. His jacket was discarded uncharacteristically. He was sitting on it. Stone slid under his heel. Laurent turned. For a moment, Laurent looked at him wide-eyed, young, and then the look in his eyes changed, as though the universe had fulfilled an ineluctable promise. ‘Oh,’ he said, ‘perfect.’

Damen said, ‘I thought you might want—’

‘Want?’

'A friend,’ said Damen. He used Jord’s word. His chest felt tight. ‘If you’d prefer me to leave, I will.’

‘Why cavil?’ said Laurent. ‘Let’s fuck.’

He said it with his shirt unlaced, the wind teasing the opening there. They faced each other.

'That isn’t what I meant.’

It might not be what you meant, but it’s what you want.’ Laurent said, ‘You want to fuck me.’

Anyone else would have been drunk. Laurent was dangerously sober. I really want to know what he'd have done if Damen would have taken him up on his offer.

‘I came because I thought you might want to talk.’

‘Not particularly.’ (again, there's an undertone that I missed before, sure he's trying to put Damen off, but is he really? I think he might want comfort but is disgusted with himself and can't really ask for it).

He said, ‘About your brother.’

‘I never fucked my brother,’ said Laurent, with a strange edge to the words. ‘That is incest.’ 

They were standing in the place where his brother had died. With a disorientating sensation Damen realised they weren’t going to talk about that. They were going to talk about this.

‘You’re right,’ said Damen. ‘I’ve been thinking about it since Ravenel. I haven’t been able to stop thinking about it.’

‘Why?’ said Laurent. ‘Was I that good?’

'No. You fucked like a virgin,’ said Damen, ‘half the time. The rest of the time—’

‘Like I knew what to do?’

‘Like you knew what you were used to.’

He saw the words impact. Laurent swayed, like he’d been dealt a blow.

Laurent said, ‘I’m not certain I can take your particular brand of honesty just at the moment.’

Damen said, ‘I don’t prefer sophistication in bed, if you were wondering.’

'That’s right,’ said Laurent. ‘You like it simple.’

All the breath left his throat. He stood, stripped, unready for it. Will you use even that against me? he wanted to say, and didn’t. Laurent’s breathing was shallow too, holding his ground.

‘He died well,’ Damen made himself say. ‘He fought better than any man I’ve known. It was a fair fight, and he felt no pain. The end was quick.’

‘Like gutting a pig?’

Damen felt like he was reeling. He barely heard the rumbling of sound. Laurent jerked around to look into the dark, where the sound was growing louder—hoof beats, thundering closer.

‘You sent your men out to look for me too?’ said Laurent, his mouth twisting.

 ‘No,’ said Damen, and pushed Laurent hard out of sight, into the shelter of one of the huge, crumbling blocks of stone.

They hide from a troop of riders.

And then they were gone, passing them as quickly as they had arrived, disappearing across the fields towards a destination in the west. The hoof beats receded. Damen didn’t move, their chests pressed to each other, Laurent’s shallow breath against his shoulder.

He felt himself shoved back as Laurent pushed himself out to stand with his back to him, breathing hard.

Damen stood with his hand against the stone, and looked after him across the landscape of strange shapes. Laurent didn’t turn back to him, just stood holding himself still. Damen could see him once again as a pale outline in a thin shirt.

‘I know you’re not cold,’ said Damen. ‘You weren’t cold when you ordered me tied to the post. You weren’t cold when you pushed me down on your bed.’(Damen! Theres a threat! Get yo head outtake yo ass!)

 ‘We need to leave.’ Laurent spoke without looking at him. ‘We don’t know who those riders were, or how they got past our scouts.’

‘Laurent—’

‘A fair fight?’ said Laurent, turning back to him. ‘No fight’s ever fair. Someone’s always stronger.’

And then the bells from the fort began to ring, the sound of a warning, their sentries belatedly reacting to the presence of unknown riders. Laurent reached down to snag up his jacket, shrugging into it, laces hanging loose. Damen brought over their horses, unhooking his reins from the stone column. Laurent swung up wordlessly into his saddle and put his heels into his horse, both of them riding hard.

[legion1993]

Arranged to Keep Her Safe

title: Arranged to keep her safe

pairing: Ketch x Sister!Reader

kink square filled: Accent Kink

dark square filled: Ketch

heaven & Hell square filled: the colt

ABO square filled: arranged marriage

Rating: 18+

tags: Alpha claiming omega, Presenting as both Alpha and omega, fighting, vaginal penetration (like in the last few paragraphs), flirtation, making out, blood, sibling training

word count: 9,777

Created for @spndarkbingo  @spnkinkbingo @heavenandhellbingo @spnabobingo

Kink masterlist    H&H Masterlist   Dark Masterlist   ABO Masterlist

hunting for any reason at all is something you have always wanted to do… but your brothers Sam & Dean Winchester weren’t going to let you…

they instead were gonna honor your parents wishes & raise you to be normal… this meant no hunting for you, but you knew something was up one day when your brothers arrived back at the bunker with another man.

it wasn’t Cas or anyone you knew, it was someone new… someone who looked like he was striking a deal of sorts with your brothers.

Dean came over to you while Sam stayed talking with the mysterious guest. 

Dean: “come sis, let’s go for a walk.” 

You never turned down the chance to take a walk with your older brother. Dean as always takes your arm & leads you out of the bunker, both of you walking down the same long dirt road you often walked down. 

Dean: “I’m guessing you have questions about the hush hush visitor.” 

You nodded. Very unsure if you wanted to hear your brother’s answers. 

YN: “who is he first of all?” 

Dean: “his name is Arthur Ketch.. Look sis, Sammy and I have kept you out of as much of the danger as possible. But in their wills they said if Sam and I ever had to Bayer a deal, we were to use you as a bargaining chip. Well that had happened for we have arranged for you to marry Ketch… ” 

YN (yelling): “so what I don’t even have a say… I don’t get the chance to decide my own future… Yet you & Sam get to decide my future for me… In what universe did you think I would ever be okay with this…”

 Dean was a little shocked, he had never heard you raise your voice at him like ever… That kinda hurt him, but how else was he expecting you to react after all he just dropped bomb central on you. 

Dean: “YN look I know your upset, but please understand that this is a good thing especially with the danger Sam & I are heading into… I wanted to be the one to tell you about this kiddo cause i knew that Sam could finish this deal in propriety while I somehow convinced you that this marriage is a good thing.“ 

You were pacing, you had no idea what the hell was happening, your brothers were auctioning your life, your future. 

 YN: "what could possibly be so important that you and Sam would gamble my future away?" 

 Dean: "the colt!" 

You had heard the legends of this magnificent gun that could kill pretty much anything… You even got to see it in action once… 

 Yn: "are you sure it’s the same colt that Bella took & sold?" 

 Dean: "yep cause ketch showed it to us, the second we said we would make him an offer he couldn’t possibly refuse, you were that offer… we need to get the colt back, there is danger brewing sis, for what we fear is coming you cannot be here… you cannot witness whats about to happen. do not fight us on this… you can get to know him first but your getting married to him before he has to bring you back to his home. if there had been another bargaining option we would have done so… look let me make it up to you. ill take you on your first hunt as my way of an apology…what do you feel like sis, Ghost, poltergeist or vamps?”

YN: “thats okay bro, i like the sound of going on my first hunt but i say why not all 3, are they all roughly in the same area… but where is he from?”

Dean: “ketch is british… yes yes they are, about 5-10 minutes from eachother. all along the road to come back here. but sis, if we go on this string of hunts you must understand that if you start feeling weird like your body starts converging or starts to feel really really warm all of the sudden, tell me immediately.”

You looked really confusingly at your brother, but agreed none the less. then your mind went into the thoughts of omg, me married, thats a scary thought… 

YN: “what about your honoring mom and dads wishes?”

Dean: “well im sure they will be just as proud of how much we have trained and protected you all the same. but Sam and i want to see you wed incase trouble strikes sooner than expected.”

YN: “isnt Ketch apart of the British Men of Letters?”

 Dean: “yes he is…”

YN: “didnt they try to kill you guys?”

Dean: “that was a precaution according to them… they didnt know whether we were friend or foe…”

Your eyes went wondering what the british men of letters would think of you… not that you know they would be able to do anything, i mean by the time you get back you and Ketch technically would already be married.

YN: “do you think Ketch would want to join me for a run into town? i need a few things and i figure you guys want a beer & liquor stalk..”

Dean: “does this mean you are ready to meet him?”

you nod… nervous feelings building in your stomach but you dismissed them.

Dean: “okay i know your probably nervous as hell right now but chill. Ketch would be a fool not to fall instantly for you…”

you took a few breaths as you and Dean re-entered the bunker, Dean freely goes down the stairs, you peak over the railing as Dean calls…

Dean: “we are back…”

Sam and another man who you presumed was Ketch came out of the study and the first glance you got of Ketch practically knocked you off your feet�� when Dean turned around to introduce you he noticed you werent behind him, so he figured your nerves were getting the better of you…

Dean: “come on down YN, there is someone down here who is anxious to meet you…”

you nervously went back up the stairs and stood up descending the staircase, you could feel the eyes of your brothers and one longing gaze from the man who was to be your husband.

Ketch made his way to the bottom of the staircase, to recieve your hand in his own and to plant a kiss to the back of your hand.

Arthur: “YN, you are even more radiant than your brothers described. my name is Ketch, Arthur Ketch.”

YN: “My dear brother had said you were dashing, he didnt say you were moi caliente.”

this made Arthur laugh as he helped you the rest of the way down the stairs. 

your brothers were seeing the way you and Ketch were looking at eachother, you and Arthur went to sit in the study, you went on your laptop and placed orders for your hunting clothing a couple other items and then Arthur had you help pick out the engagement/wedding bands. 

with everything ordered, you turned to Dean to bat your eye lashes…

Dean: “let me guess you want to stay here kiddo?”

YN: “ill call tim and tell him to have the usual order ready and if your worried about getting girl coodies all over baby, then take my jag… i mean ill let you drive it just this once Dean… but you break it you repair it, do you hear me…”

Dean: “of course… come on Sam, your coming with me to help me carry this shit..”

neither sam nor dean said much of a goodbye after you said they could take the jag… you and arthur just laughed at how fast they ran out of there. this left you and arthur alone in the bunker. 

you eventually got up to pour you and Arthur some drinks, his gaze not leaving your body. like he was mentally undressing you or something. 

YN: “see something you like?”

Arthur: “just enjoying the delicious view that is you…”

YN: “well that is something i certainly can easily get used to hearing.”

you brought the drinks to where you guys were sitting and pulled out your phone calling tim…

Tim: “YN hows it going girl?”

YN: “exceptional as always, man my brothers are doing the town run today… they are doing my bidding for once… can u have the usual order ready? i dont know how long till they get there… they have to stop at a few places for me first…”

Tim: “of course i will have that ready. see ya round chica.”

you hung up the phone and felt Arthur’s arm around your waist… this sent your body into a hotter state… Arthur smelled this right away.

Arthur: “i love that heated scent you are giving off…”

YN: “your accent is turning me on and i am getting another heated burst…”

Arthur: “do you get these heat bursts often?”

YN: “only around the full moon. but this time seems worse…”

Arthur: “your presenting… how much do you know about the history of hunters?”

YN: “my brothers have mostly kept me out of that loop… why what do you mean i’m presenting.?.”

Arthur: “YN just try to cool down… you need to keep your temp at a decent temperature like keep calm dont let your emotions go out of control.”

YN: “why whats happening to me?”

Arthur: “just do what i say… lets distract you… wanna show me this fabulous garage you guys have?”

you get up but a hand reaching for yours startles you slightly but feels normal as you both walk to the garage… you open the door and walk inside. you walk around and lean against the impala as Arthur looks around. 

Arthur: “and all these belong to you and your brothers.?.”

YN: “yep… its a family business find beaten down cars get them, sell them or keep them… spare cars… in hunting its needed or so my brothers say.”

Arthur: “you look sexy leaning against the impala like that…”

Arthur had removed his blazer and now stood in front of you… 

Arthur: “i saw that look back at the computer. do you want to talk about it?”

YN: “i saw the look on your face with those totals. i would understand if you want to yell at me… but know its gonna go a long way…”

Arthur in that moment answered the only way that he deemed logical… pressing himself against you as he held your waist planting a kiss to your lips… this was unexpected, this was also your first kiss… 

YN: “i think this conversation is better left for somewhere a little more comfortable…”

Arthur: “i dont know im pretty comfy right here…”

you had no complaints the next hour and a half were spent making out while having you sit on the hood of the impala… your heat bursts became more frequent as time passed. 

Arthur: “are you alright love? your burning up…”

YN: “make it stop… make the burning stop…”

Arthur: “your brothers are gonna walk in at any minute… but i can do this…”

Arthur in that moment pulls back from you and removes his shirt, the cooling sensation of his skin against yours made your heat bursts slow drastically.

Arthur: “im an alpha as such i have a right to wait till you present fully to claim you… to make my mark on you, to claim you as my own. your brothers are alphas as well, they have been massively protective of you, but thats their nature. thats how this works. your scent is all over the place i cant tell what you are presenting as but if your heat is this bad i would think maybe an alpha…”

you and arthur went back to making out, the sound of tires approaching on the dirt road, the purr of the sweet engine, you knew that was your jag, thats when it happened. 

you pulled back as Arthur backed away you turned to look at yourself in the mirror of the impala. you then let out a earth shattering scream, as your brothers pulled up into the garage upon the sight of you screaming. they got out of the jag and went to Arthur…

Dean: “whats happening?”

Arthur: “she’s presenting… did you guys not tell her about any of this?”

Dean: “no we didnt per to our parent’s wishes.”

Arthur: “well i couldnt tell from her scent what she is, but i guess we are about to find out…”

at that moment you let out a roar, it shook the entire compound. Dean, Sam and Arthur were all ready incase your instincts decided to turn you animal…

thats when you turned to look at everyone, your eyes flashed immediately from gold to red to kind of a blood gold. the words you heard after that went something like this…

Sam: “thats impossible…”

Dean: “arthur you need to be ready buddy, i dont know how she is entirely gonna be right now…”

Arthur: “she is the first hunter ever to present as both Alpha and Omega… lets see what i can do…”

Arthur took everything that could possibly scare you out of his pockets and off his person, then he made his slow approach to you…

Arthur: “YN, take it easy babe… lets try something.. nod if you can hear me and recognize who i am..”

you nod watching his blurry figure coming closer.

Arthur: “babe, nod if i can approach you fully…”

you nod again kind of un tensing at the soft touch of his hands on your forearms. Arthur came round behind you and wrapped his arms around your waist. he then brushed your hair away from your neck and shoulder. 

the next thing you hear is a growl from behind you, your eyes went wide at hearing this… it was like your entire body was no longer responding for its own, but instead to Arthur and his movements.

Arthur let out a loud shattering roar before sinking his fangs into your shoulder… this made you let out a moaning roar.. your brothers eyes went wide as they watched Arthur claim you… 

blood was dripping down your back and front, as well as down Arthurs chest. with each drop that hit the ground this made your brothers growl lowly… but nothing compared to how you would be feeling after this little session. 

After 5 minutes Arthur removed his fangs from you, he then spun you round to face him… the familiarity of his features was almost like a ray of sunshine. suddenly your eye sight became un blurred, it was also the fact that now you were seeing clearly that your eyes first saw the blood.

YN: “whose blood is that, ugh why do i feel weird, what happened…”

Arthur: “what do you remember?”

YN: “nothing, will someone explain while i go get towels so Arthur and i can get cleaned up…”

your brothers made sure the jag was in the garage and that the outside door to the garage was closed, before following to continue explaining to you what you couldnt remember.

Dean: “we got home to find you screaming into the impala side mirror, when we asked Arthur about it he said you were presenting and that he didnt know what you would be presenting as. then we saw your eyes… they will be that blood gold for a while, but the bloodlust and the other alphaic traits were subsided when Arthur claimed you thats why there was so much blood. look YN we are so sorry we didnt tell you about any of this but we are the best hunters around for a reason. our senses are heightened thats why hunting comes so easy to us. thats why its gonna be easy for you as well.. in fact i declare a family hunting trip. Ketch that includes you, your apart of this family now. so every gear up and do what you need to do, we leave at sunset… the poltergeist in the asylum is the first stop.”

You smiled at the thought of getting to hunt. This was what you had been training for. This is what you we’re waiting for. Your mind then turned to the thought of all the blood, you zoned out you could feel the blood calling to you. 

It wasn’t till you heard your name being called in 3 different vocal tones that you snapped out of it. 

YN: "sorry guys I must have zoned out… It was weird I could hear the blood calling to me, it wanted me to drain the source. I am unsure if I like how this is going. But if everyone here is willing to show me the ropes before we leave for this hunt and how to control the bloodlust then I’ll still go on this hunt as long as everyone feels like i can control my bloodlust and abilities perfectly.”

Arthur: “dont worry babe once we get cleaned up, we will all go over to the training center and we will teach you everything you need to know.”

you finish wiping off all the blood and then you walk to your room, going inside you close your door then taking off your bloody clothes you threw them in the laundry… 

you then picked up your phone and called Dean… 

Dean: “whats wrong sis?”

YN: “can you bring me my stuff from the jag so i can pack…”

your brother, your brother sure he was a giant pain in the ass, but he was the only person you trusted to bring you the stuff and not hesitate to walk in… he has seen you worse…

Dean however walks in several moments later as your at your mirror desk half robed looking at the bite mark…

YN: “will it ever go away?”

Dean: “it will just look like you got in a fight with something and won… honestly are you okay?”

YN: “honestly, i’m not sure… i mean physically except for the pain of having been bitten im fine but mentally there is something in there and its fighting me… Dean im scared, i dont want to hurt anyone. i would rather die than hurt anyone…”

Dean: “hey, theres no need for that kind of talk… look Ketch no matter how much of an ass he is, he loves you alot… he loved you enough to claim you… thats a huge deal… something Sam and i never could achieve… but your probably the most badass out of all of us, your half alpha and half omega… that makes you the strongest… now throw on your normal workout clothes and come along sis Arthur and Sam are waiting in the training center. now that you have presented we wont go easy on you..”

you turned to fully look at your brother… 

YN: “you mean you and Sam were going easy on me… does that mean when i beat you, you werent using your full strength…”

Dean: “now now sis, i knew you would react this way just take it easy…”

YN: “take it EASY… i feel like a fool… here i thought i was so strong to beat both of my brothers… geez Dean how much were you holding back…”

Dean: “i was only using 30% of my strength… over the years i gradually increased it… start soft work our way up, with each level passed we increased how much we were exerting… but now that you have presented we dont have to hold back anymore… we are gonna use our full 100% strength and its gonna be 10x harder to take us all down… we all have something to teach you: we talked it over Arthur will teach you how to control your anger, so when in public your eyes are normal color… Sam will work on your agility how to use your speed 10x the normal rate you would go… i will teach you how to tone up your strength so you dont hurt anyone normal when hugging them or shaking their hands. then we will all fight you in a fighters circle type thing. it is one of those mass exercises that are especially helpful in these types of situations…”

You finished getting into your workout gear, and glared at your brother, flashing your eyes quickly from gold to red letting off a low growl.

YN: “your gonna pay for taking it easy on me all these years… both you and sam are gonna be eating training mat…”

Those words made Dean cringe, hearing them come out of your mouth made them worse than necessary… you stalked your way out of your room, down the hallway, going left at the fork and then entering the room, you removed your sandals and charged at Sam whose back was facing you… you then pulled a natasha romanov… 

You wrapped your ankles round his neck and flipped him to the ground… 

YN: “thats for taking things easy on me bro… oh yeah Dean told me about that, lets just say im not happy about…”

Sam: “well i can tell that your not happy, but why flip me to the ground and how the hell did i not see this coming…”

YN: “what was it you told me… never turn your back on your opponant…”

You were aware at that moment of your other brother entering the room… Dean decided to try to pull that same move on you, you instead jumped and pinned him to the ground…

YN: “told you that both you and Sam would be eating training mat…”

Arthur let out a whistle that caught your attention, you got up off the ground and went over to him… his touch soothing you…  as both your brothers got up off the ground.

Arthur: “boys i dont think our lessons are gonna get through until we see what else she can do… cause that was some impressive skill that my girl just pulled off…”

Dean: “oh screw you Ketch… fine little sister thinks she is so tough, fine i challenge YN, my lesson might get taught right now it might not… Sam get off the floor, YN when your ready…”

You kissed Arthur before stepping foot on the floor… this was the kind of thing that always got you excited, this was what you now had been waiting for since presenting… a chance to show your brothers whose the more superior Winchester Sibling.

You took a stance in front of your brother who now was waiting for you to make the first move…

YN: “you think you can beat me bro… lets see im gonna give you a simple task do not hold back… use every ounce of strength you got… once i have taken you down, either Sam or Arthur are allowed to step into the ring to give me their lesson… of course you know bro that just because your my brother doesnt mean ill hold back even an ounce of strength…”

Dean: "are you gonna stand there running your mouth or are you gonna fight?" 

YN: "both…”

You and Dean now circling let off low growls… but you stepped to the left to circle the other way, and just dodged Dean lunging at you… he quickly recovered and you jumped high landing on his back…

YN: “had enough yet bro?”

Dean: “of course not…”

Dean flipped over and landed himself on top of you, letting out a roar of disapproval you bunched your knees beneath his body and lodged yourself free sending Dean flying across the room once more…

You half flipped yourself off the ground…

YN: “had enough yet bro?”

Dean: “whats a matter sis? You getting tired yet?”

YN: “not a prayer but i dont want to hurt you… so if you surrender now ill consider making you a few personal sized pies for the trip…”

Dean’s eyes went wide at the mention of pie… but non the less he attempted to lunge at you again… there was something inside you that brought your body into a flat state making Dean fly right over your body and straight into the stack of mats. 

Both Arthur and Sam watched as you now stood victorious…

Sam: “well i can just verbally give you your lesson sis… i have no desire to end up like Dean…”

Arthur: “come along babe ill help you make dinner as well as some food for the trip. While i give you my lesson in emotional anger control...”

You first helped your brother off the ground and you gave him a hug…

YN: “sorry D… dont know what came over me…”

Dean: “thats okay, happens to everyone… just dont ever give into the blind rage that you displayed on the floor… that kind of rage is what causes murder…  now you guys go make dinner i am gonna go take a hot shower and cool off my enflamed muscles…”

Sam gave you and Arthur a nod to go on your way as he helped make sure Dean got to his room on his own…

Sam: “geez Dean neither of us acted like that when we first presented did we?”

Dean shook his head…

Dean: “nope but i bet i know someone who will… we need to talk to Cas… see if he knows anything about female Alpha/Omega’s ill talk to him… it will be easier if i do the talking since i’m the one who said lets just not tell her and i didnt listen to you when you said we should…”

Sam: “dont blame yourself Dean… you couldnt have forseen any of this.. Now lets go together to talk to cas… lets go find out how to stop this from getting worse for our baby sister…”

Dean: “i still want to take my shower first... we will go after… i mean after dinner while YN and Arthur are being cute and stuff we will say that Cas wants to meet to talk about the impending doom…”

Sam: “you know she wont like it if we lie to her…”

Dean: “i know but Sammy what other choice do we have… we cant let her hunt like this…”

Sam knew Dean was right, so he left his brother so Dean could get his muscles healing… but he still felt bad for how they hid this from their sister… sure it was the right thing to do but when you turned 16 or became a teenager they could possibly have prepared you for this but not all of whats happened is their fault…

Dean texts cas and says to meet outside the bunker in 30 minutes its important… and to text when arrived… Cas responds with okay… 

Dean all through his time in his room, he kept running the fight through his head… those attacks you pulled were not normal.. Your fighting skills had never been like that… 

Meanwhile in the kitchen you and Arthur were pealing and cutting potatos…

Arthur: “how do you feel love?”

YN: “bout normal, whatever that means… i just cant believe i let Dean talk me into training i knew i would hurt someone… i dont know what came over me… it was like posession or something… but im just glad that through all that your vocals kept me from killing… is that my omega side responding to you my alpha?”

Arthur: “yes it is but that alpha side of yours needs to be put under control… otherwise its gonna be rough road ahead… you mentioned that it felt like posessson… how so love?”

You put the pealed potato on the cutting board in front of Arthur and sighed…

YN: “it was like i lost control of my body, like the actions were not my own… i didnt even recognize my own voice. Babe it was an awful feeling but i cant shake the fact that it didnt feel like me… it was like i lost myself…”

Arthur: “when did you start feeling this way?”

YN: “shortly after you claimed me… it was like a heatwave it just hit me and shortly after Dean hit the mats was when i snapped out of it... “

Arthur: “lets check the lore and see what we can find out but im gonna say that your not going on a hunt till you get this under control… we cant risk anything happening to you in the field… plus it will give us some alone time…”

Arthur winked at you, he had that seductive look in his eyes again… you smiled and went back to making sure you didnt peel your fingers instead of the potatoes… Arthur was definately getting used to your scent…

From the first time Arthur spoke you were used to his accent infact you were turned on by it… meanwhile Dean and Sam were making sure that neither you nor Arthur were looking as they snuck out of the bunker to meet with Cas… 

Dean: “thank you for coming Cas…”

Cas: “of course but what happened? You both seem worried.”

Dean: "its YN she presented as both an alpha and an omega… She is having problems gaining control. We are extremely worried… It Was the fact that Ketch bit her he claimed her… LikeLike the proof is right beside the impala… But her emotions she is spiraling. Cas what do you know about this?"

Cas: "her emotional spiral is apart of her alpha side arguing with her omega side, neither side will be at peace till she obeys the laws of the universe that were written out by God himself long before YN existed… she and ketch have to be properly married in the eyes of the holy hosts and consummate their union. Kind of like a royalty thing. This is their destiny, pre arranged by God himself. It cannot be denied. This is her bodies way of saying this needs to happen sooner rather than later." 

Dean:  "so wait your saying that we have to witness them getting married then their consummation…"

Both Sam and Dean were appauled by this thought but were happy at the idea of getting you back to normal… 

The 3 gentlemen went inside the bunker and into the study where they found you and Arthur looking through the lore… 

Dean: "hey sprout can I talk to you for a second.?"

YN:  "of course like privately?" 

Dean nods so you kiss Arthur on the cheek… You follow your brother to his room, where as soon as you enter he shuts the door… you turned around and looked very confusingly at your brother.

YN: “whats wrong D? Your not angry about what happened in training are you? Cause it felt like i was possessed when i was fighting you… like i wasnt in control of my own body..”

Dean: “cas knows how to save you… how you can regain control of your mind, body and emotions.”

YN: “thats great but how do we do that?”

Dean: “well like Sam and Cas are probably explaining to Arthur right now, and i gather that talk may not be going as well as this one… but here it goes… in order for you to be yourself again, you and Arthur have to get married, then consummate the marriage like in royal days where the dignitaries and important people have to witness the consummation… like ASAP…”

Your eyes went wide, but Dean went over to his closet and then pulled out a clothing bag… he lays the clothing bag on his bed and backs up a bit…

Dean: “go ahead sis, take a look… i got it for you as soon as we made this deal with Ketch… i knew you would need it eventually so i was waiting for the right moment to give it to you.”

You opened the bag to reveal a silver column styled one shoulder sequin lace cocktail dress. The side with the shoulder was the one that clearly showed your mark… your eyes went wide, a shocked small shrill of joy fell from your lips, tears of happiness fell from your eyes. You looked at your big brother who was tearing up himself then cleared his throat so he could speak again.

Dean: “YN, every year before now Sammy and i watched you grow into this beautiful young woman… but we know that not telling you about the family gene pool was stupid. But this marriage between you and Arthur was apparently decided by God himself. Which is a load of shit cause it just is, as well as the thought that you are gonna be a married woman… its just so hard… i wish mom and Dad were here to see this, to see the kind of woman you have become… to see you get married. You know they would have gone over board big white wedding type thing… but right now Sam has probably convinced Arthur to call Lady Bevell and request that they be present via skype for this ocassion. Cas is gonna decorate, make this place look more like a castle type setting… suitable for the events… Sam is gonna help Arthur cope with everything… just as im helping you… i know this is alot to process but i promise you, this new journey ahead of you will allow the winchester name and legacy to carry on through you and Arthur. I hope you can understand that once you and Arthur get married you guys arent leaving right away… Arthur wants you to have as much time as you need to adjust to being married before you guys go back to Britain...”

You instantly go over and embrace your brother, he returns your embrace and the moment lasts a few moments then is released…

YN: “thank you… without you and Sam protecting me i dont know what would have happened. I am just glad that i got the 2 best hunters in all of america as my brothers.”

Thats when you heard a knock at the bedroom door… you looked at your brother who then smirked.

YN: “whats going on? Whose at the door?”

Dean: “just go open the door… trust me YN this is needed… let me just grab my monkey suit… or at least the dress shirt…”

You went to the door and opened it to get tackled in a familiar female embrace…

Jo: “getting married huh? And you didnt invite me… good thing mom and i were in the area… we rushed right over here… we also saw bobby in the living room… and rufus and ash has already broken into your fireball whiskey there Dean… he wanted me to tell you that he challenges you to the fireball challenge.”

Dean: “he needs to be careful who he is messing with… ill leave you ladies to get ready… ill shoot a text when its time. Ill also send over your mom to help with anything… and to bring you gals some alcohol.”

Dean takes the shirt that he was gonna wear and leaves out his door closing it behind him… that was when Jo came over to sit on the bed beside you… 

Jo: “i know that look want to tell me why your suddenly getting married…”

YN: “to cut a long story short, my brothers found the colt that was stolen from them years ago, and have obeyed mom and dads wishes by trading me for the colt. They said something about needing the colt for the evil thats coming or that they think is coming or something like that… the guy that im set to marry, his name is Arthur Ketch, he is british, he is muscular hot and an alpha who claimed by alpha/omega ass yea i presented as both and it shocked everyone. It caused me to beat up Dean pretty badly in training earlier. I guess Dean and Sam went to Cas for answers now i have to marry Arthur as soon as possible and have it like a royalty thing where the important people witness the consummation between the wedded couple, cause apparently thats what God had put in the book of Destiny for me and Arthur… Cause thats apparently the only way to take the edge off of what my body is arguing over my alpha side and my omega side are arguing. They are fighting which explains alot now that i think about it.. But one thing isnt clear i dont know what to do… i am not even sure im ready for any of this… its like Dean and Sam arent telling me something and things will end up going wrong. Jo im scared…”

Jo hugs you from the side and fears you are gonna spiral if something happens to Sam and Dean… 

Jo: “this about it this way girl… your brothers love you very much and right now they are just making sure your future is secure and right now its pretty clear that if what you are telling me is true then we need at least 1 drink to help you through all of this.. By the way do you have any lingere…”

You texted Sam to send the bags from the jag with Ellen… Sam replyed with Ellen has already gotten those and is on her way. You and Jo just lay back and stare at the ceiling not daring to believe that there are forces who have control over the destinies of everyone because he wrote them in some sort of imaginary book… 

Jo: “i would be grateful that they at least found you someone hot to marry, i mean all the ones mom has sent my way were fat and ugly.. I couldnt believe they were alphas… i want to marry someone who understands me for me…”

YN: “you know Dean is in love with you right girl… that he has been for a few years now…”

Jo: “i know, he fell in love with me the day he and i danced to REO speedwagon in the roadhouse after hours. I turned him down, i was scared… i didnt want to ruin the friendship we kinda have. I would have told him that day in the roadhouse if mom wasnt picky about who i end up with…”

YN: “Jo as your best friend im gonna say this, i would tell him the truth or just you know kiss him… make him want to claim you… if what he says is true, im achieving what my brothers never could, but you can make this a reality for Dean… just take the risk… dont let your mom no matter how wonderful she is dictate your life. Take charge, we make our own futures…”

You and Jo hugged it out and then went back to admiring your dress… Jo then opened her bag and pulled out the accessories…

Jo: “Dean called me a week ago and warned me to have a few wedding accessories ready for you… he had a feeling that you and Arthur would be married before the end of the month so now lets wait for my mo…”

Before Jo could finish speaking, there was a rap at the door. Jo went and opened it and in came Ellen… 

Ellen: “oh honey you’ve grown so much since we last saw you… but now your getting married oh honey, he seems like a very nice man, but i take it from the rush and the hush hush of the wedding that it is a long and crazy story and a really good explanation behind this…”

YN: “it is a really interesting conversation… ill explain later or you can grill Dean for it… but it would mean alot to me Ellen if you and Jo would help me get ready… to look fabulous for the day my life gets back on track.” 

Both the ladies in that room with you nodded they sat you down in the chair and had you start going through the bags deciding what kind of lingere to wear with the dress, and what to do with your hair and your nails and it was just a blast… then came time for the dress.. This was the moment you, Jo and Ellen had all been waiting for, with your hair and nails done you felt the fabric slide over your skin, the low moan that left your lips was your thought of Arthur and how he felt against you.

Til this second you hadnt looked in the mirror for the nervous feeling that was gripping you tight was far to great. It wasnt till Ellen and Jo stood you in front of the closet mirror with your eyes closed that the nervous feeling kinda subsided.. It went away faster when they revealed to you your reflection in the mirror. 

You put your hands over your mouth for 2 seconds before moving them down your body… then letting out a low squeal of joy, you spun round in the dress. Ellen and Jo snapping photos from every angle… 

Jo: “that dress is sexy girl!!!”

Ellen: “YN, that dress is hella purty… your brother has good taste…”

YN: “yes it appears he does.. But i dont understand how the hell could he afford this… ive seen this particular dress, it was like super expensive… how did he afford this…”

Ellen: “your brother went and entered a blackjack tourney while on a hunt… Sam was investigating while Dean was cleaning house.. He used a luck charm he got from a psychic named Pamela Barnes. He said that it was the most he had ever won… but he said that he wanted to put the money away for something for you… something of a peace offering for putting your life and training through hell and back.”

Your eyes went wide, you knew your brother was a gambling shark but to hear that Dean changed his direction while on a hunting trip, just to make enough money to ensure your own happiness. 

You were unsure of how to respond… You were now helping Jo do her hair and do her dress up as you girls had done for ages on many numerous occasions. 

YN: "my brother strayed from a hunt, just to make money to secure my happiness… Why would he do that? Hunting is more important than my happiness."

Dean who had been standing in the door way, stepped into the room and spoke. 

Dean: "cause you are the most important thing in my life. Being your big brother I wanted to make ensure that your future would be secure even after Sam and I were gone. We could not let you have the Winchester curse of swindling and card scams and and and… I know your still skeptical on marrying Arthur, but right now I can tell you this, the way that it looks out there and then way you look sis, this day is your day. Today is your inheritance. Today is your beginning to do and accomplish what Sam and I have never been able to… I know we were tough on you, but that was out way of protecting you. Anyway I'm here to escort you down the aisle sis. They are ready when you are…"

YN: "Jo Ellen can you guys give me a few moments alone with my brother?" 

Both ellen and Jo left the room, this left you and Dean alone. 

Dean: "you look exquisite in that dress sis! I knew I made the right choice."

YN: "I hope someone else sees it that way. I know you are happy for me, but someone in the universe set this, my destiny in motion many a year ago.. Dean I don't blame you or Sam for hiding the truth, I just wish I would have known about what was gonna happen to me. I love you bro, both you and Sam are the most important things to me. I'm so glad you guys are here to be with me on my wedding day. But bro be honest with me now, what danger is so important that you guys made this deal for the colt."

Dean: "There is a darkness that is descending upon the world. It's so bad that we figure having the colt not knowing what we are up against is a good idea. We also figure we can teach you how to hunt like a Winchester and secure your future before we get caught up in this war… This marriage is both your safe haven and your security. Both yours and Arthur's names are the emergency fail safes on the lease for the impala and the storage container, Bobby's yard!/house, the roadhouse and of course the bunker. Should me and Sam no longer be around to do anything concerning any of those places or it's people we had you guys put down. There are also forms for you both to sign regarding the Winchester wills mine and Sam's if this battle with the darkness goes south all we have is yours and Arthur's."

Sam walks in a few moments later and let's off a whistle… 

Sam: "my God sis you look amazing!"

Dean:  "doesn't she just look purty! Is everyone ready?" 

Sam nods… 

Sam:  "yes and everyone is waiting on YN… TheyThey sent me back to find out what's happening?" 

Dean looks at you and you turn away so your brothers don't see you cry… But they didn't leave, instead they came up behind you and hugged you… This moment was when you just let the tears fall… both your brothers had you in a group hug, you felt so blessed to have brothers that cared enough to protect you like this. 

YN: "thank you for being the best big brothers I could ever have asked for." 

Both Sam and Dean sniffle but when you guys broke the hug Sam went back to the door and smiled. 

Sam: "see you out there shortly…" 

You straightened out and turned to your brother who was holding his arm toward you. 

Dean: "ready to do this step sis?" 

YN: "so long as you don't let me fall bro…" 

Dean: "you won't fall not so long as I'm holding onto you." 

You stook his arm as Dean sent a message to start the music, through the hall you could hear the start of So Close by John McLaughlin… Then you rounded the corner with Dean just as the crowd turned to see you. 

The one set of eyes you locked yours into was Arthurs your only saving grace was those blue eyes making your body feel weak, but making you feel like you wanted to jump him right then right there. 

The only thing you were focusing on right then were his eyes, Dean was making sure you didn't fall, he knew your eyes were locked to Arthur's but he also was the one thing keeping you from falling.. 

Reaching the end of the aisle Dean stood there beside you with Sam on the other side of you. 

The ceremony then went something like this: 

Castiel: "friends and honored guests both in person and on the internet, welcome to the wedding of YN Winchester and Arthur Ketch, who gives this woman to be with this man." 

Dean and Sam: "we do.." 

Castiel: "will one of you place her hand in his and say repeat after me.." 

Dean allowed Sam to do this part since Dean brought you down the aisle… Sam took your left hand and placed it in Arthurs… Castiel got ready to speak again… 

Castiel: "do you promise Swearing in good faith to release this young woman into the care of this man whose heart now captivates the heart of your dear sister here? Do you also swear not to take for granted the life you and Dean gave your sister to live even if you were concealing the truth from her.? You may now say your vow on behalf of you and your brother. " 

Sam: "YN, we concealed the truth from you as per to our parents wishes, but we made the decision to not tell you the truth when you technically came of age again. Cause you were so happy just training with us and helping us do research. We didn't want to burden you with the hunters curse information and make you worry. So on profession of our good faith and trust, do so release our sister YN into her marriage to Arthur Ketch. We also swear not to take the life we let her lead for granted cause in the end of it we were just protecting her for the sake of our parents will. We love you so much biscuit, we hope you can be happy enough to allow the Winchester legacy to continue ever more through you."

To hear your brother say those words made you start to cry as Sam placed a kiss to your cheek, he then backed away and left you with Arthur at the alter. Castiel continued. 

Castiel: "very well… marriage in the eyes of God and the hosts is how the love we give is the love we receive. Marriage is how what we are here to celebrate today… The bond that unites the souls of YN and Arthur is the same bond that unites an alpha with their omega… No manner of being is powerful enough to break that bond, Not even God himself. Now before we exchange rings and vows does anyone object to this union?"

No one spoke up so Cas continued… 

Castiel: "it's time for the rings and the vows. When your ready Arthur you can place the ring on YNs left hand and say the vows you have for her."

Arthur takes the ring places it on your finger and begins to speak. 

Arthur:  "my beautiful YN, my angel, my beauty to my beast. I love how much you have meant to me these last few hours. I know that learning the truth has not been easy for you, but knowing your now my claimed Omega had put my life back on track. Now i feel whole, for the first time in my life i have clarity and now i have a bright bright future. I love you so much my love. You are my new guiding star which i promise to love, cherish, honor, protect and care for for the rest of my natural life… i promise to uphold the basic deeds and to share the responsibilities of a husband. Neither of us ever have to walk the life of a hunter alone again.”

You felt the cool band on your finger and picked up his and did the same thing he just did to you.

YN: “Arthur, for years i was subjected to the protection of my brothers brought on by my parents wish left in their will. I now know my own strength has been within me this entire time. My sheer force of will was shown when i was training earlier it was like i had another person inside of me fighting to get out. But you brought me back from the edge of disaster, you brought me out of the dark. For that I will ever more be grateful. From hence forth I swear to protect, love, cherish, honor, respect, and care for you for the rest of our lives. I hope one day in the future when we have a family of our own, we will not make the mistake of hiding this from our kids. That we will tell them the truth no matter the consequences. I love you Arthur, always and forever!"

Castiel continued speaking for it was now time to sign the papers and do the heavenly blessing. 

Castiel: "now it's time for our couple to come over here to sign the marriage papers for both Britain and USA. Legalities are a pain in the ass. Please wait patiently while they sign these documents."

Both you and Arthur went to the table off to the side to sign the papers, after a total of 15 signatures on 6 different documents, you both took place once more in front of Cas in front of the crowd.

Castiel: “now as an Angel of the Lord, i am honored to bestow the heavenly blessing on these two…”

At that moment the room kinda darkened as Cas began to speak again.

Castiel: “By the powers of Heaven and its hosts i honorably bestow to thee the blessings written for thee in the book of knowing, that by the book all things are written so they shall be… this couple in the book of heaven has the following to be bestowed to them this day: Fertility, wisdom, strength, faith and many more. The will of the almighty who wrote the book is that you both live the life you have together and never let anything stand between you. On that note, it is my esteemed honor to introduce to you for the first time Mr and Mrs Arthur and YN Ketch. Arthur you may now kiss your bride.”

The entire room was exploding with applause. You giggled as Arthur pulled you square to his chest and kissed you passionately. Camera lights snapped and cheering errupted. The kiss lasted for a few moments. 

Then came the first dance… you of course had danced before but not like this… not at something celebrating you, of course dancing now with Arthur, your husband (geez that was gonna take some getting used to), making out a bit on the dancefloor. Was the highlight of your evening. 

Then the time for you and Arthur to give a speech was up… after the speeches that Sam, Dean, and Jo gave you and Arthur couldnt possibly do any worse.

Arthur: “thank you all so much for supporting us. I know i havent known all of you for that long but now having married one person who is most important to many of you im sure we will become good friends in no time at all.”

YN: “i have a couple of thank yous to give out… the first one is to Castiel, thanks Cas for directing the ceremony and for the decoration this is really spectacular. The next thank you goes to my best friend Jo, you are like my sister thank you for helping me get ready for this eventful evening which is why i have to also tie this thank you in with the one i have for Dean… would the both of you just make a move already… i have heard both ends of your love story for both sides… Bro would you do me a favor and kiss her already… i know this is my day but that doesnt mean you cant take 5 seconds and tell Jo how you really feel about her… plus i want to see you happy Bro… oh and Dean thank you for everything from introducing us earlier this day to getting me a dress ahead of time and all the other details in there… im sorry for being such a pain in the ass little sister. I hope you find some happiness with Jo… honestly you guys deserve to be happy with eachother. And finally to my husband, Arthur what i said in my vows, I remembered what happened in the garage it honestly terrified me… i cant believe i almost hurt you… but you claiming me brought me out of the dark and back to the light. I cant begin to imagine what that must have been like for you. And i know you and i have growing to do as a couple, i look forward to the day when we can look back on the events of this day from our meeting till now and see the journey of a thousand miles in one simple day. So thank you for being my kryptonite…”

Arthur: “on top of those thank yous i would also like to thank Sam and Dean for helping to raise such a feisty young woman, i am honored to call you two brother.”

Castiel steps up again and a kind of silent ish bell chimes.

Castiel: “its time for the consummation… those who were told ahead of time to witness this please follow us now but those that were not please enjoy the festivites as they do continue. The bar is fully stocked please enjoy your time.”

Arthur and You went followed by 10 other people to your room. Where it now looked like that of what would be in a palace. Arthur of course carried you over the threshhold and gently set you back on your feet as the crowd poured in watching as the following took place:

Arthur helping to undo your dress

You helping Arthur out of his shirt and unbuckling his pants, watching as he pushed them off.

Arthur then laying you down on the bed, diving himself between your legs his eyes locked to your own. His hard cock positioned at the entrance to your pussy.

Arthur: “just focus on me… no one else here matters right now. Its you and me right now. This is about us… ill go slow…”

YN: “i trust you…”

Arthur kissed you passionately as he thrust his hard cock into your pussy at the same time. 

You could feel the darkness melting into a corner, you felt comfortable, you felt normal… that feeling was the feeling of you coming into the powers of both your Alpha and Omega sides blending. 

*epilogue*

Twas the next morning that you both woke up to a knock at the door. Covering up you both stayed in bed cuddling…

Arthur: “enter.”

Dean enters the room and clears his throat…

Dean: “Sam and i were gonna go on those hunts later if you guys are interested in joining. Believe me when i say that these hunts are gonna be amazing. Cas already took on the ghost… which is fine… that leave the fun stuff for us 4 to deal with. What do you guys say?”

Arthur looked down at you and you looked up at him, then both of you back at your brothers.

Arthur: “sounds like a family hunting trip… hows about it babe? Ready to hunt!”

YN: “saving people, hunting things, it truly is the family business… when do we leave?”

Arthur reaches beside the bed and into his bag pulling out a box and tossing it to Dean. Dean opens it and brings it over to show you… The Colt.

Arthur: “as promised Brother here is the colt back now in your possession.”

~thats all folks~

[chocafe]

for you — bang yedam

summary: by mistake, you took yedam’s notebook that just so happens to be filled with songs written about you. genre: fluff pairing: shy!yedam x reader request: “can you do a fluffy yedam scenario? about songwritings and stuff, i would love it :') thank u so much, i love your writing a lot! <3 oh and the yedam scenario can be a bullet scn please? thank uuuu <33″ a/n: i based this scenario off of a prompt i found on google, which was, “i’m not stalking you, exactly, it’s just that you accidentally put my notebook in your bag and i’m waiting for a good moment to steal it back before you see my doodles in it.” instead, i replaced doodles with the songs yedam has wrote. i apologize for any mistakes you may find in this since i didn’t proofread this!

if someone was to ask you if you knew yedam, then you would respond back with, “yes, i do.”

you know yedam, but that’s as merely as it gets

you didn’t know much about yedam

and despite you two sitting next to each other in class

the most you two have ever said to each other were “did you do the homework?”, “how did you get that answer?”, and possibly other quotes similar to this as it all only revolves around school

once the school bell rang throughout the campus, dismissing everyone from class, you always found yourself rushing yourself to put all of your belongings back into your backpack

you didn’t want to spend a single extra second in this cold building

i can relate

on the other hand, yedam tends to take his time

he has a more calmer state and doesn’t mind spending a few extra minutes at school

as you scrambled yourself and your belongings, yedam stood there completely frozen like a stone, not knowing what to do in that very second

right in front of yedam’s eyes, he caught you mistakenly grabbing a hold of his notebook as you placed it into your backpack

after safety putting everything in, you quickly zipped up your backpack and walked right out of the classroom

you have had confused yedam’s notebook as yours because you both had similar notebooks and it was also slightly hovering over on your side of the desk

idk about you guys but i get slightly annoyed when the person next to me has their stuff on my desk like even if its just a little bit im like hhhhhh

when yedam finally comprehended what had just happened, a small little “uh, wait.” fell out of his mouth

but it sure wasn’t loud enough for you to hear it as you have already left

“what am i going to do?” yedam asked himself as his palms became clammy

if there was anything in the world that yedam didn’t want to happen

then it would be you to read his notebook

he immediately grabs his backpack and runs outside the building, attempting to follow you in this panic state

yedam continued to follow you, from a distance, down the sidewalk as you casually made your way home

at first, he wanted to approach you and tell you what actually happened, but he’s waaaay too embarrassed to possibly start a conversation with you

he can’t even imagine a conversation happening between you two because he views it as something just “out of this world”

“should i just secretly open their backpack and steal back my notebook?” yedam quietly says to himself, tapping his index finger on the tip of his chin

“no, that’s stealing.” he shook his head. “actually, it wouldn’t be because it’s my notebook after all.”

as he was trying to decide how he should exactly approach you, he didn’t realize that he has been following after your footsteps for approximately ten minutes

suddenly, you stopped walking and began to shout out “whoever you are, i know you’re following me.”

yedam pauses and contemplates whether or not he should run back home

he’s definitely not a stalker!!! but come on, yedam, you are following someone and that’s the same action as a stalker

you reach into your backpack and pull out mysterious object as you spun around “I HAVE PEPPER SPRAY, SO BACK OFF.”

[birds] caw... caw... caw...

this is absolutely awkward

you found yourself standing and pointing your pepper spray at yedam, who was just as baffled as you

“yedam?” at the speed of light, you moved your hands and pepper spray behind your back as you start to chuckle to cover up what just occurred. “i’m sorry. let’s pretend that didn’t happen, alright?”

“o-okay.”

the two of you stood in front of one another

both of you were waiting for the other say something, but not a single word was coming out of either of your guys mouths

“the thing is—” yedam tries his best to spark up his previous thoughts, but he was unexpectedly cut off by you as you tried to speak at the same time

“are you also walking home?” a sudden shock was sent through yedam’s nerve system as you spoke up

“i’m sorry!” you apologize for cutting him off. “what was it that you were going to say?”

yedam’s mind: hmmmmm to awkwardly tell them that i was going to steal my notebook back from them? or to lie and say that my house is this way ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

who knew that lying would be this easy?

“it’s nothing.” yedam brought his hand up to shyly rub his nape. “yeah, i’m also on my way home. i live just down the street.” he pointed down the pathway, releasing a chuckle to hide the uneasiness in his voice

“i didn’t know that you lived down here too! i thought i was the only one in the whole school who lived over here.” your voice raised up a pitch as you were completely thrilled to know that someone lives nearby you. “well, since we’re in this situation, should we continue to walk home together?”

“s-sure.” yedam stutters, walking a few steps closer to you

the two of you began walking beside with one another

it was a pretty silent trip, but you decided that it was time to break the silence

“yedam, you’re alright with me walking with you, right?”

yedam brought his head up, since he was originally staring at the ground, and raised an eyebrow. “of course. why wouldn’t i be?”

“i don’t know.” you slightly tilted your head before continuing on. “i just had a feeling that you didn’t like me since we never talk in class, despite us sitting next to each other.”

him?? not liking you???

sweetie, it’s the other way around

ᴬᴬᴬᴬᴴᴴᴴᴴ yedam wanted to scream

but right now isn’t the appropriate time to do so

“n-no, that’s not it!” he began to wave his hands back and forth in the air. “it’s just hard for me to talk sometimes. please, don’t misunderstand.”

your lips crept into a soft smile because you were so relieved to find out that he doesn’t hate you as you originally thought. “that makes me feel so much more better.”

yedam saw your smile and he could’ve swore he forgot how to breathe for a second

since it was 100% clear that yedam didn’t dislike you, you couldn’t help, but to ask him so much questions regarding about him

you wanted to get to know him, not as the boy who sits next to you in class

but as bang yedam, the individual human being who you were so curious about

maybe you didn’t notice this

but the two of you were walking in a much slower pace than usual

perhaps, you both wanted this conversation to last forever

as the time pasts by and the conversation between you two continued

you both come across a convenience store

“hey,” you say as you lightly pulled on yedam’s uniform sleeve. “let’s go inside here. i’ll buy you whatever you want!”

“i’m okay, really!”

as the two of you enter the convenience store, you push yedam into an aisle and declare “go pick out something. i won’t take no for an answer!”

he complies to your wish and walks over to the back freezers and picks out a can of iced coffee

“coffee? at a time like this?” you suddenly ask into yedam’s ears, causing him to startling jump. “do you need to stay up late or?”

“yeah, i think tonight is going to be a restless night for me, so i might as well get this.” he says as you both make your way towards the cash register

“what are you going to do? stay up all night long by just staring at the wall?” you jokingly comment, placing a bag of chips and soda onto the counter as yedam does the same with his iced coffee

yedam begins to laugh alongside with you. “i’m probably going to write some songs.”

you mouth falls wide open as you gasp. “you write songs? you should write a song about me!” you playfully nudge him in the arm. “i’m just kidding.”

before yedam could say anything in response, the cashier cuts him off, “the total is $5.25.”

as you pull out your wallet, yedam slams the exact total onto the counter, grabs his drink and proceeds to walk out of the store

“hey!” you scream out loud as you retrieve your snacks. “i said that i was going to pay.”

“my treat?”

“fine, but just so you know, i’m paying next time.” you stubbornly say. “should we get going?”

“my house is actually this way.” yedam points towards the opposite way from your direction

his house isnt actually that way but its now the nearest way he can take to get back home bc he lied to you and said he lived in the area when really he lives on the other side

“ah, i see.” you bring your hand up to cheerfully wave him goodbye. “i’ll see you tomorrow then! (✿◠‿◠)”

yedam did the same in return and mimicked your wave goodbye, smiling at you one last time before he walked down the pathway

the two of you were now out of one another’s eye sight

while yedam was walking back home, he suddenly stopped himself, squatted down and covered his face with the palm of his hands as he screamed out into the void,

“I FORGOT MY NOTEBOOK”

“oh my god.” you stood in front of your bed, wondering why you had two of the same notebook

one of the notebooks must be yours, but who’s notebook was the other way?

was it yoonbin’s?

no, you remembered he didn’t have anything with him when you saw him during lunch

was it keita’s?

it can’t be because all of keita’s notebooks were all neon pink

you opened the mystical notebook and found ‘bang yedam’ written on the very first page

you fell directly onto your knees and clenched tightly onto yedam’s notebook. “right when i thought things were going well- he’s going to accuse me of stealing his notebook and hate me foR THE REST OF HIS LIFE”

for some reason, you were so curious as to what yedam has in his notebook

did he use his notebook for notes just like you?

or did he use it for something completely different?

curiosity was running through your head and eventually took over you

if yedam is going to hate you in the future then might as well snoop into his notebook since ur already losing ya’know

when you opened his notebook, you found that each page was filled with endless writings

you came to a conclusion that they were all self composed song lyrics, made by the one and only bang yedam, since he did mention that he likes writing songs on his free time

as you read each page, you became totally immersed in the whole thing as you viewed each of his lyrics as brilliant

in no time

you found a page where the title had your name written on top

“huh?” you blurted out when your eyes laid upon your name written in yedam’s handwriting. “is this about me?”

you had discovered that yedam had wrote a song about you

the following song described the wall between you two, that yedam wished he had the power to take down, but simply doesn’t, so he’ll just continue to admire you from afar

tldr: it’s a song about him having a crush on you

“does??? yedam??? have a crush??? on me???”

of course you dense egg head

your heart began to pound, but you decided that it was time for you to end this spying as you close his notebook and store it back into your backpack

you had felt like you were invading his privacy and inner thoughts

but at the same time

you actually quite enjoyed it

the very next day, yedam and you were both uneasy, due to different reasons

you were afraid that yedam would hate you and accuse you of stealing (when really you accidentally grabbed it by mistake)

on the other hand, yedam was afraid that you read his song dedicated to you (revealing his hidden crush for you)

when you arrived to class, you quietly sat in your seat and slid yedam’s notebook towards his side of the desk

the first thing that escaped your mouth was, “i’m sorry.”

yedam’s hands became unsteady as he gulped in excessive saliva. “did you happen to read it?” he confusingly asks, grabbing a hold of his notebook

“yeah, i’m sorry.” you repeat yourself, not adding anything more into your sentence

this was it

yedam had thought you were saying sorry because this was your way of politely rejecting him

but actually ! ! !

you were apologizing because you were truly sorry for taking and reading his prized possession

“i see.” yedam mutters underneath his breath, avoiding your eye contact

he didn’t have the guts to even breathe in the same air as you

“yedam,” you follow up, closing the space in between you two as you scoot your seat closer to him. “are you free this saturday?”

[protezioni]

ALSO ONE MORE THING LOL, headcanons on a crossover au horror movie night?

This ended up really long but I hope you love it!! It's also probably because it's headcanons which I really live for. BUT ALSO YES OF COURSE I LIVE FOR THE CROSSOVER AU AND ALSO FOR HALLOWEEN!! All Zeta characters belong to Emi, FOLLOW @zetacomic !! Miho also was made by @polar-stars !! Isao was made by @nightcrownsking!! Stan them

Movie Picking

-Zuro sets out a whole bunch of movies, ranging from mockumentary horror films to you wouldn't be able to sleep for a week horror films on the table.

-Shoya is set on watching JAWS series. He wants to see his family win. Zuro adds one movie to the list because it was his bro's request.

-Haru comes in, SHE PICKS A MOVIE. She doesn't realize she's scarier than the movie marathon that is coming, but well- her choice will be included. Or else she will be angry. No one wants her angry. Ayame approves on her choice and recommends a movie. Zuro places her recommendation away. Ayame was never best to pick one unless it was romance movies.

-TAI AND MAI SAY THEY WANT MURDER ON SCREEN. Their sugesstion? Accepted. There was a slasher horror, which did include murder. They would probably enjoy it that day.

-Izami tosses a few recommendations. He picks the one with the horror that pulls on the most heartstrings yet still scares the crap out of people. Suggestion accepted.

-Isao gives a movie. Immediately burned by Sepheir. She does not trust this man.

-So far they have one Jaws movie, a film Haru wanted, slasher horror and an angsty horror movie. Seems good enough. They will be watching from 6-3, but people can choose to sleep earlier (if they can after that).

Movie Preparation

-Ko spends SO MUCH. Chips, Sodas, Full blown Meals, Popcorn, Cotton Candy, Everything--- For EVERYONE. He splits them all evenly and everyone has their personal food and drink box.

-Makoto is SURPISED over how much things he bought without thinking... He shouldn't spend his money like this! But it was for Zygos and Protezioni... but still! That's carelessly using money!

-Makoto gives him a good talk

-Yuuki is lowkey anxious over the movie choices but Asuka ends up comforting him and calming him down. Tells him that Big Sis Asuka is always there! Yuuki calms down fairly well!

-Yuri is watching Shigure cry even before the movie starts. She's calling him a dumbass and tells him it hasn't started yet. Turns our Shigure was crying over something else and she facepalms.

-Romano is hugging his paperwork but Hide is trying to tell him to relax for once and let it go. He follows for once and believes in her words. She says it is best to let himself not do work since Halloween only happens once a year. He is very convinced.

-Ace is worried if the kids can handle it, but he prepares a comfort blanket in advanced in case any of them want to go under one later. There are 10 comfort blankets with stuffed toys under it. Tsukki helps in gathering pillows.

-The movie marathon starts.

Movie Watching

-Jaws was the first to come.

-All of Zygos turn their head to Shoya. Protezioni proceeds to do the same.

-"I wanted to see my fellow scalys."

"THIS DOESN'T FIT THE ATMOSPHERE, SHITHEAD"

"Jun, your temper is worse than your height"

"YOU PIECE OF SHIT"

-Eis tries to calm Junko down, Zuro laughs about the whole thing. Fortunato facepalms and tells them to calm the fuck down. Maemi knew this would happen. He is very tired. Kaito tries to stop them.

-Anyway Jaws was being watched by several other people. Kuro thoughts the sharks were dolphins. "Dudeeee, they're sharks? I thought sharks were bigger." "THOSE ARE WHALES, KURO"

-Kana is laughing her ass off at this moment, Ren makes a dramatic speech in the middle "Oh whale, oh shark, what is your true reflection-" Shima is so done with this shit. What's worse- the speech or the movie? Shinji talks about how different everyone's aura is because of one single movie.

-Tilear is too busy snickering over Team Omega to focus, she is enjoying. Izami is actually watching the movie. Asks Oliviero if his fang was close to a shark's. Oliviero said he was more of cub or something. Ko wants them to be quiet so he could watch the film. They don't become quiet.

-Haru is excited. She says she brought up the next movie! Everyone is wondering what she picked. It turns out to be a psychological horror! They did not expect this, but the movie was fine.

-Kaito SCREAMS when he sees something happens, he is seeking for hug. For comfort. He cannot handle this. Aki decides to hug him and comfort him. They go to the comfort blankets.

-Tsuyobi jumps off the couch when something happens, Mitsu is the one who takes care of a shaking Tsuyobi. Hoping he is is okay.

-Alderardo names everything wrong with the film because it's a psychological horror and not a lot of things makes sense. Haru yells at him to shut up. He shuts up. Tana is glad he was able to shut the fuck up. Wants to thank Haru for that.

-Masao feels like an undefeated entity because he didn't back out in the movie unlike Kaito. HE WAS THE SUPERIOR LEADER. THE BRAVER LEADER. THE--- Kaya tells him to stop being like that and just sit down and enjoy the movie. Masao ends up sitting down and watching the movie.

-Anzu is clinging to Hide, Hide allows her to cling to her. Eis is clinging to Ella, who looks around but awkwardly pats Eis's back. Team 2 is making a theory silently because they are the most observant team. ALL THEIR THEORIES WERE PROVEN RIGHT.

-Miho comes in out of nowhere, a smile on her face, a flashlight underneath her. "Tea?" EVERYONE THOUGHT SHE LOOKED LIKE A GHOST. Turns out Ami was holding the flashlight below her. She is now officially dubbed as the tea ghost. She looked like one of the characters.

-The next is the slasher film the Murder Twins chose. THEY BOTH BRING UP MURDER. Riichi looks interested, he brings up he learned some sneaky moves through this movie! A lot of people look at them and see them as a very dangerous group if they worked together.

-Yuuki does get anxious over some parts, but Asuka is there to comfort him. Yarohe ends up being his comfort teddy bear. Ko just silently watches the rest to see how they are doing.

-Bren and Tilear have a small discussion because there is a lot of things to talk about since there are weapons in it. Tilear asks Yuuki about a question about his gun and says he doesn't need to feel anxious because he'd be able to shoot the man with no problem. Asuka pats the back of Yuuki who is internally screaming because someone believes in his skill.

-Marmi ends up gathering notes and he sees how Riichi was able to use these notes for something. Celes predicts what's happens next, saying it was a common strategy that is found in horror films. Calls the cast dumb and she isn't surprised that they are dying.

-The strategists talk about something together and make the best plan to escape if they ever end up in a situation like that. Their plan is the best plan ever created and if they were in a horror movie, they will 10000000% survive. Celes, Hide, Maemi, Miho and Shinji were a group who'd never die in a horror film.

-Ami mentions things that could have happened and says she would be a better murderer than the main antagonist of the slasher film. The stealth experts agree with her. Kiyaru also brings that up and Team 2 all agree with her. Bernando says he would fight the antagonist and win. The whole team 4 agrees. Akira comments about how unrealistic it is and the cops are doing a horrible job, brings up both Zygos and Protezioni are way better than the cops. Says the cops are useless in the movie.

-The talk is about murder and how they survive. The movie was overall enjoyable though and it was a great slasher film. There were holes to it, but the Murder Twins loved the blood.

-Okay now was the horror film that had the most emotional scenes. Kaito goes out of the comfort blanket, and Izami gives a small warning that it gets pretty sad. Sepheir comments she knows the film and it does get pretty sad. Everyone knows it's seriously shit sad when Sepheir says that.

-The horror parts were scary as fuck. People jumped from their seats. Kaito wanted to hide again and he screamed again. He is not the best with horror movies. Ayame comments about how this was really disturbing and Hiyaro agrees with her comments. Junko says if she saw a face like that, she's stab the fucker.

-Okay but when the sad parts come? PEOPLE BEGIN CRYING. Kaito starts bawling his eyes out instead of screaming and the whole Zetas decided to comfort their leader. Anzu starts tearing up and Hide tries to cheer her up but yells at Izami for showing that movie. Izami yells back that he warns them. Shigure is crying so bad and Yuri awkwardly comforts him but he just cries even louder. Aki is crying and Allen is in panic. Rika is silently crying and Akira is just allowing her to lean on him.

-It ends up with people crying because of fear or because of sadness. Shoya laughs at some parts and no one knows why he laughs. "LOOK HE DIED" "It isnT FUNNY SHO" "IT WAS IN A STUPID WAY" "SHO"

-Mitsu cries and the whole Zeta is prepared to fight whoever made Mitsu cry. It turns out it was the film. It's just that emotional.

-Movie night ends after the whole roller coaster ride of emotions

-A lot end up sleeping in the living room. Reo and Namito were actually busy doing trick or treating and they slept early like the good kids they are! They wake up to this sight and wonder what happened! Good children through and through.

[dndfuckhouse]

Session 19 - your majesty, i present to you the vengaboys

> 🎵  Pianissimo Epilogue / Silent Hill 2 OST

Returning to our tale, the group have all found respite in Vorde’s temporary abode in Shorewater, resting up and recovering from the night's events. Soon morning comes, though with the curtains shut as they are, it's a bit hard to tell that it's now daylight outside as they all slowly come too.

Peering about the group dont spot Vorde about, supposing he’s still in his room. Feeling a hankering for breakfast, Keva and Psalm wander over to the small dining table in the room and the fruit still piled upon it, chowing down. Psalm continues looking at the tome they stole yesterday as he does, continuing to copy runes and scan for any more information as he does.

Keva: keva is cuttin up an apple into slices with a small knife, giving some to amos and setting some aside and occasionally eating a slice Psalm: i'm just cooling at this breakfast table

Rokka begins his morning stretches, Finn sees this and decides to join him as well, Han watches and secretly does her own stretches, trying to not seem as if she wants to join in.

Plum: WHY Han: issues ! Plum: LMFAO Rokka: did our near death experience not bring us closer

In the meantime Plum and Cimmorro prepare their spells for the day, either via quick study or short prayer. Seemingly done with her stretches, Han comes over and joins the two at the dining table to eat (she hoards some of the food after everyone's had some). As the group go about their activities Orin eventually ambles out of him and Finn’s room somewhat drowsy, he takes a seat at the table next to psalm and takes a bite of an apple.

Psalm: good morning orin Rokka: i am crushing an apple in my mouth whole Orin: "mornin'" he looks like hes about to continue but rokka eating an apple whole makes him go : 0 though he quickly sneaks one of Keva’s slices after. Keva: an apple a day keeps the Chip: cult away Psalm: CLEARLY IT DONT

Han heads over to the window to the balcony briefly and opens the curtain ever so slightly to peer outside, looking down she sees the fenced garden of the building, a few birds flitting about in the branches of trees. Craning her head to try and look at the street she doesn't see anybody around. Out of the corner of his eye Finn sees Han move the curtain slightly and quickly becomes on edge before realising all is fine.

Finn: 

Han: LKSAD;LKHFLKHAWEFDS Finn: grimaces @ han opening the curtain and moves slightly. Chip: like a cat Finn: yes! Chip: fur raised Finn: KHJSHEJEHLJ

After a time the group hear some shuffling from the door Vorde disappeared behind last night, it slowly creaks open revealing his form. He walks out and looks about the group of them idling about and rubs his eyes turning and walking to the dining table to also grab an AppleTM, he doesn't sit down though

Han: i am 100% imagining this strained awkward silence Psalm: is he gonna crush it in his bare hands, BAROK VON VORDE... Finn:😳 Han: chip what did we watch dgs FOR Chip: NO

Finn: "morning uncle" finn stares kinda wondering why hes not sitting down but thats not gonna ruin his day Vorde: "morning finnian, i hope waking during daylight hours isnt too much for you" his eyes look sleepy as he speaks Orin: orin swallows his apple and speaks up "take a seat boss!" Vorde: he shakes his head in response "need to stand for a while for the blood to return to my legs" Finn: finn cant help but smile at that and responds "mm not exactly pleasant but i can manage. did you stay up?"

As the two chat Keva takes the moment to go take a quick morning bath, bringing Amos into the bathroom with her to give him a clean as well. Orin watches her take the rat into the bathroom with a face of confusion.

Vorde: "good to know" he pauses "hmm yes, I’ve been working through the night on how to present our case to the royalty, im going to be needing you all to speak as well once were before the court, merely on the things that prove you weren't responsible for the assassinations. We've the evidence to back up our claims so im not too worried. Of course if the royalty calls upon you you're each to respond in kind as well.” Finn: source: trust me Han: han hmms

Vorde seems to stretch slightly after finishing his apple and finally takes a seat at the dining table with the others, crossing his legs as he sits. 

Vorde: “My plan is thus; gain entry to the palace and an audience with the royalty, once there reveal the truth that the Red Letterhead’s machinations are the true cause for all this strife and go from there, i intend to warn them that Theyord’s apparent plans are about to be put into motion soon as well” he glances back over at his room “i will be presenting and handing over the items we have procured this far, including the tome" he glances at you psalm "hopefully it will be proof positive enough, should the archmage be around she won't find ive anything to hide on the matter”

He takes a quick sigh and rubs one of his eyes “I'm not sure what the royals will decide after that, I imagine they will put further efforts in place regarding the protection of the city and its walls, they should in anycase. If we are free to walk after we can investigate madam Shelly Carter’s lead after, perhaps we may request aid for the task as well, though I'm sure they will be hard pressed to spare much after such a threat to the city has been revealed. They’ll want all hands on deck”

Finn: finn nods and just thinks "man my uncle is so smart and cool. what a solid plan." Cimmorro: 🤨 Plum:

Han: a lot seems to be hinging on the royals kind nature Vorde: true, they arent benevolent but i dont think they're idiots either. It would be hard to ignore the items we've gathered. As well as the presence of a time limit Han: .... not that we have a better plan, but were i in that position, i just throw us in jail, less loose ends Psalm: Here's to hoping they don't just jump to conclusions hm? ^_^ Han: "what might we think to do then" said at the group kinda Plum: dunno, never busted outta jail before

The group decide that if worse comes to worse they’d prefer to try and figure out a plan to jailbreak themselves rather than resist the guardsmen and die trying. They also bring up the fact that they still currently think the mayor and Vinny are still compromised or under Theyord’s influence, and to keep it in mind. Keva leaves the bath around soon after and rejoins the group discussion.

Vorde: he continues, blinking slowly “hmm yes i forgot to specify, we are going ahead with the prisoners plan. However it won't be good for me to parade you all through the street even if you are ‘restrained’, it would be best if we could appear right before the guardsmen at the palace so the closest place for them to lock you up if they decide too is within the palace itself. I should state if they do haul you away, I advise you not to resist, with the city on guard as it is it will be nigh impossible for you to escape anywhere. If I do my job right you will be out within half an hour I suspect and brought to the court if you are carted off, that is what I plan anyway.” he pauses "ill do my best to stick with you however" Han: HAN BREATHES A LONG BREATHE X2 Psalm: “Appreciated. Always good to have friends in higher places for this kind of thing, rather than muscle your way out of it “ @ han Han: neither of those things seem to go well for me Psalm: he just shrugs

Vorde: he unclasps his hands and continues speaking "speaking of, are any of carrying any rope on your person" Han: shibari time huh Cimmorro: bondage ti Keva: keva asks "what for" Vorde: aforementioned restraints

Cimmorro: "yall don't have rope in this house??" 🤨 Vorde: 🤨 vorde like no bro Cimmorro: damn ok sorry Chip: [cimm leaves the room] Cimmorro: KGJFLSDKJGKLSFG

Rokka hands Vorde a few lengths of rope from his pack to tie the group up with in their fake prisoners ploy, satisfied Vorde then tucks it away for later. He then brings up another concern he seems to have on his mind.

Vorde: he turns to you Finn with his brows furrowed “I am not sure...if I ought to bring you along Finnian. It is best we act swiftly which does mean leaving during daylight. You could stay here, though perhaps i ought to leave Orin with you. Best if you weren't alone after what happened a week back.” Finn: finn also furrows his brows and ponders his uncles words for a moment. "is it only because of the daylight uncle?" Vorde: he thinks for a moment "i suppose so"

Finn asks Orin to then go check and see how harsh the sunlight out today seems, he obliges, getting up to carefully sneak his way past the curtain as the group continue discussing the matter.

Han: han glances btwn vorde n finn quizzically "what happened a week ago" Finn: i exchange looks with vorde as to telepathically ask whos gonna answer her. Vorde: he looks at you finn and sighs before turning back to you han, tapping the table with one finger "when we first arrived in Shorewater and began poking around we were sent an uninvited visitor" Han: who Vorde: an assassin Han: han rolls her eyes "yes i got that but. any identifying features" Vorde: i found a letterheads token on him, though he was dressed as a guardsman. No ring so i assume he killed someone and stole their clothes to find passage to our room. Nothing else stood out about him. Han: han hmms thoughtfully Chip: geralt hmmm Han: yea, the energy im channelling today

Han: he didnt return and they didnt send anyone else to finish the job. cocky Vorde: [a nod] Psalm: or maybe with their ceremony on the horizon they decided they needed everyone focused on the same goal? Han: which is, in a word, cocky Psalm: sure if you want to put it that way

Han: "wait what did you do with the body" @ vorde Vorde: dumped in the sewers Han: han goes HHHRMMNH fwustwated

Orin returns and informs Finn and the gang that it appears to be cloudy out today, they should be good if Finn covers up with heavy cloaks. Finn thanks him and tells his uncle it should be alright for him to come with them, though he wouldn't mind staying back if that is what he preferred.

Vorde: vorde like hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm 

Psalm: “wouldn't it be safer to stick with a group in that case?” with his nephew there maybe he'll try harder to make things not go badly for us! 🙂 Plum: i also think it'd be kinda bad to be here alone, not like they didn't see us all runnin around Vorde: "i suppose it is better to stick together in this case" he looks at you finn "try not to horse around too much in the daylight" vorde worried parent mode engaged Finn: finn gives a big smile "got it!". >finn feels cared for friendship meter goes up Vorde: hmm, it would be more convincing in any case if i wasnt the only one bringing a group of fugitives to the palace. Finnian and Orin could make also have hold of the restraints.

Finn now assured that he is coming along, heads off into his room to quickly bulk up for the outside journey. Donning three three cloaks, the heaviest on top, thick black gloves and boots, a big sunhat and a scarf to protect his neck, he waddles back out into the main room where the party is situated.

Keva: keva's mouth seems to wiggle as she tries not to laugh Vorde: as you wander out and present yourself, vorde walks up to you and inspects your ensemble, after a moment he adjusts your scarf so it covers you mouth more and hmm's satisfied Orin: orin shouts a "looking good!" from across the room and snorts at keva Keva: keva shoots orin a look back like "what" and her smile breaks thru a little more before she fixes her face Plum: plum gives you a thumbs up Finn: "thanks uncle!!" finn beams @ vorde and looks at plum and orin and also shoots them a grateful smile

Vorde stretches again slightly, seemingly finally more awake then before, he informs the party to ready themselves to set off. They’ll get as close as they can to the palace before putting on the restrained charade, informing them they need to only disguise themselves well enough for a 5 minute walk through some alleys. Heading back into his room he begins preparing the evidence within his satchel and making himself presentable, the party following suit in trying to look conspicuous.

Keva: keva ties up her wet hair and pulls her hood and face mask up Han: han braids her hair and throws up cape too Psalm: (uses disguise kit) for good measure i just pull my hood up too Cimmorro: i'll just take off all the flashy jewellery and keep the hood up if that suffices Rokka: DISGUISE RING...

Rokka uses the disguise ring stolen from the letterheads to once again turn himself into a different human form, Chris Rokksworth, pop sensation. Plum asks the group if they oughta down the red potion they found earlier to change their hair colour.

Plum: can i just drink that weird potion and call it a day Han: angery ronand mcdoland Keva: 

Psalm: i don't see why not, i'm hard pressed to think of a better time to use it Han: han shrugs in a ye sure way Plum: [looking very excited] "ok yeah sure" i chug that shit

you pop open the red bulbous vial and drink the airy liquid. slowly youre hair turns red, additionally your tongue does as well. 

Rokka: cool hair plum Finn: i give a thumbs up back at plum for earlier.

Vorde walks out of the room once more, he almost seems surprised seeing Rokka as a person but doesn't comment, he also doesn't say anything about plums hair. Satisfied with the disguises he heads for the balcony window, informing them its better if theyre not all seen exiting the front. He slides open the curtains and clicks open the doors, peering out for witnesses before he motions for the group to all follow him as he hops down. Orin adjusts his cloak and follows quickly after.

Rokka: vorde am i hot, am i hot to u vorde

> 🎵  Aequilibrium. Medieval Tune. Hurdy-Gurdy With Organ / Andrey Vinogradov

The group quickly follow after the two sliding down the side of the building, though psalm seems to hitch his hooves on some stonework, nearly chipping them oww....his pedicure. The rest make it down quick enough and follow as Vorde begins leading the way through the shadowed alleys, as stealthily as they can to avoid detection from the increased patrols. Vorde keeping the lead and lookout helps the group manage to get by without sticking out too much.

Finally they all slowly come to a stop at an alley corner, as they come close they steal a glance at the palace, it looks as regal in the daylight as it did on the night the group all first stood before it, its peaks reaching high into the sky. The large light blue and white extravagant building dwarfs their forms, though it no longer has the inviting warm glow and festive aura as it did before. Guards stand alert and in a large number around the streets and on top of the walls, the main gates firmly shut with two royal guardsmen stationed in front of it at the top of the stairs leading up to it. Vorde quickly calls the group to attention.

Vorde: “follow my lead and don't put up too much of a fight, be sure to make sour enough faces to be convincing however, at least until you’re called before the court” he pulls the rope out of his satchel Keva: keva's face sours upon seeing the ropes come out no problem Han: hans been sour this whole time no worries bruv, i also keep a look out, like hans basically constantly alert and trying take in every little thing Psalm: psalm just stoic face as per usual, elevator music Rokka: im a celebrity im good at this, jk rokka is nervous af Plum: i always look kinda sour anyways Cimmorro: 😳 cimm like this Chip: cimm a freak like dat Psalm: LOOOL Cimmorro: oh no you caught mee, what ever shall i do, arrest this Plum: shut up shut up Han: cimm 😳 damn u pulling out ropes on the first date?

Vorde moves to hand some of the rope to Orin and they get to tying the six of the groups hands up, not too tightly but convincingly enough. He hands the rope holding Keva and Psalm off to Orin, and Han and Rokka to Finn, holding Plum and Cimmorro’s in his own. 

Vorde: "right then, plays about to begin, stay calm and follow my lead" he gives orin and finn both a nod Han: han nudges rokka to get his attention Rokka: tilts head at han ? Han: han points to vorde and makes a stupid face while pretending to talk seriously Rokka: rokka tries to stifle his laughs Finn: finn peeks out from under his scarf and squints Han: han stops immediately if she sees finn looking Rokka: rokka making snorting sounds from failing to not laugh Finn: I WAS GONNA WRITE THAT FINN HAS A SOMEWHAT APOLOGETIC LOOK BUT THEN YOU SENT THAT POKI Han: han is the picture of innocence Finn: finns rolls his eyes and turns his attention elsewhere

Psalm: well this works out pretty nicely doesn't it, since i've been kind of curious about you. Orin: he just raises a brow Keva: keva looks at psalm Psalm: he just smiles Ghester: [plays laughtrack.mp3 in ur head] Psalm: well i'm not the most learned person out there, but i was a bit curious how you came to start working for vorde is all Keva: you ask a lot of questions for someone who doesn't answer them Psalm: i think you're misunderstanding, i'm not asking anything. if i had an answer there'd be nothing to be curious about. Keva: keva makes a face like you're just saying words at her psalm Psalm: psalm just sighs Orin: “i dont mind telling you, its nothing special. Maybe after we get through court though" he looks back at you keva "no need to be so cagey about it really" Psalm: i highly doubt that it's nothing special. and i don't think there's been a time where she hasn't been cagey around me i think. Keva: oh don't go thinking you're special Psalm: oh i'm not? now i'm even more hurt  

Cimmorro: "so how are we feelin today" cimm attempts to nudge plum gently but ends up hitting their head with his elbow accidentally,  oh shit sorry your wig Plum: [GROANS REALLY LOUDLY] Cimmorro: well at least we're able to play the sour part of this play eh, all according to keikaku [editors note: keikaku means plan] Plum: always, not hard with this group Cimmorro: agreed. hey at least we're having the thrill of our lives eh? who knew we'd have a one way trip to life sentence. free! Plum: i honestly.... Cannot tell if you're joking Cimmorro: 

Plum: [plum laughs] Vorde: while looking for a chance to head out of the alley he listens to the two of you like : | Cimmorro: vorde not being paid enough by the hour to baby sit cimm

Rokka: dont make me laugh im trying to be nervous Han: "whats there to be nervous about, really" han has a weak smile lmao Rokka: life sentence Han: "just gotta break out then" nudges rokka again Rokka: "ur right. ur so smart han" rokka visibly relaxes as he talks to han more aha Han: han laughs quietly "wish i had someone nice like you for a sibling instead of shitheads" Rokka: no stopping that now Han: after han finally Gets it, shes trying not to look like [crying emoji] then looks away kinda shy? "...they arent. complete shitheads......... i think you would get along nicely with'em" Finn: finn eavesdropping @ han, inch resting Rokka: I'd love to meet them one day if we make it out of this Han: "we will. i have to knock the life out of one of them" han smiles Rokka: how many siblings do you have Han: han loses her smile a touch and hesitates a sec b4 answering "...two now." Rokka: now..? Vorde: out of the corner of your eye you all see vorde come to attention and speak "its as empty as it'll be, nows the time to get as far as we can. were on" he shoots you all a glance. Rokka: rokka shoots a quick concerned glance at han before facing forward again

Vorde pulls the two behind him ahead on the ropes and marches proudly into the street, walking at a speedy pace followed by Orin and Finn, the group gets as far up the stairway to the main gates as possible before the entourage is spotted by the various nearby royal guardsman.

Immediately they hear a few shouts ahead of them as the two royal guards by the door call out to Vorde to halt, looking the group also notice the guards on the walls train arrows on their forms. Behind, nearby guards quickly run up to flank the group, surrounding them.

Keva: keva tenses up as the guards approach Han: han too, also making note of fucking everything, how many people, exits, all that shit Rokka: rokka also does the tense Plum: plum stands a little closer to cimm and vorde Psalm: psalm is also just scoping the place out for good measure

Vorde: he clears his throat before speaking loudly and plainly “I, Vorde Barvotte of Antessa, have found and bring to you now, the assassins and wanted fugitives responsible for the carnage during the Elfonsent Ball but not a few nights ago” he continues a little less loudly with his brow furrowed “I bring grave news regarding their actions and future plans of attack on the city, i demand to be brought before the nobility and kings at once to relay this pertinent information immediately” the two royal guardsman in front of him pause for a moment and eyeball the group behind him bound in ropes.

Han appears to get the stink eye specifically from one of the guardsmen before the guard on the right, presumably the guard captain speaks up.

Guard Captain: “there are only 5 assassins left alive to my knowledge 'good' sire, and wasn't one of em' a lupin?” she turns her head to the other guard as if to ask for confirmation, he nods his head. Vorde: he clasps his hands together before responding “it appears you were not thorough enough in your investigation of the body then guard captain, it is of dire importance this error is rectified wouldn't you agree? as for the second question" he looks over at finn and gestures for him to bring chris rokksworth pop sensation forward Han: pop sensation chris rokksworth cant be bad! hes a star! Rokka: silly! hes just getting into his new movie role!

Finn brings Rokka forward as prompted by Vorde, reaching for Rokka’s bound hands Vorde pulls off the ring shifting his form immediately back to his lupin one.

Vorde: "These assassins are crafty wouldn't you say, hiding their faces to avoid detection." he gives you a quick look rokka that to you seems like hes saying gj bro Rokka: rokka just makes a surprised face :OOOOOOO

Satisfied, Vorde turns curtly and pushes Rokka back to where he was standing before, turning back to the guard captain. She squints at him and then quickly turns and raises her arm, ordering the nearby guardsman to examine the tied up members of the party for any weapons.

Han: han probably has all her weapons on her.... she grits her teeth over this lol, han glaring dagger into whoever has her stuff lmao Rokka: [nooo dont confiscate my swords] Keva: keva scowls as a guard approaches her and pats her down Han: eat shit copper

Orin tries to give Keva and Psalm placating looks throughout the process while not being obvious. The six members of the party have all their physical weapons removed from their persons. The guardsman on the right clears her throat seemingly satisfied with her appraisal and shouts at the guards on the walls to lift the gates, as she does Vorde gives the group a barely noticeable nod and continues speaking.

Vorde: “I must be bring them all before the nobility themselves as soon as possible, their testimony will be important for what i am to tell the royalty, i cannot explain their actions without them and the imminent threat to the city without them”  Guard Captain: she responds with a curt “you want to bring assassins before the kings for a second time?” Vorde: they are bound and weaponless, they couldn't hurt more than a fly as they stand now, beaten and docile. I'm sure you’ve a great manner of ways to check before they are brought anywhere near the nobility but i stress, i must speak to them with all of the fugitives present. It is of the greatest importance

The group watch the main gates slowly rise as Vorde speaks, hearing the grunting of guards nearby as they work it open. They’re all ushered ahead by the guardsmen behind them to walk through the gates. Stepping over the threshold they feel a wash of something pass over them as they enter the perimeter of the palace before moving along. 

Ghester: In the back of your head Psalm you hear Ghester make almost what sounds like a grunt of pain before hearing him whisper “....nasty enchantments in place now i see” Psalm: psalm's just looks at orin like eh could be worse, oh wait

Psalm: psalm just tries to mask cough asking ghester "are you alright?" in infernal Ghester: you hear a strained hmm as he speaks "nothing that will kill me but it shall be a persistent pain for a while i suppose, im being forcefully restrained is how i would put it. dont worry, i'll do my best to keep a watchful eye" Psalm: quietly "hmm, i wasn't that concerned about them taking my stuff but knowing that i guess i should be. although i can't really say i'm surprised they'd have you covered too." Ghester: he gives a dreary sigh Psalm: what do you want me to kiss it better? tough it out man! you're like a million years old aren't you? Ghester: he doesn't respond Psalm: * slightly concerned *

Keva: keva's gone from staring warily at the guards to staring at psalm talking to himself Han: 🤨 Psalm: psalm like why y'all staring at me Han: cant a man talk to himself every once in a while Psalm: thats what im saying

As the group walk through they all hear the guard captain Vorde is speaking to respond with a “we’ll see” before she pulls another guard over and motions for them to run ahead of the group with a message.

They quickly take off, the guard captain then turns and motions for Vorde and the entourage to follow close behind. The group are all ushered through a grand main garden, blooming flowers of yellow and blue and large plants bracket the main pathway. They feel plenty of eyes on then as they’re lead through the grounds.

> 🎵  Dark Medieval Blues. Hurdy-Gurdy, Organ & Drum / Andrey Vinogradov

The group is pushed towards the main palace entrance doors and a grand entrance foyer, flanked by royal guardsmen as they enter. There are a number more than there were during the Ball they notice as they’re are ushered down a tall corridor to the right, the royal guardsman marching along with them the whole way.

Eventually in one of the corridors they are brought to a stop. Soon after the messenger that was sent ahead earlier rushes back, as he heaves out of breath the guard captain mutters an impatient “and…?” he stands puffing before sidling up to whisper in her ear, she makes a sour face afterwards.

Guard Captain: “You’re to be examined before i bring you before the court” she points at a nearby door “inside” 

The group are once again hauled through by the guards. They find themselves led through a door to what appears to be an old and ornate looking library, though somewhat messy looking, before being ordered to sit upon a set of chairs lined up near a long wooden table.

The ceiling here is high and there are various potted plants strewn about the tall cases of old tomes, ladders with wheels on the bottom are affixed to the large wooden bookshelves. Orin seems to be looking about the large room with curiosity as if he cant help himself.

Psalm: psalm is same he's basically like "oh shit! books!!" Han: han keeps glaring at the guard who took all her shit n gritting her teeth Finn: finn also letting his eyes wander a little around the room Keva: keva also looks around and takes it all in warily

After a few minutes of waiting you all see the door open again as a woman wearing a large hat with aqua toned skin steps through, fins sprouting from her face.

Han: han briefly looks at her, then does a double take.  Rokka: anxiety sky rockets

Han: han wolf whistles smh she’s a chad dont be stupid Psalm: PLEASE NO Han: NO NO AS;LKHFDLKHWADS;LKF IM KIDDING IM KIDDING Cimmorro: KVLDJSKGJSDKLG\ Han: u can keep me in these cuffs baby girl (winks) Psalm: psalm throws up Plum: [retches] Han: this is why han only gets laid when she pays Psalm: OH MY LORD WHAT A THING TO SAY LMFAO Chip: she fucks but at what cost (25 gold) Han: 25 GOLD, DAMN

The woman appears as if she's a triton, the race typically live underwater they suppose shorewater is located on the sea, not strange for the people to make their way into the politics of the country on the oceans doorstep.

Carrying papers with her they note that she appears to be formally dressed, though they aren't quite sure of her station. She moves towards the table with a nod and places the notes and items she seems to be carrying down with a quick huff and turning to the guardsman

Mardella: “I’m here to examine the accused, i shall cast a general spell then probe further if i need too” as she speaks she brushes an errant hair behind one of her fins. Han: raise ur hand if u dont wanna get zone of truth-ed Plum: I DO I DO I WANNA GET ZONE OF TRUTHED MAKE THIS NIGHTMARE END I'M INNOCENT Han: AKLDSF;LKHRAWLKHHESGDLKAW;LKJ4F all my charm spell nightmares coming to life

Mardella: turning to the three not seated she continues “I am guessing you are Vorde Barotte then?” Vorde: he gives a small bow in response “yes that is correct” Mardella: she hmms and continues “I am curious as to how you apprehended them all when the guardsman had such difficulty, but you seem to express a great desire to speak before the kings themselves so i will leave the needling for the moment” she turns back to the rest of you seated in the chairs “right then this shall take me some time”

She moves to sit at the long table and picks up the papers she was holding. Just then the group also notice she also has a quill and a pot of ink near her. She quickly gets to work drawing notes of some sort before standing.

She walks back to the 6 of them and speaks casting a spell, she seems to grip something at her neck glowing a white light for a moment before relenting. She casts the Zone of Truth of spell, affecting all of them except for Psalm and Cimmorro. Should they speak now they can only respond truthfully.

Psalm: i almost wished cimm failed that just to force him to speak properly Plum: cimm says peenus weenus fr and this woman is like, i am in the presence of a complicated mind... a puzzle box Cimmorro: JKGSDGJSG now everyone's in MY world Chip: lets start with your childhood cimmorro Cimmorro: AM I AT THERAPY? Han: YES

Mardella: she clasps her hands in front of herself and speaks "i shall ask you a series of questions, i expect you to cooperate with this process" she pauses and continues "are any you of currently under the effects of a spell, intended to deceive?" Keva: no Plum: nah Psalm: as far as i am aware, no Han: no Rokka: nope Cimmorro: nope

Han: laughs over the differences n similarities in our responses Psalm: that’s rp babey! Plum: tag urself

Mardella: she hmms and continues "are any of you still carrying weapons or contraband on your person" Han: han grits her teeth "i fucking wish" Keva: no Psalm: no Cimmorro: nope Rokka: nope :( Plum: no Cimmorro: plum sitting there thinking "is this illegal? fuck if i know" (re their pink medical potion) for 30 seconds before answering

Mardella: she continues "do you harbour ill intent towards the royalty of this country" Plum: no Keva: no Han: no Rokka: never Psalm: no Cimmorro: not yet i dont :d Plum: LFAMOGOGOO Han:;KHAS;LKDF;AWEFD Cimmorro: DONT TEST ME Chip: cimmorro cringe compilation Psalm: @ cim

Cimmorro: LKBF;DBCVB,SB.,S Han: we are all testing her patience,  cimm and han 🤝 at their wits fucking end Cimmorro: they find truce. Once

Mardella: she gives you a look cimm and continues "how long ago did you arrive and shorewater, and for what purpose" Keva: 2 weeks. i’m looking for someone Plum: a few weeks ago, came here to talk to vorde Rokka: nearly a month, im just exploring Psalm: a little under two weeks. and i'm just here for a change of scenery Cimmorro: came around 2 weeks back or so. just passing by really, pilgrimaging Han: almost 5 seasons. my friend left me here to find myself

Mardella: she humms "and a final one, were you all here on the night of the Elfonsent Ball?" Han: yes Keva: yes Cimmorro: yup Psalm: yes Plum: ya Rokka: yup

Mardella: satisfied she nods and unclasps her hands "thank you for complying" 

The woman walks back to the end of the table where she placed her papers and begins to draw with the ink and quill, what look like runes of a sort, whispering under her breath, they figure shes slowly casting another spell.

They sit in silence under the watch of the guardsman, about ten minutes pass before she seems to finish, a quick glow bursts from her hands and she stands once again, coming to scrutinise them all. She then slowly examines them all one by one from a distance, making her way down the line before stopping after a time, seemingly satisfied.

Mardella: “I’ve not detected anything suspicious in the way of magic for now” she stands and dusts her dress slightly “i shall go and inform the kings, lead them to the court hall once you are ready” she turns and gives Vorde a slight bow before standing and leaving the room. 

Han: oh that was a detect magic not identify, i was like how is psalm not pinging -  warlock pact Cimmorro: psalm big dong pinging under the radar of mommy Psalm: yeah everything about that is horrible jez Chip: psalm back on pornhub Psalm: everything about what you just said is terrible, GOD, THIS IS LIKE THE THIRD TIME Plum: jez, jez i will beat you one day Cimmorro: Nicj9jjoflkeneje

The guard captain satisfied, motions for the guards to haul the group out of the room and back through the palace, the other three following close behind. Once more they are led through the tall corridors of the palace into a more minimalistically decorated area, though it seems everywhere in this place is covered in plush long carpets. Eventually they are all brought before a large set of double doors, taller than themselves, and brought to a stop. 

The guard captain stands at attention before them all, bringing Vorde, Finn and Orin in front of the group, before turning and lightly knocking on the door. A moment passes and soon after what they assume to be a secretary of sorts sticks his head out and whispers in her ear before leaning back inside and closing the door.

Plum: [fidgeting] Rokka: [fidgeting] Han: han is stoic tense n grimacing the usual Keva: keva's like, lightly scuffing the plush carpet with a shoe as she looks around Psalm: psalm sneezes Chip: ghester doesn't say bless you

Guard Captain: she turns back to you all and speaks “You have been granted an audience with the kings, the princess, the archmage and the high arcane adviser. You will speak when spoken too and keep your hands to yourself, if i notice but a hair out of place, you're out the door. As for the rest of you-” she cranes her head “try anything again and we’ll gut you where you stand, am i clear?” Plum: i heard one of the kings is really hot, IM JK Han: KKHDA;SLKHFALKHEFDS Cimmorro: JDJFKROEDLDM so ure saying hes not? 🤔

> 🎵  The Great Cross-Examination ~ Allegro 2015 / The Great Ace Attorney OST

The guard captain turns and pushes open the doors walking ahead. Vorde, Orin and Finn follow after her as the rest of the group are pushed along behind by the royal guardsman. They all enter what looks like a large chamber, a small set of stairs leading down into a large circle with an ornate design in its centre, tall pillars along either end. At the centre hanging over the centre of the large circle is a lit chandelier, clean in its design.

Across and up another set of stairs appears to be 5 seats, two more ornately decorated than the others, each sat upon by a person flanked by stone statues. The two kings Jermiah and Peruvus Argotts, sit in the two at the centre, flanked by princess Forrin Argott. Next to them sits a gnome in ornate garb, and the woman from earlier, Mardella. 

The chamber has a set of royal guardsmen lined up on either end of the wall at attention, the group is slowly led down to the centre of the room as the guard captain in front of them speaks, head bowed low.

Psalm: A GNOME? :pogchamp: WE'VE BEEN KONGED Plum: GNOME COOL Cimmorro: DAMN TGIF THANK GNOME ITS FRIDAY Han: 

Rokka: SDFCGVHBJKL Cimmorro: THANKS POKI

Guard Captain: your majesty's, i bring Vorde Barvotte of Antessa and his associates, as well as the 6 fugitives wanted for the events that occurred during the Efonsent Ball” she then steps back and aside, allowing Vorde, Finn and Orin to stand facing the court instead. “He claims to have pertinent information regarding their plans and a future plan of attack upon the city, he desired to relay this directly to the court.” The eyes of the five soon land on Vorde as he folds his arms behind his back.

Jeremiah: the king consort speaks up first “Well no need to keep us in suspense sire, speak freely. Mind we are a bit on edge at the moment so if possible it would be well for us to keep this audience brief” Turen: you hear the gnome woman speak up soon after him with a sigh “better for us to be taking no audiences at this time with the work to be done right now” Forrin: The princess responds soon after “we can't turn down any information at this time Turen, even if it ends up being a farce. Though I doubt the good sir would jeopardise himself so readily in such a precarious time, correct?” she tilts her head slightly with a glance at Vorde. Vorde: He responds with a small bow and a brief “of course your highness” Jermiah: he once again waves his hand as if prompting Vorde to begin speaking once more. Cimmorro: speak now thot Plum: plum is just listening to them say words and not absorbing any of it,  just thinking i am looking at the faces of the rulers of this country right now, i wonder what my parents would think Finn: finn looking at these people like man theyre richer than us Cimmorro: we start dancing behind him, interactive presentation Han: we start doing fortnite dances Psalm: psalm is also like hmm wonder what my parents would think, how did i end up here

Vorde: standing straight again he begins “I bring important news of dire events but more notably i must stress an important detail first. The 6 fugitives behind me stand accused of heinous crimes towards the court and the sanctity of this city and country, but I've proof they were merely innocent bystanders who were used. Their faces stolen to be equipped as masks in crimes against this country” He straightens his back slightly before continuing “On my person i have a pieces of evidence that point towards the true culprits behind the attack on your persons your majesty’s, a cult known by the moniker ‘The Red Letterheads’ who deal in disgusting acts for a purpose i do not fully understand myself yet” 

 As Vorde speaks the group see the 5 sitting in front of him watch with rapt attention, he details the evidence they’ve all found and presents his satchel, leaving it upon the ground for examination as he speaks. The guard captain takes the satchel and walks it to the gnome Turen and Mardella who begin to examine its contents. 

> 🎵  Joint Reasoning (Type A) / The Great Ace Attorney OST

Throughout his monologue he turns to each member of the party to provide testimony or speak upon the things they have seen and encountered over the past few days to prove their innocence, and the letterheads being the true culprits before leaving the closing argument to Finn.

Han: uses her outlander feat to provide testimony explaining the groups movements precisely retracing their steps and describing the letterheads place

Psalm: persuades them that the night started with the group being either hired as vinny's bodyguards or brought along as his +1's and the reason why they chose them for doppelgangers was because they were apparently easy targets

Plum: talks about the fact that they only came to shorewater to talk to vorde and then was going to fuck off back to talornia or wherever - they say "fuck off back to" and then are like ah oops

Keva: say she was talking with silversoul and was in his vicinity during the attack, so she saw him stabbed and wasn't around vinny who her doppelganger was seen stabbing bc she was across the ballroom -  [ psalm jumps in on keva's point to say that he had seen the letterhead member that stabbed vinny before she disguised herself as keva and that they later apprehended her and got information out of her ]

Rokka: mentions that he was speaking to vorde with han and plum at the ball,  BRO IM JUST A JOCK

Cimmorro: speaks precisely about the methods of necromancy the group saw, including the undead zombies and the blood clones.

Finn: for the closing statement he emphasises keva’s testimony re:gintama and cimmorro’s regarding the blood clones. Tying that in with the evidence the group  have and making it clear that the real perpetrators have pressing motives that need to be investigated with utmost urgency

> 🎵  The Old Bailey ~ Closing Argument / The Great Ace Attorney OST

Finn eventually closes out the argument, nervously taking a breath as he finishes speaking. In front of them the group watch as the court thinks of the things the party has relayed, most of them with their brows furrowed. 

Psalm: i hope this turns into a "glad we brought him!" situation Cimmorro: PLZ 🥺

Peruvus: finally he speaks up “So this is true then? I had suspicions this was part of a greater plot but it appears to have become all the truer with every word you’ve spoken.”  Jeremiah: “The inconsistencies within your testimony make sense if the culprits were in fact doppelgangers, a cult hmm” looking at you Finn he continues "you said his name was Theyord?” Han: han zones out for a sec and then goes "i believe he also went by ansam?" Finn: finn pulls down his scarf slightly. "Indeed. But my uncle has a better account of this, if you do not mind him relaying it in my place." and just. eyeballs vorde. motioning for him to take over. Cimmorro: this is finn the whole time but crying

Vorde: Yes, your majesty, i think in a previous life he may have gone by the name Ansam, i'm unsure of its relevance at the moment Jeremiah: at that he seems to think for a moment before frowning and putting a hand to his face to think, not speaking after. Turen: next to him the archmage speaks up “This tome is certifiably filled with black magic, the kind you often dont see used on the material plane by living creatures because of how complicated the runes are. If this cult's patron is Mephisto then that is most certainly where they got these litany of spells, he just gives them out to anyone who asks now? This devil gives me a headache…” she turns towards the three standing members of royalty before continuing “i can confirm the contents of this tome are indeed teemed toward necromancy and mind control, it may explain a few things. The enchantments on these items feel like the scratchings of the desperate” she looks over at you cimmorro "seems he knows what hes talking about" Cimmorro: cimm just looks back at them like <:3c

Keva and Han attempt to study the king consort’s reaction to the name Ansam but dont get much aside from the fact that he recognises it, theyre unsure how affected he is right now by its mention. Han does note that the 5 seem to be seriously considering the groups argument, seems Finn’s closing argument was quite strong. 

Psalm also thinks now and considers if he’s heard the name Ansam before, he thinks that perhaps faintly he may have heard it somewhere back home, thinking that it sounds like it could be the name of tiefling. Though he doesnt get much else. Soon after Cimmorro is praised Mardella once again speaks up 

Mardella: “i do not think they're lying about the stolen faces, we had the suspicion already. Once we removed the ring upon the corpse in the palace it changed its face completely, it's of the same make as the one I hold now” she twirls the disguise ring around in the light. “Your majesty’s, your highness, i too can confirm the authenticity of these items as Turen just did” Forrin: at this she responds, lifting her arm slightly, beckoning towards the guard captain “as a gesture of trust, i’d like you to remove their bindings as they stand before us captain” 

Quickly bowing, the guard captain walks over to the group of six, Orin, Finn and Vorde drop the ropes as she quickly cuts each member free one by one, their hands allowed to roam as they please. Other royal guards step forward to take the ropes and remove them from the hall as the king begins to speak once more.

Peruvus: “I'm going to choose to believe the events you’ve just relayed to us to be truth, in which case I apologise for the rough treatment you’ve no doubt undergone in place of our true culprits. It must not have been easy gathering all of this information.” He turns to you Finnian, and continues “earlier your group said there was an immediate dire threat facing us, can you explain? Or was this also part of the farce to gain an audience with us” he clasps his hands over his knees as he speaks, leaning forward slightly “we’ve upped the city’s defences somewhat since the assassination attempts and the return of our archmage, but there have been unusual happenings i've noticed over the past day. I’d like to know what you can tell me and if you’ve any further leads”  Psalm: If I may, what are these 'unusual happenings' you're referring to? Peruvus: he shits his attention over towards you psalm and responds "The mayor caused a great hullabaloo at the government ward gates, it appears as if he started a fist fight with all the nearby guardsmen out of the blue. None were eager to bring him down as he was already still injured from the Ball’s events" he rubs the bridge of his nose as if beleaguered "Similarly a cleric from the church of Heiron was seen pounding on the gates in the church district soon after his recovery within his own church's walls, he resisted any attempts from the guardsman to calm him and had to be restrained..." Keva: keva frowns @ news abt panaver Han: han tsks kind of to herself

Psalm: I see. Well going off what we know so far the cult has the ability to both disguise themselves, but their leader can temporarily possess the followers as well. The cleric is one of the wounded from the night of the ball, so that at least explains his breakdown. Keva: "silversoul" keva says, quieter than she usually speaks Psalm: sorry what was that Keva: keva huffs and says louder "his name was panaver silversoul. he was the one i was talking to." Han: we think who was stabbed, is who can be controlled by theyord Finn: "It was not a farce. Our investigation has proven that the Letterheads have been preparing to perform a ritual. Perhaps some sort of summoning. The language they used suggested serious danger. Tightened defenses or not, Shorewater is vulnerable." Finn sighs and closes his eyes for a second. "it might be of interest for you to know that they possess portals that lead to various different places in Shorewater, possibly outside of it." Psalm: With that being said, we don't really have the specifics of the 'dire' event the letterheads have planned. But for the most part they seem intent on 'punishing' Shorewater. Oh, and they plan to carry out this punishment within the next few days. Plum: i'd give us less than two days. Psalm: If even so much. We did however, infiltrate their base, so assuming they haven't left we know the whereabouts and have an idea of what it's like inside

Cimmorro:  is finn still wearing all of his layers during the entirety of this Finn: yes Cimmorro: perfect,  he's just waddling around while explaining things

Forrin: ...a large scale attack… we’ll need Turen to scour that tome for any sort of spell that might indicate to what exactly they’re attempting, perhaps that Accord wizard might assist us. We must further up the guard presence along the walls and call a lockdown perhaps.. Jeremiah: perhaps we ought evacuate the city entirely, though I wonder if we’d have enough time, if we were caught while people are outside their homes en masse it could worsen the situation entirely… Mardella: i think a lockdown would be a better course of action, if we set about activating the city wide enchantments quickly the people would be safer inside their homes than out Jeremiah: he nods in response “hmm this is true, we’ll need to expend all our effort into organising the guard as quickly as possible more than we already have, we ought to bulk up the church and government ward gates specifically as well. Its good to know we've a location to crack down on then as well. We ought to arrange a group of guardsman and mages to flush them out post hate as well..

> 🎵  Joint Reasoning: The Great Deduction (Type B) / The Great Ace Attorney OST

Forrin calls over the guard captain and the secretary seated at the desk close by and begins relaying orders for them to begin sending out along with Peruvus. Jeremiah however continues to address the group as they do.

Jeremiah: Travellers and esteemed Barvottes. I King Consort Jeremiah, am now asking formally for your aid in this time of crisis, we are stretched thin and with not knowing what to expect the city needs as much help and eyes as we can give her. You will be compensated greatly for helping the city of Shorewater, and the country of Dorrin itself in its coming time of crisis. As well as for the hardships you have already endured, is there a name I might refer to you all as going forward?” Vorde: he turns his head at you all expectantly afterwards as well.

Cimmorro: wow even on dnd we quarantine Chip: social distancing to save from cults Psalm: damn jeremiah if you're asking like that... 👉👈 Cimmorro: jeremiah stan club Plum: sir can i get your autograph

The group then scramble to decide on a name, quickly forming a group huddle amongst themselves.

Cimmorro: cimm does a poor attempt to huddle us all up and goes "lets just go with peenus weenus" Plum: whispering heatedly "shut up cimm shut up" Psalm: sure why not, i'm sure whatever dignity we have left doesn't matter anymore right? Han: tries not to choke

Finn: finn coughs uncomfortably at cimm's suggestion. "we could simply refer to ourselves as a strike force." Han: do we even have anything that makes us one Psalm: vinny's strike force... to honour him since he's dead. /s Cimmorro: the brokebacks Plum: SHUTGUUPPGPF

Cimmorro: while everyone is debating i just walk up to the king and goes like we're the vengaboys -  "your majesty i present to you the vengaboys" Jeremiah: he looks towards you cimmorro and tilts his head "vengaboys? i see, well then Vengaboys-" and he turns to the rest of you all "i would like to ask again for finality's sake, do you have any more possible leads at the moment?" Cimmorro: i turn back to everyone and gives a thumbs up Psalm: psalm gives a thumbs up back Vorde: [internally] tf does venga mean Psalm: TF DOES VENGA MEAN Chip: vengeance boys... Cimmorro: ^ Keva: boys for vengeance Finn: 

Psalm responds afterwards, informing the king consort that the only one they have would be the hideout as they’ve never met Theyord in person, Han emphasising only when hes possessed someone. He also brings up the notes in the back of the book, noting Shelly’s name and that she may be in possible danger.

Keva: i step a little closer to psalm and say "tell them about those people we ran into down there" Psalm: psalm just folds his arms and does what keva asks Keva: YYYEEAAAAHHH

Han: when theres a pause han also asks "what about the assassin that you caught? who are they?" Jeremiah: he looks over at you "they weren't caught per say, the guards struck them right in the ballroom before they could strike at us, dead in seconds." he thinks "we examined the body of course but as far as we could tell they weren't a Shorewater native, i dont think they were from Dorrin originally either. The most we could glean was they had a brand upon their back in the shape of a symbol once we removed the disguise”

Forrin then returns her attention to the conversation at hand, seemingly her and her brother Peruvus have finished issuing orders for the moment, having been paying attention to the ongoing conversation.

Peruvus: “We shall work on the assignment of the guardsmen across the city and deciphering all we can from the tome you’ve given us, as well as bolster the city's magic defences, and declare a lockdown. Once you return from investigating Shelly Carter’s abode I would ask you to assist us directly in these tasks. At the most i can spare some guardsmen to assist you in this endeavour, it would be best i think to send one of the captains in charge of the arcana district to help your investigation. I will send word for you to meet them at the district gates, it would be best for us to move as quickly as possible”  Turen: in response to this archmage stands “if i am no longer needed your majesty i shall consort with Mardella and the witch from the accord, my workload has suddenly increased tenfold” she rolls her shoulders as if gearing up for a fist fight.

Jeremiah nods and waves her and Mardella off, the two stand and leave the room via one of the large doors, finally him and the other two royals stand 

Jeremiah: “The royal guardsman shall escort you off the palace grounds and send word across the city that you aren't to be approached in your travel, should you require any food or rest before you head off you may use one of the rooms in the palace. The guardsmen will direct you.” Peruvus: “return as soon as you are able, we’ve not a moment to waste” Psalm: I don't speak for everyone here, but as it's still early in the day I don't think we'll be here for long before heading onto our next task Peruvus: looks towards you psalm and nods "of course, whatever suits you for the moment" He looks back towards Vorde addressing him directly "thank you again for your aid in this time from your family, sire Barvotte, it shall not be forgotten. As well as for you, Vengaboys, may we meet to discuss what comes next soon with higher hopes" 

The royal guard captain stands and rises as the royals give the group a small courteous bow which Vorde returns doubly so. The party and co. are ushered back out of the doors of the grand courthall their names now clear, their next task pressing on their minds....

--

Notes

🦇Finn succeeded the debate skill challenge very epic

🍺 Plum drank the「  Red Potion ✨ 」who knows how long they’ll have red hair for...

-「  4 Poison Daggers ✨ 」-「 a Branding Rod ✨ 」-「 a Red Tome ✨ and -「 2 Letterhead Tokens ✨ 」 were handed over to the Court as evidence

- ITS NOON - 33 HOURS UNTIL - 📜🩸 The Reckoning 🩸📜 - (supposedly)

[ultsracha]

Friends to Lovers w/ Eric (tbz)

Request: Anon -  Ok uuuh I’ve never requested before so idk how to word all this but could you maybe write some Eric (the boyz) catching feelings for his best friend and him trying to ask her out ?? And maybe like the other 00 liners making fun of him for being all soft :( I’m sorry I’m trash at explaining stuff <3 Have a wonderful day A/N: Thank you for requesting! im sorry that this isnt the best but i tried !  Warnings: mild angst & swearing

*He looks so teeny tiny in this gif ouchies my heart*

you and Eric had been friends for literally your whole lives 

all of your childhood memories had him in them 

running around the back yard? Eric was right behind you 

Learning how to ride a bike? This dude was the reason you had the courage to do it

So it was no surprise to everyone that all throughout school you stayed friends 

Joined at the hip every second you could be

In class you would sit together and help each other with the work

Of course you had your other friends, 11 of them who were all part of Eric’s band they called ‘The Boyz’ 

They accepted you into their group with open arms

Most nights after school were spent in the practice room with them 

Watching them dance and run around 

Eric always tried to get you involved but that’s a big, fat, nope 

But you literally had the best, best friend 

So, like every other day you’re sat at the lunch table waiting for Eric to get out of his class while you sat with Sunwoo and Hyunjoon 

“You coming stargazing with us tonight?” Sunwoo asks as he shoves a few grapes into his mouth

“Of course, I’ll bring some food if you guys want as well?” you replied

This wasn’t uncommon for you all, to go sit on Kevin’s roof with blankets and snacks and just look at the stars 

“Is Eric coming too?” You ask because let’s face it everything's more fun with him around 

“OoOOoooOOOOoooOOh ‘Is Eric coming too?’ oOOooOo” Hyunjoon teases, nudging your arm 

“Ah fuck off you know it’s not like that, we’ve been friends forever! I can’t go anywhere without him now” 

They both continued to tease and nudge you around until you saw Eric walking over 

As per the routine, you got up and met him halfway across the hall for a massive hug 

“Hey! What’s up? You’re bright red?” He asks after hugging you

“Ohhh nothing, just dumb and dumber trying to steal my last brain cell” you giggle as you both settle into your seats 

Eric draping his arm round your shoulders like he always does 

Sunwoo giving you a sly smirk like he a l w a y s does when you and Eric even look at each other

It wasn’t hard to understand why everyone gave you these looks

Most people assumed you were together

Even some of your family had suspicions because of how close you two were 

but you could only dream... 

This little crush you had started mid teens and had persisted ever since 

Now it was nearing the end of school and here you were, hopelessly in love 

Honestly it had just become a normal part of your life by now and that was okay, as long as you had him with you being your best friend. It was okay

“You’re coming to Kevins tonight yeah?” Eric mumbles into your ear 

Resisting the urge shiver you simply nod and turn away and continue to listen to the bickering of the boys 

After that the day goes on peacefully, Eric walks you to class and kisses your forehead before jogging to his own class 

The bus journey home you guys sit together and share earphones, taking it in turns to choose a song 

“I’ll see you later yeah?” You ask as you both get off the bus at your stop 

“Yeah I might be a bit late though, I’ve got some things to get done beforehand” he replies, throwing his bag over his shoulders 

“Alright, I’ll see you later then!” you start to wave goodbye and of course, as per usual he brings you in for a hug and to kiss your forehead 

and yet again your heart swells and you inwardly scream because why not your lips hm? 

Later that evening Sangyeon picks you up, with Sunwoo and Haknyeon already in the car

Sunwoo on the aux playing some random country music to annoy everyone 

It’s an amazing night to stargaze, you get to Kevins just at the end of sunset where the sky is mostly dark but a lilac hue still coats the edges of the sky

The stars already sparkling 

Kevins roof was your favourite place to be as he lived at the top of a hill, meaning the view of the city below could be seen 

As well as the roof itself having a large flat bit for everyone to cosy up together 

Most of the group are already there setting up blankets and pillows and the speaker

As expected Eric wasn’t there yet so you just dumped out all the snacks you gathered next to the speaker and went to speak to the host

“Did Eric tell you what he had to do tonight?” you ask, watching Kevin struggle to smooth out a massive blanket

“Yes but I’m not telling you, it’s a secret” he replies

“Why? What is it?” your heart starting to race

Did he have a girlfriend? Was he keeping her a secret? Was he bringing her tonight? 

Yes, that’s where your mind goes because, well every girl in the school would be lucky to have him 

“Y/N calm down he’s gone to get something for tonight, don’t worry he’s still your mans but not really your mans” he smirks, patting the top of your head and walking away

You just stand there blinking before realising what he even said, leading you to pursue him to where everyone was sat already 

“He’s not my ‘mans’ Kevin we all know he’s got every girl in the school whipped for him” you sigh, plopping yourself next to Jacob

who was munching on some chips 

“Y/N you’re kidding right?” Sunwoo smirks while Hyunjoon giggles lightly and nods 

“No I’m not, I’m honestly surprised he hasn't got a girlfriend already...” you mumble 

The sad truth being explained to your friends hurt but it wasn’t hard to see, he wasn’t in love with you 

“He has THE biggest crush on you Y/N how do you not see it?” 

You look up from your lap to see everyone nodding in agreement 

Who knew your friends would play such a prank on you

“This isn’t funny guys, you’re just teasing and it’s painful so please can we just change the subject?” 

lets be real it would always hurt knowing how everyone could see how in love you were but how obviously he wasn't 

“Seriously, everyday we see him he talks about how cute you look or how smart you are and how he can’t wait to show you this dance because he wants to impress you” Hyunjoon giggles while Changmin over dramatically nods 

“and how you smell nice all the time” Sunwoo adds rolling his eyes

“they boy’s whipped for you” Hyunjoon continues 

“It’s almost annoying how literally no one exists when you’re around because he’s so focused on you” 

Your heart has literally stopped 

Because ??? Eric???? liking you???? 

“Right let’s quit the teasing because we weren’t even meant to tell her so now you’re gonna have to explain to him about this” Sangyeon scolds the younger ones 

You just lay back into the pillows still not computing 

They have to be lying? He’s never shown any interest in you? 

You hear them still laughing about how your face looks when you’re shocked 

Jacob leans over to whisper “just ignore them, they’re rooting for you” 

You’re just lying on the roof, looking up to the sky with butterflies bursting your stomach and your heart beating like crazy in your chest when you hear Kevins bedroom window open 

“Hey guys, sorry I was late” Eric bursts through the window “I was just getting a few things” 

Everyone greets him but you stay silent, looking up at the sky because you were just TOO nervous to say anything

“You okay?” He asks you, laying down next to you and propping his head on his arm

“Yeah! Just looking at the stars” your voice betraying your panic

He just nods and rolls over to lie on his back next to you 

The night goes on as normal, everyone chatting, listening to music and enjoying the view 

You hop in the conversation every once in a while but the others seem to understand why you’re being more quiet 

Eric hardly speaks to you but never leaves your side, just lying next to you also in his in thoughts 

“What’s up?” You whisper to him after a while

“Just thinking about stuff” He whispers back shifting to lay on his side to look at you 

You look into his eyes and he looks,,, nervous?

“What you thinking about?” you ask, shifting to mirror his position 

“It’s nothing don’t worry Y/N” He replies shaking his head

“You know you can tell me anything Eric we’re best friends...” 

At this he sighs even more and stands up 

“What? What did I do?” You also stand 

He’s already climbing back through Kevins window 

Naturally you follow, heart beating out of your chest at the thought of Eric being upset with you

“Seriously whats wrong? Why can’t you tell me?” You follow him into the room

“Because if I tell you we can’t be friends and it’ll all go wrong so it’s better if I don’t say anything” 

“Why? We’re best friends we’ve always told each other everything whats changed?” 

“Will you please stop saying that?” He almost shouts and spins around to face you

You’ve never seen him this upset before 

Sunwoo and Hyunjoon were wrong, he doesn't love you he doesn't even want to be friends anymore

“Y-y-y-you don’t want to be friends with me anymore?” You splutter out,  tears already brimming in your eyes 

They were so wrong and they couldn't have said what they did at a worse time, giving you that small bubble of hope in your chest for it to be crushed an hour later 

“It’s not that I just....” he trails off, wringing his hands nervously 

“Then what Eric?” You burst into tears, heart almost breaking in that moment 

“Y/N I love you. Fuck. I’m sick of hiding it and being teased all the time for not having the courage to tell you. I fucking love you” 

The tears didn't stop when you rushed over and wrapped your arms around his neck 

Standing on your tiptoes to hug him you felt his arms wrap around your waist 

You both just stood there holding each other

His erratic breathing indicating he’s crying too

“I love you too Eric, so much, for so long” 

You just stayed put in his arms, him stroking the back of your head

“I didn’t believe them when they told me...” you giggle while pulling away to look at him

His eyes just go so wide 

“They did what?” He yelped

“Oh they told me all about how you talk about me all the time and how whipped you are” you giggle even more

The look on his face just makes you laugh harder 

“I’m going to kill them” he growls and charges back through the window

You just smile and follow him onto the roof where everyone was just laughing and nudging Eric around

“So he’s finally confessed!” Jacobs asks you grinning from ear to ear

“It’s about time, now we don’t have to spend every dance practice brainstorming ways to get him to do it” Sunwoo laughs, earning a slap from Eric

Once the teasing died down Eric joined your side leaning against the wall by Kevins window

“So does this mean you’ll be my girlfriend?” He asks 

And despite the dark you can tell his cheeks are dusted pink

“Of course I will, but what did you need to go get earlier than meant you were late?” 

“Oh,” he wriggled to grab a small packet from his pocket “I was going to confess to you tonight and I bought you this” 

Handing you the packet you open it to find a dainty necklace 

Silver with a small heart pendant on it 

“Eric this is so cute but you didn’t have to buy me something to confess to me” you blush, heart feeling so full it could burst 

“I know but I thought it would help” his smile is so bright and warm

He helps you put on the necklace and the night ends with you falling asleep cuddled into his arms admiring the view