#what foods have the highest iron

[jacaranda55posts]

A Very Iron Rich Recipe For Iron Deficiency

Iron deficiency and zinc deficiency are two very common deficiencies in the world. Iron deficiency in women is especially hard to address due to blood loss from mensturation.

There are many factors contributing to the proper absorption of iron from the gut.

One major factor is not eating enough of heme containing foods that have the highest bioavailability of iron. These include red meat, seafood, organ meats and egg yolk.

The second problem is poor absorption. When the iron rich foods are eaten with plants or dairy the iron can not be absorbed efficiently. The plants fibre, polyphenols and Phytate bind with iron and prevents its absorption.

The third factor is the cofactors. Vitamin B2 and Copper are needed for iron absorption and if there is not enough B2 only very small amounts of iron gets absorbed. That is why eating liver is one of the best ways to raise iron level as liver is also very rich in vitamin B2.

I have always found barbequed liver to be more tasty that just pan fried liver. As the process of barbequing is always messy and involves a lot of time and especially cleaning, not everyone is keen to go through the process.

This method is simple, quick and does not involve a lot of time. Just wash and cut the heart and liver into small pieces, add some butter and then blowtorch each side.

[lolita-lollipop]

Iron

YANDERE BARBARIAN BAKUGO X READER

The king of the most violent and powerful tribe in the eastern world is captured during battle by a small farmers village. What does a violent man like katsuki bakugo do upon meeting a kind servant girl like you?

WARNINGS: reader gets hurt by villagers (bakugo saves her)

He couldn't remember how long he had been here, he just knew it was cold, dark, unsanitary, and painful. He remembered the battle that put him here, getting shot with a poison-laced arrow, feinting on the field. Heh. imagine it, the great barbarian Bakugo, the children's slayer, the village burner, the soldier slaughterer falling because of one puny arrow from one puny kingdom. When he first had woken up he could feel the slick of his blood under him mixed with the dirt and grime of the cell, he had giant iron cuffs wrapping his wrists and legs, binding him to the floor. He couldn't blame these people, truly, they knew that once he woke up if he were to get out they were all as good as slaughtered.

It was a small stone dungeon, with only a couple of stalls, he occupying one of them. There was a small barred window, along with a wall of iron bars serving as protection from him and the rest of the world. Iron, he hated the stuff, and banned it from his country, it burned him, burned his people. There was a thick, damp smell of blood and rust, a musty smell he could easily recognize as death. He would carve every person in this building up, then burn every building in the village, and he would let the fire spread to their fields and watch as their lives work shrivels up into ash. But for now, He would wait for the perfect time to strike, all he could do was wait really, watch the guard rotation, see which ones were talkative, and which ones were cruel.

Many of the guards would beat him, carve his skin, and watch him bleed, they know of all the gruesome things he has done to so very many people, and supposedly the bastards feel some kind of idiotic vengeance or justice for those people. They would pay in the long run, who exactly do they think they are? he is a king, royalty, the highest of the highest, the strongest too. If he doesn't kill them his people will, they'll see. All the king could do was watch, wait, and plot the splattering of this village.

That was, until you came along.

Little you, in your flowy little skirt that was all torn up, with no shoes and a dirt-covered face. Little you with your oh-so-innocent smile, and your callused hands. Little you with your malnourished body, frail and sickly. Little you, who had no idea who he was. Little you who snuck in when no guard was on duty, a small bowl of soup in your hands, and a cup of water.

“I-im sorry that this is all I have, I know you haven't eaten in a long time I just- I’ll have more tomorrow” you whispered, and he swore he fell in love right then and there, you were too frail, too weak to be giving out food that you surely needed. Yet here you were, shakily handing him the bowl and the cup. He stared at you for a solid second, not even his own mother was this selfless, and you don't even know him. Who were you? You did not seem like aristocracy, too kind, maybe a farmer? Maybe a maid, a servant even.

He hadn't realized how hungry he was, not until the entire bowl and cup were gone, and he was left to stare at you. You were ethereal, dirt-covered and all, your eyes, your hair, your hands, everything, absolutely stunning. You had a look in your eyes. Something hungry and fearful told him that you were not happy, not safe and sound, not as you should be.

“I don't have anything to treat your wound, but- I'm sorry. Nobody should be treated this way, not even prisoners. I'll be back tomorrow, please don't tell the guards that I've done this. They will kill me.” you whispered, cautiously reaching to grab the glassware from his grip, waiting to see if he would snap at you. He didn't, only stared, grunting in response to your plea. You stared back with those sympathetic globes of yours, as if you could see the anger in his soul. Before turning on your heel, and quietly sneaking out of the dungeon room, you gave him one last glance before disappearing.

He was left in the quiet, in the cold, falling head over heels in love with you, a mere human. A peasant at that. Strange. You were too sweet, too kind, you clearly needed the food, clearly were starving and malnourished, yet you still stood here and offered your only food to him, a prisoner of war, you were so sweet. So kind. His people were not like you, they were not soft or sweet, he loved them for it, but you, oh you. You were soft and supple and sweet andso sickeningly kind. He would protect you, he has too.

The next couple of nights went similarly, you sneaking in during the dead hours following midnight with varying foods, sometimes a stale loaf of bread with milk, sometimes some leafy soup and water. He was grateful every time, thankful that he wasn't starving, still burning with absolute rage towards the mere peasants who believed that they could contain him. But you, in the very few days that he had known you, had wormed your way into his heart with your soft hands and pretty smile.

He can just imagine you adorned in stolen jewels and furs, dressed in the finest silk, or better, the clothes of his people. something soft like you, something pretty and supple and shiny and light. Something that reflects you, he would take you out of those rags, clean you up, teach you what luxury truly is. and you wouldnt have to lift a finger. he dreamed about your future everyday that you would visit, asking your favorite color or season or jewel.

That was, until you stopped showing up. No more quiet hours gazing at each other, no more shared food and drink, no more listening to you quietly talk about your life, no more sympathetic glances, no more questions about him from you, no more answers from him. It was like you had disappeared entirely, and back to his old routine of watching and observing the guards had begun once more. He had to admit it kind of hurt, having the only good thing here disappear entirely, he resented this place more, resented you.

He hated you, how could you leave him? You, a servant girl abandoning a king. Funny, hilarious, he sat in a pool of blood and hatred thinking about you, about this town, about the people who put him here, who chained him to the floor and watched him bleed out, this city will burn. And burn and burn and burn and burn and burn, his people would tear it apart until it was nothing but ash and blood-

What tore him out of his internal monologue was a pained scream, but not just anybody, he didn't know anybody in the town, it was yours. With that whispery rasp that you had from overexertion, and that neverending fear that dripped from your tone. He stood up to stare through the small window, only to see you on the ground, surrounded by many people, all bigger and stronger than you, yelling and screaming.

“It's her, the traitor!”

“She has been feeding the enemy, treason, treason I say!”

“She should be beheaded, the traitor.”

You let another scream ring out through the town center as one of the men brought their boot down on your bare foot, he could hear the crunch followed by another scream. The first kick sparked more from other men as they brought their feet down on frail little ou, you slowly reverted into a fetal position, lying in the dirt as they beat you relentlessly. He saw red, crimson blinding him and overflowing all of his senses. How could they? You did nothing, you knew nothing. You were just a sweet, innocent little human who knew no better, who were they to punish you, to beat you so cruelly? You were thin and frail and he could hear each one of your bones cracking and breaking into pieces.

He saw bright ruby red, anger wasn’t the word, absolute rage is a better way to put it.

Red red red red red red red red red

He didn't even realize he had broken from his chains till his legs were moving,

Red

He didn’t even feel the burn of the iron till the bars holding him were bent out of shape and twisted

Red

He didn’t realize they were all dead till his hands were stained with that bright crimson color he loved so much- you guessed it, red

He killed them all, so painfully, knuckles crunching skulls and tearing off limbs, pulling people apart faster than any wolf or bear could even try to. The thrill of freedom mixed with rage and pure anger let him revert to the ways of his homeland, back to the thrilling violence and electrifying feeling of tearing another apart. He enjoyed it, enjoyed tearing them limb from limb and watching them bleed as they had done to him. He cackled as they screamed in terror, relishing in their fear.

You watched deliriously, you had lost too much blood in too short of a time, and you were positive that you had many many broken bones, pain overcame you as you watched the bloodshed in front of you, your vision was blurry and shaking but you could tell that somebody was strong, and enjoying violence. Fear budded in the back of your brain, he was enjoying this, enjoying their pain, he would hurt you just the same, kill you, and relish in it.

You hadn’t known who he was, you swore to the village leaders, swore that you just felt bad for the poor starving man in the dungeons who seemed to gentle and sweet, they hadn’t cared. You were to be burned or drowned or noosed they said. But a death like this, at the hand of a man you had been fooled to be sweet? That was worse. Oh god, oh god oh god oh god oh god oh god you were going to die

Your breath became shallow, both because of what was surely a punctured lung, but also because of the slowly approaching footsteps crunching on the dirt. A small whimper escaped you as the figure towered over you, and your hands came up to shield your face from the blow that was surely to come.

But Instead of a painful ending blow, arms wrapped under you and hoisted you up, you never realized how tall this man was. Naturally, you curled into his warmth and tried not to think about how sticky his hands were with blood. your breath hitched as he squeezed you closer with calloused rough hands. Tears washed down your face, you were quivering, shaking in fear.

“P-please-“ you quivered out. Hand moving up to push him away, your statement had many meanings, to beg for your life, to beg him to put you down, to beg him to leave you and your village alone, to beg him to forgive you. He stared down at you with crimson eyes, a sudden softness overcoming them, more than he thought he could have.

“Don’t you worry baby,

I’ll take good care of ya”

———————————————————————

Cute

Anyway enjoy, I noticed a lack of barbarian bakugo content on here so I figured I would add some fuel to the fire.

Love you all, make sure to have a great day!

[heartfullofleeches]

Titus [Space Emperor Yan] and former Assassin Cat-Hybrid Darling. (Just a blurbo for now but I love these two now so I'd love to come back to this)

When the pair met, Darling thought Titus was no different from the rest of their targets. A self proclaimed god untouchable by those below him. Little did they know that their employers were basically setting them up on a suicide mention as the tyrant is a damn near immortal deity. As they perch atop his bed - knife planted in his chest, Darling counts their cards as a large hand locks around their wrist; pulling the blade out as one night remove a splinter. There was nowhere for them to run. The element of surprise had been swept from under their feet. They struggle and claw at the man, but there is no give to his iron grasp. As their brain draws to any conclusion a trapped animal may have, the knife in their hands is tossed across the room before they can take the final plunge.

The Emperor should have his little intruder punished. Waking a kind from his beauty rest is a serious offense. A crime in which the accused receives no trial and punished to the highest degree. Their eyelids removed so they never experience another second of slumber before their execution. There is also the more "amusing" route of electrocution or burning everytime they attempt to shut their eyes. Darling surely would have been subjected to this fate if they weren't so... So...

Precious~

Did this adorable little feline really think they could kill a god so easily? They insult him, but fortunately for them, they're cute enough for him to let it slide. The poor thing could use a bath though... And those scars.... When was the last time they had a proper meal? Oh, and those rags!

Titus scoops up the feisty kitty and thrusts them into the hands of his guards while he sorts through his closet for something to throw on until he can get them measured. Darling attempts to flee any chance they are alone, but with Titus promising to have the heads of everyone in the palace if they escaped - they never got far. Once they had some food in them and fully realized Titus wasn't bluffing when he called his home their new place of resident - Darling came up with a plan to lure Titus into false security and learn his witness to take him down when he least expected it. The only flaw in their plan was they underestimate their own commitment to the role as day by day their acceptance of the tyrant's obsession became less of an act.

They no longer had to work for their meals. Everything they could ever deserve was thrust placed right in their hands if they snuggled up to their new master or swished their tail just right in Union with those big adorable eyes. Their word stood above all in his counsel. They were waited on hand and foot by everyone under Titus' rulevIt was paradise. Their former comrades and the person they once were would be disgusted by what they've become, but if the former ever came to drag them back to their old ways they were swiftly cut down without so much as a passing glance from the royal that once stood beside them.

Titus is ever so glad he managed to bag that angry stray and turn them into the sweetest lil dear anyone has ever seen. He nearly loses his composure everytime he catches them lazying around in his robes - cloth barely clinging to their smaller figure. He knows they only do it to make sure he never says no to him, but there's hardly anything he would deny them beside their freedom. Whatever their heart longs for is a small prize to pay for their company. The Emperor is absolutely whipped for his little bedmate and would do anything to keep them collared at his side.

-

Assassin: You used to be something.... You could have lived a life similar to this without sacrificing your freedom if you had just taken his head. You are but a shell of the person I once knew. I despise you.

Cat Hybrid Reader: Hm... What you say might be true, but there's still something this life grants me that makes it all worth it

[Reader tears their shirt and knees on the floor closer to the cell as they shout]

Cat Hybrid Reader: Titus! Help!

Titus, storming down the dungeon stairwell: Oh, my precious angel. [Picks up Reader and checks them over for injuries] Don't worry, my love. I will have these awful, awful person executed at once. I'll have a necklace made from their ashes, but for now - will a massage and treats make do for leaving you all alone?

Cat Hybrid Reader, wiping fake tears from their eyes: yes....

[moirasdolly]

˚ ⋆ﾟ୨୧ Vampire Heart ୨୧ ˚ ⋆ﾟ Arlecchino x Fem Reader

Synopsis: Running away from an arranged marriage seemed like it was the only option for you, so you set out in the middle of the night only to stumble across a mansion deep in the woods. A beautiful stranger opens the door for you before you plead your case to seek shelter in her home. You faint as the harsh conditions from the night catch up to you and you awaken in a bed that ain’t yours with the same beautiful stranger tending to you. There’s something off about her though…

Contains: NSFW (men and minors dni), graphic depictions of blood sucking, hurt/comfort (only slight angst).

Listening to ♪ ིྀ: Minerva - Deftones

Notes: I’ve been wanting to write a vamp!arle fic since FOREVERRRR and i’m finally getting to it!! This is just a quick intro so that I could get some ideas flowing ^_^ I don’t have exact plot points for what I want to happen, butttt i have a few ideas. There will definitely be a sexy blood sucking chapter though… so be prepared

❤︎ Chapter 1: Feverish

Shivers racked your body as you stumbled through the deep forest. A thick fog was beginning to settle, and it was just your luck that rain started to pour down as well. “S-Shit…” You mumble out, raising your hands above your head in a futile attempt to shield yourself from the drizzles of rain rolling down your body. By now you were soaked straight to the bone and it was getting harder and harder to trek through the foliage. Your limbs felt heavy and your limbs grew tired as you pushed on the best you could.

You were beginning to think that maybe running away from home was not the greatest idea in the world. Sure your parents wanted to marry you off to some guy twice your age just for riches and status, but in your delirious state, you thought to yourself that you would have taken that situation over what you were going through now. Your fingers were numb from carrying heavy bags full of clothes, other necessities, and a small amount of food and water to make it on your own. You weren’t quite sure where you were going when you left in the middle of the night, and you definitely didn’t have any sort of plan, but in the moment you just couldn’t take it anymore.

The hope of finding a place to rest for the night dwindled down by the second. That is until you stumbled into a large clearing, revealing a huge mansion. It was breathtaking… Black bricks made up the facade and gold accents were sprinkled throughout the building. The rooftop came into steep gables, signaling the different rooms in the house. There were few windows though, most of them dark, but a few of them emanated a soft yellow glow. You assumed someone must be home, but you wondered what they were doing awake this late at night.

The dark architecture filled your vision, and you knew it was shady, but you were willing to take the risk. You just missed the feeling of being warm, cozy, and most of all, dry. You were willing to stay in a place like this even just for the night, as long as you had shelter from the harsh outside conditions.

As you approached the intimidating structure you could have sworn you saw a figure in the window of the highest floor. The figure disappeared just as quickly as you saw it though. A sickening feeling was beginning to settle into your stomach as you made your way up to the door and wrapped your frozen fingers around the large, intricate door knocker. You knocked three times, the sound of rough iron clanging against the door echoed into the cold night. Moments later, you heard shuffling behind the door and the sound of heels approaching. The door creaked open, revealing a tall woman with a slender figure dressed in a grey, black, and red suit. You found it odd considering it was the middle of the night and she was still fully dressed, but you pushed that thought away before opening your blue-tinged lips to speak.

“I know, it’s the middle of the night, and I’m a stranger…” you started, “but I’m in dire need of somewhere to stay and-“ You couldn’t even stay upright any longer. You fell to the floor with a loud thud before you could even finish explaining yourself, and the last thing your fuzzy brain could remember was being lifted into the arms of the beautiful stranger.

Your eyes fluttered open groggily as you looked around the dark room you had been situated in. It was clear this wasn’t your own room, but you couldn’t remember anything that had happened. The last thing you remembered was fainting at the doorstep of the large castle-like home you had encountered.

Soft, cloud-like pillows were placed beneath your head and you were enveloped in silky blankets that cascaded over your body. Somehow you had been changed into dry clothes as well. The soft scent of roses wafted through the air and you almost felt like you were in heaven. At least that’s what you would have thought if a headache wasn’t brewing from the rough night you had. You tried to lift your tired body up with shaky arms before falling back into the bed again.

“Ah, you’ve awoken.” A deep voice calls to you from the shadows. Too tired to move your head in the direction of the voice, your eyes scan the room before landing on the woman whose home you were in. “What time is it?” Your voice was raspy and sore, you knew it would turn into a full blown fever in no time. “A little past 4 in the morning, you were out for some time.” The woman answered before swiftly moving to the bedside.

She pressed a cold, gloved hand to your forehead and it almost offered a bit of relief to your growing fever. She clicked her tongue before standing up straight again, “This is no good. You’ll have to stay here until you’re better.” You felt guilt bubbling up in your stomach as she offered you a place to stay, you had originally not even planned to stay past the morning, but she insisted. Your protests just fell upon deaf ears because she was not listening to a single word you said.

You gave up a while ago once your words had just become babbles of incoherent thoughts. Your feverish state began to catch up to you and you were weaving in and out of consciousness. The whole time, the woman beside you hadn’t budged though. She stayed glued to the bedside in a big comfortable chair she moved to be closer to you. If you asked her why she was seemingly so attached to you she’d brush it off and say she couldn’t watch someone be so sickly in her presence without doing anything about it, but in the back of her mind it was because she felt a flutter in her heart every time she looked at your sleeping figure. She couldn’t quite put a finger on what it was though. Perhaps it was your full, blushing cheeks, or your pouty lips, or your soft hands that tugged at the blankets to pull them closer as you tossed and turned in your sleep.

She snapped out of her thoughts as she heard you shuffling around, you were growing restless due to the fever that had worsened in just an hour. She retrieved a cool wash cloth and placed it over your forehead in an attempt to cool you off before soothing your hair down gently. “At least try to sleep soundly, dear.” She spoke in a low voice, not wanting to wake you up fully. You weren’t sure if you were hallucinating or not, but when she spoke you saw the glint of sharp fangs in her mouth. And if you looked closely, you could see the soft glowing of red whenever your eyes met hers.

Everything was a bit weird to you, but you didn’t question it due to your feverish state. The last thing you could recall before falling back asleep for the rest of the morning were the two little dots that resembled a bite mark on the right side of her neck. If you didn’t know any better you would have thought she was a blood-sucking creature that you had only heard about in folk tales.

“Sleep well, dear.” The beautiful stranger hummed before standing from her seat and making her way out of the room. She vanished from the room swiftly and you were left with nothing but sleep to consume you in no time.

[writteninlunarlight-years]

I have an idea if you accept💕

What would the romantic and scary version be like? From the nun! Alastor with reader, where the 7 years that Alastor disappeared in hell, for some reason he was summoned by someone (probably teenagers doing stupid things) and because of that, he was trapped in the radio, of course he took advantage of this to haunt everyone who bought the radio ... Until the Human! reader bought the radio, but what Alastor didn't expect was that he fell in love with her after a while... Just like in the horror film Valak, apart from the romance part, it's obvious! (film: The Conjuring).

Note feel comfortable could be a yandere alastor? If it can't be normal....

Wicked Woman~

(I love this concept, especially if, later on down the line, the reader dies and remembers her life with Al. Please let me know if you would like this as a part two. I followed closely to what you asked but put my spin on it. Hope you all enjoy.)

TW: Dark themes, Murder, Death, Yandere Type Tendencies, Stockholm Syndrome

Alastors POV

Hell was everything I could ask for it to be. After my untimely death by those damn dogs, I vowed to continue my pursuit of power and strength. I entered hell unfathomably powerful, and I will take hell over with this power. I was feared and revered even by the highest class of demons that walked among us. Thousands of poor, unfortunate souls rested in my claws. Even in this prey-like form, I was purely a predator. 

How my name ended up in those damn demon books up top was beyond me; it probably had something to do with the one I sold my soul to for even more power—a damn trick to make me suffer for having power that rivaled those in all of hell. Yet, no one was brave enough to fully summon me or try and control me. I was elusive and would scare anyone who wanted to open ties with me on the mortal plane. However, that was my biggest downfall. In hopes of showing off my immense power and strength, I allowed those up top to know more about me in the end.

Ironically, children sought to summon me more than any damn adult; hell, I even thought cult leaders would call upon me more than this. That fateful day, though, when I was trapped in the radio, was due to some pesky teenage punks looking to harm some poor young girl. I hate people like that, those who prey on the weak, just like my father. 

It was quick work killing those teens off; the world was probably thousands of times better off without them. Yet every time I tried to go back to hell, I was stuck, some weird plan of reality; I was there on earth, but I wasn't. This had to be another twisted game my master was putting me through. It was another joke to show how I was still just below them on the food chain of power.

I knew showing my demon form would be unwise in this place; enough people tried calling on me as it was. While deciding my next plan of action, I heard the sirens coming close to the location of the slaughter. Sighing, I absorbed myself in the radio, hidden from sight and out of mind. Watching the clean-up was entertaining, but scaring the wits out of the police and cleaning crew was far superior. 

Once all was said and done, I learned this cabin was in the middle of the woods, once owned by one of those teens' parents. After the gruesome murders and odd occurrences around the house done by yours truly, they sold it off. This left a gorgeous cabin in the woods empty for me to enjoy. Being so secluded, I could come and go from the radio as I pleased; no need to fear that someone would see me.

This cabin reminded me so much of my home in the bayou with my mother. The woods resembled that of where my father took me hunting, resembled where I ended his life, and countless other horrible humans that got in my way. This place felt like I was living my human life once more with less killing that is.

For a year, I had tried going back to hell countless times. However, I realized till my master needed me, I was trapped here on the mortal plane. Accepting my fate, I decided to give up on hell and take this nice vacation. Who knows, maybe with my time away, I could have new ladders to climb upon my return. Plus, no one would dare to buy a cabin in the middle of the woods after a gruesome murder, where it was deemed haunted. 

I was dead wrong, however, when I heard the noises outside the cabin door. It finally happened on the day that marked the first year of my purgatory on the human plane. Someone had bought the cabin in the woods. I was shocked and almost pleased with this person's brazen stupidity. It's probably another punk kid wanting to do rituals or someone running away from their misdeeds. 

Yet the biggest surprise was the young woman who entered the house with the first set of boxes. She was lovely, kind, and vibrant. She wore a large black hat even though the skies were cloudy gray. Her voice sounded like bells from a chapel, and her smile radiated the sun's light. If my undead heart could beat, it would be beating faster. 

I swore off love at a young age, only courting women when it allowed me closer to targets that I needed to kill. Once in hell, I just killed to kill, no need for love or emotions. Yet this woman lit something within me that was to be feared and hated. 

As the days passed, I watched her unpack her boxes. I learned she was a Wiccan, finding joy in the dark and light of all things. I knew she knew I was there. She could feel me lurking in the shadows and hovering around. No matter how often she saged the house, I stayed, an entity far surpassing her mortal purities and spirituality. However, I would hand it to her; her spiritual prowess was strong.

I tried relentlessly to scare her off; I had a rule about killing women: unless they were evil, I would never lay a hand on them. So, all I had going for me was scare tactics and horror. Convincing her, I would eventually kill her. A few cuts and bruises here or there from a broken floorboard or a throwing knife. She never budged, though, a smile on her face as she said a prayer and went on with her day like I hadn’t just hung knives above her head. 

Months had passed since she joined me in this cabin; she cut firewood early in the morning, would come home, shower, cook food, go out to the town an hour away, and then come home and relax or pray to her deities. She did not care about my existence; the more I became attached to her, the more she didn’t care or fear. She took to calling me Shadowy, a stupid name but chosen purely due to me refusing to show her my proper form. I lurked in the shadows, only allowing that to be seen. Sure beat her first name for me, Radioy; humans suck at naming things.

Sitting at two years trapped in the mortal realm with a woman I was growing fond of wasn’t my ideal step in the process of unlimited power. However, I was more content trapped here in this cabin as long as it was with her and her alone. She would bring men over, enjoy their company, and send them on their way. They never made it far, though, having accidents as they returned to their place. Even when she left the house for the night to see them, I knew exactly who they were. 

By year three, she had stopped dating, growing frustrated with my senseless killings. The police had shown up at our door countless times to question her involvement, only for them to fade from existence as well. She stopped going outside much, only cutting firewood and grocery shopping occasionally. As much as it pained me to see her light diminishing, it also fueled a sick, sadistic part of me. 

I enjoyed watching her more; now that I didn’t have to worry about others popping up, I began showing her my proper form. A slight sense of pride swelled in me as she became pleased to witness my deer-like looks. Though I hated my looks, how she fawned over me, almost forgetting all my misdeeds towards her, was pleasing. I allowed myself to indulge in daily life with her, I stopped trying to scare her or kill her, and we fell into a semblance of domestic life. 

Once year four came around, she was tied to the house after interacting with a hunter in the woods. I would go out and kill her meat and anyone on our land. I would bring her wood and sustenance with my face covered in the blood of those who dared to try me. Eventually, she, too, became okay with this method of mine, and I was thrilled. I had my perfect human right here just for me. 

I taught her how to dance and cook meals my mother once taught me, showing her the joys of good Southern cooking. Though I could not process the cooked meals I showed her, I knew feeding her and making her strong was all that mattered. I gained plenty of sustenance by killing off anyone who came close to her. I gained sustenance by watching her fall more into me and my spell as I fell more into hers.

 Year five came around, and I had her clung to me; she was mine and mine alone. She gave up on her deities and only worshiped me. Fueling the God complex I already had, I swore to make her mine; no other man or demon could take her. She was powerful spiritually, and she would be vital in her death when she joined me. 

I began teaching her how to kill and maim those who entered our woods. I taught her how to murder and never be caught. In the beginning, she was horrible. I had to end a lot of police lives, yet she grew stronger as time went on. Soon, she was as notorious of a serial killer as I once was. The woods covered our tracks, ensuring we were hidden from the eyes of others. Oh, how I wished when I was alive that a spirit would assist me like this in my kills. 

In year six, I knew she was as strong as I was when I fell to hell. I made her so perfect, molding her to my ways. I knew when her time came in death, she would find me; my Doe. She used her spiritual powers to assist me in breaking my binds to my master. Though nothing ever seemed to work, she was persistent. I was proud; I understood why pride would be such a sin. Watching her work her powers and drain herself for me was delicious. 

This year was the year I finally claimed her. I took her and made her mine, not just in thought or word but in mind and body. I would not allow anyone to ruin my hard work. She was perfect, and she deserved me as I did her. We were bonded in a way that transcended soul bonds or mortal relationships. We were unstoppable.

This knowledge alone is why, come year seven, I felt the shift in my presence. I knew it was coming to my departure from her world. My master was calling me back to hell, threatened by the perfect morsel that I had created. My master knew I would be unstoppable if I followed my plan to convince her to die, to join me in the afterlife as one. This alone is what sent me back to hell, the fear I struck in the one I had controlling me.

I knew when it was my time to perish, she would join me here, and we would rule hell side by side. No one would stop that—no contract, no princess, and certainly no king. Though I enjoy the hotel and the people I have met there, I know my power only has room to grow. My doe would make quick work of anyone who dared to take her from me. She was left on earth to grow stronger and stronger to benefit me in her death. To help me rule all of hell. I would be unstoppable and grow immensely in all dimensions and planes of reality.

Oh, and my power will grow; it will grow when my wicked woman joins us in this fiery blaze…

[ilivingonmyway]

Something, something, some headcanons about the Ninja team that I have this is in alphabetical order. Part II here!

Cole

• Being the Earth Elemental, he knows several types of rocks, earth and minerals, as each one has a different structure that can interfere and/or contribute to a task/fight.

• Even though he hated dancing for a long time, he still practiced some steps from different dance styles, because some of them were very similar to moves that could be used in battle he did it in secret thought.

• For a long time he always acted a little distant from the other team members, but he was still there to support them if they needed it.

• He's a mama's boy, and he loved seeing Lilly and Lou dancing together.

• It was his grandfather who chose his name. He was bedridden, but he held on until Lilly gave birth to the baby, and when Grandfather saw the little one he cried, because he knew he wouldn't survive to see the child growing up, So, Lilly asked him to name him, as if it were an "I'll always be here" gesture from grandfather to grandson.

• His favorite game is the one where there's a bunch of food falling from the sky and you have to catch it, he's already broken a record 3 times in this game.

Jay

• He's the fastest and most elastic/flexible on the team. This guy's ability to put his thigh behind his head is insane, you DON'T want to be his partner in stretching exercises.

• He knows the Kyusho-Jitsu. This is a technique/type of fight used to stun/paralyze the opponent by striking pressure points (Curiosity, this is the technique that inspired Ty Lee's Chi Blocking technique from ATLA). He uses this on normal criminals, like thieves, assassins, and smuggling gangs, that way they don't get hurt. However, he also use it on Krypytarium criminals, but with the addition of a mild shock to ensure the criminal is rendered unconscious.

• Edna taught him how to cook, so he has the ability to make really good food. Although he prefers to make roasts and stews.

• Jay is a sleepwalker. Not daily, but during really bad lightning storms. Master Wu often found him sleeping on the highest point of the Monastery after the storm. Once, the Ninjas tried to keep him inside the room during the storm. They locked the door and windows and kept watch. But somehow, Jay still managed to get out of the room and get into the storm. No one ever found out how he did this.

• This one I got from Lloyd’s Guide To Surviving The Merge, a lovely fanfiction of @omgjayaaa, I really loved that one He's a medic. He knows how to treat illnesses, injuries, concussions, etc. It started out more as a hobby. Check out medical books from the local library and spend hours reading and applying the teachings on the Monastery's training dummies (sometimes Zane was the victim) just as a "strange diversion" (Kai's words). However, one day, there was a training accident and Cole dislocated his arm, while everyone was worried trying to call the hospital, in an incredible act not to mention strange of calm, Jay grabbed Cole's arm and relocated it back into place, then he borrowed some materials that were in his room and made a sling for the Earth Elemental's arm. No one ever forgot that day, because while Jay was "Just another normal day" the others were staring at him like "What the fuck was that?"

• I also got this from a Ninjago chat fanfic, also from @omgjayaaa He is a natural with children. You can't say otherwise, that this super sensitive and humorous man doesn't have a natural ability to calm/entertain/do anything involving children. And he really enjoys that, being able to make a baby stop crying and go to sleep or helping a child that got lost from the parents. Your honor, this man has everything it takes to be a good father and you're not going to change my mind.

Kai

• He hates super spicy food, being the Fire Elemental doesn't mean his taste buds are pepper/wasabi approved. He just likes a small amount in his food. Ironically, spicy food can kind of serve as fuel for the fire, so the hotter the pepper is, the more heat the fire emanates from it. Although he hates this ability.

• He's not very good at reading/writing, he left school very early to take care of Nya and the Blacksmith, so he lost most of his literacy skills. However, he took some lessons from Wu, so he didn't feel so out of place.

• In fact, his natural hair is like his mother's, but it's as untamable as his father's, which is why he uses so much hair gel. Like, you can't say that wavy and stubborn hair is not hard to care.

• He's that kind of person who sings in the shower, he often forgets that there are people in the Monastery and starts singing so loud that you can hear it from the training yard.

• He and Jay, often in secret, hang out together. Where? Karaoke. Kai sings and Jay plays the guitar, sometimes they change roles Kai prefers to play the bass. It's a lot of fun for both of them, but they don't want to let others find out, because they know none of them, especially Nya, would let it go.

• As much as many people think otherwise, of the RGB siblings, Kai is the most "stable". Not because he wants to, but because he is Nya and Lloyd's support. He feels very embarrassed when the papers change.

• He is super attentive to people close to him, especially Lloyd, who is the youngest on the team. However, now with the addition of Wyldfyre, Sora and Arin in DR, he is as protective as he was with Lloyd.

[factual-fantasy]

23 asks! Thanks a bunch! :}} 🌠

@mimiocto

She does! Her name is Gloria :))

And if my motivation and health stays in my favor.. ya'll will learn a bit more about her and Bonnie soon... 👀👀👀

(Referencing this post)

The secret 9th eeveeloution, ghost type! <XD

@octonauts16

....Whelp, guess I'm canceling my Netflix account! <XD

(Monopoly post in question)

It was mostly a joke, XDD but none the less I'm sure no one would have taken it too much to heart! Its well known that Grim and V have a very strong bond so no one would have been surprised XDD

@candyglumboy

Thank you so much!! :DDD

AAAAA THANK YOU SO MUCH!! :DDD I'm glad!! :}}}

(Comic in question)

YOU!!! YOU GET IT!!!! WAHAAG THABK YOU!!! 😭😭💖💖💞

THANK YOU SO MUCH!! :DDDD💞

I just slap the watermark on the drawing as its own layer and lower the opacity :00 usually putting a back blob cloud behind it at lower opacity if more visibility is needed!

....If that made any sense at all--

@userplaysminecraft

This is amongst the highest compliments my fanart can receive. Thank you 🥺🥺🥺

:DD Thank you so much!! I'm glad you love it!! :}}

@minnesotamedic186

Alas, I do not have a good tablet or stylus.. :((

But that's ok! I think I'm getting better! <:D .. I hope so at least! <:}}

@holly-opal

I haven't really ironed it out yet.. but one thing stays consistent. It sucked.

I wanted to create a situation where Mario and Luigi both did not want to go back to Earth. Sure there are things that would undoubtedly bother them a bit that I couldn't just whisk away. Never seeing another human again, never seeing any animals again.. Never hearing human songs again.. never tasting the food from Earth again..

But what I could do is make their old lives so horrible, that they were both willing to give up what they had for this new life as the "Hero's of Legend."

I pictured Mario and Luigi both being very poor. Just barely making it paycheck to paycheck. No friends, no family. No sentimentals even. Perhaps their childhood home burnt down.. so no family photo albums or old plushies to be attached to..

I couldn't decide what kind of relationship they had with their parents.. but either way, they've passed on. They worked a crappy job as plumbers which they both hated. They lived in a cruddy apartment that was too small for them. Rotten neighbors, disrespectful customers..

I pictured them having this terrible company van or truck that always broke down and stunk of cigarettes thanks to the previous owner. They were drowning in debt and bills. Trynna pay off the van, trynna buy new clothes, trynna by food...

I even imagined some of their bills and debt were medical related. I imagined Luigi being very ill and them being unable to afford food and medicine.. So Mario stole food from his clients. Maybe even robed a store or two. Now they've got "criminal" added to their list of problems.

They hated their apartment. They hated the van, they hated their neighbors, they hated people, they hated the world. They hated their lives. The only thing they had the room in their hearts to love was each other. The only thing that didn't hurt them or make them cry was each other. The only thing that made living in this horrible world worth it, was each other.

Then the mushroom kingdom came along.. "Hero's of Legend?" Magical powers? Kind people who care about us and respect us? No more debt, no more bills, no more van or apartment, no more stealing, just.. adventure. And they get to experience it all with their most favorite person in the world?

Why would they ever want to go back?

@raven-bearden-the-interviewer42

Alas, I do not know of any. :((( But I can imagine that the crew is nerdy enough to make their own shanty! A theme song of sorts. And you can bet that Seafoam would take pride in that song and sing it loudly with the rest of the crew! XD

@neo-metalscottic (100,000 reblogs post in question) (Octo clarification post)

Awe! That's so kind! Thank you!! :DD And I've been very glad to see my condition improve too 😌 though I'm not quite out of the thick of it yet.. :(( I hope I can fully beat it soon! <:))

As for the Great green toad king and company, I have actually never heard of them before! <:0 Though it would be very easy to label them as some far off kingdom and not put much thought into it <XDD Perhaps some of the species found in that kingdom could have become wandering travelers like Wario and Waluigi? Maybe we'd see them that way? :00

Now I know mentioning Birdo was a joke XDD But I do have plans for the Birdo species! :00

I had this idea that Yoshi's used to be smaller, about the same size they are in canon. Back then they acted as these passive.. almost farm like animals..?? In a way?? The toads used them to haul carts and as a form of transportation. Like horses! But eventually the Yoshis discovered "Yoshis island". A fruitful island planted in the middle if a giant river. A large sum of the Yoshis migrated from the forest and began to live there. Eating the super fruits and veggies it produced and slowly transforming into the giant mega Yoshis that are there today.

However, not all the Yoshi's left. A fair amount of them were kept and somehow made their way to the coast near Daisy's Kingdom. After generations and generations of Yoshi's eating red cheep cheeps and living in the water, they transformed and are now called Birdos. In present day Yoshi's and Birdos are extremely closely related, though they look a bit different from each other. And while Yoshi's come in all different colors, most Birdos grow up to be different shades of red, Pink and purple due to their red cheep cheep diet. Just like flamingos! :D

Anyways- on to the Goombas. The Goombas start out as these very poisonous brown mushrooms and are brought to life by Kamek. They form mouths and the poison that they originally had becomes poisonous saliva. So when they bite someone the poison does its job.. Even if who ever they bite is somehow immune to their poison, their bites are still nasty. They're dirty creatures and they really shred you up.. So the chance of natural infection is there none the less-

And WHAAAT?? Illumination whyyyyyyy 😭😭I love Toadsworth you had no right to scrap him--

And wow! That last battle looks crazy! My only question is who's this guy?? <XDD I don't recognize him!

Anywho- thanks again for the ask! Feel free to send more Mario ones, or not, which ever you please! I'd love to read what ever you may send :}}}

8 0 0 0 P A G E S ? ? ?

@pink088

That is the most cursed creature I have ever seen- XDD

I wanna say Louis has the most wins, buuuttttt Seafoam is so much bigger than Louis.. I feel like he would have the ability to overthrow him just by using his own body weight XDD Its hard to say!

(Ask was sent in response to this post)

SKSKKDJH ACTUALLY THO XDDDD

Oh- in order to make these ask posts I take screenshots of the asks, crop them, and then compile them all together. Usually I put them together on Tumblr desktop, so they're all blue.

But recently I've been batting some health problems and have been stuck on the couch all day.. which means that I've been making my ask posts on Tumblr mobile. Which is all black themed for me :00

Aw, thank you! Though I advice eating it with a spoon actually! In order to scoop up the tears of the characters- XDD

@caronaro-flipaclip

:0 Sponchbop! :DD Its hard to feel down with him around!

@beryl-shade

I have written many stories where characters have lost family or friends to death... but as for a character that was in the main story and I actually drew them? ..Not that I can recall! :0

[minustwofingers]

exoplanet p.1

masterlist

ellie williams x fem! reader (ur kind of a girly girl in this one sorry)

summary: you’re one of the luckiest people in the world as one of the few families that managed to gain entrance to the most exclusive safezone on earth. after living 19 years of your life in a soft and forgiving world, a lab accident sends you across the country to jackson, wyoming, entirely unprepared and unaware of what awaits you in the real world. its a good thing u run into a hot lesbian wink wink nudge nudge

a/n: now listen now hear me out i know this plot sounds kooky asf and im sorry i literally thought this shit up in a covid fever dream. but anyway i basically blacked out at the keyboard and have about 6k words to show for this weekend and no completed hw. i can’t believe im writing. this im so sorry

warnings: ellie is mean asf at first, reader is clueless and cannot do a pushup, you’re also a little bit of a snob and have a fixation on etiquette.  i promise it gets better just bear w me lMAO. she/her pronouns for the reader, v vanilla violence and explicit language. kinda enemies to lovers vibe

im so sorry u guys idk what got into me this is the goofiest au i’ve ever written ok but i just want ellie to get to learn abt the stars and shit after all she’s been thru she deserves it ok enjoy part 2 coming whenever i finish it.

wc: 6k

It wasn’t that you didn’t know that something bad had happened to the rest of the world. You did. Of course you did. You’d have to be a special kind of stupid to not realize that there was maybe something else going on when no one was allowed outside of the walls and anyone who returned told hushed stories of decimated buildings and piles of corpses.

It was just difficult to grasp the idea of the world you knew no longer existing outside the bounds of the city. To anyone before the pandemic, you’re sure that you lead what seemed like a normal life for any privileged kid.

You had two parents, both of whom loved you very much. You went to an elementary school, then a middle school, and then eventually high school and university. You went shopping with your friends. You watched movies and ate shitty junk food and had first kisses and went on ice cream dates. You studied what captivated your interest the most—space—and threw your soul into learning about the physics of the universe.

You laid on your dorm bed, playing with the edges of your pink comforter as you gossiped with your roommate, Irena, about the professor that she thought was hot and the boy who tried to harass you for your number after you’d finished up getting lunch.

You lived a normal life, which is pretty ironic, because the only reason you got to say that was because you were born to not-normal people who had been at the right place at the right time when the world fell apart.

You see, when everyone got sick, some areas got hit harder than others. And your parents, who were vacationing in some swanky exclusive Canadian resort that only the elite knew about, happened to hit the jackpot.

Not only was their vacation spot the one area in North America with a significant metropolitan population that managed to get enough time to adequately prepare, they happened to be traveling with some big-wig execs that knew a guy who knew a guy who was in the process of evacuating and putting the final touches on a safe zone, Terranova, intended for only the highest rungs of North American society.

So, there you were. Some 25 years or so after the world as your ancestors knew it fell to shit—and you were sipping cappuccinos and getting facials without a care in the world. All because of a lucky vacation.

And, for the record, it’s not that you were ungrateful. You knew that you were lucky to be living in the last place on earth with a semblance of normalcy. What you didn’t know, however, was just how lucky you were, and you didn’t find this out until you made that one stupid mistake in Gunther’s lab.

~

“Morning, Y/N!” called out Professor Gunther, a short, squatty man with a receding hairline so impressive that his forehead now ended halfway up his scalp.

“Morning, Professor,” you said, setting your bag down on the desk, winding your long scarf from around your neck and running a hand through your hair to get the tangles out. The wind outside had been especially fierce for February, which was not ideal given that you'd forgotten your hat at home.

“Guess what I’ve got?” Gunther was smiling, his teeth perfect white squares.

You gasped. “No. It’s already here?”

He said nothing; instead, he pushed forward a slightly battered box with dents and various smudges and marks that were telltale indicators for outside shipments.

“No way,” you said, pulling it into your hands. For a moment you debated using your nails to open the seam, but you’d just gotten them done, so you reached for a pair of scissors on the table.

“This is even more than we need,” you told Gunther, reaching in to pull out a spool of wire that shimmered under the lab lights. “Can I just hook it up now? Or is there something else I should do?”

There was, in fact, something that you should’ve done before going with your pliers and wire. Something about your model wasn’t quite right, but you’d figure that out a little too late.

You see, you and old Professor Gunther were attempting to build a prototype that would enable travel at the speed of light. It did sound insane—and you should’ve known that it was a pipe dream—but you were a space nerd with nearly limitless funding and support from one of the most famous surviving professors in the world. It had been Gunther’s pet project, one that you joined as a research assistant in your first year at the university. Once you’d caught wind of it, you couldn’t stay away, and you two quickly began to form a connection only understood by lonely and isolated academics.

“Go for it,” said Gunther, waving his hand dismissively.

Excitedly, you approached the table, your hands almost shaking as you held the wire. It was a fairly new invention, first used in the creation of Terranova and its walls to effectively make it invisible to the outside world. It boasted a variety of properties that made it academically fascinating and functionally useful. Gunther had had a suspicion that it would be useful in stabilizing the process of disseminating atoms to make light speed travel possible, so you’d placed the order for a couple of spools.

“And I think that’s it,” you said, using your pliers to shape the blunt edge that you had just clipped and plugging it into the circuit board. A purple sheen seemed to vibrate around the bundle of wires and boxes.

Gunther leaned over your shoulder, peering at everything through the spectacles perched on his pudgy nose. “Well done, dear. Say, before we turn this thing on and start running some preliminary tests, would you mind grabbing us some tea from the caf? My treat.”

“Of course,” you said, standing up and brushing your hands off. “Lapsang?”

He nodded. “And anything you’d like.”

You pulled my scarf back on, pulling it snugly around your neck and snatching your bag from the table. The walk to the cafeteria was short, but it was cold enough to require suiting up again. You ordered, paid with Gunther’s card, and sat quietly as you watched the snow fall outside.

It was a beautiful morning. The wind had died down, leaving the snow to fall from the gray skies in fat, puffy flakes. The city outside was quiet, with only the gentle hum of the occasional car to break the silence.

“Y/N! A Lapsang Souchong and a Jasmine Green?”

You leapt up and grabbed the two disposable cups, smiling widely at the barista. “Hey, would you mind throwing a bag of coffee in too?”

“Anything specific?” he asked.

“I don’t know anything about coffee,” you admitted. “Anything that isn’t decaf. It’s for my roommate.”

He nodded and rang you up for the coffee, and you were back on your way.

“My dear!” boomed Gunther when you came back, throwing the lab door open and nearly floating off the ground in excitement.

“Lapsang with a spot of honey, as always,” you said, passing the cup into his hands. The bite from the heat slowly faded from your palm—the barista had forgotten to put a sleeve on his cup.

“Lovely,” he said, setting it down next to you. “I’m just going to go ahead and flip the switch…keep your wits about you! Haha.”

“Ha,” you said, though suddenly you were getting more nervous. The longer you looked at the wires, the less sense they made. And was that two uncovered wires touching? ”Hey, wait, actually—”

Click.

A hum filled the room as the power flicked on. The bright white overhead lights flickered once, twice, and then went out. Something that smelled suspiciously like smoke filled the room.

“Fuck!” Gunther fumbled for the switch. You, similarly, lunged forward to see if you could manually disconnect the wires from the input. “It’s short circ—”

As soon as you made contact with the input wire, you heard the sound of a cup tipping over seconds before the splashing of hot tea.

Then everything went black.

~

When you awoke, it was because you were shaking so hard that your teeth were clicking painfully together.

Slowly, you pulled open my eyelids to see a brilliantly blue sky without a cloud in sight, wide and unimpeded by any skyscrapers. This was definitely not Gunther’s lab.

You groaned as feeling began to return to your body, along with a thudding headache and soreness in every joint. Gently, you pressed your weight into your fingers and slowly sat yourself up, making observations as you went.

You were not dead. Your heart was still beating and your nerves still functioned as usual. You had no idea how long you'd been lying on the ground, but it had to have been at least an hour given that the sun was almost in the middle of the sky.

Another observation: you were nowhere near Terranova.

Instead, you were in the clearing of a forest, surrounded by trees with unfamiliar trunk patterns and leaves. A thick bed of white snow coated everything in sight except for you.

You were well and truly fucked. There was nowhere even remotely nearby the city that you knew was in a fully forested area.

Though at least now you held the title of the first person alive to travel at light speed. It was a small comfort, but it was something to cling to.

A shriek sounded behind you, and you spun around, still seated on the ground. The forest line was clear, but you could hear rustling. For a moment you considered that it could be an animal, but it didn’t sound like any woodland creature. It sounded unmistakably human.

“Hello?” you called out.

The shriek came again, accompanied by more crunching—both much closer this time.

“Are you alright?” you asked, hoping your voice would carry to whoever it was. “Are you hurt?”

A mangled man suddenly came into sight as he fell into the clearing from a lopsided sprint, barreling right towards you. One of his knees was bent outwards as he went, so badly it looked broken, but it wasn’t enough to slow him down as he ran towards you.

You screamed, a real and proper one that pierced the frigid air. There was no time for to run as the man closed the gap and rammed into you, his filthy hands gripping your arms through your heavy jacket as his snapping teeth and rancid breath lunged for your neck.

Bang!

A single shot rang out. The man fell limp, slumping on top of you as you frantically snapped into motion and scrambled out from under him.

“Who the fuck are you?”

You whipped back around to see a girl standing at the other side of the clearing, a revolver in her hand and an incredibly cross expression etched into her features. She must’ve been around your age, and she had short auburn hair that barely brushed her shoulders and was being tossed about by the wind. There was a spattering of freckles across her face, muted against the backdrop of her cheeks reddened from exertion.

“Hi,” you said, your voice small and pathetic. You couldn’t stop shaking. “I’m Y/N.”

The girl just stared at you for a few more beats before turning back. “Jesse! Dina! Some help?”

You pulled your knees into your chest as you waited for whatever was to come. Now that the man was off of you, you could see that there was blood trickling from his gaping maw. Something that looked almost like shards had sprouted, like little spring buds, in little areas around his face. Even his normal, unshard-ed skin was a pallor that looked like death. Something wasn’t right here.

“Okay,” said the girl, gruffer this time. “Listen, I don’t know who the fuck you think you are just waltzing in like this, but this isn’t open to the public, alright? You’re trespassing.”

“Sorry,” you said, shrinking further into yourself as you thumbed the edges of your scarf. “I didn’t know.”

“Get the hell out of here,” she said, grabbing your backpack from the ground near her feet and throwing it at you.

Two other people emerged from the trees, another girl and one guy. They all seemed roughly the same age—early 20s, maybe—and were all carrying various weapons ranging from guns to knives.

To say you were on edge would be the understatement of the century.

They spoke in hushed tones as they approached the first girl.

“I don’t understand,” the other girl said, long black locks escaping from her ponytail. “We literally just patrolled this area. There’s no way to get here without either going through the town or going over the pass, and no one’s done that.”

“And you’re sure you didn’t see her then?” The boy looked curiously at you.

“Fucking obviously,” snapped the first girl. “I think we would’ve noticed.” Then, directed at you: “Hey. How’d you even wind up here?”

“Uh….” Your mouth became dry. “Where am I again?”

The girl rolled her eyes. “You’re telling me you don’t even know?”

“Ellie,” warned the other girl. “Maybe she’s been out here for a while. Hypothermia can make you think crazy things.”

“She doesn’t look like she’s been out here for long,” pointed out the first girl, presumably Ellie.

“You’re right outside Jackson,” said the other girl helpfully.

“How close am I to Terranova?”

“The fuck is Terra-whatta?” Ellie frowned at you.

“Where I live,” you said. “I—I’m a student there. I was working on a project and something went wrong and then all of a sudden I woke up here and—what is that thing?” You gestured frantically at the limp body of the man beside you, the shock slowly subsiding as reality set in. “He almost killed me!”

Ellie gaped at you along with her two friends. “What do you mean, what is that thing? Have you never seen a runner before?”

“A runner?” You stared back. “These things are normal enough for you to have a name for them?”

“Oh my god,” said Ellie, pinching the bridge of her nose between her fingers. “Have you, like, never been outside before?”

“No,” you said, honestly. “I’ve never left the city walls.”

“We have got to take her back with us,” said the other girl.

“Dina.” Ellie scowled. “Don’t be ridiculous.”

“Dina’s right,” said the guy, finally chiming in. “We can’t just leave her out here. She doesn’t even know what a runner is. She’s gonna be killed like that.”

Ellie considered, gnawing her lip. “Fine. Consider this your lucky day, Y/N. Get up.”

The first thing you did upon reaching your feet was faint once again.

~

“I told you, Joel, we just found her like this! Lying on the ground, with nothing but her bag.”

A man said something that you couldn’t quite catch.

“Yes. I went through it. No weapons, just…weird things. Like this.”

Your eyes snapped open to see Dina rooting around in your backpack, pulling out your laptop. You were laid horizontally on a table in some warmly lit home.

“Hey!” you said. She turned around, along with a tall, buff man at her side. “Be careful with that. That has all my homework on it.”

“See?” Dina whispered. “Do you think she hit her head or something, Joel?”

Joel frowned, picking up your laptop despite your protests. “I haven’t seen one of these in…I can’t even remember how long. And I’ve never seen one this slim before. Where’d you say you got this, er…”

“Y/N,” Dina supplied.

“From my university,” you said. There was a fire that crackled somewhere behind you, and it sounded comforting. “They provide all students with laptops. That’s how we do most of our schoolwork.”

“Let me guess,” said Joel. “You from the North? A place called Terra Something?”

“That’s a real thing?” Ellie came from around the corner, standing with her arms crossed. She’d changed out of her heavy winter coat and was instead wearing a dark gray hoodie with the strings tied into a bow.

“Never been there myself,” he said. “But when I was doing supply runs back in Boston we always heard whispers of a safezone in Canada. For rich assholes who had some even richer survivalist friends. The Fireflies attempted to break in for years, but they could never find it.”

“So, like a QZ?” asked Ellie, looking genuinely curious.

“What’s a QZ?” you asked. No one acknowledged it.

“Not quite,” said Joel. “No FEDRA. With no military presence, I’m sure it was a hell of a lot cushier living there. Wasn’t it, Y/N?”

“I don’t have anything to compare it to,” you said. “But, yeah. I guess it was nice. It was just normal, I guess. Nothing extraordinary.”

“You’re wearing a cashmere scarf,” Joel pointed out. “That’s not what I’d call normal in the apocalypse.”

You blushed, pulling at the fringes of said black scarf. The fabric was thin and soft, impossibly warm against your bare neck. “It didn’t—it doesn’t feel like the apocalypse in Terranova.”

“And how’d you make it all the way out here?”

“I’m a research assistant for a professor attempting to invent travel at the speed of light,” you said. “We just hooked it up to a different wire today. It short-circuited and when my professor and I rushed to shut it off, he spilled his tea on me and the prototype. Next thing I knew, I woke up here.”

Joel blinked. “What now?”

“I know it sounds crazy,” you said, defensively pulling your knees to your chest. “But I’m telling the truth, honestly. Plus, look at me.” You let go of your scarf and held out your hands, letting the glow of the fire catch the immaculate pearl polish on your fingers. “Do I look like someone who’s traveled from Canada to wherever I am now?”

“She’s got a point,” said Dina, nodding thoughtfully. “It really must be nice where you come from to have hands like that. It doesn’t look like you’ve done a day of work in your life. Reckon you could take us back with you?”

Joel sent her a stern look. “What did you parents do to gain access to a place like that? You the daughter of the president or something?”

“No. They just got lucky,” you explained. “They were summering in Canada and happened to befriend the founders of Terranova right before outbreak day.”

“‘Summering’,” repeated Joel. “It’s been a while since I heard someone use a season as a verb. Somehow it’s not been long enough.”

You cringed.

“I’m not gonna lie, it’s a little disappointing to hear that folks like your parents are still living in the lap of luxury, even after the world ended,” said Joel. “A part of me hoped that karma would get ‘em.”

“I didn’t realize how bad it was out here,” you said defensively. “They didn’t even tell me about…what was that that tried to kill me out there? Walkers?”

“Runners,” Ellie supplied. She watched you quietly from her position leaning up against the couch.

“You ran into one?” asked Joel, another wrinkle appearing in his forehead. “Ellie, have you checked her for bites?”

Ellie’s freckled face paled as she swore. “Fuck. No, I forgot. I should’ve done it in the clearing.”

“Well, better now than never. Listen, I gotta meet up with Tommy. You check ‘er. You got a gun ready, just in case?”

“Excuse me?” you scoffed, looking thoroughly scandalized. “What do you mean, just in case?”

“I’ll be outside,” said Dina, following Joel as he left the door.

“How come it’s my job?” Ellie called after them. “No one asked me how I felt about this!”

The door banged shut in reply. She turned back to face you, her lips set into a firm line. “Fine. Take your coat off. Let’s make this quick.”

“I didn’t feel anything bite me,” you said, grabbing your knees tighter to your chest. Ellie was intimidating and scary, and you rather liked how you currently wore an extra layer of protection.

“Yeah, yeah, that’s what they all say.” She walked over to you, grabbing your scarf and unwinding it from your neck. “Shit. Is this what Joel called cashmere?”

“Yeah,” you said, watching as she stared at the fabric pooled in her hands. “It’s nothing special, really. Everyone wears them in Terranova.”

Ellie stared at you. “Can you stop saying Terranova? I swear it’s every third word that comes out of your mouth. I honestly couldn’t give a shit about whatever fantasyland you grew up in while the rest of us dealt with the real world.”

You opened your mouth, then thought better of it and closed it. It was discombobulating to hear a stranger swear so often at you.

Ellie knocked your hands from your knees and stared down at you. “Are you actually gonna make me take off everything myself? Do they have hired help to unzip your coats in Terra Novella?”

“Terranova.”

Ellie let out a sharp sigh, then lunged for the zipper near your throat.

“Okay, okay, fine,” you said, yanking yourself away and pulling your zipper down to reveal your standard lab outfit—a satiny button up shirt tucked into slacks. You pulled the rest of your puffer off, letting it drop in a pile next to you.

“So,” you said as Ellie grabbed your arm, gently rolling up the fabric of your blouse and turning your forearm back and forth, “Is this, like, a normal thing? To have deranged people in the woods attack you like that?”

“They’re not people,” she said quietly. Satisfied with your left arm, she moved to the next and let your unbuttoned sleeve fall. “Not anymore.”

“What do you mean?”

Ellie’s fingers encircled your right wrist as she fiddled with your sleeve. They were warm as they brushed across your skin, just barely touching you. “You really don’t know? I thought you at least knew about outbreak day.”

“Of course I know about outbreak day,” you said defensively. “I’m not stupid.”

Ellie arched a brow.

“They told us that it was a virus,” you added. “That it was lethal and incredibly infectious. Is that not what happened?”

“It’s not a virus, it’s a fungus,” corrected Ellie, letting go of your sleeve and stepping back as you redid the buttons at your wrist. “And it doesn’t just kill. It turns you into—into something like what you saw today. You lose your mind. The only thing that matters to you is biting everyone and spreading the infection.”

“Oh.”

“I saw you get tackled. Did your legs get scratched up at all?”

“No,” you responded, feeling thankful that you wouldn’t need to take your pants off. In that moment, literally nothing seemed more embarrassing. Your hands had begun to shake again.

“Didn’t think so.”

“If it had bitten me, would that mean that I…I would get sick too?”

“Nice going, Sherlock,” said Ellie, returning to her spot against the couch. “Really stellar reasoning skills there.”

You pulled your knees back into your chest, the gravity of the situation sinking in. All this time you’d thought it was just a virus—a measly virus that killed. That it could be anything else had never occurred to you.

“Keep shaking and I’m going to start to think that you were bitten.” She smiled thinly at you from across the room.

“I’m sorry,” you said, your teeth bouncing against each other once before you clenched your jaw. “Please cut me some slack. This is just a lot to take in. If you’ll recall, I’ve just been the first person in history to undergo atomic dissolution and reassembly. It’s a wonder I’m still alive.”

“Welcome to the club,” said Ellie, her eyes narrowed. “It’s a wonder any of us are alive.”

Your lips pressed tightly together as you sat, trying your best not to lose it at her. You’d always been brought up to be kind, to be forgiving and sweet and polite. After all, there was never any reason not to be. Terranova’s culture put a heavy emphasis on keeping the peace no matter what. Your parents rarely ever raised their voices. Your professors kindly and respectfully asked their pupils to settle down if they were too noisy, but since you were all brought up with impeccable manners, such instances were few and far between. It just wasn’t a thing to chew strangers out. Such behavior was only reserved for extraordinary situations of the like you’d never experienced. Speaking of manners…

“Thank you,” you said, finally. Yeah, you could be the bigger person.

Ellie’s gaze snapped up to you, her brow furrowed. “Huh?”

“For saving me,” you clarified, avoiding her eyes. They were uncomfortably piercing. “Sorry. I should’ve thanked you earlier. That was rude of me. And I’m also sorry for just barging in here. I promise it wasn’t on purpose. Trust me, I would do anything to be back home right now.”

“I bet you would.” Her eyes dropped briefly to your hands, unblemished and smooth as they clutched your knees. Not even a cuticle was out of place, a result of your weekly manicures and daily lotion habit.

“Sorry,” you said again, feeling heat rise in your cheeks once again. “I probably sound so insufferable and spoiled to you.”  

“Just—” She paused, frowning. “Just stop apologizing. It’s fine. It’s not your fault, or whatever.” The words seemed to pain her.

“What’s a QZ?” you asked. Now that you’d had a moment to draw in a few deep breaths, your hands were steady once again.

“Quarantine Zone,” said Ellie. “Established by what was left of the government for those of us normal people. There are a couple scattered around the country in the big cities.”

“Did you live in one? What’re they like?”

She was about to answer when the door banged open.

“Ellie!” Dina’s voice was breathless. “Joel wants me and you to go out and finish the patrol route together. She alright?”

“I’m fine,” you said quickly, hanging your legs off the table and reaching for your puffer.

“God, I fucking love that shirt,” said Dina. “Can I touch it? It looks so soft.”

You had a feeling that you would get on well with her. “Sure.”

“It’s not that soft,” said Ellie from the couch.

“Shut up, Ellie!” Dina walked over to you, grabbing the dangling fabric from your loose sleeves and letting it thread through her fingers. “Sorry about her, Y/N. She’s just like that sometimes.”

“Dina!”

Dina ignored Ellie’s protests, giving you a look full of mirth as she stepped back. “For the record, it was that soft.”

“You couldn’t wear it anywhere,” argued Ellie. “It looks ridiculous. Infected would just snag right onto the sleeves. That’s only if you didn’t get tangled up in a tree from all that loose fabric first.”

“There’s not an abundance of trees or sick fungus people in my research lab,” you said awkwardly. “So that’s not really something that crossed my mind when I got ready this morning.”

“Ha!” Dina’s eyes scrunched. “Ellie, be nice. Maybe she’ll claim us both as her long-lost sisters and get us into wherever she came from, but she’s not gonna if you keep acting like this.”

“It’s okay,” you said, shrugging. “I get it. I can’t even begin to imagine how much different your lives are out here. And, I mean, I probably could if you wanted. I’m pretty sure that all you need is a connection and a negative test for whatever the fungus is called.”

“See?” Dina gestured towards you. “Listen to her. She’s so wholesome.”

“I’d be wholesome too if I led the kind of life where I didn’t know about the infected and got to wear dumb shirts like that all day.”

Dina huffed. “Listen, Y/N, Ellie and I are gonna finish up with patrolling. I’m assuming you want to stay in Jackson until you figure everything out?”

You nodded. “If that’s alright. I don’t mean to impose.”

“We’ll talk to Maria and Tommy once we get back and see about getting you set up somewhere temporarily,” said Dina. “For now, you can just stay at Ellie’s until we finish up. Sound good?”

“Dina!” protested Ellie. “You’re just gonna leave her here unattended without even asking me?”

“What’s she gonna do? Ransack the town? With what weapon, Ellie? Her bare hands? She looks like she’d be blown over if I breathed too hard in her direction.”

You flushed. Sure, you’d never really seen much of a point of bulking up and working out when you were nothing but a student who spent all of her time goofing off with wires and telescopes, but it was humbling to have it pointed out so blatantly.

“She wouldn’t make it a day outside,” continued Dina. “I don’t think she’s stupid enough to try anything. Isn’t that right, Y/N?”

You blinked. “I mean, yeah. I’ve never spent a day without electricity and hot running water, so I’m not really clambering to leave and live in the woods.”

Ellie sighed sharply. “Fine. Cool. Whatever. Just stay where you are, okay? And don’t even think about touching anything.”

~

By the time that she returned with Joel, you were sitting at the table, 2 chapters deep into the one textbook you’d brought along with you for one of your courses.

“Glad to see the house still standing,” Joel quipped as he worked his heavy coat off his shoulders and pulled his boots off. Ellie trailed behind him, hanging up her coat and pulling off a pair of black gloves. “Ellie was concerned you’d raze the whole town.”

“I’m honored that she thinks me so capable,” you said in response, wincing as you had to dogear your textbook, your bookmarks and sticky notes tucked safely in your dorm desk far away.

Ellie sent you an irritated look before her gaze dropped to the textbook in your lap. It lingered for a moment, just long enough for you to know that she was reading the title Exoplanetary Systems.

“Tommy and Maria have decided to let you stay until you get back on your feet,” said Joel, oblivious to the hostility coming from Ellie. “There’s a cottage down the street that’ll be ready for you to move into soon. For now, you can stay with us. There’s an extra room across the hall from Ellie’s.”

“That’s too kind of you,” you said, your voice smooth and gracious after years of having your manners picked apart by your parents.  

Joel looked mildly uncomfortable. “Uh, yeah. Don’t mention it. You know how to ride a horse?”

“Yeah, a little.”

“Good,” said Joel. “Can you shoot, too?”

You stared. “Uh, shoot what?”

“A gun,” said Ellie slowly. Her arms were crossed tightly over her chest, her mouth contorted into a scowl. She did not seem overjoyed at the prospect of a new housemate.

“No,” you said. Your ears felt like they were on fire. “There’s, uh, a strict ban on guns in Terr–where I grew up. There was no reason to shoot anything.”

Joel whistled. “Well, imagine that. So maybe we won’t put you on patrol just yet. We’ll find something else for you to do. Got any other skills?”

Before you answered, Joel picked up your bag and peered inside of it. “Say, is this a bag of coffee?”

He pulled out the bag of coffee grinds that you’d picked up at the cafe.

“Yeah!” you said. “Before the, uh, accident, my professor sent me to get him tea from the cafeteria. I ended up picking those up since my roommate and I were out. You drink coffee?”

“Not much anymore,” said Joel, picking up the bag and weighing it back and forth. “It’s hard to come by out here. You have to pay an arm and a leg to get just a bit. I haven’t seen a bag like this since before the outbreak.”

“It’s yours,” you said quickly. “I don’t even really like coffee. I just drank it because my roommate would make me a cup.”

Joel shook his head and placed it back in your bag. “No, I couldn’t do that. I’d probably have to trade my whole arsenal plus a horse to get something this big.”

“Please, I insist,” you said. “It’s the least I can do. It’s just going to sit in my bag anyway. You’d appreciate it more.”

“Well…” Joel gave you a considering look. “I s’pose this could cover your work for a few weeks until either we find another job for you or Ellie teaches you to shoot.”

“Joel!” Ellie interjected. “I have my own shit to do.”

“That’s really generous of you,” you said, smiling at Joel. “But you could honestly just take the bag—no need to offer any reimbursement.”

Joel grunted and picked the bag up again, slinging it onto the counter behind him. “Maria’s never gonna believe me until she sees this. Full bag of monsoon malabar…didn’t even think they had that shit anymore…” He continued to mumble to himself as he shuffled around, opening and closing cabinets behind you.

When you looked back up, Ellie was staring again at your book, a line in her brow.

“You can borrow it, if you’d like.” You pushed the book towards her as a poor attempt to call a truce between you two. “It’s not like I actually need to do the reading anymore. I’m already missing lecture.”

You winced at the thought of getting behind in your classes. In the very likely case you weren’t getting back in the next few days, you’d probably need to take a gap semester and return in the fall, delaying your graduation date another 4 months. Your parents were going to kill you. This was going to create an unfillable hole in your resume. “Shooting a gun” and “riding horses” were not acceptable activities to explain away why you took a whole season off.

“No thanks,” said Ellie, pushing it back to you. “Keep it. I don’t want it.”

“It’s about solar systems outside of our locale,” you continued. “There’s a bunch of them. It’s actually really interesting.”

“It doesn’t really sound like it,” she said, but there was no venom behind her voice—just something that sounded like exhaustion.  

“Maybe not.” You sighed, deflated. So much for a white flag. “I guess it must seem pretty ridiculous to you.”

Ellie stood there, her arms still crossed and her frown deep. “Joel,” she said, speaking over your shoulder, “I’m going out. I’ll see you later.”

“Don’t do anything stupid,” said Joel. You could hear him bustling around in what you assumed was a kitchen, filling a kettle with water and lighting the gas top stove.

When you turned back around, Ellie was already out the door, coat slung over her arm as she shut it.

Before the door closed entirely, her eyes snapped up to meet yours like she knew you’d been watching her.

She was gone before you had the chance to lift your hand to wave goodbye.

again apologies for this if you’ve made it this far. please confiscate my laptop. part 2 coming soon (?) if u want also im not an astrophysics student im a thickheaded cs student who barely survived ap physics so im sorry if i’m doing a disservice to the academic field of astronomy idk shit about it 

[ranticore]

colony culture is obviously really variable as cultures are but in the main character colony, their practices are strongly influenced by the characteristics of the adult dragon who's been living in the cave for a century. the dragon is large enough that it poses a threat to all else around it - you'd hardly move aside for a line of ants if they happened to be under your boot, and the dragon feels the same for the kobolds. as such the colony has had to construct additional defences to separate themselves from the grand chamber in which the dragon lives. There is a set of massive iron and steel doors, constructed from the leftover armour and weapons of would-be dragon slayers, and beyond these doors are the main warrens, a series of tunnels which make up the residential district. But these tunnels are finite and do not expand, made of very hard stone, so the colony also has a two-tier class structure wherein everyone whose ancestor managed to get a spot in the warrens gets to enjoy safety and security behind the iron doors, while a good half of the population lives in the grand cavern, at the mercy of the dragon and whatever else lives within the caves. having invented classism they proceeded to retroactively invent reasons why someone should deserve to live outside the doors; the crimes of their ancestors, their generally poor character, their unhygienic and scavenging lifestyle. People don't like to think it was random chance that separates them from the people outside the doors.

(cut for length)

There's no fire inside the caves. Ventilation is already poor, and reliant on the ice-caps of the mountain range remaining frozen (i.e those air holes would flood if the glaciers melted). Smoke and fire are dangerous, as are midden heaps, large rotting corpses, or anything else that might produce an excess of unbreathable air. The warrens especially forbid fire, relying solely on proximity to the dragon for warmth, and bioluminescent cave fauna for light. Food is uncooked or served frozen, mainly consisting of blind fish and other aquatic subterranean animals.

The concept of time is rudimentary. There's no night or day, no minute or hour. It's very difficult to convey how long ago something happened without linking it to a notable event that happened at the same time.

Outside the warrens, scavengers follow the dragon's lead - what's yours is mine. Theft is 100% acceptable so long as you're not physically taking an item out of someone's hands while they're using it. To keep a hold on precious belongings, scavengers hoard their things in remote corners of the cave system, far from society. If a hoard is found, it's fair game. But finding it is the challenge. It's accepted that everyone probably has a secret stash somewhere. The stashes usually contain items taken for their aesthetic value from dead dragonhunters, alongside curiosities from the cave itself; strange bones, crystals, mummified animals. A hoard is shared between partners, so collecting nice things is also an act of devotion and commitment.

Scavengers are broken up into broad groupings based on skill. They might work as hunters, fishers, explorers, or navigators, given their advanced knowledge of the cave system granted by having to find a good hoard spot. But they can also be outrunners, the only group of kobolds who regularly leave the cave. Outrunners are the ones bringing back evidence of plants, animals, and concepts from the outside. They may post sentries to warn of an impending dragon hunt, or sneak down to nearby human settlements to steal livestock.

The highest ranking group of scavengers, more important than any other, is the dragoneer group. They are chosen purely based on colour. If you are any variation of black and red, you can be a dragoneer. This is because the dragon's scales are black and red, and a suitably coloured dragoneer can blend in while scavenging on its body. They take scales to be used as blades and shields, shed spines for weapons, and harvest blood from the dragon by farming ticks and lice. Dragon blood is a vitally important nutrient source for the kobolds, usually consumed watered down. In concentrated form it is consumed for ritualistic purposes, the 'quickening agent' used by the mother of matriarchs to imbue her offspring with the ability to commune and share dreams with the dragon. Realistically, the high levels of heavy metals make the concentrated blood unsafe for a pregnant person to drink.

[nelapanela94]

Climbing over the knee-high lip of the tub is a challenge like climbing the highest mountain. Once, his body was his greatest and most loyal ally, and now he feels incarcerated under his every inch and every fiber.

“I’ll help you.” You lean against the sink, fiddling with your thumbs, wondering where to start. You’ve never bathed someone before. A gulp contracts and relaxes your throat.

“I don’t need your help,” he bellows, staring down at the waving water and the foam that swims and pops. He waits for you to leave, so he can strip his clothes. You can’t see him like this, a fraction of what he used to be. But stubbornness is a shared trait.

Levi sighs; shoulders slump.

You swaddle his leg in plastic bags, rubber bands and tape. Then set a stool in the tub. Avert your eyes as his clothes pool at his feet and with one eye anchored to the ceiling and the other trying to follow your movements, you help him into the tub and set him down on the stool. Lathered up his silky hair and shoulders. The armpits, the hip bones, his belly button. Strange parts you’d last seen that night when you’d boozed up and ended up in his bed. Two lonely souls seeking sad consolation. Tears melt in the water, stinging the angry scars on his face. Your hands burn his skin. He looks away because he is afraid of stumbling on your pity. A garbled sob breaks from him. Your chest beaten up against an anvil.

He can’t remember the last time someone took care of him with such daintiness. It smelled of sewage and stale food.

“You know you don’t have to do this.” His voice muffles in the back of his hand.

“I want to do this.” You rinse the foam from his shoulders and back. “Let someone take care of you, Levi. You should not always be the one to stand in the front line."

He closes his eyes; your hands are soft on his marred skin. Deep inside, he wants you to stay. You kneel behind him and towel-dry his hair, his shoulders. Plant a kiss on a scar on his nape. He’s beautiful, despite what he sees in the mirror. Despite kids crimpling their faces when they look at him. The calcium in the collarbones you’ve kissed; the iron in the blood that flushed his cheeks. Walking cosmos, debris of an explosion.

[skrrts]

Heart's Contradiction Series * Choi San (mature!)

✧ afab!reader x choi san ✧ reader is a journalist, san is CEO of a construction company, both in their late 20s ✧ genre: non-idol, soulmates, villains, romance, business drama, angst ✧ word count: 12,6k ✧ warnings: adult language, rude coworkers, insults, threats, injuries, eating/food, mention of the death of a family member, aggressive violent crowd, suggestive moment, mention of corrupt politics, pressure, she/her use for reader by others ✧ inspired by this playlist ; track: neon lights - pim stones

in a world where finding your soulmate is everyone's highest goal, there is more at stake than just finding love. your soulmate is meant to change your life forever, for better or worse. what will you do when, after searching for so long, you come to realize that your soulmate is seen as the villain in somebody else's story, maybe even your own? choi san is the ceo of "mountain rise constructors", the number one in your country. it's no secret that his firm threatened and forced many neighborhoods to sell their homes for the sake of building new cityscapes. you are a journalist dreaming of writing about deep stories and dread being picked for a dull interview with mister choi. the least you expected was for, after all this time of waiting for your soulmate, to find out that it's no other than the infamous "villain of the common citizens". suddenly, you are dealing with not only him but also what it means to be fated to be with somebody all those around you seem to reject.

         everything is strictly fictional! no connection to any real people!

a/n: welcome to the first of three one-shots to the theme "villain and soulmates". for san, i decided to go with a corruptive CEO genre but it's not too detailed. the focus is on dealing with how the public sees your soulmate and how you decide in the end, if you care more for that or him. i put lots of work into this so, hope you like it 🫶

Everyone had a soulmate somewhere out there, but not everyone was chosen to find them.

It seemed ironic that a man of wealth and power was denied the promise of love. So many looked at him in envy for having it all, except for that one thing everyone longed for the most. The every day people found it so quickly, yet here he was, slowly approaching his 30s, still missing that one thing.

No money in the world could give him that, not until his one would somehow find their way into his life. It was cruel because fate needed to bring you together. It required a touch, one that only needed to be brief, for the mark of souls to finally appear on top of your hand, showing you the person who would finally complete you.

Every soul was quietly longing for its counterpart, even the soul of a man like Choi San.

Maybe even more so him, a man constantly surrounded by those who hated him, those who only wanted his money and others seeking success.

A brief knock forced his gaze to withdraw from the large window front showing the stunning new city center his company had built over the past two and a half years, a gift to the mayor in favor of Mountain Rise Constructors.

His assistant bowed as she placed a file on his desk.

“Mister Choi, I have completed the selection of magazines and newspapers that would be suited for your interview intentions. They are unrelated to our company and affiliates but likely see great benefit in cooperating with us. I have already prepared a request indicating that you will support free speech and include the thoughts of the citizens. You only need to choose one.”

Recently, voices had been loud about how all the newspaper articles in favor of the company were somehow connected to them, and while San did not necessarily care, he was willing to play along a little.

He flipped through the selection and pulled out one.

For a moment, his gaze lingered on the photo of the interviewer his assistant suggested. She really cared for even the smallest details, including who likely wouldn’t dare to be too nosy.

“Let’s go with this one,” he forced his gaze away.

“Schedule it for tomorrow evening; it should not interfere with my flight to New York.”

San turned around again, looking back out of the window, ignoring how the woman bowed.

“As you wish, I will prepare everything.”

The door closed, and San’s thumb brushed over the spot where his soul mark was still missing.

“What the fuck? She didn’t invite you because you haven’t found your soulmate yet? What a bitch!” Mingi blared out, causing the closer tables to look at yours.

Yunho was quick to tug on his best friend’s jacket. “Shh, don’t be so loud!”

The younger one huffed.

“What about it? Let them look! It’s so rude. We should all support each other in finding our soulmates, not act like we’re better just because we were desperate and touched every hand until it came out positive!”

Jongho furrowed his brows slightly as he sipped on his drink. “I don’t even see why anyone would be disappointed not to get an invitation. As for myself, I am quite delighted I can spend a wonderful weekend all relaxed and by myself.”

You watched in amusement as your friends discussed the situation. It helped not to think too deeply about it. All of you worked for a local newspaper — not the biggest, but it was doing okay.

Your boss's favorite journalist recently found her soulmate and now was throwing a big wedding party, inviting almost everyone except those who had yet to find their soulmates, leaving only you and Jongho.

You were a little envious of how relaxed he was, in no rush, believing that waiting was just part of the journey for him.

“It’s okay, she never liked me, and I think that wouldn’t have been any different even if I’d found mine,” you shrugged casually.

Yunho sighed before smiling: “I’m sure it’s all part of the picture. Just wait, she’ll be so jealous by the time you find the one. No doubt, they will be as great as you.”

Mingi gave the older one a small shove, chuckling. “Always big with the words, Mister 'Found Mine at Age Seventeen.'” Yunho blushed, but all of you ended up laughing.

“Anyway, I have to get back. Thanks for hanging out with me. I’m looking forward to reading your concert feedback.”

You waved them goodbye and headed back to your office together with Jongho, who returned to his own desk. You had barely sat down when your boss looked out of his office, seemingly annoyed, glaring at you.

Why was it that everything about newspaper jobs only picked up the bad clichés from movies but not a single cool one? This was never how you imagined it to go after graduating from journalism school. You wanted to travel, see the world, and report on real stories, not changes in the neighborhood nobody cared about.

He hinted for you to close the door to his office. You didn’t hide your displeasure at being interrupted like that after lunch, especially when you had only had a meeting right before that.

“Minjae will take over the news story about the struggles with the local stray cats. I’ve got something else for you.”

You made a face. After almost begging not to get another one of those stories and being told to remind yourself how every story mattered, now he just wanted to take it away?

“But I’m as good as done! I’ve written the draft, I even prepared the photos!”

Your complaint was ignored, and he threw a file toward you.

“You should thank me! If you do well with this, it might be your way to switch departments!” His voice was more angry than supportive, making you doubtful.

As you opened the file and read over it, you were sure he really must hate you. This was punishment more than anything.

“You can’t be serious! You want me to run an interview with THE Choi San from construction company? First, why the fuck would he want to work with us? And second, did you see what happened to the last journalists who interviewed him? They either lost any respect because they were practically begging on their knees for his attention or were roasted by him so badly that everyone doubted they were cut out for the job!”

You pointed at the paper.

“And tomorrow? This isn’t even twenty-four hours to prepare! It would take days!”

The man was clicking on his computer, typing letters that never formed real words. He was obviously trying to get rid of you.

“Consider it a challenge. If you master this, everyone will respect you, and you’ll be able to pick the stories you want to write about. That’s all. You may go.”

You stared at him, imagining how a hole would open and he’d disappear inside. But when nothing changed, you growled and left, making your way home where you’d have some time to sit down and whine about the cruelty of the world.

Fate was cruel, it made your job horrible and allowed everyone to mock you for not having a soulmate — someone to comfort and support you.

At least you had Sandeoki. The grey cat was the only soulmate you needed; she didn’t make any stupid requests and certainly supported your single existence.

It was the cliché story: the small family business turning into one of the largest and most successful construction companies in the entire world throughout three generations, not only active in one but several countries with ties to the political world.

Choi San’s father was the one who made big changes, and his son successfully adapted to the modern world, understanding the balance required to deal with changing demands. It was one perfect story if one ignored how hundreds of families were forcefully chased away from their generational homes to replace them with modern buildings with rents only the upper class could afford.

It was no surprise how most were far too terrified to write sincere articles about this man, not when he had so much influence that he could make sure you lost your job within a blink and likely shut down an entire magazine in less than a day if he wasn’t pleased with your choice of words.

The article was meant to summarize the reconstruction of the city center, highly praised by architects and the press alike but rejected by everyday citizens. A local park, which had been there for more than fifteen years, had been erased in favor of a massive fountain, food stalls, and modern sitting areas. Your boss wanted to get into this man’s good graces; it would be beneficial for the newspaper to be blessed by Choi San.

How was it that you couldn’t entirely deny that there was at least a hint of fear? You worked too hard to get here and endured too many awful stories to lose all chances of ever becoming the journalist you wanted to be. The feisty ten-year-old who played reporter every day after school was long gone.

You tried to excuse yourself with the reminder that you wanted to tell stories, not interview rich men with too much money, asking for a report on their work to boost their ego.

It seemed a little disrespectful that the interview was located in the VIP section of the airport, which was locked off just for this man. You were told he had to leave for an important business trip right after.

Tch, rich prick.

You refused to dress up, instead wearing a pair of jeans, a casual blouse, and your hair tied up, with a pair of glasses balanced at the end of your nose as you read your notes for a final time. It was your way of rebelling when he decided to act like that.

A woman walked in, dressed in a skirt and blouse, with no doubt that her shoes cost more than your entire outfit.

“Thank you for waiting. Mister Choi is now ready for the interview. You have thirty minutes; there will be no time to extend it as he has a flight to catch. We have reviewed your questions, and they have been accepted. We expect the draft of the interview before publishing by the end of the week.”

You were a little surprised to hear they actually did not reject the spicier ones you included but weren’t sure you would dare to actually ask.

The woman stepped aside, tilting her head: “Mister Choi.”

The moment he walked in, you couldn’t deny the presence and authority he portrayed. It wasn’t just the perfectly tailored suit or the styled-back black hair but also something in his eyes. The coat indicated he was about to travel, but the fact he wore black leather clothes seemed a little strange in the middle of summer.

He offered you a gloved hand. Oh great, did he think you were some bacteria? You squeezed it briefly.

“You must be Y/N. I appreciate you were able to make it here.”

You cleared your throat, trying to ignore that weird smile on his lips. There was nothing wrong with it, but maybe you were too biased now, trying to find him unpleasant.

“Thank you for choosing our newspaper for the article. We appreciate your time,” you kept it casual, staring down at your notes as it seemed he was looking at your face.

“The construction of the new city center has only recently been completed, and there will be a large celebration in its honor in a few weeks. What was your inspiration for going with this design?”

You didn’t care about the answer. He likely had been asked this several times before.

His gaze was glued to you, staring like he was trying to read your thoughts.

No, you would not be one of those reporters who got intimidated by him! Not after less than ten minutes in his presence. To think he could make you feel that way just by staring.

“The face of the city is ever-changing, and all buildings around it have long been replaced by cityscapes. We can pride ourselves on some of the best constructions in the world for a capital. Not only is our design one that will not be unpleasant in ten years, but we also have incorporated natural materials and created around seven hundred new workplaces, which have all been maintained. Now, the center is in harmony with its surroundings.”

Yunho always said, if you felt intimidated, just imagine the other person in a silly outfit.

He was too fucking hot to do that.

He did look a bit like your cat though. The thought made you cough, and he furrowed his brows for a moment.

“Excuse me… The harmony between the new center and the surrounding buildings cannot be denied. However, it came at the cost of the park, a beloved spot for families for almost fifteen years. The new construction only has limited plants, and there is no place for families. How do you deal with that feedback?”

He still smiled.

God, you wanted to poke his cheek to see if he would stop smiling like that! It was what you did when your cat would glare at you for denying her a second dinner.

“Our design was one of many, and the mayor had the final say in the selection. She has done so in the best interest of the city. As with every construction, it is impossible to please everyone, but the truth is also that families have long since moved to more comfortable parts of the city, and we are currently working to build a new park double the size not too far from the old one. The trees, in fact, were all secured and will be relocated.”

He talked too smoothly, everything was aligned. Maybe it was because he knew very well he had already won; people would eventually shut up, and nothing would change.

The rich always won. This was why you never wanted to be a reporter; those stories made no change, only frustration.

“Your company’s growth has been impressive. You recently opened another center in Japan. What would you say is your secret to success?”

Here, butter yourself with compliments, Sannie Cat! He would look cute with cat ears though. Urgh Please!

“I still think of us as a family business. Trust in those we work with—without knowledgeable people and experts, it wouldn’t have been doable.”

As if, the success came with the money!

The next question slipped out before you even thought it through because it was not on the list you had to hand in prior.

“You are one of the most successful men in the world, your career is truly admirable, but you have yet to find the one thing everyone is looking for: your soulmate. Would you say this affects your projects, or does your business benefit from your full attention?”

You raised your brow and felt way too cool just because you could read the surprise on his face.

Surely, nobody ever dared to call him out like that, but to this man’s demise, it was public knowledge that he did not have a soulmate

Mister Choi actually needed a moment before his demeanor was collected again, and for a second, you felt as if he was even amused.

“I admit, this is a unique question I have not considered before. My company is my pride and the center of my life; my attention is fully dedicated to it. But looking at my parents, my friends, their soulmates always added to their lives rather than asking for sacrifices. I am sure that mine won’t be different.”

You scratched your left hand; it kept itching. Maybe it was the stress.

“A little bit of a romantic then, hoping for somebody who will just close their eyes.”

You were digging your own grave here; you were just too proud now to go back or maybe it was too late.

“Maybe somebody bold to challenge me instead, keeping me engaged” he offered.

“The time is up,” the assistant stepped in, and you were about to complain that it had not been thirty minutes, but he rose, and there was nothing you could do.

“It was a pleasure to meet you, Y/N. I admit, I am curious about your report,” while polite, you could sense that slight mock in his voice. You barely had enough to write about what you came for.

He only gave you a slight bow before walking off; you could only stare after him before hissing.

“Prick! Pft, thinking how I dared to think he looks like my precious kitten!”

“I am very sorry, Mister Choi. I did not expect her to be so feisty. I have taken a careful look, and based on my research, she is known for always sticking to the script,” the woman apologized, but San did not care too much.

He relaxed back into the seat of his private jet, pulling off the gloves from his hands.

“It’s alright. I do enjoy a little change now and then. It grows boring if they only try to get my favor. It’s punishment enough that it will barely make enough for an article. Let's leave it there.”

San shrugged out of his cloak and picked up his phone while the pilot was preparing for the flight. He’d have preferred to wear something more comfortable, but there were just too many schedules waiting for him — another sleepless night surrounded by people seeking his support or, more so, his money.

It was tiring, but he could barely act like he wasn’t used to it. Maybe it was how the lines all blurred, how nothing really seemed threatening anymore, nor did he understand why the public complained when he only did his job, hired by those they voted for.

He scratched his hand thoughtfully; it had been itching for the past half hour.

“Is everything alright, Sir?” his assistant asked.

Could she never just give him some peace?

“Yes, it’s nothing,” he replied and looked at his hand.

On the back of his right hand, a symbol appeared: a small moon surrounded by what seemed to be thorns.

For a moment, all San could do was stare at it.

As a boy, he had spent hours holding his mother’s hand, looking at her soul mark, asking why it looked the way it did. She would tell him that it always resembled the personalities of the soulmates, perfectly in sync even if not always clear in sight.

His head shot up, his heart beating loud enough to ring in his ears as he desperately went through every person he had encountered in the past two hours since putting on his gloves.

It was silly because he knew the answer; only a single person had squeezed his hand.

“Stop the flight!” His voice rolled like thunder through the airplane, and he only bothered to grab his phone and coat.

The staff of the jet and his assistant could only stare in confusion as Choi San rushed out.

He had finally found his soulmate.

You weren’t what he had expected, but it wouldn’t matter.

No, San had made that decision a long time ago.

He trusted fate. This person was his fate.

He would take his soulmate as their way, because surely they would do the same for him. Wasn't that why nature creatured this type of bond to begin with?

To find comfort and security, love, in a world that was anything but kind.

There was no way he’d let you go now that you had finally arrived.

“I am waiting for my wink of fate,” you sighed into the phone, Jongho listening calmly as you reported about the interview.

It seemed a little unfair: in movies, now was the time when the life of the protagonist turned around. Suddenly, there would be a real job opportunity, and a wink of fate would reveal the best friend to be the true love of their life, previously overlooked, after some big asshole ruined the day.

However, in those fictional worlds, people chose their lovers, which wasn’t how it went here. Sure, those without soulmates had affairs and desires that needed to be fed, but it was not the same. Nothing could live up to the completeness your soulmate made you feel. At least, that was what everyone said, from your parents to your friends.

“You worry too much. As for the interview, I can write you a decent intro and we’ll just sell it as a documentary story. Don’t stress about it,” Jongho reassured you on the other side of the line.

“You are the best, did I tell you that?” you sighed, thankful for his support, even though you knew you brought this on yourself by being the most unprofessional you had ever been.

You were leaning against your car in front of the airport when a figure started to appear in the distance. You paid attention because, as a journalist, you learned to look out for details that did not fit, and the way this person moved indicated they were looking for something in a great rush.

As you stared, you kept scratching your hand, listening to Jongho, who was telling you something about your boss after you left the office yesterday.

It took you a moment to realize that the figure rushing toward you was none other than Choi San.

“Fuck,” the word slipped out before you thought about it, and Jongho grew silent.

“What happened?” Jongho sounded alarmed.

“The fucking CEO… he’s walking towards me. Shit, I swear he was in a rush and I did not provoke him that much. Ah, I better get going! Talk to you later.”

“If I don’t hear from you by the evening, I’ll call the police,” you heard Jongho say as you threw your bag on the passenger seat and slipped into the driver’s seat.

The moment your door closed, there he was. You could see a mixture of relief and concern on his face when he found you. You stared in disbelief as the fancy-dressed man, whose hair now seemed a little messed up like he had run his hands through it too often, placed himself right in front of your car.

“I need to talk to you. Now.” His voice struggled between a dominant approach, likely from shouting commands to his staff, and attempting to be… soft?

What the hell was this all about?

“Get out of my way,” you said, your hand indicating for him to move, but instead, he leaned forward, getting comfortable on your bonnet like a bartender relaxing against his bar while talking to a customer.

At this point, you realized that he was likely doing his very best to force you out of the car. Now your thoughts were running wild, trying to remember if you ever heard a story of this guy going after interviewers, but no, he was too good for that. He just used other people to wash out the dirt.

You exhaled and finally decided to get your bravery back and got out of the car.

“Mister Choi, if you’re suddenly freaking out about that interview, there is no reason to. While I let my professionalism slip for a moment, I have no intentions to write about your personal life…”

He made it to your side by the time you prepared a speech and found yourself pinned against the car. Suddenly, this guy seemed much taller than he did half an hour ago.

“What are you… doing?”

His breath tickled your skin, and for a moment, he was looking at your face before, more tenderly than you expected, reaching out for your left hand.

“I knew it.”

You swallowed thickly, feeling strange. The way your body suddenly reacted to him was odd, and your eyes lowered a little.

“I don’t… what are you talking about?”

San’s face turned, and he looked at you, turning your hand around.

After all this time, years of forcing yourself not to shake any hand just with the hope of finding your soulmate like that anymore, you stopped to stare at the spot that was meant to carry it.

How did you not notice that a mark appeared?!

The man entwined his fingers with yours and turned them around so you could comfortably see how his matched with yours: a moon surrounded by thorns.

Science had failed to explain soulmates, the marks, or the way how every pair was affected differently by it. It was only certain that they all shared a deep bond of trust, which could be challenging when the people affected were more distrustful in their general nature.

“You… are my soulmate?”

Oh great, you should not have joked about waiting for your protagonist moment. Nobody told you that getting the villain was a possibility.

“Let’s go.”

San simply skipped your reply, and before you knew it, a firm hand held you and pulled you along. You were glad now to be one of those silly people who always carried their phone around their body because otherwise, you’d be gone without anything.

“Hold on, what are you doing? Mister Choi! You cannot just drag me away!”

To your surprise, he stopped and turned around.

“San. There is no reason for us to bother with titles and surnames,” he simply replied.

So this man, one of the richest in the world, just figured out you were his soulmate, and it was just okay… you would have expected somebody like him to be disappointed, maybe judge a little.

You almost would have preferred it because it would have made fighting back easier.

“Mis… San, can we like slow down for a moment? You realized we are soulmates and just ditched that flight that was so important just an hour ago?”

You tried to phrase words that would distract you from the loud heartbeat in your chest.

“Nothing is more important than you now. I have waited patiently for you to finally show. Business meetings can be rescheduled, but I need to first take care of you. I do not see where the issue is. As it is custom in our society, two soulmates naturally belong to one another. We are fated, so there should be no concern for you. We will move on and return home, we can discuss everything else there.”

He was already back on the move when the words slowly sunk in. San really just took the hardcore route of the soulmate system and considered you went from zero to one hundred within less than five minutes too.

“Home? Please, hold on!”

This time, your tug was firmer, and a frustrated growl left his lips as he stopped again and fully turned to you, yet his hand almost felt desperate like you could vanish should he let go.

“I do not understand why you would reject it! Did you not wait for me? Have you not yearned to finally be completed too?”

His words hit you, and for a moment, you just stared.

Of course, you did, you always wanted to get home and have somebody waiting for you, who would kiss you and hold you, love only you just the way you were, and you had forced yourself to act like it was fine, that you could live without it while everyone around you got just that.

But was this how you wanted it to go?

“Of course I waited, all the time! I just… need a moment to let this settle. You just rushed here, yelled at me that this is it, and now you are kidnapping me.”

The word made him frown; he was obviously confused by your reaction, but before he could speak up again, a fancy car appeared.

The door opened, and from the backseat, a very handsome man about the same age stepped out, his long hair tied in a bun with a suit matching it perfectly, though he wore a shirt rather than a button-up.

“Wooyoung,” San sighed, his body relaxed a little, but he was still holding your hand.

“My my, you made quite a fuss. What kind of security guard am I if you just run away like that? Tell me,” he chuckled and looked at you, his dark eyes scanning over your appearance before he smiled.

“Miss Y/N, it is my pleasure to meet you,” he bowed playfully. “I am Jung Wooyoung, head of security for the Choi family. We have waited for you for quite some time, but please relax and know we are already making preparations to find the most suitable arrangements for you.”

Oh great, everyone around you had turned insane now.

“She doesn’t want me!”

You didn’t expect San to sound so pitiful when he looked away, Wooyoung looked in confusion, blinking before chuckling.

“Ah, I see. I’m starting to get an idea of how this went,” he looked from the CEO back to you.

“You might not think it, but San and I grew up together. He can be a little… direct. Please, let me apologize on his behalf. May I make a suggestion? Let me drive the both of you to that restaurant which is quite popular right now. We’ll arrange for some privacy, and you two can talk properly.”

At least one man was mature… you looked up at San, who seemed tense, awaiting your answer.

“Fine, let’s do that. I did not reject him, I merely disagree with being kidnapped.”

"I didn't want to kidnap you, I was taking you to my place. How can a soulmate kidnap his partner?!"

San was about to further counter, but Wooyoung already opened the car, indicating for you to get in.

“I won’t let go of your hand,” San replied, looking away.

You sighed, shaking your head: “Fine then.”

Without hesitation, you pulled him along, and you found yourself sitting inside the most luxurious car you had ever seen.

You swallowed hard as the vehicle moved, leaving your own car and the airport behind, with a hand suddenly clinging desperately to you.

The drive felt like an eternity. San was staring out of the window without letting go of your hand for even a second. It was as if he hoped to find an answer there, a way of clearing his confusion about why you were so resistant to the bond.

Years ago, when he still hadn't found his soulmate, he made a pact with himself to be accepting of his, no matter who it was. He simply had to believe fate would choose somebody right for him and in return, he’d be acceptable.

No, he held no intentions of asking you to change. San did not want you to dress or act differently. If anything, his words during the interview had been sincere. He liked the idea of his soulmate not just giving in to everything he said but having an opinion of their own.

As playful and cheeky as Wooyoung was, by the time they arrived, everything was perfectly planned and prepared. He’d have to give his best friend a quiet thanks later. While it was true that they came from very different backgrounds, the younger always had been his companion, understanding of San’s nature but never too shy to put him back in place if needed.

San was hesitant to let go of your hand by the time the two of you made it to the table but gave in, taking off his coat as he finally attempted to fix his hair.

He watched you carefully, as it seemed this was the first time you had been taken to such a place. If not for his worry about being rejected by you, he’d have enjoyed how endearing you looked.

“I recommend the truffle-infused chicken breast with wild mushroom risotto. It pairs nicely with a glass of Château Margaux,” he cleared his throat.

You looked at him for a moment before laughing. His cheeks heated up when he saw how you tried to hide it. It was strange; he was seemingly rushing through emotions he had never experienced before like this.

“I've never been to a place like this before. I think the fanciest I ever have been was some American grill Dad took us to after being promoted at his bank job. Only the higher ranks at the newspapers go to places like this.”

San paid close attention to every little detail you were willing to share with him.

“I only understood half of it but yes, it sounds lovely. I’ll take that.”

The waiter interrupted, and San decided to order the same for the two of you. He poured you a glass of water before doing so himself, leading it to his lips. Patience was difficult when it came to everything truly important to him.

You, on the other hand, seemed very different. You were quick and bold but without a rush. San’s gaze met yours; it was hard not to constantly look at you.

“So, how do you imagine this going? I move into your place, quit my job, and become your spouse? I’m not sure if I am made to be the one on the side of one of the world’s most successful businessmen. I know nothing about those things. I always cared more for heart-moving stories than money and such…”

As much as you tried to make it sound like a joke, San was able to read on your face that there was a hint of worry this might be accurate.

“Well, yes. My penthouse, as well as our other properties, are large enough for you to have your own rooms. That way we can comfortably get to know each other while still maintaining some privacy. There will be no rush to get married. I believe once the both of us enter the age of thirty, it will be an excellent timing.”

There was a brief pause as the wine was served and he nodded.

“There is no need for you to know our business. If you desire to learn, I will teach you but I will consider you my adviser either way. However, you are my soulmate, not my slave. I won’t ask you to quit your job or to stop doing things that bring you joy.”

He swallowed the commentary on how the newspapers you worked at were garbage and at least, you should let him help you to find a better one.

San took a sip as you seemed to contemplate everything he just told you.

“Did you really think I would demand you give up your entire life to fulfill the role of my spouse?” he placed the glass on the table.

You were blushing now, trying to find your words. It was really interesting how your personality often seemed so counterproductive to your occupation as a journalist.

“Maybe? I’m not sure… I guess, I just expected that you would tell me I cannot do it anymore, that I had to change everything.”

Ah, he had always been prepared for this kind of scenario as well. He knew what kind of picture was painted of him in the media but San could not entirely deny that parts of it were true, maybe more than his soulmate would like.

“Well, there will be some changes. For one, you will be given a security guard of your own. Wooyoung will choose somebody together with you, that way it is someone you trust and feel comfortable with. Once the public learns of you being my soulmate, it would be too dangerous to be without one. You will become a target for those who wish for me to be gone.”

It was a strange moment to watch your expression slip while the food was served and slowly, it seemed to settle in what it would really mean to be with him. San wished he could just take your hand and promise you that everything would be alright.

“Y/N, nobody will ever harm you. I swear that by all I have achieved and my own life. I was sincere when I said, you are now the most important part of my life and I will see it through that you are safe and happy, no matter the cost.”

His words made you feel safe but also confused. So far, you only dealt with the imagination of what it would be like to become Mrs. Choi, from the sudden wealth to the general public position. But you did not think about the possibility that anyone would try to harm you. Was San’s business really so threatening that people would go to the lengths of trying to kill… you?

For a moment, you recalled something you had stumbled over. Officially, the previous Miss Choi was said to have died of sudden illness but there was a story of how she was killed to get to her husband and shortly after her death, San's father indeed withdrew from the business. You decided this was not the time and place to ask such personal questions.

The food smelled delicious and under other circumstances, this would have been like heaven but the topic was too heavy to find your appetite.

“So let’s say I agree. I move in with you and we choose a guard that maybe could be more low-key. You’d still let me spend time with my friends and go to work every day?”

It was hard to tell if San forced himself to eat just to keep himself busy or if he tried to give you a feeling of normality while you discussed the rest of your life. Everything was so sudden, from believing you would likely never find your soulmate to facing the truth that now you did, your life would drastically change.

Unlike San, you weren’t ready just to act like you had been together for ages.

Right?

He was handsome, there was no doubt. It made you wonder what he would look like in the morning, without products in his hair, all sleepy, and just loose clothes clinging to his muscular body.

Ugh, you should not have looked at all those photos last night. It had been easy to ignore it when it was just some interview you prepared for, but to imagine now that the same guy intended to marry and spend the rest of his life with you was a very different story.

Suddenly, you wanted to see him smile. If you thought about it, you didn’t see him smile a single time. There had been an amused chuckle but that had been it. Maybe that was it? You needed to see him just being himself, without the worries and facade of the CEO of a construction empire.

You placed the fork down and stood up, taking a big gulp from the wine before you moved over. He watched you with interest which quickly turned into confusion when suddenly, you dropped down onto his lap.

“What are you doing?” he tilted his head like a curious cat and suddenly, you thought maybe it had been telling that he did remind you of your cat. Pets knew best.

“You know, you look like my cat. You even share a name, well partly anyway.” Your arms curled around his neck and you saw him blink in confusion, cheeks taking a deeper red.

“Like your cat?”

“Mhm, she’s the cutest. Also my soulmate, you will have to share but I feel, you might win her over. You just have to meow at her.”

San was trying to figure out if you were serious, yet his arms had curled around your figure to ensure you would be safe and not fall off him.

You chuckled and gave his cheek a gentle poke: “I am joking but I believe, you will be okay.”

There was a sigh but finally, a small smile. Something softer without that serious expression he carried all the time.

“You really are something, Y/N.”

San was holding still when your hands rested against his cheek, carefully brushing over his warm skin and you allowed yourself to admire him for a moment, giving him the chance to do the same.

There was a quiet longing to kiss, you really wanted to but the door to the room opened again and dessert was brought in.

The two of you looked a little shy, trying to ignore the curious glance of the waiter as you returned to your seat and finished eating. San asked you casual questions: why you decided to work for the newspaper, how it had been your desire in the first place, and where you would like to travel someday.

In return, he gave you small answers, while seemingly, for a man who portrayed such confidence around strangers, did not enjoy talking about himself.

“I will give you two a moment,” Wooyoung winked. “I will see you tomorrow, Miss Y/N. I think I have a good idea of who would be a perfect fit for you. In the morning, we will send a more… toned-down car to get you to work. I know this is a big change but please cooperate with us. I promise, we soon will find a more comfortable solution.”

You bowed: “Thank you, I appreciate your efforts! Oh and, just call me by my name. I’d prefer that.”

The head of security grinned and gave his boss a small glare. San suddenly seemed a little shy as he walked you to your door.

“I will have to deal with my business partners but I should be free the day after tomorrow. Maybe we can go out… somewhere more… to your taste. You have my number, text me any time and call if you wish… I’d like that.”

You nodded again, thinking how it was cute.

“Mh, I will come up with something fun! Get some sleep, yeah? You look tired.”

For a moment, you leaned in to press a kiss on his cheek but when he was so close, looking fondly at you, something inside of you finally gave in.

Instead, your arms curled around his neck once more and this time, it was a real kiss. San was almost tense but slowly, returned it with the same curiosity. A soft gasp left your lips when they parted.

“Goodnight,” you whispered, smiling.

As you unlocked the door and stepped in, he finally gave you another smile.

“Sleep well,” he bowed and turned around. You watched him take down the stairs, looking around before getting inside of the car and after a moment, they were gone.

“I had the wildest day!” you called out but your beloved pet was nowhere to be seen.

“Oh, c’mon! You can’t be pouty, your dinner comes automatically out of this overpriced machine I bought.”

You mumbled and changed into another pair of clothes when suddenly, there was a knock on the door.

When you opened it, you made a mental note to remind yourself not to do it so recklessly considering you were about to get a bodyguard, something that still sounded insane.

You blinked, surprised to see Jongho standing there together with two police officers.

Shit, you totally forgot about that.

“You really are the best friend ever,” you mumbled as Jongho frowned and you bowed, apologizing for the misunderstanding.

You explained to Jongho what happened, and as always, he proved not only to be the best friend but also the wisest. It made sense not to go into details about just who your soulmate was towards others, and he even sighed, agreeing that he could see why San was worried about your safety.

At work, there were whispers about how you finally found somebody. Some couldn't mind their own manners, making jokes about how it must be quite a disappointment if you refused to show them a photo, unlike everyone else who just met the person belonging to their soul. Mingi was a little pouty about being refused details as well, but you promised all of them you would explain it soon enough. It felt more difficult to hide it from your parents, who seemed to have given up on their child’s love life.

Wooyoung kept his promise and found somebody that really suited your personality: Seonghwa was considerably new in the business, and he didn’t look like a security guard, but maybe that was why he was perfect. You grew fond of him quickly; he was sweet and funny, taking your worries sincerely and seemingly enjoying his ‘undercover job’ at the newspaper as an editor.

You were surprised when he dropped you off at the zoo, handed you a ticket, and told you to go to the lions. The small wink indicated this was another one of San’s sudden dates. There had been a few in the past two weeks, but most of them were too short. A small dinner here, a trip to the museum after closing hours there. He always was in a rush because of his business, and the two of you started to struggle with the separation. At least, you quite felt so when he hugged you for a moment longer than intended you stared until his car wasn't to be seen anymore.

It was odd just how fast you adapted to him, how much you yearned to be close, but you remained stubborn. For some reason, you read that ten dates make a good number before anything should be serious, and while it wasn’t like you weren’t made for each other, you just wanted to do something like everyone else before you moved into his penthouse and lived the rest of your life under the public’s watchful eyes.

San looked different today, quite so. He wore a pair of jeans, sneakers, and a loose shirt, his hair falling in soft waves around his features. Ever since you told him how you’d like to see it like that, he put effort into keeping it natural around you.

He was pretty as he stood there, waiting for you, looking at the giant cats.

Everything seemed perfect, but there was this glooming feeling in your stomach how it just went too smoothly. Just a few weeks ago, you had a low opinion of this man, and now you were here, like a lovesick puppy, waiting for him to notice you.

Was it the magic of the soulmate bond that changed it? Did you start to see what else there was besides the harsh businessman that still came through when he thought you weren’t there yet, or were you simply prejudiced before you learned who he would be in your life?

San turned around and your gazes met, his lips quickly turning into a smile. He walked over to you and reached for your hands, placing a kiss on them. So old-fashioned, but you liked it.

“I worried you wouldn’t come. You look lovely. The new haircut suits you well.” He was eager to compliment you and you exhaled, smiling.

“Well, that sounds more like a description meant for you. I almost didn’t recognize you,” you winked, and he glared a little, looking away for a moment.

“Well, so far our dates always have been off from the public… I guessed it would be nice to take you out like this, but people would recognize me too quickly. This way, I hope they will not.”

He took your hand, giving it a gentle squeeze. “Shall we walk a little? I was not sure what animals you might like.”

You liked how much thought he was putting into it, taking your wishes and preferences into consideration. You squeezed his hand back, smiling.

“I haven’t been here since I was twelve, so maybe we can just walk around without any specific destination?”

San nodded, and the two of you began your walk. If anyone had asked you, the zoo would not have been a place you’d have picked for a date, but it was quite enjoyable. Families, school classes, and other couples went by as you took the time to watch animals you knew and some that seemed to be a more recent addition.

After a while, you got tired and San told you to sit down, leaving you for a moment to get ice cream.

As you sat there and waited, you heard noises not too far away — angry shouts and a small crowd gathering. You were confused; this was not exactly a place where you would expect something like that to happen.

As you walked closer, you realized they had gathered around San, who was picking up his wallet, ice cream crashed on the floor.

“I can’t believe that somebody like him would dare to come to a place like this!” an elderly woman yelled, pointing at him.

“Do you intend to also take this away from our children? Maybe you want to build another one of your damned city towers here?!”

Some agreed, mainly older people; some teenagers were giggling, smartphones up to film it. San seemed awfully calm as he took out his own phone until somebody threw a full plastic bottle. Your soulmate managed to dodge it, but it led to the crack of his phone's display, and finally, you could see something within his cool broke.

“You stand here, whining and yelling. If you want some change, how about you start and do something yourself?” he asked, his voice lacking any emotion.

“How dare you?! My brother worked day and night to afford the little house, put his health and money into making something his children later could have, but then you decided you needed to tear it down to place apartments on top nobody can afford!”

San hissed, a hint of amusement on his lips.

“I did. Yet, all of them accepted money, and the majority received more than this old piece of land was even worth.”

The anger grew louder as they felt provoked by his words: “My sister showed me the letter! When she refused, the living circumstances became unbearable. Electricity kept disappearing, cut off from the phone and even water! We all have seen the reports on that one news channel not scared of you; people confessed they did it because they were paid to! Do you deny it?”

You exhaled because you remembered it. A year ago, it was in the news for some time, just on the smaller channels, shortly after the election, but like all news, it vanished. People were always quick to move on until something reminded them.

“I do not deny it,” San said: "I set the changes in motion you all blame me for and maybe, not all went the way it should have. But how instead of blaming those who barely only do their job, you look at yourself? Each and every building set up, the city council decided over and the city council is the one that hires my company. We design and establish it but we are not the owner. YOU all are the ones who voted for those who gave orders to chase your families away. So before you start so cowardly to act out of envy and hate, you should look at yourself, question what you did when you made your choice of who is on top of the city. It's on you."

It was the moment that your gazes met and he froze. You could see the pain and regret about his admission, but somehow you knew it wasn’t just because he openly admitted it, but because it led to people looking at you.

If it came to tearing others down, humans were quick. San was not wearing his usual gloves today and neither mark was covered.

“I can’t believe it, this monster really has found his soulmate?!” Now people were staring at you and you felt panic rising inside of you, trying to figure out if you should withdraw or move towards him.

“Isn’t that one of those newspaper bitches? She just wrote one of those praising articles about him!”

People drew closer to you, their hate and anger for San shifting to you, but finally, you felt an arm curling around you, harshly pulling you away.

“Why did you come here?! You should have waited on the bench!” San asked coldly as he started to protectively lean over you, trying to get away, but the crowd was following now.

More things flew towards the two of you, but he protected you from each. You remembered his sincere face during that first dinner together: how he told you that he’d never let any harm come to you.

“San… I am sorry!” you whispered, but his gaze was cold and he stared forward. It felt like an eternity when the now familiar collection of men dressed in suits and one with casual clothes rushed towards you.

“San, Y/N! Are you okay?!” Wooyoung was by your side as the other members of security began to take care of the mob.

“Take her and get her out of here,” San shoved you towards Seonghwa.

“Hold on, San!” You could see there was a small bruise on his forehead, but when you tried to reach him, Seonghwa was already pulling you away.

“Let’s get you out,” his voice was soft but his grip on your arm only relaxed when you showed no sign of resistance. All you could do was watch how the people yelled and San vanished behind Wooyoung.

It was one thing to write a silly line for an article calling a man “the villain of the general citizen” and another to experience it.

“Staying with your family tonight will be best,” Seonghwa replied, trying to get you to talk, but all you did was stare out of the window, even when you parked in front of the house you grew up in. Your personal security refused to talk about what just happened, and San was not answering his phone.

“I will check on your cat, and tomorrow, we will sit down together and decide on the next steps,” Seonghwa continued. When you still weren’t moving, his hand reached out to take yours, and you finally turned around.

“It will be alright. Spend some time with your loved ones, and we’ll figure it out slowly.”

You didn’t feel like that, but there wasn’t much else you could do, and you didn’t want to add to the stress Seonghwa likely had because he wasn’t there with you when it happened, putting you both at risk. So you simply nodded.

“Thanks for driving me,” you mumbled, getting out of the car and pulling your bag up a little. It was obvious how the events were hard on you, it was so unlike you not to even wave goodbye to a friend. You didn’t even use the bell, pulling out the key from the secret spot to unlock the door.

In your mind, you longed for a hug from your mom, who would ask you what happened and then just curse people for being stupid, the same way she did when you got rejected from the newspapers of your dreams because they didn’t like your writing style.

The scene that awaited you was very different, though. Your mother was sitting on the couch, her eyes puffy from crying. To your surprise, your grandparents and father were also there. Seonghwa had given them a call to let them know you were coming, but he left out that something had happened, so this was odd.

“What are you all doing here?” you tried to sound casual, a small smile on your lips, but your mother looked at you like she had just been told her child was a criminal.

“Y/N,” your father started, his voice so serious that you froze in the doorway. Then finally, your gaze went to the news channel running on the TV.

It showed a TikTok video of the scenes from the zoo, and you slowly understood what was going on.

“You saw that… Ah, I guess I have to explain a few things,” you began, but were promptly interrupted.

“You have to step in front of the press and announce that it was a moment of shock. Tell them how it shatters your heart to have learned your soulmate is a cruel man and that you will not support him, his company, or his doings.”

Now, you were staring at your father: “What?”

“Your uncle, he was one of those people who had to sell their homes to this company so they could put that ugly tower on top of it!” your grandfather said angrily.

“My love, these people cannot be stopped; their money is endless, but you have been given a voice and power. As a journalist and member of society, if you officially reject him, his own soulmate, his reputation is done. The most precious bond in the world — it will move even those who wish to ignore the truth about how the rich simply do whatever they want with all of us..”

For years, your parents had been supportive when you did not find your soulmate and told you not to worry, but as you grew older, you could see the embarrassment. Eventually, you all simply stopped talking about it.

While you did not expect them to celebrate the one fate chose for you, this certainly wasn’t what you thought you’d find.

“What happened to my uncle is awful, but you cannot seriously ask me to go in front of the press and tell them I reject my soulmate.”

Your mother started to cry again, and the entire scene felt bizarre.

“You are supporting this man’s schemes? What happened to my child who wanted to tell stories of truth?” Your father stared at you.

“You are asking me to simply give up all chances of love and happiness before I even talked to him about any of this.”

“It’s the only thing to do,” he said, and you bit your lip.

“Or what?”

The silence in the room was an answer of its own. You never thought that finding your soulmate would mean that the world decided to hate you just because of something you had no choice over — the world chose him for you. But this moment was a choice you were given.

“As a journalist, here’s some advice: every story has several perspectives. Listen to them before you simply throw everything away based on one."

You said, somehow managing to regain your composure. As you walked out and closed the door, you suddenly wished your only problem was the one where your boss only gave you stories nobody cared for. You were so immature for once thinking how cruel the world was just because of such a silly matter.

You didn’t know where to go other than home. Maybe looking so miserable, and with a hoodie now on your body, people just didn’t recognize you. Still, there was this creeping paranoid feeling. In your mind, everyone on the train around you surely was looking at that doomed video, but maybe it was for the better. Thinking about that meant no time to deal with reality. Losing family and what felt like freedom in a single day was tough.

God, you wanted to crawl inside your bed and cry. When was the last time you felt this way? Never, because you had always been selfishly spoiled. As much as you whined about your job, being on your own for so long, or not getting invitations to weddings you didn’t even want to go to, there had always been people to support and love you.

No doubt, your friends still would. Jongho had already called several times, but you felt it would be unfair to pull him into this until you spoke with San.

What were you meant to say?

The closer you walked to your apartment complex, the more you considered your own words. You told your father how you needed to speak with San about it, but what exactly?

You had known the entire time what man he was. When the reports came out, you did not care. When you were preparing for the interview, you only worried he could ruin your career by being displeased, about how he was an asshole with too much money. But not once did you really think if he was a cruel person because he did the things he did. You simply blindly took up the opinions of others because, in that moment, it felt more beneficial to deal with your dumb complaints.

It was worse because as much as a part of your mind wanted to agree with your parents, it just would not work.

Maybe you had always been a villain, together with all the other people closing their eyes from the truth they knew, but you couldn’t deny that San had been right.

The rich were rich because too often, we gave them our money and we voted for people who made promises we all knew they’d never keep but we were desperate to believe.

When you unlocked the door, you called out for your cat, and this once, she walked by quietly, rubbing her head against yours.

“Mh, my one and only. I am sorry, I have been so absent lately,” you kissed her, but before you knew it, she slipped away, walking to the kitchen.

“It’s not dinner time yet, Sannie.”

“Did you eat anything today yet?”

San’s voice tore you out of your trance and you stared at him. How did he get in here?

He was sitting at the table, looking as he did the first day you met, suit and coat, but he was looking down at the mark on his hand.

“What are you doing here?”

“Seonghwa stayed close to your parents' house. He told me that you left, he followed you quietly. Do not blame him, he acted on my order. He will continue doing so.”

Why was his voice so firm?

You tried to find words but he already continued, placing an envelope on the table.

“You being here, I take it your family was not too pleased with fate. Thus, I have prepared everything further for you.”

“What are you talking about?”

Why wasn’t he even looking at you? As no answers came, you stepped over to the table, taking it, shaking as you opened the envelope.

Inside was a file: a one-way ticket to New York, photos of an apartment that looked lovely, and a job advertisement for a position at a New York newspaper.

“A friend of mine is the publisher, I did not pay him for it. He read some of your articles and they are looking for somebody to write about local events. Your style is something new and refreshing. It starts low but you can work yourself up. The VISA is already completed and I will fully cover all of your expenses. Nobody there will care what happened here. You can move abroad for as long as you wish, it will add beneficially to your portfolio and support your wishes to write about the things you want to in the future. I will pay for this one too, so you can return in a year if you prefer. Of course, your pet is going with you, together with Seonghwa who will keep an eye on you... just in case.”

When he suddenly stood up, you dropped it.

“You are sending me away?”

“It’s the safest for you to move abroad. For the time being, consider it an investment in your future, and by the time you return here, you will be able to comfortably start anew. Nobody will care about a TikTok by then. My lawyers are already working to take down every dirty post about you.”

Suddenly, you were terrified, your mark aching like you were burying it in thorns. Then you understood. Marks changed sometimes. There were thorns around your moon because something heavy surrounded the two of you.

“Where are you in all of this?” your voice was a whisper and he looked down before turning around to head towards the door.

“There have been many people who lost their soulmate in a way. Many of them found love, actually quite a few did, because once they no longer felt like they had to wait, they could fully embrace it. There is no reason why you should live your life in fear, tied down by a cruel soulmate.”

He was pushing you away. You knew it because as well prepared as every step was, San did not manage to look you in the eyes. Was it because he couldn’t hide his pain or because he knew he was breaking your heart?

Why did something you never asked for hurt so much? Why was the thought of being separated harder than the fear for your life? What fucked up mood were the gods in on the day they decided soulmates would be a great idea?

“Is it because of your mother? Are you scared somebody could try and do something?”

San winced, it seemed you were right. As you tried to step closer, he pulled away.

“San, listen!”

He hissed: “If you know, then you will go! It is not like you wanted to be with me to begin with, Y/N. Just go and live your life!”

Oh yes, you easily could see behind that. He was trying to chase you away with pain.

“What about your life, huh? You just continue like that on your own?”

“I’m not going to risk your life. Just go, we both can move beyond this.” His voice was like a clap of thunder but there they were, when you finally grabbed his arm and forced him to face you properly, the tears at the edge of his eyes.

You really were selfish. When you wanted to find your soulmate just because it was how life was supposed to go, mostly longing for it in silly little moments when you were upset, San had waited desperately because he had created himself to be a villain, one who never could be sure if his friends were real or if those he cared for were at risk like his parent.

He waited for the person who would love and take him just the way he was, no matter title or money.

“San,” you said softer, shaking your head. “I am not going anywhere. I don’t give a fuck what you think or say, that’s not how this goes. Our bond will not just disappear because I move across the ocean, nor will we stop longing for each other. Why would I try and find somebody else if I have my soulmate here?”

As you rested your hand against his cheek, brushing away his tears, it seemed as if he was trying to find anything in your features: hatred, rejection, regret. He knew that you were right but he also had sworn to protect you, even if it meant breaking his own heart.

“If you stay with me, now that this has occurred, there’s no way just to go back to your life… And you understand that I am who I am, I did things and I cannot go back … where I am now, the person I became, the kind of life people like I lead…” he finally said.

It was as if he needed one last push, a final confirmation you really understood what it meant.

“Urgh, disgusting being so sappy but yeah. Fate chose my soulmate but I decide to stay with you.”

Lips crushed against yours and you lost balance but San was there to pick you up, holding you in a tight embrace. You gasped, your body shivered.

As you forced your eyes open, you could see a glimpse of possession in his eyes, mixed with love. It made a strange combination but you couldn’t deny how much you enjoyed it.

Somebody who chose you because they wanted to, not only because of a mark. And unlike the world, San never asked you to change, to do something you did not want to. How strange that the so-called “good people” did just that without even giving you a chance to speak.

San picked you up and placed you on top of the table as he started to shrug off his coat, dropping it carelessly on the floor followed by his tie. His lips met yours once more, trailing down your neck.

“Stay,” he whispered in your ear, his soft fingertips brushing over your sides.

“I will,” you promised, baring your neck when you felt San leaving a mark, taking soft skin between his lips, sucking and biting.

Your breaths adjusted, hearts slowly beating in a matching rhythm.

“I love you,” he finally said and you felt your heart swell in an emotion you failed to find a word for, even as a writer.

San moved back, your faces close to one another now as your hands rested against his cheeks.

“I love you too,” you whispered and for the first time, he really, truly smiled.

Just for you.

The kiss he placed on your forehead was most gentle and you sighed in relief.

“Let’s go home,” you finally said because you were ready but San grinned at you.

“Soon, I will take you home and never let you go but first, I will make sure you know just how much I crave and adore you.”

San picked you up onto his arms like you were a feather and slowly headed over to the room he knew was your bedroom.

And while he walked, his gaze never left yours and you comfortably allowed yourself to fall into the excitement, to leave behind the past few hours and maybe even years as the door closed shut behind the two of you.

The end of the first chapter of your life.

It was stupid, reckless, and a little insane, but it seemed that was just how your villain-turned-protagonist life had turned out to be.

He had never loved his home as much as he did the moment you walked in, spending ten minutes talking to your cat, who seemed a little displeased about being dragged out of her territory.

San kept his distance as you walked through his penthouse, seemingly amazed by how it wasn’t what you had expected: the colors were warm, the furniture was a mixture of brown and marine blune, and plants in many corners trying to add warmth that had been missing for so long. Personal belongings were scattered around to show that when the doors closed, as rare as it was, a simple person lived there.

“My rooms are all on this side of the penthouse. If you take the floor down, there used to be a guest room and a second office. I already emptied it for you, so we can bring your furniture here, and you can make yourself at home. The bathroom attached to it has a stunning view.”

He talked, but now you were staring at him. Returning after your first night together, San looked a little messy, his hair no longer fixed, and he had changed into a black long-sleeve. The way your gaze pierced him made him shiver again.

San did not withdraw when you curled your arms around him. If anything, his heartbeat increased, and he did the same.

“I’ll take up the offer for the office, but I think we won’t need a second bedroom. Maybe we can turn it into one for the cat instead.”

You leaned in and placed a soft kiss on his lips before stepping back, taking his hand.

Ah, this was new — you managed to get all those emotions out of him.

San was smiling, pure happiness that you wished to be with him. The bond was no longer rejected, and the decision was made to stand against all odds, even the world if necessary. Yet, right now, he did not want to care about any of this. The world was going nowhere, and he had someone to cherish and love.

As he led you to his bedroom, there was no reason to bother moving pillows or blankets because it was comfort the two of you were seeking after this terrible day. San curled his arms tightly around you, allowing your head to rest against his chest as his hand gently brushed over your arm. The two of you looked at the view outside, the night long having swallowed the last bits of sun.

There were many things you’d need to talk about, but they all could wait.

San finally accepted that his soulmate was nothing like his mother, who had always been soft and reserved. No, you were noisy and stubborn, just like he was. And no matter what happened, you’d manage to get through it together.

San closed his eyes, gently rubbing his face against your hair and placing a few kisses on it.

He’d never let you go again, and as he thought about it, he could feel your embrace tighten around him too, just like you agreed in silence to always be together.

A few months later ...

"I can't believe they sent us all the way to Paris to report about the living conditions of the Olympian athletes," you sighed deeply, but Jongho just flashed you a grin.

"I thought the story with the cardboard beds was quite amusing. I already have a great intro for the draft of our report."

You chuckled: "I'm looking forward to that."

A handsome man appeared, and a few passengers stopped to give him a glance. He looked stunning in just suit pants and matching shoes, paired with a slightly opened button-up shirt, offering just a little cleavage, his hair free to play with the wind and a pair of matching sunglasses.

As he made it to you, his arms curled around your waist and pulled you into a kiss.

"Ewh, this is my call to go," Jongho joked, waving. "I'll see you tomorrow. Don't try and steal any jewels."

Your best friend walked off, and you just looked after him.

"That sounds like a fun idea," San teased with a lazy grin, "but I've got some other plans for us."

You tilted your head slightly.

"Is that so? Did you lock down that giant metal tower everyone's into just for us?"

You never really got the whole hype around it, and Paris had been a little disappointing with most parts being locked for the event.

"Mh, something like that. Let's say other visitors will be a little jealous we get a certain place just for us — no annoying heads in the way as we take photos."

"That sounds very interesting, Mister Choi. Quite an evil act, being a VIP tourist."

He stepped back and took your hand, squeezing it gently: "What can I do? I'm a villain by nature."

"One that looks awfully soft right now," you smiled, stealing his sunglasses and placing them on your own nose.

"Love hits even the bad guys really hard."

You both chuckled, it seemed turning sappy also was part of a soulmate's fate.

His thumb brushed gently over your soul mark: it was a full moon now, adorned by stars. Never meant to be alone again, shining together.

closing note: if you have read until here, thank you so much. i tried to capture the idea of how the public affects the view of a person and the question of what you'd choose if forced to. mc is okay to pick his side, not only because it seemed everyone already judged mc anyway but also because deep down, mc always knew who san was and admitted to not caring until other people demanded it. i apologize if the start was a little too long but i hope it was still somewhat of an enjoyable read 🫶 thoughts and feedback is always appreciated.

[murmel-malt]

Hedaera Targaryen - 97 AC

Viserys Targaryen x Hedaera Targaryen (OFC) prev / next wordcount: <1k summery: my answer to the question: what if Viserys and Daemon had a little sister? canon divergent dance of the dragons au featuring canon and original characters.

chapter summery: Four years after her own wedding, Hedaera attends her cousin Aemma’s wedding to her brother Daemon and ruminates on what has happened since she married Viserys.

A/N: note that english is not my first language so there will probably be some grammar mistakes.

97 AC - Kingslanding

Daemon and Aemma’s wedding is nearly as grand as her Viserys’ had been. Once again the great hall is filled to the brim with decorations and guests and music and conversation, and the long table for the royal family at the foot of the Iron Throne to preside over the masses. The tables are laden with the finest food and Aemma is decked out in white and light blue and the silver circlet holding her veil in place, is matching the one on Daemon’s head. She looks happy Daera thinks; a far happier bride than she had been four years ago.

They are older now; Aemma being five and ten and Daera three and ten. She doesn’t feel very different, but everyone is telling her that she is now almost a woman, grown and ready to fulfill her wifely duties. She has yet to be pushed into the marriage bed, despite having flowered and plans to avoid it for as long as possible. Which probably isn’t for that much longer. The King is getting impatient, according to her Lord Father. But they will have to force her if they want her to share Viserys’ bed. There’s not a bone left in her that wishes to please any of her grandparents or father anymore. Instead they should be pleased that she has not run off or thrown herself from some tower. She has thought about it on occasion. Both about running away and throwing herself from the highest tower of the Red Keep. About the latter only in her darkest moments though and only twice.

The Queen and her Lord Father seem to have finally understood the consequences of their actions. No longer is Daera referring to them as Grandmother or Father, Alysanne is ‘her Grace, the Queen’ and she had flinched as if struck the first time Daera had addressed her this way. Her Father simply is ‘Prince Baelon’ and there is always a distance between them now, physically and emotionally. Everytime Daera looks into their eyes and sees the pain her behavior inflicts on them all she can think is: “Good. I hope this hurts you as much as you have hurt me.” She no longer feels guilt over these thoughts. It was them that hurt her first, now they simply reap the fruits of their hard labor. 

The King is the only one who doesn’t care and Hedaera now thinks that he never cared to begin with. Not about her or about any of his daughters. She barely knows any of them but she has heard stories about them. How Viserra had been so desperate to avoid being sent North that she had tried to seduce Hedaera’s father. Baelon hadn’t helped her either. He had stood by his father’s decision, a loyal son to King Jaehaerys at the expense of his sister.

Viserys will be different when he is King, Hedaera decides. For one, she cannot imagine him ever being as scary as Jaehaerys; the thought is so ridiculous it nearly makes her laugh. Her brother just doesn’t have that air about him. Not now and not ever, she is afraid. Daemon even at four years younger can be scarier than Viserys; and Rhaenys, too. It is a very unfortunate thing that only the future king does not. Perhaps she as his Queen will have to make up for it. She puts the thought aside. She will not let her brother’s shortcomings ruin her mood. 

From her seat beside Viserys she gazes across the hall instead, making note of the attendants and testing herself if she can remember all the names belonging to the faces and sigils on display. Many of the guests are Vale Lords, which is not a surprise given Aemma’s father Rodrick was Lord Paramount of the Vale. She imagines his recent death is still weighing on her cousin but the celebrations seem to have lifted her spirit. Not even Daemon seems able to dampen it, and apparently he hasn’t even tried. On the contrary, he looks almost happy, if Daera is to judge. 

He has generally been more agreeable ever since he had claimed Caraxes last year. He is the only one of them that has a dragon now after Balerion’s death only a year after Viserys had claimed him. Some had taken it as a bad omen and that Viserys might turn out to be a bad king or something ridiculous like that. The dragon had been old, simple as that; and eventually even dragons died. It was only a matter of time. And honestly, Hedaera doesn’t need the death of a dragon to know that Viserys might not be a good king, she simply knows her brother.

Daera hadn’t even been allowed to try to claim a dragon. Four years ago they had told her that she was too young, now they pretended that as the future Queen and mother it was too dangerous for her. It was a weak excuse but she had no power to argue or contest it. Another reminded how powerless she was. Viserys of all people had comforted her, telling her that not having a dragon wasn’t so terrible and that perhaps it simply wasn’t her time yet. It had been a nice gesture and had actually helped a little bit but it still stung whenever Daemon talked about Caraxes.

It made her feel less than and that was infuriating because she knew she wasn’t. She was a Targaryen, the future Queen of the Seven Kingdoms and if she did not get to have a dragon, well, then she would have to become the dragon.

a/n: this is a short one. sorry people.

[sarahjtv]

My Hero Academia Chapter 426 Spoiler Talk: The Hellish Todoroki Family Conclusion

Whew, what a chapter goddamn. The Todoroki Family, especially Shoto (my favorite character 🩵), is one of my favorite and one of the best arcs in My Hero Academia. We all knew that their conclusion was coming this chapter and now that we're here, let's talk about it:

First off, in case you didn't hear, Weekly Shonen Jump and MHA mangaka, Kohei Horikoshi himself, confirmed that this is the first of the last 5 chapters of My Hero Academia. The series will end in early August with 430 chapters total if all goes well. I made a post about this when it was announced 2 days ago, but I want to briefly say that I am going to miss this series so much. It has had such an amazing impact on my life and surely saved me during many rough times. I will be so sad to see it end, but happy to see Horikoshi finish his beloved story on his own terms after 10 long years of publication. I will make sure to see it through myself.

We start off the chapter with a Todoroki Family reunion. We see the whole family about a month after the war ended. Everyone has burn scars of some kind now with Rei's having the largest that even covers the left side of her face like Shoto's and Endeavor's do ironically enough (I see what you did, Horikoshi). We don't see if Endeavor got any burn scars on his face because it's covered with bandages, but given he has the highest fire resistance next to Shoto, I doubt it.

Also, pretty much everyone got a haircut from their bodies getting torched trying to stop Touya (I'm going to call him that from here on). Fuyumi and Endeavor got a few inches off, Natsuo cut quite a bit off to the point where he's looking like his father again (oh, the irony), and Rei got a significant portion cut off to the point where it's back to the length it was when she and Enji first met. I think Shoto got a slight trim, but it's hard to tell. His hair is definitely scruffier than it was before, though. Honestly looks-wise, they all still look really good. Those Todoroki/Himura genes are doing good work.

But, despite those good looks, everyone is here to see Touya in his own operating tube (?). The doctor says that Touya's slowly dying and Endeavor tells everyone that he's retiring. Both things are what everyone saw coming. There was no way Endeavor was going back to hero work after everything that happened to him during the final war. It was just never possible. Even with prosthetics, I think his own mental state and where he is in life with his family would have prevented that from happening. I'm surprised that Touya is alive at all, but I'm glad to see that he's alive to see his family for a little longer before he eventually dies which I assume may happen in the final chapter of the series.

Also, Touya can still talk! Bro still can't move for shit, but he's conscious enough to talk to his family. He still hates his father and I get it. I don't think there was any way Touya was going to forgive his father after everything that happened. It's good to see that Endeavor still is trying to atone and wants to talk with Touya as much as he possibly can to his eldest son, but that won't change anything right now. The least Endeavor can do is listen to what Touya might want to say.

Fuyumi and Rei try to talk to Touya too, but the doctor is telling them that talking more would be a burden on Touya's heart. And then Shoto asks his oldest brother "What's your favorite food?" and Touya responds "Soba..." just like Shoto. I can't do this tonight, guys! I'm screaming, crying, throwing up! WHAT COULD HAVE BEEN! THEY COULD HAVE EATEN SOBA TOGETHER IN ANOTHER LIFE!!! HOW DARE YOU, HORIKOSHI! I'M IN YOUR WALLS 😭

And right as his family leaves his room, Touya slowly cries tears and says "Shoto... I'm sorry..." I don't need to explain this one. This fucking hurts. Touya has regrets, but it's too late. Touya may be Dabi the murderous villain who ruined a lot of lives, but he's also still a young man who deserved a better life than what was handed to him and does still care for his family even if only a little. All around a tragic character. If this is the last we see of Touya, I think it's a good albeit sad send-off.

As the Todorokis start to part ways, we get an idea of where their lives are going now:

1. Natsuo wants to start a family with his girlfriend (isn’t he only 20 btw and he started dating her like, what, a year ago? I get it, Natsuo, but this is too early don’t you think? 😭) but has no intention of having a ceremony for it specifically because he doesn't want her or himself to ever see Enji again. I don't blame him for this. Even though he helped stop Touya from literally exploding which did save his father, Natsuo made it clear from the start that he was never going to forgive Enji no matter how much he atoned. The reason why he was even born was because Enji wanted a perfect Ice/Fire child, but he didn't get that until Shoto was born afterwards. Natsuo saw Enji hurt and abuse his family for pretty much his entire life and Enji suddenly wanting to fix what he broke wasn't going to change Natsuo's mind on what he thought of his father. Cutting ties with his father is for the best. It's a miracle the rest of his family still want to see Enji at all, especially Shoto.

2. Fuyumi has also quit her teaching job, but a mother of one of her students found another one. This is also understandable. The public slander of her family on her is what probably pushed this and I'm sure her good reputation got inadvertently damaged from it. I hope she is treated better at her new job.

3. Enji is going got continue to pay for his crimes for the rest of his life whatever that takes. He even understands if the rest of his kids never want to see him again either. He will still do everything he can to make sure his kids are unharmed by the whole Dabi thing. He even accepts that he's going to dance with Touya in Hell one day. Honestly, regardless of what you think of Endeavor, I honestly think his atonement/development arc is one of the best in the series. He has definitely become a better man than what he started out as when we first met him during the Sports Festival Arc, but what I love about this is that Horikoshi never let him off the hook. He made Enji face his sins head-on and suffer through every consequence that came from his abusive actions. If Enji Todoroki is going to atone, he's going to atone the very, very hard way. Enji may be a better man and father, but that doesn't mean he's going to see the pearly gates when all is said and done. The best he can do is pay for his sins for the rest of his life and pray that Rei, Fuyumi, and Shoto don't leave him completely too.

4. And finally, there's my favorite, Shoto 🩵! He's going back to school and reassures his parents that he will be fine with his friends as they help him become who he wants to be. This essentially concludes Shoto's arc as well. When we first met him, he was a cold, anti-social teen who didn't want to make any friends. All he wanted to do was to become a hero with his ice alone to spite his father. Since then, he's opened up to his classmates, made amazing friends especially in Izuku, Iida, and Bakugo, rekindled his relationship with his mother and siblings, come to terms with his father and Touya, and finally accepted his Ice/Fire powers as his own. He says he's on the path to becoming the hero he wants to be, but I'd argue that he's already there. Again, it's an incredible development for Shoto and I think this is a great conclusion to his own character arc.

After Shoto leaves, we transition to Hawks! He's still there for Endeavor if he needs him which is nice. He's also the president of the Public Safety Commission! Dude may be Quirkless, but that doesn't mean he can't do anything! I'm happy to see him thrive in this new role of his and I hope he can reform the PSC into something good as opposed to how they treated him in the past.

We also catch up on Lady Nagant WHO IS NOT DEAD 🎊, but chooses to stay in prison for a bit longer. And Gentle and LaBrava are ok and free too! Good endings here!

The final panel shows Spinner and someone is opening his hospital door 🤔

Phenomenal chapter! 10/10 would read and cry over again. Thank you and fuck you for everything, Kohei Horikoshi. 4 Chapters left. Fuck, my hands hurt 😭

[pinesfamilyguidetotheweird]

Gravity Falls Headcanon: Feral Ford

Okay, so...I like this idea because there is some sense to it.

Ford had been traversing different dimensions for 30 years. I have very little doubt that he has picked up at least a few odd quirks depending how long he spent in a specific dimension.

One that I did have in mind was that he pretty much gained an iron stomach of sorts, or is unbothered to eat strange looking foods, what with him likely eating strange (otherworldly) foods in order to survive.

The main quirk I want to talk about is him gaining some animalistic behavior along the way. Regardless of what you believe in (coming from a non-denominational Christian), humans are animals. What separates us from the rest of the animal kingdom is our higher mental capacity and emotional intelligence.

Despite this, humans are capable of delving into a primitive mindset if given the right circumstances and there are alleged cases of this, usually in the form of feral children, but I digress.

Desperate times call for desperate measures.

And Ford did what he had to do to survive. Seriously, what was his first year in the multiverse like? When he got sucked in, he was on the verge of insanity and likely suffered from sleep deprivation due to Bill's influence. What was the first dimension like and how did he survive it?

Regardless for now, what if Ford spent a long time on a planet lacking lifeforms of emotional intelligence, which resulted in him adopting behaviors from the animals on that planet. Not only that, but most of his senses are heightened to help him survive, maybe even garnering a sixth sense of sorts, mostly that of sensing danger seconds before it happens.

Once he is able to leave this planet, he slowly, but surely, regains most of his composure, but those instincts still remain and once he returns to his home dimension, those instincts are both a fascination to behold but also a worrisome perk depending on the situation.

He purrs when content/relaxed enough or having a peaceful sleep...the latter which is unfortunately not very common for the poor man (damn you, Bill). He can't handle a lot of smells and can actually pick up the smell of blood due to those heightened senses.

Possible PTSD aside, Ford usually has a handle on his more animalistic instincts. But all rational thought can be thrown out the window when he feels that he and/or his family was threatened to the highest he could handle. He'll sneer, snarl and growl, bare his teeth, and poise himself to either attack (either with a weapon or his own hands) or protect his family.

Like a wolf protecting his pups. His pack.

He's not exactly proud of this, finding it shameful for him to act in such a way in a civilized world, even though it was a means of survival and the others don't hold it against him.

Mabel especially loves his purring, finding it relaxing, and Dipper is fascinated by his heightened senses.

I have read multiple fics of Feral Ford on AO3 and they are a nice read. I'll make link posts to them when I have the time.

[elegantauthor]

Saving Grace Chapter 16

Pairing: Bucky Barnes x Aurora Stark

Summary: Any other snowy night would be a cozy respite, but not when imprisoned in Zemo’s manor.

Warnings: gaslighting, mild sexual implications

Series Masterlist

Aurora sat on the cushioned seat overlooking the bay window. Two stories down, snow accumulated on the ground, obscuring the tire tracks leading from the turnoff. She sighed, fingers curled around the ring dangling from the gold chain she wore around her neck. Although she didn’t wear her wedding ring on her finger, she was never without it. Never without a reminder of the vow she made Bucky six years ago.

The Snap took him, but even then, she kept it close to her heart. Despite his past, Bucky had been was everything she needed and wanted in a lover and a partner. He was a product of the Forties, and every time he held open a door for her, pulled out her chair, she considered herself the luckiest woman in the world.

Knock, knock.

Interrupting her reverie, the door cracked open. Zemo peered in, before fully stepping inside the room. He was carrying a mug of something steaming. “Tea?”

Aurora’s eyes flit from his to the mug. She wasn’t going to admit aloud how thirsty or hungry she was. They drove for over fourteen hours, and at least four more had passed since he locked her in this room.

“I am preparing dinner. I hope you like roast.”

She scowled, hating how uncannily perceptive he was. No matter how much her stomach gurgled at the thought of food, she had no intention of giving him that satisfaction. Unfurling from her spot, she padded across the room and took the proffered mug. She brought it to her lips slowly, eyeing it and him. “This isn’t drugged, is it?”

A shadow passed over his features, before an amused, almost smug, smile overtook. “Now, why on Earth would I do such a thing?” For a flickering moment, Aurora felt his panic, with trying to get handsy earlier. “Of course not, liebling. I am not entirely uncouth.”

“Right, and I am just the daughter of the goddess of love.”

He smirked. “Among other things.”

Aurora’s face burned. Not even Bucky, the only man who had any rightful claim to do so, ever pointed out the fact that Aphrodite oversaw more than love and beauty.

“Your mother was known to be quite promiscuous. Deities, mortals, or so the myths proclaim. Is it only James who gets the pleasure of knowing that side of you?”

She gritted her teeth. “That is none of your business.”

Zemo held up his hands in mock defense. “You’re right, and like I said, I am not entirely uncouth.”

“Yet, you plan on feeding me to the sharks. Human traffickers? I can’t even control my powers in a bar or a house full of revelers!”

“I will be by your side all night,” he assured her, to no avail.

The twist in her gut felt like a noose, as fear rose up from the pit of her stomach and constricted her throat, pressing tears behind her eyes. “I don’t understand why I just can’t go home,” she cried. “I’m not a superhero. I’m not—”

“Say it,” Zemo coaxed. “You are not your father. You will never be Iron Man. You will never be a goddess, merely a diminutive version. Be that as it may, you still have power that no one else possesses. I witnessed you do the impossible by taming the Winter Soldier. That is no small feat.”

“Then, why can’t I read you? Hm?” she shot back. “I can’t sense what you’re feeling, whether or not your intentions are genuine.” Her hands trembled, as the contents of the mug sloshed over the rim. The liquid stung, but she was too riled up to notice the small red marks blistering her skin. “For all I know, you’re going to sell me to highest bidder tomorrow evening. Why wouldn’t you? You want to hurt Bucky. You said so yourself that you have a vendetta against Super Soldiers. He’s a Super Soldier. And I am not as ignorant as you seem to think.”

“Are you finished?”

Aurora huffed, but nodded.

“Good,” said Zemo evenly, “because I will say this only once. I have no intention of selling you. You are far too valuable to me, to my agenda. If, along the way, I get some well-deserved peace knowing my enemy has been brought to his knees, then so be it.” He checked his timepiece. “Dinner will be served in thirty minutes.” With that, he turned and walked out of the room… leaving the door unlocked.

Aurora stood there, sniffing back tears. Shakily, she wiped them on the sleeve of her sweater. She glanced out the window, heaving an audible sigh. At first flurries, snow pelted down in thick showers. She would die of hypothermia, before reaching the nearest town.

Setting aside the mug to get cold, she crossed the room again and stood in front of the window. Her tears, no matter how many times she sniffed or swiped at them, refused to abate. She needed Bucky. She needed to apologize, to wrap her arms around him and never let go. She was a fool to let him go in the first place. Given time to think about everything that had transpired over the past week, living in Brooklyn with Bucky in his apartment felt right. Sure, she’d abandoned city life for seven years, but she was ready to start anew, with her husband.

[nobibiname]

Elain’s Soft Power🌸/ ✨different strength✨ and the Cauldron bond

I’ve said this elsewhere but wanted to have a complete post to drive this point home, HOFAS spoilers, you’ve been warned.

Back in CC1&2 we learned that thanks to the Asteri, there’s a lot of obsession about “breeding”, esp among the Fae, on Midgard. And then we learned why: to create the strongest food source for them.

Now in HOFAS, enter Bryce in Prythian, we find out these same Asteri corrupted the cauldron .

So at this point honestly, yeah I was surprised that the majority of the fandom didn’t call out the mating bonds in prythian, and start looking at them more critically. What is the meaning of a mating bond from a corrupted cauldron? What will be the ultimate point of them?

Remember when in ACOMAF Feyre asks Rhys “why not make them mates?” One of the things he says is “… probably to produce the strongest offspring” (paraphrasing)

Strongest for what? the point of the Cauldron mating bonds is breeding, the strongest food for the Asteri. That’s it.

The mating bond is not what the Fae believe it to be. It may have been sacred at some point, but now it’s just the outcome of a magical calculation resulting in highest calories for intergalactic parasites.

I think for this reason it was really important (thematically at least) for Feysand and Nessian to fall in love first. They just “happen” to also have a mating bond. If their relationships mainly hinge on the bond, the romance is diluted. And we have plenty of examples of failed relationships of mates, (Rhys’ parents, Tamlin’s parents). I also want to acknowledge that the Mother’s power is also still there to some extent (we see that when Nesta gives up her powers and gets to keep a bit from a “gentle hand”) , and could have guided those bonds, but it doesn’t change the fact that the main point of the cauldron now is still food for the Asteri.

Lastly this also shows courage in rejecting a Cauldron bond, it’s actually an act of defiance. Asserting your will over your own fate, a “fuck you” to the Asteri and their corrupted manipulation of a sacred object and institution of Fae culture.

And I wonder is this the “different strength” that Elain will exhibit? Rejecting her cauldron bond. I think we’ll find out exactly why she hasn’t yet, and I actually think whatever the reason, that takes strength too. She’s stuck between a lot of willful minds and stubborn powers. Sticking to her guns is probably not easy. But also is this a strength that maybe Feyre and Nesta don’t have? I’m definitely speculating here, but maybe resisting the cauldron’s will like this could be something beyond them?

Elain is heavily foreshadowed to be a Gardner of magic of sorts; cultivating and growing with her magic, rather than fighting. So maybe rather than yielding to the cauldron’s will for her, she might assert her will on the corrupted cauldron and heal it? The ivy around the gates of her mind growing so strong around the iron to be able to crush the iron itself….

It would be in line with both how she’s foreshadowed, and how Feyre sees her. She will still be the gentle dreamer, but strong in her soft power.

I might never have been the biggest fan of the mating bond, (though I acknowledge it’s a staple of the genre) but given what we now canonically know about the history of Prythian, I urge the fandom to view “who you want to be mates” through a different lens. Bc that word truly no longer means what we thought it meant.