#when the great old one you worship casually shows up in your room | Explore Tumblr posts and blogs

kookiecrumb · 3 years ago

Text

jjk|| Your Head

"tags": @kazthebrekkerofinej

word count: uhhhh

summary: Jungkook is the heir to the throne of your Kingdom! In this tale of duty versus heart, will love prevail victorious?

tags: Royalty!Jungkook x Peasant!Reader, oneshot, smut, fluff, slight angst, some crack, pining, forbidden lovers, Jungkookie has a sweet tooth, strangers to friends to lovers

warnings: explicit language, impact play, birthday sex (technically), fingering, oral (m receiving*), love marking, alcohol consumption, s&m themes, horny grinding, praise kink/body worship

a/n:

hey guys!

Firstly, I want to say how proud I am of myself for growing so much during this fic. I learned a lot about what I'm comfortable with, what I'd like to work on, and where my confidences lie.

I won't lie and say it's been easy, because writing this meant dealing with a lot of my fears? I'm excited for all the works that are to come.

The only thing I can do is be as receptive to growth as possible, so I'm looking forward to learning...

*I actually learned that Vaseline wasn't invented until like the 1870s? The fic is written in the 1810s, so I actually had a choice between having them do it with vegetable oil or spit. Spit won.

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5 years ago

You bend over to pick up an apple that had rolled over under your father's produce cart, praying that it isn't bruised so that you have to pay for it out of your dinner, when a crumpled piece of paper hits you in the ass.

Confused, you crawl out from under the stand and unwrap the paper.

The paper itself is of the finest quality you've ever seen. It's a sturdy cardstock, bleached white with gold etchings on the borders. The print on the top of it reads "His Highness Jeon's Royal Study," and scribbled in some kid's amateur cursive below, "Nice butt."

You directed your gaze upwards, towards the towering castle walls. Sure enough, a boy no older than 15 had his noggin popping out from the top of the rampart, with two wide eyes staring down, curious as to your reaction. This was Prince Jungkook, heir to the throne of your kingdom.

"Shouldn't you be equestrian horse riding or playing polo or something?" You shout. He furrows his eyebrows, apparently offended at your assumption, and then disappears behind the edifice.

Moments later, another paper hits your shoulder as you're practicing your caligraphy behind your cart. It lands between the apples, so you reach your hand over and fish out out.

You glance up at the anticipant, and sure enough he's there with his doe eyes and his coconut head, ogling.

"No, dumbie. That's at MID-day." Well how were YOU supposed to know the royal schedule of the crown prince, it wasn't just common knowlegde you learned from being a humble farmer's daught--

Ah!

"Will you STOP?!" You put your foot down. "Unless you're here to buy my apples, then you're not getting ANY, little Prince." Oh, shit. You gave him ideas. Now it was really over for you.

In less than half an hour, half a company of men arrived at the marketplace, asking about your little old apple stand, and sure enough, Jungkook had bought out the entire cart so that you were forced to help with the transaction.

The young prince had eyes frankly too big for his head, with the most prominent cupid's bow you've ever seen. His nose slightly outgrew his face and his ears were hidden away behind his short, black hair. "Now you can talk to me." He gave you a rose he'd stolen from the royal garden. "I am Jungkook, heir to the throne of--"

"I know who you are." You interrupt him, documenting His Highness' total in your calligraphy book.

With a hand perched on his chest from surprise, he scoffed. "And I happen to think you're really pretty, so I was going to ask you to be my very first consor--"

"You're 15, you have playmates not consorts."

"And how old are you?!" He's had it, raising his voice and taking a bite out of one of your apples with force.

"16, old enough to have suitors." You tease. Jungkook hangs his head a little. He just needed someone to talk to, it would seem. Reluctantly, you scribbled down your address down on a piece of note paper and handed it to him.

"Look, if you buy more of my apples, I'll have an excuse to tell my Dad so I can hang out with you." You spoke in a low voice as to not raise suspicion.

Your dad is standing negotiating with the guards about prices, his usual embarassing haggling gruffly overpowering the guards elegant twiddle-tones.

"Wonderful! See you soon, my sweet!" He resumes his confident demeanor, tucking the paper into his overcoat with a small smile. He salutes you boyishly and marches away with a year's supply of apples.

For the next week, the royal kitchen had baked 3 apple pies, made 5 fruit salads, 4 batches of apple muffins, and threw the rest of them in Sangria; that's the same Sangria as King Jeon finds himself drinking in his wife's drawing room on Sunday.

"Call Chef, fetch him up here." He waves to his assistant, keeping his eyes on the outside. He was deep in thought, his hands stoicly behind his back.

The Kingdom had been prosperous for over many years now, and war had not come close to threatening its borders in a lifetime. Negotiations were always successful, and quality of living was high. The work of a King, in a situation such as this, was to perfect the image of the royal family as strong rulers, and to paint his daughters as desirable to foreign heirs.

"Your Grace," the assistant called his attention, "Head Chef Sung." The dainty man bows and scurries off somewhere else.

Chef Sung is a portly man, who carries himself heaving with every step, his great belly inflating with each hefty inhale. He approaches the King, and kneels down to kiss his hand with his fat lips.

The King recoils in disgust, but quickly collects himself and his words. "Where are these apples from, is it France or Spain?" He demands.

"Neither, Your Highness." Mr.Sung lifts up his eyes. "They are from our Holy Kingdom; by order of Prince Jungkook, an entire cart was purchased of these apples and we have not been able to get rid of them." Tears threatened Chef Sungs eyes at the very mention of the fruit.

'Well, there's one thing the kid's done right.' King Jeon now faces the Chef, setting down his drink on a mahogany table, leaning against it casually. "Well! Good. I'd like to meet the owner of that cart, invite him to my Sunday brunch."

"Oh, yes, of course sir! You'll never see them in our kitchen aga--What?" Chef Sung takes out his handkerchief, waving it around in the air and drying his tears at once. "So you like them! Why...Yes! Yes, of course!"

Your father thought it would be valuable to have you around the kitchen, learning from the skilled men and women employed by the Jeon family. He only visited once a week to drop off fresh produce, (he'd been officially hired to handle restocking of goods) but you, after showing promising signs of being a gifted baker during one of your father's restocks, were granted scholarship by Ms.Kang to be her aid.

You were now, officially, a resident of the Jeon Estate, residing in the servant's quarters, immediately adjacent to the kitchen. This was convenient. It was far too convenient for a certain little Prince to get the idea of wanting a midnight snack and wandering downstairs.

One day, he does just that. He finds his way into the first bedroom to the right of the stairs facing the kitchen, and that happens to be your bedroom.

He pokes you awake. "Ow! Ow, whyyy~" You whine and toss yourself over to the other side of the bed. His irritating poking persists. You grab his fingers and your eyes shatter open.

You sit up, alarmed. "You could have me arrested, what the fuck are you doing?!"

"I wanted a midnight snack! Besides, I wanna talk to you." He pouts, still holding a small teddy companion.

"Fine. I'll bake you ONE sheet of cookies." You slip on your night shoes and shuffle to the kitchen, and Jungkook tags along.

By the time Jungkook's 18th birthday comes around, he's in the kitchen helping you whisk buttercream to top his cake while having a tease at the Austrian Princess' mole.

"You have one right under your lip, look!" You take a little buttercream from the bowl and stain the dark spot with it.

He licks it up and hastens to add, "it needs more sugar, lady!" as he turns to grab a puffy bag of confection sugar.

"You're impossible to please." Snatching the sugar away from him, you smirk. "You can gobble down as many sweets as you want when the ball commences. Remember, this is the year you're supposed to be keeping your eye out for a girl of a good fam--"

"Yada yada, must have hips for childbearing, yada yada yada..." He mocks the speech his mother had told him that morning when he got dressed.

"Exactly." You set your bowl aside to fix Jungkook's tie. "Yes, and that's your duty, as our heir."

You step back and examine Jungkook one more time. He'd grown so tall in the last year, his legs like spider's and he was just beginning to grow into his features. Handsome boy.

You, too, had grown into an elegant young woman. You had a poised complexion, ready-mannered and graceful. Your hands seemed out of place in your otherwise feminine frame, carrying an extra bit of girth from baking. You were 19 years old.

Marriage was becoming an uncomfortably frequent topic during your visits home, as your mother had married young, herself, she expected the same of you.

Truth be told, there were plenty of offers for your hand. You were a skilled and very esteemed individual, who had broken into thr artisinal class. But your father knew better than put a dowry on your happiness. So long as you worked, he saw no reason to marry you off just yet.

"Now, go. Your sisters must be worried sick! Go out there." You shoo him, pushing him out the door of the kitchen despite his flailing arms.

Throughout the party, you'd been carrying a platter of your own baked goods, serving them to the aristocrats attending the Princes' coming-of-age ball. Accents from all over Europe and some from Kingdoms as far East as Cyprus jubilantly engaged in artful conversation which filled the air with good spirits.

Jungkook, himself, was busy being introduced to as many women as possible, a medley of presenting duchesses, ladies, and even Princesses of your Kingdom. They were each more qualified than you'll ever be, ten-fold.

One was a Greek Princess, her hair cascaded in darling curls down her shoulders and her eyes were deep-set, her voice a flirtatious trill.

Another, a Prussian Princess', posture radiated excellency, and whose complexion sparkled like powdered snow. Jungkook greeted her warmly, pleased with her appearance.

Distracted, you tripped up your skirt and dropped the remainder of your pastries. With that, you stepped off to use the restroom.

The sound of Strauss' Rosen aus dem Süden faintly loomed in the air as you wiped tears from your waterline in the mirror. That was just the way it was, wasn't it? Princes come of age, and they find wives who they commit their lives to.

"Married men don't have friends who are girls." You say out loud, just to realize it. Jungkook was now expected to find a mate within the season, and he was, in fact, quite the eligible bachelor.

Little did you know that Jungkook had been keeping an eye out for you throughout the party, not only because you were carrying his favorite Danish pastires, but because he knew your company was his greatest comfort.

He's in the midst of greeting the Duchess of Kent when he excuses himself to go look for you. He finds your mess first, frowning as he realizes something has gone terribly wrong.

He catches you in the hallway, face puffy and shaky. He grabs your wrist to keep you from darting back to the kitchen.

"Please don't do this, it's my birthday, y/n." It's as if an unspoken rule had been broken between you, and he feels it. Something is making you uncomfortable. "Was it the girls? You told me about this, it's my duty to at least greet them and--"

"Yeah, you sure did greet the Prussian woman nicely." You speak through tears. "She's the girl you were born to be with, huh? Your birthright?"Jungkook is silent. "Every girl at that ball wants to be your wife, want to have your children. They haven't known you for a day and yet they're ready to be your bride."

You search Jungkook's eyes for any sign of coherence, hoping that he would defend against you, that he would speak up and tell you otherwise. No such argument comes.

You yank your arm from his grip and march to the kitchen to remake the pastries you spilled.

You had the job of clearing off all the tables upon the departure of the last guests. It is midnight, and the windows of the castle stream moonlight down on the carpet beneath your feet. The glow of candles soothe you as you hum the waltzes which echo in your mind. It's a brilliant evening.

The centerpieces of the tables were gardenias, lush rose-like flowers with yellow pistils.

Summer, 1809

"Jungkook, wait! You're going to make me trip!" You shout from the top of the hill.

"You've gotta come see before the sun sets! It's the only way we'll get there on time, now run!" Jungkook's speeding down the terrain towards the Sycamore tree which grew deep and wide beneath the banks of a great rushing river.

You groan and throw caution to the wind, rolling down the steep mount in your Sunday dress. Jungkook turns to watch you, a grin spreading across his handsome face. "Look at you!"

You land on your feet at the bottom and scurry off to join Jungkook under the grandfather tree, out of breath entirely. "Now, look what you made me do. You're such a boy, you know that?! Making me come out here just to see some bloody--"

Jungkook has plucked a gardenia and placed it behind your ear. "Would you shut up? We got here on time. Behold."

In all its glory, the sun bathes you in its vivacious rays, creating a feeling of heavenly bliss as it dips below the horizon. The sky blushes pink, its clouds mere whisps above you. Wind rustles the leaves of the grand tree, rousing the birds to chirp their afternoon song.

"Mom used to come here all the time with my Dad, because of these." Jungkook clasped the blooming flower in his tender hands.

After a while, he says "the bugs will come out soon, so we ought to go back," as if he's trying not to scare something away. He helps you up, and with one last look across the valley, you walk next to each other back to the East Quarters.

You take all the silverware and plates by the tub to the dish-washing station and toss all of the linen napkins into the washing machine. All you had left was to blow out the lights in leading upstairs.

"Prince! It is very late, and there are no guests left for you to entertain. What troubles you?" Jungkook's sitting on the stairs with his head in his hands, still wearing his best suit.

"I disappointed you, y/n...I didn't like any of them." He admits, lifting his head up to sulk at you. "I should have told you then, but I didn't want to make you upset!"

Did Jungkook mistake your jealousy for disappointment?

"I'm not upset because you didn't hit it off with the girls..." You sigh. A confession is due, and he's ready to hear the truth from you about how you feel about him.

"Well, the truth is, I didn't like any of the girls because I like you, y/n. But you know that, don't you?" You pause, asking him to elaborate.

"Remember when I bought all the apples because I wanted to be with you? Like...I told you that you were my consort and I kind of meant it?" He felt pathetic now, realizing that you weren't just ignoring his advances. "So you didn't friendzone me for 2 years, you actually didn't know that I liked you."

It was almost laughable, a situation you would read in one of your illegal novels which you kept tucked away in your pillow at night. "No, Kookie, I didn't." You admit to your insolence.

You can't bear to lead him on any longer. You needed to put duty over your own self interest for the sake of the kingdom, even if it shattered his hope. It was better this way.

"But, you do know that we can't ever be a thing, right? It's just silly." Your heart tightens with the words which fall out of your mouth. "It is. Nevermind what your parents would think, what would it do for your image? You're on the world's stage, Jungkook, and you're a selfish person if you think you can just throw all of your duties away to date a scum of the Earth like-- like me!" With your heart in your throat, dry your eyes with your sleeve. "And...I want to, I really really want to, more than anything else to love you, Jungkook. I love you! I...can't." Through the blur of your tears, the shapeless blob that Jungkook has become stands up.

Taking his thumb and swiping it under your eyes, he sighs. Words escaping him, he takes your trembling body against his chest and nestles his head in the crook of your neck. Your cold hands travel underneath his overcoat to hold his waist. The Princes' lips plant a gentle kiss on your neck, chaste yet deep and satisfying.

"I will not accept any bride if not you, my love." He draws back, meeting your fervid gaze. "To the world, I remain a bachelor for a few years."

"And after those years, Jungkook?" You ride your hands up to caress the man's jaw. "You will still love me after those years, and then what?"

"I don't know," he says, voice as soft as powder. "I don't know many things, y/n, that's why I need you to teach me." His palms are rubbing at your waist, beckoning you closer.

His breath quickening as you lean your body against his hold, and you figure it must be the wine he drank to calm his nerves. That was it, wasn't it? He was drunk.

"You're not drunk, are you?" Your face sours, really hoping it's not the case as you feel your body temperature rise.

"Y/N, I've only had a glass. You saw I was a wreck back there." His lips kept chasing yours in a dance you can't quite describe. "I have wanted to hold you like this since I saw you selling apples on the street. Give me the honor..." His forehead against yours and his strong hands supporting your back, he's already fucking you with his eyes.

"The pleasure of being your lover." He squeezes your waist tight with his forearms, planting brisk kisses behind your ear and breathing in your scent. He smiles against you. Your skin pebbles at his affectionate touch, purring softly as your eyes roll back in delight.

"Kookie..." You breathe, leaning on his broad chest. "Kook, the maids are wondering where I am, I have to go..." You slur, tugging at his collar.

He grunts in protest, taking your ear between his teeth and nibbling it.

"If you let me go, I'll steal some cake for you tomorrow at breakfast." If there's anything Jungkook likes more than Cream Ice, it was cake. He unravels you from his arms and nods, his eyes softening.

"Request my service tomorrow, from Ms.Kang. She's been sweet on me lately." You peck his cheek before stepping back. Your rouge has embarrassingly stained His Grace's cheek.

Jungkook bows and presses a kiss on your hand, eyes rising to meet yours. "Til' morrow, babe."

Jiyoo shakes you awake the next morning, handing you a cake and a note that reads: "Prince Jungkook has a commission he must discuss with you. Meet him at his chamber immediately."

Lacing on a simple corset over your nightgown, you try not to look too red in the face as you climb up the stairs to His Majesty's room. You'd be up there alone, as requested. The girls would absolutely start rumors based on that alone-- rumors which you realize are probably totally true. This was stuff of scandal, after all...

'There shouldn't be anything scandalous about love.' You decide as you rap on His Highness' door.

"Please enter...but only if you have my cake!" Jungkook says in his morning voice. He's so cute.

The simplicity of Jungkook's abode takes you by surprise. His bedroom is very well lit, a capital display of the flowered valley through his bay windows washed the room in gold, painting his porcelain white carpets and his cotton sheets a warm creme color. His drawers and vanity were etched in gold, with breathtaking detailing.

The Monarch himself was splayed across the bed, laying on his side casually. He held a glass in his hand, holding a white wine. He puts down his glass and sits up as your presence.

"We both know that you didn't come here as my servant." You lock the door behind you. "And I have no such commission to give you, darling." The innocence which undertones his usual speech is missing as he coaxes you towards him.

"This much I know, Your Majesty," You say, taking a bit of frosting on your index finger and smudging it on the Princes lips. His black eyes, as cunning as a viper, watch you dangerously as you push two fingers past his plush lips. He wraps his hands around your wrist and draws your hand away, his gaze fixating on you.

"Set the cake down." At his command, you carefully place the confection down on a nearby chest, feeling Jungkook's eyes on you, drawing you back towards his grip.

"Let me pull your laces apart," with your waist held by his Herculean hand, he hums "and then let me pull you apart. I want to memorize your pleasures and gratify your desires, I need it, y/n..." Your back flush against his chest and your thighs split, his hands knead into you as he litters your collar with his mark.

You gasp softly against the crook of his neck, giving into his hold of you. His hot tongue spreads under your jaw, closing into a hard kiss as his hands travel back up to undo your corset and free your tits.

One by one, his fingers pop open the buttons left on your gown until the collar hangs off-shoulder to expose your collarbone. At the sight of new skin, Jungkook's tongue darts to stain it.

His hands stagger above your breasts. "Is it okay if I touch you here?"

"Oh, Kookie, touch me everywhere~" Your hands form fists around Jungkook's shirt, beckoning him impossibly closer.

Grasping one ever so carefully, his thumb grazes your bud as he playfully bites under your ear. "ah-- ahh,"

Jungkook groans in response, he can't believe how cute you sound. Curious, he wants to hear more, so he traces your thighs and experimentally pushes up the outside your cunt.

You squirm, tensing up immediately in response. You bring your hands down to find the latch on his trousers and dip your hands below to rub him through his undergarments. He heatedly bucks up to meet your touch, a panting mess.

You face him now as he watches you ride his fingers while you grip his girth through his clothes. He takes you by the ass and places you on his prominent bulge, hips rolling into you as he hungrily kisses you, his firm hands grinding your core on his cock.

His face is a sinful red, panting under you desperately.

"I've been wanting to do this," His voice warbles through your touch, running your thumb along his underside. It's his turn to gasp. He sits up and collapses his lips into yours, softer than rose petals and his taste faintly like wine.

You place your hand on his chest, and his heart is pounding, a thin layer of sweat already forming on his honeylike complexion.

Hastily, you pull your dress over your head and lean back to allow him to familiarize himself with your stark form, a dainty chain hanging between your bosom. Jungkook bites his lips as he wriggles out of his clothing, desposing of it beside the bed.

He's giddy behind those sultry eyes, you know him well enough that he's overexcited to get inside of you. It goes straight to his cock, your playfulness as you feel up his bare shoulders and discover his abdominals, your fingers tracing his ridges with a sense of innocent wonder.

He takes your hands and looks at you in this way-- Butterflies fill your stomach instantly. Jungkook's thumbing at your pout with his intrepid fingers.

His eyes flutter when grip his base and submerge your upper body below his hips. You lick a long, thick stripe up his underside, causing his breath to hitch and his head to fall back on to the bed.

Those goddamn cupid's bow lips of his would whisper the dirtiest things under his breath, lewd thoughts that sounded completely alien coming from His Majesty's mouth, he said for you.

"Oh, such a pretty mouth~ It's so good, y/n, you swallow me so good--" he moaned like a mantra, trying to keep his hips from snapping up into you. Your hot, wet tongue wrapped around his throbbing cock was only a fantasy to him for years.

He fills your throat with his girth, his taste tantalizingly smooth. It leaves your mouth with a 'pop.' You struggle to keep your legs apart as you crawl up to kiss him.

He takes those fingers of his and slides his index and middle into you and languidly thrusts them, smirking against your lips. "Shit, you liked that, hmm..."

"Kookie...please," you whine as he squeezes your ass hard before smacking it. You yelp, the sting of his fingers radiating from your skin.

"I like it when you beg, y/n, it's so cute..." He pulls your ass up to his thighs. He's flush hard against your abdomen, already sticky with his precum and your spit. You marvel at the self control he has.

You don't finish your thought before he has his head inside of you, impaling you on his cock and stretching your entrance, hissing at how incredible it felt to have you around him.

His shaft reached pleasure points within you had yet to discover. You clench, feeling his tip brush against your cervix. "Wh... hngh," he groans, "how did you do that, do it again--" You wrap your legs around his thighs and clench around him, biting your lip. You watch as he shivers from pleasure, feeling his skin horripilate under your touch.

His thumb is softly circling above your clit as he pulls out of you carefully. He swirls back in, nestling himself inside your heat, hissing. "Ahh~ Jungkook~!" At the sound of his first name moaned out of your mouth, he groans and rolls his hips up to create messy friction. That familiar knot in your stomach tingles as he plays with the bundle of nerves buried within you.

He glances up at your ruined lips, clashing with them again as he lifts your knees up with his hands and thrusts nice and rough, making you yell with every jolt of his cock. The smell and sound of sex fills the room as he experiments with positions, laying you on all fours.

"Get your ass up for me." You obey, ever servile. You're reminded-- you're his servant. He owns your work, he owns your services, and now he wants you in the most lucrative way, he wants your soaked cunt around his imperial cock. He gets what he wants.

Jungkook's palms smack against your ass one more time, just to watch the way it jiggles for him. He smirks a little before he shoves himself into your pretty little cunt. You bury your face into the pillows in pelasure as he chases your orgasm with vigor, fingering your clitoris while you move your hips back to meet his hard thrusts.

You whine like a harlot, his cock allowing you every satisfaction as he works a head-spinning orgasm out of that cunt. "I'm gonna cum, Kookie~!" you warn as you spasm against his length, moans ripping from your throat as you coat him with your thick juices.

His hips stutter up and he just barely pulls himself completely from you as he paints your back white, a guttural groan escaping his mouth.

After a while of loud panting and scattered giggling, Jungkook reaches over for a wet cloth and cleans the both of you gingerly. You trail your hands up to caress his jaw and kiss his lips softly.

"You need to tell everyone that I had a long and extensive request for the Harvest party, that I wanted a lot of fall fruits and vegetables featured in the baked goods, make it as specific as possible and make sure that you mention that I want to meet with you again, over dinner." His labored breathing punctuate his words, as youd kisses consume him. "And..."

"And?" You cock an eyebrow, simpering.

"Doyouthinkmaybeyoucouldbringmesomemilktogowithmycake?" He mumbles, eyes glued on the bed.

"What?" (If you give a Kookie a Cookie...)

Disgruntled, he sighs and repeats: "Milk! Milk for my cake. I know it's moist cause you made it but I'm really thirsty, especially after..." His cheeks flush a cute pink. You wait for him to continue just to fluster him a little more. "Y/N, just please!" You can't ever refuse his pouty face.

Next week, Jungkook's got you pinned against the hallway wall, making out with you hungrily as his hands ride up your dress. Just across the hall, his Dad is negotiating war with Portugal over land in the West.

The next month, you have his cock buried in your throat underneath the table at an important conference about how to create jobs.

All this while the pressure for Jungkook to find a bride continues to rise as he reaches seniority, and as his father's grey hairs pronounce themselves.

Warm touches are always hidden away to the public eye, but often shared between two kindred spirits underneath the man in the moon's watchful eye. Jungkook, as he reaches his maturity, grows strong. His jaw sharpens, and his eyes darken. His hair grows long, and he gains weight. Now at the proud age of 20, Jungkook had become a man before everyone's eyes, including the eyes of foreign monarchs and their eligible bachelorettes.

One day, you're serving the Royal family at a private dinner, when the topic of marriage comes up for the first time since his birthday.

"Your mother has made friends with the mother of the Austrian Princess, and she's invited you to the cordial ball to introduce yourself to the Princess. An allyship with Austria would prove advantageous for our relations with France, so you are to make your best impression." The King wipes his mouth. Setting his fork down, he continues: "It is in the family's best interest for you to marry her, if the French Princess, Anastasie, does not present this season or the next." The Queen holds the King's hand firmly, reassuring him from his shoulder. She wears a slight frown on her face, her eyes worrisome, somber. The King hides his anxiety, as he's been accustomed to from decades of responsibility. Would this be the face of Jungkook soon?

For now, Jungkook's face is scrunching at the thought of marrying Anastasie. She's not the most delightful young woman, her imprudence ruined her enjoyment of any event. She couldn't keep an intuitive conversation about regional politics and domestic policy for the life of her. Her people were on the brink of overthrowing the aristocracy, he was sure of it.

"Yes, father," is what you hear from him before you disappear down the stairs to fetch desserts.

Jiyoo interrupts your quest for sweets with a letter, signed by His Grace. She has a naturally innocent demeanor, her cheeks rosy and her frame as delicate as a feather. "Y/N, you have another special request from His Majesty...can I ask you why you get so many of these?" She looks genuinely curious, not a single menacing thought behind those eyes.

"It's because the Prince really really loves his cake." I mean, technically it was true. Jungkook never passed up an opportunity to squeeze, smack, or dig his fingernails into your ass during your sessions.

"Oh." Jiyoo pouts. "So it's not because you're like, in love or anything?" Her eyes are glued to the floor. You were expecting this question eventually, as the other girls in the kitchen were already suspecting it. It was only a matter of time before word slipped into the girl's ears.

"As much as I enjoy the Prince's interest in my baking, it isn't my place to confess any sort of feeling for him." Your answer is straightforward enough, so Jiyoo nods and hands you the letter. Another request.

Outside the Palace, Winter came like the wind. Lakes froze over, and couples tied up their skates and danced on the ice. The trees were bare and brown, not a single leaf persisting through the chilling breath of Jack Frost.

Jungkook had left for the Winter Palace, to volunteer and raise spirits up in the North. As heir to the throne, he was to be Commander in Chief of the Royal Armed Forces, and therefore needed to undergo intensive training in order to boost morale.

You're back home, and in your wake is your father, who has now grown tangibly tired. He's been on a strict diet of warm vegetable soup for about three months, now. His eyes are sunken, but he still wears a subtle smile even during his most trying days.

Match girls make their rounds at night, you watch as the lamplighters illuminate the streets with their tall ladders and their taller peacoats. Shop windows glow warm shades of yellow and creme; inscriptions on the glass create shadows on the white snow.

"Wow. It's almost as cold as the King's heart out here." You step outside one day with a cup of tea, sneaking in a cheeky smirk. Yeah, good one.

"I heard that!" You turn towards the little voice. A child, maybe about 9 or 10 years old is pointing at you. You squint at it.

"Well, it's true..." You mumble. You have a bit of change in your pocket, so you walk towards a stand to buy a hot bun and a paper.

"Chilly today, hon...Best you take this on the house." The tenant hands you a steaming cake wrapped in a simple cloth and your paper. You stick the paper in your dress pocket and take back your change. You nod a 'thank you.'

You spill the contents of your pockets on the dining table and snatch the paper, snapping it open. Your eyes eagerly skim the headline: "Prince Jungkook Fires Up Royal Army." Below is an article detailing the happenings of His Majesty. All of it sounded very intense, the running, strategizing, first aid training...Was there anything Prince Jeon couldn't nail on the first try?

You set the paper down and pick up your now lukewarm tea. In the back of your mind you're coping with the fact that the Spring Solstice is next week, and that marks the beginning of Jungkook's last season as a Prince.

The King is ill with tuberculosis, and recovery is unlikely. If Jungkook is to marry, it is next season and that was final.

Sitting at the window of his Winter Castle study, Jungkook plays with a ring nestled between his fingers. He looks out onto the lake, as if he's trying to reach you with his gaze. His heart is tight knowing that it would be the season he chooses his bride. Actually, he'd already made up his mind long ago. If his duty was to marry, there was no way to evade such a responsibility. He had to fulfill it, despite his anxieties.

He straightens up and walks out of the hollow room with a firm step.

You awaken with the sound of horse's hooves thudding against the Earth. It is yet to be dawn, and in the distance, thunder roars mightily.

A figure wearing a long, black hood hoists itself off of the animal, tying it to a nearby post. It walks towards an obscure entrance, unknown to many staff.

Intrigued, you wrap a blanket around yourself and peek out at the stranger. His fingers are shorter than his palms, and that's when he tosses of his hood, his eyes set on you. "Y/N..."

You're bewildered by his guise, questions filling your head.

"I was horny, so I left camp" He sits down at the counter, catapulting a cookie into his mouth.

You roll your eyes. "And the guards let you?! Jungkook!" You whisper-yelled at him, readjusting your makeshift blanket-dress.

"Obviously not!" He puffed out his chest with pride. "I bribed them," he smirks.

"You're insufferable," you scoff, your eyes wandering down to observe his physique. His shirt is anything but conservative, highlighting the muscle he'd earned through laborious, sweat-inducing drills. You can feel his eyes on your face as you observe him.

"You can't hide it either," he crosses his arms. "You're standing in the kitchen with a blanket around your naked body." He flicks his tongue. He steps forward, putting a finger under your jaw so you're looking him in the eye.

Your eyes fill with lust as he speaks over your lips. "Look at yourself..." A crash is heard in the other room.

Jungkook's head darts up and in a flash, he disappears into the night.

'Fuck.' You gather your dress from the floor and shuffle back to your chamber.

The first event of the season commences with the most exaltant of spirits as friends of old greet each other with youthful smiles. Juicy exposés, enticing tales, and thoughtful greetings are exchanged in the most formal manner, and the conversation is lively; the most controversial topic of conversation, however, is the rumor that Jungkook is to marry this season.

So far, he's been to four different private residences within his own Kingdom and has been invited, by the secretary of King Louis XVII to meet their daughter. It would be an understatement to say that stakes were high for the pending King.

You were kneading your dough a little too hard thinking about it. "Not so rough, y/n!" Ms.Kang snatches the mixture from your hands. "What is up with you lately, you're so tense! It's really disrupting the kitchen's dynamic."

You shrug it off. "It's going to be hard sedating Anastasie's sweet tooth, I suppose."

"Well, you seem to be doing just fine dealing with Jungkook's addiction to cakes...She's perfect for him, really." Ms.Kang throws more flour on your kneading table and steps off. You give up on the dough, covering it with a cloth and letting it rise.

Jungkook is tapping his feet, munching on finger sandwiches as he waits on you to make an appearance.

"Dearest Prince, look, I am wearing Mediterranean violet!" A duchess shouts as she passes by him, to which he raises his eyebrows at. Another, with dark green eyes approaches and begins speaking rapidly in French at him. Frightened and undereducated, his canned response was: "Excusez-moi, Pouvez-vous répéter plus lentement s'il vous plaît," to which the duchess furrows her eyebrows before something else catches her attention, elsewhere.

Truth is, Jungkook is incredibly shaken at the thought of announcing his engagement tonight. Well, that and the fact that you had yet to pop out of the kitchen. Man, those finger sandwiches were good.

As the night progresses, Jungkook realizes that if he doesn't get up on that platform and say what he needed to say, he'd have to say it in London. Setting his fears aside, he plants himself on top of the orchestral stage and taps a champagne glass with a cheese fork. The music comes to a stop.

With conviction, he begins: "The time has come that I announce my engagement. To all of my beloved friends, who have introduced me to the most beautiful, talented, diverse, and benevolent ladies I've come to get to know over the years, I thank you from the depths of my soul." He swallows and continues, his confident voice masking his trembling. "The life of a Prince is defined by the virtues presented to him at birth. Those virtues are: duty, responsibility, grace, kindness, mercy and integrity." Here comes the part, oh shit.

"I am abdicating my throne to my Cousin, the Duke of Namseong."

Silence sweeps the room. You poke your head out to see what was going on.

"...to marry the love of my life, y/n." He points at you. Your face is cherry red, and you find yourself dropping those same Danish fucking pastries all over the carpet.

"Shit," you fall on your knees, plucking them from the ground one by one. You don't know whether to run as fast as you can or to present yourself, but your body seems to be currently doing the latter. You go along with it.

Jungkook takes your hand tenderly on the stage. "I am unable to perform my duties as King, and therefore am ineligible for the throne." His touch gives you the will to continue beside him. You feel the pure fear rushing through your love's veins, and he knows that this is the hardest thing he'll ever have to do, yet he stands by his announcement.

So, if Jungkook doesn't get to be King of this World, he at least will forever be the King of Your Heart.

But all this, of course...is all in Your, dear reader, Head.

a/n:

hope you enjoyed.

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translations-by-aiimee · 3 years ago

Text

The Husky and His White Cat Shizun - Chapter 27

Original Title: 二哈和他的白猫师尊

Genres: Drama, Romance, Tragedy, Xianxia, Yaoi

This translation is based on multiple MTLs and my own limited knowledge of Chinese characters. If I have made any egregious mistakes, please let me know.

Chapter Index

Chapter 27 - This Venerable One Will Cook You A Bowl of Noodles

Chu Wanning felt completely faint.

He blamed himself for being so distracted and unsuspecting on Life-Death Peak. He didn't even notice someone come over.

What was going on? Where did this child come from? His last name was Mo, but Mo. . . what was is again. . . ? Mo Shao? Mo Zhu? Mo. . . Yu?

He composed himself and put on an expression that screamed: "get away". The surprise and panic in his phoenix eyes were quickly masked by his usual harsh and threatening demeanour.

"You—"

He raised his hand out of habit to discipline him, but something suddenly caught his wrist.

Chu Wanning was stunned.

He had been around for a while yet no one had ever dared grab his wrist so casually. For a while, he was frozen in place, not knowing what he should do.

Pull it away and give him a backhanded slap?

. . . It felt like a good word to describe that would be "indecent," like he was no different from a woman in this situation.

Then pull his hand away and not slap him?

. . . Wouldn't that seem like he was being too nice?

Chu Wanning hesitated for a long time and didn't move but the young man laughed: "What's this on your hand? It's pretty good-looking, do you teach how to make stuff like this? Everyone else has introduced themselves already but you haven't spoken yet. Which elder are you? Hey, do you have a headache?"

With so many questions thrown at him, while Chu Wanning's mind hadn't hurt before, now it did.

His mind felt like it was about to split in half. . .

As he got irritated, a golden light in his hand started to glow. When they saw that Tianwen was about to be summoned, the other elders were horrified and moved - Chu Wanning was crazy, right? He would even dare to whip Young Master Mo?

Then, Mo Ran was suddenly holding his hand.

Now Mo Ran had trapped both of his hands. Mo Ran didn't up on the danger of his situation. He pulled him closer and stood in front of him. He tilted his head and said with a smile: "My name is Mo Ran. I don't know anyone here, but just from looking at you, I like you the most. How about I worship you as my shizun, okay?"

This was completely unexpected. The people around them were even more horrified. Several elders gaped with mouths ajar.

Elder Xuanji: "Huh?"

Elder Pojun: "What!"

Elder Qisha: "Oh?"

Elder Jielu: "Uh. . ."

Elder Tanlang: "Hah, ridiculous."

Elder Lucun was the most feminine of the bunch with wavy hair and eyes flooded with peach blossoms: "Ah, this little boy is so bold. He's truly a courageous young man. He might even be so bold as to touch Elder Yuheng's ass."

". . . I beg you, can you not say something so repulsive?" Qisha said with disgust.

Lucun rolled his eyes gracefully and hummed: "Fine, let me put it more eloquently. He's truly a courageous young man. He might even be so bold as to touch Elder Yuheng's buttocks."

Qisha: ". . ." Just kill him and forget this ever happened.

The most popular of all the elders was the gentle and jade-like elder Xuanji. His techniques were easy to learn, and he was a modest gentleman. Most of the disciples on Life-Death Peak worshipped underneath him.

Chu Wanning originally thought that this Mo Ran would've been just like all the others. If not Elder Xuanji, then it should be the energetic Elder Pojun. It never should have been his turn

But Mo Ran was standing so close to him. His face showed a kind of intimacy and affection that was unfamiliar to him. He was like some clown that was just chosen. It was all so distressing for no reason.

Chu Wanning only knew how to deal with "awe", "fear" and "disgust". Something like "affection" was too complicated.

He didn't even have to think about it. He immediately rejected Mo Ran.

The young man froze. Hidden under his slender eyelashes, there was a sense of loneliness and unwillingness in his eyes. He lowered his head, thought for a second, and unreasonably muttered: "Anyways, I still choose you."

Chu Wanning: ". . ."

The Lord was watching with great interest. He piped in with a smile:, "A-Ran, do you know who he is?"

"He didn't tell me, how would I?"

"Haha, since you don't know who he is, why would you pick him?"

Mo Ran was still tugging on Chu Wanning's hands. He turned his head, smiling and said to the Lord: "Because he looks the most gentle and easiest to talk to."

In the darkness, Chu Wanning's eyes snapped open, everything appearing fuzzy.

. . . That was one hell of a scene to see.

He didn't know what the hell was wrong with Mo Ran's eyes back then to actually think that he was gentle. Not to mention that all of Life-Death Peak heard about it. They all sent affectionate greetings to Young Master Mo Ran with looks that said "look at this foolish kid".

Chu Wanning lifted his hand to the corner of his faintly throbbing forehead.

His shoulder hurt, his mind was in turmoil, his stomach was hungry, and his head was spinning.

It seemed like he wasn't going to sleep anytime soon.

He fumed on the bed for a while. He sat up and was about to light a stick of incense to calm his mind when suddenly there was another knock on the door.

Mo Ran was outside.

Chu Wanning: ". . ."

He didn't answer. He didn't say whether to stay or leave.

But this time, the door opened by itself.

Chu Wanning looked up gloomily. The lit match in his hand hovered in mid-air but never reached the stick of incense. After a while, it went out.

Chu Wanning said: "Get out."

Mo Ran strolled in.

He was holding a steaming bowl of noodles, fresh from the pot.

This time it was a bit simpler. The noodles weren't as fancy. The rich white noodle soup was garnished with chopped green onion and white sesame seeds, small spare ribs, bok choy, and a slightly browned poached egg.

Chu Wanning was incredibly hungry but he didn't let it show on his face. He glanced at the noodles, then at Mo Ran. He turned his face away and didn't say anything.

Mo Ran put the noodles on the table, and gently said: "I asked the inn's chef to make another bowl."

Chu Wanning lowered his eyes.

Sure enough, Mo Ran didn't make this dish himself.

"Eat some." Mo Ran said. "This bowl isn't spicy, has no beef, and no bean sprouts."

After speaking, he left and closed the door for Chu Wanning on his way out.

He apologized for Chu Wanning's injury.

But he could only do so much.

In the room, Chu Wanning leaned against the window, not knowing what to think. He crossed his arms and stared at the bowl of spare rib noodles from a distance until the heat of the noodles dissipated and they grew cold.

He finally walked over and sat down. He picked up the chopsticks, stirred up the cold and soggy noodles, and slowly ate them.

The case of the Chen family's haunting had been closed.

The next day, they picked up the black horses they had boarded from inside the stables and returned to the sect the same way they had arrived.

In the streets and alleys, tea stalls and rice shops, the people of Caidie Town were all talking about the Chen family's affairs.

The not-so-small town had broken out in scandal, one large enough for the townspeople to talk about it for a whole year.

"I didn't expect that Young Master Chen had been secretly married to Miss Luo for so long. Miss Luo is so pitiful."

"If you ask me, if the Chen family hadn't gotten rich, they wouldn't be able to survive this affair. Sure enough, men can't handle their money. Once they have money, only misfortune will await them."

One man was unhappy and said: "This wasn't Young Master Chen's fault. It's his parents' fault. Mr. Chen, that son of a bitch. His children and grandchildren should only give birth to children without assholes in the future."

Another said: "The dead are pitiful but what about the living? Look at Chen Yao, Yao Qianjin. She's the one who's truly been wronged. That black-hearted mother of the Chen family deceived her. Tell me, what should she do now?"

"Just get remarried."

The man rolled his eyes and sneered: "Remarried? Are you here to get married?"

The mud-coated man who was teased bared his teeth and picked at them, grinning: "If that woman at home agrees, I'd marry her. Ms. Yao looks so beautiful, I don't mind her being a widow."

"Bah, the toad wants to eat swan meat*."

(T/N: 癩蛤蟆想吃天鵝肉 - means having unrealistic wishes or expectations)

Mo Ran sat on the back of the horse, ears perked up, listening to all the conversations in high spirits. If it weren't for Chu Wanning's closed eyes, frown, and the words "extremely noisy" essentially spelled out on his forehead, Mo Ran might have wanted to go join the villagers.

They walked together and finally left the main city, arriving at the outskirts.

Shi Mei suddenly gasped and pointed to the distance: "Shizun, look over there."

In front of the ruined Master of Ceremonies Ghost's earthen temple, there was a large group of peasants in brown clothes and shorts. They were busy moving the bricks and stones. It seemed that they were planning to repair the damaged earthen temple and remould the golden body of the Master of Ceremonies Ghost.

Shi Mei said anxiously: "Shizun, the old Master of Ceremonies Ghost is gone but they've made a new one. Will this be cultivated into an immortal body again and do evil?"

Chu Wanning: "I don't know."

"Should we go and persuade them not to?"

Chu Wanning: "The custom of ghost marriages in Caidie Town has been around for several generations. How would you or I be able to persuade them in just a few words? Let's go."

As he spoke, dust flew up from the horse's hoof and he walked away.

It was already dusk when they returned to Life-Death Peak.

Chu Wanning said to the two disciples in front of the mountain gate: "You go to Danxin Hall and explain what happened. I'll go to the Court of Discipline."

Mo Ran looked puzzled: "Why would you go to the Court of Discipline?"

Shi Mei, on the other hand, looked worried: ". . ."

Chu Wanning nonchalantly said: "To receive my punishment."

Although it's said that an emperor commits the same crime as the common people, what emperor would actually have to go to jail for killing someone? The same goes for the cultivation world.

The elders who break the sect rules are as equally guilty as the disciples - in most sects, it's just empty talk.

In fact, if an elder breaks a rule, it was good enough just to write an apology letter. What fool would actually go to be punished with a willow vine or dozens of sticks?

So, after listening to Chu Wanning's explanation, Elder Jielu's complexion turned green.

"No, Elder Yuheng, did you really. . . did you really beat your client?"

Chu Wanning was indifferent: "Yes."

"You're so. . ."

Chu Wanning raised his stare and gave him a sullen look. Elder Jielu shut up.

"According to the law, for breaking this rule, the punishment is two hundred cane strikes, kneeling in Wushan Temple for seven days, and being forbidden from leaving the grounds for three months." Chu Wanning said. "I have no defence, and I voluntarily accept the punishment."

Elder Jielu: ". . ."

He looked around and hooked his fingers, and the door to the Court of Discipline closed with a clang. The surroundings fell silent, and it was only the two of them that stood opposite each other.

Chu Wanning: "What's the meaning of this?"

"Well, Elder Yuheng, it’s not that you don't understand the rules and their consequences, it's just that it shouldn't be something that you should be overly concerned with. This matter is finished. Let's forget it. If I beat you, won't the Lord be angry with me when he finds out?"

Chu Wanning didn't bother to talk such nonsense with him and simply said: "I hold people accountable according to the law, and I should also be held accountable myself according to the law."

Kneeling down in front of the hall, facing the plaque of sect rules, he said:

"Punish me."

#2ha novel #2ha translation #2ha #the husky and his white cat shizun translation #the husky and his white cat shizun #english translation #chinese bl #chinese novel #bl novel #yaoi novel #yaoi #danmei novel #danmei #chu wanning #mo ran #ranwan

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galaxy-parchment · 4 years ago

Text

Jon is outed as Steampunk

Hello my beautiful patient followers. I’ve returned with TMA content because it’s my latest obsession. I’m proud to say that my first contribution to the fandom is an obligatory Mechs!Jon fic because I find them hilarious.

Tim was doing his best to avoid having to go up to the boss’s office all day, but was very disappointed to find he had no choice but to pop in for a visit to give him some of the ‘possibly true’ statements.

It wasn’t like he was going to believe it anyway - what was even the point? The guy was so uptight Tim didn’t think he knew how to have some fun and imagine the possibility that maybe there was something exciting in the universe. Tim supposed that didn’t really change the fact that he needed to give the guy his precious statements, so he groaned and grabbed the pile he’d gathered up.

He approached the door and stopped short of it, wondering if he would even notice if he didn’t give him the statements. He really didn’t have the energy for whatever job he was going to be given if he dared to walk in. Then something caught his ear.

Was Jon… chanting?

He was talking slightly quieter than his speaking volume and that definitely wasn’t English. It couldn’t be him speaking to himself. Jon had specifically told him the other day he didn’t speak any other languages. He tried picking out his words in case he was just mishearing, but the words were very clear and were certainly not anything coherent. He did catch him occasionally switch to humming. Was Jonathan Sims, head archivist of the Magnus Institute singing to himself?

Tim made a mental note of the more coherent words and stepped into the doorway.

“Hey, boss!” he couldn’t help but be amused at how Jon jumped at the sound of him. He ripped his hand away from his face, which was pressed up against it, and readjusted his glasses with the hand.

“What did you need, Tim?” he asked, looking up at him unenthusiastically.

“Got a fresh delivery of statements for you!” he said cheerily, stepping up to the desk and placing the pile on an empty part of the table with a satisfying slap.

“Later than usual I see. Doesn’t matter I suppose. Would you mind filing away all of these on your way out?” Jon said, gesturing to a pile of statement files that was even larger than the one he’d just brought in. Great.

“Sure thing, boss! Wouldn’t want you having any of the fun, eh?” He joked, which didn’t seem to carry the same amusement for the other man.

“Shut up, Tim,” he deadpanned, returning to his work, signalling that the exchange was over.

Tim wandered back to his desk faster than usual and frantically wrote down all of the phrases he could remember.

What were they…. He definitely said something that sounded like ‘yai’ and he thought he heard a ‘sothoth’. How was he supposed to find anything with this gibberish? With little hope he opened up his web browser,typing in the words, and was surprised to find it wasn’t gibberish at all. It was some Lovecraftian chant. He doubted Jonathan ‘this-statement-is-wrong-because-this-word-is-mispelled’ Sims would be the sort of guy to worship Cthulhu.

He’d been humming though, hadn’t he? Maybe it was a song. With his impeccable research skills he added ‘song’ to the end of his search and right there on the first page of results was a song called ‘Red Signal’ by the Mechanisms. He clicked on a video and listened to the song. That was definitely the same tune. It was strange, though. He never really pegged the bossman as someone that listened to this sort of thing. It reminded him of a folksy sort of punk or metal? Then the chanting stopped and switched to a spoken verse and Tim froze.

Was that Jon? It definitely sounded like him… Maybe the voice was a bit deeper and gravelly but Tim could have sworn that it was his voice. He frantically searched up the band. After looking through some photoshoots for some old albums he couldn’t help but stare. That was definitely his boss with quite a bit of makeup and dressed in some very over-the-top steampunk getup and flipping off the camera. He suddenly felt someone pressing up against his chair from behind.

“Is that Jon?” Sasha asked, leaning over his shoulder, squinting at the screen with her head cocked.

“Apparently,” Tim said, grinning ear to ear. “Look, I did some digging and it turns out he used to be in this steampunk band,” he continued, showing Sasha more pictures of Jon and his bandmates on the page.

“That’s amazing. He looks quite good in the pictures though, don’t you think?” she said with a chuckle.

“Right? He actually looks like he’d be fun to have a drink with!” He switched back to ‘Red Signal’ and started playing it. “I mean listen to this, he’s actually good, too!”

“How did you even find this?”

“He was singing it to himself and I used my incredibly advanced skills to track it down,” Tim bragged, making a show of readjusting his lapels.

“If only you put the same effort into actually working,” she chided, giving him a cheerful nudge with her elbow.

“Alas, I don’t think there’d be any work left for the rest of you if I did. It’s a public service to you all.” He grinned.

“Riiiight, because this place could run without me around.” Sasha grinned back.

The door to the shared office opened with a sharp creak and Martin stepped into the room.

They looked up and Tim called, “Hey Martin! How was Bexley?”

“Quite nice, actually! No creepy witches sending body parts to people, but there were some very kind old ladies I had the pleasure of speaking to!”

“Sounds like it was fun!” Sasha replied with a warm smile.

Martin was placing his bag down at his desk when he stopped and looked back at the two of them.

“What song is that?” he asked.

Tim grinned mischievously. “It’s called ‘Red Signal’, it’s by-“

“-by the Mechanisms? I had a friend that loved them, played it all of the time,” Martin finished, chuckling to himself at the memory. “I quite like their music, actually.”

Sasha and Tim took a moment to stare at each other knowingly and beamed innocently at Martin as he turned back to them.

Sasha looked at him with the same warm smile she’d given him before. “Maybe you could ask Jon if he’s heard of them while you give him your report?”

“Are you sure? It doesn’t seem like the sort of thing he’d go for,” he wondered.

“People can surprise you all of the time, may as well ask anyway. It’s not like he’s gonna hate your guts any more than he already does.”

Martin made a disappointed wince. “I guess so.”

“Don’t let that grump get you down, Martin, he probably just has a huge crush on you,” Sasha smirked.

“What? N-no! As if, that doesn’t even make any sense!” he stammered, turning back to his desk and sitting down to hide the red that was spreading over his face.

“Ask him, though, will you? I’ve already had to go up there today and he’s given me a whole stack of files to go through. Not sure I could take another trip,” Tim joked as Sasha moved back to her desk. “Don’t tell him it was me that was wondering, though, he’d probably think it’s a trick or something,” he added casually.

“R-right, sure thing, Tim,” Martin obliged.

—

Martin knocked on Jon’s half-open door later that day, report in hand. Jon spared him a brief glance upwards before looking back down at his work.

“Did you find anything regarding the Bexley statement?” he asked, not bothering to hide his disinterest as Martin placed his report on the table.

“I didn’t find the woman described in the statement, but I made sure to check every elderly Angela,” he said, a bit disappointed at how useless the trip was. “I did have some wonderful conversations about jigsaw puzzles with a few of them, though!” he added cheerfully. Thankfully Jon didn’t seem to be in a mood to scold him, but wasn’t at all invested in the conversation. Martin was about to leave when he remembered Tim’s request.

“Oh, uh, by the way, we were- well we were talking about it earlier so I was wondering if you’d heard of the Mechanisms? Like that space pirate band that used to play in a lot of London bars?”

Jon froze up for a moment before quickly explaining, “Erm, no I don’t think I have. Not uh…. not a big fan of going to see bands play at shows, you know?”

Martin raised an eyebrow. “Oh, okay? I guess it doesn’t seem like something you’d like… are you okay? You seem… off?”

“I’m quite fine, Martin, just a bit of a headache, I suppose. If you’ll excuse me I need to get back to this,” he said dismissively, returning to whatever he was writing down and setting Martin’s report on a stack.

“Sure! Did you need any tea? I’ve got one that’s really good for headaches,” he offered.

“That won’t be necessary, Martin, get back to work.”

“Right.” Martin concluded as he left the room.

—

Things had been going a bit too slowly for Martin’s liking in the past few days. That usually meant Jon got antsy about people not doing as much work. It wasn’t like there was anything to do in the first place.

He was at least in the break room with Tim having lunch, who was playing more Mechanisms music, so Jon couldn’t tell either of them off right now. As his mind drifted to Jon, the man himself entered the room with his own lunch and made his way to the coffee machine.

The song Tim was playing was pretty good. Martin curiously looked at Tim’s phone on the table playing the music.

“What song is that, Tim?”

“Ah, it’s called ‘Loki’, it’s from this great album called ‘The Bifrost Incident’,” he said with an obnoxious grin. Jon looked at them and ducked his head when Martin looked back.

Martin pulled out his own phone and searched up ‘The Bifrost Incident’ and found a video from a show that he opened up. After a bit of pre-show banter the first song started.

That was when Martin heard Johnny DeVille do the song’s introduction. He’d always thought the lead singer sounded familiar, but the paragraph gave Martin a very vivid recollection of the exact tone of voice Jon always used when he recorded statements.

That couldn’t be right, no way was that him. He took a good look at Johnny and looked between his own phone at the man with black cracks drawn on his face wearing the most steampunk outfit he’d ever seen and Jon, who was standing there, in his sweater vest, making a cup of coffee to go with his sandwich. Tim was looking at both of them struggling not to laugh and Jon was suddenly VERY interested in the coffee he had just poured out.

“JOHNNY DEVILLE?” Martin exclaimed, prompting Tim to bend over, choking on his own stifled laughter.

Jon picked up his coffee and claimed his sandwich from the table behind him and refused to meet Martin’s gaze.

“Thats- uh- probably just a coincidence… I’m, uh, I’ll just have lunch in my office today,” he mumbled out, clearly not convinced he’d covered it up at all and left the room without another word.

Tim pulled himself back up and let out a heavy breath. “Oh, ha, Martin, sorry, it’s just Sasha and I were wondering how long it was gonna take,” he sighed gleefully. “Hopefully he’ll face society again. Hard to imagine the bossman was ever that cool, huh?”

Martin stared at the door. “Yeah…”

—

The next day Jon came into the office, but hadn’t shown his face for the whole day. Martin felt bad about yesterday, he probably overreacted a bit. Tim assured him it was fine and that the boss just isn’t the type to take a bit of embarrassment on the chin. This didn’t stop Martin from dropping in with a cup of tea when it became clear Jon wasn’t leaving his office for lunch.

Martin knocked on the door and upon getting a gruff ‘yes?’ from the other side he let himself in. Jon was more dismissive than usual and didn’t even spare a glance at him. Martin wasn’t sure how much of it was his usual grumpiness and how much was because of yesterday.

He set the tea down in the spot Jon usually kept it, right next to his coffee mug from yesterday. Martin waited for any acknowledgement. The acknowledgement never came and Jon’s expression was unreadable. The fact that he was looking down intently didn’t help.

“You know, I think it’s pretty cool that you were in a band. It’s not like you’re a murderer or something actually bad,” Martin said, desperate to break the silence. Jon clenched his pen tighter and looked up at him cautiously.

“That’s… kind of you to say…” he responded.

“Don’t worry about it, we’ve all done some pretty silly things. I will be honest, though, Jon, if being the lead singer for the Mechanisms is the most embarrassing thing you’ve done, I am extremely jealous.”

Jon smiled in a way that looked almost bashful on him. “It was a lot of fun, performing. It was a real shame when we all split after university.”

“I can imagine,” Martin sighed, silently cursing himself at how softly he’d said it. “Steampunk outfits really suit you, though, Jon. The makeup was a nice touch too.” He turned and made his way back to the door.

As Martin went to close the door behind him Jon grumbled, “Shut up, Martin.”

—

The next morning Martin found something on his desk. It was a Mechanisms shirt neatly folded up and a copy of the Bifrost Incident album, both signed by all of the band members.

The note lying on top of them read ‘I had a few extras at home - J’ and Martin couldn’t help but feel giddy.

#galaxywrites #the magnus archives #tma #fanfiction #the magnus pod #jonathan sims #the archivist #tim stoker #sasha james #the mechanisms #mechs!jon #martin blackwood

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jumpingflyingsidekick · 4 years ago

Text

Intuition

This is following Behind the Door. I’m enjoying loosely connecting the one shots. They’re not chapters exactly but they feed off each other. Don’t own, just a fanfic.

XxxxxxX

The building they sought sanctuary in was at least 100 years old. Angels etched into the walls some a depiction of cupid, a fat baby with folly hair and short wings. The others, wings outstretched in all their glory. The artist had paid a great deal of attention and detail to their feathers long like a falcon. Their arms reaching towards the onlookers beckoning them for an embrace, a dark and sinuous look on their face.

A remote church with no life no spirit. To what was worshipped here still unclear. Though the angels portrayed a different kind of religion nothing like the normal. Normal what is normal.

What was not normal, a team of young adults hauled up in an abandoned church. Blood laced in the fabric of their clothes and the absolute look of death and despair. A few resulted to kneeling before a broken pyre to pray. Foolish if anything, God was not present here. You only needed to look.

Some of his subordinates sprawled over varies objects in the main gathering area the pews, the confession booths and the cold ground. The not so lucky ones were carted to the side room, in that room the soldiers were stripped down for anything they could salvage. It felt depraved stealing from the dead but times like these called for such measures. Supplies were not in surplus.

He steeled his nerves this was necessary for survival. You do what you need do. What good would he be if he faltered or showed weakness to his comrades. These soldiers need a leader not a mother. His resolve devoid of hesitation, what must be done is for the survival of the ones left behind.

As the sun slowly broke day break, the last stragglers emerged. His lazy eyes tracked the last to enter. Her eyes stoic as she carried the last of the dead in. A normal for her he contemplated, Mikasa always frequented the aftermath of the battlefield. Initially for survivors but after understanding the advantages of tactfully salvaging materials it become somewhat of job.

He felt her presence before he saw her. An adept intuition, perhaps due to their recent encounters. He turned and grazed the hand of the angel as his eyes and body followed her. He didn’t feel much when he did so in fact, he felt empty, an odd ball of… pressure built between his rib cage. The Captain watched with his eyes mixed between soft and curt.

“That’s the last of us, Mikasa brought in the last body.” The Captain had not noticed Armin approach. He would never admit he had been distracted.

“Good, do the necessary checks. Rebuild, replenish, and rest. Organise your team accordingly,” Levi commanded.

“Yes, Captain!”

Levi gave a soft nod to acknowledge the up and coming leader which also acted as a double meaning. A cue to be dismissed. Both parties went their respected ways. Armin to organise the soldiers and him to check the damages. In retrospect casualties were low. The Captain spoke to a few pass byers and lent a hand in areas where applicable. However, midday drew close his attention was needed elsewhere.

Levi crossed the large gathering hall and exited out the other side through the side door that connected to a corridor which led to a small makeshift office.

Hands buried deep in his pockets he walked down the long corridor. His attention cast down to the wooden floor below a difference from the hall he noticed on this occasion.

For the second time today, Levi was momentarily distracted. He did not notice or sense the person open the door to his office. It was not until he heard the footsteps that penetrated the small space. His eyes tracked the sound that was almost on him. He looked up and just as he did Mikasa casually walked past him.

Time stood still.

The worlds’ strongest barely acknowledged each other. No gestures of pleasantries in their body language no comfort in in their expressions and no kind words of exchange as you might expect from comrades. However, at the point of passing both their eyes met, bodies frozen for a fraction of a second.

Time returned.

Levi continued to his office. He grasped the handle of the door and stood for a moment, testing himself. He would not look. He turned the handle and entered. Intrigued and interested he searched the contents of his office trying to find misplacements or new arrangements.

And there, he saw it. Steam seductively danced its way out of a tea pot set on his desk and curled in the air.

The Captain stared at the arrangement hands firmly in his pockets. He lifted the lid and waited for the aroma, but it did not come. This was freshly poured and yet to have a scent.

He sat, rested his chin on his clasped fingers elbows on the desk. He stared intently at the chipped tea set and waited. Waited for the brew to steep.

#levimika #levi ackerman #mikasa ackerman #attack on titan #levi x mikasa

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post-itpenny · 4 years ago

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I thought I'd seen a ghost

Some long awaited Slasher AU

Mother, Mother

“Now just why on earth would such a little thing be out here alone?”

Maeve quietly hummed in amusement as she stalked the child down the trail. Always a good distance behind so she could hide, but never so far that she lost sight of the little one. She recognized her, the child from the diner that one time.

A little girl in a jacket with a bunny tail and ears. It was rather adorable, but there was something feral about her. The way she had acted in her small movements.

And then there was that thing in the forest.

Maeve hadn’t been able to get a good look at it, but it was big- bigger than her artist.

Speaking of.

Maeve grinned, but it was more of a nervous one. They were close to her territory. Maeve had come with another offering of bread, and finding the child had been an accident. But something… something felt off… felt...

...So lonely, yet Maeve had never felt so watched...

Maeve blinked and looked around. The child was gone.

Her grin grew wider as she crouched down, scanning the undergrowth.

A twig snapped behind her.

She sprung up, spinning around and pulling a kitchen knife from her satchel all in one swift movement.

A man stumbled back in surprise, “take it easy! Didn’t mean to frighten you.”

Maeve gripped the knife tighter. She was never this jumpy, not once had she slipped like this. She would have to-

Something rushed past her, the child now clinging to the man’s leg and hissing at her. “Stranger!”

Maeve wasn’t smiling now. She needed a plan, needed… needed.

Something.

The man gave a small wave, “are you ok miss? I’ll be honest I thought I saw a ghost, walking around the corner and spotting you.”

Maeve gave her head a small shake, she had to pull herself together and focus for five seconds. What was her plan?

Did she need one?

The man watched the knife in her hand but didn’t seem too frightened. Rather he was concerned.

Maeve blinked, well then.

She smiled and stashed the knife away. “I’m not a stranger dearie, we met once at the diner yes?”

The girl hissed and her hair puffed up. But she didn’t say no.

Maeve smoothed her skirt and took one step forward. The man staying still and the child gripping his pant’s leg tighter.

Maeve took another step forward, “Forgive the startle dears I”m just looking for a friend.” Maeve watched the child, remembering the thing in the woods waiting for her.

Perhaps….

“Well I’m afraid my granddaughter and I are the only one’s out here miss.” The man explained. “Maybe-“

“A bird,” Maeve explained, “I’m looking for a great bird.”

At this the man fell quiet, eyeing the woman intently. The child poked her head around her grandfather’s leg. More interested then scared now.

Maeve grinned, “her name is Maggie.”

……………..

The next day, Cecilio held Ama’s hand as they walked up to the woman’s front door.

She said her name was Maeve Blackwood. Ama did recognize her but the meeting had been brief. Cecilio cleared his throat as he knocked on the front door. Not sure what to expect of the strange woman. She seemed very proper, or at least she tried to be. Her old fashioned dress and sickly sweet mannerisms felt both genuine and an act. Like a possessed china doll.

Maeve opened the door at the first knock. She was, surprisingly, in jeans and a sweater, her white hair down in loose curls.

As they walked inside Ama froze, grabbing her grandfather’s hand as she sniffed the air. Cecilio leaned down for her to whisper something in his ear.

Cecilio sniffed the air as well for a moment but said nothing, standing up to find Maeve watching them intently despite the bright smile on her face. There was a “ding!” from inside as Maeve’s head whipped around. Demeanor shifting as she practically skipped down the hall humming to herself. He thought back to how distracted she seemed yesterday, was she always this flighty?

Maeve was found in a kitchen pulling something from the oven.

Fresh baked bread

Amaranthus gasped at the smell causing Maeve to turn with a grin.

“I wondered if you would recognize it, I’ve left loaves for our friend in the past.”

Cecilio sat down at a small kitchen table where tea was already laid out. “You’ve left her baked goods?”

Maeve nodded with a small hum as she carefully sliced the loaf and set it on the table with a small plate of butter. “Best way to anyone’s heart is their stomach, yes? I wanted to try and slowly build an acquaintanceship with her but she’s so weary of strangers I worried I wouldn’t succeed. But… well, here the two of you are.”

Cecelio took a sip of tea, “why are you so interested? No offence ma’am, but you don’t seem the type to enjoy long hikes in the woods with a monster.

Maeve took a sip of her tea with a small smile. “No, she’s not a monster. An artist yes, but not a monster. She is a person of interest to me however. Would you be so kind my dear in sharing what you can about our friend?”

Cecilio arched an eyebrow at the “artist” comment but did not say anything on it. “Well ladies first, I have a feeling you know something I don’t if I’m being honest.”

Maeve gave a warm smile with the tilt of her head. Humming quietly as she pulled something from her pocket and set it on the table.

A police badge.

Maeve gave a wicked grin, “lets try this again hmm? Tell me what you know.”

Cecelio stared down at the badge in disbelief. It was a good minute before he could muster up a dry chuckle. “Well son of a b-”

“Language!” Maeve snapped.

Both Cecilio and Ama jumped in their seats, startled by the first real sign of aggression Maeve had given them, a deep frown on her face. For just a moment Cecilio thought back to what Ama had whispered to him.

Cecilio cleared his throat, “my apologies miss. You just threw me for a loop there. Let’s make a deal huh? I’m here because I’m worried about Maggie, and you clearly know something I don’t. So let's all be honest to each other.”

Maeve tilted her head, “have I lied? I mean, in this room?”

“Well you weren’t forthcoming about being a cop.”

“Our dear one here met my brother and I at a diner,” Maeve replied with a nod to Ama, “we showed her our badges.”

Ama wasn’t paying attention, she hadn’t touched the bread or tea either, she was still sniffing the air. “Why does your garage smell like blood? I could smell it from outside.”

Maeve and Cecilio both froze. When Ama had whispered this piece of information to him, Cecelio was concerned but driven in the want to help Maggie. But now here was Maeve with a blank expression on her face. Watching him as she slowly leaned to one side.

“She’s got a weapon under the table”, Cecilio realized.

“Hey now if we’re all being honest I can honestly say that's not an issue.” Cecilio said with a casual wave of his hand. “Ama sweetheart, I think you can take your hoodie off.”

“But-”

“Eh, she's ummm…. Our new friend here is kinda like your dad. “

Ama watched Maeve in uncertainty before slowly pulling her hood off to reveal a tiny set of horns.

Maeve gasped in surprise, but there was no fear. She grinned like a kid at Christmas.

“They’re so darling!” She cheered as she clasped her hands together in delight. “I wondered if there were more than just our artist. This is splendid!”

Ama stared at the older woman dumbfounded. “Your not gonna-”

“Oh no don’t worry sweetheart I won’t say a word to anyone.” Maeve promised before turning to Cecilio, “As long as we’re all honest with each other, there is no need to be a tattle tail.”

The badge went away and all three of them calmed down after that. At one point a small dachshund entered the kitchen much to Ama’s delight and Cecilio’s relief since she didn’t see Maeve pick up the butcher knife from under the table and casually deposit it in the sink.

Cecilio shook his head, remembering the knife from yesterday. Guess she had an M.O.

Ama pulled the dog into her lap as Maeve returned with a plate of cookies and several manila folders. “Trouble can’t be at the table when there’s food my dear,” she instructed as Ama set the dog down with a sigh.

“Now then,” Maeve began. “I am technically a part of an investigation regarding several ritualistic murders in that part of the forest. When I couldn’t copy the M.O. myself I realised the killer couldn’t possibly be human.”

Cecilio nodded as he bit into a cookie, “but I think she is- or at least was.”

“You’re correct.” Maeve agreed as she flipped open a folder. Inside Cecilio was shocked to see photos of two older women. One with frighteningly familiar red hair.”

“Are they?”

“Her oldest sisters yes.’ Maeve confirmed, “did you know Maggie is in her fifties? She wouldn’t look it would she?”

“She doesn’t age?”

“I don’t think she could if she tried. But picture this, nearly fifty years ago twelve children were found on the side of the highway. Oldest was fifteen and the youngest was six. You won’t believe the leg work I had to do to track down these two.”

Cecilio nodded, “I’ve been teaching Maggie to read. We became friends after Ama wandered into her territory by accident.”

Maeve nodded, “she won’t kill children.”

“Yeah, I got a free pass as well I guess. But in her cabin there’s a photo of all these kids plus a number thirteen.”

“Maggie.”

“Yes. Where did they come from?”

“About three miles from where most of the killings occurred there are the remains of a compound. From what the sisters told me their community worshiped whatever it is Maggie is bound to serve. Think of her as an unwilling high priestess. The honor was supposed to go to the eldest sibling.”

“So they were runaways? Why leave Maggie behind?”

“It wasn’t their intention. But we are talking about two teenagers organizing a mass breakout. Their mother was the old Huntress and the community had no choice but to use Maggie.”

“So she's been like this since she was a kid? What happened to the compound?”

“Abandoned.”

Cecilio leaned forward, the writer in him sensing a plot twist, “what do you think happened?”

Maeve gave a grim smile, “No child would be able to perform such a complicated kill. It takes too much strength and dexterity. I suspect until Maggie was capable, the entity turned to the only food source available.”

“It ate them?”

“I suppose.”

“Maggie said she feeds it so whatever that thing is would get out of control and eat everyone else. How much do you want to bet she’s protecting a village she doesn’t even realize is empty?”

“Maggie’s job is to share visions and directions she is given to her people in exchange for her work.” Maeve explained. “I guarantee you she knows and is trapped in her contract. But I have a suspicion this thing isn’t nearly that powerful if it needs a host.”

“Wait,” Cecilio choked as he hastily swallowed the cookie he was eating. “Host?”

Maeve nodded, “it needs someone to kill for it. It’s shaped our girl into the thing that she is but according to the sisters Maggie is just a glorified puppet.”

“She’s not the monster-”

“She’s it’s first victim. At least in my investigation. The sisters gave me the impression this has been going on for several generations.”

Cecilio nodded, processing all this new information. “Maggie is out there alone, she stays quiet and follows that thing’s orders.”

“Not very well if she’s letting the three of us live whenever we visit,” Maeve commented with a sip of her tea. “From my understanding this thing is rather glutinous.”

“What will it do if it gets angry with Maggie?”

“Maggie is apparently not allowed to live for herself but she's not allowed to die either. Not until a suitable successor is given.” Maeve explained, “her sisters told me that the last time a hunter was belligerent their free will was stripped away entirely.”

“Maggie hasn’t been allowing Ama or I to visit in months,” Cecilio stated. “We’ve been trying but she won’t have it. And yesterday-”

“Didn’t it feel like something was wrong out there?” Maeve asked.

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perksofbeingbisexual · 4 years ago

Text

Panic Attacks for Jesus

Alright friends. I promised this for awhile so let’s get down to telling some of my church camp stories! Now a little warning before this starts: I have about 3-4 stories or particular incidents in mind to talk about. These all happened at one camp over multiple summers from the time I had finished 4th grade (turning 10) until I had finished 7th grade (turning 13). I grew up going to a Methodist church and at the time church camp was something I LOVED. I felt safe and secure in just being “myself”. Now looking back there was some weird shit going on but eh what can you do. My stories are going to get a little weirder each time. Also let me know if you’d like a story time about my Methodist Girls Conference adventure because that was a trip.....

I’m making a “keep reading” because while I talk about these stories as being funny to me and just seeming weird, I do acknowledge that it could trigger someone and I don’t want to do that.

Okay so the church camp that I went to from 4th to 7th grade was all about teams and earning points and outdoor sports....woopee. However, it was the first camp where we did so many things and activities changed so often that I was actually stimulated and having fun (turns out I just have adhd). But now LET’S GET TO THE FUN PART.

Campers were split up into different cabins and teams for the week. And during “break times” I spent quite a bit of time resting in my cabin and talking to the other girls there. We’d have trivia contests about Harry Potter and looking back...maybe our counselor would have been in trouble for organizing those. However, one day a friend of mine got mail and showed us all a letter that her “boyfriend” had sent her. We all immediately started gushing about boys we had crushes on or that we were “dating”. Remember folks.....most of us were 9 - 11. Soon though, the conversation turned to ex’s because you know...that’s a thing we understood.

Me being the show off that I was, I casually mentioned that I had had two boyfriends in 3rd grade.....at the same time and that they had both told me they would love me forever (This clearly didn’t last). The girls in my cabin are absolutely mind blown and asking me what happened. But everyone gets DEAD QUIET when one of the high school co-counselors looks over at me and says “You’re a little harlot then aren’t you.” I didn’t know what this meant....so I said yes and that was that. Never crossed my mind until I was in college that hey....maybe don’t call a 10 year old a harlot??????? After she called me a harlot we all started laughing and then she told all of us that we needed jesus and that we needed to ask for forgiveness for talking that way.

Now, if you’ve ever been to church camp then I’m sure you know that the evening time is the most tense. The reason that all of us church camp kids were able to actually get any sleep is because we’d spend a solid hour or so before “lights out” crying and reliving emotional trauma or just tough times in our lives.

After dinner we’d go directly to our large gym area for singing/dancing, an evening group worship, and then the cherry on top was the evening devotional and silent prayer time. Each counselor would pick one night of the week to share their come to jesus story and woooooooooooo let me tell you. They would go into detail about troubled pasts and love outside of marriage and how it made them feel dirty and used and then they’d be on the brink of giving up BUT THEN Jesus saved the day. Then they’d go on about how life was better with jesus and he had saved them from certain evil and death. As a ten year old, I’m sitting there praying that I didn’t get into any of that kind of trouble and being so scared that I was like yep....time to give it all to God.

Silent prayer time was also just awkward and intense. All of the counselors would sit at the front of the room while slow, somber Christian Rock played in the background. You never turned to talk to your friends, you were supposed to be focused on this indepdent moment with God and checking in on yourself. But then counselors would invite kids to come up and talk with them. This always turned into kids in absolute tears and panic every time without failure. It would also lead to shouts of praise and cheers as kids would decide that tonight was the night they needed to pledge their lives to god. I never did that, but I did force myself one evening into a really good panic attack about the passing of my great grandmother. I told my counselor that I felt gross and disgusting because maybe I should have felt worse about the fact that she passed. This time never felt like it was about really sharing feelings and thoughts, but more about dredging up the worst thoughts and worst memories that you had to throw at the counselors and then have everyone else watch you cry and feel so proud of you for opening up your heart. It was a show and it was exhausting. If you were up there with a counselor it was only a matter of time before you’d have all these hands on your back and shoulders as people prayed for you to be cleansed or whatever the hell that meant. We’d all go back to the cabins just absolutely numb to the world and pass out only to wake up the next day and it would be like nothing happened. But you knew who had pledged their souls to god the night before because the counselors made sure that everyone knew who had done it so far. Looking back, those evenings make me uncomfortable and even now if I end up in a room where slow christian rock music is being played I still feel a little tightness in my chest.

The craziest part for me now is seeing people make videos about this evening worship situaton on TikTok and seeing them call it emotional manipulation because my brain is just like wait what......

Stay tuned for next week! Because like I said it only gets stranger from here. Please feel free to send any questions you would like to have answered or any messages. I’d love to know others who have been through something similar

#story time #methodist #christianity #church camp #personal experience

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void-knights · 4 years ago

Text

Hygge : Chapter One

Pairing: Loki / Original Character,

Chapter Rating: Teen

Tags: Slow Burn, Romance, LGBT Themes, Oc has ADHD, injury mention, Standard Tragic past, Mentions of Loki's past toture, Mentions of past child abuse (OC), Sickness, Near Death, Body Dysphoria, Gender Dysphoria, Prosthesis, Eventual Romance, Eventual Smut, Extremis 616, Starboost Armour, Strangers to Friends, Friends to Lovers, Loki cooks, Loki teaches,

A/N: Right hello! I need to WARN YOU.

This fiction deals with an OFC that eventually realises that they is Genderfluid, using all the pronouns, but is assigned female at birth (AFAB). There will be mentions of body AND gender dysphoria due to a tragic childhood™ under the care of her biological mother/grandparents that occurred before she was in the care of Tony Stark. I do not go into graphic detail with the abuse, but it is mentioned.

This is a slow burn fic planned out to be a LONG story so the OC and Loki will not get together until a little into the story. Instead, I wanted to focus on building their friendship at first. Eventually (if all goes to plan) I intend to have the OC identify as Genderfluid, but unlike Loki the OC won't have magic and therefore will always be female in terms of physical sex.

While this might seem like a bit of a spoiler I like to forewarn people about these things as they can be potential triggers!

Anyway I got the idea of a character in Iron-Man style armour, and then I thought it would be fun to just have a Stark OC. I've got the timeline lined up so the ages to allign with canon. Masterlist | AO3 Link |

The avengers weren’t sure what they should do with Loki, Odin in his infinite wisdom had ‘bestowed’ his younger son upon them in a long-winded speech that left Barton spacing out, Tony disinterested and distracted and Bruce trying to work out how such an old man seemed so strong.

Only Natasha and Steve were paying attention by the end, the TL; DR was that Odin didn’t want to deal with Loki, so now he was the avenger's problem.

Nick Fury suggested locking him up, only to retract the idea a few minutes later, Loki was dammed persuasive, he could seduce any guard sent to keep him under lock and key. They did not know the full extent of his magical abilities and while he was bound (somehow, Odin didn’t bother explaining what they had done to Loki and merely assumed the Avengers wouldn’t care to know the finer points) they didn’t know the limits of the binding.

Thor claimed his brother could shapeshift, so a prison would need to be airtight otherwise a snake or spider could happily slip out. Then there was the issue that he was a god with god strength and probably the second smartest person in the room, or maybe the smartest, but Tony wasn’t about to admit that to the god.

All in all Odin had left them with a mess and the only support came in the form of a confused, angry and betrayed Thor. Which was never good.

This was compounded by the inescapable feeling that they only had half the story, why did Loki invade Earth? Tony had theories, theories that would make Clint punch him, but he couldn’t shake a feeling that something was off about the god of mischief.

Thor would agree, or not. Their relationship was never explained, it turned out communication was not a gift the gods of Asgard possessed much to the chagrin of the Avengers.

So this was the plan, Loki was to stay locked up in the tower, well only on certain floors. He would share a floor with Thor, where he would have his own bedroom with en-suite bathroom, but Fury was rather insistent that Loki shouldn’t be made too comfortable.

Tony was starting to wish he had never gotten involved he would make a poor jailer. He wasn’t responsible enough, Jarvis as amazing as he was would be worse, Loki had tricks, he could trick Jarvis.

It was a fucking mess, made much worse by not having the facts nor support to keep Loki. What were they supposed to do with the god? He was going to outlive them all, did Odin expect them to pass Loki off to other people? To keep him locked away for the rest of his life?

He would rather face the Chitauri again, or Vanko and Hammer or even Stane. Loki was more dangerous than all of them combined and what made it worse was the fact that Soleil was also living in the tower now.

He shouldn’t have suggested she live here, Fuck, he needed a drink or a whole bottle. The billionaire found Natasha and Bruce already at the bar, her with Vodka and Bruce with something fruity looking.

Tony settled for whisky and wondered what the fuck he was supposed to do now.

Loki was still chained up when Soleil walked onto the floor, the god recognised the human mortal from his research leading up to the invasion. He had gathered information on mortals who may pose a threat to his plans and worked to see them brought together (in brief moments of clarity before once again the mind stone seized control of him), Stark’s life was short as it was (by Asgardian standards) was quite fascinating.

Naturally Loki looked into every aspect of the potential avengers lives seeking weaknesses that would bring the avengers to him. The easiest targets were family, friends, loved ones who could be exploited as they had few or no protections. Soleil quite literally was the weakest link in the Stark equation.

Though he had come to realise she could have been a great asset to him should he have had need of an engineer with a deep and vested interest in space. Rather odd that SHIELD would have such detailed files on Soleil, almost as if they had been considering her as an alternative to her father and Iron-Man. Though what use such a fragile human would be was beyond the god.

She hadn’t noticed him, to busy tapping away on a screen and wrinkling her brow at something that vexed her. He watched her as she grabbed herself a bottle of water, she was halfway back to the elevator when she finally paused and turned to him.

“You look like shit,” she said after a moments pause looking him up and down as he remained trapped and bound.

He’d be offended if he had the energy, he felt like shit, months, years? Trapped in the clutches of Thanos and his black order, leading the invasion, not resting or sleeping in weeks, months, his meals just enough to keep him alive but never satisfied, he could not even recall if the paste he had been given (and reluctantly eaten after too long starving) had even had a taste to it.

“As you mortals say, that is pot calling the kettle black,” he attempted to sound above her, casual to the point of nonchalance.

“Yeah but I have an excuse for looking like shit, what’s your excuse?” she asked him sipping her water, he tried not to look hopeful that she might share something with him. Even lukewarm tap water would be bliss compared to whatever liquids the Black Order had supplied him with.

“The beast you call Hulk,” Which was partly true.

“Ooo, that explains the hole in the floor,” she cringed, “How the fuck are you still in one piece?”

“I am a god,” he reminded her.

“I had just assumed that was all a lie, you know psychological tactics?” She paused thinking it over, “Make us believe the gods are real, and you’re one of them, so you can claim dominion over us.”

“That would be a fair assumption to make,” he said leaning his forearms on his knees, “But I can assure you that I am in fact one of your gods.”

“Well you’re not my god, I don’t worship you or any gods,” she shrugged.

“We had noticed the loss of faith from mortals,” Loki nodded.

“Blame the Abrahamic religions, as soon as they went mainstream you pagan lot were more or less kicked to the curb,” she answered, before he could ask what she meant she asked, “So are you hungry? You look like you’re hungry.”

“I am in no risk of starving Stark,” he insisted.

“How’d you know I was a Stark?” she asked him suspicion finally creeping in, for someone who was supposed to be one of Midgard’s greatest minds she was rather stupid.

“SHIELD have files on you,” he said her lack of surprise told him all he needed to know, “That and you resemble your father.”

She brought a gloved hand to her jaw, “It’s the chin isn’t it?” she asked taking a couple of steps towards him, a glass and metal table separated them as she set her glass bottle down upon his surface.

“The general area yes, and you share his eyes,” he confirmed now that he could see her up close he could see the partial heterochromia, showing chocolate-brown flecks in each soft brown eye. She shared his jaw, lip and chin shape and brow colour, her hair was tucked up inside a hat, and he thought that her ears might resemble her father as well.

“But that doesn’t answer my question, never mind I’ll assume you’re hungry, what do gods eat?” she asked.

“You would feed your enemy?” he asked surprised by this, Asgard had a policy of giving their prisoners food, but basic food, food that would keep their enemies alive and nothing more. He was able to empathise with those trapped forever in those dungeons now.

“Yes because I have basic human decency,” she said shifting her weight mostly onto her left leg, “So food, what do you eat? Can you eat earth food being an alien and all that?”

“Of course I can,” now that she had brought the matter up he wondered if he could, there were some things that an Asgardian was told to avoid eating on Vanaheim and Alfheim, not that he was biologically Asgardian.

“Well if you die of an allergic reaction please don’t haunt me,” she said pulling out another device, a phone, a smartphone he recalled one of the scientists under his command using a similar device.

While she typed out whatever it was she needed Loki observed her. She was atypical in her physical body, her clothes hung from her, not because they were ill-fitting but because of sudden loss of weight. They were designed for a woman larger than what she was now, despite her rather cheerful demeanour she looked quite exhausted. She looked how he felt.

The leather right sleeve to her jacket shifted in a most bizarre manner, he watched as a small(ish) serpent poked its head out resting contently on the back of her hand. It flicked it’s slick tongue out at the air scenting Loki, she could taste him, she knew he was there.

“I think it’s safe to just get a range of food,” She said slipping her phone back into her pocket she rose her fist to her eye level, “You doin’ okay?” she asked the snake who slid back into the sleeve. “She’s shy,” she said to Loki who had not asked.

“You carry a snake on your person?” he asked curios, he could not imagine anyone in Asgard doing that. Snakes were dangerous creatures, not pets. Humans however seemed to ignore that rule quite often.

“Yeah she’s my ESA, but I make sure she’s some place warm, otherwise she’ll get ill,” Soleil explained.

“ESA?” he asked.

“Emotional support animal,” Soleil said which did not really answer Loki’s question, she needed the support of an animal for her emotional state? “They are animals to help calm and relax people. I wanted a cat, but dad says a dog would have required to much training and looking after, so he got me Macbeth.”

“How does a snake provide emotional support?” he had to ask, the concept baffled him.

“She’s a reassuring presence when the world is overwhelming,” Soleil answered.

To the god it was still a strange concept, but his curiosity got the better of him, “May I see her then?” he asked.

“Um, sure?” Soleil gently shook her arm, Macbeth got the message, as loathed as she was to leave the warmth of the jacket she was all too happy to slither her way around Soleil’s shoulders until she was hanging lazily.

Gently lifting the snake off her shoulders she set the snake down on the sofa, wise to keep a distance from the god of mischief who remained shackled and bound. Macbeth lifted herself up fascinated by this new thing, this god in her home, she stared at Loki curious to know why he was here.

⸢You are not human⸥ said the snake curios to know what he was, he smelled familiar, like kin yet was clearly more than that, more human, more than human.

⸢No I am not⸥ he answered utterly amused when the snake did a double take, stunned that the god would be capable of speaking her language. He detected the barest hint of offence on her next words.

⸢Then you are a lie, a false thing, I do not like false things⸥ the snake replied studying him closely, ⸢You are a danger to my human⸥

⸢I am a great danger to many a human, yours however has done nothing to earn my anger⸥ Loki replied, the smart little snake thought on this for a while.

⸢You claim that now. But my human has a way of frustrating the surrounding humans, they are so easily brought to anger⸥ came the serpent's response as she finally slithered her way over to him.

⸢There are many creatures brought to anger easily⸥ Loki responded lifting the snake up into the air to prove his point the snake hissed angrily.

⸢Unhand me liar, I shall not be handled by the likes of you!⸥ the snake protested with a rather loud hiss.

Up close, she was a rather pretty thing a mixture of soft pastel colours with the blackest eyes he had seen on a snake. A thick uneven stripe of orange and lavender ran the length of her spine and top of her head. Her belly was an off-white, her most dominate colour a rather fetching shade of yellow. She was indeed a strange patterned creature but lovely to look at.

⸢But you are so pretty, I think I may keep you⸥ he teased the snake who managed to throw him such a filthy look that it took him by surprise.

⸢You, are unworthy of me liar⸥ she snapped back.

⸢I am a good little serpent, far beyond your mortal caregiver⸥ he pointed out.

⸢Indeed? You must be the god of pomposity to say such things⸥ the snake complained turning her head away from Loki, ⸢My human is good and kind even as the sickness weakness her, you cannot compare to such a charitable and loving being⸥

⸢For something so small you certainly have a rather inflated sense of ego⸥ he said lifting her up to eye level, she turned her head away from him.

⸢Says the creature that wreaks of despair, I might be small, god of pomposity but at least I know happiness⸥ he’d never been tempted to toss a snake out of a window before tonight.

Soleil shifted on her feet confused, “Are you talking to her?”

“Of course, I am a god,” he answered petting the snake who recoiled deeply offended by his touch.

⸢How dare you touch me!!⸥ she hissed in discontent before slipping herself free from Loki’s hands and slithering back to Soleil who collected her up into her arms. ⸢You are unworthy pomposity, be gone!⸥

“That is a rather charming pet you have mortal,” Loki answered deigning to ignore the snake and her uppity attitude, “Though she might be pretty she has a rather terrible attitude.”

Soleil looked at Macbeth who looked at her, “Riiight she has the terrible attitude,” smugly the snake turned back to him beaming brightly.

⸢See my mortal understands, she shall not be easily swayed by a false serpent⸥ the snake happily slithered her way back up Soleil's sleeve.

“I have never before laid my eyes on a serpent with such markings and colours, is that typical of Midgardian serpents?” Loki asked leaning back on the sofa which had become uncomfortable thanks to being pinned down in one fixed spot.

“Uh, well ball pythons are kinda common I suppose, they are docile in nature,” Loki did not believe that for a second, “So they’ve been bred as pets for a while, some breeders try to create unique colour and pattern styles. Morphs. Macbeth is a Banana Cinnamon Blade Clown Ball Python for instance.”

Loki knew what each of those words meant individually but strung together like that they may as well have been pure nonsense.

His disbelief or confusion must have been evident on his face because she instantly launched into the details of snake breeding, how morphs came about, what each word meant and the genetic factors that went into selecting the right snakes to breed together to create the perfect offspring.

Trust humans to meddle in things that needed no intervention, he thought as she went into detail to explain a subject he had long since lost any interest in. She was passionate about her pet, about snakes in general, and so she babbled making her obsession quite evident.

It was no wonder her dammed pet was so smug, she probably praised it at every opportunity, it’s inflated sense of self coming from an overindulgence of love and flattery.

“Bee,” Jarvis cut her off saving Loki the indignity of having to amuse her babbling for longer, “The food has been placed in the elevator, do you require assistance in moving it?”

“I’m not that weak, Jarv,” she grumbled half stomping her way across the floor towards the elevator. Loki could feel the AI’s eye roll somehow.

It took her some time to set out the food given the ridiculous quantity that she had purchased. He did not recognise half of what was laid out but to Loki none of that mattered, all he could do was feel his mouth water at the prospect of finally having food that did not taste of grit and nothing.

“So we got Korean, Indian, Italian, Greek, American, Japanese, Ethiopian, Thai, Arabic, Mexican, Balkan, Caribbean, Chinese and Jamaican,”

“Bee,” Jarvis said.

“Yeah I over ordered,” she grumbled slipping her phone back into her pocket, but she hadn’t known what a god might like to eat.

It didn’t seem to matter, Loki was already tucking into a container of whatever was nearest to him.

He almost wept in pure bliss as he devoured the Tokushima ramen without haste, even the strangeness of a raw egg in a soup alongside pork belly and noodles (which he had never had in life) did not slow him down. The god did not slow down even as Tony Stark, Steve Rogers and Thor walked onto the floor slightly confused.

Jarvis had alerted them there would be food and that Soleil was apparently friendly with Loki. Jarvis had been somewhat right, Soleil was keeping a great distance between herself and the god, but she had ordered him a lot of food. Enough food to feed an army in fact.

“I don’t know what gods eat,” she immediately said as defence before her dad could ask, she did the same thing whenever he caught her doing something she wasn’t supposed to be doing. “So I got whatever, if he dies of an allergic reaction you’re not allowed to blame me.”

“You’d be doing us a favour Bee,” her dad joked, she grinned a little unsure while Loki finally slowed down. That was good, just watching him devour container after container was giving her indigestion.

“We do not suffer the aliments of mortals little Stark-”

“Little stark?” Soleil whispered at Steve and Tony both of them grinned sympathetically.

“-This is quite the feast,” Thor beamed at her and all of a sudden she could see what Jane Foster might see in the glorious blonde bastard, though if she had to go for a blonde she’d still choose Captain America.

The avengers and Soleil watched as Thor easily sat himself down beside Loki acting as though nothing was wrong, even Loki was a little on edge about that, Steve and Tony shared a look™ one that suggested they were in on something. Something Soleil was not allowed to be part of.

Thor without hesitation (must be a god thing) dug into the food complimenting Soleil as though she had laboured over the meals, she hadn’t.

“What is this?” Thor asked as the others finally settled, Tony made sure Soleil was one super solider and a father apart from the god of mischief.

“Curried goat,” Soleil answered taking the carton of Tom Kha soup for herself.

The look of betrayal startled her as he was torn between heaving his stomach into the nearest container or eating what was a delicious meal. Loki being the sympathetic brother he was grinned from ear to ear watching Thor have an internal meltdown.

They did not eat goats on Asgard due to Thor’s love of them, they were scared in some strange way. Loki suspected interest in eating them was already so minimal that Odin had no issue outlawing their slaughter and consumption.

“Are you okay Thor?” Steve had to ask as Thor gingerly put the container down.

“Yes Captain, I… find I cannot in good conscience eat a goat,” Thor said picking up another container and studying it.

“That’s chicken,” Tony reassured him passing a box that contained a triple cheeseburger with plenty of onions, “Try this it might suit you.” Thor immediately approved of the burger, it wasn’t easy to go wrong with a good burger.

Though the company was unwanted Loki found a sense of comfort in the noise and activity, listening in as Thor and Steve asked questions about the food for the Starks to answer. If the Starks did not know then Jarvis would provide information, Loki cared not about the province of food or what it contained, food was food and this was the best food he had tasted in a dreadfully long time.

He listened into the varying conversations, Soleil debated baseball with Steve, apparently he took offence at the LA Dodgers, none of this made sense to Loki, what made even less sense was Hockey, even the Captain did not seem to understand her love of Hockey.

The older Stark chimed in once in a while or talked at length to Thor about various things, places the god should see since he would be spending time on Midgard and perhaps the acquisition of a phone – communication device. Loki knew how that would end, Thor had never been great at keeping in touch.

The four talked at length about everything and anything, Loki was more fascinated by the Korean barbecue than what was considered the best dessert.

According to Steve Rogers you could not beat a good apple pie with a dollop of thick cream or ice cream. The older Stark insisted on Tiramisu which combined alcohol and coffee. Whereas the younger Stark insisted that New York style cheesecake was the best dessert, though ice cream (of any type) was a close second.

He noticed that Rogers was rather experimental with his choice of food, wishing to try everything at least once. Thor ate whatever had the most meat, Stark knew what he liked and stuck to that while his daughter seemed filled by the small tub of soup she had half-eaten.

“Jane has mentioned you little Stark,” Soleil did not appreciate Thor’s new nickname for her.

“Okay?”

“You are an engineer?” Thor asked.

“Yup, my main focus is space, aerospace engineering if you will, but I am not confined to one area of study,” She said setting her half-eaten carton down.

“Jane had mentioned that you are attempting to colonise your moon?”

“Me personally no, but I wanna find a way to make the moon liveable, so we can continue our research,” she said taking a long sip of water.

The floodgates were opened up and Thor could only sit uncomfortably as she prattled on about her designs on space, how they might once again reach the moon and this time stay there. She had ideas with regard to terraforming, to establishing a liveable base, not just on the moon but Mars as well. They would be the first destinations in this new space race she dreamt up.

Loki recognised the blank look on Thor’s face, he had long since lost interest and Soleil quickly realised. Twiddling her fingers she fell silent, ashamed even, this made Loki frown. Her father wrapped an arm around her whispering something, she perked up a little.

Thor turned to Steve to start an entirely new conversation, which made Soleil wince. Tony reassured her all was well and rubbed her arm, only to annoy Macbeth who popped her head out to see who it was that was rubbing her.

“Sorry my scaly grandbaby,” Tony grinned at the indignant snake.

⸢Oh another one, what is this one the god of the farm?⸥ the snake complained looking a surprised Thor over.

⸢I am the god of thunder, serpent⸥

⸢I stand corrected oh great and powerful goat fucker⸥

“I do not recommend getting into an argument with it, it thinks anything other than the younger Stark is beneath it,” Loki said trying a slice of pizza, he found the combination sweeter than expected.

“So they’re both Dolittle’s?” Tony asked Soleil who shrugged she didn’t get it either, but apparently they could understand Macbeth in some way. She certainly reacted to whatever they said back to her.

“I don’t get it either,” she admitted.

“So she doesn't like me?” Tony asked Loki while Thor continued to glare at Macbeth, the snake in return glared back at Thor (somehow).

⸢You may tell him that I enjoy his company, the red machine is most comfortable for resting on and he is a delight for a human being!⸥

“She thinks your armour makes the perfect place to rest,” Loki translated.

“Well it’s good to know I’m useful for something,” Tony grinned rubbing the snakes chin as she leaned up to him.

⸢You did not tell him that I enjoy his company nor that he is a delight tell him, tell him!⸥ Macbeth snapped at Loki

⸢It must have slipped my mind dull scales⸥ Loki grinned.

⸢Pompous false serpent⸥ she complained slithering her way onto Tony’s shoulder, Steve wasn’t as sure about the snake, but Tony was used to her by now.

“She’s tame and a pest if you let her loose in a workshop but tame,” Tony assured Steve who still wasn’t sure meanwhile Macbeth curled herself up on top of Tony’s head, she liked to feel tall.

“She’s inquisitive not a pest,” Soleil insisted gently cooing at Macbeth wondering how it was that the gods communicated with her.

“She likes to nap in places she shouldn’t,” Macbeth was not pleased by this, it wasn’t her fault she found nice warm places to rest in his workshop. She slithered her way back to Soleil deeply offended, Tony rolled his eyes.

“Well maybe you shouldn’t leave your workshop unlocked,” Soleil argued as the serpent coiled herself around her right arm once again.

“Dum-E likes to roam the house, you know this Bee,” Tony argued, yes she did know, she had spent a childhood learning to know when Dum-E was out and about. She loved him, she really did but Dum-E was not built to handle fragile things, especially fragile children.

“Yes but should he be trusted to roam the house?” Soleil asked grinning when he failed to find a suitable answer. Everyone knew it wasn’t a good idea, Dum-E lived up to his name and while he was adorable he vastly overestimated his own skill and abilities.

Tony blinked several times, nope a reasonable argument still failed him, there was no good reason why Dum-E should be unleashed within the house, “So Point Break, what’s this about coffee and pop tarts?”

Thor lit up with a glorious and adorable smile, “My lady Jane introduced me to such wonderful refreshments.”

“And you were worried about feeding them actual food,” Tony whispered to Soleil who grinned to herself, “Well Point Break we do have coffee-”

“-Dad you can’t feed Thor your coffee,” Soleil protested as her dad made his way over to the coffee machine.

“What’s the worst that can happen?” Tony joked.

“It comes with a health warning!”

“It’s not that bad,”

“By buying it you accept all the dangers that coffee presents, you have to sign legally binding documents on the website, you can’t give it to an alien!” Tony wasn’t seeing the issue, those aliens were gods, “It literally killed three people last year.”

“You shouldn’t have said that,” Loki muttered at the exact same time Thor lit up, “Let me test this coffee!”

Soleil buried her face in her hands, Steve offered her a spring roll in consolation, she took it, to exhausted to care that she was full up. Trust her dad to find the one alien that would enable his terrible habits. Fuck this was going to be a long year.

The avengers (well Tony, Steve and Thor) discussed what they should do with Loki, the god of mischief had no say and Odin had decided to leave it in their hands. The obvious answer would be to lock him up, lock him away where he could cause no harm.

There was no place suitable on Midgard that the avengers were aware of, Loki knew of several places but would rather not assist any further attempts at incarceration. He watched them struggle amongst themselves to come up with the ideal solution.

“I can’t keep him here,” Tony protested to Thor who insisted this was the best place, “I have staff and my kid to consider.”

“You have a goat here?” Thor asked.

“Soo, allspeak translates things literally?” Tony asked perplexed, Loki rolled his eyes, no it didn’t, Thor had simply mistaken the context of the word which would have supplied the answer.

“Kid is slang for child, he’s talking about his daughter Soleil,” Steve told Thor who stood there just realising what Soleil was to Tony, “You didn’t know?”

“The big fella showed up in the middle of this mess, I don’t think he got the briefings,” Tony reasoned, “Sol’s my kid, child, offspring whatever you wanna say, point is while Bumblebee’s here I’m not hosting Loki.”

“Loki shall not harm your daughter Stark,” Thor half lied, in truth he might harm Soleil, Loki had done a lot worse in his past though usually that was for the sake of Asgard or the protection of his family.

“Look all you have to do is sneeze at my kid and boom, in hospital,” Tony argued.

“Your daughter is that fragile?” Thor wondered if it were an age thing, Darcy looked to be of a similar age and seemed hale.

“Yep kid’s a medical wonder, impossibility even, so unless I have proof that Loki can’t hurt my kid you’ll have to have him live somewhere else,”

“Why not call SHIELD?” Steve offered, Thor considered this, but Tony had the most peculiar expression one that made Loki take note.

Tony shuffled on his feet, “I’m not saying that… look Loki took out quite a few SHIELD agents, Phil included, everyone loved Phil. I’m not sayin’ he’d approve out loud, but I’m sure Fury would be willing to turn a blind eye if anyone… took advantage of Loki’s situation.”

To Tony’s surprise Steve agreed, “What other options do we have? Thor are there any other territories, realms or worlds that would take Loki?”

“The majority of the nine realms are overseen by Asgard, they would not be willing to risk Odin’s ire by inviting Loki – even as a captive – amongst their numbers,” Thor reasoned.

“Why do I get the feeling when you say overseen what you really mean is-” Steve elbowed Tony in the ribs to get him to shut up.

“Can’t you build a containment around a single floor in the tower?” Steve proposed.

“Yeah and then what happens, he tricks Jarvis or someone else to let him out. Hell Bee would let him out if meant she could learn some weird alien shit, or fuck, she’d let him out to… you said Puente Antiguo?” he turned to Thor.

“Yes?” the god of thunder blinked confused. “I landed there, it so happened that Jane Foster and Agent Phil were also there.”

“Riiiight, well fuck,” Tony ran a hand through his hair, “If he stays here… how much do you two know about engineering?”

“The sciences were Loki’s subjects not mine,” Thor answered.

“We can’t keep him here,” Tony insisted to Steve who was just as confused as everyone else.

“Tony the tower is the best option-” Steve was about to argue, but Tony was adamant against the idea.

“-No it’s not because if Bee finds out-”

“-If Bee finds out what?” Soleil asked, Tony jumped curing Natasha (back when she was Natalie) for teaching Soleil how to be sneaky.

“I do not see why Puente Antiguo is so important to my brothers confinement,” Thor frowned not understanding what was going on at all.

“Did you say Puente Antiguo?” Soleil rounded on a surprised Thor, he did not understand.

“Is this some mythical town I should visit?” Steve asked it had been mentioned a lot in five minuted.

“No, no Bee he didn’t, he said-” Tony tried to correct not realising Thor did not like to be called a liar.

“-Do not make me a liar Stark,” Thor threatened.

“Yeah Dad how dare you make the most venerable god of thunder out to be a liar, honestly have you no shame?” Soleil said placing her hands on her hips, Thor nodded in complete agreement.

Loki rolled his eyes at how quickly Thor soaked up the praise and attention, it was honestly embarrassing how easily the fool could be manipulated and it had taken a mortal one afternoon to discover this weakness.

“Puente Antiguo was where I met my Lady Jane, Darcy, Selvig and your beloved Agent Son of Coul,”

“You mean Coulson, he’s American, we don’t use Patronymic or Matronymic surnames. At least not in the way you’re probably thinking of them,” Soleil corrected, “He was just Coulson, His father was probably not named Coul. Like how I am Stark and not Anthonysdóttir.”

“I see,” Thor muttered, “That explains the oddity of Jane’s family name.”

“Yep so if you and Jane married on Earth, and she decided to take your name, just as an example off the top of my head-” Tony and Steve finally caught on, she was buttering up the god of Thunder, and he was eating it up, “-She would be Jane Odinson, which I suppose would be awkward in Asgard but normal here.”

“That does seem odd?” Thor admitted hating how it sounded, it made her sound his like his sister.

“So you met in Puente Antiguo, I once read it’s romantic to get married where you met your love, but a desert town seems… inappropriate for a wedding to a god, especially with it still in need of repair.”

“Yes, the destroyer created so much damage when it walked through the town,” Thor turned to Loki who sat back utterly amused that Thor had so easily fallen into Soleil’s trap, of course Thor read his amusement wrong.

“The destroyer?” Soleil asked.

“Yes, The Destroyer Automaton is a weapon and guardian of Asgard, it was sent by Loki to kill me,” Thor glared at Loki again, “I wonder if it is still where we left it?”

“You really think SHIELD would have left something called the destroyer alone after what we saw with the tesseract?” Steve asked not understanding Soleil’s interest.

“How dangerous is this thing?” Tony asked.

“It levelled a town Tony, it’s dangerous,” Steve reasoned.

“Hush that’s not important, so the destroyer was sent by Loki to what attack you? Did you defeat it battle then?” She asked.

“Yes, with my godhood and power restored I used my strength and lightning to best the destroyer in combat,” Thor proudly announced.

“That’s sooo amazing,” Loki rolled his eyes the falseness wet unnoticed by Thor, “So like, it’s no longer functioning?”

“No, I knew I could not best it if I attacked the body, so I attacked it’s core it’s power source, rendering it inoperable,” Thor answered.

“Amazing,” Soleil continued, “So, any random idiot can command it?”

Thor laughed at the jab at Loki, Loki just sat deeply disappointed in his brother who allowed his ego to be bolstered like this, “No, it can only be commanded by the king of Asgard.”

“Loki was king?” Tony asked.

“What Asgard’s never had a queen?” Soleil asked.

“How do you go from being King to invader?” Steve asked.

“Expansion of the empire?” Tony proposed, “One land beneath the Asgardian sun and all that.”

“So what, you get named ruler of Asgard, and you’re in automatic control of its weapons? How does that work?”

“Through the Odinforce, Gungier acts as a tool to harness this power and through the Odinforce any ruler can command the destroyer,” Thor answered wondering why she was asking this, “Why do you ask little stark?”

“But I imagine Steel or iron would easily break under the strength of Mjölnir right? So how did the destroyer withstand your combined might?”

It was hilarious how quickly Thor turned from suspicious to eager to explain just how incredible he was.

“The metal from which the destroyer and my Mjölnir is forged is known as Uru, it can only be forged in the megastructure that surrounds Nidavellir. The dwarves harness the power of their sun Nidavellir to forge Uru, they are the only race capable of such a feat,”

“Only because they guard their secrets like paranoid dragons,” Loki muttered.

“Dwarves?” Steve asked.

“Did he say megastructure surrounding a sun?” Tony asked

Soleil vibrated, actually vibrated.

“Soo how does someone get into Nidavellir?” Soleil asked.

“With charm and plenty of gold,” Loki answered

“I can get gold,” Soleil whispered loudly, “How much gold do you-”

“-Bumblebee I know all this is very exciting,” Her dad began to steer her away from the gods, “But this can wait until tomorrow when you’ve had your ten hours now go, sleep.”

“Ugh fine, oh,” She pulled out a piece of paper from her jacket pocket and read out loud, “Pepper says pick up the fucking phone, or she’s leaving you for a man called Seamus.”

“Shit,” he’d forgotten to call Pepper to reassure her he wasn’t dead, he still made sure to push Soleil out toward the Elevator, “Stick him on your floor for now Point Break.”

“My Floor?” Thor asked.

“Oh, oh right, you all have your own floor Jarvis will send you to the correct ones,” that was that. The Starks were gone.

“Why do I feel manipulated?” Thor asked.

“You are catching on much faster these days' brother,” Loki grinned.

Steve sighed, he wasn’t getting paid enough to deal with this bullshit.

#Loki/OFC #LokixOFC #Loki Odinson #Loki #Loki Fic #MCU Loki #Loki/OC #Stark OC

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mint-yooxgi · 5 years ago

Text

Not An Act - Yandere!Actor!Seokjin X Reader

Yandere!AU - Part of the Yandere!BTS X Reader Series

Genre: Mature, Horror, Angst, Smut

Pairing: Seokjin X Reader

Words: 13,037

Warning: This is a Yandere story, it will contain themes such as stalking, violence, obsession, possessive natures, and just general overall creepiness and swearing. You have been warned.

A/n: It’s here! Honestly, I think this is one of the most tame yandere stories I've ever written, but I'll let you guys decide that for yourself. I do really hope you all like this one, and my apologies for it taking so long! As always, I do not believe Seokjin, nor any member of BTS would act like this. This is just my interpretation of the archetype. Feedback is greatly appreciated, enjoy lovelies!

“Jin, Jin, Jin, Jin, Jin!” Jaehwan’s frantic voice is heard as he speeds down the halls of the studio, looking for his best friend.

“What, what, what, what, what?” Jin rolls his eyes from his spot on his couch as Jaehwan enters his dressing room.

“Have you heard the news?” Jaehwan seems to be bouncing on the balls of his feet as he grins at Jin.

“Heard what?” Jin raises a brow at his overexcited friend.

“Guess who’s just been cast as your love interest in your new series,” Jaehwan looks at him expectantly.

“I don’t know-“

“(Y/n) (L/n),” the grin on Jaehwan’s face grows as he watches the expression on his friends’ face.

“You’re shitting me,” Jin blinks, not believing what he’s just been told.

“Do you think I would joke about something like this?” Jaehwan raises an eyebrow.

“Oh my god, you’re serious. You’re serious, right?” Jin stands up from the couch, gripping Jaehwan’s arms tightly in his hands as he stares into his friend’s eyes. A sincere nod is all he needs for confirmation. “Oh my god!”

A large grin spreads across Seokjin’s face as he removes his hands from Jaehwan’s arms in order to run his fingers through his hair. This is everything he could have ever wished for, and more. To be able to film his new romance with you is a dream come true.

Ever since he’s gotten into acting, you’ve been his biggest inspiration. He fell in love with the way you portray each character on screen, and how professional you are. Not to mention your kind and timid nature which comes across as completely natural in interviews.

“When is she arriving on set?” Jin asks, doing his best to calm his excitement.

“Shouldn’t you know that?” Jaehwan chuckles.

“This is the best day of my life,” Jin mumbles, eyes wide in disbelief, still.

“From what I’ve heard, she’s arriving tomorrow for a read through of the script, and then you guys start filming on Monday,” Jaehwan mentions, noticing how Jin’s eyes dart to the calendar hanging on the side of the wall to check the date.

“Oh my god, I have to impress her,” he says, more to himself than anything, but Jaehwan still manages to hear. “Has she ever mentioned anything of me? Wait, of course she has, I watched the interview, like, ten times in a row. Maybe I’ll watch it again tonight. Oh gosh, I hope she likes me.”

Jaehwan only chuckles at Jin’s frantic rambling, giving him a firm pat on the shoulder before wishing him luck for tomorrow, and bidding him a good evening. He can still hear his friend rambling on to himself from the hallway even after he leaves the room, and he finds he can only shake his head in amusement. Hopefully, Jin can pull himself together enough for the read through tomorrow, but knowing his best friend, there’s no doubt in Jaehwan’s mind.

That night, Jin spends a few hours rewatching old interviews of yours, and gathering all the information he can to impress you. Never before in his life has he thought that the two of you would ever cross paths onset together. He’s only ever dreamt of something like this happening, far more times than he’d like to admit.

You seem to be really down to earth, and kind, so Jin knows he’s going to have to work hard to impress you. He knows the two of you are going to have such natural chemistry once you start filming together, that everyone will be so impressed. One thing’s for sure though, every opportunity he gets in order to make you fall for him, he’ll take. He’s only going to get this one chance, so he knows he can’t fuck it up.

Often, he’s dreamed of chance encounters with you on the set of some movie you’re both working on, or even just on the street. He knows he’s not as experienced as you are when it comes to the entertainment industry, but he’s hoping his charm doesn’t fail him now. He’s been told he can win over anyone’s heart, and so far, it’s been true. Now, all he has to do is win over yours, but it won’t be that hard. After all, he knows almost everything there is about you. Well, not quite everything, just what you let on in interviews and such.

He knows that once you’re together, you’ll be unstoppable. The hottest it couple the world has ever seen. He’d make all those men in romance movies look like boys compared to him. He’ll worship the very ground you walk on. That is, if you let him.

A sigh escapes his lips as he riffles through his closet, attempting to pick out an outfit for tomorrow. Should he go with the baby blue button up, or the black one? Or maybe he should just go with something more casual for your first meeting, like a t-shirt and blazer.

Throwing the shirt in his hands to the floor, Jin lets out a frustrated grunt. He has to make a good first impression on you tomorrow, especially if he wants to impress you. He knows that the way to do that is to get you to notice him before he even introduces himself to you formally. He has to look nice for you, especially since you always look amazing, even when you’re wearing a ‘lazy day’ outfit, according to the media.

Running a hand through his hair, Jin turns back to look at the clothes hanging in his closet. He’s already spent two hours attempting to decide on an outfit for tomorrow, and so far, he’s got nothing. At least, nothing acceptable enough for you.

Taking a deep breath to calm his nerves, he allows himself to relax. He’s overthinking this. He knows that whatever he chooses to wear tomorrow, you’ll love, cause that’s just the person you are. You’re not one for big flashy outfits. Besides, he’ll look good in anything he decides to wear, especially if it’s for you.

After another half hour of deciding on what to wear, even after his little mental pep talk, he decides on a simple black pair of jeans, and the baby blue button up he had been holding earlier. Putting them aside before cleaning up the mess now in his closet, he gets ready for bed.

He stares at the ceiling for a bit, mind racing around with thoughts about tomorrow. He can’t wait to see you and finally meet you in person. He’s so excited to get to see your smile in real life, and not through a screen. Hopefully, you’ll even direct it towards him.

However, he can’t help but also feel nervous. What if you don’t like him? What if you don’t see how perfect you are for each other? No matter, he’ll just have to show you how perfect he can be for you. After all, he’s not like the others you’ve- unfortunately- been with. He’s a gentleman, and he loves you. He doesn’t care how long it will take, or what he has to do to prove that.

Waking up bright and early the next day, Jin takes his time getting ready. He spends nearly two hours in the bathroom, scrubbing himself clean and making sure his skin is glowing, just for you. Once he’s sure his hair is styled the way he wants it to be before the actual stylists get to it, and making sure he smells nice, he’s ready to get dressed.

Looking himself over in the mirror once he’s all ready, Jin grins at himself. He looks great, if he does say so himself, and he knows you’ll appreciate all his effort of making himself look good for your first meeting.

He bets the two of you will look back on this day and laugh at how nervous he was to meet you. He can’t wait to tell your kids about this.

Arriving to the sound lot, Jin makes his way to the building you’re all supposed to be doing your read through in. He takes a deep breath before opening the doors, and walking inside.

His heart is racing as each step he takes brings him closer to the room you’re supposed to all meet in. He purposely slows his walking pace slightly just so he can make this moment last a little longer. He’s about to meet you, and everything he’s planned for in the past twelve hours is finally going to come to fruition.

The closer he gets to the room, the louder the voices sound. He can hear some of the producers chatting, as well as the director talking with some of the supporting actors.

Then, he hears it. Your laugh.

It’s like his world has stopped, and as soon as he passes through the doorway, all he can see is you. All of his previous confidence has seemingly vanished, his palms becoming sweaty as he watches you talk with one of the writers on set.

“Jin! There you are!” Jaehwan, noticing his friend by the entranceway, goes over to greet him. “Woah, man, are you okay?”

“She’s- she’s right there,” Jin replies, trembling slightly as his eyes never leave your figure. “Oh god, how do I look?”

Jaehwan raises an eyebrow curiously at his friend, “you look fine.”

“Fine?” Jin begins to panic, finally breaking his gaze from you to look at Jaehwan, “just fine? I stayed up nearly all night pulling this outfit together. I knew I should have went with the black one…”

“Well, you better get over you predicament now, and fast, cause guess who’s coming this way,” Jaehwan flicks his eyes, which are shining with amusement, over to your form which is heading their way.

“Oh god,” Jin can feel his heart racing in his chest as he watches you get closer to him, feeling as if his heart is about to beat out of his chest.

“Hello boys,” you greet as soon as you’re within earshot. “It’s so nice to meet you, I’ve heard a lot about the two of you from the crew. I’m (Y/n).”

You smile at them, and Jin swears he’s died and gone to heaven.

“It’s nice to meet you as well,” Jaehwan takes the lead, shaking your outstretched hand, seeing as his friend is a little out of it at the moment. “We’re so excited to be able to work with you on a show like this. My name’s Jaehwan, and this idiot-“

“Kim Seokjin, it’s a pleasure to meet you,” taking your hand in his, he kisses the back of it, sending a quick side eye glance to Jaehwan.

“The pleasure is all mine,” you grin back.

Before you can say another word, the director calls for everyone’s attention, letting you all know that the read through will begin in five minutes.

“Well, we better take our seats soon,” you say, turning your head slightly to look at the tables that have been set up in the room.

“Have you had a chance to look over the script yet?” Jin asks, leading the way to the tables and pulling out your chair for you.

Thanking him, you nod your head slightly, “I looked over it briefly before accepting the role. It looks interesting. Have you?”

“Not entirely, but I know the general plot,” he lies, wanting to make you feel better about not reading the script in its entirety yet.

As soon as he was cast to play the male lead in this romance, he stayed up all night reading the script. Now that he knows you’re going to be playing his love interest, he’s even more excited for what’s to come. Granted, he is also nervous since he doesn’t want to mess anything up, even if the two of you are just acting. Well, he may not even have to act during some scenes, if things work out right.

He’s hoping you can see his dedication and passion shine through when you work together, so you know that that same passion burns through in everything he does. Especially if he becomes your lover. No. When he becomes your lover.

“Okay, if everyone could take their seats now,” the director calls, “let’s get this show on the road.”

A few chuckles are heard form around the room as the rest of the cast and a few crew members take their seats. You notice Jin has taken the spot beside you, and his friend Jaehwan has taken the next spot over.

Once everyone is settled, the director calls for everyone’s attention once more.

“Alright, so most of you know me already, but for those of you who don’t, my name is Joe Kim. I’ll be your director for Love Lies, the new romance series you’ve all agreed to take part in,” a small round of applause is heard around the room, “Love Lies is about two young adults who meet on a chance encounter one night, which then blossoms into a summer romance between the two. One of them has just gotten out of a long term engagement, and isn’t quite sure if they’re ready to love again. The other is easy going, and isn’t quite sure if they’re ready for such a commitment, but the two overcome their obstacles to be together in the end.” Another small round of applause. “And now, without further ado, here’s executive producer Lee Hongbin to further explain the two main characters.”

As Joe takes a seat, Hongbin stands up at the other end of the table, drawing everyone’s eyes to him.

“Thanks Joe,” smiling, Hongbin addresses everyone in the room. “So, we have the two leads, who will be played by mister Kim Seokjin, and miss (Y/n) (L/n) respectively. Their character’s names are Lim Seokmin and Sakura Hinami. Seokmin has just gotten out of a long term engagement which lasted two years, and works hard, especially for what he wants. He is weary at first when he meets Hinami, since she’s much bolder than he expects her to be. Hinami is a much more outgoing girl who likes to have a good time, not really wanting to be tied down too often for long periods of time. Their characters are different in that Seokmin is your typical businessman, whereas Hinami is your typical, easygoing partier. They push and pull each other, and eventually Seokmin learns to loosen up a bit, and Hinami learns to settle down when necessary.”

“How does the title fit into all of this?” Jaehwan pipes up, brows furrowed in confusion.

“I’m getting there, don’t worry,” Hongbin chuckles. “Love Lies gets its name from all the secrets each character keeps from the other, from the beginning of the show, right up until the climax. It delves into the hidden lives of these two characters, and how they each play off of one another with what they reveal to the other over time.”

“Sounds interesting! Let’s get started,” the director says, rubbing his hands together excitedly.

Without another word, everyone flips open their scripts to the very first episode of the series, beginning to read through as their respective roles. Every tip the director gives you, you take with a nod of your head, immediately implementing the change into your read through.

To say Jin is impressed would be an understatement. The level of professionalism you exude through this entire process blows him away, and you haven’t even started filming yet. He can only hope he’s impressing you as much as you’re impressing him.

Before anyone knows it, the read through has come to an end, and the cast and crew are mingling in the room once again. Jin notices you over by the refreshments and heads over to talk with you before you head back to your hotel for the weekend since he knows you don’t own a place in the city.

“If that read through was anything to go by, I can’t wait to start working with you officially,” he grins, grabbing a water bottle from the table in the process.

You turn to him with slightly wide eyes, not expecting him to be right next to you, “really? Thank you very much, that means a lot to me coming from you. I think you’re an amazing actor, and I’m really impressed with what you’ve done so far in your career.”

Now it’s his turn for his eyes to widen, “I could say the same to you.”

“Well, if I’m being honest, I was really nervous to meet you today,” you admit, and Jin’s heart begins racing in his chest. “I can’t believe we’ll be working together.”

“Me neither,” he whispers, lips twitching upwards as you glance away from him shyly. “If I’m being honest, I’ve always admired your acting skills, and you were actually the one who inspired me to pursue a career in acting myself.”

“Really?”

“Yeah,” now it’s his turn to blush, looking away slightly to avoid your eyes.

“Well, I can’t wait to see that charm be released on set, mister Kim Seokjin,” you wink, and without another word, you’re turning around and walking out of the room, away from him.

Jin stands there, stunned, for a moment, as he stares after your figure which has just disappeared behind a corner of the studio. A smile pulls at his lips as he lets out a small blissful sigh. That went so much better than he could have ever anticipated, and you’re also excited to work with him. This day could not get any better.

“Well, that went well,” Jaehwan manages to startle Jin out of his thoughts and back to reality.

“Don’t sneak up on me like that,” Jin smacks his friend on the arm while Jaehwan just laughs.

“What? Scared I’m going to ease-drop on your precious conversations with (Y/n)?” Jaehwan teases.

“No,” Jin grumbles, crossing his arms in front of his chest.

“Loosen up, will you? I’m just pulling your leg,” Jaehwan lightly shoves his friend as they both begin to make their way out of the studio.

Making it out to the parking lot, Jaehwan bids Jin a farewell. Making it back to his car, Jin enters and lets out a sigh. If only he could have spent more time with you today. Now, he has to wait for the entire weekend to be over in order to see your face in person again. Whatever, at least he has his interviews, shows, and movies he can rewatch with you in them to keep him occupied.

For the entire weekend, Jin finds himself eagerly anticipating for Monday to come. He can’t wait to start filming with you. Especially since he’ll get to see you again. Besides, the director mentioned that the first scene that the two of you would be filming together would be where your two character meet each other for the first time. He can’t wait to show you how good of an actor he can be.

Monday morning rolls around, and you’re on set bright and early. Sitting in the hair and makeup department, you do your best to stay awake as they work on preparing you for your first scene. Luckily, the coffee you’re drinking seems to be working.

“Good morning,” a voice to your right says, managing to startle you slightly for you had zoned out for a moment.

“Oh, morning,” you say, watching as Jin takes the seat next to you so they can start working on his hair and makeup.

“How was your weekend?” He decides casual conversation is the way to go.

“Not too bad,” comes your reply, taking a small sip of your drink in the process. “Focussed on the script, mainly. How was yours?”

“Good,” he smiles. “I basically did the same thing.”

He wants to keep the conversation going, but he can tell that you’re not a talker this early in the morning. Although slightly disappointed, he’ll respect your boundaries. He doesn’t want to annoy you on your first day.

About an hour later, the both of you are dressed in your outfits for the first scene, and they’re just doing slight touchups before you start to film.

“Alright, everyone, gather round!” Joe calls, waiting for the cast and crew to walk up to him. “Today marks the first day of Love Lies, let’s make it a good one! Places everybody!”

Moving to your starting mark, you let out a sigh. The only main direction they’ve given you for scenes is you start where they tell you, then you take it from there, since they want the scenes to feel ‘more natural’ and ‘less scripted’ in terms of movements.

The scene in which your two characters are supposed to meet occurs in the middle of the street. Hinami is coming home from a club and stumbles into Seokmin, who is getting home late from work.

“And, action!” Joe calls.

Immediately, Jin can see the shift in you, going from yourself to the character you’re portraying. The camera focuses on you as you stumble your way down the street, giggling to yourself.

Once you reach a certain point, now it’s time for Jin’s entrance.

Stepping around the corner like he’s supposed to, Jin bumps into you, sending you tumbling to the ground in your drunken state.

“Watch it-“ his breath gets caught in his throat as he sees you looking up at him with a glare, your eyes half glazed over.

“You watch it,” you huff, standing back up to dust off your skirt before continuing on your way down the street, muttering a ‘prick’ under your breath.

“Hey, wait!” He catches up to you, grabbing your arm to pull you around to face him. “I’m sorry for bumping into you. You’re clearly not in the right state of mind, so let me call you a cab.”

“If you think-“ you pause to wobble a bit on your feet, “if you think, that just because I’m a little tipsy, that I’m going to get in a cab with you-“ you jab a finger into his shoulder, “you, sir, are mistaken.”

“No, I’m not-“ he lets out a sigh, gently brushing your hand off of him.

“If you are done, I’m going home,” you interrupt him before he can finish saying what he wants to.

Storming down the street, Jin watches you stumble slightly before disappearing around the corner.

A sigh escapes his lips as he shakes his head, “what just happened?”

A few seconds pass before the director is calling ‘cut’ and praising the both of you for the scene. Jin watches as you appear once more from behind the corner, a small smile gracing your lips as you stand tall. Any hints of your character’s drunkenness is gone.

For the rest of the day, you run the scene a few more times, using different tones and body language until Joe and Hongbin are satisfied with your first interaction on screen.

“Alright, after lunch, we’ll film the short intros for each character before they meet, and then after that, we’ll film the next meeting!” Hongbin announces, as everyone scurries off to find lunch.

“Hey, good work so far,” your voice has Jin’s eyes going wide.

“Oh, uh, thank you,” he smiles, somewhat shyly. “You’re doing amazing, too.”

You let out a small laugh, “thank you.”

“Are you okay, by the way?” He asks, causing you to furrow your brows in confusion. “You know, I didn’t knock you over too roughly, did I?”

“Oh,” understanding crosses your features before you’re smiling at him. “No, not at all. In fact, I kinda like it rough.”

With a wink, you’re heading out to grab lunch for yourself, leaving Jin speechless and almost choking on air.

He can feel his heart racing as he thinks about the meaning behind your words. Are you insinuating something? Maybe something you’re planning to do with him in the future? Could you want him as much as he wants you?

All these thoughts, and more, race through his head as he walks, almost robotically, over to where Jaehwan sits off to the side.

Noticing his friend’s dazed state, Jaehwan lets out a slight chuckle, “woah, what happened to you?”

Shaking his head as if to clear his thoughts, Jin blinks twice, “nothing. What makes you think that.”

“I have a sneaking feeling that this has something to do with one little starlet,” Jaehwan teases, only causing Jin to flush in embarrassment, shoving his friend lightly as he mutters a ‘shut up’.

Lunch passes by fairly quickly, and they’ve agreed to shoot Jin’s solo part first before shooting yours, so that way you can get a bit of a break. Besides, they have his office and everything already set up.

It takes them about two hours to film the scene before, and the scene after your first meeting in the streets. The director is really happy with how everything is turning out so far, and Jin could not be prouder. He just hopes you’re as proud of him as he is of himself.

Moving over to the next set, you prepare to film the club scene which will introduce your character. The stylist adds some finishing touches to your hair before they give you the all clear to get into starting position.

As soon as the director yells ‘action’, you come alive in the scene, dancing with the extras in the club, downing fake shots, and just having an overall good time. You really know how to immerse yourself into your character.

The whole time, Jin sits off to the side, just watching you. Every movement you make, mesmerizes him, and he finds he cannot tear his eyes away from you. It’s when you turn around that he feels as if his whole word has stopped.

You seem to move in slow motion as the lights flash around you, illuminating your face and giving you a natural glow. A large smile is plastered on your face and he swears it’s just you and him right now on set. Time has stopped, and all because of you and your beauty.

He’s rather harshly pulled from his thoughts as the music ends and the director yells for the scene to cut. He notices you seem to relax slightly as you walk off set. Your scene could not have taken more than thirty minutes to film, but they have enough footage to put together a small montage to introduce your character.

Soon enough, the two of you are heading back to hair and makeup to prepare for your next scene together. An hour later, the two of you are dressed and ready to film your character’s second encounter.

As soon as the camera’s start rolling, the two of you immerse yourselves in the scene.

“Hello and welcome, what can I get for you today?” You greet the next customer, who just so happens to be Jin, but you’re too busy looking at the screen of the computer to notice.

“It’s you,” he breathes, brow furrowing slightly.

“Huh- you,” your eyes widen slightly as you recognize the man standing before you. “Couldn’t shoot your shot last night so you’ve decided to stalk me at work, now, huh?”

“Huh, no! I don’t even know you,” he argues.

“Awful strange for it to be a coincidence though,” you hum, motioning for your coworker to take over for you. “I’m sorry, sir, but I refuse to serve you.”

Luckily, no one else but your coworker is in the shop with you.

Moving off to the side, you take a seat at an empty table, only to have a muffin placed in front of you in the next second. Looking up you see the same man from last night.

“Look, I think we got off on the wrong foot,” he begins. “I’m sorry for bumping into you last night, and I had no intention of mistreating you. I came to get some bread, and I swear to you it’s only a mere coincidence you work here. I don’t like misunderstandings, so I hope you can accept my apology.”

Bowing his head slightly in your direction, you sit there, slightly stunned before a smirk takes over your features.

“Nah, I’m just pulling your leg,” you grin. “I’m Hinami, nice to meet you.”

Extending your hand out for him to shake, you watch as he looks at you hesitantly before extending his own hand out for you to shake.

Jin swears he feels sparks where your hands meet, but he remains in character.

“Seokmin,” he nods. “I best be going now.”

Without another word, he leaves the shop, the door letting out a little chime on his way out.

As soon as he’s gone, your coworker is coming up to you and taking a piece of your muffin.

“Who was that?” She asks, teasing smile tugging at her lips.

“Nobody important, just some guy I met last night,” you shrug.

“Oh?” She quirks an eyebrow.

“It’s not like that,” you roll your eyes, taking a bite of the muffin.

“Well, it should be, he’s hot,” she wiggles her eyebrows suggestively, only causing you to hit her shoulder lightly.

“Stop that, will you,” you lean back in your chair. “He’s not my type, anyways. I can just tell he’s too stuck up and pretentious for his own good.”

“Maybe you’re just too quick to judge,” she sends you a look. “Or maybe, he just needs a little reminder on how to have fun.”

“Maybe,” a small smile tugs at your lips as you stare out the door in which he disappeared from. Shaking your head shortly after, you snap yourself out of your thoughts, “shouldn’t you be working?”

“Says you!” Your coworker, laughs.

“Hey, get back to work!” You stand, smacking her arm in the process, only causing her to laugh more.

“And, cut!” Joe calls. “That was great!”

Jin reappears from around the corner, moving over to the monitors as you all go to watch the scene replay on screen. A smile rests on his face as he hears the praise for the both of you on screen.

Already, he can tell that everyone is starting to notice the natural chemistry between the two of you on screen, just like he predicted. He can’t wait to continue filming with you over the next few months.

After the director approves the final scene for the day, you’re heading back to the stylists to change and head home. On your way out, you manage to catch Jin standing off to the side on his phone.

“Hey, good work today,” you smile, and he looks up to meet your eyes.

Once he sees that it’s you, a faint blush rises up his neck, “thanks, you as well.”

“Thank you,” you say. “Anyways, I’ll see you tomorrow.”

With a final wave, you’re leaving set and heading home for the evening. Jin cannot help but stare longingly after you, desperately waiting for the day where the two of you can leave set together for your shared house. He can’t wait to spoil you after a long day of filming, drawing you a bath and just helping you relax overall. He knows just how he would help you relax, too.

A shiver runs down his spine as he thinks of these things. He licks his lips, letting a small sigh escape past them. Soon, he tells himself. He’ll be able to spoil and pamper you at home soon.

The next two weeks pass by in a blur for him. Each day that he gets to spend time with you on set, he finds himself falling more and more for you. The way you bring your character to life in each scene never fails to amaze him, and he can tell you’re impressed with him, too. You even compliment him every day before going home on his acting, or on how well he did that day in general.

So far, with the amount of shooting you’ve been doing, you’ve all been able to get an episode filmed per week, and are now filming the third episode.

Jin has been slightly nervous for today’s film schedule, as you’ll be filming the date scene today. He stayed up pretty late last night, wanting to get this scene perfect for you. Everything has to go smoothly, so he can show you that, in part, he won’t even need to act for this scene. He’s already practically in love with you, so portraying the ‘falling in love’ effect will be a piece of cake.

As soon as the director yells action, the restaurant around you begins bustling with activity. Your eyes skim the menu, as Jin’s do the same, sneaking glances at one another every now and again.

“The sirloin steaks are to die for,” he comments, eyes flicking over to see you nod your head subtly.

“I’ll just have whatever you’re having,” you say, a nervous smile tugging at your lips as the waiter comes over to your table with the drinks.

After he orders for you, the two of you exchange the polite conversation your characters are suppose to, leading up to this moment.

As the two of you eat, Jin takes this time to notice that you’re picking at your food, easily portraying concern for you.

“Is something wrong? Is the food not to your liking?” His brow furrows, pausing his own meal to watch you closely.

“No, no, it’s not that,” you reassure him, sending him a small smile.

“Then what is it?” He can feel his heart racing in his chest, and he has to remind himself to stay calm.

“Well,” you sigh, putting your fork down on the side of the plate, “don’t you think this is all a bit much?”

This only serves to confuse and concern him more, “what do you mean?”

“I mean,” you avoid his gaze, “isn’t this a little much for a first date? The fancy restaurant and all that. I don’t mean to sound ungrateful, but do you really think this is all worth it?”

You portray your character’s insecurity well, fidgeting with your hands slightly under the table and avoiding his gaze. This causes him to put his own fork down, giving you his full, undivided attention.

“Why would you think that?” He inquires, locking his hands together so he can gaze at you from behind them.

“I mean, no one has ever done something like this for me, are you sure I’m-“

“You’re worth it,” he doesn’t even let you finish speaking your line before he’s cutting you off. He didn’t even need to act for that line, because to him, you are worth it. You will always be worth it.

The sincerity in his voice causes your eyes to widen in slight surprise, but it works for your character.

“I know we haven’t know each other for very long, but I like you,” he begins. “I really like you, and I want to see where this relationship takes us. I don’t know who has told you otherwise, but you are worth it.” He pauses, before added something of his own, “you will always be worth it to me.”

Suddenly, it’s as if the two of you are alone together. No cameras. No crew watching your every movement with the director waiting at the sidelines. It’s just you and him. Jin can feel his heart racing as he looks into your eyes, and he knows that you can tell he’s being serious right now. That he means every word he’s saying to you, scripted or not.

“Seokmin,” you whisper his character’s name, and Jin is brought crashing back to reality as the director yells ‘cut’.

That’s right, you’re not alone. You’re not on a real date, and you’re not together.

Jin grits his teeth slightly as the crew praises him for his delivery of his lines, and the emotion he’s put into them. The director even tells him to keep in his little added line when reshooting the scene. Well, that is, if they choose to reshoot it.

“Hey, are you okay?” Your voice manages to pull him out of his swirling thoughts of having his moment with you interrupted.

“Huh? Oh, yeah,” he clears his throat. “Why do you ask?”

“It’s just, you seemed a bit too immersed in that scene, I was scared you were going to get emotional on me on our first date,” you joke, attempting to lighten the mood.

He lets out a chuckle along with you, “I’m good, just got really into the scene, like you said.”

“Well, you’re doing great, so keep up the good work,” you wink at him before heading off to grab some water before filming starts back up again.

Jin sits there, stunned, for a moment, before he’s shaking his head and standing up himself. Moving over to the refreshments table, Jin manages to run into Jaehwan.

“So, how’s the, ‘I’m going to make my costar fall as desperately in love with me as I am with her’ plan going?” Jaehwan teases as soon as he sees Jin.

“Shut up, that’s not a thing,” Jin rolls his eyes, taking a sip from his water bottle.

“Uh-huh, sure it’s not,” Jaehwan smirks. “I feel like now would be a good time to tell you they changed the filming schedule for next week. A few scenes are going to happen much quicker now since the premier episode resonated well with viewers.”

“What scenes are you talking about?” Jin’s brow furrows slightly in confusion.

“I’m surprised you don’t already know,” he goes on to say.

“Jaehwan, what scenes?” Jin asks firmly.

“The confession scene, and then the following events that take place afterwards,” with a suggestive wiggle of his eyebrows, Jaehwan is leaving a stunned Jin at the refreshments table, laughing all the while.

The confession scene. The scene in which wasn’t supposed to be filmed for another two or so weeks. Jin was hoping that the two of you would actually be in some sort of relationship by then so it would be more realistic, and the two of you wouldn’t have to act too much, but it looks like there’s a change of plans. Well, he still doesn’t need to try very hard, but he was hoping to confess his true feelings to you before confessing them on a screen.

What he’s most excited for though, is the scene that follows. He can already feel his heart racing at the thought of filming this scene with you. The sex scene.

Preferable, he’d rather perform this act with you alone, on a night full of passion and love, but he guesses he’ll just have to tease you until you can experience the real thing. He’ll make sure you can feel his passion and desire for you burn through, letting you know that he lives to please you, and only you.

Granted, things won’t be as intimate as he would like since the two of you won’t be fully naked. The editors will only make it look like the act is taking place, but he still gets to kiss you. He gets to kiss you.

Again, he would have rather preferred your first kiss together not to be onscreen, but he can make an exception. After all, this is you he’s talking about, and you’re worth waiting for.

He can’t wait for the day when he can wake up beside you and shower you with as many kisses as he wants. Maybe even wake you up in some other, more fun ways. That is, if you would be okay with something like that. He respects you enough to not overstep your boundaries.

Laying in bed that night, Jin finds himself staring at his ceiling, picturing all the different outcomes next week can end in. Out of everything, he just hopes it ends in a good one, and that by next week, your relationship can take a leap in a positive direction.

Seeing you everyday on set and not being able to hold you in his arms, or kiss you like he so desperately wants, is driving him insane. Sure, acting as your love interest is fun and all, but it’s just that. Acting. What he wants, is for it to be real.

The next few days pass by agonizingly slow for Seokjin. The two of you are doing a lot of solo filming, and all he wants to do is continue to film with you.

He’s just finishing getting ready to go home Friday evening when he hears a soft knock come from the door of his dressing room. Moving over, he opens it to see you standing just outside. He has to blink a few times to make sure he’s not imagining this.

“Hey, a few of us are going to go out for drinks tonight,” you say, motioning with your head to the small group of people standing a little ways behind you. “Want to come?”

“I would love to,” the words are out of his mouth before he can think too much of them.

A smile graces his lips as he exits his trailer and follows you back over to the group. This may be his only chance to start something with you, and get you to see him as something more than just your costar.

While at the bar, you find yourself laughing along with your coworkers, and having a grand time. Eventually, a few of them leave for the evening, until it’s just you and Jin sitting at a table near the back, sipping on your drinks.

“So, Jin,” you calling out his name grabs his attention, “we haven’t spent too much time together off set yet. Tell me about yourself.”

“It’s not intentional,” he immediately says, and you laugh.

“I know, don’t worry,” you smile at him, and he swears his heart has stopped. “I just figured since we’re in this together, we should actually spend some time with one another and get to know each other better.”

“I agree,” he smiles back. “What would you like to know?”

“Well,” you hum, tapping a finger on your chin as if in thought, “you said I was an inspiration to the beginning of your acting career, but I want to know more. What do you like about the industry? What don’t you like about the industry? Am I really the reason you started acting, or was that just something you said to make me like you in the moment?”

“I wasn’t lying when I said you were my inspiration,” he says, looking directly into your eyes with so much sincerity, it makes your heart skip a beat. “I never thought I would get to where I am today, but it’s all because of you. If I’m being honest, your passion and drive inspired me to become the actor I am today. Every time I see you on screen, you never fail to bring whatever character you’re playing to life, and I am continuously blown away by your performances on set every day.”

“You flatter me,” a heat rises to your cheeks as you look away from him in embarrassment, and he can’t help but to admire you in this moment.

“I’m just being honest,” he smiles softly at you. “Though to answer your other questions, I don’t like how some people just believe you are your character, and not your own person. I guess that’s one of the downsides. That, and, once you reach a certain level of fame, you barely get any privacy.”

“No kidding, I’ve already had to change hotels three times because the fans keep finding out where I’m staying at in the city while filming this show,” you admit, only causing his eyes to widen and jaw to clench. Those inconsiderate fans don’t deserve you; they should respect your privacy. “In fact, I’m surprised that no one has bothered us here yet.”

“You don’t have to worry about that, I’ve known Yoongi since high school,” he sends a quick wave to the bartender behind the counter, who smiles and waves back. “He won’t tell anyone where we are, this is his place and that’s why the crew chose it.”

“That’s reassuring,” you breathe a sigh of relief before meeting his gaze, “but yeah, I agree with you. Having fans confuse you and your character so much that they believe you to be that certain character all the time is frustrating. I just wish sometimes people could separate the actor from the character, it makes me feel…”

You trail off, but he can already tell what words you’re searching for, “like people don’t know the real you. Like they only like you, they only want you, for your character.”

“Exactly!” You nod, a sort of sad smile on your face. “I’m glad we understand each other.”

“Me too,” he grins, taking a sip of his drink. “Anyways, what about you?”

“What about me?” You chuckle.

“What are some other things you don’t like about the industry we’re in?” He asks, curious to get to know all he can about you.

“One thing that really frustrates me, especially during new projects, is when my costars try to get in my pants within the first two weeks of shooting. They don’t even try to hide what they’re doing, either,” you admit, and Jin finds himself clenching his fists beneath the table in anger. “It’s like all they want is the chance to say they slept with me, and that’s it. Like my name is some trophy to be hung around everyone else. They don’t care about (Y/n), the person, they only care about sleeping with (Y/n), the actress.”

Jin takes a risk and gently grabs your hand in his on top of the table, looking deep into your eyes as he speaks his next words carefully.

“I’m so sorry that you have to experience something like that,” he squeezes your hand gently. “No one should feel as if their self worth is reliant on status, and that’s what these assholes are doing. You are worth so much more than what these disgusting excuses of humans make you out to be, and if they cannot respect you enough as a person, they never deserved you in the first place.”

“Thank you, Jin, that really means a lot to me,” you squeeze his hand back, sending him a grateful smile. “I should probably get going now, but I’ll see you Monday on set, okay?”

With a final smile, you’re standing up from your seat, gathering your things, and bidding Jin a goodnight, but not before placing a gentle kiss onto his cheek.

Jin is frozen to his spot as he watches you pay for your drinks, then leave. A goofy grin is on his face as he brings his hand up to cover the spot on his cheek where you kissed him. His heart is racing erratically in his chest, and he swears he could not be happier than he is in this moment, right here, right now.

“Somebody had a moment with their celebrity crush,” Yoongi’s teasing voice pulls Jin out of his fantasy world.

“Shut up,” Jin can’t even be bothered to deny it. The two of you shared a moment, that much he can tell. He just hopes you’ll give him a chance to woo you, and not categorize him in with the others. After all, he loves you for you, and he would never hesitate to let you know that.

If Jin thought the past few days were agonizingly slow, waiting to see you again on Monday after the evening he just had with you was absolutely excruciating. By the time Monday happens to roll around, Jin finds himself bouncing onto set in excitement.

“Woah, what happened to you?” Jaehwan comments as soon as he sees his best friend arriving earlier to set than usual.

“Nothing,” Jin hums. “Why do you ask?”

“No reason,” Jaehwan chuckles, knowing clearly that something must have happened with you and him over the past few days in order to put him in such a good mood.

The whole time Jin sits in his chair getting his hair and makeup done, he finds he can’t sit still. Both the makeup artist and the hairdresser have already scolded him for fidgeting around so much, but he can’t help it.

He doesn’t see you until he makes it to the sound stage that day, and he swears you look even more beautiful than the first time he saw you in person. You have this natural glow about you, and as soon as you see him, a smile crosses your features.

“Good morning, Jin, how was your weekend?” Walking up to him, you greet him enthusiastically.

“Great,” he lies smoothly. “How was yours?”

He listens to you talk about what your weekend was like, and he notices how open you are with him. Considering how you were on your first morning on set, he never would have thought you would be this energetic on a Monday morning. Maybe you’re just in a really good mood, and he can’t help but to think he had something to do with it.

A few minutes later, Joe calls for everyone’s attention on set, and for the shooting to begin for today. Jin can feel his palms begin to sweat at the thought of the first scene the two of you will be filming together. Your first kiss.

Once everything is set up, the director calls for the scene to start, and Jin needs to take a deep breath to calm his nerves. He hasn’t been this nervous since the first days of his career.

“Hinami, wait,” he grabs your wrist before you can leave his apartment.

“Why should I? You lied to me, and now you tell me that your ex-fiancée is back in town wanting to go out with you?” You scoff, tears gathering in your eyes. “Was I just a distraction to you? A distraction from her?”

“No, please, Hinami, you don’t understand-“ he tries to explain himself, but you cut him off before he can continue.

“I understand as clear as day,” the first of your tears run down your cheek, and Jin can’t stop his heart from clenching, even if it’s all just an act. “This is why I don’t settle down, there’s too much at risk, and I always end up getting hurt.”

Without another word, you yank your wrist from his grip and once again turn to leave his apartment. However, before you can get more than two steps, Jin is once again grabbing your arm, and pulling you into his chest this time.

“I can’t just let you go,” he whispers, staring deep into your eyes.

“Oh? And why is that?” You sniff, and he uses this opportunity to wipe at your tears with his thumb.

“Because I love you,” with those words, he’s pressing his lips to yours.

He can hear the way your breath hitches as he pours all of his emotion into the kiss, wanting you to feel his passion burning through for you. He wants you to know that to him, this is real, and he isn’t just kissing you for the cameras. He’s kissing you, and he never wants it to end.

Almost as soon as it started, the kiss comes to an end, and the director is yelling ‘cut’. Yet again, Jin finds himself being pulled back into reality as he does his best to control his breathing, feeling everyone’s eyes on the two of you.

What he doesn’t expect, is for the director to run the scene four more times in order to make sure they get the kiss right. Well, he knows they do multiple takes, but the thought of getting to kiss you multiple times seemed to have slipped his mind. He always thought he was only going to get one shot at this, but now he gets to kiss you even more.

Each time he kisses you, even if just for a brief moment, it’s better than the last, and he cherishes every moment of it. He finds himself greatly anticipating for what else is to come later that same day.

Soon enough, the director is happy with the amount of takes they have of this scene, and he announces for everyone to take lunch. Once they return, they’ll film the bedroom scene and then call it a day for the scenes the two of you are in together.

Jin can’t help how antsy he feels all throughout lunch. This may be his only chance to be in a situation like this with you, and he doesn’t want to fuck it up.

Before shooting the scene, a few of the choreographers come up to the two of you and coach you through how to go about filming this scene without it being too awkward between the two of you. You, already having filmed scenes like this in other works of yours, already know what to do, so you just tell Jin to follow your lead. A fact which he just nods at.

After changing into your respective clothing pieces for the scene, the two of you get ready to film the bout of passion that will be taking place soon. Jin finds himself shifting slightly in the briefs they’ve made him wear which are supposed to contain his dick in case he gets a hard-on.

He nearly scoffs. As if he’s going to be like some hormonal teenage boy and get a boner while filming a sex scene with you. He’s a professional, he can control himself.

He can barely hear Joe call action over the racing of his heart, but he doesn’t need to think for too long, as you’re the one attaching your lips to his first.

Following your lead, he lets you guide him to the bed, stripping each other of clothes at the respective times you’re supposed to. He doesn’t even need to remind himself to groan, for feeling you hovering above him causes him to react naturally to you.

Once you’re both shirtless, and he has you laying on your back, the director calls for a break in the scene. Jin finds he has to nearly tear himself away from you. He swears that you’re kissing him for real, and not pretending to be this passionate for the camera. There’s no way you’re faking this.

Readjusting your positions, the scene shifts so the two of you are now under the covers, making it look like you two are tangled in a lover’s embrace. The only things separating the two of you are your undergarments, and Jin wants nothing more than to rip them off of you and claim you for himself, but he wouldn’t do that. Not with everyone watching.

Gritting his teeth slightly before the cameras start rolling again, he thinks about how everyone is watching the two of you right now. He’d much rather have you beneath him in the comfort of his own home, without the added onlookers. Only he should be able to see you like this.

As soon as the cameras start rolling again, Jin is putting as much effort into showing you how well he can please you as before. He takes his time to grind into you, making it look like the two of you are making love in the silence of night. You hands in his hair, as well as the breathless moans you release into his ear, only serve to spur him on further.

His briefs are uncomfortably tight as they end the scene, and the two of you pull away from each other.

One of the wardrobe helpers tosses you a robe to cover yourself with, to which you thank them. Standing up, you move to get changed into your next outfit to shoot in, cheeks becoming hot as you think back to the way Jin felt on top of you.

You’ve always admired him, thinking him to be extremely handsome, but you never acted on it. You’re worried he’s just going to be like all your other costars, wanting to get in your pants and be done with you, but after spending Friday evening with him, you can tell he’s different.

One thing’s for sure, you’re definitely going to get to know him better.

Meanwhile, Jin finds himself needing a moment alone in his dressing room to calm down. He thought he could act professional and not get hard during your intimate scene together, but oh, how wrong he was. Having you beneath him, holding onto him like you need him, and no one else, whining into his ear, had him seeing stars. If only it were real.

No matter, he swears to himself that it will become a reality, and soon. He’s decided, he’s going to have you, one way or another. After all, you’re perfect for each other, and that scene has just confirmed it for him.

For the rest of the week, the whole set can feel the shift between you and Jin. There’s an unspoken tension between the two of you now, ever since the scene you filmed together on Monday, and it only continues to rise each moment you spend together on set.

Jin can hardly take it anymore. He swears there are times around set where you purposely tease him, it’s driving him insane. The small comments you say here and there that aren’t so innocent, the subtle touches. He swears you’re going to give him a heart attack if the two of you don’t act on these feelings soon.

Currently, it’s Friday evening, and the two of you have just finished filming for the evening. You’re getting ready to head back to your hotel for the evening when you hear a slight knock come from your dressing room door.

Opening it reveals Jin standing there with his back to you. Clearing your throat slightly causes him to turn around to face you, a smile adorning his lips as he takes in your appearance.

“Hey,” he breathes.

“Hi,” you reply, lip tugging up at the corner as you stare at him.

“I was wondering if you wanted to grab a few drinks with me tonight?” He clears his throat, “maybe continue to get to know each other better.”

“I would love that,” you smile, grabbing your stuff before following him off the set and to his car.

The whole ride over there, the two of you make small talk, both still being able to feel the tension rising the more time you spend together. Soon though, the two of you relax as you arrive at the bar, having a few drinks and getting to know each other better.

Jin is able to make you laugh, and you can’t help but feel your heart race every time he looks at you. He understands you, and for that, you couldn’t be more grateful.

After a few hours at the bar, your phone rings, your manager’s name lighting up your screen. Excusing yourself for a minute, you answer the phone.

Jin can’t help but to eavesdrop on your conversation, and from the sounds of it, something bad is happening. Sipping on his drink, he hears you hang up with a sigh, coming back to sit across from him once more.

“Is everything okay?” He asks, looking at you with concern clear in his eyes.

“The fans found out which hotel I’m staying at again, and now they’re surrounding the building, waiting for me to return,” you explain, a defeated look on your face. “They can’t find me another hotel for another three hours or so, and even then, it might be a challenge to get my stuff out of the one I’m supposed to be staying at right now.”

“If you want, you can stay at my place for the evening,” Jin offers without even thinking about it.

Your eyes widen at his words, “you would do that for me?”

“Of course,” he smiles reassuringly at you. “I don’t want you being stuck for hours without having a place to stay.”

“That’s really sweet of you,” you say, “but I don’t want to impose.”

“You could never,” comes his honest reply, staring deeply into your eyes.

“Thank you, Seokjin, that really means a lot to me,” you tell him, a look of relief crossing your features.

“It’s really no problem,” he says, finishing off his drink and standing up as you do the same. “It’d be my pleasure.”

With those words, the two of you are paying for your drinks, bidding Yoongi a good night, and heading out the door.

The ride over to Jin’s place is silent, neither of you saying anything as you text your manager what’s going on. The unspoken tension seems to be making a reappearance the closer you get to his house, yet neither of you act on it.

Arriving to his house, Jin unlocks the door, guiding you inside.

“It’s not much, but it’s home,” he smiles at you, flicking on the lights.

“It’s beautiful,” you comment, taking in the modern design of the layout and architecture.

“Here, I’ll show you to the guest room,” he says, leading you up the stairs and down the hallway to the left.

“I literally cannot thank you enough for letting me stay here tonight, Jin,” you tell him once you reach the guest room.

“Don’t mention it,” he smiles at you. “There should be some clothes in the closet that you can use to sleep in if you’d like. Feel free to wear whatever is most comfortable for you. I’m in the room just down the hall on the right if you need anything. Feel free to help yourself to whatever’s in the kitchen, too.”

“Alright, thank you,” you nod at him while smiling. “Goodnight, Jin.”

“Goodnight, (Y/n),” he smiles back, gently shutting the door behind him so you can change.

He stays like that for a minute, just listening to you moving behind the door. He can hardly believe that this is happening right now, his whole body feels like it’s on fire. You’re here, in his home, spending the night together. Well, not together, but still, he could not be more excited.

Moving over to his room, he takes his time getting ready for bed, still feeling as if this is a dream. Once he’s done his nightly routine, and changed into a pair of sweats, he heads to the kitchen to grab a glass of water before bed.

Turning around as he sips on the water, he nearly chokes as he sees you standing there, wide eyed, in nothing but one of his old shirts.

“Sorry, I didn’t mean to scare you,” your voice comes out timid, moving past him to grab a glass of water.

Your eyes look around his kitchen, doing your best not to stare at his bare chest as you attempt to find an empty glass for water. Noticing your hesitance, he motions to one of the cabinets on the top left beside the fridge.

“Thanks,” you breathe, opening the cabinet and reaching up to grab a glass.

Now, he swears you’re doing this on purpose just to tease him, for the shirt you’re wearing rides up slightly to reveal more of your thighs, just barely covering your ass. He swallows hard, and he finds it harder to control himself around you.

He wants you. Badly.

He watches as you fill your glass up, tilting your head back in the next moment to drink it. He swallows hard.

Putting your glass into the sink, you’re just about to turn back around when you feel Jin press himself against your back, putting his own empty glass into the sink. Turning around in his arms, you stare into his eyes. Eyes which are now clouding over in lust and desire for you. Now it’s your turn to swallow hard.

The two of you say nothing, instead, staring deeply into each other’s eyes. You can tell he’s holding himself back from doing what he wants, but you can wait. After all, you’ve been waiting for him to make a move since Monday.

“You drive me crazy, you know that?” He breathes, closing his eyes briefly as if to contain his thoughts. “I’ve always admired you, and now, seeing you in my house, practically teasing me by only wearing one of my shirts,” he trails off, eyes flashing open in the next moment to lock with yours once again, “it’s driving me insane.”

You’re breathing deepens along with his, and you can practically feel the tension in his arms as he keeps you trapped against the counter.

A smirk tugs at your lips as you continue to stare into his eyes, “do something about it, then.”

“With pleasure,” he all but growls, crashing his lips to yours in the next moment.

The kiss is filled with everything he couldn’t say to you on set, and more. All of his emotions, his desires for you coming through as he deepens the kiss, pulling you as close to him as possible, wanting to feel all of you pressed against him.

You kiss him with just as much passion as he’s kissing you, a fact that sends his head spinning. This means even more to him now since he knows it’s just the two of you. No one else watching, no one else to interrupt.

Breaking away from your lips, he trails his own down your neck, nipping at your skin as he goes, and eliciting the most beautiful noises from your mouth.

“Come on, baby girl,” he groans against your skin, pulling away from you briefly to look into your eyes once more, “as much as I would like to, I’m not going to fuck you in my kitchen for our first time together.”

His words have your heart racing in your chest, your stomach twisting at the thought of what is to come.

Placing another quick kiss onto your lips, he’s grabbing your hand and leading you back upstairs to his room. He closes the door behind him with his foot, opting to lay you down on the bed once you’re close enough to do so.

He has to take a moment to ground himself. He can’t count the amount of times he’s fantasized about something like this happening, and now for it to actually be true, makes him feel as if he’s floating on cloud nine.

He watches as you spread your legs for him, his shirt riding up as more skin on your thighs are revealed to him. He licks his lips, allowing his hands to trail up your legs, feeling every inch of your skin beneath his fingertips.

“You’re so beautiful,” he whispers, letting his hands trail underneath the fabric of the shirt your wearing as he connects your lips once more.

Your hands trail over the expanse of his chest, fingertips dancing across his skin as he grinds into you, letting you feel how hard he is already for you. He feels your hands coming up to tangle in his hair, pulling at the roots in order to bring him closer to you. A fact which has a groan escaping the back of his throat.

“Jin,” he hears you whine his name as your one hand trails down his stomach and to the waistband of his sweats.

His heart skips a beat as he feels you sneak your hand beneath the material of his sweats to cup him, letting your hand pump him a few times before your thumb is teasingly stroking over his tip.

He continues to litter your neck with kisses as he feels you stroking him with your hand, continuing to run your thumb over his tip with each movement of your wrist. Your hand feels better than anything he could have ever imagined, and all too soon, you’re moving your hand away.

Moving his own hands further up your shirt, he grips your breasts, only now realizing you haven’t been wearing a bra this whole time.

A moan escapes his lips as he runs his thumb over your pert nipples, “baby girl, you’re such a tease.”

“Only for you, baby,” you purr back, smirk dancing on your features as you watch his eyes darken even more.

“I think it’s time we got rid of this, don’t you?” Now it’s his turn to smirk, watching as you sit up so he can pull the shirt you’re wearing off your body, and tossing it to the ground. He takes a moment to admire you, laying bare beneath him, “like I said, beautiful.”

A gasp escapes your lips as you feel his mouth attach to one of your nipples, using his hand to toy with the other as his tongue dances over your skin. He takes his time with each one, eliciting a symphony of sounds out of your mouth for him, and only him to hear.

Locking eyes with you, he trails open mouth kisses down your body, stopping at the top of your panties. Looping a finger beneath the waistband, he teases you by pulling it slightly, only to let it snap back against your skin. The whine you let out only causes him to smirk, but he knows he can’t resist giving you what you want.

After all, he lives to please you.

Ever so slowly, he slides your panties off your legs, tossing them somewhere in his room. Spreading you legs, he licks his lips as he can see your cunt practically dripping with your juices, begging for him to have a taste. However, he can’t resist teasing you a little more.

Running his thumb along your entrance, he collects your wetness, moaning at the sight before him.

“Fuck, you’re so wet for me,” he groans, bringing his thumb up to rub at your clit, hearing you moan for him in response.

He continues to stroke your clit as he lays down further on his stomach, head becoming level with your pussy. He finds himself licking his lips before diving in, licking a long strip from your core to your clit.

Closing his eyes, he lets out a moan in bliss. You taste exquisite on his tongue, and he wants more.

Gripping your thighs, he holds your legs open as he devours your pussy, eating you out like a starved man. His tongue laps at your clit before moving back down to your entrance, wanting to taste every part of you that he can.

He can hear your breathing pick up, moans of his name falling from your lips like a mantra as your hands come to tangle in his hair. He focuses his tongue solely on your clit now, sucking it into his mouth before flicking at it with his tongue. He knows you’re getting close, and he wants to watch you fall apart from his tongue. He’ll admit, he’s greedy, and he’ll take everything you offer him tonight.

With a final cry of his name, your back is arching off his bed as your orgasm washes over you. He continues to lap at your pussy, making sure to get every last drop of your essence he can, wanting you to drown in the pleasure only he can provide for you.

You have to pull him away from you in order to get him to stop, and the smirk on his lips tells you that he would have gladly continued if you didn’t pull him away.

Licking his lips, he crawls back up your body as you guide his lips to yours once more. His breath hitches in his throat as he feels you flip the two of you over, you now resting on top of him.

“You had your fun, now let me have mine,” you smirk down at him as a whine escapes the back of his throat.

Ever so slowly, just like he did to you, you remove his sweats. Taking his cock into your hand, you pump him a few times before lining him up with your entrance.

“Wait,” his voice has you freezing in your movements, worried you might have done something wrong, or overstepped your boundaries.

You end up breathing a small sigh of relief as you watch him open his bedside drawer, only to pull out a condom shortly after. He grins up at you as the two of you lock eyes, you mirroring his expression soon after.

Ripping open the package, you gently roll the condom onto his length before lining him up with your entrance once more. You rub his tip against your folds a few times to collect your wetness before slowly sinking down onto his cock.

Moans escape both of your lips as you take all of him into you. His hands are gripping your sides firmly as he feels your walls clenching around him, adjusting to his size. He can barely contain himself, for all he wants to do is make you feel good in this moment, but seeing you above him, mouth open in a silent gasp of pleasure, is enough to have him waiting for you to make the first move.

Ever so slowly, you begin to move your hips. Giving a small rut at first, seemingly testing the waters, you begin grinding down into him with more intensity. You begin to rock back and forth on his cock, setting a sensual pace as he pulls you down to attach his lips to yours once more.

Using his hands to help guide your movements, Jin cannot contain the moans of your name that fall past his lips. This is everything he could have ever hoped for, and more. Seeing you above him like this, to him, there is no greater sight, and the way you call out for him, breathless and needy, sets his heart racing in his chest.

He can feel himself getting closer with each movement you give, but he knows he can’t come just yet. From the way you’re beginning to clench around him, he knows you’re getting close, too, but he wants the two of you to come together for your first time.

Bringing his hand down, he uses his thumb to circle your clit, eliciting a sharp inhale from you, only causing him to smirk.

“That’s it baby, just like that,” he praises, grip tightening on your thigh as he increases the speed of his thumb on your clit.

You can feel the pressure building in your stomach for the second time that evening, and you’re ready to tumble off the cliff of ecstasy once more. Not without him, though.

“Come on, baby,” you stare into his eyes, placing your forehead on top of his. “Come with me.”

Your words have him tumbling over the edge, and he finds himself letting out a loud cry of your name as he feels you spasming around him. He can hardly register the cry of his own name that you let out as you come for him for a second time, over the ringing of his ears. He also doesn’t realize, that in his lust filled haze, he utters three words that he was saving for a later time.

Breathing heavily, you collapse onto his chest, the both of you coming down from your highs. Jin makes sure to wrap you in his arms as you lay on top of his chest, wanting to bask in this moment for as long as he can. He can’t believe that just happened, and he wants to experience your beauty in the afterglow for as long as he can.

He feels you shifting above him, slowly detaching yourself from him as you head to the bathroom to clean yourself up. While you’re gone, he disposes of the condom and slips on a pair his boxers. Laying on the bed, he patiently waits for you to return.

Coming out of the bathroom, he watches your every move as you grab his discarded shirt from the floor, slipping it back over your head before crawling back into his bed with him. Immediately, he’s wrapping you in his arms as your head comes to rest on his chest.

“Wow,” you breath, and he can’t help how his chest fills with pride at your breathless statement. “So,” you begin, turning your head to look up expectantly at him with a smirk dancing across your features, “do you really love me, or was the sex just that good that it was something you said in the moment without realizing it?”

His eyes widen as he looks down at you like a deer in headlights, “uh.”

“Nah, I’m just kidding,” you chuckle, snuggling deeper into his side. “I like you, too.”

He finds himself breathing a slight sigh of relief, and he’s sure you can hear how loud his heart is pounding in his chest at your statement. Bringing his hand up, he brushes some of your hair back from your face.

“I do really like you, (Y/n),” he admits, hearing you hum, waiting for him to continue, “and I would love to pursue an actual romantic relationship with you. That is, if you’ll have me.”

You hum once more, “that depends.”

“On what?” He asks, somewhat nervous to find out what your conditions are.

“You don’t have some secret shrine dedicated to me somewhere in your house, do you?” You look up at him, quirking a brow in amusement.

“Oh god, no,” he laughs, shaking his head.

Those days are behind him. Besides, if the media were to ever find out that he did, they’d have a field day.

“Then I think that can be arranged,” you smile, resting your head on his chest once more.

He falls asleep that night with a smile on his face, and you in his arms. He can’t wait until morning, because now he knows something for sure. You’re his, and nothing is going to change that.

#part of the BTS dark & wild series #yandere au #yandere bts #yandere kpop #jin scenario #yandere jin #yandere seokjin #bangtan #bangtan scenarios #seokjin scenario #smut #kpop #kpop scenario #kpop smut #yandere #bts #kim seokjin

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mrwinterr · 5 years ago

Text

Follow You

Pairing: Bucky Barnes x Female Reader

Summary: A song fic inspired by the song “Follow You” - Night Riots

Warnings: Fluff. Stalking? Mentions of sex and maybe masturbation (but only if that’s how you judge the actions in this story, nothing graphic). Reader is also not related to anyone in this story, just in case that question should arise in one’s mind.

A/N: This is a repost as I’m getting settled on this new blog. This was and still stands as of right now, my only Bucky Barnes fanfic. I swear the song isn’t as creepy as it sounds. It’s nonetheless a jam, so if you need music recommendation, check the band out!

It’s not usual for the common area to be empty, especially in the morning as almost everyone in the building is an early riser. Bucky’s eyes gloss over the span of the room, not seeing any sign of his teammates, until they caught onto an image printed on the front page of today’s newspaper.

He recognizes your face on the print as part of the medical team within the building. He’s seen you a few times in passing or attending to any injuries and the occasional company events, but nothing more. He didn’t even know your name. He studied your features carefully. Your hair was all over the place, you had a small cut on your cheek, and you were clutching your left hand, which was visibly wounded. What kind of tussle did you get yourself into?

The full story revealed you helping fight off an assailant targeting his teammate Sam Wilson, who’s slowly being recognized as the new Captain America. This would explain where everyone might be. Taking place at night, you weren’t too far from the compound with Sam, but the person was clearly on a mission. It was a surprise attack. You were in the wrong place at the wrong time. The appeal of the story was how a civilian was able to hold her weight against someone who was trained to and purposely cause harm. Much like the paper, Bucky was enamored by the act of bravery. He read the story over and over, stared at every photo you were in, but he wanted to know so much more. He was captivated.

I saw your face inside the newspaper You saved your brother but your hand got burned

The training room was usually empty when he visited it, except that day he found Sam sparing with you. Unfortunately, your courageous story created unwanted attention. Secret intel revealed there was a threat by the previous attacker’s organization. It changed your life. You were forced to take extra steps in precaution, so he was helping you strengthen your defensive skills. The moment Bucky stepped in and looked at you, his breath got caught in his throat.

You turned your head in his direction as Sam called out his name. Bucky stood there unmoved, eyes only trained on you, and Sam took this as an opportunity to crack a joke. Bucky slightly shook his head and mouthed a quick comeback to which earned him a laugh from you. His body loosened up at the sound of your voice and he managed to give you a small smile. He found that laugh to be one of the sweetest things he’s ever heard, and it led his mind to wonder what else he could do to be able to find out how other noises would sound like coming out of your mouth.

Your hair was wild just like a lion’s fur I wanna laugh with you and make you purr

Your image never left his mind. He finally learned your name and your role on the medical team. He saw firsthand and already had a general sense that you could take care of yourself, but the attacks opened a can of worms. It could only get worse. In fact, within a few months, the next several attempts at your own life and anyone that seemed suspicious, Bucky would be there to divert danger away from you. He took them all out. He discovered you lived alone a couple of miles away from the compound. He felt a need to keep you safe, so using his stealth techniques he commits to your routine and remembering the route to your home. He was following you.

I will follow you home Cause I know where you live You’ll never be alone Cause I know where you live

It becomes more than that for Bucky. He takes a new course in the compound ensuring that he passes by the big glass window that separates him and the medical team just to see if you’ve made it to work alright. Sometimes he lingers a little longer than usual and catches your gaze through and between every staff member walking about doing their respective jobs, each time causing him to almost lose his composure and knocking the wind out of him, like a head-on-collision. He was wrecked.

I drive by your work almost every day That big old window shows me everything I saw you look at me through the glass Your eagle vision almost made me crash

He’s almost sure you don’t notice his close eye. If you did, you don’t act any different from the first encounter with him. For all you knew, no one was threatening your life anymore and they’d forgotten all about your story. He finds you just as friendly and caring, and it all just digs deeper into him. He had progressively initiated conversation with you given the opportunity. You’ve taken on to attending any discomfort Bucky has brought by missions or his arm and in return he helps you train when you have the time or keep you company during breaks. You were perfect to him. Everything you said or did, never elicited a painful memory caused by his past.

By now he’s discovered the perfect spot across your apartment to continue his watch. One night he slipped. You had returned from a night out with friends. He could tell you were slightly intoxicated as you carelessly slipped out of your dress with the curtains still drawn open, a bad habit of yours. Bucky couldn’t bring himself to look away. He knew it was wrong and extremely invasive. His bottom lip trapped itself between his teeth as his eyes scanned your mostly naked body. You casually stretched and he could sense you letting out a sound of pleasurable relief. His gaze never tore from your figure until you finally had the sense to close your curtains. He should’ve felt great shame. He tried to hold back but he was far too gone and could only imagine how you would look and sound like reacting to him worshiping you. He was weak.

No shame, I will follow you home No shame, you’ll never be alone

Things almost fall back into routine for Bucky even with the added task of ensuring your safety. He’s suddenly frantic as you weren’t where he expects you to always be. You’re not standing at your usual post in the medical lab, your curtains don’t open again, and you’re barely seen throughout the compound. He double checks his research and doesn’t see any sign of suspicious activity or you resigning and departing from the city. The attacks have actually lessened since they’ve become futile with him in the way and you never once mentioned leaving. He inquiries about you from your colleagues, who insist they don’t know of your whereabouts. He was scared.

He thought about how he wouldn’t see you flash him that smile, the way one side of your lips slanted upwards and eyes shined, just for him. He thought about the sound of your voice, especially your laugh. It made him melt. He thought about things he wished he could have made you feel. He thought about how he wouldn’t be able to do any of that if you weren’t around. You really had a huge affect and it dawned on him. He was in love.

No shame, I believe I’m in love with you, I’m in love with you

You weren’t in danger at all. You recently took up following Bucky, observing him as he tried to observe you even in your absence. You couldn’t believe it. You didn’t when Sam told you what Bucky had been up to. He noticed his new behavior before anyone else and took it upon himself to figure out what or who changed him. He was actually relieved to find out that he wasn’t doing something self-destructive but instead he was harboring a crush and was protecting you this whole time. Granted what he was doing involved an invasion of privacy, but surprisingly you weren’t angry, and you didn’t understand why you weren’t. Any normal person would feel some sort of animosity, but you didn’t. You liked Bucky and his company. You knew of him before working in the compound but you were enthralled by Bucky since you officially met him in the training room and continued to be the more you interacted. You were hooked.

You felt bad watching Bucky pull at his hair, frustrated as he thought you were in any kind of crisis, but you couldn’t wrap your mind around how he would want to willingly go through all this trouble to keep you safe. What made you special? You were just like every other person in the world that needed to be protected by Earth’s heroes. Yet you were still here, and it was because of him. You had to make sure it wasn’t just a phase. Why did he feel the need to protect you? If he had no one to look after, would he still care? You found out a lot about Bucky by observing him. Bucky’s watch was no joke, that much you learned. It took a real toll on your body and mind. It was harder on your end because you were making sure your absence was solid, full-proof, and at first you thought who were you to believe you could successfully spy on a former assassin? Luckily, Sam aided you on that one for a while. He just didn’t know you were still following Bucky and you didn’t either the longer it played out. You were falling.

Following you home, I’ll follow you home

It was time. You couldn’t stand to watch the look of defeat on Bucky any longer. He continued to stop by your apartment, cameras revealed he was still walking through the medical floor at the compound and asking if you’d return. You knew Bucky’s routine now and when you found the right moment, you set it up. You opened your curtains, left the lights on, and the door open just in time for his next stakeout.

As expected, Bucky walks right into it. He didn’t even think much about it but the last few weeks had him on edge and he almost immediately sprang into action when he saw any sign of life. He entered your apartment and looked around to find it seemingly empty, until you closed the door behind initiating confrontation. He turns around and he looks almost paralyzed. You knew he could tell that this was it. You caught him. You knew and you let him know. You cried because no one’s ever gone through that much for you. You told him you weren’t angry and he didn’t have to worry anymore because you weren’t ever in harm’s way. Not now and not then because of him. Bucky’s not much for words but he knows, unlike any normal person, he felt no shame for what he did. He knows you weren’t ashamed of what you did either. What he was doing couldn’t have gone as long as it had, but he’d try. He did and would do everything to protect you. He knows he’s in love with you and you knew you were in love with him too.

No shame, I believe I’m in love with you, I’m in love with you

A couple of nights after the revelation, the relationship has definitely progressed, he’s no longer watching you from across your apartment building, instead he’s inside watching you. He stands frozen, eyes locked as if he’s hypnotized by you. You’re shedding your clothing one by one and slowly walking up to him, almost with a predatory gaze. Bucky doesn’t realize he’s holding his breath as you lean up and kiss him. The both of you have grown increasingly close and the idea of taking things slow fly right out of the window. Bucky knew that idea was pointless the moment he first laid eyes on you.

I like to sneak around and hold my breath I lie awake just to watch you undress

The contact breaks the hypnotic spell bound on Bucky as he quickly reacts by applying more pressure to the kiss, losing control. He helps you rid of the remainder of your clothes, running his hands up your arms, collarbone and neck until they cup your face, making sure you don’t pull away soon, afraid this will just be all a dream, and you don’t. Not even when your back hits your mattress and more skin is revealed. When his shirt came off, he didn’t feel ashamed of you seeing his scars, he never felt any shame with you.

Your bodies seemingly both on autopilot as you lose yourselves in the throes of passion. You were giving him everything he wanted. He reveled in the sounds he used to imagine would come out of you. He took pride in watching as your body moved against his and your grabby hands because it let him know you wanted him just as much and that he was the one to make you feel that good. You only ever made him feel immense and genuine happiness. He was committed to making you only feel the same and more, a lot more. He wanted to make sure you knew how much he loved you. The emotion that radiated throughout the room was something he knew he wanted to keep with him for the rest of his life. He was devoted to you.

Tip-toe to our bed like an animal You let me kiss you till I lose control

It’s late one night and he’s just outside the compound staring at the open field thinking about you. He’s hesitant at first but he’s starting to feel better about letting you go home alone. The both of you have been taking the relationship at your own pace, learning more about each other and trust. He’s about to get up and head inside when he doesn’t catch an attack on him, but it’s soon thwarted off when he notices a second movement from a few feet away. It’s you. You saved him this time. He looked at you mesmerized because at that moment you resembled the same look you wore when he first saw you in the newspaper.

The scene around you both became nothing but background noise as the rest of the team and your other colleagues gathered around. You caught up to Bucky and he welcomed you with sore but open arms. He asks why you’re out this late and you, without any shame, tell him you wanted to make sure he was ok. You followed him here, unannounced and unashamed. If he ever had any doubts to if you really loved him in return, you always reminded him how much you did. You were both prepared to follow each other forever. The look of admiration never fades from his eyes. He was always in love with you.

No shame well I believe I’m in love with you, I’m in love with you

A/N: I kind of cringe at this now, but I still want to share and keep it. Let me know what y’all think! Thank you for reading!

#follow you #bucky barnes x reader #bucky barnes x you #bucky barnes x y/n #bucky barnes one shot #bucky barnes imagine #bucky barnes fanfic #bucky barnes song fic #marvel fic #marvel fanfic #song fic #bucky barnes #bucky imagine #mrwinterr writes #bucky barnes x female reader #bucky barnes fan fiction

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inevitably-johnlocked · 5 years ago

Note

Any fics about hair? Whether it’s hair care or hair pulling, I don’t mind.

Hi Nonny!

Ah, I don’t have very many that deal SPECIFICALLY with hair, but more like hair is within the plot or one of the boys loves the hair! So here’s what I can remember; I know there’s another that’s 100% about hair (Sherlock wants to taste John’s hair and doesn’t know how to ask) and I can’t remember which one it is and it’s bugging me LOL. Anyway, here you are, everything that showed up in a search. I’ll also add Beard Fics too:

HAIR & BEARDS

See also: John Has a Beard

Upon Reflection, Tenable Frippery by emmagrant01 (T, 1,299 w., 1 Ch. || Post-S4, John’s Beard, First Kiss, Fluff) – John was, inexplicably, growing a beard.

Untouched by KittieHill (E, 3,239 w., 1 Ch. || Kissing, Frottage, Virgin Sherlock, Body Worship, Sherlock’s Scars Mentioned, Masturbation, PWP, Rimming, Multiple Orgasms) – Sherlock leaked a lot. John had never needed lubricant. John loved watching it, had once spent an entire afternoon edging Sherlock so he could watch as the thick precome drip, drip, dripped onto Sherlock’s belly.

Love and Hair Dye by Anonymous (E, 3,920 w., 1 Ch. || Est. Rel., Body Worship, Self Conscious John, Voyeurism, Idiots in Love, Smutty Smut) – Self conscious John decides to cover the greys on his head, and the colour isn’t what he thought it would be. Now he’s more self-conscious than ever.

The Oolong Disaster by unicornpoe (T, 4,151 w., 1 Ch. || John’s Beard, Fluff, Humour, Frustrated Sherlock, John Takes Care of Sherlock, Case Fic-ish, Pining Sherlock, First Kiss, Possessive Sherlock) – John has a beard. Sherlock has a panic attack.

If He Knows by shamelessmash (M, 4,513 w., 1 Ch. || TSo3 Fic, Pining Sherlock, Bed Sharing, Angst, Sherlock POV, Texting, Internal Monologue, Blanket Forts) – I imagine mornings: John handing me a cup of tea, hair sticking out at odd angles. How he would bend down to kiss me, smiling fondly as he pulls away. The way his skin crinkles at the corner of his eyes, the way his skin looks in the morning light. The soft sigh as he sits in his chair with the morning paper, the way his toes curl in the carpet, the way he rolls his shoulders before sinking deeper into his seat. I watch him, how he is when he is content, as it should be. As he deserves. Happy. With me.

Facade by distantstarlight (M, 4,715 w., 1 Ch. || Fluff, John’s Beard, No-Shave November, Grumpy Sherlock, Clueless Sherlock) – Sherlock is highly irritated with a challenge John has agreed to undertake. Why does he need to grow a beard anyway?

One Day Like This by nondeducible (E, 4,872 w., 1 Ch. || First Time, Bed-Sharing, Romance, Fluff, Virgin Sherlock) – When Sherlock emerged from the bathroom, the sight before him nearly took his breath away. The only light in the room was the small lamp on the bedside table. John’s skin shone like gold, his hair like the purest silver. He was on his side, facing the empty part of the bed, his outstretched hands ready to embrace whoever climbed in next to him. Sherlock could imagine, just for a second, that this was their shared bed and he was coming back to settle into John’s arms.

Survival Strategies for the Domesticated British Butthole by Atiki (E, 6,183 w., 1 Ch. || Crack, Rimming, Anal Sex, Iced Lolly, Hair Removal, Depilation) – In which there’s a rimming disaster, Sherlock depilates his butt, everything goes very, very wrong and groceries are mistreated. This fic contains hair removal creme in a butthole, ice lollies in a butthole and John Watson’s penis in a butthole. You have been warned.

The Death of Doubt by Gingerhermit (E, 6,584 w., 1 Ch. || Alternate Canon, BAMF John, POV Sherlock, Sherlock’s Mind Palace, Hurt/Comfort, Angst/Drama, Meddling Mycroft) – Mycroft asks for John’s help in rescuing Sherlock from his Serbian captors.

The Tip Over Into The Inevitable by ivyblossom (T, 6,894 w., 1 Ch. || Grief, Cuddles, Insomnia, Hurt/Comfort, Friends to Lovers) - When his father dies, Sherlock avoids sleeping. Then discovers he can’t sleep at all. John finds a way to help.

Onomatopoeia by aquabelacqua (M, 6,904 w., 1 Ch. || First Time/Kiss, Frottage, Dirty Talk, Domestics, Word Kink, POV Sherlock, Dry Humping / Sex, Chair Sex, Hair Pulling, Lazy Mornings, Hand Jobs, Friends to Lovers) – Something is the matter with John. Sherlock is determined to figure out what it is. Mark his words.

Beg for Mercy (Twice) by Solitary_Endeavor (E, 7,060 w., 1 Ch. || Est. Rel., Bottomlock, Bearded John, Edging, Rough Sex, Idiots in Love, Canon Compliant) – Sherlock hasn’t left the flat in four days, the itch of impatience beneath his skin too great to allow him to suffer interaction with any human being who isn’t John. This is probably a mercy that goes both ways, as he’s driving even himself mad. Sherlock supposes there is a lesson to be learned here about having himself to blame, but of course he blames Mycroft.

Of Razors, Pipes, Red Notebooks and Rugby Jerseys, Or: Sherlock Doesn’t Like His Doctors Clean Shaven by allonsys_girl (E, 7,313 w., 1 Ch. || Est. Rel., PWP / Porn With Feelings, John’s Beard / Beard Kink, Roleplay, Love Declarations, Banter, Rimming, Anal, Domestic Fluff / Bliss, Idiots in Love, Emotional Lovemaking, Pet Names, Obsessive Sherlock, Sherlock POV, Bottomlock, Cranky Sherlock) – John grows a beard. Sherlock really likes it. Part 1 of Consulting Husbands

Christmas by Anonymous (E, 7,673 w., 1 Ch. || Worried Sherlock, PWP, Drunkeness, Christmas, Est. Relationship, Idiots So In Love) – John feels a lump rise in his throat, and it hits him, again, that this beautiful, infuriating creature is his. Completely, one-hundred percent his.

And if you say the word, I could stay with you by CaitlinFairchild (E, 12,842 w., 1 Ch. || Domestic Fluff, BottomJohn / Topping from the Bottom, Fluff and Romance, Dirty Talk, Proposals) – What Sherlock thinks is, On the day I die, be it in a dirty alley at forty or in my bed at eighty, the last thing I will remember is tonight, the way you looked at at me on the snowy pavement, cheeks pink with the cold, breath puffing in frosty white clouds, your heart in your eyes and snowflakes in your hair. I will remember that single perfect moment in my life, that moment I knew I had everything I ever wanted, and whatever happens next, I will die content. What he says is simply, “Marry me.”

Where Else Would I Be? by cwb (E, 34,910 w., 10 Ch. || Retirementlock, Domestic Fluff, Falling in Love, Parentlock, Fluff and Smut, Reminiscing) – John and Sherlock’s five-year-old granddaughter spends the weekend with them in Sussex. Sherlock happily indulges her whims, and John takes care of them while quietly revisiting the past thirty years of their lives together.

Albion and the Woodsman by Glenmore (NR [E], 54,437 w., 50 Ch. || Post S3, Parentlock, Pining Sherlock, Angst, Family, Drug Use, Depression, Sherlock POV) – Sherlock and John are devastated after Mary Morstan makes her final moves. Sherlock relapses at the crack house, John walks around the world … and a lot happens in between. Parentlock, in the good way.

The Thing Is by TSylvestris (E, 56,743 w., 21 Ch. || Case Fic, Dev. Rel., Anal/Oral, Blow Jobs, Meddling Mycroft, Drama, Romance, Humour, Casual Encounters, Pining Idiots, Possessive Sherlock, Orgasm Delay, Rough / Alley Sex, Public Sex, John Whump, Drugged John, Emotional Love Making, Awkward Relationship, Marriage of Convenience, Switchlock, BAMF John) – The problem with living with Sherlock, John thought, was that you never, never, ever knew the significance of anything. Like your flatmate’s nose buried in your hair. Whilst you’re in bed. Part 1 of Nitroglycerine

A Further Sea by i_ship_an_armada & ShinySherlock (E, 125,492 w., 23 Ch. || Historical Pirates AU || Enemies to Friends to Lovers, Doctor John / Pirate Captain Sherlock, Sailing, UST / RST, Masturbation, Action / Adventure, Mild Angst & Peril, Romance, Shaving, Molly/Janine, Bottomlock, Hand / Blow Jobs, Past Drug Use, Slow Burn, Mild Violence, Facial Shaving, Happy Ending) – Here be a tale of adventure for both body and soul, but beware if ye be not of stout heart, for this be piratelock, ya savvy? Luckless ship’s surgeon John Watson takes a chance, and finds himself eye to eye with The Ghost, the scourge of the seven seas and a definite thorn in the side of the blaggard, James Moriarty. But when John finds there’s more to this most cunning pirate than be meetin’ the eye, he has to choose… is it a pirate’s life for him?

MARKED FOR LATER

Curlock by 88thParallel (G, 1,285 w. || PODFIC AVAILABLE || Sherlock’s Hair, Fluff, Ficlet) – How Sherlock learned to control and appreciate the incredible gift he was born with, and the man who helped him sort it out.

Of Razors, Pipes, Red Notebooks and Rugby Jerseys, Or: Sherlock Doesn’t Like His Doctors Clean Shaven by allonsys_girl (E, 7,313 w., 1 Ch. || PWP, Porn With Feelings, John’s Beard, Bottomlock, Domestics, Fluff and Smut, Banter, Declarations of Love, Rimming, Anal, Est. Rel.) – John grows a beard. Sherlock really likes it. Part 1 of Consulting Husbands

How to Sleep with Your Enemy in One Semester by 221b_careful_what_you_wish_for (M, 9,699 w., 6 Ch. || College / Uni Professors AU || Professor John/Sherlock, Enemies to Lovers, Rivalry, Bickering, Office Sex, Blow Jobs, Fluff, Domestics, John’s Beard, Idiots in Love) – Visiting professors John Watson and Sherlock Holmes are longtime academic rivals — and now unwilling office mates — at a prestigious American university. When their tense arguments give way to an undercurrent of mutual attraction, their war of wits turns into something more personal — until it goes off course. A party, a phone number, and deserted office at night might just bring them back together.

#steph replies #johnlock fic recs #my fic recs #hair and beards #Anonymous #fic rec wednesday

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magpiemorality · 5 years ago

Text

On Your Side, 2

Part 2 of THIS for @croftersgamer. Unsympathetic!Patton, The Boys/Superhero AU.

Warnings: unsympathetic!Patton, precursor to abuse, cursing.

***

Father Heartland- "Call me Patton!"- was just the best. Virgil had never felt so comfortable around someone in his entire life, and even the anxiety in the back of his mind was quietened just by the guy's presence. Patton led the way through the building up into the Frontline's floors, with The Deceiver trailing behind them until he slipped away with a murmur and a last mournful glance in Virgil's direction.

Patton clapped a hand on Virgil's shoulder, startling him out of his thoughts. "What's going on in that head of yours then, kiddo?" He asked, bright blue eyes piercing into Virgil's soul. Or at least it felt like it. Virgil just gave him an apologetic smile and shook his head.

"Oh, nothing important. Just… there's a lot to take in, you know?" He admitted, and Patton smiled at him. It was the kind of smile that made Virgil want to fall to the floor and prostrate himself in worship; to offer anything Patton desired in order to be blessed by it again just once. He swallowed and managed to avoid doing anything too embarrassing, focusing instead on how warm Patton's arm was, now thrown casually around his shoulders as he steered Virgil through the long, winding corridors.

Patton's laugh was like music and Virgil's resolve nearly crumbled. "Well that won't do, silly, just relax and enjoy the ride! You'll do just fine. I picked you myself!"

Virgil bit his lip and cast shy eyes at the su- the other superhero. "Really?" He asked shyly. "You… picked me?"

"Well of course! I have final say over all the decisions the Frontline make- Sanders Corp always ask for my sign off first, you know. It's a real honour, to be able to be so responsible for everyone, I'm just so happy they trust little old me!"

"Of course they would- you're you!" Virgil said earnestly, and something flashed in Patton's eyes and through his smile before his cheeks flushed a pretty pink and he turned bashful.

"Oh kiddo, thank you. Aren't you just the sweetest?" They stopped in front of a door and Patton turned to face him directly as Virgil mourned the loss of the arm keeping him steady. "I knew you were going to be a great fit."

Virgil's knees weakened as Patton leaned forwards and gave him a tight squeeze, murmuring close to his ear, "I think I made the right choice. Can you do your best not to prove me wrong? You wouldn't want to disappoint me would you?"

"Fuck no!" the younger superhero blurted out, making Patton pull back and gasp, tears glittering in his eyes.

"Oh, please don't use that kind of language Virgil, I just can't stand it," Patton gasped, and Virgil's gut wrenched, filled with guilt. "Promise me?"

"I promise! I'm- I'm so sorry Patton, I'll never do it again-"

"Good," Patton sniffed, giving Virgil a watery, weak smile. "Thank you Virgil, I really appreciate it." He brightened again and tossed a thumb in the direction of the door. "Now, this will be your room from now on. I see you brought some things with you but hopefully you'll like everything we kitted it out with too! If you need anything- anything at all- just ring the intercom by the entrance and someone will get it for you, okay? Your thumbprint will unlock and lock the door. Good luck- bye now!"

Virgil collapsed inside the room in relief, leaning back on the door. His knees shook and gave in and he slid down to sit on the floor, heart hammering in the wake of such direct exposure to Father Heartland. He felt the weirdest urge to run after him and beg to follow him forever, but it was growing fainter by the second and eventually he felt he could breathe again.

The room, upon exploration, was pretty shockingly decadent. It consisted of several rooms; a reception room that the door opened onto, a kitchen/diner, a bedroom and a luxurious bathroom. His bag, when he dropped it on the drawers in his new room, looked laughably out of place and he frowned at it for a moment before brushing off the anxious thoughts that the sight elicited.

Everything was decorated in a lovely powder blue and cream with the same white marble scattered throughout. The windows faced onto the city and were the full height of the wall, which Virgil would have instantly hated if there weren't a set of instructions showing him how to darken the glass and turn it opaque, written by hand and complete with a little smiley face that Virgil suspected meant it'd been written by Patton.

In the reception room, in addition to a set of plush couches and the largest tv screen he'd ever seen; there was a desk. On the desk were several induction booklets and something that looked like a phone, but not one he'd ever seen anything like before. It was thin and rounded, almost transparent from the side, but it buzzed when he picked it up and text flashed on the front.

'We'll be having a team dinner tonight, can't wait to get to know you better! Clothes in the closet, someone will come pick you up at 6:45 :) p.s. shower is voice activated ;)'

Well, far be it for Virgil to over-analyse; but to him it seemed he hadn't quite lived up to Patton's expectations. Their leader clearly didn't think much of his clothing, or his hygiene, so he'd have to do better at that in future. It was the early afternoon now, but that only left a couple of hour to get ready and change and get unpacked and-

Shit, he had to get started right now. Hopefully Patton would appreciate the effort. Hopefully he wouldn't be too disappointed...

He really didn't want to disappoint Patton. Again.

#unsympathetic!patton #ts virgil #ts deceit #ts patton #superhero au #writepie #ts writing #ts sanders sides #ts sanders sides aus #ts sanders sides fic #sanders sides #tw abuse #on the frontline

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thatdarncatchronicles · 4 years ago

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That Darn Cat | Issue No. 3 | An Unexpected Party

Warnings | None

Rating | K+

Genres | Friendship, Family, Snark (it’s totally a genre)

Word Count | 1.5K

Summary: In which Selina catches Jim when he comes back from a date and gives him an unfair amount of grief. Cue milk theft, hot tips, and lots of blushing Jim.

"Evening, Detective."

Selina had to work hard to keep her neutral expression from cracking when Gordon jumped, still half-in, half-out of his coat, and whirled towards her. She settled for an unimpressed quirk of her eyebrow.

"Selina." Jim's mouth smiled, but his eyes were flat as untangled himself from his coat and hung it on a hook by the door. "Make yourself at home." His eyes swept over where she sat, cross-legged in the middle of his counter, and landed on the half-empty bottle of milk in her hands.

"Oh, don't worry. I have."

"So I see." He shook his head, dropping his keys on the counter. "Breaking and entering is illegal, Selina."

Selina feigned offense. "Whoa! Listen, I didn't break anything. The window was open."

"The window was not—we're on the fourth floor."

"And…?"

"How do you even know where I live?"

"I followed you." She threw back a gulp of milk.

His eyebrows shot up. "You followed me."

"You got bad ears or somethin'? That's what I said."

"Tonight?"

Selina could have sworn she saw him flush, just a little. Interesting. "Nah, a few nights ago. You work late, man. I always thought detectives were nine-to-fivers"

He flashed a bitter grin. "Yeah. So did I. Why did you follow me?"

"Keep your friends close and your enemies closer, Detective."

He squinted. "What the—what is that supposed to mean?"

She shrugged. "I dunno. Hey." Her head titled as she looked him up and down. "You look different. Spiffy. You have a meeting today, or something?"

Jim shot her a warning look as he loosened his tie.

Oh. Selina's eyes widened as a wicked grin spread across her face. "No. You were on a date."

Jim slung his suit jacket over his shoulder and headed to his room. His ears were definitely redder than they had been a second ago.

"You were, weren't you!"

The door clicked shut. Selina smirked.

He emerged again a few minutes later, minus tie and shoes, and padded to the kitchen without even glancing at her where she was now sprawled on the couch. She wiggled her eyebrows. "So...How'd it go?"

Jim grabbed a glass from the cupboard and placed it on the counter with a clatter before turning to open the fridge. He rooted around for a few seconds before he blinked, straightened, and slowly, deliberately pushed the door shut. His baleful gaze turned to rest on Selina for a long moment as she took another swig of milk.

Selina smothered her gratification and gave her head an innocent shake. "What?"

He sighed and replaced the glass. "Why are you here, Selina?"

"Hey! No changing the subject. I asked you first."

"What?"

She sat up and threw her hands in the air. "How. Was. Your. Date?"

Jim scoffed, shaking his head as he retrieved the glass and filled it with water instead. His ears were positively pink, now. "You're in my house, without permission, sitting on my couch, drinking my milk, and you want to know how my date went?"

"Fair's fair, Detective." She set the milk on the couch's wooden arm and crossed her arms, leaning back into the cushions. "I asked you first."

Jim made a face that Selina decided to refer to the "Really? Very mature" face. She tucked it away for potential future use and enjoyed his exasperated sigh as he ran a hand over his face and leaned back against the counter. His cheeks were pink, now, too. Oh, yes. Selina dug her heels in.

"Listen, man. Homeless kids ain't got TVs. We gotta get our entertainment somewhere." She gave an inward flinch. Bringing up the homelessness was a mistake. Fortunately, Jim seemed sufficiently annoyed by her persistence to ignore that part.

"Fine, fine. It was good."

She waited expectantly.

He didn't continue.

"Seriously? That's it? Details, my dude."

He rolled his eyes and gave a shrug that was probably supposed to look casual. "We had a good time. It was nice."

"Wow. You are really bad at this. I hope you're not this boring on your dates."

"My dates don't show up in my house uninvited and drink my milk."

"So that's what has you all bent outta shape! Look, man, if it's that big of a deal to you, here. Let me—" She grabbed the bottle up and popped the cap back on, holding it out to Jim as she licked away the residual mustache.

She savored the way his nose wrinkled. "No. Please. By all means, just…" He trailed off, waving his hand in dismissal.

"Suit yourself." She popped the cap off again. "So, are you gonna tell me about her? What's she like?"

"No one's taught you it's not polite to pry into other people's affairs, have they?"

"Who cares about polite? What's her name?"

It was Jim's turn to throw up his hands. "You know what? Alright. Fine. Her name is Lee. She's a doctor. She's kind, smart as they come, and has this smile that just...lights up her face."

Selina watched, wide-eyed, as Jim's expression transformed from deadpan to...worshipful. Gross.

"Lights up the whole room, really. She's great. She's nice. We ate pasta and had a nice time, even though I made a mess by leading with work-talk. I think it might actually—" Jim stopped abruptly, frowning as if surprised at his own speech.

"Wow." Selina shook her head. "Wow."

Jim grit his teeth. "What."

"Nothing, nothing. Just...Gotham's golden boy's got it bad."

The water in Jim's glass sloshed as he threw his arms out in exasperation. "This is only the second time we've gone out. I don't even know if it's gonna work, yet."

"Uh-huh. You were practically making heart eyes. I might puke."

"Yeah? The bathroom's that way. And I'm not Gotham's golden boy." He dragged a chair in front of the couch and straddled it, arms resting across the back. "Alright. Like you said—fair is fair. Why are you here?"

Selina pulled a rolled-up newspaper from her jacket and chucked it at him.

He caught it against his chest and unrolled it to read the headline. "Oh."

GOTHAM'S GOLDEN BOY VOWS TO TRACK DOWN ANACONDA KILLER.

"Yeah. Oh." Selina blew a curl out of her eyes. "You know, you really gotta stop doin' that."

Jim looked up from the article. "Doing what?"

"Oh, I don't know—telling serial killers you're after them? Why not just put a sign on your back that says, 'Snake food! Come and get it! Four out of five vets recommend me!'"

"Ah. Well, I appreciate your concern, but you don't need to worry about me. And I don't think you came here just to warn me off."

"Nah. I came here to tell you I know where he's holed up."

The reaction was instant. Jim leaned forward, eyes on her with a focus so intense, it was all she could do not to squirm. "Where is he?"

"Down, boy. Take it easy. There's an old apartment complex on my block. No one's been in it for years 'cause it looks like it'll topple like a Jenga tower if you so much as sneeze. Anywhere else, it would have been torn down ages ago, but—"

"—it's Gotham." Jim was standing now, searching around his desk and coming up with a pen and paper. "Address?"

He pulled out his phone and made a call, letting it ring as he jotted down the address she gave. "Harvey? We got a lead." He sighed, shoulders slumping a little. "I know. No, I know. I know, Harvey, but—Harvey. Harvey?" Jim made a face and flipped the phone closed. He stared down at it for a moment before shaking his head and darting back into his room. He returned less than a minute later, tie back in place, arms full of his holster, jacket, and shoes.

Selina sat up straighter. "Wait—you're going after him now?"

Jim looked at her as if he'd forgotten she was there. "Yeah."

"Even though your partner just told you he wasn't coming." At Jim's look, she continued. "No, I wasn't eavesdropping. It was fairly obvious what went down. So, this is why you always look like you haven't slept in a week. You actually don't sleep. It's all so clear now."

He shrugged into his holster, then his jacket, rolling his shoulders to settle them in place. "How'd you know where he was, anyway?"

"His snake got one of my cats."

Jim looked up from tying his shoes. "You saw it?"

"Ayup."

"You're lucky it didn't get you."

"Yeah, yeah. It's stupid to go in there alone. You should wait for your partner."

"I'll consider it." He waved the address in the air. "Thanks for the tip."

With that, he was out the door and Selina was left to listen to his hurried steps as they echoed down the stairs. She shook her head. Four flights. The fire escape was much faster. Draining the last of the milk, she stood, swung her legs over the windowsill, and leaped out into the Gotham night.

A/N: You’ll never guess what next issue is about!

If you said, “It’s about Jim and Selina going after the Anaconda Killer” you’re exactly right! Good job, you smart cookie.

So, I am currently recovering from typhoid, and my brain was super foggy when I wrote this one. So yeah. If it’s terrible, I blame the typhoid. :P

Follow @thatdarncatchronicles and #thatdarncat (no spaces!) to never miss an issue! Next issue up soon. :)

Oh! Also, you are doing great.Yes. You are doing great at life. And if you know you aren’t doing your best--no stress! There’s always tomorrow, and you’re growing and learning just like every other person on the face of the planet. Like me. And my 50 y/o father who told me the other day that he still just feels like he’s pretending to be an adult. He’s really good at it. You will be, too. This is all gibberish, but the point I’m trying to make is that as long as you’re doing just fabulously, and you’re on your way to doing even better. Remember to drink your water today. Hydration is important and makes your skin prettyful. Also, I love you. Peace out, gorgeous soul.

Issue No. 1 | Of Spaghetti and Sneezes:

https://thatdarncatchronicles.tumblr.com/post/620372790294528001/that-darn-cat-issue-no-1-of-spaghetti-and

Issue No. 2 | A Hint of Pesto Aioli:

https://thatdarncatchronicles.tumblr.com/post/620559916396052480/that-darn-cat-issue-no-2-a-hint-of-pesto

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lizzybeth1986 · 5 years ago

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Quick Thoughts on TRH Book 1, Chapter 3

• I'm hoping that if I have this chapter out early enough (doubtful, because compiling and organizing my screenshots takes time, and my drafts often don't save which means there are times I will have to replicate whole paragraphs from scratch. But fingers crossed!), I might try and do revisits of the first book. I did four of those chapters last year, and I think now - when we're looking at some of the stories told to us in Book 1 from a new lens - is a good time to explore that first book again.

• I hope the read more issue is resolved by now. It made posting quite hard the last time. In the meantime these are the tags you can block: #long post, #trh quick thoughts, #trh qts, #trh qt reblogs.

• Thanks a lot to @pixieferry for her Hana playthrough, @thefirstcourtesan for her Drake playthrough screenshots and the Abhirio YouTube channel for the Maxwell playthrough screenshots. Not much of those are up, because of lack of space to put up the pictures and the fact that this particular chapter wasn't specifically LI centric.

• Title: Your Kingdom Awaits.

Alternative Title: Tell Me What's Gestating in My Womb Today, Cordonia! A Cordonian Ruby? An Autumn Glory? A Granny Smith?

• Three chapters in and I'm getting more and more baffled by this story by the day. There's stuff I like. Some of the characters I still love. I have fun looking at the little hints, the bits of symbolism, the callbacks. I love theorizing what we'll be doing next! But all of this needs to be glued together by a coherent storyline and this just isn't it.

• Even if we push aside the gross inequalities in balance (re: character development), there's still so much that just doesn't make sense. Why is there so much rush. Why is everyone in this country (and outside) so invasive and entitled over this one noble's child? Why are we doing such insane scales of prep over a process that is in itself is so unpredictable? Why am I learning about Cordonia's allies/potential enemies in such a vague and shoddy fashion? And most of all what kind of bullshit Royal Council is this???

• But I'll elaborate on all those questions later. For now let's move on to the chapter!

• If you didn't buy the corgi in Book 2, they ask you if you'd like to buy it now at the beginning of the chapter. Possibly that may affect the entry of the second corgi in some way? Idk.

• Esther, the Queen of Cordonia is also still the queen of winging it. You'd think they'd have planned a look for her (esp given the amount of time they could spend on the train) and gotten her ready by the time they reached there, not scrambled around for an outfit the minute they reached Valtoria.

• The LI tells the MC that they're fixed an appointment with the best obstetrician they could find, and we will be going there to ask our preliminary questions plus get a check up. I was wondering if in Hana's case they would be going to a fertility specialist instead.

• In any case, Bertrand volunteers to help us with an outfit for the last time in a short while, because he's traveling to Texas to prepare for their wedding. (we're going there too, but later. I'm not looking forward to another round of Savannah-worship - possibly with an added side of Bianca-worship - no thank you).

• Bianca's ranch is called the Walker Ranch, after Jackson's last name. Why Jackson's?

• Our OOTD!

Electric blue with a gold belt and a black and white border on the neckline, accessorized with a necklace (I think it's pearls set in gold?) and a brooch pin in the shape of a crown.

I kinda like this one and knowing the way this team operates when it comes to outfits most of the time, I'm pretty sure the colour scheme was chosen on purpose. With this outfit, the MC is presenting herself in the national colours, with a tiny signifier of what her future role might be. Either as Queen or as mother of the future heir to the Crown. This is an outfit that would send a message during Liam's announcement, whether she is (symbolically) wearing that crown or not.

• I'm obviously not very comfortable with the implications that would go with that outfit (esp if she is not the Queen), but I can't deny it does its job.

• The MC can opt to go for either being poised, acting like a diva or being very casual in her approach. Whatever she does the crowd pretty much worships her.

•

So everyone except Liam has someone (media, a fan, common people) approaching them as a way of showing how famous and revered the entire group has become in Cordonia. Liam doesn't need one coz he's anyway getting his moment with his big speech in front of the Valtoria manor.

Drake - Donnie Brine from the CBC speaks to Drake, positioning him as a man of the masses, the person that the Cordonian people see as their representative. Drake is woefully unprepared and freezes, blurting out that "things are great" which probably might end up becoming a meme on Cordonian internet later. Random Cordonian Woman from Applewood saves him by confirming this statement even though her trees have yet to grow and the tax problems are pretty much making her life "not great".

Maxwell - Where are Jiro and Camellia from Applewood? I like little Marco and Valerie but I hope they're not the only kids PB is going to be showing every time they need to show children. Marco approaches Maxwell and the MC both to sign his copy of Maxwell's book, and Maxwell takes care to do a dramatic signature that will not "obscure the picture of his face". I'm giggling at that image.

Hana - Valerie approaches Hana with a handmade flower necklace, presumably with a pattern made from "the Lee family crest". Now either Lorelai's family in Cordonia have the same surname as Xinghai, or Xinghai got himself a house crest for some reason. Either way, to toss out a detail like that so casually (a family crest is something that passes down through generations, esp in noble families) without even thinking of the logistics of it...(when an entire book of yours has been dedicated to sigils and crests) is pretty lazy.

BUT. In good news this means that my longtime speculation that Hana's mother's house had flowers as part of their court of arms is correct! (I was also right about a couple other things, like Maxwell's ancestors and Liam's mother being alive when Olivia was brought to the palace. YAY! 😁)

• We now move on to Liam's public announcement. Which sounds kinda weird whichever way you look at it. A married Liam announces that he and his wife are on a mission to enjoy babymaking and a single Liam announces this:

(Screenshots from a Hana playthrough by @pixieferry)

I will translate what both Liams are saying into Cordonian:

Married Liam: We don't have an apple cinnamon bun in the oven yet, but we're definitely having fun kneading that dough nudge nudge wink wink.

Single Liam: I'm neither making apple buns nor kneading dough. I'll leave that to my friends the bun-making experts here. I'm just gonna park my butt outside the oven door along with the rest of Cordonia.

Sounds weird? You're welcome. It was meant to sound weird.

• Esther finally reunites with her corgi Joy! I wonder if at some point she'll meet up with her horse Celestia and red pandas Hansel and Gretel too xD

• Mara tells me safety checks have been done, but...it's Mara saying that, so I'm not sure I'm quite convinced. The alternative is Bastien, so...we're kinda screwed I guess.

• The group then discusses the future foetus, and Liam takes this opportunity to hint at their childhood history. You know what that means? DIAMOND SCENE!!

•

(Screenshots for Asian Liam from my playthrough, Black Liam from @pixieferry and White Liam from @thefirstcourtesan)

LOOK AT THE WEE LITTLE KIDDIES AND LIAM'S MOM OMG AAAAAA.

As far as I can tell, among the kids the sprites for all three Liams and Drake are very much new, and the rest come from variations and changes to different faces. Maxwell's face is a copy of Simon from THoBM (only the mouth is slightly different), Hana's has a lot of similarities to young Kenna in TCaTF, but with pigtails instead of tiny buns. Olivia's is a little harder to place but I think there are plenty similarities between hers and RoE Camellia's face. For Queen Eleanor they used Young Mary's (MC's mother) sprite from D&D in accordance to whichever Liam you chose. Perhaps the only Mary sprite not used here would be the brown/Indian one, because Liam's ethnicities mainly feature White, Black and Asian. She even wears Mary's opera outfit (that incidentally Mary also ended up wearing to her wedding lol).

• Somehow they forgot that Maxwell was supposed to be a cute chubby little hippo who was loved by his mother.

• I'd like for Black Liam to grow more hair on his head because the curls on his younger self are lovely 😍

• Since most of the childhood tales revolve around the experience of growing up in the palace, this build up to the diamond scene begins with the MC asking questions about each of the boys (Liam, Drake, Maxwell).

- Little Liam and His Crown: Liam claims he only wore those during state occasions, but Maxwell (who admittedly didn't see Liam as much as Drake did but saw him often nonetheless) saw him practically sleep in the thing, and Drake has pictures to prove it lol.

- Grumpy Drake: Maxwell and Liam agree on Drake becoming grumpier as he grew older, but disagree on what metaphors to use to describe it. Maxwell favours "scratchy bark on a secretly loveable tree", and Liam claims he is "whiskey maturing in its barrell". ("oh", I want to ask Drake, "so that's what they call 'old grain mash' these days?" 🤣 This is my revenge for him referring to wine as old grape juice back in Book 2). No prizes for guessing which metaphor Drake liked better.

- Banning Maxwell from Palace Rooms: Maxwell's lucky he has a king for a friend because apparently before Liam jokingly and unwisely decided to give the man a royal pardon Maxwell was banned from all the good rooms 😅

• Hana clearly hasn't lost her touch when it comes to epic savagery. "I imagined you guys like the Three Musketeers, only...less French". 😅😅

• This diamond scene is split into three parts. You have the fun 'adventures' of the little boys (and later Olivia) at the palace, split in between by a slightly more sombre tale of little Hana's loneliness. The narrative voice in all three is very much that of a child, and focuses on Liam's and Hana's imaginations, so as to make their childhood stories more real to us while still providing us background information about the country's recent history (the "recent history" bit doesn't apply to Hana, though, since she is in China at the time).

- Pirate Adventures at The Palace Courtyard: Liam, Drake and Maxwell pretend to be pirate kings, battling rivals on the palace courtyard. After rescuing Maxwell from being stuck on the branches of a tree, the trio decide to continue their adventures on the gardens that are his mother's brainchild, but are stopped by a palace guard. Liam is briefly saddened by this, but is comforted by Drake and Maxwell. The boys then decide to continue playing in the palace kitchens. This scene begins by focusing on the antics of the little ones, but is really about the changed atmosphere in the palace that the boys themselves were too young to notice at the time.

(We also find out which place in TCaTF the Beaumonts originated from, since young Maxwell refers to himself as a pirate from Panrion in both scenes that he is in *cue Lizzy looking very very smug because I've been saying the Beaumonts were from Panrion/someplace in Ebrimel since way back in Book 2*)

The MC has options to respond to this tale (either about whether they were always this naughty, or about the increased security in the palace). In response to her question about the three of them, the boys tell us that Liam was known for being a free spirit and would skip many diplomacy meetings before he even met the other two (again, Constantine, Liam was A CHILD). If you ask the question they want you to be asking, however, about the increased security in the palace, Drake and Maxwell will tell you the security wasn't as strict earlier, and Liam will explain that the royal family had recently received threats at the time, and his parents were a lot more tense and on-edge than usual. Either way, you either get to know a bit about the political atmosphere at the time, or realize that little Liam wasn't the heavily burdened one we met on that first night in New York.

- Pretend-Teatime with a Young Hana: Hana continues on this thread of conversation by focusing on the bond between the boys, commenting on how she never grew up with that kind of experience. To which Drake and Maxwell have these reactions:

@Drake, pls fall on a cactus.

@Maxwell. Honey. She said this to you yesterday. She's probably said this more than once. You've seen her parents!! Wtf kind of friend are you if you can't even take what she said seriously the first time?

@Hana pls get yourself better friends 😭

Like @callmetippytumbles said in her response to this scene, I have no patience for this kind of selective stupidity.

So Hana's scene is technically a call-back to something she once told the MC back in Book 1 Chapter 6, when they were on their way to the post-Derby tea party with Queen Regina. At the time, Hana spoke of her parents not allowing her toys because they thought them frivolous, and how she had to make do with whatever was lying around instead. We actually see this happen in reality here. We see her PoV of what her inanimate objects do, we see her practicing court etiquette on these objects with her tea set, and we see her leave space for her asshole mother even though Lorelai doesn't deserve that much respect or consideration. There is a lot to unpack in this scene and I want to do that in my General Thoughts section later on...but for now I'll just say that it broke my heart, and not just in an "oh poor Hana" way.

- The Attack from Lythikos: I love this sequence too, not only because it shows us Olivia, a younger Constantine and Liam's mother Eleanor, but because the narrative framing in itself alludes to what happened between Lythikos and the Capitol earlier through the pirate story. Liam and Olivia still speak in the language of their story, but the sequence actually plays out what happens in their real lives. Olivia attacks the pirates, but is left desolate, sword broken, at the end of it (just like her parents tried to, and died in the process - leaving an innocent Olivia alone without support). Liam offers her terms that would give her safety and protection, and in return, she asks to be Pirate Queen and for Drake's sword - which he reluctantly gives.

Constantine mistrusts Olivia and attempts to limit her natural abilities and instincts, but it is Liam's empathy, support and validation of her pain, that eventually makes her the steadfast ally that she becomes as an adult - not Constantine's paranoia. Had Liam followed Constantine's lead, the chances of Olivia falling into the trap of subscribing to her aunt's beliefs would have been much much higher, and Constantine would have found himself at the receiving end of a self-fulfilling prophecy. The narrative may also be implying how deep Eleanor's own impact on her son must be, long after her death, since the narrative frames him as adopting her way of dealing with situations often.

In any case the narrative allows us to see the children as they were before their individual tragedies changed them (except in Olivia's and Hana's cases - where they were still struggling to survive the situations they were in), and allows us to see what shaped them into the adults they are today.

The MC then gets to ask one of two questions: either why Constantine treated Olivia so badly, or about the arguments his parents were having. We learn from these that this incident was shortly after Liam became friends with her and his parents brought her to the palace (this references both Liam's conversation about Olivia to the MC in Book 1 Chapter 7, and Lucretia's complaints about Constantine "keeping Olivia hostage" in her diamond scene in Book 3).

• Possibly this may not be the only scene of its kind we will see. Possibly the next few may be Drake-centric, since we may actually meet Bianca in a few chapters. But these scenes may definitely have an impact on dialogue later, just like how learning of the assassination attempt in Drake's Italian Restaurant Scene and Eleanor's death in Liam's Fydelia Balcony Scene in Book 2 are referred to later (if bought) in the hospital scene with Constantine.

• In any case, we leave the past in the past (for now), and move towards Valtoria's throne room. Where we meet Penelope, just back from her first canine fashion show, Kiara who tells us she has everything kept under control (you always do boo 😍) and Madeleine who is all up our uterus.

• She mentions King Bradshaw from Auvernal and his "impossible to control" wife, then mentions a Queen Amalas immediately after without bothering to tell us where this person is from. WTF? At least tell me the name of her goddamn country if she's another person!! You'd just have to say Queen Amalas of ChickenFeetonia and I would understand.

• ...you're telling me the Queen of this country (in my playthrough) has barely looked at a map of the place she's ruling or checked out who rules what?? You're telling me that the Royal Communications Director is STILL going to give her a gazillion flash cards to read something that she could sum up in five minutes, at the very last minute? Bitch what have you been doing this entire time? Touching up your manicure??

•

@Penelope: No you're not.

@Kiara: STOP ENABLING HER, KIKI, AND GET YOURSELF BETTER FRIENDS.

@Madeleine: Pls fall on a cactus.

• Madeleine hasn't been here for even five minutes and already I've had enough of her entitled ass. "Little apple gestating in your womb"...just...I can't. Ugh. Get your nosy nose out of my oven!!

• Remember how I told you guys about how apple analogies may be used to denote fertility? (mostly because RoE spoke of this apple cutting ceremony and it was a very obvious indicator towards apple metaphors being used to describe pregnancy and childbirth).

• I facepalmed when Kiara agreed with her but she's also probably thinking "well see this is why they call me the smart courtier. I don't have to deal with this shit anymore and now you do" (she isn't wrong).

• WELL HELLO OLIVIA.

• She informs us that we're expected at the solarium. I have a solarium?

• Apparently it was Mara's honeymoon gift to us. More like her "sorry Bastien and I screwed up last book" gift, I'd say.

• So wait where was this roster Liam was speaking about in the last book's epilogue? I see one Cordonian noble and one Englishman who until my wedding wanted to have nothing to do with Cordonia, and who's now bleating "our country, our kingdom, we're under attack" like a panicking patriotic nanny goat.

• Why can I not see Emmeline here, who is clearly the expert on her duchy? (I mean like. Landon is nice, but I'd really like to see more women in this Council too). Also does Kiara's inclusion into the Council cancel out the presence of her father Hakim, who is a seasoned diplomat and might possibly have some really good suggestions for dealing with these foreign powers (and seriously he'd be a better option than Godfrey anyway).

• Now Esther has a suggestion! Let's see what it is...

• A royal ball, apparently. Which...given the company, I'm sure it probably would be appropriate but I'm pretty sure we'll need to have more than that in place. I'm pretty sure the people in this council should either be finding out whether the person making these suggestions knows anything about these issues or whether she is simply talking out of her ass. This was a problem last book as well. The MC rarely feels the need on her own to explore these situations more, is okay with just learning things last minute and rolling with it and has the same solution to everything. It's either tours or balls but very little actual exploration of the situation. (I mean there is even a point where she barely shows any empathy at Portavira - even though they're still reeling from a bunch of natural calamities - and thinks it's appropriate to tell them to come for her wedding anyway. No wonder Liam panicked and started giving her diplomacy lessons, stat!) I'd actually take the MC seriously if she were doing her research and her suggestions weren't so shallow and one-note.

• Hana is grinning and giving justifications like this suggestion makes sense. STOP. ENABLING. HER. HANA.

• I especially want to know what Liam's experiences with these dignitaries have been. Both last chapter and this one, I'm seeing him in a position where he is defiant and digging his heels into whatever ideas he is having, but I don't know the context yet and would like to make sense of that. From whatever I've read so far...Liam took the year following Leo's abdication to familiarize himself with taking the front seat in negotiations, and probably may have been familiar with this kind of situation and the kind of people involved even before he became Crown Prince. It makes me wonder how difficult negotiating with them has been, and I want to see why Liam is so done with these people, so fed up. We're missing some context here and I think learning at least a little more than these scraps would have been better for everyone.

• I like that they remember Kiara as the only one outside of the charmed six to get a seat in this council (Kiki deserves the best). I also liked how succintly she summed up Drake and Hana's points about what the heightened taxes are doing to the people as "a reminder that we're not just here for ourselves".

• I find the entire idea of Drake Walker being the sole commoner representative in the Council laughable, especially in a narrative where every other commoner barely has a face, hardly has a name, and almost never has a voice. A man who has spent a huge chunk of his life in a palace, and who I've hardly seen even interacting with a commoner in the story...I'm expected to believe he will have great insights on commoner issues?? Even in this meeting, it's Hana who does a better job explaining this situation (she's the one highlighting the tax issues) than he does. Then again this Council also somehow gave a seat to Duke Karlington - a man who literally never had Cordonia's best interests in mind last book, and who only ended up attending our wedding because we had to be brought in as family counselors to settle HIS family disputes (I mean lol Godfrey how can you call this wedding a disaster when it caused you to magically become so "patriotic"!)

For God's sake, I want to see other commoners on this council. I want people who are actually living these experiences highlighting their issues. This is an issue I have with the MC too. She started out a commoner herself a waitress who wouldn't even flinch at the sight of rats in a dumpster. For someone of that background and who has possibly lived under the worse circumstances than some Cordinians themselves, you'd think that she'd have questions and show interest in how the people who aren't owning lands and are regular individuals on the street live their lives, and whether things are okay for them. But she's so immersed in the world of nobility that she rarely ever even tries to come out.

• Before Liam takes into account everyone's points and comes to a conclusion, the MC has the opportunity to give them her opinion. She can either say that we can't trust anyone, which Godfrey agrees with, or that an alliance would be good for Cordonia, which Godfrey views as naive, OR (and I didn't expect to like this response but I actually do) that she's a waitress from the States, and wouldn't know all that much about this situation. To which there isn't much of a reaction as such, but that's kind of what seems different about this book compared to the others.

• Once the meeting is wrapped up, our LI and Maxwell/Hana whisper in a corner about a surprise they have in store, and take us upstairs to show us what it is. If you're marrying any of the other three, Maxwell is the one who has arranged and picked out themes and colour schemes for the nursery. If you're married to Maxwell, Hana takes over this role.

• Ooooh. New (I think!) baby music! Nice. Very lullaby-like.

• Every design has these basic components:

a crib with a pillow (which I think will be updated later)

a couch nearby, likely for comfort when the mother wants to breastfeed (the updated versions seem to have a footrest)

a table with a lamp

three empty frames (also to be updated. I'm guessing for one of those "my first hand/foot impression" kind of thing and maybe even photoshoots etc)

a ceiling lamp/chandelier

a hook, also on the ceiling.

The two updated versions have footrests, updated lamps and ceiling decorations, additional carpet and customized designs (except for the crib and the pictures and the hook, which I think will be updated later). The Royal Glam theme is all reds and golds, very luxurious and very Valtoria. The Fairytale Forest theme has more whimsy, with bears, foxes, leaves, flowers and apples on the wallpaper, wood paneling, a beautiful golden lamp. Very pretty. Both seem to reference the MC's journey in TRR: her being either a Royal and the closest thing to one, and her journey being very fairytale-like (remember, the same logic was used for Hana's "something blue" gift for the MC's - where she views her as Cinderella).

• Only problem is...who exactly buys a nursery before they have a baby! Especially considering how unpredictable pregnancy and childbirth can be.

• We now meet Dr Ramirez for an appointment. I'm not sure about her suggestion that prenatal vitamins etc they will deal with after she has conceived. I know a number of people who did pre-pregnancy appointments and vitamins and folic acid were on the top of the list of things they'd start a routine with.

• As expected, all the appointments go roughly the same, with the usual answers to the usual questions (one about sushi, another about morning sickness and a last one about potential complications). The MC and LI are in the clear, and can start preparing - but apparently shouldn't stress. LMAO. Thank you doctor, I'm sure that will be easy to do in this country 😂

• Hana's goes differently, and it's clear this doctor's visit was primarily written to address her situation with the MC. The tests go differently, the suggestions given to them are different, the questions the MC asks (one about choosing donors, when they should start, and who should carry the child). The bombshell that immediately follows this is:

Wow. Seriously. Wow. You couldn't find a more temporary reason for why the MC has to be the one conceiving? It has to be something that would make her overall ability to conceive almost impossible?? (and this we find after one test? No follow ups?) I recall someone putting up/reblogging these screenshots with a caption about how the narrative pretty much took Hana's entire ability to conceive from her, and it's so true - and so disturbing when you place it in the context of how they've dealt with her issues so far (more on this later).

• In Hana's playthrough, she struggles with implications of this news, but constantly tries to veer the focus back to "well at least one of us can is able to have this baby". Twice, she is shown moving away from her pain to ask about the other possibilities for the MC.

• Anyway...we now move to the next morning, when the couple wake up to bad news - and it's concerning the pictures taken during their honeymoon. Given that Maxwell/Hana is holding a magazine when they tell the MC they found out who was responsible...I wonder if it's one of our news outlets. Or whether it's a foreign media rep.

• So I guess this complicates things at our Ball, since we're already on thin ice and this news would have spread to those other dignitaries as well. So we're going to have to deal with whatever implications come with those pictures (perhaps a spin on the royal gang having fun while Cordonia is in a national crisis? Who knows. It would be hypocritical of Cordonians and people from other neighbouring countries to judge the couple over the babymaking that they themselves were enforcing on these two!)

• In any case...royal ball this week. And in the universe of PB's stories that usually means some shit will go down.

General Thoughts and Observations:

• The funny thing about the MC's responses now is that her heightened position now seems to allow her to get away with a lot more than she used to. Now if she gives a joke response, the media and people laugh with her rather than at her. If she is a diva, the crowd will lap it up. I'm guessing what the book is trying to imply is that these are the people she has won over and doesn't exactly need to worry about, and now the ones she will have to convince are from other, more powerful countries - ready to back Cordonia into a corner anytime.

• As you can tell by now, I absolutely loved the childhood sequences. They sounded like children, most of the narrative lines up with what was already said in the previous series, and there were some interesting narrative devices used here.

• I think the third sequence especially drives home the point about what Liam did right, even as a young boy, and what Constantine refusing to look past Olivia's lineage to see her as an individual could have cost him. Constantine's ruthlessness and lack of genuine care for his bonds/friendships (eg. Hakim) had him in a position where he was unable to relate to anyone beyond his own tiny bubble (even his own wife Regina was taking countermeasures to make the best of his horrid plan), and had him make decisions that did more harm than good. For instance, take what he did to the MC, for no fault of her own other than that he didn't think she'd be a good Queen. Not only was what he did utterly disgusting, but it also would have made his own family a subject of shame in the country (which is why Constantine practically begs her never to expose him, because then Liam would be paying the price). Imagine what would have happened if Constantine didn't agree with Liam and perhaps Eleanor, never brought Olivia to the palace, and Liam had never shown her his constant support. Liam's genuine empathy in this case pretty much ensured the safety of his own line.

• I also love the implications of that sequence. Constantine is so wrapped up in his fear that he tries to break what Olivia considers most precious (Zenobia the sword in this case, but this could allude to her parents' deaths and later, her possible marriage to Liam at his Coronation). Liam attempts to fill that gap by taking her in, caring for her, and giving her the tools to continue being the Lythikos fighter she has always been.

• There are a few TCaTF references in the palace scenes: Maxwell mentions Panrion twice, and Olivia calls her sword "Zenobia" in honour of her historical hero (she still speaks of Zenobia with something akin to worship during the Winter Festival in Lythikos).

• Olivia's dress is also modelled on Zenobia's, with the same colour and bodice embroidery. In fact most of the clothes are very similar to their adult garments: Drake still wears denim, Maxwell favours dark colours (still should have been chubby though), Liam's clothes are similar to his casual wear minus the ascot, and Hana wears pink, with flower designs on the skirt.

• What I like most are the narrative voices for both Liam and Hana, who are the ones narrating these stories, and how rooted in their imaginations the scenes themselves sound. But there are significant, heartbreaking differences in how we see their imaginations play out:

Here are a few samples of narration I've managed to save from Liam's PoV. Notice how Liam and his friends are so into their little game that they find adventure in everything? Notice the language they use to describe themselves and what they are doing? Once-defiant topiaries shaking in fear at their antics. "Liberating" chocolate tarts. "Conquering" the upper floors. These boys are playing out their dreams and showing us the kind of men they would want to be. The heroes. The victors. The ones everyone looks at with awe and reverence.

This is also not a story Liam is creating alone. Drake and Maxwell happily join in, sink into their characters and display their heroics alongside him. Olivia also joins in and holds her own, and when Liam's father tries to break her spirit, Olivia shows Liam her trust and faith in him by using the language of the game.

On the other hand, here is what the narration technique in Hana's tea scene looks like:

There is a lot to unpack here. A lot. There is perhaps more in this one scene of Hana's than there is in all of Book 3, where she was pretty much pushed to the sidelines.

We were told in Book 1 that Hana had to get creative because she wasn't allowed toys. This was told to us in a rather matter-of-fact way, by a person who was normalized in this way of life and who hadn't yet realized just wrong her upbringing was or how damaged her self of self was. It's perhaps easy to forget this bit of dialogue if you were reading it for the first time because at the end of the day it's spoken of without much gravity.

It's when you see it play out in front of you, in little Hana's voice, from an adult Hana who will now view this entire sequence very, very differently, that the tragedy of it all really hits you. At such a young age she is forced to make do with the little she has: the little she has in terms of things to play with, the little she has in terms of relationships. What the MC says after that sequence is half-right, it's sweet how Hana used her imagination in spite of her parents' rules and strict lifestyle. But what that misses is the burden experiences like that would place on a child in her earliest, more formative years. What stand out to me the most in this sequence are these:

- The most obvious: the use of a 'tea party' to teach herself etiquette and diplomacy. In the present, Hana tells the group that "a lot of what I learned about courtly negotiations, I learned from the tea table". This is the level Hana chooses to focus on after telling her tale, to soften the blow of the story itself.

- The fact that despite her mother's treatment of her, Hana still leaves space for Lorelai. Still wants to believe the best of her, still wants her involved in her life. Lorelai denies her her support and comfort, which is the initial layer to her injustices against Hana. In a lot of ways, even now - Hana is still leaving space for Lorelai, giving her chances to improve, trying to educate her on respecting her boundaries better. It's a long, exhausting process, and Lorelai doesn't deserve the many chances Hana keeps giving her, but Hana is also a person who struggles to completely cut off from the people in her life, controlling and emotionally abusive though they may be.

- At the end of the day, the objects she is giving a life and a personality to, are inanimate objects used for other purposes. Not toys, not real friends. Every last one of them. Miss Doily is kind and caring, Princess Sinckerdoodle is jealous and gives a damn about etiquette (I like how you can see allusions there to Olivia and the MC in the Bakery Ball dialogue!). But they're essentially all objects that cannot move the way her narration describes them as moving. Even dolls and toys, inanimate though they are, are made for the express purpose of allowing a child to participate in pretend play. They can be given a voice, their limbs can be moved, the child can easily turn such a space into an active space with the use of her toys. The doily, the napkin, the sock...these are things Hana will have very little actual control over. They will not be able to move the way she wants them to, do the things she wants them to. Everything has to be happening in her head and there is very little outlet for her other than the few things she has at hand (a similar example of of Hana using scraps we will also find in Book 2, where she draws whiskers on a rock to replicate a toy mouse).

Look again, at the differences in the way Liam narrates his tale and how Hana narrates hers. Liam's is also a fantasy, also uses inanimate objects. But supporting him in building this imaginary universe are his friends, and the parents who both don't stop him from immersing himself in this imaginary world, and have a safe normal (for now) life to return to when those "adventures" are over. On the other hand, Hana has to do the heavy work...in every way. She has to imagine not only the background of what is happening, but also what the objects in front of her are like, what they will do, how they will interact with her, how they will interact with each other.

If I had to replicate such a scene into film, the loneliness of this sequence would perhaps hit harder. A large, empty room. A tiny girl. A tea set and several strange items - and none of them actually move. She is sitting alone, in the dim light, in the silence, talking to these objects that will never respond so she pretends they do, just to chase away that yawning, aching feeling of not having a single friend. All she gets in return is silence. All she finds in front of her is space, and more space. The kind of space that could swallow a child in its emptiness.

And in the center, is a seat left empty. For a mother who doesn't believe her daughter is worth the time.

I think there will be very few who will appreciate the strength it takes to survive a lifetime of that, and that's sad.

• The little Hana sequence reminds me of the animated film Cinderella, particularly in how the main character uses dreams and imagination as an escape from her life of drudgery and the abuse she faces daily. Particularly the song "Sing Sweet Nightingale", where Cinderella's dull world bursts into vivid colour through the soap bubbles that emerge from the washing bucket.

It's a beautiful, soft, almost surreal little sequence...but when you strip it all down to its basics, what you're essentially seeing is a woman so abused by her family and so trapped in this life she does not deserve, that she has to grasp at straws to find joy. Or in this case, soap bubbles.

What Hana faces in her home is perhaps a little more similar to Rapunzel's situation in Tangled than Cinderella's, but there are definite similarities in the way both characters use their imaginations to soothe and comfort themselves. She is forced into a situation where her imagination - and these things that can't respond to her - are all she has, and the only ways she can keep herself safe and happy. That's way too big a burden for a child so young to bear.

• I wonder if there will be more than the memories. Perhaps documents, news clippings, research material that the MC can use to dig further into what's going on in this country. It's possible, but it's also possible that memories will entirely be how we unravel this mess. I was speaking to @thefirstcourtesan the other day and she mentioned that Bianca and Bastien would both be pretty good sources for finding out more - Bastien, after all, had a lot of respect for the second queen and was close to Jackson, and Bianca would have heard certain things from her husband or witnessed something at the very least (and if they were friends, that angle too). I probably would add Lucretia and maybe Anton (if we see them and if they cooperate), Bertrand or someone new who knew Bartamely (if we can find out more about the Beaumont house that would be lovely!), the Lees, and...Francesco? (I still haven't forgotten that Bertrand mentioned him as being a friend of Liam's mother). I also want to see what new information Olivia got from the last time she did her research on any hidden deals or laws that could endanger the kingdom. There are quite a few possibilities in terms of what we could find and how it can be presented, so I'm looking forward to that. This scene was a good start.

• Having said that, this was something they should have been addressing the previous book. If they hadn't spent so much of their focus on all the wrong things, we wouldn't have as much ground to cover as we do now. And I'm not sure they've learned their lesson enough that we will not see the same mistakes repeated this time.

• Why is the system in place to inform and update the MC on what's happening so poor this time. At least earlier, we'd have a fairly good idea of what would be happening next, even if some important stuff was done last minute. Now the explanations themselves are poorly formed and done without proper thought on whether the MC/readers might understand what's going on or not. It doesn't look good on the story, nor does it look good on those characters esp the MC. This is stuff she could have maybe gotten away with as a suitor. But now she is Duchess/Queen, and an influential figure. What looked good in her days as a suitor won't look so good on her now.

• The Royal Council could be a way forward - for the nobility and royalty-heavy narrative to something that shows us more perspectives from the people who really form the backbone of this country - the commoners who actually populate Cordonia's lands and duchies, whose hard work likely keeps the economy running. Just one Drake isn't adequate for that kind of representation - not when he very rarely addresses their issues in the first place. Please tell me there will be more in that Council because the Council as it stands is in no way an improvement on the status quo.

• I've said more than enough about how bizarre and downright OOC Liam sounds, but I do think we should not ignore the context - the fact that every single individual involved is making these demands of the MC and expecting her to save their country through her child without really checking if she has basic knowledge or other resources in place (such as information about the rulers she is meeting). That includes the LIs. It's very easy to make just a character or two a convenient scapegoat, but let's not forget that there isn't a single person in this entire narrative that is bothering to examine the implications. Not a single.

• What really got me angry...was the Hana doctor sequence. Maybe two books ago it would have just hurt - but more on the level of "it hurts to see Hana like this but I have hope for her". Hope that she would have the space to grieve something she had lost before she could ever even have it, hope that the narrative would validate her pain and encourage her healing. But I can't even hope for that anymore.

This is a very very painful, complicated situation to put a person in. And yes, sometimes those are things you want to talk about and finding out you can't have children when you've always wanted to have them is a very real, very difficult situation - and there is a lot you can explore in terms of how a person with these conditions would feel. But the thing is...Hana has already been on the receiving end of multiple tragic storylines. I have already seen enough and more of her in pain. What I'm not seeing is a good - or even adequate - payoff that validates her painful journey and allows for a release of those emotions. I'm constantly seeing more tragedy, less triumph. I'm not seeing enough satisfactory resolution to those many many issues, and I've spent three books just watching her hurt be brushed aside both by the people who bully her AND the people who are supposed to be her friends (let's be real, they're doing it even now). And now is supposed to be a good time to pile up another difficult situation on her???

• Whenever Hana has been forced into situations that hurt her, her emotions and thoughts have always been pushed to the sidelines - unless and until it was to elevate the MC to a pedestal in Hana's eyes. Hana has rarely - if ever - been given the space to speak out against injustices done to her, has rarely been allowed to have an opinion on people who have harmed her.

When the narrative should have been validating what Madeleine put Hana through, they opted to create sympathy for Madeleine instead...and had her completely minimize what she did to Hana ("I'm sure Hana will be willing to let bygones be bygones").

When the narrative should have been allowing her to discover what her sexuality was, they opted not to talk about it at all. They opted to make her MC-sexual instead. Even with the "alternative LI" they planned for her (*pukes*), they focused more on Madeleine's feelings than Hana's.

When the narrative should have allowed her the space to explore what her parents did wrong and arm her against their faulty arguments about her being the "delicate flower" who cannot survive without them, the writers opted to push her into a 'solution' that was still centered around her usefulness, not her emotional state. Her 'happy ending' with her parents involves constantly educating them on how to treat her with respect, a suffocating, draining process for a child with her background.

When the narrative should have - at least - given her a good wedding, after showing us what dreams she had for it, a wedding where she was treated like a bride, not a bridesmaid, her writers did exactly the opposite. She is more skilled than the MC yet it is the MC that gets the duchy. She is the creative one who comes up with the polo moves yet it is the MC that gets the credit. She is the one that didn't have a chance to fully plan her own wedding the way she wanted earlier, yet the same MC still treats her like her wedding planner rather than a bride. In not one of these situations is she ever allowed to vent about or even speak of what this is doing to her.

Maybe they will give her a chance to explore this difficult journey, maybe they won't. But how dare they push another tragic, difficult (to her) truth such as this, when they have barely allowed her to voice discontent or pain on a host of other issues!

Piling more pain on top of the pain a character already has, isn't going to make your character better developed. Allowing them the space to feel and show those feelings to others will. Thinking of worthy resolutions to those issues, will. If you want to be fair to Hana, center her in her story. Expand on her origins. Focus on story not skills. And validate her pain goddammit!!

• Sigh. Until next time, folks.

#long post #the royal heir #trh quick thoughts #trh qts #king liam #hana lee #maxwell beaumont #drake walker #olivia nevrakis #trr kiara #trr penelope #trr madeleine #bertrand beaumont

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