#you'll get five answers and none of them are exactly what you asked for

[todoriin]

lose something, babe | rin can't leave you if you do it first.

cw: toxic relationship, avoidant gn!reader, angst w comfort, ambiguous ending, unhealthy portrayals of love, read with caution.

The rain hits your windshield like bullets.

Even with your wipers cranked up to the most powerful option, you still can’t see too clearly admist the chaos, streetlights and passing cars becoming nothing but droplets of light in the dark. It’s exceptionally lonely in your car, and cold, too.

Bringing your sweater-covered hands to your mouth, you breathe warmth into them, reaching for your phone. 

No messages from Rin, or any notifications, for that matter. You don’t know whether to be relieved or saddened that he didn’t care to reach out in this weather, not that it surprised you. The only thing Rin will have with him when he crawls over mountains and swims across seas is his pride, and it’s the one thing he vehemently defends, even if it’s against you. 

He makes you feel so small in comparison to him, and in a way, you are. Your name isn’t on billboards, you don’t have millions of followers on social media, and you don’t have the ego of a thousand suns behind you. At any moment, he could leave, and you know that, so you'll do it first.

Even if it means getting trapped in a thunderstorm; your least favourite weather to be stuck outside in.

Your phone rings with the sounds of a call, phone speaker turned up to max volume to break through the thunderous storm.

“Isagi?” You greet.

“Yeah? What’s up?” He answers from the other end.

“Am I interrupting anything?”

“No, you can talk.” 

“Can I crash at yours for a little? I’m… a bit far from home and you’re closer to my location.”

“You’re outside? In this weather? Does Rin know?”

“Don’t tell him.”

“Why not?” 

You’re silent, pondering whether to lie or not. However, your lack of an answer gave Isagi one regardless.

“It’s none of my business, I shouldn’t have pried. Come over, you shouldn’t be alone in a storm like this.” 

“Thank you, it means a lot.”

“No problem. Drive safe.”

“I will.”

It feels a little warmer when Isagi hangs up, his friendliness contrasting the ice that Rin likes to weaponise and throw against you.

The drive to his takes no longer than five minutes, and when you arrive, Isagi is already waiting for you, bundled in a warm hoodie and track pants.

Comfort is standing under the light and warmth of his front entrance, gratitude is being thankful to have a roof over your head. 

“Come in,” the athlete ushers you inside. 

“I’m sorry to barge in like this,” you murmur guiltily, quietly removing your shoes because to make sound was to exist, and you don’t want your presence to be a burden to him. You know that you're out of place here, and that his hospitality was one you don't deserve.

“No, please don’t apologise. It’s what friends do for each other.” 

It’s peaceful at his place. There’s a 90s romance playing on his widescreen TV, an opened bag of chips on his coffee table paired with a no sugar fizzy drink. He ushers around the attached kitchen to pour you a cup of water.

You don’t recognise the show, and you won’t pretend like you do. To make conversation, you ask him what he’s watching, and whether or not it’s good since you’re on the lookout for good shows to watch. It’s only when Isagi’s done with his explanation that your phone buzzes with a message, the notification even reaching his ears.

“Is that Rin?” The dark-haired questions.

“Yeah.”

rin: The storm just reached here, are you safe?

y/n: yeah

Three bubbles appear, and then disappear, and then reappear. “Did something happen between you two?” Isagi asks, sincere and careful with his words. 

“A small argument.”

“Are you sure? I don't know if it was... small.”

The evidence is plastered all over your face. Puffy eyes, dry tear marks, a red nose- all traces of the breakdown you had in the car that you tried to wipe away, but the most observant of people in the world see what others don’t want you to. Isagi’s good at that exactly.

"Small arguments don't cause people to drive so far from home."

You might cry again if he keeps looking at you so pitifully. You’re not miserable, you want to tell him, that you’re happy in your relationship with Rin even though sometimes his thorns pierce your most guarded of layers. There are more ups than downs with Rin, and you work through them together, you just need some time to breathe without him first because it’s easier to do so without him, that’s just how love and relationships should work, and when will this nightmare end?

“It was a small argument,” you pinch your nose bridge, eyes stinging with tears that threaten to fall.

Isagi hums in sympathy, not believing your words. That’s when your phone buzzes with another message. 

rin: Where are you?

you: safe im turning notifications off

Isagi invites you to talk, that if you need the space, he’s offering it to you. What starts off as a small rant blows up into something you can’t control, only spaced out by sighs and noises of exasperation as you go over the fucked up things you both said to each other tonight. 

By the time you’re done, there’s a series of loud bashes on Isagi’s door. Rin’s voice comes from the other side, fighting the downpour outside that still drums down, neither of them relenting.

“Don’t open it,” Isagi tells you, and you remain frozen in your spot. It’s hard to get up, hard to breathe, hard to think as he easily gets up and walks over to the entrance.

Is Rin angry at you for coming here? Has he come to drag you back home? To continue the argument from before you stormed out?

An infinity stretches between now and Isagi opening the door, but time comes crashing down when you hear the abrasiveness of Rin’s voice. He’s demanding for you, asking if Isagi did anything to harm you as if he isn’t the sole reason for your tears and sorrow tonight. As if he isn’t the one who hurt you the most, and here he is, making a ruckus in the home of a man who let you under his roof when you couldn’t go home. 

“Rin, leave Isagi alone,” you call out, finally finding the courage to stand.

It’s silent, but the footsteps come barrelling towards you and Rin turns the corner with a frantic look in his eyes. 

“Fuck, baby, are you okay?”

You were until he showed up. “I’m fine. How did you know I was here?”

“Your location, you’re always sharing it with me.”

“I- then what gave you the right to show up?” You almost choke on your anger, “I don’t want to see you, Rin.” 

His grip on the wall tightens, as if the floor beneath him would give out from any second and he’d be sent tumbling into the abyss of emotions he can’t recognise and refuses to recognise. Despite it all, he can’t stop looking at you, as if tearing his eyes away would cause you to vanish, and he’d be tripping after traces.

“I needed to know if you were safe,” your boyfriend breathes shakily, pushing himself off the wall and towards you. You back away and only stop when your feet hit the couch, and Rin cages you in easily, large hands wrapping around your wrists like chains. “Come home, babe.”

“I want space, Rin.”

“I’ll give you space, I’ll give you everything you need, just- come home,” he begs, leaning in to rest his foreheads against yours with closed eyes. 

It’s airy and desperate, the way he speaks. It is a siren’s song, and you shouldn’t listen, but oh, he is speaking so softly and kindly that it lures you in to a false sense of security. You almost close your eyes- almost, but in the moment it matters most, you push him away, allowing him to see your sorrowful state for the first time since he caused it.

Is love supposed to be as cruel as Itoshi Rin? Is it supposed to make you cry, fight, and thrash?

“Let go,” you try to tear your hands out of his, but he only retaliates by kissing your complaints away, swallowing them with his mouth so that your venom will settle in his stomach instead of his heart. 

He’s insistent and everywhere. One of his legs are slotted between yours, his hands are warm on your cheeks, and the clash of his nose and teeth against yours feel so raw and human that it drains all of your fight out of you. How do you run away from this?

Persistently and blindly, he places kisses along your face, never straying too far from your lips.

No matter how much you want to pull away, you fight for what you love, not against it, so you sink into him instead and let Rin run his course, helpless to his onslaught of affection.

You try not to cower away too much.

“I’m sorry,” Rin whispers. “Don’t be mad anymore, I’m sorry for being a dick, come home, I'll leave, I just need to know that you're safe.” 

He coaxes you into coming home with him, that you can come pick up your car tomorrow because he knows you hate driving in heavy rain. That he’ll pay for whatever parking fees you have accumulated. That you can talk- really talk it out, together at home.

The look Rin gives Isagi is less than friendly when you bid your farewells. You deem it compulsory to go out tomorrow to buy a gift for the poor soccer player, who has been an involuntary witness to the mess that is tonight. 

There is concern in Isagi’s eyes when you turn around to wave goodbye. 

[esamastation]

Part forty-two of Shizuroth, aka, the SOLDIER General's Self Saving Shizun.

Ao3 link.

Previous parts: twenty-four, twenty-five, twenty-six, twenty-seven, twenty-eight, twenty-nine, thirty, thirty-one, thirty-two, thirty-three, thirty-four, thirty-five, thirty-six, thirty-seven, thirty-eight, thirty-nine, forty, forty-one

-

The Turks have arranged everything. Sort of. The charcoal burner's house is long abandoned and remote, not close to any main routes, so it would be private. In the books, both Sephiroth and Angeal are taking part in a classified mission with the Turks, which has been approved by both the Director of the SOLDIER program and the Acting Director of the Turks. It would take someone higher up in the Public Security Department to delve deeper than that, and since the President had already given his seal of approval, there's not much even Heidegger can do about it.

"And Rude is bringing everything we'll need to survive," Reno finishes. "Starting today, your priority is sorting out whatever is going on with you, free of distractions, external stressors and hopefully of further incidents."

Sephiroth still seems to be stuck on the getting his shit together part of the mission and apparently isn't sure whether to be insulted or not.

Angeal clears his throat. "And what are we supposed to… do, exactly?"

"Hell if I know," Reno shrugs and nods at Sephiroth. "Figure you'd sort it out by yourself, with your new spooky… whatever it is you got going on. You seem to have some idea."

"Uh," Sephiroth answers. 

Eloquent.

Angeal runs a hand down his face. Then he laughs. "Okay, I have to admit. I'm impressed. I didn't really think you'd do anything, but - I'm impressed." And more than slightly intimidated by the connections and liberties the Turks have, but that's not exactly new. "How long do we have?"

"Until further notice, or until someone back in Midgar gets antsy," Reno shrugs. "I'm thinking maybe don't worry about time. If you need more, we will arrange some."

Huh. "This is really that important, then?"

Reno gives Sephiroth a look and then looks at Angeal. "Yeah," he says, a deceptively easy answer.

That's… somehow a little disconcerting. Certainly Sephiroth is invaluable to the program and to the company, but this… this is beyond VIP treatment.

"I see," Angeal murmurs and clears his throat.

Sephiroth finally shakes himself loose from his surprise, enough to look first somewhat sheepish - and then intrigued. "So, I can do whatever I want here?"

"Pretty much," Reno agrees, without any care for how alarming the question is. "And if you need something to further your whatever, we'll get it for you."

"Nice. And there will be no other missions if I don't want to do them right now?" Sephiroth asks.

"You can do them or not as you'd like - none of them have higher priority than this, and they can be delegated to other people, if it comes to that."

Sephiroth runs a hand over his chin. "And if I want access to some material that might be to some extent classified?"

Reno narrows his eyes. "Like what?"

"Haven't decided yet," Sephiroth answers flippantly. "But it might come up."

"... Great. We'll review case by case when we come to it," Reno mutters. "Though you know it's a bitch to get stuff shipped here, right? We're on another continent."

"Yes, yes, it's very impressive," Sephiroth says dismissively and thinks about something for a moment. Then he looks at the charcoal burner's house with a discerning eye. "And you'll be staying here too?" he then asks, glazing at Reno. "To watch us?"

Reno shrugs, unapologetic.

Sephiroth eyes him for a moment and then turns back to the house. "Very well. It will do."

"... Awesome," Reno says and motions. "Go, make yourselves comfortable or whatever. I'm going to walk the perimeter and set some traps."

"Mmhmm," Sephiroth answers, already striding back into the house with a proprietor's casual confidence, and Angeal can just imagine the furniture soon to be rearranged inside.

He hesitates before following and looks at Reno. "What is this really about? It's not just that Sephiroth lost control, is it?"

Reno considers him. "Well, duh, no," he says. "It's the stuff he's been saying in between."

And the abilities he seems to be on the verge of developing. "What's the official view on what's happening to Sephiroth?" What are they expecting from him?

"There isn't one," Reno says and arches his brows meaningfully, and then turns to go.

Angeal's face tightens, and he knows he probably doesn't understand the implications… but then maybe he does. All this effort and all the stuff that's been going on… whatever it is, the company is looking forward to benefiting from it greatly. And they want no one messing with what is happening before they do.

Angeal thinks of the moment Sephiroth communed with the old tree the day before, and for a moment he really wishes it was Genesis here with him instead. Genesis would actually know how to handle all of this. Angeal isn't even sure if he can ask Genesis about this, if he can talk to him about this!

Never mind the fact that Genesis probably has his hands full with whatever is happening back at Shinra Building… the aftermath of Sephiroth's incident and whatever Professor Hojo was doing…

Angeal turns to head inside.

… Where Sephiroth has begun poking around the house, and, of course, is already moving furniture around.

"I see you are all for this," Angeal comments.

"I'll take all the extra time I can get," Sephiroth mutters while carrying a little table to the middle of the main room. "Though I am not exactly happy about being under Turk supervision, I'll take it over the alternative."

Angeal hums, looking around and then deciding that Sephiroth probably doesn't need - or want - his help in decorating. "What's the alternative?"

Sephiroth grimaces and goes to move a bookshelf.

Okay then. Ominous. Angeal sighs and sets the Buster Sword down to lean against the wall near the door, right beside Masamune. "You know they expect something to come from this. For you to… to make it worth their while."

Sephiroth half laughs and half scoffs. "I just bet they do," he agrees and picks up somewhat dusty cushions and considers them with a frown.

Angeal folds his arms. "Are you going to?" he then asks, worried.

Sephiroth pauses and looks away, dropping the cushions by the table in the middle. "No," he says finally. "I don't imagine I will. Regardless," he shakes his head. "This is the next best thing to a full-on seclusion, and I am damn well going to make the most of it."

Angeal doesn't know what that means, but it doesn't matter. "Okay," he says and draws a breath. "Guess we'll… just stay here for the time being, then."

Sephiroth hums in agreement. "Guess so. Does it bother you?"

"No more than anything else around Wutai," Angeal admits and looks up at the ceiling. "We were already looking forward to a prolonged stay in someone's abandoned home. This place is honestly an improvement."

Sephiroth relaxes a little. "Yeah. And hey, the people here weren't chased out or killed by Shinra. That's something."

Angeal looks at him curiously. "How do you know that?"

"The original owner left a scrap piece of letter behind. Apparently they were invited to the capital," Sephiroth says.

… Sephiroth reads the Wutai language? Huh. Angeal didn't know that.

"I guess that's good to know," he says and then sighs. "Okay, so. This… thing you're doing. Your energy alignment stuff. Is there anything I can do to help? What do you need?"

Sephiroth hesitates between moving some jars around and looks at him. "I need a proper cleared training area," he says and offers him a wry smile. "At least as big as the training room back at Shinra Building."

"I can do that, yeah," Angeal says. "Anything else?"

Sephiroth thinks about it for a moment before setting the jars back down. "I'll let you know."

Angeal nods and gets to it. There's not much he can do when Sephiroth refuses to trust him, but… he'd do what he could.

Hopefully by the end of it, it would be enough.

-

Time for a training montage.

[ohthethingswedoforlove]

Yandere!Starlo headcanons

I've been playing Undertale Yellow and of course I had to write for Starlo, with an introduction and boss fight like that, how could I not?

Warnings: yandere character; vague descriptions of violence; imprisonment; some spoilers for the game;

Starlo

💛 Starlo, or North Star as he has taken a liking to call himself, has always been one for fixations.

💛 And you being a human who just so happened to have the unfortunate mistep of falling into the Underground fits oh so neatly into his acquired fascinations.

💛 Imagine you're a human who managed to venture through the Underground until you stumbled upon the Wild East before Clover even had a chance to.

💛 You're the first human, the first real human Star has ever laid eyes on. And how exciting that is!

💛 He just has to take you along! He's seen so much about your kind and he just yearns to mimic a part of it; and besides, imagine his posse, the Feisty Five, now with a human member!

💛 You barely have time to question what he means by that before you're being taken by his gang and brought to his town. 

💛 And if you somehow manage to break yourself out of the grasp of Ed or any of the other members, Star is pretty quick with his lasso. Don't worry! He doesn't want to hurt you! You just have to come with him them! You have to.

💛 He wants you as part of the team, immediately parading you around for the town's residents, delighted at his newest find. You're going to fit in just fine, partner! He's sure of it.

💛 But you can't leave.

💛 Try as you might to ask around, everyone seems to have a soft spot for Star and think of his antics as mostly harmless. They all share the sentiment that you could just stick around for a bit.

💛 They've never seen him so enthusiastic, so lively before. Maybe you could humor him? Just for a little while! It's the equivalent to playing cowboys for a few days, and where's the harm in that?

💛 Besides, this little town is just so welcoming and friendly. How can you not want to stop and stay a while?

💛 Nevermind that all possible exits seem to be closed off. Or even just straight up locked with a very clear intent.

💛 None of the other residents are as enthusiastic about your stay here. They're very nice to you and happy to see a new face, granted, but you can tell that some of them in particular are internally debating whether or not Star should be doing this. It's all in good fun... And it's not like he's actually trapping you here, right? You'll leave eventually, should you choose to.

💛 Oh, how wrong they'll grow to be.

💛 Star will drag you to "training" as soon as he can, hoping to get you started with a spot on his posse immediately. He has an eye for talent, so surely it'll be no wonder when you start showing sharpshooting skills just as impressive as his!

💛 Nevermind the fact you never held a gun with the intent to shoot in your life.

💛 Training goes over a bit awkwardly, with you clearly not being cut out to be a gunslinger and him being stubborn and convinced that you're made for this. Made to join them. Made to join him.

💛 It takes quite a bit of accidents and a lot of convincing from the other members for him to start accepting that maybe giving you a six-shooter and forcing you to answer to moral problems isn't exactly gonna work out.

💛 But he doesn't give up. 

💛 Sure, you're not officially part of the gang, but that doesn't stop him from dragging you around with him everywhere.

💛 Literally.

💛 Most of the time he guides you around by the hand or, during the moments where you are "refusing to cooperate for no reason", he straight up lassos you and then drags you around.

💛 He laughs it up and tries to play it off like it’s not a big deal. He's not trying to harm you in any way, he just wants to show you around! Show you to his town, show you how fun this life is.

💛 He dresses you up for the role too, insisting in giving you old hats he no longer uses and clothes that would fit the costuming of an old western movie, all things he handmade himself. He just wants you to look the part. And he also thinks you look really cool like that!

💛 You're always there during the gang's meetings, whether you asked to be there or not, and of course you have to participate in the group naps afterwards. 

💛 Star lets you take his spot on the old couch the first few times, but then he starts insisting that you two should share. He does take no for an answer, at least, a bit sad but not wanting to make you uncomfortable. Still doesn't really stop him from sleeping on the ground right in front of the couch. 

💛 Makes it easier to catch you when you're trying to run away leave mid nap, for some reason. You're supposed to rest up before the next mission, you know? He's just trying to help you care for yourself.

💛 When he's not busy playing the role of the town sheriff or hanging out with his posse, while dragging you along of course, he tries to get you to talk about yourself and your life on the Surface.

💛 Star absolutely adores hearing more about you, and gets super into trying to involve your experiences, preferences and stories into the whole old wild west town he has going on. Anything you tell him he absorbs, and then he tries to give you gifts that match or recreate things you've enjoyed to the best of his ability.

💛 Of course, he also goes to show off his brand new knowledge on humans and their lives to anyone in the saloon who's around to listen, all direct from a reliable and wonderful source!

💛 But all of this very obviously obsessive behaviour can only go on for so long before the members of his gang or even Ceroba start to point out how... Weird he's been acting ever since he found you.

💛 He tries to dismiss them. He just cares about you! You're special and he has taken a really strong liking to you. You're like… His partner. Yeah.

💛 So why does he keep you so confined? Well, you're human! Any other monster outside this town finds you and you'll very likely get captured and sent to king Asgore, who will kill you and add your SOUL to the amount needed to break the barrier.

💛 That is if you aren't hurt or killed by an aggressive monster before that even gets to happen.

💛 The others can't really argue about that, much to their frustration, but still point out that he's being overbearing and overprotective.

💛 He ignores them for the most part. Or plays it off, as he usually does. C'mon, the town has been so much more lively since you got here! Why think about all that depressing stuff when we could be having fun and distracting ourselves?

💛 Still, part of him knows it's wrong to keep you here.

💛 Especially when you come to him asking when you can leave. Reminding him that if you managed to get all the way out from the Ruins up until this town, it means that you can handle yourself despite not really being a fighter. And you want to go home.

💛 He feels his heart twist everytime you say that. Home. The guilt instills itself, but it doesn't stop him.

💛 Because... This is your home now, right?

💛 It's selfish, yes, but he doesn't want you to leave. He's grown attached. And he's also grown terrified you're going to end up hurt, or much, much worse. 

💛 Thinking about you being gone from his sight makes his hand shake over the holster of his gun.

💛 So you can't leave.

💛 The town is locked up and you're both figuratively and literally tied to him most of the time, anyway.

💛 You're staying.

💛 You're part of his gang, after all. You're supposed to stick together, through thick and thin.

[lilacella]

James is in the softball team and Sirius is the head of the schools math club. When James is forced to join the club to fix her grades she finds more than her lost interest in mathematics...

Non-magical high school au, fem!James Potter, fem!Sirius Black

1+1 <3

James was jogging down from the field, high fiving her teammates after a successful game. Since James had joined the softball team three years ago their school had had a winning streak and there could be no doubt that this was causation not correlation.

She grabbed her water bottle from the bench and chugged it, then emptied the last couple drops on her sweaty head, shaking out her short wet hair. She took a hopeful look around but the girl she had been putting on this show for didn't seem to be watching. Lily Evans. A beautiful red head with green eyes and freckles all over her face. James had had a crush on her since year 7, but Lily seemed disappointingly straight. Or simply not interested, but James could hardly imagine that. She was usually quite successful with girl. Just not with this particular one she wanted more than anyone else. She shrugged dissapointedly and followed the others into the locker room, where their coach was already waiting. The coach clapped her hands loudly to gain everyones attention.

"Alright girls! Good Game! Natalie that last shot was great! You all did amazing, keep it up! Now get changed and then we'll get pizza for everyone!"

The announcement was met with cheers.

"One second, James! I need to talk to you, come over."

James followed the coach into a side room, fully expecting to be praised for her softball performance. But coach Ruth seemed otherwise inclined.

"Mr. Bracknell talked to me."

Her math teacher.

"He said your grades have been dropping since you joined the team."

James shrugged.

"I guess. I'm just busy..."

"Exactly his point I'm afraid. James, we both know that you are an asset for the team but Mr. Bracknell - and the headmaster I'm afraid - think that you are sacraficing your grades for this."

"Well, so what? That's none of their business."

Coach Ruth shook her head.

"Bracknell said that if you don't fix your math grade at least back to a B, he'll let the headmaster take you off the team."

"What?! He can't do that!" James protested. How dare they! Softball was her life!

"You have to understand, they just don't want you to mess up your A levels. Please just talk to Mr. Bracknell. I'm sure you'll find a solution."

James' fists were clenched tightly with frustration.

"So if I am currently a D student, how am I supposed to get to a B in just three months?"

Mr. Bracknell adjusted his glasses.

"Well, I agree that this could be challenging. But you are a bright student, James. You used to get straight As, I'm sure you'll..."

"No," James interrupted him, boiling with anger. "I did the math last night! Even if I got As for every assignment and test from now on, including the final exam I would only get to a C!"

Mr. Bracknells mouth twitched.

"I'm glad you haven't lost your calculation skills. Then let me make you an offer. Do you know the math club?"

James nodded. Of course she knew the math club. The only school club that had won more trophies for the school in the last year than the softball team. She didn't care much about these boring nerds though.

"Sure, what about it?" she asked, already fearing to know the answer.

"You will join them. I am sure you will be just as helpful to them, as you are to your softball team."

James cringed.

"Do I have to?"

"If you want to play softball next year, yes. You did the math, didn't you?"

James groaned in annoyance.

"Fine."

"Great. I'll let Miss Black know you'll be joining. They meet every Tuesday at 6pm in this classroom. Don't be late. She doesn't like that."

"And who are you?" The tall slender girl with the silkiest black hair James had ever seen stood before her, staring her down with piercing grey eyes surrounded by long, perfectly curved lashes. She was breathtaking. At least James couldn't breathe. God, she was so hot. Okay, maybe this was going to be more fun than she had thought. She stretched out her hand, mustering her most charming smile.

"Hi, I'm James. And you are?"

The girl stared her down with a disparaging glare and shook her hand with obvious disinterest.

"I am Sirius. The leader of this club. Didn't you at least look at the pamphlet before you got here?"

"Uh, no sorry. Easy mistake to make though. You are way to pretty to be in the math club." Smooth.

Sirius seemed to think otherwise and pulled a disgusted face.

"Oh, you're one of those people. Look, I only tolerate you here because Bracknell left me no choice. We really don't have the time to deal with the grade issues of a jock, so just sit in the back and don't get in the way." She waved James off with a slender hand and stepped to the front of the classroom, her skirt bouncing around her perfectly proportioned legs.

Oh. She was a cunt. James had a weak spot for that.

**

The evening sun shone brightly trough the classroom windows, inviting, teasing everyone stuck inside on such a lovely day. And usually James would have been teased greatly. But currently her mind was otherwise occupied.

The math club was preparing for the yearly "Prime Days", a prestigious math competition that gave away high scholarships for the winning team. James didn't need a scholarship, her parents had enough money and nothing to spend it on besides their only daughter and she knew that the Blacks were filthy rich. Still, Sirius seemed determined to win for some reason and had acquired the questions of the last few years so they could practice. Each of them was supposed to answer all the questions today and hand in their answers so Sirius could assess their personal weaknesses. But James mind wasn't filled with greek symbols and numbers. Her eyes were fixated on milky white legs, elegantly crossed, peaking out of Sirius' skirt.

Sirius was answering the questions herself, although, after 3 weeks in the club, James was sure she didn't have any weaknesses to assess. At least not mathematical ones. Sirius was absolutely brilliant. James had always been somewhat of a "math wiz" herself. She had never struggled to keep up with the material, usually rather prone to get bored and subsequently distracted. But Sirius was on a different level. Or maybe James had just gotten off track for too long and needed to catch up...

How was she supposed to do that though, when Sirius was sitting in front of her, hair in a high ponytail, eyes narrowed on her answer sheet, flipping her pen between her fingers in between frantic scribbeling, looking unbearably sexy.

I bet she knows all the answers, James thought and, as if she had heard her, Sirius raised her head and then an eyebrow, her mouth twitching almost unnoticably.

James quickly ducked and tried her best to focus on her own sheet. But the image of Sirius face stayed etched into her retinas.

"Hey Math-Queen. I've got an equation you could solve. In my pants!" Rodney laughed as if he'd made the funniest joke ever. Sirius rolled her eyes and walked past him but he reached out and slapped her ass.

"Hey! At least look at me, slut!"

James dropped her backpack, ready to run over and give this guy a good talking to, with her fists, but Sirius was faster.

With a quick motion she pulled out a thick algebra book from under her arm and slapped it across Rodneys face. The deep thumping sound gave James the impression that Sirius was a lot stronger than she looked. Rodney stumbled backwards clutching his broken nose.

"You crazy bitch! You broke my nose!"

"I certainly hope so," Sirius replied unbothered and tucked the book back under her arm. She turned to James in confusion who had just come to an abrupt halt beside her, after running to her aid.

"I thought you might need backup," James panted and ruffled her hair. Sirius raised an eyebrow. One of these days it would get stuck there.

"I can defend myself, but thank you."

She turned to continue her path but beckoned James to walk with her. "It is good that we meet I wanted to talk to you anyways."

James looked surprised and quickly stopped to pick up her backpack.

"Oh yeah? What about?"

"I looked at your test result."

James rubbed her neck nervously. She didn't want to seem stupid in front of a hot girl.

"That bad?"

"Quite the contrary, they are excellent. I thought you were dense but it appears that I was wrong. 95% and that eventhough you didn't seem very...focused." She shot James a look that made her cheeks flush.

"Oh, well, glad to hear that. Yeah...I actually used to be pretty good at math. Who knows, maybe you'll be glad you have me after all." James smirked. Sirius rolled her pretty eyes but smiled. Yes!

"I suppose you might. But Bracknell told me you are a D student? How on earth did that happen?"

"Softball."

Sirius frowned.

"What? Did you get too many balls against your head or what?"

James laughed. Funny too. That girl was a whole meal.

"No, I guess I just prefer it to studying and homework."

"You prefer to run aimlessly across the lawn, get muddy and dusty and swing a piece off wood at a tennisball?"

"Ok, so it isn't a tennisball..."

Sirius waved her off.

"I don't care. I don't get what's supposed to be so great about it."

James grinned brightly.

"You should come to a game and find out."

**

When James stepped on the field, spinning her bat effortlessly around her hand and wrist she looked around, scanning the crowd of spectators. Finally she found who she was looking for.

Sirius Black, sitting a bit further back, a book on her knees, making a face as if she'd rather be anywhere else. But she came. James couldn't surpress a grin. She waved at her and Sirius barely lifted her hand to wave back. But she waved back. They'd better be winning today.

James had never gotten changed this quickly after a game. She tore off her jersey, hastily replacing it with an oversized shirt and swapped her gymshorts with regular denim shorts, basically jumped into her converse, tying them sloppily and ran out the locker room. She needed to catch Sirius. They had indeed won but to James big disappointment, Sirius had immediately vanished. If she wanted any chance to talk to her she'd have to hurry. And God, did she want to talk to her.

She stormed out the school and saw Sirius walking down the street. Her black ponytail bouncing at every step.

"Hey, wait!" James ran, to catch up to her. Her heavy sportsbag was slamming into her side and she almost fell over her shoelaces. Sirius stopped and turned, watching her with a mixture of judgement and fondness.

"Don't fall."

"Trying not to." James was once again, trying to catch her breath. "Why did you leave so early?"

Sirius started walking again.

"I can't be late. My parents will get pissed." Her pretty face was pulled into an angry frown. James had the faint impression that Sirius wasn't too fond of her parents.

"Mind if I walk with you?"

"Suit yourself."

They walked quietly for a moment before Sirius broke the silence.

"You played well. I get why they don't want to loose you. And...it seemed like you had a lot of fun." She looked over to James with something she would have read as longing if she didn't know better.

"I did have fun. Maybe you should try it out too sometimes."

Sirius snorted.

"Absolutely not. I hate running. And I can't throw."

"You can't?"

"You should see me in P.E. I almost dislocated my arm during athletics once."

"Really? I would have thought you are quite capable after what you did to Rodneys nose."

"I am. I am just...bad with balls."

She said the last part so pointedly that James heart started beating a little faster. Had this been on purpose? Or was she overinterpreting?

She had spend the last couple weeks trying to find out whether Sirius might be into girls, but had not come to a conclusion. As far as she had found out, Sirius had never been with a boy or a girl. Her nails were long but that didn't have to mean anything. And now this.

They crossed a couple streets, James directionlessly walking beside Sirius while they talked about the game and math and what on earth was going on with Patricia Mallocks dating choices recently. They agreed that she could do better. Finally, Sirius stopped in front of a friendly looking yellow house.

"This your house?" James asked.

"No," Sirius pointed down the street towards a dark townhouse. "But I can't let you walk me there. My parents...my parents are a bunch of racists and you are pakistani."

"Half," James corrected.

"Anyways, you are brown. And if they see me with you they will probably have a heart attack." She paused, thinking. "Actually maybe you should join us for dinner!"

James laughed hard.

"Oh no thanks. I don't want to get you into trouble. I'll just go."

"I get myself in trouble all on my own," Sirius replied and brushed a strand of hair out of her face. Then she looked at James and gave her a weak smile. "Thanks for walking with me. Talking to you was...nice."

James heart skipped.

"Yeah, me too. I mean, I liked you too. I mean I liked talking to you!" She let out a nervous laugh. Sirius looked amused.

"We should do that more often. Maybe." Then she turned and walked towards the dismal looking building.

James grinned the whole way home until her cheeks hurt.

**

James was on her way home from weekend practice, taking a shortcut through the park when she saw a familiar face. Sirius was sitting on a parkbench, wearing a large denim jacket, a mini skirt and heavy boots. She looked completely different than she did in her school uniform, so James had to do a double take to check if it was really her. And she was smoking.

James got off her bike and approached the other girl.

"Having an underage smoke your majesty?"

Sirius looked up to her, seemingly unconcerned.

"You want a hit?"

"Sure." James plopped down on the bench next to her. She actually didn't smoke, bad for athletes. But the desire to put something between her lips that had just left Sirius' was too strong. She took the cigarette and inhaled deeply, immediately choking on the smoke. And there was something else...

"Is that weed?" she coughed. Sirius laughed.

"Are you surprised?"

James nodded, honestly. Sirius smirked and pulled on the joint entirely unbothered.

"Calms me down."

"You always seem calm to me."

"So it's working."

James rubbed her thighs.

"Nice outfit. Suits you."

"Thanks. Had to climb out the window. These shoes are difficult to hide in a bag."

James frowned.

"What?"

"My parents would never let me leave the house like this. Really they won't. One time I tried and mother pulled me back by my hair."

She dropped that information so casually as if it were an everyday occurrence. Maybe it was. James felt angry. Noone should be allowed to hurt someone like Sirius. She tried to banish the thought of Sirius screaming as her mother...

"Don't feel bad for me. I'm handling it just fine." Sirius interrupted her worries and lifted the joint. James frowned but didn't say anything. She was staring at her fingers, still grimly imagining what she'd like to do to Sirius parents when suddenly, a soft fingertip brushed over her earshell. Her heart almost stopped and she could feel the heat spreading from her ear over her neck down her back.

"Did that hurt?" Sirius asked.

"The helix?"

"Yes."

James shrugged.

"Not to bad. Just like if someone pinched you really hard."

Sirius hummed thoughtfully.

"I want to get piercings too. But I can't get any facial ones until I've moved out. So one more year...Maybe I should get a bellybutton one. I could hide that..."

"Would suit you. And if you need someone to hold your hand..."

"I don't." Sirius quickly said. "But thank you."

James streched out her body a little and risked to take a closer look at Sirius. She really looked great today. She always looked great of course, but today her hair was open, falling over her shoulders like black silk. Her perfectly plump lips looked like freshly fluffed up pillows. Even the constant shadows under her eyes looked good, made her more attractive even.

"Your parents sound like a handful," James finally said.

Sirius snorted bitterly.

"They aren't a handful. They are an entire metric ton of bullshit. I can't fucking wait until I can leave this bloody house." She looked grimly. Something in James head suddenly clicked.

"Oh, so that is why you want to win so badly. That's why you need the scholarship. So you can leave."

"I want to win because I like winning. But...yes. You're right." She sighed and took another hit of the joint. "I wish I wasn't related to them. I hate everything about them."

James nodded quietly.

"Must suck."

"It does." Sirius paused and frowned. "You know...I don't have a lot of friends. I mean...I don't know if I have any, really. I mean I have the club. But that's different, right? It's just...it's just so hard to connect with people. I feel like I can't get it right. And if I really try and do get it right I feel awfully drained after. Seems so easy for you..."

James put a hand on her shoulder without thinking but Sirius didn't even flinch.

"I am sure there are a lot of people that would like you. If you just let them in. I mean, I like you."

Sirius looked at her thoughtfully.

"I think I like you too."

"Oi Evans, looking good today! New hairdo?" James hollered after Lily passing her in the hallway. But the red head just rolled her eyes and kept walking. James sighed. Still no luck there.

Suddenly, an arm wrapped around her shoulder, neatly manicured fingers tapping on her collarbone.

"Well well well, James. Looks like she's not into you at all." Sirius voice was way to close to her ear. James could smell her perfume. She turned to the other girl who was smirking beside her, felt her heart flutter almost painfully and realized: She didn't have a crush on Lily any longer. She had hit on her almost out of habit, but Lily didn't make her feel like that. Sirius did. This wasn't just a simple crush anymore. This had become one of these life altering "being down bad for a potentially straight girl that will haunt your dreams for years to come" kind of moments. And that opened up a whole new can of worms.

**

James nervously plucked on her hair, despite knowing it would never really sit right and she'd mess it up within seconds anyways. She was nervous. Sirius was coming over to study and plot for the upcoming competition. The "Prime Days" were two weeks out and Sirius was getting increasingly itchy.

James grades had shot up back to straight As and it all looked like she would be able to play softball unbothered next year. But she was quite certain that she didn't want to leave the math club. Not as long as Sirius was still in it.

She impatiently looked out of the window and soon saw a black Rolls Royce pull up. Sirius climbed out of it.

Sirius would have looked great even in a potato sack and this skill was desperately needed right now, since this was what she seemed to be dressed in. Her whole, beautiful, body was obscured by this awful looking brownish sack-dress with a peter pan collar. Her hair was braided and made her look like a Wendsday Addams caricature.

Taking after her lookalike, Sirius angrily stared after the car until it vanished down the steer, then she visibly relaxed and proceeded to put down her bag and ducked behind a hedge. When she reappeared she no longer wore the abhorrent dress but instead a tight black cut-out top and a black denim skirt.

James was done staring.

"Trying to look good for me?" she hollered out of the window. Startled, Sirius looked up and then proceeded to flip her off.

James grinned and bounded downstairs. Sirius was still busy unbraiding her hair when James ripped the door open.

"Hey!"

"Hi."

James sat on the edge of her bed, her book on her lap, Sirius was leaning against the headboard, long legs outstretched on the bed. She looked gorgeous. From head to toe actually. Even her bare feet looked good to James. Bloody hell, what kind of thought was that? Since when was she into feet? Maybe she was just really into Sirius...

Sirius looked up from her laptop and smirked up at her through a couple strands of her open hair that had fallen into her face.

"Do you think I don't notice the way you stare at me?"

James froze. Panic rose up in her. This could be bad. Or good?

"I'm sorry," she choked out.

"I wasn't complaining." Oh. So it was good then. She hesitantly turned her head and met Sirius' intense gaze. Fuuuck she was so hot.

"You weren't?"

Sirius put her laptop aside and shifted towards her until her legs were dangeling off the bed next to James'.

"I like it when you look at me. Makes me feel...seen."

James nodded eventhough she wasn't sure she fully comprehended Sirius' words. She was a little distracted by her eyes and her lips and the curve of her breasts under that godforsaken top and the way she smelled...

Sirius leaned in. Just slightly but discerningly enough to leave no doubt. James heart was jumping in her throat. Was this really happening? Only one way to find out. She closed her eyes and leaned in.

Sirius' lips turned out to be exactly as soft as they looked. They interlocked with James' effortlessly, like they'd never done anything else. Sirius hand softly wrapped around her neck, pulling her closer until she pushed James glasses off her nose. They both giggled into the kiss and James lowered Sirius gently onto the bed, burying one hand deeply in the silky hair before she pressed butterfly kisses all over her face and neck.

**

"Nervous?" James asked while squeezing Sirius' hand under the table. Sirius shook her head and squeezed back.

"We're going to win this. If you can focus, Potter!" She smirked. James blushed a little and ruffled her hair.

"I'll do my best." She gave Sirius a bright smile and squeezed her thigh. Sirius leaned in and whispered:

"If you do well, I'll have a special price for you later."

James shivered and grinned. Yeah, she was going to give it her all. She implored her brain to not leave her hanging now.

It didn't. James rushed trough the questions with ease and so did the others. Sirius' strict preparation regime seemed to have been successful and the group left the first day of the "Prime Days" Challenge with a good feeling.

"I think we might actually win this," Sirius beamed. James hadn't seen her this elated since...well since something that had happened six weeks ago. For the first time at least. James wrapped an arm around her shoulder and leaned in to kiss Sirius' cheek when she was harshly pushed away.

"James!" she hissed. "We've talked about this!"

"Sorry...I just thought since we're out of town..." James felt as if she'd been kicked in the stomach and Sirius expression turned from angry to guilty in an instant.

"James...I'm sorry. I..." she looked around then grabbed James' hand and pulled her aside. "I'm just worried my parents are going to find anything out before I can move out. You...you don't know how bad they can get." Sirius stared on her loafers, brows furrowed. James reached out and gently stroked her cheek.

"You could live with me...I mean, if it gets to bad. You could always come to me. My parents won't mind, they love you."

Sirius looked up, perplexed and touched.

"James..." she grabbed James free hand and intertwined their fingers, then leaned her forehead on James' shoulder. "I'm so glad I met you."

James pulled her into her arms, squeezing tightly and inhaled Sirius' intoxicating scent. She would figure something out to help her girlfriend. And if she had to fist fight Sirius parents personally. This girl deserved better and, from now on, James would make sure she got it.

[darkk-academic]

Writer

[Part I] [Part II]

[Five Hargreeves x Reader]

Summary : Reader, Five, and a manuscript.

Warning : None.

"Five? Are you free right now?"

He looks up from the book—My Inventions—he has been reading, at the sound of your voice.

Your head peeking out from behind the door, you give him a sheepish smile. "You don't have any assignments today, do you?"

Five holds back a grimace. Guilt churning in his guts at the mention of said 'assignments'. It's not that he's guilty about them so much as he's guilty about hiding the complete truth of them from you.

"None more important than you, amore mio," he answers without hesitation. Leaning back in his chair, he raises a brow. "What do you need?"

You take a step inside, revealing a bundle of pages—another manuscript, for sure—you're holding in your hands.

"Could you please read this and tell me whether this will work or not?" Flashing him those eyes he so adores.

He wonders if you'll treat him the same once you know that he's actually a gun for hire, and those assignments are actually targets.

Of course, you won't, his blood stained conscience scoffs.

"As if you have to ask, amore mio."

You place the manuscript on his desk. "Thank you so so so—"

"Alright, alright," he cuts you off. Chuckling a bit. "What's this scene about?"

Taking a seat on his bed, you hum. "So, this is a murder scene—"

How perfect.

A murder scene. Again.

He questions, sometimes, whether you know his real profession.

But then you flash him that enchanting smile of yours—precisely the one you just flashed—and the doubt clears.

You wouldn't smile like that, not to him, after knowing he doesn't deserve it.

"—and well, I'm a bit uncertain whether the method of killing would work or not."

"Alright, give me a moment." He turns to the manuscript.

•••

"So…" You ask, after exactly 10 minutes of fidgeting. "What do you think? Will it work or not?"

Well…he isn't sure.

This method is one he has never tried before.

It's certainly not lacking in creativity, he muses. Glancing at your expectant expression, he frowns.

Well, I can't just take a guess on whether it'll work or not.

He blinks to your house.

Eyes scanning the messy room until they land on your typewriter. He picks it up.

Blinking back to his room.

"Where—" You pause, taking note of what he's holding. "Why did you bring my typewriter?"

"Sorry, amore mio. I've to go to my—I mean for my assignment. It won't take too long, so how about you wait here and write?" He puts the typewriter on the bed.

You pout.

Please don't ask me to stay, he pleads silently. Please don't ask me to stay.

Because I will.

"Fine." You nod, sighing.

•••

You sit typing away at your typewriter.

A bit miffed at Five, but not too much.

Five is usually busy doing his assignments, that's true. But he makes time for you whenever you ask that's true too, sometimes you don't even have to ask.

You remember getting angry at him in the beginning for acting shifty about his job.

"I help people…relocate," he says, "in a way."

"In a way?"

"Yes." He nods. "I relocate people to this place."

"What place?" You demand.

He blinks. "There's this place called…the Ifr inn."

You frown. "An inn?"

"Not an inn. The place is just called that. It's like a rehabilitation center."

"So you help relocate people to this-this place?" At his nod, you ask, "Why do these people need help in relocation."

"I don't help everyone relocate. Just the difficult ones."

And that had been that.

You'd been confused why he was so high-strung about it, but then you'd realized that he was probably uncomfortable because this job showed how much he cared to help people in need.

A flash announces his arrival.

He steps towards you, leaning down to you.

At his proximity, you detect a slight hint of a coppery scent.

I wonder if his assignment was at an abattoir or near one.

He places a chaste kiss at your temple. "It works—I mean it'll work, amore mio. You're doing everything perfectly."

"You could've told me that before leaving," you mumble.

"Getting to do my assignment gave me an opportunity."

Ah, understandable. "To think?"

"Yeah." He chuckles, rubbing his nape. "That."

………………………………………………………………………

A/N :

Ifr inn is actually Ifrinn which is Scottish Gaelic for Hell.

Gun for hire, is a comic reference.

This is inspired by a writing prompt, this one :

So, thankyou @tetsuskitten (if you're not the one from the picture above, sorry for the confusion.)

Hope you guys enjoyed this.

Thankyou! ❤️

[sorry-moots]

Inversion of Genesis But I Changed It

this is the last handful of crumbs but i can go back to the bakery and get more characters featured: scaramouche, dottore cws: none wc: 1,621

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Chapter Five

Despite your bleary eyes, you recognized the stableboy by his usual greeting of “Morning, Ms. [Y/n]”. You’re about to respond when you feel a pressure build up and–

A violent achoo! escapes you, leaving your nose stinging and your glove moist. Quickly, you wipe your nose with a handkerchief and rush to exchange pleasantries with the stablehand.

“Good morning, Pierre!” you say thickly as you quell the urge to sneeze again. “Today’s weather feels a little harsher than usual, doesn’t it?”

“Uhh…” He hesitates as he observes your sickly form. “I think it’d be best if you went home, miss.”

You shake your head as you shake Pierre’s usual tip out of your purse. “No, no. I’m perfectly fine, it’s just a runny nose.”

Pierre looks at the coins skeptically, before pocketing the change. “Whatever you say, miss.” He grabs Apollo’s reins, but not without wiping his hand on his shirt.

Curiously, the chill doesn’t leave you when you enter the building. Your teeth even begin to chatter the farther you walk, to your astonishment. Would it kill Lord Pantalone to invest in a better heating system… 

You nearly miss the greeting sent your way as you grumble about the frigid air. “Morning, [Y/n]! I feel a lot better today,” said one of the guards posted outside of the office. You recall that he had been sick for a few days.

“Really, Lev? I’m glad you’re feeling better,” you answer, as you wait for them to unlock the office doors. “You do look a lot better!”

“Thanks, [Y/n]! You don’t look so good yourself, though, is everything alright?”

“You obviously got her sick, pea brain,” his fellow guardsman cut in.

You rush to reassure them. “I’m fine, I’m just a little under the weather. I’ve had way worse.”

The two guards share a look, but they let you through anyway. They knew it wouldn’t be wise to keep you from your work.

Tempting though it may be, there is no way you could afford to loaf around or take a day off. Lord Scaramouche frowns greatly upon slacking and you wouldn’t dream of inconveniencing him– even if you knew you could get away with it. Which you can.

When the harbinger enters the office at exactly 9 o’ clock, his face twists with revulsion. “What’s wrong with your face?” he asks. “It’s leaking from every orifice.”

You’re a little embarrassed, but your cheeks don’t burn like they normally would. Or maybe they were already warm. “I might have a cold.”

Scaramouche eyes you up and down, unconvinced. He pinches the bridge of his nose as he so often does and says, “Grab your things. We’re leaving.”

“Okay,” you agree. You didn’t have the energy or brain power to argue with him. When the two of you leave, the guards ask what’s going on and so the harbinger addresses them directly.

“[Y/n] is sick so we're leaving the office. Don’t talk to her, she’ll get a sore throat.”

“Aww, I’m really sorry I got you sick, [Y/n]! Hope you feel better soon.”

You try to reassure him again that you’re alright. “Don't worry about it, Lev, it's not–” Unfortunately, you’re interrupted by your own coughing spell.

Scaramouche’s perpetual scowl only deepens. “You'll lose your voice at this rate,” he snaps. Then, to your surprise, he murmurs, “…Are you sure he got you sick?”

Vaguely astonished, you clear your throat to respond. “He's the only sick person I’ve come in contact with recently, so it was almost certainly him.”

“I see.” The harbinger falls silent with a weird aura about him. By the time you put a name to it, the two of you have reached the palace entrance. He seems almost… murderous.

With the negative energy that’s oozing off of the harbinger, you decide keeping quiet is the best course of action. You were certain he wouldn’t approve of you talking either way, considering your state. Whereas silence with your superior is usually amiable, today it is just as uncomfortable and frigid as the Snezhnayan wind.

So caught up are you in this miasma of emotion, that you miss him flagging down a driver. He surprises you once more by taking your hand and helping you into the carriage that he’d summoned. After a quick word with the driver, he follows suit and sits next to you in the small coach.

Only after you’re both settled in and the carriage is moving, does it finally occur to you to ask a question of some importance.

“My lord? Where are we going?”

“My estate.”

*****

His home looks small on the outside but since the space is optimized and he's a minimalist, it feels bigger than it is, if a bit empty. With the exception of a large oil portrait of his likeness, his walls are decorated with a variety of weapons. If you had to hazard a guess, they aren't for show.

“Yvette!” he calls into the house, his voice echoing in the sparsely furnished halls. A moment later, a maid appears. Her hair is bright fiery red and her eyes are a piercing ice blue.

“Ready the study, Yvette,” Scaramouche commands. “My assistant and I will be working here today.”

She nods and disappears just as wordlessly as she arrived.

You follow him to a room with a kettle suspended above a sunken hearth. as he moves to grab the kettle, you start, “sir allow m–”

His lip curls in distaste as he looks back at you. “Allow you to what? Contaminate the tea with your sick people germs?”

As uncomfortable as you are at the thought of your superior waiting on you, hand and foot, you watch as he prepares the tea. He fills the little container from a wooden pail that was hidden in the pantry. Once he sets the kettle back on its hook, he ignites the wood beneath it with a small spark of electricity. He then sits and you take the seat kitty-corner to his, waiting for the water to boil.

You’ve all but finished your cup by the time Yvette returns. Scaramouche asks if the study is ready; she nods.

Yvette leads the two of you into the study and the Harbinger tells her to shut the door when she leaves. As the redhead makes her way out, you utter a quick thank you.

To your surprise, Yvette doesn’t acknowledge you. She doesn’t give any indicator that she heard you, not even a break in stride.

The door clicks and you listen to the clack of her heels fade away before you turn to your employer. “Lord Scaramouche, did I do something to offend your maid?”

He’s already absorbed in the paperwork he brought with him. “Did you do something to offend… What? No, she’s mute.”

Your mouth forms a small ‘o’. That makes way more sense. “Then… if she can’t talk, how does she communicate with you?”

“She doesn't need to speak to follow orders. My previous maids would always try to talk their way out of different tasks. I don't have that problem with Yvette.

“Don’t look at me like that”, he admonishes. You close your mouth, only then realizing your jaw dropped. “I have learned some sign language for when she needs my instructions repeated or explained.”

“Well, what if you can’t see her?”

He sighs, rolling his eyes. “We have patterned knocks for when I’m behind closed doors. Quit talking and get to work.”

The two of you are seated at your desks, signing documents and drafting proposals, when Scaramouche decides to break the silence.

“I’m surprised you haven’t asked me about the mission I just returned from,” he muses.

You’re hesitant; he usually tells you not to stick your nose where it doesn’t belong. Could this be a trick?

“I was under the impression that the details were strictly confidential, sir,” you reply smoothly, the textbook answer flowing seamlessly out of your mouth. “Is there something I should know?”

The smug smile he levels at you reassures you that he has no ulterior motives, except to brag. You decide to indulge him. He recounts the details of the war between the Shogunate and the Watatsumi Army. He used his influence to convince the Shogun, through the Kanjou Commission, to implement the Vision Hunt Decree. He leveraged the threat of defeat to convince the rebels to use the Fatui's life-stealing delusions. Finally, he tells you how, amidst the chaos he created, he managed to procure the electro gnosis.

“The traveler you mentioned… Do you think she might try to interfere with future plans?”

“Oh, absolutely,” he replies with a smirk. “It won’t make a difference, however. Now that I have the gnosis, I’ll be much more powerful.

“With the gnosis, I can even ascend to godhood.”

Before you can respond, there’s a sharp rap on the door. Two short knocks in quick succession, followed by two regular knocks.

You turn to look at Scaramouche from your desk. His eyes narrow. “Which one are you?” A chill runs up your spine as you hear the reply.

“An older copy if it matters.” You can hear the grin in his voice. It’s Dottore. 

You force yourself to turn and face him and see that he’s holding up a letter. “I’ve brought the details for your next assignment,” he says. The sinister smile that you already suspected he was wearing widened with his next words.

“I’m looking forward to… collaborating with you,” he says, eyeing your sickly, cozied-up form.

His departure brings little comfort; you feel slimy and gross after the encounter.

“My lord, I have some… concerns about this.”

“Don’t worry, we won’t be on the same boat as him.”

“Thank the Tsaritsa.”

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[margridarnauds]

Musical ask 1 :D

jesus christ superstar or joseph and the amazing technicolor dreamcoat?

God, both of them are so important to me in different ways, and BOTH of them were huge Formative Experiences. Before I was Into Musicals™, I was listening to “Grovel, Grovel” and “Heaven on their Minds” on cassette tapes in the car. 

Growing up, I definitely preferred Joseph to JCS; JCS was much darker, much bloodier (especially the 2001), a little bit harder for a kid to understand. Joseph, though, was a musical designed more with kids in MIND, it was bright and colorful and had a happy ending. (Real talk: I smoked my Sunday School lessons because of the two of them put together.) 

On one hand, now that I’m older, I definitely admire JCS’s more mature themes, I admire how...up for interpretation it all is by the end. There really ISN’T a single villain in here, and nor is there really a single hero. Just a group of very, very flawed people trying to stay alive in a difficult time. I have read criticisms about the potential anti-semitism involved in the depiction of the Pharisees , and that’s obviously something that I do keep in mind when I watch it. It’s not a perfect musical, in that sense, and I’ve never pretended it is. But it’s also the one thing that my family (devoutly Methodist) and I (agnostic/atheist) can agree on come Easter, so it earns points there, and I do think that it has a wonderful sense of moral ambiguity, and some truly PHENOMENAL bops. Gethsename is BONE CHILLING (especially in the film with that montage of depictions of the crucifixion through history) , and Damned For All Time is just...holy SHIT. I’ve listened back and forth to the 1998 album in particular. (Come on, Alice Cooper as Herod. Steve Balsamo and his truly otherworldly breath control as Jesus). And ESPECIALLY with the classic 70s cast, with Carl Andersen and Ted Neeley belting one high note after another at one another. 

The one thing with JCS is that I tend to be VERY picky when it comes to my casts for it, namely because I find that most productions, if they’re LUCKY, will either have a strong Jesus or a strong Judas, with one of them generally being markedly weaker, and that dampens my enjoyment. It’s like Les Miserables with a bum Javert or Valjean, it doesn’t WORK if they’re not on the same level with one another. With Joseph, it tends to be easier to have a cast who’s on a level with one another, and even if they aren’t, it’s hard to complain when you have Pharaoh doing an Elvis impersonation. I HAVE seen people complaining that these days, JCS is too watered down, but I’m not sure what I would want to SEE in a non-watered down production, and honestly I’m wondering....just how RELEVANT it is now. It was obviously a hugely controversial musical in its time, and I personally disagree that it HAS to be edgy in order to be successful, but I’m also not sold that the musical really knows what it WANTS to remake itself into, given the most recent productions. 

But Joseph is just...it’s JOSEPH. It’s hard to really...COMPARE the two because they’re so different. It’s fun, it’s colorful, but it also has some moments of depth (Close Every Door is a HEAVY song). And the ending where Joseph reunites with his father? STUNNING. It’s a callback to the time before ALW was a Big Name™ who wanted to create deep, miserable, incomrehensible Art™ (hello, Aspects of Love), and just had FUN with it. It has a similar spirit to, say, CATS when it comes to that. They aren’t particularly mature, not for the most part (though they do definitely have mature themes, and themes that adults understand, and themes that hopefully ONLY adults will fully understand), but they capture a little bit of childlike fun and wonder that I really associate with my early days with musical theatre. 

Honestly, I hoped that writing this out would get me at an answer, but in the end, the only answer that I got is that they’re two very, very different musicals. Both of them are very GOOD, don’t get me wrong (don’t get me wrong! Don’t get me wrong!), but they’re also...very HARD to compare because it’s really apples and oranges. I quote from BOTH regularly (”But what IS truth/Not easy to define/We both have truths, are yours the same as mine?” and “GROVEL, GROVEL, GROVEL, GROVEL”), I love both very dearly, but I think that in the end, the major thing to pull away from them is that they have the same composer and have religious subject matter that veers into the irreverent if not unaffectionate, but overall? They’re just...too different to really make that call. 

[mysecretlittlelibrary]

The Promise Of A King Pt. 9

Pairing: Loki x Reader

Word Count: 2.5k

Warnings: none technically but reader is not happy

Genre: fluff- maybe a little angst

Summary: When your parents surprise you with the news that you are going to marry one of Asgard's princes you're not exactly thrilled. It's not made any better by said prince giving you the cold shoulder from the very moment you arrive. Now, not only do you have to worry about acclimating to an unfamiliar place but you must do so while preparing to marry someone who seems to absolutely detest you before you've said five words to him. You know you're duty-bound but why does it have to be so difficult?

***

Today you've decided to spend the afternoon in your room, taking time to do some of your hobbies that you've neglected since you arrived in Asgard. With your focus so wrapped up in what you're doing it's easy to ignore the knock at your door, knowing your maids will answer and report back.

"Excuse me, y/n?" Lily quietly calls for your attention.

"Yes, Lily? Who is at the door?" You ask her.

"Prince Loki is here and has requested to see you. Should I let him enter?" She asks. Ella and Anne let out gasps that turn to hushed giggles when you glance at them.

"Let him in Lily." You tell her.

"Hello, your highness." Lily, Anne, and Ella chorus when Loki flourishes into your chambers.

"Hello, girls."

"It's nice to see you this afternoon my prince." Ella says and Anne giggles along with her.

"Girls." You admonish with a shake of your head, though the smile on your face tells them it's empty.

"It's alright, I'm not often here at this time." Loki says with a kind smile.

"Well, you're right about that. Which begs the question why are you here?" You ask.

"I have something to tell you."

"What is it? Do we need to be alone for this conversation?" You glance at your maids for a moment.

"Do you trust them?" Loki asks.

"Absolutely."

"And they can keep a secret?" Loki asks. You look at them to answer him directly.

"Of course your highness." They say in turn.

"Of course my lady." Lily adds with a nod.

"Nothing you say will leave this room." You say.

"Then they can stay." Loki nods.

"Alright then, what is it? Is something the matter?" You frown, standing up to walk over to Loki.

"Well- I just learned that Odin plans to coronate me by the harvest festival." Loki tells you, his face unreadable.

"Wait, wait- so you're going to become king before the seasons change?"

"And you will become my queen." Loki says.

"I don't understand, why would he choose to do this now?" You shake your head.

"I don't know, but I had to tell you."

"Well, how do you feel about it?" You ask him.

"I'm- confused. I'm this close to getting everything I've always thought I wanted, but- why now? It just feels so strange."

"Yes, I'm sure it does." You hum.

"How do you feel about this?"

"Me?"

"Yes, it will not only be my coronation but yours as well. I want to know how you feel about that. This affects you."

"I'm fine Loki, really. I mean I don't know much about being queen but I'm sure I'll figure it out. Plus, Queen Frigga will still be around to help me. I'm going to be okay. We're going to be okay."

"You seem so sure." He says.

"I'm optimistic. This is something you've wanted for a long time so I think you'll do well and even though I didn't know any of this was going to happen- my parents did and I'm sure they raised me to do well by your side." You place your hand on his chest.

"I don't think I can stay for long, I have some things to tend to in my study- but I wanted to discuss this with you."

"Don't let me keep you. Thank you for telling me this. I do hope you feel prepared for this next phase."

"I will be by the time we're coronated." He nods.

"That's good." You chuckle.

"I'll see you at dinner." Loki steps away from you.

"Of course." You nod, going to your window seat as Loki makes his way out.

~*~*~

You turn the corner on your way out of the palace when you see Loki and Thor with their backs turned to you. You're about to call out to them when Thor's booming voice stops you.

"Loki this is ridiculous! It's too dangerous!" He shouts.

"You heard father, he expects me to go. We've been over this already." Loki shrugs.

"I don't understand why you won't let me go in your place!"

"I'm to be king before year's end Thor." Loki says with a sigh.

"That's exactly why I should go! You're next in line for the throne now-"

"How am I to prove I'm a leader if I hide like a coward?" Loki cuts him off.

"Marching into this battle isn't bravery, it's foolishness! You don't even fight this way."

"Thor, Asgard must believe I am fit to rule. They must believe I can protect our people. I'm going."

"And what of y/n? Your wife?"

"What of her exactly?"

"Think of how she will feel about this."

"I am. I think of her in every single thing I do." Loki says, his words come out slower when he says this as if to emphasize it.

"If you did you wouldn't do this. There's a high chance you'll die."

"Thank you for your lack of confidence Thor but not only am I going to live, I will be back in time for my coronation."

"If you're wrong- if you do not make it back, if you abandon her, Loki, I fear you may break her heart."

"I don't think the space I occupy in her heat is big enough that it would break if I didn't return." Loki says with a sardonic tinge to his words that makes you frown.

"If you believe that, you still have much to learn about her."

"I know I still have much to learn. And stars willing I'll have many years to do so."

"You could if you simply stayed here!"

"What about this is so hard for you to grasp? How can I stay here and do absolutely nothing when something threatens her safety and I have the chance to protect her?"

"You can protect her from here, not by running off to fight a battle that can hardly be won."

"Thor." Loki sighs.

"She needs protection here."

"And in my absence I expect you to look after her. You will, won't you?"

"I'd protect her even if you didn't ask."

"I know, but I'm asking because I need to know that she is being cared for even while I'm gone."

"You have my word."

"Good. Now, if we're finished here, I have things to do in preparation."

"You'll tell her, won't you?"

"If I say no I'm sure you'll tell her yourself."

"She needs to hear this from you Loki."

"I do not need you to tell me what to do with y/n."

"Loki she deserves the truth."

"She deserves to be unburdened Thor. I will not cause her unwarranted stress."

"So instead you will leave her in the dark? You can't do that to her."

"Do not tell me what I can and cannot do Thor. Especially, not with y/n. I will handle this how I see fit." Loki says walking away. You duck behind the wall when Thor turns with an exasperated sigh. You quietly but quickly turn a corner and head down the corridor hoping you don't run into Thor before you can pretend you didn't overhear their conversation. Part of you feels bad for eavesdropping but another part of you, a bigger part, is frustrated about Loki's willingness to leave you in the dark. You run back to your room, giving up on your plans for the day.

"Lady y/n? I thought you said you were going shopping today?" Lily says upon your entry, a confused frown on her face.

"I- yes I changed my mind. I think I'll go tomorrow instead." You mutter noncommitally.

"Is everything alright y/n?" Anne asks softly.

"I'm suddenly not feeling too great actually."

"Oh dear, what can we do?" She asks.

"Don't fuss Annie- I'm fine. I'm just going to take it easy today." You say with a gentle smile. "I don't want to see anyone though. If anyone comes looking for me, tell them I'm, asleep." You climb into your bed with one of your novels in hand. "And when the time comes I'd like to take dinner in my room as well please." You add.

"Of course." Lily nods.

"Are you sure there's nothing we can do for you?" Anne asks.

"I'm sure, I'm just a bit tired."

"When you say you don't want to see anyone-" Ella trails.

"I mean anyone. That includes the princes. I'll see the queen if she asks and the king only if it's an order." You tell her.

"Understood." She nods.

"Thank you girls, continue what you were doing." You say. You try to read but with all the questions in your head, it's a lost cause so you decide to take a nap until dinner.

"Lady y/n." Anne calls gently some time later.

"We've brought your dinner as you asked, but you have to wake up to eat it." Lily says. You hum in acknowledgment as you force your eyes open.

"What time is it?" You mumble, shuffling until you're sitting up against your headboard.

"It's quarter to eight. We told the kitchen you'd be taking dinner in your room." She says as she places your tray on your lap once you've adjusted.

"I went to tell the king and queen that you weren't feeling well and wanted to eat in your room. Thor asked if you needed anything and Loki told me he'd be visiting later." Ella says.

"If Loki does visit later please tell him I don't want to be bothered." You say bitterly while you eat. Ella, Lily, and Anne exchange a look at your tone but none of them know how to approach that.

"Of course princess." Ella says. You eat your dinner quietly and when you finish Anne takes your tray while Ella and Lily prepare you for a bath. Once the water runs cold you allow them to prepare you for bed. Just as you climb into bed there's a knock at your door.

"Should I answer it?" Lily asks.

"Sure, just tell whoever it is that I've already gone to bed." You tell her. Lily nods and goes to the door.

"Oh- hello your highness." She says quietly.

"Hello dear, Lily isn't it?" Loki's charming words are clear enough for you to hear from your bed.

"Yes your highness."

"Is Y/n alright? I was worried when her other maid told us she'd be having dinner in her room. I'd like to see her if possible."

"I'm sorry my prince, y/n has already gone to sleep."

"Has she? So early? Is she unwell?"

"A headache. She intends to sleep it off."

"Well, when she wakes up please tell her I came by. I'd like to see her as soon as she's better."

"Yes of course." She closes the door to your room then. "It was prince Loki." She tells you.

"I heard him. Thank you Lily. Girls, you can all return to your chambers for the rest of the evening. I'll see you in the morning" You say. The girls bid you goodnight and leave quietly.

The next few nights proceed similarly, you take dinner in your room and Loki tries to see you. Your maids make excuses for you, though they cast sad looks your way that you choose to ignore. During the day, you spend much of your time outside of the palace. When you're there, you're careful to do what you can to avoid Loki. You realize it may be counterproductive to spend so much time avoiding Loki because you're mad he hasn't told you he's leaving on some suicide mission. How can he tell you if you never allow him to speak to you? But you're upset with the circumstances and not quite ready to deal with the impending goodbye if Loki does ever tell you what's going on. Today, you spent the afternoon visiting local markets. You picked out some jewelry and scarves and little trinkets that caught your eye. When you return to your room, you immediately notice the flowers decorating the place. Plants from your home that don't grow here on Asgard.

"Oh." You gasp quietly as you touch the petals of a flower you haven't seen in months.

"Your home is native to many plants, I do hope I managed to pick some of your favorites." Loki's voice startles you a bit and you turn to him abruptly.

"You did this?" You ask in a whisper.

"I did. I'd hoped that bringing a bit of your home to you here would lift your spirits."

"Lift my spirits?"

"You haven't taken dinner with us in a week now, you're never in the library anymore, I've hardly seen you in the gardens as well. Your maids tell me you are ill when I try to see you. I thought homesickness was perhaps making you distant." Loki explains.

"This isn't by chance some sort of parting gift as well, is it?" You ask.

"Parting gift?" He frowns.

"I know you have no intention of telling me you're rushing off to fight some great evil but do not pretend you're not going."

"Did Thor tell you?"

"No. I heard the two of you discussing it last week."

"So that's why you've been avoiding me."

"I don't appreciate being kept in the dark." You say flatly.

"How was I supposed to tell you when you were refusing my company?"

"You were very clear in telling Thor you had no plans to tell me Loki. Do not try now to imply you would have if I wasn't angry with you for it."

"It's true I didn't want to tell you because I knew it would worry you more than it does Thor and he's already far more worried than need be. I just didn't want you to stress over nothing. Or make yourself ill with worry over what your imagination thought could happen."

“How long have you known?” You ask him. His eyes close momentarily before he answers,

“I was told the night before our wedding.”

“Is that the reason you’ve been so doting? Consolation for you going off to your death without so much as telling me?”

"Of course not! I was terrible to you when you arrived and I’m trying desperately to be worthy of your forgiveness that is all and I was going to tell you, just on my own terms, stars I wish you hadn't heard Thor's exaggerated fears. I'm not rushing into a fruitless battle, I'm not going to die."

"On your own terms? So lies?"

"Is that what you think?"

"I still don't know where you are going, or when, or why- but something tells me if I hadn't heard what I did for myself you'd be telling me you're taking a political trip or something."

"It is kind of political."

"But to exclude that it is some sort of battle is a lie by omission." You say struggling to control your voice. "I am not a child Loki, do not keep things from me because you think I cannot handle them. I am your wife, and I will be your queen, these things involve me as much as they do you." Loki grabs your hands and kisses each one before he speaks.

"I know. I'm sorry my love, I just want to protect you from everything."

"If anything between us is to work you need to treat me as an equal Loki. You cannot keep me in a glass case. Hiding things will not help you.”

"Trust me, I'm more aware of that every day. I should've told you, you're right of course. I am to fight Hrungnir, a monstrous creature that threatens Asgard. Thor believes it's a fool's errand but- any threat to Asgard is a threat to you-"

"Loki- do not die trying to prove something, especially not to me." You warn.

"I will not die. I can't. I have a wife waiting for me and I intend to have many years making memories with her." Loki's eyes hold a fierceness as he speaks.

"No more secrets Loki, you have to tell me things. I already struggle with trusting your sincerity because of your initial harshness. Give me no more reasons to doubt you, please." You place a hand on his cheek as you speak softly while his hands drop to your waist.

"You have my word." Loki says.

"When do you leave?"

"Tomorrow."

"So this was a parting gift." You muse.

"I couldn't leave without seeing you." Loki says. "Have dinner with us tonight, please?"

"Alright." You nod. Loki smiles and leans his forehead against yours. Tomorrow he'll leave, to fight a battle Thor believes cannot be won but Loki is confident he will return. You have faith in Loki but perhaps his brother's words have some reason behind them.

***

Part 9/???

Tagged Users: @moonlightreader649 @crimson25 @kaogasm @just-someone11 @huntress-artemiss

[erensrag]

bimbo!reader x judgmental nerd eren

eren x y/n (wc: 3173)

warnings: nswf, slut shaming, slight dubious consent

i don’t think i did this correctly….

"no please, take your time. it's not like we've been here for hours." eren's sharp voice brings you out of your thoughts.

his piercing gaze is right there to meet yours when you finally stop staring at the wall. you chew on your pencil, quickly diverting your attention to the paper in front of you. you've done your best to avoid looking at him the majority of the time you've been here.

it's not your fault you can't look into his eyes for longer than a second. he's the one who's always observing you with that cold, calculating stare. you've been on the end of judgmental looks and not so quiet whispers for years now and have learned to not let them bother you—well you thought you mastered the art of simply ignoring those kinds of people. until eren.

you didn't even know he existed until a few weeks ago. the introduction for you two consisted of a simple bumping into each other in the crowded hallways of school, it ended with him bitterly muttering something about idiot cheerleaders as he stumbled away. not even sparing you a second glance. after that, you saw him often and he made his dislike for you evidently clear.

which makes no sense. how can someone not like you?

it's usually jealous girls giving you the stink eye and making up the ridiculous rumors. they're the ones who don't want to associate themselves with you. not nerdy nobodies who can't walk without stumbling over their own two feet. no, people like him usually worship the ground you walk on. or at least drool a little.

seriously you've tried everything to get rid of that menacing stare and frigid tone he always greets you with. it's like he's immune. "jesus y/n, how dumb are you?"

and they definitely don't talk to you like that. you know you're not the brightest, which is why your teacher got this jerk of a nerd to tutor you right before exam week but is that really an excuse for him to treat you like this? biting the inside of your cheek, you nudge a corner of your sweater until your left shoulder is exposed. leaning forward and batting your eyelashes which gets no response from him other than a blank stare. "i'm not dumb. i just don't get it." you pout. "can't you just tell me the answer? we've spent like thirty minutes on this question."

"thirty minutes cause you're an idiot." he mutters more to himself.

"i'm trying my best!"

"you should've learned this months ago. you would've if you didn't spend your time skipping class to hang out with your pig muscle boyfriend."

"he's not my boyfriend..." you go back to chewing on the pencil.

"so you just make out with any guy behind the bleachers?"

"you seem to know a lot about me." you look at him again, that stupid cold stare looking back at you through those glasses.

"who doesn't. you're y/n. the whole school knows of your...activities."

"those are just rumors." some of them are. most are true. you enjoy living life to the fullest. it's not your fault the people in your school saw a confident, attractive woman and instantly decided to put less than appealing labels on her. "and besides they're none of your business."

"whatever. just solve this, this is taking longer than our usual sessions and my mom will be home soon."

you groan, looking down at the textbooks and not understanding a single word. “please just tell me the answers.” you ask one last time, desperate.

“no.”

you huff, returning your attention to the book. “you’re going to age badly with all that scowling you do. just so you know.”

“shut up.”

"eren..." you say after five minutes which causes a frustrated sigh to leave his lips. "do you have an issue with me?" it's been four sessions of the frigid tension he always puts between you two and there's a lot more to come before graduation so you just want to get whatever problems he has with you out of the way.

it takes a few seconds before he's looking up from the textbook, pushing his glasses up as he sends you probably the most intimidating glare you've seen from him. "excuse me?" the very tone of his voice has goosebumps forming on your skin but you force yourself to stand your ground. you're not going to let some loser who's probably never even kissed someone to look down on you.

"you— you just seem to—"

"i don't have an issue with you y/n." he slams the book on the table causing you to jump. "having an issue with someone like you would imply i care enough and trust me i'll never care for such a ditzy little slut who doesn't respect herself."

you've been called worse than that and usually by scorned boys you hooked up with. but they were popular gym rats, not some overconfident lanky freak. you had a snarky reply on the tip of your tongue but with the cogs in your brain suddenly malfunctioning, you could only stutter out a pathetic, "i—i'm none of those things!"

"really?" he scoffs, actually getting up and walking over and as he does you think maybe it would've been a safer option to just keep your mouth shut. "wide doe eyes without nothing behind them. check." he starts. "plump lips perfect for what you do best. check." and the asshole has the nerve to slowly swipe his fingers across your bottom lip.

you should stand up, tell him to go to hell and get out of here but you're frozen. limbs not moving an inch as he continues, "empty little head. check. skimpy outfits to attract attention. check. i mean let's face the facts.."

you never would've thought the loser that always sits in the back of the class with his nose buried deep in a book would speak like this to you. it's insulting. freaking degrading. he knows nothing about you and yet he has that expression on his face like he does. "if i'm such a ditzy little slut as you so nicely put then i'd be jumping at the chance to hook up with you but here we are." you seethe.

that seems to finally strike a nerve as he scoffs, crossing his arms over his chest. you cut him off before he can defend himself.

"is that it...you're angry i haven't made a move on you because that's what sluts do isn't it? bone everything they see? is your pride wounded that i don't see you in that way, eren?" you let out a mirthless laugh. "well news flash, pretty girls like me don't go for freaks like you."

you got up, ready to grab your things and run out all while trying to ignore the nerves inside of you. he just stands there, rigid and glaring. "really?" he asks once your books are back in your bag.

"y—yes. now if you'll excuse me—" your wrist is being grabbed before you can take another step and for a second both of you are stunned, you mostly frozen in your spot because this creep has the audacity to touch you after everything he just said. you don't know what his excuse is but he only stands there like a shocked puppy before pushing you on the desk.

a gasp escapes your lips at being manhandled by him  of all people, what the fuck is he doing? you're on your stomach, feet on the ground as the fucker puts a hand on your back, keeping you there. "w-what are you doing?" you pant out, bewildered at everything that just happened.

"i..." he trails off, not saying anything before manhandling you again. only this time it's for you to lay on your back and fuck, you could fight back. he's surprisingly strong for such a lanky freak but you're a cheerleader who does complex moves out on the field almost every day. you could kick him off, slam that big textbook in his face to the point his nose breaks and run out, making sure to report him.

but you don't. it's not that you can't. for some reason, you just don't want to. maybe it's curiosity, to see what exactly he plans on doing. to see if a loser like him actually has the balls to do anything but back away and apologize profusely.

"you're not fighting back." he simply says, sounding a bit confused as he comes to lean over your body. his hands on either side of your head as he stares down, those stupid piercing eyes staring down at you. "why?"

"shouldn't i be the one asking the questions here? like why the fuck you have me on this desk?"

he raises an eyebrow, leaning back and grabbing your thighs causing you to squeal in surprise. he spreads them, raising the dress you’re wearing until it's pooling at your stomach before you can even blink.

shit. what's wrong with him?

what's wrong with you? you should be kicking at him, you could easily shove him off. you could do it in a blink of an eye so why the hell aren't you.

where there's supposed to be fear...there's only anticipation. "you really are a slut." he laughs cruelly, pulling your panties down until they're completely off. where he throws them, you don't know. probably in some corner to hide so you forget about them, who knows what a pervert like him would do with it?

"you barely know me and yet...look at this." you shudder as his finger circles your clit before swiping across your cunt, bringing his hand up to show you your slick as if for emphasis.

"shut up." you grit through your teeth. "you're—" you don't have time to finish your insult before he's kneeling down, tongue immediately latching onto your clit.

your nails instantly scrape against the desk, shuddering as he begins to suckle on your clit. his tongue delves into you, fingers digging into your thighs on purpose as if the freak wants to hurt you. you can play that game too if he wants, fingers going to grab at the strands of his dark hair, pulling as you ground your hips against his annoyingly experienced tongue.

usually, your sexual partners don't willingly choose to eat you out but here is he. practically eager to get to business. he acted so high and mighty and still has the gall to continue doing so yet he's the one on his knees right now. freaking nerds are so easy. even overly judgmental ones with sharp gazes.

he’s basically lapping at you, moving from sucking your clit to eagerly drinking up your juices. never coming up for air as if he was made to simply do this. "f—fuck." you didn't want to make any noises, any implications that what he's doing is actually making you feel good but dammit it's hard when a tongue is diving deep into your most sensitive parts.

a particular bite has you instantly bringing your legs together but he quickly grabs them, forcing them apart to shove his face in between your thighs again. your breath catches in your throat as he licks up your dripping pussy. he doesn’t relent even once and the moans won’t stop escaping your lips, “sl—slow down. gonna…dammit.”

his tongue licks…freaking everywhere. the obscene noises causing you to hang your head back, he’s licking and sucking everything up as if it’s his favorite meal.

and it’s embarrassing. how fast you come. but how can not you? you mercilessly pull at his hair and shamelessly moan when you do. somehow you're the sweating and panting one as he stands up. "so that's what all the hype is about?" he tsk, seemingly bored.

it takes a few seconds for you to find the breath to say “don't act like you didn't enjoy that, with the way you were eagerly—”

"shut up." he takes his glasses off, putting them to the side before grabbing your thighs and pulling you closer to him.

"you're disgusting, you know? the nerve you have—"

"i spent the last two hours teaching you simple biology and somehow you couldn't do one question by yourself, if i'm testy that's all on you.

"it's not my fault." it comes out as a whine and you hate it, you were supposed to be insulting him. at least have some pride when you're about to be fucked by the guy who looks at you like you're nothing but a dirty piece of gum.

"shut up, for crying out loud. shut up." his voice is raspy as he unbuckles the belt to his revolting khakis.

you can't help as your eyes widen once his cock is in view. for such a nerd, he's actually packing. one hand holds your hips as the other guides his dick towards your leaking area and slight panic starts to take over. "a-aren't you gonna prep?" as orgasmic as that oral job was, you doubt just that will be enough to prepare you for that.

he grins, probably the first smile you've ever seen on his annoyingly handsome face. "don't worry, i'm sure a slut like you has a loose enough cunt."

"you little shit! that's—" your words get caught in your throat, back arching as he moves his hips forward, piercing inside of you. "fuck."

a broken sound leaves your lips as he continues to push his length in. it doesn't hurt like you expected it to but there's still a strong ache that you know will leave you limping tomorrow morning. it burns, burns so good you have to squeeze your eyes shut. you need something to hold onto as he starts to move, anything to give you some sort of balance but the flat surface underneath you offers no help. "ngh...eren..." you're not sure what you want to say but he doesn't give you time to think of something before he sets a rhythm.

it's surprisingly slow at first, like he wants you to feel every vein on his cock and you do. your walls desperately clench around him as you bite on your bottom lip, the room suddenly feeling too hot as his fingers grab your chin, forcing you to look at him. into that stupid gaze he won't stop staring at you with. his mouth is slightly open but no sound comes out. he's perfectly collected and you hate it. people like him should be cumming the second you touch them but he's...it's annoying.

his pace starts to speed up—he doesn't even give it another second before he's ramming inside of you. holding your hips with both hands as he sets a brutal pace that has you moving up and down the desk. "p-pretty decent for a nerd—ah!"

still, he stays silent. ugh, what's wrong with him? you bring your arm up to your mouth, muffling the moans spilling out of your lips in spite but his hands are immediately pulling them off. he chuckles, coming close enough that his breath fans against your face and a lewd moan comes out of you as he hits an even deeper spot. "don't do that, we all know this is what you want. to be fucked hard and fast to the point you're nothing but a mindless whore whose only purpose is to scream in pleasure."

you don't respond, biting down hard on your lips. his thrusts became more aggressive as he scoffs, "fine." his hand finds its way to your throat, squeezing slightly.

you suck in a shuddering breath just as his hold tightens, bordering on dangerous but for some reason the lack of air only makes your pussy throb, clenching tight around him. why does it feel good? why does everything he's doing to you only make you want more? his thrusts have now gotten erratic, almost forcing your body off the desk but the hold on your hips and throat keep you right where you are. you want to let out the moan clawing out from inside your throat but his grip stays, merciless as he pounds into you.

you don't know how much of this you can take, everything feels too hot. it's too much. "fuck look at you, didn't think you could look even more dumb." he pants, staring down. he finally removes his hand from your throat and you cry out the second he does.

"eren, please i'm—fuck...too much, it's too much." you gasp even though a sick part of you knows you could do this all night.

but right now...with the way his voice is dripping with cockiness— you hate it, hate the way he looks at you and talks to you. it's infuriating and too much. a tsk comes out of his mouth, "who knew you had a limit?" he rolls his eyes and in the next second, he's spilling inside of you. spilling and spilling until some drip on the floor.

like he's been holding himself back all this time.

fuck. he could've at least let you release a second time. you didn't think the asshole would be finishing right after you said that. you're panting, eyes staring at the white ceiling as he pulls out. he zips up his stupid ugly looking khakis as he steps back. "can you get off my desk now?"

the nerve of him...ugh. you slowly sit up, dress sticking to your skin due to the sweat and you have to refrain from asking to use his shower before leaving.

he gets you your bag and you slowly take it, throat aching and dry. there'll definitely be bruises around your throat and hips tomorrow and you're sure he's secretly delighted at that fact. "uh...." you trail off.

this is usually the part where they ask for your number, pleading for a second night with that desperate look in their eyes but he doesn't even send you another glance as he gathers up the papers on the desk, putting them into a binder. "make sure to study before sleeping tonight...if your body can handle that." his lips slightly curve up at that last part but he's not bragging, no just mocking you.

"o...okay." you lick your dry lips, suddenly needing a mint. "uh...bye?" you stand up too fast, cursing at yourself for it but his arm is around your hips before you can fall.

you bite the inside of your cheek, the proximity too close even though he was just inside of you a minute ago. he sighs, "do you need a ride home?" he asks grudgingly.

and you should say no. you don't need to be in an enclosed space with this asswipe for another second. just say no and walk into class the next day, demanding for another tutor. and then you'll never have to talk to him ever again.

but instead a weak nod comes out.

[helloalycia]

my patient’s neighbour [six] // wanda maximoff

summary: after spending some more time with Wanda against your will, you begin to realise how she feels for you.

warning/s: none.

author's note: hope you like angst! because you got it 👀 also there’s only one more part left after this so be prepared!

part one | part two | part three | part four | part five | part seven | masterlist | wattpad

"You look like you're on a warpath."

I stopped speed walking around the place when Natasha appeared out of nowhere, stepping in front of me. She seemed entertained, before she realised I was probably actually on a warpath.

"Hey, what happened?" she asked, amusement replaced with concern in seconds.

"Wanda happened," was all I said, before walking around her and storming up to the Sokovian in question.

When she spotted me, she opened her mouth to say something, but I didn't give her chance to as I grabbed her wrist and began to drag her away.

"Sorry, if you'll excuse me," Wanda got out to the guests she was chatting with, before I yanked her away. She began to complain as I did, asking, "What are you doing? I was in the middle of a conversation!"

I ignored her and proceeded to drag her away, certain that steam would be coming from my ears if this was a cartoon. Finding a private place to talk, I let go of her hand and spun around with a glare.

"Your thoughts are very loud right now," she said playfully, clearly not reading the situation.

"Then you know that I'm imagining several different ways to murder you," I got out between gritted teeth.

She scrunched her nose. "They all end in you going to prison."

Something about that obnoxious smile she wore and the way her hazel eyes watched me with anticipation was making me angrier by the second.

"How can you do that?!" I asked with exasperation.

She quirked a brow. "And what is 'that' exactly?"

I locked my jaw. "You ruined my date! You kept getting into my head all day, you were rude to Elise, and you're just– you're oozing with jealousy when you're the one who broke up with me!"

She scrunched her nose for the second time, and whereas I would have once found that endearing, I know found it greatly frustrating.

"Oozing? Really? Who says that?"

I closed my hands into fists, trying not to get baited by her purposeful obliviousness. But she was already under my skin, and ever since she broke up with me, the anger had been bubbling away, ready to come out.

"You're such a bitch, Wanda!" I shouted at her without hesitation. "You don't care that you just ruined my chance at moving on! Six months has passed since you broke up with me – you don't get to be jealous! I had to learn to be without you because you gave up on us and that's on you! So, you don't get to be here and make me feel bad for having a chance at a date because you can't make up your mind about us. It's not fair!"

My shoulders relaxed as I got my thoughts out, the anger still present but not as heavy on my back. She was infuriating as I watched her. Barely fazed by my words, a small smile played on her lips. She did nothing to acknowledge my mini speech, instead waiting for me to say something else.

"Seriously?!" I squeaked, my voice rising with annoyance. "Nothing?!"

As if pulled from a daydream, she straightened up and seemed confused. "Huh?"

I groaned loudly, eyebrows raised with disbelief. "For God's sake, Wanda!" Running out of patience, I shook my head and glared harshly. "I want you to stay away from me. You don't get to be in my life like this. And just in case you don't understand what I'm saying, here's something you will. Otvali (fuck off)!"

Not bothering to wait for a response, I stomped past her and didn't look back. As I was walking away, a tear slipped from my eye and I whipped it away without question. She didn't get to do this to me, not again. It wasn't fair.

— 

Despite practically yelling in Wanda's face to stay away from me, she didn't take the hint. Instead, I proceeded to see her two more times in places I least expected it. To be fair, I don't think she did it on purpose. But she could have easily walked the other way and pretended not to see me. Instead, she thought it would be best to piss me off further.

The first time was when I was at a park with a new patient I was caring for. He was wheelchair-bound, so I pushed him around as we spoke to pass the time. We eventually stopped at a newspaper stand since he wanted to buy a few magazines, and that's when I conveniently got bumped into by the Sokovian witch.

"Y/N, hey!" she exclaimed when I turned to see who was there. She had a wide smile on her face, eyes shining bright under the sun. Admittedly, it took my breath away for a second, as I didn't expect it in the slightest. But then I remembered who it was and tried to ignore the way my heart rate sped up.

"Hello," I mumbled, before looking back to the newspaper stand with hopes she'd go away.

"And who is this beautiful young woman, Y/N?" my patient, Dayton, asked as he noticed her beside me.

I pursed my lips, trying to figure out the best response without earning more questions from Dayton, but Wanda decided to answer instead.

"We were girlfriends," she told Dayton with a grin, eyes glancing to me.

"Key word being were," I added quickly, shooting her a look, before looking to Dayton. "It's not a big deal."

"It may not be to you, but it's good to see you, moya lyubov' (my love)," she said softly, grin fading into a genuine smile.

"Don't call me that," I snapped, hating the way her words had such an effect on me. Her stupid accent and her stupid smile and her stupid pretty eyes. Hated it all.

"Ooh, what does that mean?" Dayton asked, looking up between us.

"Nothing, Dayton," I told him calmly, before nodding to the stand. "Just buy your magazines whilst I talk to Wanda."

He shrugged and did as I said, leaving me a moment to stand back and look to Wanda disapprovingly.

"What are you doing here?" I asked, lowering my voice so I wouldn't make a scene. Nothing was accidental with her.

"Just enjoying a walk through the park," she answered with a shrug.

I rolled my eyes. "Well, enjoy your walk."

As I made an attempt to leave, she stepped in front of me suddenly.

"Wait, can we talk?" she asked, losing any sense of mischief.

"No," I deadpanned. "Now, can I leave?"

She frowned, eyes pleading. "Please?"

"I said no."

She sighed, glancing around with irritation. Her eyes settled on the flower stand beside the newspaper stand and I didn't have chance to question what she was thinking before her eyes began to glow red. Raising her hand conspicuously, red wisps of energy appeared and she levitated a single flower from one of the many bouquets, hovering it before me.

"For you," she said, and I ripped it out of the air, frantically looking around in case anyone saw.

"Very clever," I said sarcastically, before looking at the flower and shaking my head. "Stealing isn't cool, by the way."

I dropped the flower on the ground and walked away, my foot stepping on it as I did. She needed to get a damn hint.

—

The second time Wanda reappeared in my life was when Anna invited me to Sasha's home for a visit. I'd been once before, a few weeks after she'd moved in with her granddaughter's family, but not since then. This time, she'd invited me over again to catch up and I assumed it would just be me and her family; Oh, how wrong I was.

Sasha and her family were pretty wealthy, their house sitting on the outskirts of New York and on its own private land. She was a lawyer, hence the wealth, and her home was absolutely stunning with its high ceilings, floor to ceiling windows and three floor structure. Even as I parked out front for the second time in my life, I was blown away.

As I got out of my car and locked it, I noticed another car parking out front – a taxi, dropping someone off. Curious, I waited to see who it was. My eyes narrowed when I noticed a familiar face exiting the taxi and paying the driver. When the taxi drove off, Wanda saw me and began to smile with amusement, joining me at the front door.

"The stalking is getting creepy you know," I told her when she stood by my side.

I knocked on the door using the giant knocker and waited patiently for someone to answer.

"I'd love to take the credit for this," Wanda answered, and I could see her smug smile in my peripheral, "but I was invited by Anna."

I swallowed hard, resisting the urge to roll my eyes, both at Wanda's presence and Anna's secrecy. "Of course she did..."

The door opened to reveal none other than Anna Pivec herself, balancing on her cane and grinning at the sight of Wanda and I.

"Devushki (girls), you made it!" she exclaimed with delight, before stepping to the side. "Please, come on in!"

We both entered her home and watched as she closed the door before giving us both a big hug without warning.

"Oh, okay," I mumbled, but wrapped an arm around her gently. "It's good to see you, too, Anna."

Anna laughed wholeheartedly before pulling away. "I'm sorry. I just missed you both is all. It's so good to have you here, together again. Just like old times."

I forced a small smile, knowing what she meant but also feeling a pang in my heart because it wasn't completely like old times, not really. Naturally, my eyes fell to Wanda who was already looking my way, a similar expression on her face. I wondered if she was thinking the same.

"C'mon, I'll bring you to the kitchen where everybody else is," Anna said, already leading the way. "They're excited to have you over again."

"You didn't mention Wanda would be here, too," I noted as she led us through the main hall.

"Oh, didn't I?" she replied, feigning confusion. "I must have forgotten."

"Hmm." I pursed my lips, ignoring the obnoxious smile that returned to Wanda's lips as we followed Anna.

She led us to the kitchen where Sasha and her husband were preparing some food for the supposed barbecue we'd be having. I'd met her husband the last time I visited, so it was easy to get reacquainted with them both as we met them again.

After a brief catch up, Wanda and I offered to help with the food, but Sasha insisted we take a break and hang out with the twins – her kids – whilst they cooked it up outside. So, I soon found myself heading to the living room with Wanda as Anna went to fetch the twins from their bedrooms upstairs.

I wasn't exactly keen on being left alone with Wanda, so I decided not to say anything and simply keep to myself as we waited for Anna's return. Killing time, I wandered around the living room and looked at the family photos hung on the wall. It was the same as last time, except now there were a few new additions, clearly from Anna, which made me smile without thinking.

They were of Wanda, Anna and I, back when I used to care for her and we'd hang out at her apartment. Some were in the apartment itself whilst others were from places we'd visited together on different occasions. I recognised a handful of them from when Wanda and I were just friends and a few more from when we were a couple. It was clear in the photos which were which, as Wanda was holding my waist and grinning from ear to ear, myself doing the same. For a split second, I almost forgot she'd broken my heart.

"Wow, we looked really cute together, didn't we?" her stupid Sokovian accent sounded by my ear, and I lost my smile when I felt Wanda's presence stood a little too close to me.

She was looking over my shoulder at the photos on the wall and I tried not to get frustrated, but she made it impossible.

"Yeah, we were," I agreed, noticing the surprise on her face at my words, but then I continued, "until you dumped me because you were too scared to stay in a relationship."

Her smile faded at my words and I left her standing there, instead going to the couch to wait there. I wasn't sure why Anna had kept those photographs of us, but I wished she hadn't. 

After what felt like forever, Anna finally returned with her two great-grandkids in tow. Alex and Marina, both seven-years-old, grinned adorably at Wanda and I, betraying their missing teeth.

"Well, look who it is," Wanda said with a bright smile, bending over and putting her hands on her knees. "My favourite set of twins."

Despite how annoying she was, I couldn't help but smile at the way she treated kids. She was always so good with them generally, way better than I was.

"G.G. said we could play Mario Kart," Marina said behind a nervous smile, looking between us. "Can we?"

G.G. was what they called Anna – short for 'great-grandmother'. I found it cute that they accepted her into the family so easily, like no time had been missed.

"I think we can," I said with a warm smile. "But I can't promise we'll take it easy on you."

Alex fist-pumped with excitement before running to the TV to set up his Nintendo Switch. Marina, the calmer of the two, motioned for Wanda and I to take a seat on the couch with her. Anna joined us, taking her place on the recliner, and watched with amusement.

Wanda and I had never actually visited them together, so it was refreshing to see how excited they got around her. Clearly she'd made an impression last time.

"For you," Alex said politely, holding out a controller to me.

"Why thank you," I said, accepting it. "So polite."

He seemed embarrassed as he did the same with Wanda, who hadn't stopped smiling since they came in. After handing his sister a controller, he joined us on the couch, forcing everyone to move up a little and making Wanda press closer to me at the end of the seat. I gave her a knowing look to which she smiled innocently, making me roll my eyes.

"You not gonna have a go, Anna?" Wanda teased Anna as Alex began to set up the game.

"The moving cars makes my head spin," the older Sokovian woman admitted. "You guys enjoy though."

Soon enough, the first game commenced and I was surprised at how competitive I was being, adamant on at least beating Wanda if not the twins. They, of course, spent all their time playing this, so Marina won Wanda and I easily. Wanda came in fourth, I came in third and Alex came in second.

"You just got lucky," Wanda said with a shrug, glancing at me.

"If you say so," I played along, a ghost of a smile on my lips.

"I'm being Toad this time!" Marina exclaimed as Alex set up the next round.

"I'll be Princess Peach," Wanda decided nonchalantly.

"She won't help you win," I said without thinking.

"We'll see, milashka (cutie)," she responded with a playful smile.

I nudged her in the arm, signalling for her to not call me that, but she only smiled wider as she looked back to the screen.

We had a few more rounds, Wanda winning none of them and Marina winning all of them, when Alex began to complain.

"It's not fair, you have to be cheating!" he said to his sister.

"I'm just better," Marina stated casually, making me laugh.

Alex rolled his eyes before looking to Wanda. "Did you used to play this with Pietro? Did he cheat, too?"

I raised my eyebrows with surprise at the mention of Wanda's dead twin brother. I didn't think she'd tell the twins of him, but then I realised that it was only fitting to mention her twin brother to a set of twins that probably reminded her of herself.

Wanda smiled gently. "We didn't have these games as kids, Alex. But when Piet and I played other things, yes, he did cheat." 

Alex sighed, glancing at his sister with distaste before looking to me. "Did you used to play this when you were younger, Y/N?"

"Kind of... I mean, I don't have any brothers or sisters, so I used to play at my cousin's house whenever I visited," I explained. "And it wasn't a Switch. We had something called a Super Nintendo."

"Woah, you're old," Alex muttered with disbelief.

"Alex!" Anna scolded, making me laugh.

"It's okay, he's technically right," I said with a shrug.

"Milaya (sweetie), if you're old, then I'm ancient," Anna said disapprovingly.

"Right, sorry," I said, trying to stifle my smile.

We played another round and as Wanda and I were closing in on the finish line, my joystick began to veer left despite me aiming it to the right. I looked down in time to see red wisps of energy pushing it the other way.

"Yes! I won you," Wanda sang with pride, looking to me as her eyes faded from red to its hazel colour.

"You cheated," I said, eyebrows raised. "I just saw you."

"I don't know what you're talking about," she played dumb.

"Wanda," I said, giving her a knowing look. "You sure it was Pietro who used to cheat when you were kids?"

She grinned. "Very sure."

I studied her closely, entertained smile tugging at my lips. "I'm just gonna pretend I let you beat me since you won't admit it."

She shrugged, nudging me in the side gently. "Suit yourself."

"You're supposed to let your wife win anyway," Alex said naively, and I almost choked on my own spit when he did.

"What?" I spluttered out, losing my smile.

Wanda was doing her absolute best not to laugh as her eyes glanced towards me, noticing my shocked expression.  

"Your wife – Wanda?" Alex said like it was obvious. "Our dad says he lets our mum win stuff all the time. It's what you do when you're married."

"I– we–" I paused, clearing my throat and suddenly feeling very warm. "We're not married, Alex."

Alex furrowed his brows with confusion. "But G.G. said that you weren't together."

"But that doesn't mean we're married," I said slowly, hoping my face wasn't as red as it felt.

"Medovyy (honey), they're not together anymore, you're right," Anna started to correct him, though she looked like she was seconds away from laughing herself, "but I never said they were married."

Alex didn't seem to understand still. He pointed to Wanda's hands. "But she's wearing a ring."

Everyone looked down to Wanda's hands which were adorned by several rings on many of her fingers, though none were on her ring finger, so I didn't get what Alex was thinking.

"I always wear rings," Wanda told him with amusement.

"But–"

"That's her right hand, idiot," Marina said to her brother with a scoff.

"No, it's her left," he said knowingly, before raising his left hand in the air and pointing to her right hand opposite him.

Marina rolled her eyes, already fed up with her twin's antics. She stood beside him and motioned to his hands as she explained, "That's your left. It's her right. Like a reflection. It's not a wedding ring."

It took a few seconds for Alex to understand, but when he did, he began to get flustered.

"Oh," was all he said, before returning to his seat. "My bad."

Anna laughed at her great-grandson's embarrassment as I began to flush with a similar embarrassment in my seat. Meanwhile, Wanda was biting her lip to contain her own laughter, eyes teasing me as they glanced at me with amusement.

Today was definitely not going to plan.

—

After gaming with the kids for a little while longer, we were all eventually called into the garden to have lunch together. Sasha and her husband had barbecued a variety of chicken, meat and vegetables for us to eat which was delicious. It gave us the chance to hear everything Anna had been up to with her family and for her to catch up with what's going on in Wanda and I's lives.

Anna seemed a lot happier, the happiest I'd ever seen her, when she was with family. I was glad that she was fitting in and that it brought her closer to her late-husband and daughter. This was all she'd ever wanted and she'd finally gotten it. Despite tricking Wanda and I into coming, I was kind of glad to be there because even if I wouldn't admit it at the time, it was just like old times.

After having dessert and conversing for longer than we realised over some tea and coffee, Wanda and I decided it was best we leave.

"Remember to come by anytime," Anna said to us both by the front door. "You don't even have to call!"

I smiled, nodding. "Thank you, Anna. It was great to see you again. I had a lot of fun today."

"Me, too," Wanda agreed. "It's really good to see you so happy."

Anna sighed contently. "Spasibo (thank you). Both of you." Pausing with thought, her eyes flickered between us both. "I do hope that you resolve things soon. For both of your benefit."

Chewing on my lip, I chose not to say anything. Wanda seemed to feel the same, opting to stay quiet, making Anna breath out halfheartedly.

"Right, well... are you both okay getting home?" she asked, changing the subject.

After reassuring her that we were, we gave her a giant hug before bidding her a goodbye. Once the door closed, I awkwardly glanced at Wanda before heading to my car.

"Hey, is it stupid if I ask for a ride?" Wanda's voice said from behind me.

I looked over my shoulder and saw her following after me, half walking and half running to fall into step with me. I refrained from rolling my eyes as I continued walking to my car.

"Didn't you get a taxi?" was all I said.

"Yeah, but my place is on the way to yours," she answered like it was nothing, finally catching up to me and grinning by my side when we reached my car. "And you're free, so..."

I narrowed my eyes impatiently.

"I won't do or say anything to piss you off," she added, putting out her pinky. "Promise."

As frustrating as she was, I wasn't a bitch, and we'd actually kind of gotten along today. With a dramatic sigh, I stepped to the side and motioned for her to get in the car. She wiggled her pinky, but when realising I wouldn't interlink mine, she lowered it.

A genuine smile fell on her lips as she nodded. "Thank you."

I simply returned the nod before getting into the driver's seat as she did with the passenger's seat. I put Wanda's address in the sat nav before setting off, trying not to overthink the silence that filled the car. Obviously, that was impossible, so I gripped the steering wheel tighter and glanced at Wanda.

"You can put the radio on if you want," I said uncomfortably, shifting around in my seat.

She tensed her jaw, looking (oddly enough) as uncomfortable as I felt, which was strange since she was content annoying me earlier. With a nod, she turned the radio on and some random pop music played quietly in the background, easing my nerves but not making anything more tolerable. It took about ten minutes for me to adjust to the silence when I finally got comfortable, focusing on driving and getting to Wanda's flat quickly.

Without warning, Wanda began to speak in Russian, but it was way too fast and incomprehensible so I had no idea what she was saying.

"Wanda, slow down, what are you talking about?" I asked, trying to cut her off, but she continued to ramble right over me, making me roll my eyes. "Wanda, I don't understand you!"

When I looked to her between driving, she seemed extremely passionate and stern about whatever she was saying. I wished I understood because whatever it was seemed to be eating away at her. I tried to ask her to slow down, speak English, do something to help me out, but she was stuck in tunnel vision, speaking quickly and with sadness.

After what felt like forever but was probably only a minute, she stopped talking and took a deep breath. I furrowed my eyebrows judgementally, eyeing her with confusion.

"The hell was that?!" I asked with surprise.

She didn't reply, making me curse under my breath. At the next red traffic light, I looked to her properly, noticing the distracted stare she directed my way.

"Wanda, what was that?" I repeated, raising an eyebrow.

She pressed her lips together, hazel eyes swirling with a mixture of emotions that I couldn't make out. I thought she'd answer me, but she still stayed silent.

"Seriously, Wanda, what?"

The traffic light began to go orange and I sighed with annoyance, figuring she'd lost her marbles. But then she finally spoke, my attention half on her and half on the road.

"Ya skuchayu po tebe (I miss you)," she said softly, without mischief or annoyance or anger or anything. Just sincerity.

She looked away after that, eyes drifting to her shoes, probably thinking I didn't understand. But I did and I knew it shouldn't have affected me as much as it did, but I felt my heart ache in my chest as I put my foot on the gas to make the green light.

When I finally reached her apartment building, I waited for her to say something, but she looked as lost in her thoughts than I did whilst driving.

"Wanda," I called quietly, getting her attention.

She blinked, realising we were at her place. Clearing her throat, she barely looked my way as she mumbled, "Thanks for the ride."

As she opened the car door and got out, beginning to walk to her building, I rolled down the passenger's window and called her name. She stopped, looking over to me with a raised brow.

My mouth felt dry as I said, "I know what 'I miss you' is in Russian." Her eyes widened, embarrassed that she'd been caught, and I continued, "You don't get to miss me."

It was harsh, but it was the truth. And I didn't wait to hear her come up with a response as I rolled my window up and set off again. She couldn't act like that when it was her fault we broke up. It wasn't fair on either of us.

[fr1d4y-wr1t1ng]

Your “Love Song”

Request: nooooo, I wanted to do an intro kinda writing thing lol.

Can I request?: absolutely.

Genre: Fluffy romantic head canons of the CC’s!

Content Warnings: none, except for swearing maybe. And of course my music taste /j (thought I would put this here, any references to a “her” or “him” has a they/them in brackets just letting y'all know)

CC’s in Post: irl!Dream(wastaken), irl!Sapnap, & irl!Wilbur Soot.

Description: These are the songs that I think would fit for your relationship with these CC’s!

Dream:

Cupid's Chokehold/Breakfast In America - Gym Class Heros

Holy shit Dream loves you so so so much it's unreal.

Like he would quite literally do anything for you like quite literally ANYTHING you can imagine.

Your day was shitty and you don't wanna do the dishes? He's got you covered.

You're sore from doing something physically exhausting? Don't worry, he'll do ANYTHING to make you feel better.

You got sick? He's already making soup and nursing you back to health.

He's semi-clingy like that you know?

Sometimes you may have to tell him that he doesn't have to do EVERYTHING for you, and that sometimes you can just do things yourself.

Remind him to take breaks too holy shit!! Like seriously mate go in there and REMIND HIM!!

But that's just because he loves you so much, he just can't express it any other way dude!!

I think the line that PERFECTLY sums up how he feels for you is “if I had to choose [them] or the sun, I'd be one nocturnal son of a gun.”

Just make sure you treat him the same, trust me on this one okay????? Pls?????

“Take a look at my [s/o], [they're] the only one I got!”

“George!!”

That's the only thing you've truly heard since he started streaming. You'd been sitting on his bed, scrolling through Twitter while minding your own business. You hadn't done anything to disturb him given the fact he was streaming and well… he hadn't exactly revealed you yet.

You looked at your boyfriend, just wanting your clingy little teddy bear back, you stared at him for a second, before seeing him mute and turn to you.

You two stared at each other, a slightly awkward but… mostly comfortable silence. His eyes looked like they had literal hearts in them. He chuckled quietly, looking at you until you spoke up. “...Clay?”

You questioned you boyfriend until he muttered, “you know, you're the most attractive person I've ever seen… right?” You started to laugh as your boyfriend got up and sat next to you. He quickly pecked your cheek and went back to his stream, attempting to make up for having chat wait.

To say this happened often would be an understatement.

Sapnap:

Never Ever Getting Rid Of Me - Waitress

I know people like to use this song in a more... stalkerish tendency. But, I don't think that's the meaning, you know.

Sapnap is very much... newer to love. It may come off in the wrong way, but he's trying to show you that he's not going anywhere because he loves you.

He can be awkward, but of course he's just excited!

You're his first s/o!!! How the hell could he not be excited?

Sapnap can be very “clingy” when your relationship starts... but don't worry. He calms down quickly.

Before you even know it, the relationship becomes natural, like you've been together for several years.

You two kind of end up acting like newly-wed’s when you get settled? If you get what I mean?

It's like you've been together for god knows how long, but you're just getting super settled and shit into a whole new level of your relationship.

I feel like the line that really represents how he feels is the line, “Oh, I'm gonna love you so. You'll learn what I already know, I love you means your never ever getting rid of me!”

He really believes that you're the one! So maybe (if you can) try to give the same energy back! Tell him you love him like, a lot!!

“I will never let you let me leave, I promise I'm not lying!”

What the fuck was that? You lay awake, thinking about the nightmare that just woke you. You slowly turned toward your phone. It's 4:08 am. You really shouldn't be up this early, should you? As you try to get back to sleep, you hear a muffled groan from him.

“Babe?” Sapnap asks, barely able to keep his eyes open, “Why ‘re you up?” You turned back to face him, wrapping your arms around his midsection. “‘is nothin’. Don't worry.”

His brows furrowed in thought, trying to stare at you for a second before asking, “Ya’ sure? You can tell me anything-” you quickly peck his lips, effectively shutting him up before mumbling, “it's just a nightmare. I'll be fine, as long I have you with me.” a small chuckle came from him before replying with,

“M’kay… love you.”

Wilbur Soot:

Telephone - Waterparks

At first when he falls for you he's... really fucking nervous.

He doesn't wanna mess your relationship up AT ALL.

He thinks the you'd legitimently regret being with him, but we all know we trolley want a man like Wil.

But, there's still apart of him that really wants you to feel the same.

But once you start dating, this kind of stressing about making you regret dating him calms down a bit.

Keyword: a bit.

The intrusive thoughts about you two dating can still get to him yk, so, please just remind him that it'll be okay babes-

He's so soft when he's with you though, like, legit it's such a magical experience.

When he's not streaming or making music he's usually spending time with you!

He's just so sweet man, tbh I want a bf like Wilbur 🥴.

I think the lyric that really explains how he feels is “I can be your best yet, future favorite regret.” because he can be the softest motherfucker ever!! (or... well... hm.)

“I’m interested but distant to a fault, and I'd never want to complicate your heart!”

Boop ba boop! Boop ba boop! Your phone's ringtone filled your apartment as you dragged yourself from your bed to your desk. You sighed, looking at the number and realizing who was calling you. “Hey Wil.” you answered somewhat bluntly.

“[Y/N]! Hey!” Wilbur’s sweet voice rang through your ears like a whimsical melody. Your lips perked at his response, “Whats up?” you ask, your cheeks filling with heat as you looked at the screen. “Well I-” Wilbur cuts himself off at the noise in the background.

“...anyways, I'm coming over!” he finished. You realized he was probably walking his happy ass to your flat. You looked around at the mess, a small sigh escaping your lips as you replied, “I'll see you in five then?” a chuckle escaped his lips, “yup! See you in five!”

Note: AAAAND THATS FINISHED, FINALLY. Why the hell did this take 2 days holy shit!? So, uh, I have an idea for making a part 2 but like... with the song that kinda describes the breakup (if there is one)? So let me know if you want that! Kay, see ya, byeeeeee!!!!

[apixrl]

DROWSY.

levi ackerman x fem!reader

WARNING(S): none

word count: 3.4k

song: before i close my eyes // xxxtentacion

note(s): soft levi lives in my head rent free and that's perfectly okay he can stay for as long as he wants to

Your hand pressed against your back as you stretched, stifling a yawn that echoed through the hallway. You swore you could hear your joints wailing out in distress, every step feeling as though you were dragging a weight behind you that was five times your size. Your bed was calling out to you in more ways than you could count, the idea of snuggling under the covers absolutely heavenly.

It had been a long and tiresome day, to say the least. After waking up early and in bright spirits, you made the decision to go on a long morning jog. To ready yourself for a presumably easy day. But those words came back to bite you when Captain Levi dropped you and your comrades into an intense training segment that lasted all morning. Then proceeded a heavy clean of headquarters in the afternoon. Ordered to rid the underside of the tables of dust and to clear those sneaky corners of muck that had festered far too long. To put a long story short; you were about ready to drop dead on the floor by the time evening rolled on by.

You loved Levi with all your heart, but unfortunately, your relationship with him didn't come with any bonuses. Yes, you saw a softer side on occasion, but the man never allowed bias to take over during work hours. You were treated the same as the others; a soldier in the ranks. A member of Levi's squad. When you did right you were praised and when you did wrong you served the consequences. Levi would set you on a thirty lap run around the camp perimeter if he saw fit, and there was no getting out of it. As much as you could complain, you knew it was for the best. When it came down to it, Levi was your superior as well as his partner and there had to be some line between the two.

Plodding along the hallway, your bedroom door up ahead was your saviour. You could practically taste the sweet rest waiting for you on the other side. Though just before you could reach your salvation, a voice from the neighbouring room stopped you in your step and tore you away from it.

"Y/N,"

Levi.

It would be lying to say you didn't whimper, so close to a good night's sleep yet so far all in one go. But you weren't so selfish that you'd ignore your lover's call because you were simply exhausted. Yes, you considered it... but resisting the urge gave you credibility, right?

Regardless, you exhaled a sigh knowing it would be wrong not to respond. That man you called your partner had ears like a cat anyway. He probably heard you make your way down the hall or noticed your shadow under the door and had sensed your halt upon his call. So dragging your eyes away from the vision of your wonderfully made bed (Levi having been the one to tuck the sheets in that morning since he was the last one up. So no wonder you were fantasizing at the idea of collapsing on there) behind the door of your room, you set your gaze on the door to Levi's office instead.

You realised it was open just a tad, explaining Levi sensing your approach so easily. Pressing your hands against the wooden frame, you pushed it open and popped your head around the door, forcing your eyes open no matter how much they pleaded to close against the candlelight.

As expected, Levi was seated at the chair of his desk. Neck-deep in papers that he'd been working on most of the night. One shorter pile to the left and a taller one to the right - one pile waiting to be looked at whilst the other sat completed. You wondered which one that was... and prayed for Levi's sake it was the tallest pile to allow him a good night's sleep.

His greyed eyes didn't look up upon your entry, something you just managed to notice through the strands of wispy black locks atop Levi's head. That seemed to indicate he was focused on the task at hand, especially from the way his hand efficiently worked at the pieces of paper like it was on autopilot.

"Yes, love?" You asked, resting against the door for a brief moment as your tiredness caught up with you. If you had reacted to it a second later you believed you would have tipped over from loss of balance, and you were relieved when Levi spoke up once more - his voice jolting you upright.

"I need you to take some papers down to the Commander for me," Levi stated, a certain tone in his voice indicating his own form of tiredness. But you knew that rarely stopped him and his work, the man willing to stay up until the early hours of the morning just to get it finished.

His words made your body panic, unsure if it could muster a journey all the way to Erwin's whereabouts. You had barely walked up the stairs of headquarters well, let alone travelling back down them and then all the way back up again.

"It can't wait until tomorrow?" You tried, chewing the inside of your cheek gingerly. From the way Levi glanced over his wad of papers, grey eyes filled with doubt, you knew it was a longshot. "It's just late, that's all. You need to rest,"

"No," Levi ceased all action, slouching down in his seat briefly as his fingertips held the bridge of his nose. His version of a short break and a way to bury his annoyance down. It appeared to be one of those nights, where he was swamped with work and didn't have the opportunity to simply 'head to bed'. "I'm still nowhere near done, and I don't have the time to take the ones I've already looked at to Erwin because of that," It was there his hand propped up, elbow resting on his other which has splayed over his chest. He motioned you over, eyes skipping between you and the seat opposite him until you got the message.

You were delayed in realising, feeling guilty at your inability to proceed Levi's words. You heard them, but fatigue seemed to seize hold and throw them out the window before your brain could comprehend the meaning. You hoisted yourself off of the doorframe, letting the hinges squeak the door shut behind you as you made your way to Levi's desk. You then sat yourself down, hands pressed to the chair arms as your attention steered to your partner.

"Okay... so which pile am I taking?" Was your question, forcing a small smile to at least seem interested. The black-haired man straightened up, eyes skimming over the papers on his desk and seemingly on the floor too. That made your brow raise, head tilting to the side ever so slightly in wonder. What was behind the desk?

Levi proceeded to push his chair back with his feet, his head quickly disappearing under the table as if to grab something. You rested your cheek in your palm as you waited, a hint of a frown as you waited. Your assumptions were correct as, after a few seconds of scuffling around, Levi reappeared from under the desk - standing up to place yet another pile of paper wherever his desk had the space to hold it.

"This one," He addressed, exhaling heavily once he was comfortable in his seat again. Just when you thought that was it, Levi pushed the taller pile of papers forward as well, and it would be wrong to say you were joyful of the sight. In fact, you were very much dismayed, the sight of the multiple piles of papers meaning more than one trip.

Suddenly you wished the shorter pile was the finished one.

"And this one," Levi spoke with little character as per usual, gazing upon the piles of papers like they were nothing more than a pile of dirt. Clearly, he had experienced little joy going through them, but work never got done whilst complaining. The only words ringing in his mind to convince Levi to get his head down and focus. "You'll probably need to take two trips,"

"You don't say," You commented and sighed to yourself. For hours you had awaited your mattress and now look at you, even further away from reaching it as before. It was a big shame you woke up in such an energetic mood and was ending the day feeling like you couldn't lift a finger. "And if I cant find Commander Erwin?"

"He should be in his office," Levi returned. "But if not, place the right pile on his desk," He then gestured to the left, hand pressing on top for emphasis. "This one will need sorting, however. Just separate the tags in the stack and the drawer they belong in is on there. It shouldn't take you too long, just make sure the files are in the right place or Erwin won't be pleased. Oh, and try not to drop them, please? I'd rather not lose four hours worth of work because of your two left feet -," Levi was cut short by a sound he was not at all expecting. A snorting noise caught him off guard, but when he looked up at you in question the answers quickly came pouring in.

It appeared in Levi's ramble you had grown bored. As there you were, head lolling forwards as your arm tried to prop it up, eyes closed and snoring away to your heart's content. Levi quirked a brow at your behaviour, then scoffed lightly. The man couldn't say he was surprised, of course you would nod off to sleep exactly when he needed your help. At a time where he was swamped with things to do and an extra pair of hands wouldn't hurt.

"Y/N," He tried after a minute or so passed, Levi frowning at the lack of response. If anything, the snoring grew louder. It was there he tried again, a little more firmly and loudly but still, nothing.

Typical.

Levi sat there in silence and disbelief, watching your frame rise and fall with each intake of breath. Meanwhile, you simply slept on without a care in the world, but it's not like he could leave you there. Leaving you sleeping in such a way was bound to cause a nasty neck and backache the following morning. So with a sigh, Levi hoisted himself out of his chair and walked around his desk to your side. Then he knelt down to your level, hand landing on your shoulder to give you a gentle but firm shake.

"Y/N," Levi spoke, a little softer this time, all whilst trying to nudge you awake. It appeared you had only lightly nodded off, as, after three or four shakes, you stirred out of your little nap. Your eyes shot open to meet Levi's observing you closely, a hint of a frown to his face as he did. In your state you barely noticed though, too busy trying to shake off your drowsiness but failing miserably as your eyes merely drooped more.

"Levi?" You mumbled tiredly, lifting your gaze towards your lover, puzzled over why he was so close to you. "What is it?"

"You fell asleep," Levi said with hesitancy, glancing away from you for a second before he continued. "Is everything alright?"

"Hm? Yes... everything's fine," You reassured, sending him a reassuring smile. Levi narrowed his gaze, prompting you to keep going. "It's just been a long day, that's all,"

"I see," Levi nodded, noticing your lack of attentiveness and sleepy demeanour. All of which you tried to force back through your smile. But Levi knew you better than that. He could see straight through the façade just how you could see straight through his, acting as though you were fine when it was truly quite the opposite. That was enough for Levi to suspect something was up, and that little switch in his head that differed between his role as Captain and partner flipped in an instant.

"Sorry... y-you were saying something before I dropped off weren't you?" You asked and pointed to the papers on the table. "Something about them?"

Levi turned to look at where you gestured, seeing the papers that still needed taking to Erwin. He contemplated still asking for your help, but it was obvious from just the way you looked alone that you were long desperate for rest. So exhaling a small sigh, Levi reluctantly cast his gaze back onto you and shook his head.

"No, don't worry about it," He allowed his hand to leave your shoulder and moved it to your face. Where he tucked a few loose strands of your H/C hair behind your ear, continuing. "It can wait until tomorrow,"

"Are you sure?" You asked through a yawn, leaning into the hand that Levi proceeded to support your cheek with. The subtle graze of his thumb over your cheekbone relaxing you to the point sleep nearly stole you from him once more.

As much as he disliked tampering with his organised routine, Levi knew sending you on errands whilst so tired would do you no good the next day. Perhaps he had pushed you a little far without realising, the thought running through his mind later on in the morning. You'd been lagging behind your comrades more than usual. Much opposing to you typically being at the front of the group and urging them on over the other way around. Whilst it wasn't as obvious in the afternoon, the strain in your expression as you scrubbed the floors and countertops had peeked its way through to him. Levi knew you in and out, and the frustration displayed ran much deeper than that of germs and bacteria. That was blatant now more than ever, so the least you deserved was a good night's rest. Just because he could run on little hours of sleep didn't mean you could.

"Yeah," Levi admired you under the dim light of his office after he spoke. Your inattentive gaze somehow continued to hold such focus as you looked back at him. The way you smiled with such love and yearn. How your cheek felt warm in his palm like he was holding the entire world. Which he was really. He was holding his entire world.

"Oh... okay," You said and your eyes drooped shut, not reopening. That brought Levi to act, blinking out of his daze and pulling himself to his feet with a sharp inhale.

"Come on, let's get you to bed," He said and slipped his arms around you, lifting you into their secure hold. You didn't protest, too tired to make a sound as you adjusted to the new position. A comfier position that ensured security and safety. One hand supported your back as Levi's bicep acted as your pillow and his spare arm hooked under your legs. You could feel the ever so gentle thump of Levi's heartbeat close to your ear, much opposing to his regular temperament - curt and firm and even quite harsh at the most.

Levi carried you out of his office, using his foot to open the door as he proceeded to venture down the hall to your shared bedroom. The place you had been going to before you were called to his aid. You kept your eyes closed the entire time but didn't nod off just yet, the bobbing motion of Levi's walk both drifting and stirring you from sleep. It wasn't long before Levi was pulling back the sheets whilst he only just managed to hold you with one arm. You made it easier by wrapping your legs around his waist and your arms around his neck, giggling lightly to yourself when you almost slipped. Somewhere in Levi's silence, he found it amusing. Perhaps not verbally placed, but you sensed it nonetheless. Still, he downplayed it with concern, his hand pressing against your back to hold you closely against his frame.

He placed you down with care, hand only leaving your back once it rested on the mattress. Sliding it out, it returned to the sheets as he placed them back over you. Meanwhile, you watched through half-lidded eyes, following where Levi's gaze trailed. Mainly sticking to the sheets he tucked in for you out of the goodness of his heart, though flickered back to you on occasion. His eyes contained a warmth that opposed their normal grey colour. A warmth that he usually failed to place into the spoken word and resorted to showing it rather than saying it.

Eventually, Levi finished, his hands stopping their skilful movement and pressing into the pillow on either side of your head. He was silent for a moment, observing your tiresome state and realising just how fatigued he was too. He battled the urge to collapse on the bed beside you, pull you into his arms and fall fast asleep. To ignore his duties for just one night. Give himself a treat and spend the night snoozing away like the everyday citizen. But Levi knew that was irresponsible. He had been irresponsible enough leaving the paperwork so late. It also wasn't the life he had been fated to lead, regardless of how pleasant the idea may be in the subconscious of his mind.

"I still have a lot of work to do," He uttered no louder than a whisper, exhaling deeply in an apologetic sigh and hating the idea of traipsing back to his office to work. "I'll have to join you later but I'm guessing you'll be asleep,"

"It's okay," You hummed, head tilting to the side as an innocent smile formed on your face. "Do I get a kiss good night, at least?"

Levi couldn't fight the small chuckle that escaped him, head proceeding to hang forwards and shake too and fro at your words. He truly felt he didn't deserve you and the love you gave him. Always so understanding, never complaining about his packed work schedule. How you made him feel steady and kept him sane. Perhaps it was because you were a soldier too and knew how time-consuming the job was, but Levi was grateful for all of it. The man met your eyes, a certain radiance in them that he'd refrain from showing to anyone else other than you.

"You're twenty-nine years old and you act like a child," He remarked with no ill intent, the laugh that elicited from you music to his ears.

"Yeah, and you chose to -," You were cut off, Levi leaning forwards to press his lips to yours in a tender kiss. You hummed in approval, forgetting the words you planned to say and instead enjoyed the display of affection. Levi lingered longer than usual, an indirect apology for the fact he had to leave you with the bed half cold. You didn't question it, knowing Levi's work never truly stopped and granted him a break. The fact he'd even paused just to tuck you in comfortably was enough to satisfy your needs, whether Levi would believe that or not was up to him. But your eyes fell closed, both from bliss and sleep catching up to claim control.

Gradually your lips loosened on Levi's, indicating you had nodded off. He opened his eyes and pulled back in question, watching your head tilt faintly to the side as your pillow held its weight. Levi exhaled deeply, leaning down to plant one final kiss on your forehead. Then he hoisted himself off of the bed and walked to the door.

"Good night, Y/N," He said once there, glancing back at you one final time. From where he stood, you appeared merrily at peace. Finally grateful for the embrace of your bedsheets after a dragging day of nonstop training. Levi did feel somewhat bad for being a cause for your tiredness, knowing that he could sometimes be cruel when playing his 'Captain' role. But he couldn't favour you just because of his feelings, and the fact you rarely made that an issue provided him relief like no other. Still, Levi's guilt asserted as he closed the bedroom door quietly behind him.

Why... it wouldn't be terrible if he let you sleep in a little bit past the wake-up call, would it?

[mminttae]

Clandestine | 02

-> Pairing : Jeon Jungkook x reader

-> Genre : tattoo!artist Jungkook, mafia! JJK,mafia au, bloody!missions, slight violence, got secrets they can't tell, angst, romance, Jungkook's part time job is flirting, sad (backstory), Y/N is strong!

-> Summary : who would have known that just doing a part time job at a night club would lead you to the tattoo artist Jeon Jungkook's messed up world. One letter related to the secret comes out of your mouth you'll be laying in Jungkook's arms but alive or not, that's not guaranteed...

-> Word Count : 4.286 K ( A/N: I’m increasing words )

-> T/W body language, killing, curse words and intimacy are included in the story (you may read if you're comfortable with these)

Part : 2

<< previous chap

.・゜-: ✧ :-playlist -: ✧ :-゜・．

Jungkook's mouth opened and closed like a goldfish. Even if me saying that line didn't flatten him enough I knew the nickname did as it always have been doing. It was clearly visible that he didn't expect me to be this bold suddenly. But he being himself smirked after a couple of seconds as his hand snaked up to grab my wrist pulling me more closer "Sure princess.. Do you want to go to the trip now? " His tongue rolling over his bottom lip as his piercing doe eyes holding so many thoughts looked at my lips then to my eyes.

"I don't want to interrupt but the trip has to be postponed "Jimin interferes in the moment, his eyes narrowed and only looking at me as if scared that the younger guy would throw him out if he locked eyes with his. Making a 'tch' sound Jungkook raises his eyebrows at Jimin in a manner that reads he's asking why postpone. I yeet his hand which was holding my wrist and get off from the table clearing my throat while fixing the skirt and apron. Jungkook clearly disappointed for not being able to hear my answer gets up from the seat while putting the black leather jacket around his shoulders. Jimin and Taehyung following him gets up too grabbing their bags. Jungkook walked up to me while fixing his bangs with his index finger.

"Gotta go princess a client's waiting" Nodding I proceeded to walk away but I could hear Jungkook saying with a sad dramatic tone. "Atleast act that you don't want me to go". I'm afraid I won't be able to because I myself don't know what this client of yours gonna do if you don't go on time. Is the person waiting even a client or not? Knitting my eyebrows I look back only to meet with strangers taking up the seat. The three tall mesmerizing men with inks on their body not to be seen anywhere. I don't know what's going on in that foolish yet extremely clever brain of yours but...

Be careful Mr. Artbook..

End of YOUR POV

Mid summer yet the night breeze is able to run shivers down your spine. Not a single soul in sight.

10 at night maybe the shopkeepers closed down the shutters and went to bed. Not many shops here in this area to even begin with. The only workshop's bell which rings here is the Jeon's Tattoo corner which has been ringing from the morning today , seemed to have stopped in the evening but now making its sound again. "Argh I should really break down this bell "

With an annoyed expression the black haired guy opens the drawers searching for a fresh towel. The tall man who just entered the shop walked past the desk table, turning the door knob and allowing himself inside the cozy room. His loud footsteps on the wooden floor telling Jungkook that the guest has arrived.

"Where were you? I waited here for five minutes then went inside the nearby plant store to kill time"

Taking off the long coat the tall silver haired guy walks up to the chair positioned in the middle of the room beside the various tools. "Sorry hyung, Taehyung and Jimin wanted a new tattoo so went to hear out their designs"

Jungkook says, eyebrows knitted while he fishes out the stencil of the beautiful clematis he has drawn beforehand of the leader's arrival. Smiling to himself he walks up to the seated boss whose like a big brother to him, he puts the stencil aside. Taking out a black rubber band from his pocket he takes his hair and ties it up to a small ponytail before taking out a drawer full of tattoo needles and inks. "Heard that Yoongi started boxing classes with you"

The older male speaks as his lip corners slowly moves upwards. Jungkook giving out a laugh says, "Yea Yoongi hyung be moving like a turtle. "

The thought of his hyung boxing and whining that it's hard is enough to make the little one giggle. Taking out a small wooden stool with one hand as the other one was holding the tattoo gun, Jungkook sits himself beside the strong looking man who rolls up his shirt's sleeves revealing all the different type of arts and words of different languages tattooed on his arm.

"Need chewing gum?"

The younger one asks at the thought that it might hurt but the older one replies plainly that he's fine after all his skin had been coming in contact with this gun for a long time now. Jungkook nods before resting the needle on the free space on the top of the man's biceps before starting to draw on it, the awestrucking clematis. "Was thinking of getting a lip piercing but not being able to get it cuz of the adults in the house"

The man says while his dimples makes visits to his cheeks.

"The exact same reason why am postponing on getting an eyebrow piercing"

Jungkook replies as he carefully moves the tattoo gun sideways on the man's bicep.

"So when are you planning on telling your sister?"

He asks as the silver haired guy closes his eyes once realizing what Jungkook meant.

"When the time's right.. "

He replies, slowly opening his eyes his gaze meeting the ceiling.

"But first we need to pinpoint Mr. Choi's location"

Replying with a small and quiet yes Jungkook draws the details on the flower carefully.

"Seokjin has been checking the cctvs regularly and the only thing he found was the black hyundai stopping at a night club at exactly 7pm every Tuesday and Wednesday"

"What's the night club's name? "

Jungkook asks as he draws on the small leaves.

"Hell's night club"

With just the mention of the night club's name Jungkook's hand stops moving as his eyes widened. "Isn't that the club you often visit with the others? "

The silver haired man asks making Jungkook quietly nod his head. If the most feared mafia in the country slash his team's biggest rival had been going to the exact same club at the exact same time as his how come he never saw the familiar old man's face? He thought.

What kind of person does the man disguise him as that even Jimin who encountered him multiple times doesn't notice. "You should be careful and try to see your clients faces carefully and see if they match that old fart's face or not"

Jungkook humming a response continued on giving the clematis it's final touch. Finishing the tattoo he removes the gun making the silver haired man sit up straight and fix his shirt.

"You know what to do right?"

Jungkook asks referring to putting on Vaseline ointment on the tattoo and stuffs. The older guy nods while fetching his coat. "I'll get going then. Thanks for the tattoo kook"

Jungkook simply nods his mind stuck in a different topic. Putting the equipments away and tidying up the towels as the older guy leaves the shop and disappears into the darkness of the night in the empty alleyway, Jungkook couldn't help but think about what you were up to. His mind stitching up different negative thoughts together.

"If Mr. Choi is really going to that club then he must have seen Y/N always talking to us..... What if he does something to her? " Jungkook asks to himself and the next thing he does is take his bag, turn off the lights, lock the doors and run off to meet you.

• -

"I'll be off then"

Bowing politely you take hold of the two big disposable bags and huff out a breathe when you realize how heavy both of them were. Kicking the back staff door with your leg open the first thing you see is Jeon Jungkook leaning on the wall infront. His hair tied up in a small ponytail, a bag hung around his shoulder and inked hands resting inside his jeans pockets. His eyes falls on your hands holding the disposable garbage bags, sighing he walks up to you.

"I thought your job was to serve and take orders not bring out garbages" You looked down at the bags in your hands while saying, "I was coming out anyways it's no biggie"

You flashed him a small smile but his eyes looked worried and his face tensed. You wondered what happened but didn't dare to ask thinking that he will only answer with 'none of your business' . Yes Jeon Jungkook unknowingly says harsh things without thinking when he's tensed. Jungkook takes the garbage bags from your hands and put it beside the door when his eyes lands on your right hand which was bandaged. His eyes widen and he quickly took your right hand examining it while asking

"How did this happen? Are you okay? "

Embarrassed you put your hand away from his warm ones and answer while smiling, not making eye contact

"It's okay I'm fine these kind of injuries are meant to happen if you work in a bar." Jungkook not convinced took your hand again now keeping it infront of him not letting you pull it back. His eyebrows knitted . "You were totally fine this evening tell me what happened". Chewing on your bottom lip you look down, fiddling with the hem of your shirt.

"Y/N tell me what happened.." Jungkook says once again this time his voice laced with concern as his hands caressed your hair. You were actually a bit taken aback at how the always dominant voice of Jungkook is making its way to you in a concerned and soft way.

"A drunk guy harshly pulled my hand wanting me to sit beside him but I fought back and he suddenly let go of me making me loose my balance at hit the edge of the glass table behind and that's how I got this"

You say while looking at your bandaged hand which was now resting in jungkook's warm palm. He softly held your injured hand and lower down a bit to meet your height. Looking at your eyes he said

"Tell me who did this. Tell me who did this to you I'm gonna fucking kill him"

In a calm soft voice but the last part obviously didn't come out in a soft way. You laughed and pushed him a bit away from you. "It's okay am fine don't overreact he was drunk" But Jungkook not buying the answer walked closer to you and again with a serious tone asked you . "Tell me how he looked like"

Knowing that he won't let go of the topic unless you give him a proper answer you sigh, rolling your eyes while describing the drunk man you happened to meet inside the club. "He had small eyes , a sharp nose and dark stubble on his face and.." You trailed off thinking what else did the man have but Jungkook interrupted asking in a quick manner

"Did he have any sort of tattoo on his wrist? " Replaying the moment inside your head you widen your eyes a bit and nod your head, "Yea he did.. Was that a crown? A crown maybe"

Exactly knowing who that drunk man you encountered was Jungkook's chest sank at the thought that the old man touched you with his dirty hands. Gulping down the saliva that formed in his mouth he without thinking pulled you to his chest engulfing you in a hug. He wasn't sure why he felt like protecting you but he wanted to . He wasn't supposed to feel this way now that he set his mind on the plan his brain made up on the way here but..he did. He wanted to make sure you were safe.

Widening your eyes at how Jungkook suddenly hugged you, your mind went blank. There's no doubt in how fast your heart was beating. To be honest to yourself you were actually frightened when that man tried touching you in an ill manner but now being in Jungkook's arms you felt safe. You felt safe when he was around. Jungkook's arms around you got tighter as he nuzzled his face in the crook of your neck.

So this is how you gonna play it Mr. Choi

He thinks.

•-

Flashback 5 weeks back

Stretching your arms you give out a small yawn before grabbing the books from the table and making your way out of the auditorium. Walking while looking at your  surroundings you didn't notice the tall man standing infront of you. Too immersed in the same old paintings hanging on the walls you hit something hard making the copies and books in your hands fall down. Without looking up at the person you bumped into you quickly said 'sorry' while kneeling down to pick up your supplies. The tall gentleman kneeled down too helping you with picking up your stationerys. You got up, the man following you soon. This time facing the guy properly as both of you made eye contact you were about to say thank you when your voice abruptly decided to not come out.

The man had soft long black hair .The kind of hair you would want to play with all day. His baby doe eyes staring at you, his lips parted. The oversized hoodie he was wearing made him the grizzly huggable bear image more.

As your eyes scanned him from head to toe, your lips a bit parted, the guy not being able to control his laughter at how cute you looked when your eyes went big as if you saw something really interesting and you'd like to study that thing more, he gave out small giggles making you quickly close your mouth and look at him. Noticing how every students in tha hall were staring at both of you, you shifted your weight from one leg to another leg uncomfortably. But the guy's Adorable bunny smile didn't go out of your notice. His eyes wrinkled as he tilted his face and asked you softly

"You okay? "

Blinking couple of times you nodded your head making him shyly scratch his nape and mumble 'thank god'. Your lips automatically curved up when your eyes landed on the ID card hung around his neck

"Jeon Jungkook"

Once realization hit you that you were now standing infront of your college's hearthrob while looking like a whole mess which you didn't care about that much until you bumped into him, your cheeks got tinted in a light blush. Pulling your lips in you tilted your head a bit to the side making your baby hairs fall over your face.

"Hey kook!"

A loud deep voice entered the ears of the people standing in the hall making them turn their heads to the two seniors waving their hands at Jungkook's direction, a big wide smile plastered know their face. Jungkook takes out his bracelet covered wrist from his pocket and waves at them. Jimin running towards us and wrapping his arm around the tall guy's shoulders he notices me and flashes me a smile

"Hey Y/N"

Waving your sweater paw at him as a hey you smiled. You met Jimin and Taehyung a couple of times before in some group works with seniors. You not really interested in gossips of the college noticed just a few days ago that Park Jimin, Kim Taehyung and Jeon Jungkook are the well known hot trio of this college.

"Y/N.."

Jungkook repeats your name to himself before looking at you once again , smiling while saying

"Sweet name"

His sweet honey voice saying your name was enough to melt you. If it was any other guy right now you would have simply said thank you for helping you pick up the books and walk away without saying anything but surprisingly Jeon Jungkook made you stop. "I'm hungry didn't have breakfast this morning" Taehyung whines while holding his tummy earning a slap on his head from Jimin. "we are going for lunch wanna join us? "

Jungkook asks you making you widen your eyes at the sudden invitation and Jungkook earning some smirks from the seniors beside him, Jimin elbowing his arm while wiggling his eyebrows. Jungkook simply rolled his eyes at his hyungs before looking at you for a reply. You glancing at your silver wrist watch said "I would love to but I should get going. I have some stuffs to do"

Jungkook quietly nods his head before flashing you a smile.

Is he always smiling?

You thought noticing that he had been smiling since the moment both of you met. "Y/N's always studying hard"

Taehyung says earning a nod from Jimin making you shyly scratch your nape.

The Brunnete haired approached you giving you a pat on your shoulder before saying "Study well but don't forget to have lunch okay? "

You flashed him a smile while nodding. Jungkook waving his hands at you as a 'bye' walked past you with the two boys. You looked back at three of them noticing that two of them were wearing hoodies and one of them were wearing full sleeved tees.

It's so hot these days why are they wearing hoodies on top of tees?

Shaking your head you quickened your pace and quickly got out of the college grounds. Walking to the bus stand while looking around at the cozy coffee shops on the streets you keep glancing at your watch from time to time to make sure that you're going on time or not.

Now here's a secret about you that no one knows

You're a student at an art college but you are also a student at a law school. Your father runs the family business of electronics. Yes the electronics company ranking the second best in the country out of all the other electronic companies, which he wants to hand over to your big brother after he retires. Your mother always wanted a child of her to be a sculptor. Borning late in the family with the talent of art you were forced to study this subject whereas you were interested in prosecution, catching criminals and stuffs. What you were most interested in were being a mafia or an assassin but you gave up on those dreams and decided to study law. Your parents only giving their all attention and care to their first born, didn't care about you that much. The only thing they wanted from you was becoming a great sculptor and bringing praise to your family.

After nights of confusion and judgement you decided to study in the law school that you got admitted, secretly with the money your grandparents left you. Your grandparents left some money for you and your brother before passing away and thankfully they were enough to pay for your study books expenses. But maintaining time for your law school as well as the art school was hard but you managed to make time after dropping off from some extra courses of the art college without telling your parents. But it was hectic. Your college hours starts from 7 am. And you have classes till 9am then a break at 9:15 am to 10:30 due to dropping off from some extra class. Your law classes starts from 9:30 so during the break you quickly leave the grounds and head off to the law classes. Then you return to the art college at 10:20 when it's a break at your law school. Then once again when it's a lunch break at the art school you head off to the law school while munching on some snacks, obviously not getting time to have proper lunch. And when it comes to events you had to make up excuses at the law school for not attending as your parents would obviously not skip their daughter's presentations.

It would be more hectic from today cuz you just applied to a job at a night club. There's a course for learning shooting at the law school but you don't have enough money to pay for that so it's time to earn some money.

•••

Stretching your arms while getting up from the seat you had been sitting on straight for 2 hours, you give a yawn before taking out a scrunchie and putting your hair up. All the classes for the day are done. Putting the back pack around your shoulder you bow at the teacher before leaving the school premises. Walking inside the bus and sitting on one of the seat you take out your phone and start typing to your mother , 'Mom I'll be late tonight as I got some extra lessons. Don't worry for me and you don't have to send car I'll come by bus'

"No one's gonna worry about me though"

You say to yourself while letting out a small laugh and looking out at the window. Everything vanishing from your sight at a fast pace as the vehicle picks up its speed upon seeing the empty road. Some of the street lights flickering due to not being fixed for several days now. You take out the 'guideline' paper of the bar you're gonna work in from backpack, going through the structure of the building in your mind and remembering all the rules explained to you yesterday when you went to apply for the job. This night club only seemed to be safe for you to work in now. By safe means you would have no worries of the common students who spends time in bars and clubs to see you. If anyone recognizes you then it's game over. Plus the pay is high too.

The phone screen lighting up as a notification popped up you unlocked the phone before seeing from whom the text is from.

Bro: heard you're coming late at night should I pick you up from the way while coming home?

"Geez already told him?"

You say to yourself once realizing that your mom told your brother to pick up but your brother being nice asked if you want to be picked up first or not. Smiling at his text before typing your reply It's ok you don't have to come. The office is far away from my college anyways. Get home safely.

Waiting for a few minutes to see his reply which you didn't get you turned off your phone and put it inside your bag. Looking out from the window thinking why he didn't reply when he saw your text whereas usually he would try to come pick you up, being the 'protective' brother. You got down from the bus as soon as the bus came to its stop. You walked for a few more minutes from the bus stop till arriving at your destination.

Hell's night club

•••

It's been only five minutes of you serving drinks but you're already tired. How can a human body and mind work for 13 hours straight without any rest. You did mess up some tables a couple of times for which you were now getting a scolding from the manager. You looking down bowing slightly while your hands in front of you.

"Miss Lee Y/N did you properly see the table numbers today? "

The old man asks to which you nod. "Then why are you messing up? " He asks in a raised voice making you flinch and quickly mumble a sorry. You lift your head up a bit to see the old man sighing while pinching his forehead, clearly visible that he's angry. "I'm letting you go as this is your first time don't make mistakes anymore"

He says making you bow and say

"Thank you"

He looked around trying to see if any waitresses are free. Sighing at how there's no one free without counting you he gave you a look before handing you a tray of various kinds of drinks. "Take this to table no. 14. And  do not  make any mistakes. They are regulars here I don't want them gone" Nodding at him you set off to find this table no. 14 . Noticing how your skirt got up a bit you tried pulling the skirt a bit down with one hand as the other one was holding the tray, you quickly withdraw your hand without fixing the skirt upon seeing the tray tremble in one hand. Quickly holding the tray in place and scanning if any drinks were spilled, you sigh in relief. You looked back to only lock eyes with the manager . He staring straight at you with his cold eyes. You gave a small awkward smile and walked towards table 14.

The table no. 14 seemed to be surrounded by many big men. All had some sort of tattoos on them. A familiar man sitting in the middle holding a pen and scribbling something on a notebook. His inked arms full on display as the silver earrings were still being able to shine despite the dullness in the scene. His long bangs falling before his eyes not letting anyone see the face beneath it.

You quietly approached the table and when you raised your eyes from the ground to the man sitting in the middle, your legs automatic came to a halt and your breath hitched.

Jeon Jungkook right there was sitting. The table in front occupied with various weapons and him sitting like a whole five course meal, fingers playing with the dangly earrings

This is totally not what I expected

[athena-is-a-chaotic-lil-shit]

Let the Stars Witness

Okay okay holy— omg I did it! My first request and from an admired writer of mine no less!

From @kim-monsterlings : Hi and welcome!! Really looking forward to seeing your work! ~ If you would, could I request some form of friends to lovers with an orc? (Prompts maybe like, "you deserve better.") Thank you! <3

Since it wasn't specified on what their genders are, I hope your okay with what I went with! And I kinda trailed off from the prompt (or rather it's different but similar)

Anyways you'll know when you read!

•

Pairing: Male Orc (Duruk) x Human Fem!Reader

Word count: 2.2k

Warnings: None.

•

"You know, I never thought I would be friends with anyone here, especially with someone other than my, well, species," you tell your companion, your eyes not leaving the cloudless night sky as you lied on your back on the roof of his house. The stars were out tonight.

If you told your younger self that you'd be having great escapades (if running away and getting into a series of trouble fall under that) with an orc, you would most definitely cry your eyes out because you thought were being teased, taking it as a hurtful comment. You were sensitive like that. Part of the reason why no one would even go near you, afraid they might hurt you with a pat on the shoulder or with one word alone. You became the prime target of bullies, finding twisted amusement at your pathetic reactions. A crybaby, they called you. But it wasn't your fault you didn't have much control over your emotions. You were weird, asocial, timid, maybe even depressed. Having a neglectful family didn't help either, it just worsened.

•

The morning you met Duruk was after the orientation. And it was not so good for a first impression.

Long story short, you cried.

But since you're perhaps curious as to what happened exactly, let's elaborate.

You had your headphones on, the melodic sound of gentle rain played in a 3-hour loop and blocked out other noises, your eyes glued to the path you were on. You took long and hurried steps, wishing you could teleport to your classroom and hide in the back, disappear or become invisible.

You were distracted, or should we say, focused on the ground and expecting everyone to step aside and let you through.

Well, except for the one who had his back on you.

You crashed—not an exaggeration— into something- someone massive. You stumbled back and landed on your bum, wincing from the impact. Luckily, your headphones were safe (ah yes, priorities), detaching from your ears and landing on your shoulders. When you looked up to see who it was, you thought your eyes were gonna fall off, grow little legs, and scamper away.

Before you stood an orc, halfway turned to glance at whoever it was that tried to push him, his sharp tusks jutting out from his maw. His brows were furrowed as he looked down on you. Sure, he wasn't as tall as the orcs you've seen around the city and campus but still was over 6 feet, with muscles thicker than your thighs, easily hulking you.

You tried to get out an apology and run as far as you could go, but you just sat there, frozen as you strained your neck to meet his gaze, you couldn't look away. Your heart was trying to claw its way out into the surface.

Then you felt the tears swell up.

They cascaded down your face before you even could stop them.

The orc's eyes widened at your reaction and crouched down to your level in an instant that he almost fell over. His hands hovered, not sure what to do.

"Hey, hey, please don't cry. Please don't—"

"I-I-I'm re..really s-sorry p-please don't hurt m-me..." You managed to choke out pathetically, hiccuping in every word.

"Shhh now hey, it's okay. It was an accident— what? No! Why would I do that?" he replied. The orc peeked over his shoulder and to the sides. "Let's get you to somewhere, uh, less crowded," he added. You turned your head and saw that you had an audience, whispers went around as they sent pitiful and disgusted glances in your direction, only making you cry even more.

He proceeded to unceremoniously lift you into his arms, bridal style, and dashed away. You gripped the front of his shirt and shut your eyes. You were trembling now, scared of what he might do to you. How could you even fight back with your small stature?

It wasn't long until you felt him slow down and placed you carefully on a bench. The orc knelt in front of you, brows scrunched up as he studied your face.

"You okay? I didn't hurt you, did I?"

You didn't reply, only staring at him through your glassy eyes as you heaved.

You flinched when his hand started rubbing your back, his other hand placed on the side of the bench to balance himself.

He continued to caress your back and murmured soothing words in hopes of calming you down.

Your tears didn't stop falling until moments later when you came down from your initial fear, the warmth of his palm leaving your back once you did. All the while the orc remained where he was, at a loss of what to do next.

You rubbed your sticky face with the collar of your pale and blotchy crimson sweater, sniffing and taking slow, deep breaths before you spoke.

"I... I'm sorry for causing you trouble. E-Even going as far as to take me somewhere quiet. I...appreciate that." You thought you'd pass out with the way people gathered around you, it was suffocating. "Thank you..."

"I panicked," he started, "Sorry—I mean, it's okay, you didn't do anything wrong. I get that a lot of people run away from the sight of me, but you didn't, and just froze there on the ground so..." he shrugged and rubbed the back of his neck.

You shook your head. He was such an imposing figure to many, their first thought was most likely to get away or scream at him.

"You looked angry... When I bumped into you." You slammed into him actually, but he didn't budge an inch. Guess it was one-sided.

"Oh, that? Well, my brother scolds me a lot for having such a grumpy face, scaring humans away. Like he was the one to talk when he's taller and bigger than me! People would faint on the spot when they see him, I bet!"

The image your mind conjured up tore a laugh out of your body, two orcs arguing about how not to terrify people at sight was damn hilarious. When was the last time someone made you laugh like this?

The orc grinned, your reaction a contrast to that of earlier.

You opened your mouth to say something but the ringing of the great bell resounded, cutting you off. The two of you stood up as you realized you were late for your first class of the school year.

"So, uh, what now?" you asked.

"How about we go to our class, then maybe meet up later? Oh, fu— my mother will gut me— I haven't introduced myself!" He blurted out, his voice making you yelp with the sudden outburst.

Clearing his throat, he reached out, "I'm Duruk."

In turn, you gave him your name, taking his hand and smiled. "Hello, Duruk."

•

True to his word, you met again later when lunch came. The cafeteria was packed so you settled on getting the convenience food they offered and eat somewhere quiet.

Your conversation that day spiraled when you found out the two of you had a lot in common. From your favorite rock band to your favorite flavor of ice cream.

You both strongly agreed that vanilla ice cream was superior.

You agreed to meet up during breaks, always having something to chat about.

Eventually, you became inseparable.

He even changed and transferred to your class just so the two of you could be together at the start of the day rather than walk half of the campus to see each other every time.

You became best friends, sharing each moment in school, may it be helping the other stay awake in a boring class, or copying homework when one of you forgot to do it. Soon enough, Duruk started inviting you to his house to hang out. He did mention he had four other siblings, but he lived alone. You came by almost every night and on whole weekends to escape from home, only a few miles in between. No one would notice you gone anyways, but you returned around midnight, not wanting to impose on Duruk no matter what he says, so he walks you back instead.

You basked in each other's company. The odd and scrutinizing glares didn't go unnoticed when you two were together, but you shrugged them all off.

It didn't take long before you started having feelings for the orc, a little wishful thinking that you could be more than friends. You noted lately that his touches would linger seconds longer than usual, hugs and even a hand on your shoulder and back seem to be warmer and —you dare say— affectionate. It weighed heavily on your heart, your simple crush turned into something else, and it only grew with each passing day, and every laugh you shared.

But of course, you swatted those away, buried them deep inside every damn time they climb back up. Who could even love you? Yes, you have Duruk, he likes you, you think. But that's the end of it. Just close buddies. You can't take the risk of ruining your friendship with him and make things awkward with the only one you had! What if he stops talking to you, weirded out by your confession? You don't want to go back to being alone again, your heart can't take the rejection that came with it.

So you endured.

•

A little over five months ever since the embarrassing accident, here you are now, stargazing with your best friend.

"Well, good thing you didn't watch where you were going that time then," he says, chuckling beside you. His hands cushioned his head against the hard surface. "I wouldn't have..." he trails off.

"Hm, what?" you ask. Duruk went silent and didn't answer you for a time. You were about to let it slide but then he breathes in audibly.

"I wouldn't have met an angel if you did. Should've caught you in my arms, but sadly I didn't move fast enough." He replies, his voice deep and mellow.

You straighten up and turn to face him, your brows shot up, incredulous to what he just implied.

"W-Wait. What?" you squeak, your heart thumping hard in your chest, your skin warming up even in the chilled night air.

Is he—

"You're so cute, y'know that? Fuck it, it's all or nothing," he whispers under his breath as he sits up to face you. His expression was unreadable, but you see in his mahogany eyes a familiar glint of determination. "I'm not good with long-ass speeches so I'll make this short," he breathes in before he continues, "I feel something for you, for a while now, more than a best friend does, like...in a romantic sense. I want to cherish you and hold you in my arms every time I see you, I- ah fuck- damn it I just—" he growls, "I love you, so much and if you don't love me back then please re—"

You shut him off with your lips against his, Duruk's tusks pressing against your cheeks as you held his face in your hands. He was stunned for two solid seconds before returning the kiss, his arms snaking around your waist and pulling you close and into his lap.

You feel something wet roll down your hand and you immediately jerked back to see his face. The orc was crying.

Did you do it wrong? Were you so terrible at it—

"I don't deserve you... A monster like me doesn't deserve an angel like you."

Where was this coming from??

"Say that again, I dare you."

"I don't de—"

This idiot!

You pecked his lips to cut him off.

"You big dummy," you begin, "I love you too, idiot. You may be a monster but not what everyone else defines you as. I love you as you are. You're my best friend, and dare I say my l-lover now. Is that right...?"

Duruk gives you a small, gentle smile, "If you'll have me, then yes, for as long as you want me to be." He says, sniffling a sob as a couple more tears tumbled down his rugged face.

You never thought you'd see him like this. He was the one who kept making you laugh with his stories and terrible jokes. Before you, in your hands was someone vulnerable, his eyes soft and fond as he gazed into yours.

It made your heart pound and it hurt.

You leaned in and he met you halfway, kissing once again, deeper and more intimate this time. Real. You brought your arms around his neck, your tears spilling out and he tightened his grip around you. It felt like a dream, too good to be true, but the way he hugged you like you were the only thing that anchored him in this world made you believe it wasn't. All of this was real and you couldn't be anymore happier.

From above, the glittering stars, the light gentle as they shone, bear witness to two freed hearts, bottled up feelings gushing out like a broken dam as you embraced one another and lost yourselves in the moment of bliss, cheeks stained and clothes lightly damp from the tiny rivulets of liquid that dropped down.

It's a lovely night, isn't it?

[babychoko]

🎀𝔽𝕣𝕠𝕞 𝕝𝕖𝕥𝕥𝕖𝕣𝕤 𝕥𝕠 𝕤𝕡𝕠𝕜𝕖𝕟 𝕨𝕠𝕣𝕕𝕤🎀

Part 7

Note: Uh, it’s been a long time..hehe. I‘m sorry for this weird chapter.

The day I heard the news about Xingqiu's career, I shed a few tears. The following day, too. At some point they stopped again. They were very warm, very small and started flowing very fast. One tear pushed the other until they dripped. And when I wiped my cheeks, taking a deep breath, they flowed very slowly until there were no more.

Just keep calm, I thought to myself. We won't break up. I was sure there was a solution so that long-distance wouldn't become a burden. I sniffled a few times until I washed my face. It was a big shock, that's for sure. I dabbed my face dry with a towel and retreated back to my room to air it out with the fresh evening air. Somehow it smelled refreshing, yet light with smoke. But it wasn't disgusting. It was a pleasant smell, as if a window from the classroom had been accidentally left open overnight.

Just as I was about to get my book out of the drawer, our phone rang. Of course, I answered it. I knew exactly who was calling at that hour. It was like a code. Otherwise I would have to go to our computer. I didn't have my mobile phone anymore for...certain reasons. We'll get to that later.

When I picked up the phone, there was silence on the line at first. I didn't speak at all myself. I looked around me and grabbed the phone. Only as far as it would go, of course, so that the cable wouldn't be pulled out by the socket. I sat down in front of a door.

"(Name)..."

My heart suddenly started racing again. I'm sure it was from excitement. Or from relief? Anyway, I'm glad he at least spoke up. His voice, however, sounds aggrieved.

"Xingqiu." I finally got out in a whisper. "Is everything all right?"

"I should be asking you that. I left you standing there. That was wrong of me." He took a short pause.

"You don't have to forgive me."

I pressed my lips together. Then I exhaled. "That's water under the bridge. I was worried about you. You couldn't be reached. Chongyun contacted me."

A surprised sigh came over Xingqiu's lips. "Yunyun contacted you?" I nodded, until it struck me that yes, he couldn't see my nod. For a moment, I felt stupid. "Uhu. He did. Already forgotten that you two are really thick?"

He denied it. "Of course not. I'll call him right now too... if he answers." I wanted to ask if anything had happened to the two of them, but that was none of my business for now. "Back to you. What happened?" I heard rustling in the background and a few voices.

"It's okay. Give me five more minutes!"

"That's the biggest lie you'll ever hear." His big brother? Wait a minute... is he monitoring our conversation?!

"Sorry... to make a long story short, I've had everything taken out of me and only allowed to use it for the bare minimum under supervision. Like using the computer for homework..." He explained. My jaw dropped a little. I couldn't imagine that with Xingqiu. Whatever he did, he could always talk his way out of it cleverly, couldn't he?

"What have you done?"

..

"Xingqiu?"

No answer.

"Xingqiu!"

"I made my father angry. That very same evening, we happened to have business..."

Okay. That didn't sound good.

"I guess I wasn't so indirect with them after all. I have to tell you, those businessmen were underwhelming. It infuriated my father, but he didn't say anything. And the Feiyun traders don't want to have anything to do with people like that. So I just did the talking. Maybe I went way too far." I could quite imagine that Xingqiu would definitely not keep his mouth shut when people gleefully cracked jokes about his favourite things or about others. I've witnessed that a few times and let me tell you: he can talk.

"So the deal is off?" I blurted. A sigh I heard from him in reply. I scratched my head.

"And..how much profit was lost?" I then wanted to know. Xingqiu gasped slightly. "I think quite a lot? But they have an impact on other traders. That's the problem..." I could somehow hear exactly that he was smirking slightly. My eyes widened and I put the phone down on the floor for a moment, taking a few steps back and forth with my hands on my hips until I sat down again.

"Oh my God." Obviously you'd be angry then if you'd been bickering with your son before that anyway! I think this is the first argument with his family so far. "My father has been very quiet since then and leaves the punishments to my brother. Of course, the wise guy thinks I'm hanging out with some gangsters. Bad influence and all that."

"And then what about your father before that..." I heard footsteps in the background and an annoyed groan from him.

"You have one minute left."

"We'll talk when we meet again, okay?" He whispered. I agreed and held my forehead. "All right. Take the rest of the time to contact Chongyun and say that you really like him a lot. Also that you don't know what you would do without him. You better hurry, Qiuqiu."

"What...ugh..Alright, alright! I will!" Our call was interrupted by a beep. The news I just heard from him shocked me so much that I didn't know what to worry about now. What on earth was happening lately? I was aware that Xingqiu was already very frustrated. But for him to pull a stunt like this right away? Normally, he would keep his calm demeanour. Now he not only has to stress with moving out, but also family as well as company drama. Probably a lot of gossip on top of that.

Just as I was about to put the house phone away, it rang. I answered it in confusion. It was quick though.

"(Name and surname) speaking?"

I took the receiver from my ear as I heard a loud crash. Ouch.

"Thank goodness, it's you! (Name)! Emergency!" Screeched a voice.

"Chongyun?! Calm down first. What happened?" Please..please not another incident!

"It's Xingqiu! He wants to take his own life! I think he already has!" WHAT??

"What do you mean?" My heart was racing. I didn't expect such a turn of events and was ready to call for my family and run to them. I couldn't believe it. None of this could be true.

"He called me and confessed his love first..." I stopped immediately.

One moment.

What the hell.

"Then he said he couldn't live without me and that he had 5 seconds left with me! I didn't know what to do! He just hung up on me when I didn't answer! He's with you after all and we're just best friends!" He babbled and gasped.

"Ehm, Chongyun?"

"And I think it's too late! He didn't answer the phone at all! I heard something fall! It must have been a chair- Oh my god.... It was all my fault!!!"

"Chongyun..."

"I'm not worth anything! I'm a murderer!! We should call the police! Just don't call Hu Tao because she..." I left the phone on the bedside table and banged my forehead against the wall.

Xingqiu you idiot. I certainly didn't mean that. Watch your choice of words!

I just gasped deeply. "Chongyun. And who hung up on you, please?"

"Well, it was him!" He cried out.

"Good, then please explain to me how he could have done that if he wasn't alive before?"

There was silence between us.

"So it was his ghost-" My eyebrow twitched.

"No. It was his brother! Xingqiu is only allowed to touch equipment with limited time under supervision! There's a misunderstanding there. He's still alive, my goodness!"

..

"See..you, (name)."

A beep ended the conversation and I was in desperate need of water. That gave me a good scare. Just as I was about to take a drink at that moment, the phone rang again. It was Bennett, who also thought something was going on with Xingqiu. I wondered how fast Chongyun had been and who else he had contacted before the misunderstanding. It turned out that he dialled the wrong number and cut the call off in the middle with Bennett because it wasn't me who answered. The poor man nearly died of worry.

"So everything's okay?" He asked, out of breath.

"Yep. Have a good evening, Bennett..."

And I kid you not, AGAIN the phone rang and rang again until I picked up the receiver with all my might and bellowed about how Chongyun should be called and how our bill was adding up. I was so at my wits end that I didn't even ask who was calling.

"SO. UNDERSTAND?!" It was the biggest mistake of my life. It wasn't one of my friends.

It was a very deep and soft voice.

"(Last name, name)? This is headmaster Zhongli speaking. I'm sorry about the bill. I'll ask again about the parents' meeting..."

My mother came up running to me because of my shouting and because of the phone terror and took the phone away from me in a panic when she realised that our headmaster was now on the line. I got into a huge hassle.

I also had a hard time sleeping that night. I still don't know how things are going to go on with my steady boyfriend and whether he is really okay. What I knew in any case is that our group of friends did not forget each other. It gave me a little idea of wanting to show them that I was still thinking about them too. But I saved my plan for another time. I read my book until I fell asleep. It helped to distract me.

The next day at school, I tried to stay focused in my tutoring. But my thoughts kept circling around. If I'm lucky, I still see the others. Unfortunately, our timetables are totally different, so sometimes we don't see each other. When I copied the formulas from the blackboard, I turned to my plan. In the notebook I went through again what I needed.

Suddenly a plane made out of paper landed on my table. I looked around in confusion and found out immediately that it came from Hu Tao. She made a gesture for me to please open the paper plane. I unfolded the white paper aeroplane. There were percentages scribbled all over it.

"Double coffin for lovers! Cosy as a double bed, only a few metres deep in the ground! Discount by 30% Grab it now, you never know when it's time!"

I slowly lowered the white paper in front of my face and stared at her.

She stared back at me.

After school, I packed up my things and walked out of class, followed by Hu Tao.

"Wait a minute, you didn't give me your opinion on that...!"

"Look, I don't think we're doing this... uh, a marriage coffin isn't the right thing..." I smiled. Immediately her face lit up and she rummaged in her bag. She handed me another flyer.

"I'm sorry! I should have paid better attention to your future. I'm sure you're already working on that, hehe!"

"Huh, what should we two be working on already.... EH?! A family tomb?!" Embarrassed, I handed the flyer back to her. "Definitely not! There's nothing in the works yet!"

"Wait a minute, (name)! The more descendants, the cheaper! You only get that with us!" I just kept walking. But she followed me anyway, so I had no choice but to take her with me. I led her to a shop.

"Oho, are you making biscuits?"

"Can be." I carried the ingredients to the till. My pocket money should still be enough. I just hoped I would be successful. She suddenly hugged me from behind.

"You poor thing, you look all stressed out..you can tell Aunty Hu Tao everything." She murmured, pursing her lips to kiss my cheek. "It'll be fine, really!" I giggled. I don't want to stress anyone out with my worries. And if I said what I was going to do now, it wouldn't be a surprise anymore.

"But thanks." She'll be the first to get it.

At home, I set to work paying attention to the recipe. Because she was right, I'm going to make biscuits with the ingredients. When they are ready, then I will decorate them and wrap them nicely.

During the process I felt guilty about how bad-tempered I was yesterday. But it all just got too much for me.

After the biscuits cooled, I decorated some. I could remember exactly who liked what. With Bennett and Razor it was easy. They just liked everything and were never picky. But Chongyun's biscuits had to be extra chilled and undecorated. I don't know how long it took me to wrap them. It was already evening and I started my homework late. Although I didn't sleep much, I have to say that the presents didn't look bad. I left some for my family, who were already curious because of the scent. Apparently, things were a bit forgotten about yesterday. But only a little.

In the morning, I got to school as early as possible and kept an eye out for the others. Luckily I met Hu Tao, who was already holding out her hands. Apparently she had already guessed what I was up to. Her embrace almost suffocated me. She pulled me behind her and pointed at Bennett. Suddenly I pulled back when he caught sight of me. Somehow I didn't know what to say when asked what occasion the biscuits were for. "I think I need to go to the bathroom. And for quite a long time." Hu Tao shoved me in his class. "Nope." I was now standing in front of Bennett, who looked at me in surprise. I didn't notice how much he'd grown until now. "I hope we can stay friends for a long time." I held out the biscuits to him. Just at that moment Razor came in with Amy..sorry. I meant the Prinzessin der Verurteilung, who happened to be walking past us with a few other students. Of course I took that moment to give them the gift as well.

Bennett laughed and pulled us all into a hug. "Of course we're all going to stay friends! We should meet again." I didn't realise how relieved I felt. It's been a while since we've done more than just say hello at school and hold a few phone calls. We were finally having a proper conversation. Maybe we weren't used to being apart for very long.

"We shouldn't let the new class divisions and timetables separate us." Hu Tao pats my head. "(Name) was worried that our friendship would break." I covered her mouth for shame. Razor shook his head. "Don't worry, (Name)."

Before our lesson started and we had to run to the other building to class, Bennett squeezed me once.

I managed to throw Yun Jin and Xinyan off with the little bags containing the biscuits. Very quickly, before our teacher started the lesson. The two of them were totally delighted throughout the lesson. It wasn't until the break that I explained that it was simply meant to be a friendly gift. I see them every day, but it doesn't mean they won't get anything. Maybe I should start counting how many hugs I got today?

"And doesn't your lover get anything?" Yun Jin whispered to me. "Yes he will. He should have a break now too, while the others will surely have to go to the sports field or over to the other building." I thought again. If I'm wrong, it's so true. I need to get used to our new schedules. Our school is just stupid. Some classes start a lesson later and finish later. That was exactly our problem when we weren't in class together.

"I'll see you in class, okay?" I walked through the whole schoolyard, over to the library. I didn't see Xingqiu over the whole weekend. So we share this break, we always meet in the library. He has a lot to explain to me. I greeted Lisa, who must have been taking a nap earlier. She waved tiredly at me and yawned. I wandered to the far corner of the library and looked at the clock. Strange. He was usually there first?

The sitting area was empty. I walked once around the shelf and looked at the books until then. I remember when I found the covers of the books boring. Nevertheless, I took one of these books in my hand and leafed through it a bit. I didn't notice a certain someone coming up to me from behind and putting his arms around me.

For a few seconds I stood still and stared at the book. An arm detached itself from me and gently took the book away from me with its hand. The book was put back on the shelf. I felt a weight on my shoulder and clearly saw strands of indigo. But I knew even before that who was hugging me from behind.

"(Name)..can we stay like this for a moment?" I nodded and held still. I didn't turn at all. Neither did I say anything. I just let the sun's rays from the window to the right beam down on us, enjoying Xingqiu's warmth to boot. His grip tightened. "(Name)..." After the morning's excitement, my heart sank. What was happening? I hoped nothing worse. After a while, Xingqiu loosened his arms around me, but only slightly. I then turned to face him.

He had a calm expression on his face.

"Is everything alright now? So, with your family..." I asked, playing with his tie a little.

"It's just very quiet with us. But nothing else has happened." He watched me fiddle with his tie. "I just missed you a lot, can't you tell?"

"I miss you too. And no, I don't see that." I lied. It totally showed on his face. "Do I have to show you?" He whispered in my ear. This gave me goosebumps, jerking my shoulder up slightly. I felt totally soft and didn't realise at that moment that our lips were getting close. Suddenly, it popped into my head that he wanted to explain everything to me after all. I stayed strong and pushed his shoulders away.

"Nice try. But no fooling around here this time." He smiled at me. "It was worth a try. Maybe another time? Ah, all right fine. I will tell you everything." I sat down on the windowsill and Xingqiu leaned against the wall. "So... why was your father angry with you before?"

"He found out I was skipping my classes in Commerce. He was very embarrassed about that. I must confess that I didn't behave fairly." He looked slightly embarrassed.

"Do you really want to study business?" I knew he was really talented. But what about his passion? Surely he doesn't have to stand in for his father. It has to be his elder brother who is already studying!

"That's not where my heart lies. But I can't trust my brother with that. And if something happens..who will take over the company? My father really worked for it for years."

"You're really nice, Xingqiu..But then why are you skipping classes?"

He smiled at me. "The classes are no good. You don't learn anything. The students and teachers there are kind of..well, you shouldn't talk bad about others. So I preferred to spend the time with you. There are many other courses. I've already looked at others, and I'm waiting to be dropped from the current ones."

"As flattered as I am..you still shouldn't shock your father like that."

"I didn't know the old geezer was going to call my father." He muttered, looking thoughtfully into the air. "Maybe..because my ideas were better?" I raised an eyebrow and nudged him with my elbow. "Now don't brag..." He laughed. "It'll all work out..I hope." He looked to me. "For a while we can just talk at school. My brother seems to be taking everything far too seriously since Father left the punishments to him. I must say they are not undeserved. But he is really overdoing it now. It's best I don't do anything about it."

That all seems settled..but what about his move? Maybe I could wait for a miracle. Or maybe..I should just enjoy the rest of the time with him and keep my mouth shut. I don't want to add to the pressure. He has enough to do with the family now.

"(Name), about college..I'll be back." I stood up from the windowsill and turned to him. It was as if he had read my mind. "I'll find a way."

"Yeah..I'll wait for you then." Come on, change the subject!

"Say, what was that monkey business last time?" Xingqiu looked at me confused. Apparently because I changed the subject or...because he really has no idea what he's been up to. I told him the whole thing about the phone calls. He tried not to laugh out loud.

"Honestly..that Chongyun! I assure you, that was not my intention. I said exactly what you told me to say!"

"Listen, he thought you jumped off your chair! Watch your choice of words." Xingqiu covered his mouth and signalled with one hand that I should stop now. He's really trying to hold back.

I sighed and pulled him out of the library and waited for him to get back into it. That took quite a while. "Hey, I yelled at the headmaster. That's not funny!"

"Sorry..." His grin didn't disappear, though. "Alright then, you won't be needing this." I took a biscuit bag from my pocket and turned away. "What's this?"

"Because we all see each other less and less, I wanted to give a gift. As a token of friendship..."

Xingqiu cleared his throat and smiled sweetly at me. "My love, would you forgive me?"

I accepted the apology and handed him the biscuits. "How sweet..." He looked closely at the decorations. Embarrassed, I looked to the side. "I'm sure they won't taste good though..."

"Nonsense. I'm sure they will. Did everyone get one?" He asked me. I counted off with my fingers for a moment.

"Chongyun didn‘t ..but he hardly shows himself lately." I looked at Xingqiu.

"(Name), just don't worry. Nothing happened between us. He just seems really busy. Besides..his schedule is the dullest." He patted me on the shoulder. "Maybe you'll see him today? In between classes. Or maybe me?"

I wondered if Xingqiu was up to something. He almost always does, actually.

Sitting in the classroom, I did feel more relieved after sorting some things out today. But still, some things just didn't feel right. I tried to concentrate on the lesson anyway. There were more and more numbers. After all, there were many tests coming up soon. But I really didn't need this ordeal. At times like this, you just wish you were a super genius. Take a quick look and bang, everything has been grasped immediately. Or at least a photographic memory. But now I should stop with the short pause for thought..crap. You don't pay attention for a moment and the board is half full. But fortunately the writing is still very easy to understand. At some point it won't be like that after you really get into the subject. I can swear that to many.

We needed poetry books to prepare for the next lesson. I used the rest of the break to go to the storeroom. I can take a book from there since my self-bought book disappeared today. This is very annoying. I don't want to say that we have a thief. But it's unacceptable that a book disappears as if by magic!

Hu Tao said that she would keep an eye out for a thief, which comforted me a little. But it would be great not to have to spend my break running back and forth. The rooms are really far apart now!

When I went into the storage room, I was surprised for a moment. Xingqiu was also here, looking at the bookcase. Now it occurred to me.

As class representative, he voluntarily took the responsibility of looking after class materials. Apparently, many students needed something.

Probably counting the materials? Or whatever. As I entered the slightly darkened room, he turned to me. "Here too?" I looked around for a moment. "My poetry book disappeared today. Just like that!"

"Oh, really? How stupid." Somehow I had a funny feeling. He didn't seem surprised to see me at that moment.

Xingqiu now bent down and continued counting. My gaze turned to his buttocks.

It was a reflex.

I think.

I decided to be playful for a moment and approached. I just couldn't help but give him a cute pat on the butt. Xingqiu jerked up and stared at me. His cheeks turned slightly pink.

"(N-name)...! Just you wait." Giggling, I tried to escape him, but he was faster and caught me from behind. "You won't escape me!" I squealed laughing as he tickled me.

"Okay, okay!!! I'm sorry!" I almost couldn't get a word out with laughter. The next moment, however, I was truly speechless when I caught sight of MY poetry book on the front table. It had my name on it.

"Already discovered it, huh? Wasn't hard to reach into your bag for a second..you need to pay better attention~"

Oh my god. So that was him!

"Xingqiu..don't tell me you planned all this?" That boy! He laughed softly once. "I told you that I will spend as much time as I can with you now. Didn't I?" He pulled me to him once so that my back pressed his front body closer.

"X-Xingqiu?"

He placed a finger over my lips. "If you are loud, then you will be heard." That gesture alone made me feel weak somehow. I didn't even know what he was up to. Most of all, it would be embarrassing if we were discovered like this. Someone could just barge in!

"So tell me...where are you ticklish, (Name)?" He spoke softly, but..differently than usual. No.. Xingqiu is just very different from usual. He made me feel totally weird.

Feeling his warm breathing close to my ear didn't make it better. Fingertips brushed from my shoulders to my elbows. "Here?"

I shook my head. "I'm just not that ticklish..." He laughed once, amused. "Oh, really? And what's here with?"

His hands moved to my sides and slightly higher, then to the front-

Out of embarrassment and excitement, I giggled. "Stop it already! Not there!~"

"Nope there! Where else are you ticklish? Like, here...?" Laughing, I tried to free myself from his grip. And also not trying to let out awkward sounds. "Class is about to start- oh. UHM. Xingqiu." Judging by my reaction, Xingqiu stopped and followed my gaze towards the door.

We had a bystander.

It was Chongyun. HIM, of all people.

He kept a poker face (but was all red in the face) and quietly took a book from the shelf. Our heads turned in accordance with his movement to the shelf and then back to the door.

"I- uh...won't bother you guys..eh, have fun.." He squeaked.

At first we heard slow footsteps. Then they got faster and louder. Xingqiu let go of me completely and wagged his hand in front of my face. "(Name)..."

I remained rigidly glued to the floor, having to process everything. Xingqiu waved it in front of my face again, grinning. Then he held my poetry book out to me. "Here."

"Thank you. Please hit me with it."

Masterlist

Part 8

[invisibleraven]

I'd marry you with paper rings

As Julie and Reggie celebrate their engagement, they discover that this isn't the first marriage for either of them...

On AO3!

This is just a bit of silly fluff for my dearest @bananakarenina, who is getting married herself very soon. Love you darlin'!

"To Reggie and Julie!" The cheer went out as glasses were raised. Julie beamed from her spot on Reggie's lap. He was gazing up at her like she was the most glorious being in the universe, a small flush to his features. Reggie took her hand in his, kissing her knuckles, playing with the large diamond ring sitting on her finger.

"Took you two long enough to get here, you've been together forever," Alex said.

"And exactly how long have you and Willie been together without a ring on his finger?" Luke asked from where he was perched on the arm of the couch.

"Shut up," Alex grumbled while Willie giggled from his side.

"Aww babe, you know I don't need a ring, we're going to be together forever with or without a ceremony or vows," Willie said, pecking Alex's cheek.

"Anyway," Luke said, rolling his eyes at them, "Reg, what made you finally man up and ask? I can't believe you didn't tell any of us you were going to propose!"

"Because none of you can keep a secret!" Reggie exclaimed. "And I always knew I wanted to marry Julie, I think I bought the ring after our first date."

"You did not," Julie said affectionately, "You bought it after our one year anniversary, because I found the receipt three days later, and told you to ask after we'd been together for a little longer. But you also sucked at hiding the ring so I found it before I even found the receipt."

Flynn admired the ring from where she sat next to the couple. “You did good Reg, I have to say.”

“I’ve got good taste,” Reggie said, but he was looking entirely at Julie who rolled her eyes playfully at him.

“He did ask that night, but in a joking way…”

"And then it became a running joke between us, 'you just survived a run in with my awful family, will you marry me now' or 'you did the dishes even though it was my turn because I had an awful day, now will you marry me' and the like," Reggie added.

"But then… the accident happened," Julie interjected, giving Reggie a grateful look when he squeezed her hand, reassuring her he was still there. He had been walking home when he was sideswiped by a car, landing him in the hospital, a little worse for wear. Julie had rushed to see him, and in a fit of despair, grabbed the ring. Because if the worst happened, she was saying goodbye to Reggie while wearing his ring.

It turned out it was a good thing she did, as at first the hospital was reluctant to give her updates, but she slipped the ring onto her finger, claiming to be Reggie's fiance, and they were happy to accommodate her. Though he was scraped up and bruised, Reggie was ultimately fine, so Julie let herself collapse in relief on the chair next to him while he slept.

"You aren't allowed to scare me like that ever again corazon, I thought I might have lost you," Julie grasped onto his hand, squeezing tight, happy to feel his warmth, his pulse beating against her. "I don't know what I would have done if I… I can't lose you Reggie. I can't live without you. I want to be with you forever, be your wife, have kids with you. And I don't wanna wait for some special occasion to start living that life."

"So you'll marry me?" Reggie asked, voice groggy, eyes blinking open, but his trademark grin stretching across his face. "I mean, you're already wearing the ring."

"Reggie!" Julie exclaimed, almost flinging herself onto him, covering his face in kisses as she repeated her answer after every smooch.

"Smooth Reg," Luke said, extending his hand out for a high five, which Reggie dutifully returned. "Pity this isn't your first marriage. Oh what will your exes think?"

Julie looked confused, and a little angry before Luke and Reggie burst out laughing. "Explain how that's funny?" She asked.

"Oh, Reggie here was the king of playground weddings in elementary school," Luke stated.

Alex nodded, "Oh yeah, he married every girl who would say yes. Heck, I think he even married Luke and me in a double ceremony once!"

Reggie blushed, but shrugged, "What can I say? I've always been the marrying type. But this time it's real, and forever, not just until the end of recess." He tilted his head up, capturing Julie's lips with his, cradling her cheek tenderly before they broke apart.

"So who was the last person you married there Cassanova?" Flynn asked. "Who was your last wife or husband before Julie?"

"This is gonna sound really bad, but I don't remember her name?" Reggie squeaked, almost hiding behind Julie as Flynn glared at him. "Hey, I was eight! That's almost two decades ago!"

"Wasn't it that girl who was touring schools looking to transfer?" Alex asked.

Reggie snapped his fingers and pointed at Alex, "Yes, that was the one. She was so cute! And nice, she played with us when no one else would!"

"Oh yeah, we played dragons and knights, and she ended up saving you!" Luke piped up. "So you asked her to marry you, since that’s what happened in all of the stories, and we did the ceremony right then and there!"

"Yup," Reggie said, a hint of pride in his voice, "Gave her the grape Ring Pop out of my recess and everything. I think she had a ring too that she gave me, pink and sparkly… maybe it was a Disney princess one?"

"It was Barbie," Julie said, voice subdued, eyes wide.

"What?" Reggie said, a look of realization slowly dawning over his face as Julie continued speaking.

"It was Barbie. Specifically Malibu Barbie. I had to save up so many cereal box tops to get it, and then I went and gave it to the cute boy with green eyes and freckles that I met after he proposed. I mean, I got a Ring Pop out of it, but I always kind of wondered what happened to my Barbie ring."

Reggie held up a finger and once he had dislodged Julie from his lap, rushed off to their bedroom, emerging a few moments later, brandishing a small pink ring, holding it out to Julie. "This the one you meant?"

Julie's hand flew to her mouth as she took the tiny piece of plastic with trembling fingers. "I can't believe you kept it."

"I'm a sentimental kind of guy. And after you, I never really wanted to marry anyone else. Wore that ring every day for a month, and swore I would never settle for less than the valiant knight who saved me."

"Seriously?" Flynn exclaimed. "After all that time, you two were already quasi married and then you find each other decades later, only to be getting really legally married? What is happening here?"

Reggie and Julie exchanged glances, soft smiles emerging. "Fate?" they said together, then pressing forwards for a kiss.

Months later, at their actual wedding, Julie's Barbie ring was tied to her bouquet with a ribbon, and Reggie wore a purple Ring Pop ring around the base of his boutonniere that Julie had unearthed from her dream box. Seemed that she was also the sentimental type. So much so that when they were asked to say I do, they both said "I do… again."

The story became a much beloved one in the Molina household, the rings ending up in a keepsake box, displayed prominently, and when Luna started talking about wanting to marry her friends on the playground, Julie gave Reggie a look that screamed ‘she is so your daughter’ before taking the girl to find her own selection of rings to use.