#{ A very light orange on top of white marble can eat my ass }

[voidsentprinces]

MSQ during ARR - HW if you get hit by an attack: You good bro, just dodge it next time!

MSQ at some point in the middle of Stormblood through til Endwalker:

[whatifyoulivelikethat]

bullseye | got it bad, m | jjk, kth

pairing(s): jungkook x reader

summary: Kim Taehyung really regrets setting up his best friend with Jeon Jungkook, mostly because instead of dealing with one insufferable asshole, he now has to deal with two. He just wants you to come to his art exhibit and support him, and you show up looking like a pimp with Jungkook looking like your escort, sigh.

warnings: rated M (18+) for language; you’re a cocky asshole and so is Jungkook; schemes, please save Taehyung; graphic descriptions of various sex acts, smut (fem reader, making out / dry humping / fingering in a public bathroom, threesome smut, mild restraint, nipple play, m-receiving oral, ass / pussy spanking, double penetration / spit-roast, facial, mild dom/sub themes, so much kissing); non-idol!BTS; fuckboy!Jungkook x bisexual, fuckgirl!reader; ft artist, best friend!Taehyung

yup, it’s Butter purple-haired ponytail JK and orange suit Taehyung

--

"You have got to be kidding me!"

"Oh, hey, Tae. How's it going?"

"Hey, hyung."

The voices, one irritated, one pleased, one mischievous, all three looking like the epitome of trouble and the eventual subjects of someone's wet dream.

Kim Taehyung marched over to you, purely indignant, his previous honey-brown hair now dyed to the color of black coffee, the long curls pushed back to reveal his forehead. One stray lock brushed against his dark, sculpted brows that were currently furrowed in annoyance. He stopped in front of you and your boyfriend, hands on his hips. He looked handsome as hell in a tailored orange creamsicle suit and gold earrings, white dress shirt neatly pressed.

"Why are you dressed like a pimp?" Taehyung hissed, jabbing your left breast through your dress. "Why are you dressed like his pimp?!" he added, pointing at Jungkook's smirking face.

You blinked innocently at Taehyung, lifting your oversized black fur coat sleeve to place a delicate hand on your chest, completely unbothered by his harsh reaction to your appearance. Your nails were a gradient from black to white, ever-so-slightly pointed, but not too long to be inconvenient.

Just enough to show you meant business.

Oh, and also you were wearing mock-neck, halter-style minidress that faded from black to white, molded to your every curve. It perfectly matched Jungkook's gradient black-to-white suit. Every step was accented with a sharp click, you in sleek black high-heels and him in glossy black oxfords, dangerous from head-to-toe.

Yes, Jungkook and you were that couple.

"Is that a t-shirt?" Taehyung snapped, switching to prodding Jungkook’s pecs, who grinned in response. You shrugged, the shoulders of your fur coat sliding down so that it now rested on your elbows, exposing your shoulders.

"He thought about not coming with one, but I advised him the other visitors would be too distracted by his sexiness to view your art," you explained, bowing as if you had done a great service.

"And I told her they would be to distracted with her amazing legs, but it's better not to cover them because I like looking," Jungkook chuckled, placing an arm around your waist and pulling you to him possessively.

Taehyung facepalmed.

"I regret paying matchmaker to the two biggest egos I know," he mumbled through his fingers, glaring at the two of you.

"Hey, we kept it low profile. Neutrals."

Taehyung pointed to your boyfriend's hair, pulled back into a sleek ponytail. "Hello? His hair is fucking purple."

You waved his comment away dismissively. "Well, besides that."

"You're a class-A asshole."

"Still makes me high class," you replied with a wink.

"This is really nice, hyung," Jungkook cut in between your bickering. "There’s quite a lot of people here already. I didn't know you were so talented and popular. As expected from my girl's best friend, eh?"

Taehyung winced, rubbing the back of his neck, ears turning red. "Eh... it's not a big deal..." he muttered, but you could tell he was enjoying the praise.

"Of course, it is, Tae," you chuckled, pulling out of Jungkook's grasp to hug him, squeezing him between your fur-covered arms. "You've worked so hard to be able to display your paintings at such a nice venue. I'm proud of you."

Taehyung laughed shyly, hugging you back. "Ahaha... thanks, as usual." He planted a light kiss on the top of your head. "I'm happy you guys came."

You grinned. "Indeed. You needed visitors to match the space," you drawled, sweeping your arms in a grandiose gesture to the glass cases of Taehyung's paintings, crisp white walls, and black marble flooring.

Taehyung rolled his eyes, smiling despite being over your antics. "Not sure I need a high-end escort and his pimp sauntering around..."

"When are your parents arriving? I want to introduce them to Jungkook," you interrupted, tugging on Jungkook's arm and making his cheeks flush pink.

"Like this?! Are you serious, my parents are going to have a heart attack once they realize there's a male version of you!"

"Aw, come on, your dad loves seeing me!"

"That's because you both are always up to no good... fucking always pulling pranks on me... I'm actually glad they're stuck in traffic now..."

-

You slid your thumb into his mouth, smirking as you heard his muffled whine. He was trying to stay quiet, staring down at you with half-lidded eyes, whimpering as you rubbed his tongue with the pad of your finger. One of your legs was hooked around his waist and he was holding it up with one hand. His other between your legs, fingers hooking underneath your panties.

“Fuck, I love looking at you, Jungkook,” you whispered, leaning forward, shuddering at the feeling of his saliva pooling around your thumb, your own tongue snaking out and tracing the air right between his open lips.

Jungkook moaned softly and shoved two fingers inside your tight, wet pussy.

You pulled your thumb out and crashed your lips to his, letting your satisfied exhale into his throat, your name trapped between his lungs and your hungry mouth, kissing him deeply as he plunged his fingers in and out, pressing your body into the wall of the bathroom stall. Shivers up and down your spine, back arching to feel even more of his chest against yours, frustrated at the clothing between you and him, but still hot and exciting, your hands circling his head and playing with his ponytail, rolling your hips into his rough thrusts.

You tried to break free and moan, but Jungkook captured you with his lips, forcing your noises into his mouth to silence them, rubbing his erection against your hip and thigh, the sound between your legs getting louder because you were getting wetter, closer, your eyes cracking open and seeing his half-open too, staring at you with lust and love, determined to push you over the edge, even in the men’s bathroom where Kim Taehyung’s art exhibit was being held.

Hey, you both waited until you had a nice, long conversation with Taehyung’s parents where his mom drilled Jungkook with questions about what he did and what kind of person he was. His dad, in contrast, seemed to approve of Jungkook and gave him a hearty slap on the arm, telling him trouble and trouble often went well together. Then you and Taehyung’s dad had a praise fest about his son, which made Taehyung turn beet-red in embarrassment. Both of you meant it all, of course.

But, also, both of you enjoyed embarrassing Taehyung in public. It was fun.

Yeah, dads loved you.

You couldn’t imagine why that was.

All that aside, after Taehyung's parents bid their son goodbye, Jungkook dragged you into the men's bathroom and began to make out with your face.

He contained himself for a few hours. It was a valiant effort, living off only groping your ass a couple times, but a man can only take so much when you’re looking like a five-course meal and he’s aware that you’re willing to let him eat, you know?

No? Oh, well.

Maybe that’s just your problem.

Also, yes, maybe you discreetly teased him a couple times by rubbing your ass on his crotch and pressing your tits against his back. Maybe.

You lowered one of your hands, cupping your fingers around his length, sighing in his mouth, feeling how perfectly rock-hard he was, knowing you couldn’t have it and he couldn’t give it to you, not yet, but soon, his deep snarl at your touch, fuck, kisses intensifying, shoving his fingers into you all the way to the knuckle, the wet squish audible and obscene, the adrenaline of danger and satisfaction creeping you closer and closer to your high. His thumb came up and grazed your clit, making you close your eyes and rock your hips into his touch, moaning his name into his own mouth, his force of his fingers pushing his thumb against your throbbing clit hard and fast, the scent of black coffee and lush dragon fruit on his skin and yours, mixing with the sweetness of your orgasm as you wailed in glorious triumph, clutching his head with your hand and his waist with your leg, your other one shaking with strain as each pulse shook you, squeezing his clothed length in your hand, wanting it and pulling back to tell him just that in hot whispers, his soft moan against your mouth, whispering back, your name and his desire, his dark brown eyes nearly black with lust.

“Shit, you know how bad I want to fuck you, right now,” Jungkook panted.

“Please don’t.”

Huh?

You raised an eyebrow at the annoyed baritone voice. “Taehyung?”

“Do you know how long I’ve been standing here, knocking on this bathroom stall, you absolute horndogs?”

You heard him gritting his teeth, his voice nearly a deep growl. You did what any natural person would do.

Reached over and unlocked the door, letting it swing open to reveal your and Jungkook’s grinning faces.

His fingers remained very firmly inside your pussy, barely covered by the hem of your dress. You swept your arm back so your fur coat was out of the way. Always considerate. Taehyung stood at the opening of the door, hands on his hips, orange blazer flaring out with his posture, immediately throwing up his hands and jerking his head away once he realized that, yes, of course, you two would not bother covering up anything.

“Fucking – shit, get your hands off her, man, go home to do that–”

Jungkook began to slide his fingers out, scissoring them with a wet squish and you mewled, slightly exaggerated and performative.

“Oh my God, never mind, stop, leave them in there,” Taehyung snarled, realizing he was facing the mirror and therefore could still see both yours and Jungkook’s smug smirks. He abruptly turned ninety degrees, now facing the wall, giving you both the side eye. “The fuck is wrong with you people? Do you have any decency?”

“Sure, we do,” you chirped.

“Yeah, that’s why we’re in the bathroom,” Jungkook added, softly rubbing your clit and making you bite your lip, enjoying it very, very much.

A muscle in Taehyung’s eyebrow twitched. “Public bathroom,” he snapped, rubbing his forehead. “Fuck, what if it wasn’t me who walked in here? What if It was some goddamn stranger listening to this shit?”

“Speaking of which,” Jungkook mused, cocking a brow. “Normal people would just leave. Why did you stay and listen?”

You didn’t say anything. You were simply happily grinding on his hand, the gentle pressure creating a constant ecstasy that you were completely satisfied with, one hand hooked around Jungkook’s neck, waiting for Taehyung to answer with a huge, amused grin on your face. Taehyung knew everything about you.

It almost meant you knew everything about Taehyung.

He rolled his eyes. “You act like I’ve never heard her orgasm before. Big fucking deal.”

Jungkook gave him a pair of incredibly wide eyeballs that indicated that, yes, that was kind of a big deal.

“Tae was my first kiss.”

“What?’ Jungkook blurted, snapping his head back to you.

You shrugged. “We were, like, eight. Just wanted to know what kissing was.”

Jungkook blinked very rapidly, stunned.

His two fingers were still inside you.

You scrunched up your face, thinking. “We were also each other’s first head and fuck too. Although it wasn’t very good.”

“You were a bit shit,” Taehyung interjected.

“It took you five whole minutes to aim. Even a watermelon would be dry at that point.”

Jungkook was still trying to process that you were each other’s first kiss with his fingers knuckle deep in your pussy. “W… What? Why aren’t you guys dating?”

You snorted. “I can’t do that. He’s like my brother.”

Taehyung stuck his tongue out. “And she’s like my sister. That’s weird.”

Jungkook finally yanked his fingers out of you and threw out his hands in disbelief. “And being each other’s first times for – shit, basically everything – isn’t weird?”

Your eyes flickered to Jungkook’s soaked fingers, your cum stuck between them in viscous strings. Ooh, sexy. You licked your lips, breaking out in a pleased smirk. Taehyung spied what you were looking at and facepalmed. Jungkook seemed to notice too and turned to look at it, suddenly forgetting the whole discussion.

And put his cum-covered fingers into his mouth, moaning deliciously around them.

Taehyung made a horrified face in the mirror, making eye contact with you.

“Um, gross!”

“Eh, shut up, Tae, not like you haven’t done it in front of me before.”

“Well, I don’t wanna watch Jungkook do it,” he shot back, spinning around to glare at you. “He’s your boyfriend!”

You quirked an eyebrow. “You’ve seen other guys do it before when we’ve had threesomes. Plus, you’ve watched me open my mouth with other men’s cum in it so you could cum in my mouth too.”

Jungkook choked on his own fingers.

“WHAT?” he roared.

“You weren’t serious about them!” Taehyung flicked his hand, completely ignoring Jungkook. “And you’re my go-to when the girls I’m seeing want to experience a threesome, so I was just doing you a favor!”

Your boyfriend was having a mild heart attack and neither you nor Taehyung seemed to notice, too busy bickering about your strangely integrated sex lives.

“What’s the difference? It’s just Jungkook. You guys are friends.”

“Yeah, extra reason why I don’t want to sit around and imagine him slurping from your vagina. I gotta look into his eyes later!”

You raised your hands, shaking your head. “So what? You’ve seen my other sex partners in public and never said much about it. Why are you making such a fuss now?”

“Because!” Taehyung flung his hands, stamping a foot on the tile floor in frustration, his handsome features twisted into despair, hands on his head and messing up his dark brown hair. “Because you’re going to stop being my friend now that you’re serious about someone and I can’t do anything about it because that someone is Jungkook and I actually like the guy! I’m fucking happy for you and shit, but, fuck, fuck, what am I gonna do when you’re not in my corner anymore?”

Your jaw dropped, shocked.

“Tae, what are you talking about–?”

He spun around, about to run out, but you were faster, grabbing his arm and pulling him back, yanking him into a fierce hug. And, just like that, Taehyung was that awkward, weird kid in elementary school again, not wanting to admit he was scared and frightened of the big mean boys teasing him about his odd drawings and strange thought processes, calling him a dorky alien. He grabbed your shoulders, shivering, holding back tears.

“No one’s gonna protect me…” Taehyung sniffed, burying his face in your hair. “If you’re gone, I can’t be brave…”

“Hey, you know that’s not true,” you chastised lightly, squeezing him. “You’ve become strong, all on your own. You know that. That whole exhibit is filled with your art. You even got offers to buy some of your pieces. Isn’t that amazing?” You pulled back and placed your hands on Taehyung’s cheeks, smiling up at him kindly. He still looked gloomy and uneasy, lower lip sticking out. “Come on, you know I’m right, Van Gogh,” you teased, pinching his cheeks a little. He fidgeted, frown lessening. “I will always, always be in your corner. No matter what. No guy is going to make me stop being friends or supporting you. You need me to knock someone’s front teeth out, give me the time and place and I got your back.”

“That’s going to send you to jail,” he muttered, smiling slightly.

“Then I’ll go to jail. That’s just glorified detention because they give you free meals.”

He laughed, still with a tinge of anxiousness. “You promise you won’t stop being my best friend over some guy?”

You grinned. “You’ll always be my best friend, Tae. I just happen to really enjoy his company and his dick. You know, a girl has needs.”

He stuck his hand out childishly, pinky sticking out. “Pinky promise me.” Then he stuck his other hand out. “Actually, double pinky promise me.”

You crossed your wrists over each other and pressed your pinkies to his, squeezing his hands tightly.

“I promise I’ll always be your best friend.”

“Uh, guys, you’re kinda making me feel like a third wheel…”

Jungkook might as well have been a bathroom sink to Taehyung and you in this moment.

Taehyung nodded firmly to you. “Okay. You promised. You better keep it.”

You rolled your eyes. “When have I ever broken a promise to you?”

“Hmm, I guess you’re right…” All of a sudden, he looked down at your hands and wrenched his own out of them. “Oi! Where have those hands been, young lady?” He looked at his open hands with a repulsed scowl. “You better not have touched his dick and then my hands without washing yours! That’s disgusting!”

“Hey, I take offense to that,” Jungkook retorted heatedly. “My dick is perfectly clean and she didn’t get to touch me yet because you busted in and interrupted us–”

“What are you going on about, you’ve touched my hands after I’ve given handjobs! I didn’t hear you complaining!”

“He’s done what–?”

“I keep telling you that’s different, this is Jungkook, a man you actually love, and here I thought you were incapable of that.” Taehyung spoke over Jungkook, jabbing his finger into his palm to drive his point home. “You get that sparkly shit in your eyes when you talk about him and it makes me want to puke–”

“I do not get sparkly shit in my eyes, what the fuck does that even mean?”

“You literally will not shut up about how pretty he is!”

“He is pretty! Look at him!” You banished your arms in Jungkook’s direction like he was your first-place trophy on display, which he might as well be at this point with how much attention either of you were giving him. At least he looked the part.

Taehyung rolled his eyes exaggeratedly, throwing his whole head back. “I can give you pretty. You’ve been telling me I’m handsome all my life.”

“Why don’t we just have a threesome?”

Silence.

Both you and Taehyung jerked your heads to Jungkook, jaws dropped at his suggestion.

The door to the men’s bathroom opened and an old man bounced in, humming to himself.

He saw you.

He stopped, tilting his head. Then he looked from Jungkook to Taehyung and wiggled his eyebrows.

“Love triangle or sexy night, boys?”

Taehyung choked on air. “Not a love triangle.”

“Oooh, sexy night.” The old man gave you two thumbs up. “I’d love to join, but I’ll back out this time.”

You laughed heartily as Jungkook and Taehyung grabbed your arms, pulling you out of the men’s bathroom, not about to discuss a possible threesome in front of some old guy who vaguely offered to make it a foursome.

You made sure to give the old man a wink, sticking your head back in the open door to say, “Maybe next time, eh?”

The old man cackled and Taehyung slapped a hand over your mouth, dragging you out.

“Please shut up, I fucking swear…”

-

“So, why is it different?”

Somehow both you and Jungkook had dragged your best friend into your apartment and tied him to a chair. One of those nice wooden ones with plenty of openings to slip cotton rope through. Probably not what Kim Taehyung thought he was going to do right after his art exhibition, but judging by his peeved, unsurprised face, it wasn’t a completely unexpected result either.

You had pulled up another chair to sit in front of him, still wearing your fur coat, knees between his knees, mostly because Taehyung was forced to spread them because of how you tied the knots.

“I think I hate you,” Taehyung muttered.

“Nah.”

“At least a little bit.”

You slipped the shoulders of your coat down, exposing your skin, casually crossing your arms under your breasts and leaning forward, smiling sweetly at Taehyung. His dispassionate face basically said, ‘go-suck-your-own-dick’. He tried to pulled his arms free.

“Don’t rip your blazer.”

“Bite me.”

“You gonna answer my question?” you asked, redirecting the conversation.

Taehyung clicked his tongue. “I told you. It’s because I can tell you love him.”

You broke your playful demeanor for a second, smiling broadly. “Really?”

He chuckled. “Yeah, you dork.”

“I don’t know if I’ve ever felt like more of a third wheel in my entire life even though you’re talking about how much you love me,” Jungkook said behind you. He was sitting on the couch, as the chairs had been repositioned in the living room.

Taehyung pursed his lips. “That’s why I got scared, you know…” He leaned forward a bit, pouting. “What if you spend so much time with him that you forget about me? What if you guys break up and you blame me?” If he was untied, he would be nervously picking at his lower lip with his right hand right now. Instead, he chewed on it, worried expression clouding his strong features.

You shook your head, reaching out to fluff his brown hair. “You think too much. Why would I blame you over a breakup? If anything, I’d be dragging you out so you can help me keep a record of how many people I can fuck in a night.”

Taehyung made a face. “Why can’t you be normal and cry while eating chocolate?”

“You know I don’t like chocolate.”

“You don’t like chocolate?” Jungkook choked in disbelief.

“I have to fuck my problems away, Tae. That’s the best way to deal with them.”

He rolled his eyes. “You need to see a therapist.”

“Nah, I got you.”

Suddenly Jungkook’s face appeared because you two, sitting on the coffee table.

“How do you not like chocolate?” he pressed, staring at you.

You blinked at him. “I mean, I don’t hate it. I’m just not crazy about it like some people. Isn’t that better for you? I can give you all the chocolate that I receive.”

This thought didn’t seem to have crossed Jungkook’s mind. He grinned, highly pleased with this result.

“You’re even going to give him your chocolate?” Taehyung gasped, affronted. “That’s it, this friendship is over. I can’t believe you would betray me like this!”

You placed your hands on his knees. Taehyung huffed.

“You want me to untie you now?” you asked, patting his thigh and ignoring his dramatic outburst.

“Why? I thought we were going to have a threesome.”

Both you and Taehyung whipped your heads to blink at Jungkook. He smiled innocently, which did not look innocent at all with his sleek purple ponytail and mischievous eyes.

“Nobody agreed to that.”

“Yeah, Jungkook,” you sided with Taehyung. “Nobody agreed to that.”

“Aw, come on,” he nudged, grinning. “You guys have obviously touched each other before, right? And I can totally trust hyung not to fall in love with you.”

“Because my preferred type wouldn’t hump me in a public bathroom,” your best friend muttered.

“I’m sensing judgement here, Kim Taehyung. Watch your mouth,” you warned.

“Choke on my dick.”

“We can start with that,” Jungkook chirped cheerfully.

“Why do you want this, anyway?” You narrowed your eyes at your boyfriend. “You never expressed any interest in threesomes before. I assumed you were too selfish for that.”

“I am.”

You raised an eyebrow.

Jungkook grinned devilishly.

“But I also wanna see you get spit-roasted.”

“Don’t–” Taehyung began.

Jungkook spread his legs, revealing his erection straining in his slacks. Taehyung snapped his head away, groaning an annoyance, disappointed but not surprised that your boyfriend had zero shame. Jungkook bit his lower lip, tiny mole underneath quivering, excitement and lust in his dark brown eyes, looking right at you eagerly. He purred your name. Taehyung visibly cringed.

“You know I would…” you drawled softly, reaching over to squeeze Jungkook’s thigh. “But I don’t think Tae is into it right now.”

“Yeah, I’d only do it if I was horny and desperate.”

“Then why do you have a boner?”

Both you and Taehyung whipped your heads down to see his dick trying to bust out of his pants.

He glared at it. “You traitor.”

“Are you talking to your dick?”

“Look,” Taehyung snapped, letting out a puff of breath and frowning at Jungkook. “I’m not immune, okay? She’s hot, sure. Absolutely one of the sexiest, most beautiful women I know.”

“Aw, so sweet!” you interrupted, smacking his leg in mock bashfulness.

“And,” he gritted, shooting you a scowl. “I might be horny and desperate, sure.”

“So, what’s the problem?” Jungkook inquired, smug smirk on his face.

“Well, you’ll get jealous, for one.”

Jungkook blinked, confused. “What?”

“Taehyung has a big dick.”

You said it so nonchalantly that Jungkook was speechless.

“Mhm.”

“Not as nice as Jungkook’s dick though.”

“Excuse me? I am offended.”

“You honestly need to improve your technique. You think your size alone is all that matters? Jungkook’s the whole package, great dick, cute smile, diligence, strength, always up for anything, perfect duality–”

“Shit, shut up about him, I get it, he’s the hottest thing to walk on this earth, now stop verbally jerking him, he’s not gonna agree–”

“Kiss him.”

You and Taehyung froze.

Eyes flickering to Jungkook, who raised an eyebrow challengingly.

“Kiss him,” he repeated.

Eyes back to Taehyung, who was breathing hard.

“Only because I’m horny and desperate,” he growled.

The corner of your lips ticked upwards.

“Got it bad, eh, Tae?”

You placed your hands on his thighs, sliding down, rising off your chair. You felt Taehyung’s muscles tense, narrowing his eyes. He tried to keep up his severe front, borrowing your tendency to use arrogance to hide your true feelings.

“Isn’t that you?” he challenged. “Need me to satisfy you even though you have Jungkook now?”

You smirked, seeing right through him. “You always give me such blessed service though.”

Something flared in his brown orbs, pupils expanding as you neared. “Don’t.” Your head tilted at his tone, almost pleading, and still you advanced, your soft inhale ghosting his lips. His gaze was on your face the entire time, swallowing hard, anticipation creeping into his stern expression.

“Don’t what?” you whispered teasingly.

“Don’t say it in front of him.”

“But you like it.”

“Yeah, well, he doesn’t need to know my embarrassing turn-ons.”

“What if I slip?”

He clenched his jaw. “Fuck, fine, whatever.”

Your hand reached up to cup his cheek, licking your teeth slowly, maintaining eye contact. Your words a low hiss, laced with pure lust.

“My good little angel, let this devil corrupt you.”

Taehyung whimpered and you closed in on his lips, kissing him deeply, straddling his lap, rolling your hips into his, voracious, greedy kisses, Taehyung gasping in your mouth as you bounced on his crotch, your spread legs causing the hem of your dress to rise, popping over your ass, moaning into his mouth as you worked him under you, his body familiar and comforting. His tongue encircled yours, whining for more, and you mumbled sweet nothings to him, remembering all the things he loved to hear, and he gave you all the things you loved, the neediness in his kiss, the desperation of his hips rising to add more friction. You weren’t exactly immune to Taehyung either. You could control yourself, normally.

But Jungkook gave you the green light, so you went all in.

Your hands were in his hair, tangled in the strands of black coffee, murmuring in his lips, sweet angel, and Taehyung moaned, fiercely thrusting his hips up and you sitting down on it, already wet, sighing satisfyingly at the feeling of his impressive length straining to reach your dripping heat, too many layers of fabric between them.

“Such a good boy doing such bad things,” you purred against his lips, amused at seeing your lipstick all over his mouth.

Taehyung looked up at you with glazed brown eyes, a tinge of unease in them. Maybe he didn’t want to show Jungkook his vulnerable side. You could understand that. You didn’t mind playing your role but Taehyung was more guarded. He didn’t like to be criticized or judged for the things he liked. You noticed his gaze flicker to Jungkook and then back to you.

You tilted your head and cradled his, running your fingers through his hair. “You want me to stop, I’ll stop,” you cooed gently, kissing his ear.

“I don’t want you to stop,” he breathed, so quietly you barely heard it. “I don’t want him to judge me.”

You chuckled. “I wouldn’t worry about that.”

Taehyung made a disbelieving noise.

“Something wrong?” Jungkook asked behind you, sounding curious and confused that his show was paused.

“Mhm, need you to take my coat,” you replied, pulling back, lowering your arms so Jungkook could stand behind you and remove it. You slid your hands out elegantly, seeing Taehyung’s messy dark hair and lipstick-stained lips. You heard Jungkook back up and you reached into Taehyung’s blazer, pulling out his handkerchief and dabbing at his mouth, carefully wiping it off.

“We can stop,” your reminded him gently.

“No,” he growled, frowning. “I’ve got a massive boner and it’s all your fault. Get me off.”

You grinned. “Alright, angel.”

You saw Taehyung bite his lip, shivering at your words. You couldn’t remember how this started, but it always worked. The roleplaying helped with the whole ‘having-sex-with-your-best-friend’ thing ten times less awkward, and it made it much easier for him and you to get off.

Unfortunately, it also was starting to make both of you much hornier while having sex with each other.

Whoops.

He clicked his tongue, raising his head, eyebrow cocked.

“Dirty little devil.”

You smirked. Taehyung’s voice was always sexier when he was aroused, deep and sultry.

One by one, you undid the buttons of his dress shirt, kissing at his exposed chest, the deep rich tone of his tan skin standing out against the white, his eyes closing at your touch, running your tongue down his sternum and blowing on it.

He shuddered, moaning your name, long and sweet.

You shifted, intending to push the chair behind you back, but it was gone. Instead, your ass backed up into a pair of very muscular legs. You paused, turning your head to see behind you.

“Jungkook–”

A firm hand stopped you, forcefully jerking your head back to Taehyung’s chest.

“Look forward,” Jungkook commanded.

A shiver down your spine at his tone. You smirked, peering up at Taehyung, who smiled.

“He jealous?”

“I’m not,” Jungkook snapped, grabbing your ass.

“A little bit,” Taehyung chuckled, and now he was smirking too.

Eerily similar to you, because who else would he learn such a devious expression from? You taught him well. You hummed, yanking Taehyung’s shirt open and pushing it to his shoulders, his naked torso now exposed to your eyes and mouth.

“Can’t imagine why. This was his idea.”

Taehyung jerked his head to you as you lowered yours to his chest. “What?”

But your lips closed around his nipple and he gasped, sputtering, confused, and then moaning as you moaned, Jungkook yanking down your panties and slapping your ass with his open palm, the sting added to the disapproving hiss of your name.

“He’s not supposed to know. I didn’t do all that acting for nothing,” he snarled, and your response was wiggling your ass, nipping your teeth over Taehyung’s chest, his handsome features twisted in ecstasy and pleasure, the tip of your tongue teasing his other nipple, pushing it around with your strong, wet, warm muscle.

“Whoops.”

Taehyung narrowed his eyes at you and your not-so-innocent tone.

Jungkook clicked his tongue. “Such a bad little devil. You need some punishment.”

“He already knew?” Taehyung gritted, glaring daggers at your grinning face, saying nothing, your deft fingers undoing his pants. “Answer me, woman.”

Jungkook was positioning your lower half, ass up, legs spread, pussy exposed to his eyes and hand, your dripping core tense with anticipation. When he spoke, his voice was deep and silvery, laced with danger and desire.

“Answer him.”

And he spanked your pussy, making you cry out and leak between his fingers, the sudden sting of pain so nice, and you had the audacity to continue giving Taehyung that infuriatingly smug expression as you dragged his pants and underwear to his knees, freeing his stiff length that stuck straight up, your body repeatedly lurched forward by Jungkook’s open palm on your soaked slit, your juices splattering on his hand and the inside of your thighs. With a smirk, you lowered your head.

“Mhm, he knew… ah, fuck, yes, Jungkook, just like that…” you sighed in satisfaction, tongue snaking out and wrapping around the head of Taehyung’s cock, bobbing your mouth up and down like that, stimulating just the tip, paying extra attention to the underside of the head. “Sorry, Tae.”

“Swallow me whole,” he growled. “Now.”

You were ready to do it, of course, but you felt Jungkook’s hand clap onto your leaking, heated pussy lips, and the other danced up your back, so you waited, letting him grab your head and push you down, not quite as roughly as he would have if he was actually being mean, but with enough pressure that you knew he just wanted to do the physical action, wanted to feel the power even if there was no maliciousness behind it.

Your lips closed around Taehyung’s pulsing, hard length, taking it all, a familiar girth stretching out your jaw. You made a light gagging sound as the head hit the back of your throat, not quite suffocating, but enough to indicate, stop pushing me, and Jungkook lifted the weight off your head, still gripping your hair, messing up your perfected style of the night.

“That’s a good girl, swallowing all that dick,” he purred, sliding a finger into you.

You whined, clenching your walls around it, squeezing tight, wanting more.

“Suck.”

You did, obediently, looking up at Taehyung, his head tipping back, low moans escaping his throat as your tongue squirmed at the base of the head in your throat, muscles clinching around his cock, your lips around the base. You swiped your tongue down, stretching it out even farther, past your lips, slurping nosily at his balls, flicking them rapidly with the tip, feeling him get harder and harder, twitching against the roof of your mouth, bending a little due to the lack of space.

“Fuck, let go of her head, fuck!”

Jungkook released you and you grabbed Taehyung’s hips, starting a fast, intense pace, swirling your tongue around his cock, another long finger wiggling into your slick folds, thrusting into you from behind, your legs shaking with strain, Taehyung moaning louder and louder, filling up your apartment with his lust.

“Don’t fucking stop, fuck, you have the devil’s tongue, a-ah, it’s so fucking good…”

Jungkook scissored his fingers in you, the squelching sound loud and lewd, and you spied Taehyung tipping his head back, panting, watching Jungkook finger you from behind, his other hand smacking your ass periodically to watch it bounce and hear you moan, your hips bucking back into his hand every time you ascended from Taehyung’s cock.

“Give her another,” he gasped. “Stuff her more.”

Jungkook snickered. “For an angel, you’re all about the punishment, hm?”

But he did as he was told, shoving another finger in you and you whined, nearly popping your mouth off Taehyung’s thick length, stopping only because of imposing baritone.

“Don’t you fucking dare. Take it all. Or are you telling me you can’t? Telling me you’ve lost your touch?”

You went back down, narrowing your eyes, rising to his challenge. Your best friend knew everything about you and therefore he knew that the second he made it a question of your ability, well, that brought out the best in you.

“Fuck!”

Also made you almost vacuum his dick, but he asked for it.

“Oh fuck, oh fuck, oh fuuuuuuuck!”

Tighter, faster, tongue all over, nearly forgetting Jungkook was touching you at all because Taehyung had doubted you and you weren’t having that shit, fuck no, not even with Jungkook’s free hand snaking between your legs and feeling for your clit, rubbing it at the same furious pace you were blowing Taehyung’s jerking cock, tipping your head back and angling it so the head scraped against the roof of your mouth, locking your knees to prevent the shudders of pleasure from ruining your rhythm, so good, fuck, feeling so good with the pumping of Jungkook’s powerful fingers, electric satisfaction radiating from your throbbing clit, clutching Taehyung’s hips so hard he was getting indents from your nails, determined to get him there before you, and, by the sound of his breathless cries of your name and the trembling of his impressive girth, he was there.

“Yes, a-ah, you’re so good, so fucking good, I’m gonna cum, oh, fuck!”

His orgasm exploded, flooding your mouth with a gush of saltness, thick strings of cum painting the back of your throat, and you gulped it all down greedily, eyes rolling back, the tense coil inside you snapping and drenching Jungkook’s hands with your own orgasm, your legs unlocking and giving out, shaking and flinching as wave after wave of vicious pleasure flooded through you, Jungkook’s strong arms holding you up, moaning at the feeling of your pussy convulsing around his fingers, still lightly rubbing your clit through your orgasm, whines and whimpers crammed in your throat due to Taehyung’s cock in your mouth, sliding all the way to the base and swallowing around it, because you knew he loved it, wanted it, craved it, groaning carnally, the head swelling and pulsing, nearly suffocating you.

“Feels so f-fucking good… a-ah, yeees…”

You stayed in the position for as long as you could, a good minute, before backing up with a choked gasp, clutching Taehyung’s thighs, eyes drifting up to his and he looked down at you, fucked-out, content, grateful, black-brown curls falling all over his forehead and cheeks, so casually sexy and perfect.

“Good angels always taste the best,” you rasped, licking your abused lips.

Taehyung grinned.

“Untie me, devil.”

“Damn, you do have a big dick.”

“… Stop looking.”

“Why? I wanna see what she put in her mouth.”

You teased the head with the tip of your tongue, smirking. Taehyung looked away, ears turning red.

“You two are shameless.”

“Yeah, but you like it,” you laughed, straddling his lap, casually leaning over him to untie him. You heard Jungkook make a clicking sound and you assumed he was making a frame with his hands and miming taking a photo.

“Stop that,” Taehyung muttered, face full of your covered breasts. “Oi, take your clothes off if you’re gonna squash my face with your tits.”

You rammed your chest into his face to muffle his protests.

-

“Mmm, yes, no faster way to make me limp than you sucking Jungkook’s face off.”

You were too busy grabbing Jungkook’s naked ass and moaning in his mouth, tongue on tongue, purple strands brushing against your forehand, his hands on your ass and squeezing it roughly, rutting his rapidly hardening cock against your thigh.

“You want me to leave you guys alone?”

You broke the kiss, snapping your head around to see Taehyung raising an eyebrow at you from the head of your bed, completely naked. Jungkook continued slowly humping your thigh, peaking pre-cum all over and adding to his own stimulation.

“Are you done being an insufferable shit or what?” you glowered.

“Mmm, no.”

“Hmph, fine, just fuck me from behind then if you’re so needy,” you sighed, turning back to Jungkook’s amused smirk.

“No. I want the mouth again.”

You and Jungkook shared a confused look. “Huh, why?” you both said at the same time, looking at him in unison.

Taehyung lifted his chin defiantly, pointing to you. “I wanna stuff my dick into your mouth and fuck your face because you tricked me.”

You gasped, feeling slighted. “I told you it was Jungkook’s idea, why am I getting punished? You schemed against me first!”

He shrugged. “You corrupted him so, technically, it’s all inherently your fault.”

You protested as Jungkook laughed, pushing you into position despite you verbally fighting back.

“What! All I did was exist! Is it my fault that Jungkook was thirsting after my ass and you decided it would a taste of my own medicine, only to have it backfire in your face? And what if I wanna look at his handsome face? Huh? Why am I not getting a say in – mhpf!”

You yelped as Jungkook and Taehyung shoved your face first into Taehyung’s crotch, his semi-hard cock smacking you in the cheek and getting a mouthful of his nuts.

“Lick.”

They both said it at the same time. You saw them share a look of surprise, shocked that they were thinking the same thing, ignoring you.

Hey, nobody ignores you.

You wrapped your lips around one of his balls and sucked, tongue surrounding it, causing Taehyung to squeal and spread his legs, his cock swelling instantly, especially as your tongue poked out and lapped at the other while sucking intently.

“Good little devil,” Jungkook praised, patting you on the head before backing up, leaving you to rearrange Taehyung’s nuts with your mouth, licking and sucking all over, him gasping and moaning above you, falling back against the headboard.

“You’re crazy, fucking crazy…”

You switched sides, pressing your lips into his crotch to stuff your mouth full before sticking your tongue out and wiggling it on the underside of the other, his thick length now hitting you in the nose, and you realized Taehyung wasn’t going to help you with this, so you internally sighed and reached up to grab his dick and stroke it slowly as you continued your make-out session with his nuts.

Taehyung was chanting your name over and over like it was a prayer, as if he was saying it in attempt to ask for his soul to be saved.

You felt the bed bow and you lifted your head as far as it could go, which wasn’t very far because you still had one of Taehyung’s balls still in your mouth. You were still sucking on it.

He moaned above you, clutching your pillows for dear life.

You heard a condom being opened and felt Jungkook’s knees spread yours, deep silvery voice purring your name.

“Wanna see you take two dicks at once, naughty devil,” he teased, pressing the head of his cock against your soaked opening.

You unlatched your mouth and Taehyung seemed to see stars for a hot second, reeling.

“Hope you’re prepared, sweet angel,” you taunted, and then you swallowed his dick.

“Fucking shit!”

You moaned around his cock, letting it fill you to the throat, Jungkook’s perfect length thrusting into you at the same time, stretching you out deliciously, his own moan adding to your pleasure. There was just something about Jungkook’s moan, the longing, the possessiveness, the love. It made you wetter every time, bringing newfound energy to your meticulous sucking of Taehyung’s cock, who finally seemed to get his bearings and remember what the fuck was going on and what he wanted to do in the first place, because he finally straightened, large hands fitting around your head, pushing your hair back.

“You know why you’re so good at sucking dick?”

You tried very hard not to roll your eyes, already knowing what was coming. You decided to focus on Jungkook���s cock instead, pumping in and out of you, powerful, deep strokes, his hands gripping your hips, trying so hard to please you, and he was good at it, hitting all your favorite spots that made you squirm back against him.

“Because I let you suck mine,” Taehyung growled, holding your head and thrusting into your throat.

Mmmhmm, you thought to yourself. Not that he was wrong, because he wasn’t, being your first and all, but, come on, you didn’t get all your skills from sucking one dick, no matter how amazing Taehyung’s was. Oh well, you let it slide, simply enjoying not having to do much as your best friend fucked your face and your boyfriend pounded your pussy.

Ah, bliss.

The feeling of your mouth being filled and used, stroking Taehyung’s hips with your fingertips, elbows on the bed, legs spread open for Jungkook to slap his crotch into your ass wetly, back to front, a constant encompassing ecstasy that you welcomed, letting them command the pace, hands on your head and hands on your ass, familiar hands, loving hands, because even if Taehyung didn’t want to take you on dates and wake up next to you every day, he still loved you, still made sure he didn’t actually hurt you, careful to thrust hard but not deep, or thrust deep but not hard.

Jungkook wanted to take you on dates and hold you on his arm like his trophy and be waltzed around as yours, so… romantic? It was your version of romance, anyway.

And sex.

Lots of sex.

Fuck, he was so good at fucking you, leaning down, giving you more, chuckling as he heard you moaning around Taehyung’s cock, faster, harder, yes, fuck, yes, so good, your noises trapped in your chest, Taehyung increasing the speed, breathing shallowing.

“Fuck, yes, tighter, give it to me, you dirty devil,” he growled and you obeyed, closing your lips and pressing your tongue against the bottom, sandwiching his length in your mouth, your pussy also squeezing Jungkook harder, basking in his sinful moan, enamored with his voice and the way he said your name, never getting enough.

“A-ah, you feel so good, your pussy is so fucking good, gonna make me cum…”

So rough, so intense, so full of cock, keeping your holes tight, relishing in the way they forced themselves into your mouth and pussy, heady and intoxicating pleasure, you tipping over the edge, wailing around Taehyung’s thick girth as you spilled onto Jungkook’s rock-hard length, mind-numbing satisfaction that spread all over, hot and melting into you. Your walls violently spasmed and caused Jungkook to gasp, cock twitching and jolting inside you, shooting thick spurts of cum that filled the condom, and he buried himself all the way in, a wanton moan of your name echoing off your bedroom walls, savoring the feeling of you milking him, gripping your sides and squeezing you lovingly.

Suddenly, Taehyung yanked his cock out of your mouth and you coughed, startled at the abrupt loss, only for him to orgasm all over your face, hot white strings shooting out of his glistening cock and his hand guiding them, painting your cheeks and open mouth, dripping onto your tongue and clinging onto your swollen lips.

“Tae! What the fuck?!”

He snickered, smearing the residual cum on the side of your frown, winking.

“Blessed service, eh, you devil?”

-

“Is it gonna be like this every time we hang out now?”

You climbed onto Jeon Jungkook’s lap, kissing him deeper, trapping his slim waist in between your thighs, his hands sliding up your skirt, moaning into your mouth as Kim Taehyung smacked you in the shoulder blades, the sound masked by the obscenely loud music of the club as onlookers watched you and Jungkook with increasing interest.

Probably all dreaming of threesomes with you two.

“Hello, you two are supposed to be helping me getting laid, not getting laid right in front of me!”

--

masterpost

[houndsofcerberus]

Apotheosis Chapter 2

Summary: Techno and Theseus arrive to Nimius though the arrival is met with…mixed reviews

No CWs

https://archiveofourown.org/works/33386038/chapters/83133148

The rhythmic clopping of the horse’s hooves and the rolling of the cart wheels had become monotonous and boring by the time they finally reached their destination. The only change from the expanse of identical trees was when they had neared. Nimius was large but it’s capital, settled near it’s southernmost border, was a sight to behold. Nimius was known for its abundance, having been named for its wealth. This of course brought with it lavish lifestyle, but this wasn’t unanimous across the kingdom. The country had many smaller villages and hamlets, a great deal of the Nimian population was in fact farmers and ranchers. The land Nimius occupied was some of the best across the continent for farming, the soil was rich and fertile and the conditions were mild enough and the growing season long enough to have made Nimius an agricultural giant amongst the land.

Technoblade was of the opinion that no description could do the feeling of walking into the Nimian capital justice however. No story, nor poem, nor song could ever compare to the feeling of walking in. The royal family’s crest depicted a peacock, bright and fierce, and proud as all hell, signifying the wealth of the region. The crest was frequent in the city however it was more apparent around the castle. They were a proud people who showed their wealth happily. Techno hadn’t been in Nimius for quite some time, though as the cart rolled into the city it appeared not much had changed. The streets were well kept, clean and had planter boxes lining the cobbled streets, the stones were smooth and the buildings light in color. White and teal were everywhere, along with dull orange terracotta and faux gold shimmer. Murals decorated the walls of several buildings, well kept up and beautifully bright. It was like walking into a painting. Theseus was leaning forward, looking around, eyes wide as he took in the market smelling strongly of fresh bread and other delicious smells from the vendors in the street. People walked idly, moving out of the way of Techno’s cart and looking in curiously. Some frowned and watched Techno, though he didn’t blame them. He had accumulated many many battle scars from his adventures, and several were laid into his face, leaving him looking… rough to say the least. He pressed on, ignoring them and driving the horses to the castle ahead.

It was an architectural masterpiece, within its large gates it was covered in ivy and tile mosaics of trees, peacocks, and farmland. The things that made Nimius what it was. It was beauty and luxury in its purest form, abundance at its most bare and most extravagant. Technoblade had missed Nimius.

“Woah!” Theseus gasped, leaning so far forward Techno needed to grab his shirt and pull him back into the seat. “What are those?” he asked excitedly, pointing at a blue bird amongst several others, it’s tail long as it trailed behind the bird, folded. The feather’s were iridescent and there was a small crest on its head.

“That's a peacock, the monarch has an affinity for them,” Techno said fondly. As his dog passed the bird, clearing the path for the horses, several of the peacocks shook out their tails and Theseus’ eyes went wide once more.

“It’s got so many eyes!” he said, looking at Technoblade in wonder.

“It’s just a pattern, they use it to scare off anything trying to eat them.” Techno said, smiling lightly.

“They’re so pretty,”

“Very, but you can’t pet these ones, they aren’t nice. There’s one inside you could pet though.” Techno said. Theseus nodded excitedly as Techno stopped the cart in front of the castle, looking over each of the guards. As much as he loved it here he couldn’t be too comfortable so he kept his sword on him and stepped off, whistling to the dog and gesturing with a nod of the head to the cart. She jumped up and settled in the back as Theseus scrambled down off the cart, running to catch up. A young man had come out and paused in front of them as they both waited for Theseus.

“Eret is waiting for you inside. Just f-” The young man was cut off by another who had approached, staring at the sword.

“No weapons.” He said gruffly.

“I’m not stupid enough to kill a seer, let alone a monarch. Let me in.” Techno said flatly.

“No. Put the sword in your cart. And that whip too.” The man said stepping in front of Techno, arms crossed. He had a mask over the top of his face but Techno was close enough to see his bright green eyes and furrowed brows.

“And if I don’t?” Techno asked, smiling lazily.

“You don’t wanna find out.” came the reply as he went to draw his sword. Techno copied the move, hand on the hilt of his sword. Theseus grabbed onto Techno’s pant leg, and Techno chanced a quick look, seeing briefly the fear on his face. When his eye darted back up the man had relaxed slightly, eyes focused on the child for a moment before looking back at Techno and glaring twice as hard.

“Boys quit it,” came a new voice, familiar to Techno’s ears. Techno grinned and let go of his sword to smile innocently at Eret descending the stairs to the castle doors, accompanied by a woman a bit younger than Technoblade. Eret was… well Eret. Well dressed in beautiful clothes, somehow looking well dressed and casual at the same time, putting Techno’s outfit of his usual cape, shirt, pants and other gear to shame despite sharing the same style. She smiled and approached, shaking his head playfully.

“What? I was just playing around,” Techno said, laughing easily and relaxing. He bowed to them, head down in a show of respect before standing.

“You’re a bad liar. Come on, we have a lot to discuss with Puffy here, she’s my general that I told you about.” Eret said, gesturing for Techno and Theseus to follow.

“But my liege, he has weapons on him!” The man Techno had just confronted spoke up, looking panicked.

“As he always does. Sam it’s alright, this man has saved my life more times than I can count. If he wanted me dead he would’ve done so long ago. He’s as harmless as a pup.” Eret laughed, shaking their head. The man, Sam, stood there bewildered for a moment as Techno walked by, followed by Theseus who stuck his tongue out at the guard. They walked in through the large doors into a beautiful castle. Polished wood and marble was everywhere, large murals and tapestries of the gods and of old tales lining the entry hall beautifully. Techno felt out of place, dirty grungy clothing, scarred and unpolished, unrefined. Eret led them further, past the large throne room and into a further hall. Puffy opened a door, revealing a round, average sized table, six chairs around it, a teapot and snacks upon it. Eret took their spot and Puffy chose one nearby, Techno opting for one across from Eret, and Theseus clamoring up onto the chair beside Techno.

“You never told me you had a kid,” Eret said, smiling and placing a few sweets in front of Theseus.

“Sorry, I didn’t have much time, I came as soon as I got the letter,” Techno said.

“No no, it’s alright, he’s quite adorable. What’s his name?” Eret asked, smiling at Theseus who was currently enjoying a cookie that Eret had given him.

“Theseus,” Techno replied.

“I go by Tommy.” Theseus interjected, staring at Techno.

“You never mentioned that before.” Techno sighed.

“You didn’t ask.” came the reply. Puffy snorted and covered her mouth, trying to hide her smile. Techno took the moment to take her in. Her uniform was well kept, a deep indigo blue with gold accents. She had very long curly white hair, though it didn’t age her. She looked young, or at least seemed to be younger than Technoblade, though that wasn’t saying much. She had a scar, faint and light, stretching from her jaw to just under her eye. He couldn't decipher what from by the look of it, though it had obviously been taken care of considering it was so light.

“What’s wrong with your eyes?” Theseus interrupted Techno’s thoughts, loud and abrupt.

“Theseus!” Techno scolded, staring at him in disbelief.

“What?”

“You can’t say that!”

“Why not?” Theseus asked, crossing his arms. Techno sighed, frustrated.

“I’m so sorry,” He apologized.

“It’s alright, kids are kids, I take no offence.” Eret said. Their eyes which had previously been a bright and vibrant brown had slowly dulled over the years, as though there was a white film over them. Techno hadn’t mentioned it, he had only ever known Eret with the vague film on their eyes. She was a seer, it was a natural part of having Sight. “I have a gift. I can see the gods,” Eret said smiling and looking at Theseus patiently.

“Woah, that’s so cool! I wanna see the gods!”

“Well it’s not all good Tommy. My eyes look like this because it makes it so you can’t see after a while, it makes your eyes turn white and soon you can’t see anything.” Eret explained. Theseus frowned and tilted his head.

“So you’re blind?”

“Not yet. I’ve got some years ahead of me, I plan to enjoy them as much as I can.” Eret said, eyes darting to Techno who laughed.

“You did enough living for twelve lives back in the days.” Techno smiled fondly upon the memories of their journeys together.

“Never enough Blade, never enough,” Eret said, sighing happily at their own memories of the time. “We’ll need to reminisce some other time unfortunately. You’re aware of why I requested your help?”

“Yes, the letter told me all I needed to know.” Techno said, nodding curtly, smile fading.

“Lovely. As capable as our wonderful General here is, we'll need the help. They’ve been making bold moves. We need to be bolder.”

“Are you sure?” Puffy interjected.

“You have no ideas left either. We need him.”

“No, not that. Him. Are you sure about him? I did my research, I know what he sees as ‘bold moves’.” Puffy said firmly, glaring at Techno. Just when he thought he may be able to escape mistakes of the past, here they were yet again coming to bite him in the ass.

“Can we not discuss that? Not right now? I’d rather not defend those actions in front of a child.” Techno said sharply. Puffy looked between Technoblade and Theseus before nodding. “We’ll finish this later.” Techno added. “For now I need your files and information about it. As well as anything relevant to the situation, including border declarations. Anything Nimius and Ecren have both signed.”

“Of course. I have an office for you in the south wing and your room is ready. We can give Tommy a tour of the castle maybe and have some dinner, by then I’ll have a room for him beside yours.” Eret said, pouring herself a cup of tea, and then pouring one for Technoblade. “Puffy, can I ask you to gather the necessary documents while I catch up with my friend?” He asked kindly. Puffy nodded and gave a brief informal bow before leaving the room. “Maybe Tommy would like to go find Calypso in his garden,” Eret said, smiling.

“Who’s Calypso?” Theseus asked,

“You remember I mentioned there’s a peacock you can pet inside the castle? That’s Calypso. He’s a sweetheart, and has his own garden.” Techno said, smiling. Theseus grinned, turning to Eret and nodding quickly.

“Alright, give me a moment,” Eret said, standing and walking to the door. Eret smiled and gestured to someone. “Skeppy, are you on your way by Calypso’s garden?” She called.

“Yeah, gonna go visit Bad in the kitchens, see if he needs help.” came the reply, presumably from Skeppy.

“Lovely, we have a guest, come here,”

Skeppy stepped in, smiling and waving at Techno and Theseus.

“Can you show Theseus here how to get to the garden? He’d like to meet Calypso, maybe swing by and steal an extra treat for him when you go pester Bad hm?”

“I wasn’t gonna steal anything, just… taste test,” Skeppy argued.

“Uh huh. Grab him an extra bite,”

Theseus looked to Techno for permission to go this time. After the last time he went off away from Technoblade he didn’t seem keen to repeat the situation. Techno nodded and gestured to Skeppy.

“Go, I’ll come get you in a bit, kid,” He said reassuringly. Theseus ran off with Skeppy, following him into the hall excitedly chatting with Skeppy. Eret sat and they both waited until they could no longer hear them.

“So… you’re a dad.” Eret said, leaning back with their teacup in hand. “That's… unexpected for you.”

“Yeah. I didn’t plan to be.”

“Past few years must’ve been quite the learning curve for you then huh?” Eret chuckled. Techno froze, not looking his friend in the eyes.

“Well… I wasn’t around.” Techno admitted. “His mom had to track me down to tell me. And we had an agreement.”

“You didn’t…” Eret said.

“I didn’t abandon them… entirely.” Techno said, trying to defend himself. “She knew what kind of guy I was, she knew about them. I told her when she said she was pregnant. She agreed it wasn’t a good idea, but she couldn’t work with a child and no husband so… I’ve been sending her money over the years. Bought them a nice home, money for food and clothes, a repairman, and extra for savings. I made sure she could give him a good life. I swear I wouldn’t just leave, I just…”

“So why is he with you now then?” Eret asked.

“She passed. A few days ago actually. She wrote to me and had the message passed along urgently and when I got there it was bad. She told me to take him and take care of him. I figured I owe her that, but I… have no clue how to do this.” Techno sighed, shrugging and leaning back. He didn’t dare look at Eret, he didn’t want to see their look of disappointment.

“Gods above Technoblade, what a fine mess you’ve made for yourself. We’re a nation at war, why’d you bring him?”

“The other jobs were too dangerous. Tracking down criminals, on the front lines for weeks, assassination, murder, this was the safest. He doesn’t have to be involved in the war, he can stay and if we must evacuate he can go with. This war won’t be fast, Ecren is not going to give in, it’s more stable.”

“What makes you say that?” Eret asked. Techno sighed and reached into his pocket, pulling out a crumpled piece of paper and standing, leaning over the table to hand it to Eret. Eret took it and unfolded the paper. “They requested you as well?”

“Yeah. Offered me the position of General.”

“You didn’t take it. Why?” Eret said, frowning skeptically, eyes trained on Technoblade’s sword.

“I’d be on the frontlines, the pay was worse, it came after yours, and you’re one of my oldest friends. I’m a lot of things, but I am not a liar and I don’t go back on my promises. I told you I’d come back if you ever needed help. I’m here. I have no obligations in Ecren or interest in helping them. This was my home for a while too, I’m going to defend it.” Techno said.

“You never change. It’s nice to have you on the team, old friend,” Eret said, smiling and folding the piece of paper, tossing it back on the table and relaxing. “Like the old days.”

“Like the old days.” Techno agreed

Techno found Theseus in the garden, sitting amongst the beautiful abundance of foliage and flowers, Calypso sitting in his lap fast asleep. It was kind of sweet, Theseus was gently petting the bird, making sure not to wake him, looking around at all the butterflies fluttering above them from flower to flower. The garden was vibrant, it was as though you stepped into a forest, and though it was a bit warm it was comfortable. Theseus seemed at peace there. Techno walked over and sat on the bench near Theseus’ spot on the ground.

“Where’d the name Tommy come from?” He asked quietly, being careful not to startle the bird or the child.

“My mom. She always called me Tommy instead.” He replied in a whisper, transfixed on the bird in his lap. He seemed enamored with Calypso, fascinated endlessly by the brightly colored and well kept feathers. Enough so that he had finally stopped moving and talking for the first time since Techno had met him. He was a lively kid, probably even more so before his mother passed. He hadn’t been sleeping well, crying himself to sleep in the wagon, waking from nightmares. On the worst days when it seemed he truly realized he was never seeing his mother again he had refused to eat, and sat silently in the wagon. Technoblade was not someone experienced in grief, and he hadn’t had even the mildest clue on how to comfort a child who had just lost his primary caregiver, that was never easy, especially not after watching her suffer for weeks on end before dying. Techno hadn’t spoken with him much about it, unsure of how to approach that topic with an adult, let alone a child.

“Do you want me to call you Tommy instead?” Techno asked softly, voice still low to not wake the bird.

“No,” Theseus said flatly, shaking his head. Techno froze, and stared for a moment waiting for him to elaborate. No explanation came. He just left it there. Technoblade decided that it wasn’t meant to be rude, even if it sure did feel like something he should chastise him for. It wasn’t as though it was a big deal, it was just a name. Theseus had the right to say what he wanted to be called.

“...alright” Techno said after a solid minute of silence from both parties. “Dinner’s almost ready, we should head to the dining hall,” he added, gently patting him on the shoulder as he stood to get him to stand up as well.

“I don’t wanna go.” Theseus said. Techno took a moment and decided his curiosity took precedence over his ego bruising from the fact Theseus just outright refused,

“Why not?” He asked, crouching down. Theseus looked away, refusing eye contact. He looked conflicted and uncomfortable, but Techno just waited until he was ready.

“What if it’s bad? Mom always made good food, what if this is bad? And it's so big in there, the roof is so high, and everything echoes and it’s just too much. I don’t like it.” Theseus said, grimacing and glancing at the door back in. “I miss home.” He added more quietly. Techno stood and thought for a moment.

“Come with me,” He said, standing and holding out his hand. Theseus looked at Calypso and hesitated before gently picking him up and scooting him off his lap, standing and brushing the dirt off his pants.

“We’re going anyway?” Theseus asked, frowning.

“Nah, I hate the dining hall anyways, but you can’t just not eat kid. I’m taking you to the kitchens. Did you like Skeppy?”

“Yeah! He’s really funny, he told me about you!”

“...what’d he tell you?”

“That you sucked at the games he played with you!” Theseus said happily, smiling as he looked ahead.

“...huh… well I’ll have to get a rematch then. We can have dinner with Skeppy and the cook, Bad, in the kitchen instead, it’s much nicer there, not as fancy,” Techno said, taking Theseus’ hand and leading him inside, instead of going through the large extravagant halls he took a detour into a smaller homier feeling hallway. It was lined with pictures of the staff and their families, and of Eret and his parents, all the goofy pictures they wouldn’t be able to present in the front halls for guests to see. Techno looked at a few of them and got oriented to where they were. He had always preferred going through the staff halls anyways. The main halls were designed to be long, extravagant and force you to take in the wealth and lavish castle. The staff halls were shortcuts, small and much easier to navigate due to the fact that they didn’t look the same and had labels on all the doors so nobody got lost. Techno finally found the door labelled ‘Kitchen’ and pushed it open.

Beyond the door was a nice looking kitchen. It wasn’t fancy or covered in white and gold. It had a large wood stove that was next to an oven, as well as another separate brick oven in the wall. The brick oven was unlit and cold, and the wood stove looked as though it had just turned off. There were large windows that were wide open, letting in a cool breeze, and plenty of countertops littered in plates and dishes. The room was bigger than a normal home’s kitchen and much better equipped, even having a cooler to store food and a meat locker door off to the side, but half of it was occupied by a large oak table and chairs, a tablecloth spread over top. In the centre of the table was a vase with freshly cut flowers, and beside it was a basket of bread rolls. In the kitchen was a familiar face, Bad. Though Bad seemed occupied trying to get Skeppy to stop trying to eat the food before it was out on the tables.

“Skeppy, quit it!” Bad yelled, exasperated.

“Awe come on, I’m just testing it!” Skeppy laughed as he was chased away from the stock pot.

“You’re being a pest is what you’re doing,” Bad huffed, shaking his head and turning to smile. “You finally came back!” He cheered, smiling at Techno. “You come to visit or to steal food like someone else here,” Bad asked, glaring pointedly at Skeppy who had started creeping towards the other basket of bread rolls for the dining hall.

“But I’m huuuuuungryyyy” Skeppy whined. Techno laughed and grabbed a bread roll from the basket on the table, chucking it to Skeppy to occupy him for a while.

“Actually I came to see if me and the kid could eat with you and Skeppy tonight,” Techno said, smiling and gesturing at Theseus. Bad gasped and leaned over the counter to look at the kid, grinning brightly.

“Of course! Skeppy mentioned we had a little guest! I thought he was lying for an extra lemon tart,” Bad said, smiling.

“I told you he wash real,” Skeppy said triumphantly through a mouthful of bread, smiling smugly as he took another bite of the bread roll proudly.

“Yeah yeah, whatever.” Bad said, brushing him off with an eye roll and a dismissive wave. “I’ll let Eret know when we send out the food, they may join us but I doubt Sam and Puffy will let him out of sight while they have a chance to discuss things.”

“Speaking of what’s the deal with those two?” Techno asked, leaning forward against the counter.

“Ah not much, Sam is the newer one of the two, he takes his job very seriously, and Puffy is normally a lot more calm but everything going on has been stressing her out. This’ll be her first conflict as General, she’s been in the military for a long time but this time she’ll be calling the shots on the field so she’s just trying to be careful,” Bad said shrugging. “Nice folks, heart in the right place but you caught ‘em at a bad time. Why are you here now?”

“Same reason. Eret asked me to come as a strategist.” Techno said. “War needs experience, I guess that’s why she asked me to come.”

“What’s war? You guys keep talking about it and I don’t know what it means.” Theseus asked abruptly. Bad looked as though he had frozen to the spot and Skeppy was trying not to laugh at him but Techno just turned and looked at Theseus unbothered.

“Y’know how there are countries? Well sometimes they get into fights with lots of people on both sides. That's war.” Techno said flatly. Bad gave him an incredulous look and when Techno made eye contact he shrugged. There was no point in lying. This would be the kid’s life for a while.

“Oh. When will it be over?” Theseus asked, frowning. “It seems like a lotta work.

“I don’t know, kid, probably not for a few years.” Technoblade replied, shrugging.

“That’s a long time. I want it over now,”

“Me too, tell you what though, you and I get to live here with Skeppy and Eret and Bad until it’s over, so that doesn’t seem too bad right?” Techno asked, smiling ever so slightly and ruffling Theseus’ blond hair gently.

“I guess not,”

Dinner had gone well, Theseus ate all his food for the first time in ages, even telling Technoblade as they left the kitchen that it was “almost as good as mom’s” which seemed to be high praise for him. Techno was just glad he ate all of it. They had talked with Skeppy and Bad easily, and despite Eret not being able to join them it was a good time. Afterwards Techno had gone to the stables, Theseus trailing behind him. Someone had put away his horses and his dog wasn’t too far off from them. Techno checked what they had to eat and drink and after deciding it was good enough he grabbed his brushes from the wagon behind the stable. He would bring his books and Theseus’ things up to their rooms when they went back in. Theseus stood just inside the stable door, watching Technoblade brush the larger of the two horses meticulously.

“Why didn’t you name them?” Theseus asked, echoing his question from days earlier.

“I just didn’t.”

“Can I name them?” Theseus asked. Techno made the mistake of looking at Theseus, whose eyes were large and watery as he silently begged. Not even he could last against that look.

“...fine.” Techno conceded, sighing and shaking his head.

“Yay! This one is gonna be.... Andrew!” Theseus proclaimed proudly, looking chuffed with himself.

“That’s a good one,” Techno said, chuckling slightly.

“And the other one is gonna be Carl!” Theseus added. “Oh and the doggie! Can I name her? Pretty please?”

“Might as well,”

“Clementine!” Theseus cheered happily. The dog, who had previously been laying calmly, watching Techno and Theseus from outside the stall stood at that, walking over and wagging her tail at Theseus.

“Well she seems to like it. Nice job kid,” Techno said, smiling fondly. He continued brushing the newly named Andrew and Carl, meticulously picking out their feet and checking for any rocks before he finally let them be. Clementine, also pleased with the new moniker curled up in Carl’s stall, and Techno pulled out some dried meat from the wagon, promising he’d take her hunting the next day for some game. He knew she couldn’t understand but it gave him peace of mind at least.

He took Theseus to the wagon and grabbed his large box of books and other important trinkets within, buried under the pages, and helped Theseus grab his few things. The child frowned as he looked for something, not finding it.

“What’re you missin’?” Techno asked.

“My teddy bear, mom gave it to me, I had it hidden in my bag!” Theseus said, looking distressed.

“You think you forgot it at home?” Techno asked, frowning. His frown deepened when Theseus nodded, tears welling up in his eyes. “Hey, hey it’s okay kid.” he rushed, trying to think about what one of his friends would’ve said. Squid had always been better with kids, so he tried to think of what he would say. “Your teddy bear is.... Protecting your house?” He suggested. Theseus paused and sniffed, nodding slowly. It seemed to work. “He has to look after it cause you’re not there anymore.”

“...okay,” Theseus said quietly, nodding. He still looked sad but no longer like he was gonna cry, which Techno counted as a massive win in his favor. Maybe parenting wouldn’t be that bad after all.

They brought in the items, and Eret showed them to their rooms. Eret’s was at the end of the hall and Techno’s was a few doors down. Beside Techno’s room was Theseus’ room and both seemed good, better than the wagon had been. There was a fireplace in techno’s room, and he remembered the layout of it quite well. He had stayed there for some time previously, and chosen the room specifically for the fireplace and the small bathroom attached to it. It wasn’t as large and well furnished as Eret’s washroom or any of the others in the castle, but there was running water, a sink, a toilet and a bathtub. That was more than enough for Techno, who had long since grown used to mostly washing up in rivers. Techno let Theseus settle in his room and showed him where to go if he needed help before slipping into his room. He put his books on the empty shelves and the various treasures were hidden in the room. His jewelry box set on the nightstand.

He opened the dresser and found some clean clothes that he had previously left. That would also be nice, laundry wouldn’t be such a pain. He bathed himself and got Theseus to stop jumping on the bed long enough to catch him and wrangle him into the bath as well afterwards. He had protested heavily until he hit the warm water, sinking into it almost immediately. He still protested as Techno scrubbed the dirt off his face and out of his hair but it was half-hearted and he seemed quite happy afterwards, wrapped in a blanket and wearing clean pajamas donated by Eret from when they were young. They were a bit big but Theseus said they were comfortable. Techno got him settled into bed and blew out the oil lamp in the room, leaving him to sleep. Techno lit his fireplace and stoked the fire until it was roaring steadily, warming the room. He blew out his own oil lamp after grabbing one of his novels, deciding on an old hero tale he had been fond of. He settled into the rocking chair by the fireplace, opening the well worn pages and settling in to lose himself in the story.

He had always cherished the fact he could read, and he was thankful for the escape. Sometimes he found solace from everything around him in the pages of a good story. He particularly enjoyed adventures with a clear hero. He never saw himself in those pages, and though as strange as it may have seemed it was nice. He wanted an escape from himself, not a reflection of him on the pages. He was okay with the fact he didn’t see himself in the heroes, though all too often he saw himself in the monsters the heroes slayed. He wasn’t proud of it, and he’d never speak of those events aloud, he’d never admit to what he’d done to anyone who he cared for. Though he didn’t know how much longer he could ignore it when Puffy knew. He had no doubt Sam knew as well. The hatred and fear in his eyes as they had stood face to face earlier told him all he needed to know. He didn’t know if Eret would still accept his help if he knew, but he had to try to explain himself. Nothing would justify it, but he wanted to help people this time. Not hurt them. He paused, shaking away the thoughts, it would only encourage them to start up once more. He hadn’t gotten a handle on them just for them to pop up now of all times. He had become so wrapped up in his book that he hadn’t realized the door opened until he heard it click shut. He turned, almost expecting Eret, but instead seeing Theseus, blanket around his shoulders, sniffing and wiping at his eyes.

“Hey… what are you doing up?” Techno asked, tilting his head and closing his book, finger on the page he was on, holding it ajar.

“I couldn’t sleep…” Theseus said, sounding as though he had been sobbing. Techno frowned and gestured to him to come closer, and as he stepped into the firelight Techno could see his eyes. They were red and watery, bloodshot and puffy. His cheeks were tear-stained and he looked awful.

“Nightmare again?” Techno asked. Theseus nodded. Techno thought for a moment. He didn’t know how to comfort kids very well. “Is there something you want me to do?” He asked, figuring it wouldn’t hurt to just ask him.

“Mom would always cuddle with me…” Theseus said softly, not looking up to meet Techno’s eyes at all, but he got the message. He leaned forward and gestured him forward. Theseus took a few steps closer and Techno picked him up, placing him down on his lap. He shifted Theseus so the child was laying across his lap, leaning against his arm and chest.

“Does this work?” Technoblade asked, hoping he was doing it right. He’d seen other parents do this, but he wasn’t sure. Theseus nodded and rested his head on Techno’s chest gently. “You want me to read to you?” he asked, getting another silent nod. Techno flipped the book open to the first page, and started reading aloud off the first page. He felt Theseus cuddle into him, pulling his blanket closer around himself while yawning softly. Time escaped him, and what felt like minutes went by before he paused and looked down, to see Theseus fast asleep in his arms. He felt like he couldn’t move without waking him, and looked around to see if there was a way to take him to bed, but there wasn’t. So Techno resigned himself to sleeping in the rocking chair that night, gently putting the book down on the small table beside him. He sighed and leaned back, holding Theseus gently and closing his eyes. He smiled slightly as he felt Theseus grab onto his shirt tightly with his small hand. Maybe it was worth sleeping on the chair tonight if it meant Theseus slept soundly. It wasn’t so bad.

[liam-cadmus]

Sasuke thumps his head on the table, annoyed at the cooing he can hear from upstairs. He straightens up before letting the wet rag fall on the counter, moving to the sink to wash his hands, wincing at Ino’s very loud squeal. He grumbles, before walking around the island, walking to the bottom of the stairs. “Ino, shut the fuck up!” he says calmly in a loud voice, listening to Ino closing the door upstairs and appearing on the top of the stairs with a journal? book? on her arms, with some pictures haphazardly balanced on top. 

She walks— sprints down the stairs, sidestepping him and dumping the pile on a table, her nails digging to his arm. “Sasuke, you didn’t tell me you were childhood sweethearts with Hinata!” she exclaims, making him splutter in disbelief, cheeks coloring in bemusement. “What do you mean? I never—” he caught sight of the pictures, before groaning, hiding his face in his palms. He doesn’t remember, and he didn’t expect that Ino will see this. He thought Ino was the better choice to help him with organizing his house, rather than Naruto and Sakura. 

“We were not sweethearts. We were just friends,” he enunciates, tone slightly defensive, “and besides, it broke off when the massacre happened.” he added glumly. Ino sighs out in exasperation, with pity? amusement? exhaustion? before flicking him on the forehead, spreading the pictures in a line. His brows raise when he caught some glimpses of Shikamaru’s hair, looking at Ino expectantly. “My mom was genin teammates with their dads. Playdates.” 

She huffs forlornly, “You three are hopeless.” He just gives her a shrug, watching over her shoulder as she looks at the pictures one by one. The pile doesn’t have that much pictures, mostly drawings with crayons with scribbled names or half-assed drawings, some with neat lines and proper colors and some mostly empty and scarce. She giggles at one, seeing a wobbly stroke of brown crayon, and small writing in the corner saying : Shika fell asleep again. - Hinata and Sasuke.

He rolls his eyes, failing to hide the smile slipping on his lips as Ino plucks a picture of Mikoto, Hiashi and Shikaku with their three kids in front, ranging around 2-3 years old, wobbly standing and holding unto each other with tight grips. “You were adorable,” she teases, hand hovering over his chubby cheeks and doe onyx eyes, making him scowl, “I was not.” 

“You were.” she laughs, “although you look like an cat hissing a fit whenever you’re scowling.” It was a running joke with Team 7, who at this point are used to his glares and scowls, his intimidation tactic failing, instead looking like one of the cats in the Uchiha compound. He nudges her shoulder instead, Ino taking another picture , moving platinum blonde hair away from her face, blue eyes lighting up in mischief. A shy Hinata peeks from behind him, with a dozing Shikamaru sitting on the ground on his other side, leaning on him. He has a wide smile, hand resting on the tiny brown ponytail. 

Ino snickers, as he takes another one, seeing the three of them wearing kimonos walking hand-by-hand on the streets, the orange tint of the lanterns reflecting off of their dark hair. There’s another one, with the camera close to their faces, a lavender eye and upturned pink lips on the left corner, with Shikamaru’s hair popping up from the bottom, Sasuke’s eye appearing on the right. “You were such cute kids.” she comments, Sasuke finding it hard to refuse the compliment. Maybe, he isn’t, but Hinata and Shikamaru definitely were— are. He flushes at the realization, averting his eyes and stacking the papers instead. 

He tugs on Ino’s shirt, making the woman stand, before relenting to his request, going up the stairs. “Fine, fine, I’ll get going with organizing it.” He smirks, “I’ll let you shift through them later, just finish them first.” She perks up, before darting up, the enthusiastic “Yes!” echoing. He doesn’t get why Ino is excited about it, after all, she was also Shikamaru and Hinata’s bestfriend, she should’ve seen their childhood photos. “I never saw yours, or ones with the three of you. They didn’t even tell me you were childhood sweethearts!” she answers his spoken out loud thought, he glowers grumpily at the sweethearts mentioned, before pocketing his hands. 

He wanders back to the kitchen, taking the discarded rag and wiping the marble counter, moving down to the bottom cabinets. He lets himself hum and get lost in his thoughts, efficiently barreling through his old essentials, throwing away the long used cleaning supplies. He dusts his pants off, swiping at the dust and cobwebs clinging on his arms, before washing his hands carefully. He runs a wet hand through his hair, the black strands staying out of his face as he dries his hands off.

The rest of the house is already clean and organized, including the Itachi’s old bedroom which was surprisingly in good condition, the awards and clothes well kept and free of dust. His old bedroom was easy to discard of the old stuff toys and smaller clothing, changing the muted blue bedding for dark grey, softer ones, and refilling his closet with clothes that do fit him, with his now better color scheme. He absently places the new tea cups on the counter before placing the kettle over open flame, taking the bags of groceries to the fridge while waiting.

He places the tin of cookies beside the cups, as he fills the fridge with fresh cartons of milk, alongside the newly bought perishable goods. He washes the vegetables, plucking a cherry tomato and eating it while placing the fruits in the basket. He pours hot water as the tea bag bobs on the surface, opening the cookie tin to get a shortbread, nibbling on it as he listens to the fumbling from upstairs, heard from the kitchen. He stays quiet as Ino budges the door open loudly, stomping down the stairs, the wood creaking loud as she appears in the doorway, papers flying in her wake.

She looks at him with a determinedly grim expression, offering a smile— that looks more like a grimace, before waving two scrolls in her hand. His mismatched eyes narrow in instinct, the gold sheen on the white paper and the chakra presence of his parents intact on the delicate sheet. “What is that supposed to be—?” he asks hesitantly, not liking the information about to be told. “I don’t know, you tell me. I just found them in a box named Sasuke, with a seal on it.”

A box with my name on it? he thinks incredulously, mouth opening to ask before he shuts it closed, taking the offered scrolls instead. His brows knitted together in concentration as Ino takes the full cup of tea, taking a chocolate cookie daintily. He channels his chakra through the frisky seal, before it opens, his parent’s chakra hitting him full-force. He unfurls the top with bated breath, meticulously written words with precise and sure strokes of ink in beautiful handwriting— his mother’s appear on the sheer reflective white paper. It’s a marriage contract, he realizes, as his eyes follow the words written, the stark black ink blurring against the blinding white.

Marriage contract. With the Hyuugas. Ensuring the bond, and making peace. No more fights. His Sharingan whirl in horror, even if he is inwardly pleased, a pink blush appearing on his cheeks. He blinks, each time dragging on longer, before he reads the last part, seeing the Hyuuga Hinata written in Hiashi Hyuuga’s writing, blocky straight letters against Fugaku’s neatly scribbled one. The date is stamped with the Hyuuga and Uchiha stamp, as he releases a tense breath, shaking fingers following the chakra infused signature of his father.

He stays there staring at his mother’s writing, the cursive handwriting and the loops making him reminiscent of his own, ‘pretty’ handwriting. He exhales through clenched teeth, before pushing it aside, Ino taking it from his hands. He focuses on the other one, blowing the hair out of his face while his chakra unlocks the seal. Ino lets out a surprised ‘ah’ of understanding, munching quietly while she mouths some words, her chakra simmering under her skin. “So it is a marriage contract,” she murmurs wistfully, rolling it to a scroll, “I had my suspicions.”

“I assume you already seen one of these?” he asks, while his eyes start to skim through a different handwriting, tilting his head on the swiftly written words, the ends of some letters dragging lazily. He inhales deeply in realization, Ino letting out some sort of squeak, her eyes widening. “That’s Yoshino Nara’s writing.” He winces, before pulling the curled bottom of the scroll, patting it flat on the counter as he catches on his name on the bottom. Again. With Shikamaru’s name on the side.

Ino whistles in a low voice, amusedly looking at the scrolls side-by-side. “You have a lot on your plate, Uchiha.” He groans, pinching his nose in annoyance before whining pitifully, “Why me.” Ino smirks. “Stop being dramatic, I’m sure your parents wouldn’t contract Itachi with a kid your age. And it seemed like you were being prepared as a heir for emergency situations.” He levels her with a flat stare, “Well, it worked out, because I somehow became the clan head.” he answers with his dry humor.

“Stop with your deprecating shit Uchiha, and find out a way with these.” she points to the scrolls, while he leans on the counter, resting his head on his palms. His elbow digs on the hard surface, but he pays it no mind, biting his lip. “Are these still true? I mean, isn’t Hinata and Shikamaru engaged right now?” he hisses, remembering the two lovebirds recently declaring it. He turns a hopeless glance at Ino, “Can I turn this down? Since my parents aren’t technically here to make it true?”

“Sasuke, you could ask Shikaku-san and Hiashi-san about it.” Ino admits, “Although I’m not sure how this will work considering it’s a chakra-focused marriage contract.” He blows a shaky breath out, before dropping his head on his arms. He mumbles, the sound muffled on his arms, while Ino leans closer to hear the muted, quiet voice. “I don’t want to ruin their marriage.” 

“You aren’t ruining it, Sasuke, you didn’t even know,” she insists, frowning at the tiredly spoken admission. “Maybe they can consider you?” she tries to lighten it, only receiving hunched shoulders and Sasuke burying his face further in his folded arms. The state of the Uchiha is depressing, the male still deep in his after-war depression, even if others are already moving on. Not that Ino can blame him, the people around him constantly crushing him down with whispers and insults behind his back, some of them failing to hide their disdain. 

She sighs, rubbing at her childhood friend’s arm, listening to Sasuke calming down his breathing, his chakra tense and tight like a string. She became Sasuke’s confidant, after his time in the cells, trusting her enough to let her look through his memories. She soothes him, until his chakra coils uncurls into light flickering. Sasuke rubs at his eyes in exhaustion, temples pounding and his eyes aching. She doesn’t open her mouth, instead helping Sasuke clean up the used cups and tin, wiping off the crumbs and droplets of tea on the counter, before taking the scrolls and placing it on the table. 

She arranges the pictures and drawings, placing the scrolls on the side, making sure to not let it roll off. “You know, you’re allowed to be loved, Sasuke.” she smiles, as Sasuke’s eyes dart to her in a glance, “You’re not unlovable, you just grew up unloved.” Dark mismatched eyes cloud over as she pats his shoulder, “I’m here, your team’s always here. You’re not alone. Not anymore.” she presses her cheek on his, “You’re like my little brother now.” 

Sasuke huffs a amused breath, “I don’t fit in the little, in your description.” he says, but hugs her nonetheless, letting himself be vulnerable for once. “You’re always gonna be like a little brother, you don’t have the bones to be an older one.” Sasuke turned misty eyes to her, “I guess not.” 

“You’ve always have been. Now, I’m gonna go and let you settle in. Just send me a hawk, Chiya if possible, when you want or need help, okay?” she says, while she tightens the laces on her shoes, the door ajar. He nods, “I’ll think about it. Thank you, Ino.” She flashes him a smirk, making him grunt in amusement, as she flips her hair over her shoulder. “Ta-ta.” 

The door slams shut, as the tea cups dry off on the rack, while he returns them in their proper places, eye trailing over to the scroll on his way to the stairs. He stops by the table, thumb grazing the seals while he sits down, letting his cheek sit atop his hand. His eyes reads the words again, repeating it over and over his head, dazed. He takes two empty sheets of paper, taking a brush and an ink pot before settling down on the chair. 

He writes with clear lines, signing the letter with a flourish. He seals the scrolls with his chakra, stamping an Uchiha crest on the outside before summoning two hawks, tying it securely in their claws. Ishi and Aya stays on his shoulders, rubbing their wings on his duck butt of a hair affectionately before flying out the opened window, flapping of wings disappearing into the night. Hopefully, they receive his invitation, and talk about the contract. 

No, Shikaku did not die. And yes, Sasuke does have two intact arms. Bless me, I wrote this at 10 pm, and finished in 2 hours. I need sleep. I think I forgot to emphasize that Sasuke has a Rinnegan-

[forever--darling]

not too far away - s.m. (part nine)

a/n: where they all celebrate the reader’s birthday to only hear some news they never were expecting

warnings: 9.6k words of fluff, birthday celebrations, and happy shawn

IX. safe pair of hands

him 

Shawn was late. He knew he was but he had been stuck on a phone call meeting with Andrew and then afterwards changed his shirt three times. Even as he pulled up into the Y/L/N driveway he still wasn’t sure if he looked alright. He was in his normal black jeans with a white three-quarter button up polo that had light blue and navy blue detailing along the collar, the bottom of the sleeves, and down where the buttons were. A black watch adorned his left wrist and a black and orange beaded bracelet was on the other. A black ring was located on his ring finger on his right hand which he couldn’t stop fiddling with and his curls were muzzled with a little bit of gel. 

Shawn was usually a confident guy, he knew he looked good, but at that moment all he could feel was insecure and nervous. Maybe it was because finally out loud he was going to voice his feelings to Y/N that night or maybe it was because for the first time they were going to be around people as more than just two best friends. Either way, he was a stuttering, red-faced mess. 

The weather was fairly warm, the sun shining down, causing him to drive with sunglasses shielding his eyes. As he parked the car along the side of the street since the driveway was already full with cars, he taped his fingers against the steering wheel nervously as he eyed the house that appeared lit up from the outside. It was one thirty so Shawn was only an hour and a half late but still late nonetheless. 

He took a deep breath before he got out of the car and headed towards the front door of the very large house, a bouquet of light pink peonies and a small rectangular wrapped box in his hands. Stood on the doorstep, Shawn didn’t even bother to knock but just went in. It was quieter than he expected with just a few voices coming from the kitchen along with clinking from pots and pans. He ventured in further and as he peeked his head into the kitchen he instantly caught sight of his mom, Katherine, and a few of their family friends slaving over platters of food.

After Aaliyah had proposed the idea of the party, it only took a day later for Shawn to be presenting the idea to Katherine and Bradley which they easily accepted. For days, he helped them plan the food, the decorations, and the invites. He even had created the invites onto a website and ordered a bunch before sending them out. The original plan was to have the party be a surprise but Shawn knew that it would be better if Y/N was able to tell him who and who he shouldn’t invite. I mean he hadn’t been around her for years so he didn’t have a clue who she hangs around these days. 

At first, she seemed hesitant about the party and all the people that would be attending but warmed up to the idea faster than Shawn anticipated. Besides the guest list, Y/N didn’t know about anything else about the party. He took care of the rest with the help of her parents and Aaliyah who had begged Shawn to let her help. He was meant to be at the house early to help set up but his phone call had gone way longer than it was supposed to so here he was probably the last on there. 

He took a step into the kitchen and instantly could smell all of the food. From cheesy potatoes to caesar salad, pickle roll-ups, meatballs, and cheese bread. It seemed that any kind of food that Y/N liked filled the kitchen which happened to be a lot. Also in the corner of the room, Shawn could see all of the desserts that had been picked. Multiple trays of cupcakes and cookies filled the white platter, all the way to the top. He figured that the food hadn’t been served yet and that Brad and his father, Manny were still grilling all of the meats outside. 

“Shawn Mendes, it’s so nice of you to join us,” Katherine’s voice rang out as she stirred a pot of some kind of soup or maybe it was some sort of dip. 

Stepping further into the room, he offered an apologetic smile, “I know I’m late.” 

Karen sent her son a disapproving look, “You bet your ass you’re late.” 

“I’m sorry, my meeting with Andrew ran long over the phone and then I couldn’t find the right shirt to wear and it took me at least ten minutes to find a bouquet of peonies because the guy had to look in the back of the floral shop for them and I’m just sorry,” Shawn rambled as Katherine approached him with a wide smile. 

“Nonsense Karen, just be glad that he’s here,” Katherine smiled at the young boy as she pulled him in for a hug, whispering low in his ear, “Thank you for all of this. You’ve made Y/N so happy.” 

“Well, Y/N makes me really happy too,” he replied back to Y/N’s mother gaining a soft kiss on the cheek from the older woman. 

She released Shawn from the hug and wiped at her eyes that were starting to glaze over with tears as she took the bouquet of flowers from his hand, “I’ll put these in some water for her.” 

Katherine walked over towards the sink where she began to fill a vase with water as Shawn’s attention fell onto his mother who was smiling at her son with bright eyes and so much love. Her hand landed on his shoulder and her voice was filled with so much honesty, “I’m so proud of you my boy.” 

“It’s really nothing, Mom. I’m just doing what I can to make her day special.” Shawn shrugged as he placed the rectangular jewelry box into the back pocket of his jeans.  

Karen stroked her son’s cheek, “You’re doing a great job at that, everyone seems to be having a great time.” 

“Is everyone here already?” Shawn questioned the head craning out to get a look out the glass door towards the porch. 

“Yes pretty much everyone,” Karen smiled, “All of Y/N’s family came at noon and most of her friends arrived a little after that. The only person I haven’t seen is Lauren.” 

Shawn sucked in a breath at the name. He hadn’t talked or seen the girl since he had rejected her advances of getting back together. He never thought that when he was talking about the guest list with Y/N, that she would’ve wanted Lauren put on it. But Y/N’s reasoning was that for years as kids they had been really close friends and though their relationship sort of fell apart when Shawn began dating Lauren she wanted everyone she cared about to attend the party. Shawn knew there was a chance that for one day Lauren could’ve put her personal problems with him aside for one day, for Y/N but knew that there was a greater chance she would disregard the invite altogether. 

“Oh well,” Shawn mumbled eyes meeting his mother’s, “Who knows maybe she’ll show later.” 

“Yeah maybe,” Karen agreed trying to keep her hopes up as well. 

Katherine had placed the flowers into a clear vase and had set them in the middle of the dark marble island before she motioned to the glass door that led out towards the porch, “Shawn, darling, everyone is outside and Y/N is playing a round of cards if you want to join.” 

“Okay, sounds good,” he said sending one last smile towards his mom as he made his way towards the door. 

As soon as he opened it and slid out onto the wooden porch the noise level had jumped. There were pink, white, and gold balloons tied in multiple places along the railings. Lights hung up around the porch waiting for the sun to go down to be turned on and underneath it all was a large glass table that extended over half the wooded area with six plastic chairs surrounding it. Every chair was filled with Y/N’s family members which Shawn instantly recognized from past gatherings except there was one guy who sat across the table next to Y/N’s grandfather and Demi that he had never seen before. They all sat with cards in their hands and there at the head of the table was Y/N with the smallest stack of cards out of everyone. 

“Three Kings,” Demi said from across the table. 

Instantly without a second to waste Y/N yelled from where she sat, “Bullshit!” 

“You’re such a little bitch,” Demi exclaimed laughter lacing in her words. 

Everyone at the table let out bellows and laughs as Demi reached towards the center of the table taking the stack of cards. She rolled her eyes towards Y/N who sent her a shit-eating grin. Shawn chuckled from where he stood in the doorway and one by one everyone began to notice his presence. 

“Shawn Mendes, well I’ll be damned,” The voice came from the spot next to Y/N which happened to be Y/N’s Uncle John, “Look at you all grown up!” 

Y/N’s head snapped up towards where her Uncle’s voice was directed to and as her eyes fell on Shawn, a large smile pulled at her lips. He sent her a small wink causing her cheeks to flush as the table chorused with multiple greetings. 

“Why don’t you pull up a chair and get in on this,” Uncle John said placing his cards face down on the table. 

“Actually it’s perfect timing,” Demi cut in standing from her spot at the table offering her cards to Shawn, “You can take my spot.” 

Counting the cards in his hand he scoffs, “Oh I see how it is, leave me with the most cards.” 

Demi pats his shoulder as she heads towards the door to go into the kitchen, “Well, sorry but can’t do much when you’re playing against Y/N.” 

“Ah we’ll see,” Shawn chuckled as he made his way towards the seat Demi had been sitting in which happened to be next to James when Y/N’s grandpa who was sitting on the other side of Y/N stood up. 

“Shawn, why don’t you take a seat here. Maybe ruffle some of Y/N’s feathers since I clearly am not doing the job,” Grandpa Arthur said teasingly, eyes set on the seat next to James. 

“You sure?” he asked as the older man who was dressed in a light tan sweater vest and had his white hair gelled into place passed him giving a small pat to his shoulder. 

“Yeah. Plus I think I’m going to go rough up on James a little,” Grandpa Arthur chuckled taking a seat next to the older Y/L/N sibling who had a large grin on his face. 

“Bring it on old man,” James sassed back gaining laughter from his grandfather. 

The whole table started to laugh at the bickering going on between the grandson and grandfather giving Shawn enough time to slip into the seat next to Y/N. “Hi,” she whispered towards him causing his whole stomach to flutter. 

As he took in her appearance up close he felt his breath get stuck in his throat at how stunning she looked. A sight for sore eyes, for sure. Her short hair was down and in loose curls that were tucked behind her ears revealing her double pierced lobe and one diamond earring that was a cartilage piercing. That’s new, Shawn thought to himself as his eyes took in the rest of her. Y/N was dressed in a short white off the shoulder dress that had small sunflowers littered across it with a pair of small nude heels. Her fingers were painted in white nail polish and she had a golden delicate necklace around her neck that had a short chain and was covered with small gold stars all the way around. Her makeup was bronzed, light, and glowing in the sunlight as it hit her face. Her skin was golden and shiny and Shawn’s eyes couldn’t help but wander across her exposed shoulders to her legs. He was sure that she was an angel. 

“Hi,” he whispered back, knee bumping hers under the table, “Sorry, I’m a bit late. You look beautiful by the way.” 

Her face flushed like it always did when Shawn complimented her and he wanted nothing more than to lean over and place a soft kiss on the heated skin but knew better than to with all the people that were around. “Thanks, but we both know flattery isn’t going to get you anywhere.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?” Shawn asked, raising an eyebrow as he leaned closer to her.

“It means I’m about to beat your ass in a round of Bullshit,” she challenged with a smile on her face. 

Shawn fell back against the plastic lawn chair, hand gripping his chest as multiple ooh’s surrounded the table at Y/N’s words. Sending her a cheeky grin, his eyes fell onto the blackboard that was rolled up behind his chair. That thing had been around for years and it built his ego every time he saw it. He bit onto his lower lip and instantly noticed the way Y/N’s eyes diverted to them. “Alright, whatever you say but maybe you should take a look back at the board again to see whose name is at the top.” 

The chalk was starting to fade but it was still legible. There at the top in blue was Shawn’s name with a large star next to it. Y/N’s was right below his with fewer tallies next to her name than his had. Every game of bullshit played, the winner would get a tally, and after all this time Shawn’s name still appeared to have the most. 

Silence filled the table as they watched the birthday girl’s eyes shift towards the board and back to Shawn who was now leaning back in his chair, legs spread open and hands in his lap organizing the set of cards he had. Y/N and Shawn were always competitive when it came to Bullshit and everyone knew that they were in for a treat. 

Y/N’s sparkling eyes shifted back to Shawn’s full of determination and a hint of amusement. She smirked, “That’s going to change by the end of tonight.” 

“Getting a little cocky don’t you think?” he asked with a smile on his lips. 

Y/N shook her head, “Not at all.” 

Shawn chuckled and was about to let out another smart ass comment when Uncle John’s voice broke through the air, “Alright easy there, kids. That’s enough for now. Okay, so we made it through the lineup which means we can start at the top.” 

He looked through his cards and plucked one from the middle placing it face down starting a new pile, “One Ace.”

Then it was James’s turn who took two cards from his hand, “Two twos.” 

“Four threes,” Grandpa Arthur mumbled, pushing four cards onto the pile. 

“Bullshit,” Uncle John howled from his spot at the table. 

Grandpa Arthur only chuckled, “Try again Sonny.” He flipped over the cards to reveal that he, in fact, had four threes. 

Uncle John let out a small growl as he gathered the card pile from the center of the table into his hands. They were onto fours and it came up to the guy Shawn still didn’t know. Y/N must have sensed Shawn’s confusion because just as the guy went to play his turn, she cut him off. 

“Oh, right,” she announced, “Shawn this is Demetrius, his aunt owns my favorite book shop in the city. She’s around here somewhere anyways he helps out around there. Working and all that so yeah.” 

“Uh, it’s nice to meet you man,” Shawn replied sending him a smile. 

“Yeah you too,” Demetrius replied setting down two cards, “Two fours.” 

“Bullshit,” Shawn stated quickly.

Demetrius let out a displeased chuckle as he picked his two cards back up and shoved them into his hand. Fives, Shawn thought to himself. He looked to the cards in his hands and sent a glance towards Y/N who was peeking over her cards a small grin forming on her lips. Chewing on his bottom lip, Shawn took the three fives that were in his stack which happened to be the five of clubs, diamonds, and spades. 

“Three fives,” he said shoving the face down cards into the middle waiting to see if anyone was going to think he was bluffing. 

Y/N nodded towards him as her eyes glanced at her own cards plucking one of her own, “One six.” 

“You know the key to this game is to get rid of your cards as fast as you can,” he teased causing her to roll her eyes in response, “That and being able to read people.” 

“Three sevens,” Uncle John played his turn. 

“One eight,” James mumbled.

Grandpa Arthur went, “Four nines.” 

“Bullshitttt,” Shawn shouted without even glancing up and away from his cards.

Grandpa Arthur grabbed the cards and added them to his hand, “You got me there, boy. Got me there.” 

Shawn smiled approvingly towards Y/N who just shook her head at him trying to hide the smile that was fighting its way onto her lips. 

“What are we at?” Demetrius asked scanning through his cards.

“Tens,” Y/N responded foot kicking Shawn’s lightly under the table. 

His foot kicked back at hers as Demetrius laid his turn onto the table, “Two tens.” 

Jacks. Shawn instantly took his cards and put them into the pile, eyes once again finding hers, “Two Jacks.” 

“Bullshit,” Y/N stated loudly. Everyone became silent and watched in amusement as Shawn’s lips pulled into a smirk.

“You think I’m bluffing?” he asked. 

She nodded leaning forward in her chair lips pursed wrist settling under her chin hiding the cards in her hand, “Yeah, I do.” 

Shawn pointed towards the cards in the middle of the table and leaned back into his chair once again, “Why don’t you take a look.” 

Y/N took the two cards on the top and flipped them over. She shook her head, a small smile on her lips as she looked back towards Shawn. The smirk still sat on his lips as he watched a defeated sigh pass through the girl next to him, “Well, what do you have?” 

“Two Jacks,” she admitted flipping them over to show everyone else at the table, who all began to laugh, before grabbing all of the cards in the middle and adding to her deck that was once getting smaller but now had doubled in size.

“I was telling the truth,” Shawn exclaimed cheekily, “So you think you can still beat me?” 

Her eyes turned to slits as she tucked a piece of hair, that had fallen out from behind her ear, back into place. “Bring it on, Mendes!” 

“Alright, well it’s your turn, hotshot,” he replied knee bumping hers again.

“Okay,” she said head held high as she scanned her cards, “Three Queens.” 

Shawn smiled, “Bullshit.” 

He watched as her expression unfolded. She let out a groan and in seconds her perfectly manicured fingers were picking up the cards from the center and after they were safely in her hands, she hit him in the thigh. “I’m going to hurt you.” 

+

her

It was now Shawn’s turn and since you had started you had managed to call him out on his bluffs in his last four turns. The cards in his hands had multiplied and he had at least twelve while you only had seven. You were on sixes and he was staring down at the cards intensely, tongue poking out of the side of his mouth. You were silent and watched him with a sweet smile on your lips. 

On the other side of the table, your Grandpa Arthur was making small talk with Demetrius who had gotten quiet after Shawn had shown up. Leaning into your chair, your head leaned against the plastic backrest as Shawn rubbed his chin in concentration. That’s when you heard the pair of feet patting up the stairs. Looking over, your gaze met the younger Mendes sibling who had been down in the yard setting up the music in the time being. She came over and stood by your chair, chin placed on the back of your chair, head against yours. 

Shawn glanced up at the new presence and sent a smile towards his sister as he reached out and gave her a small pinch in her side. She slapped his hand away causing him to chuckle. Aaliyah had her long dark hair straight across her back as she was dressed in a maroon dress that fell to above her knees and had a high neckline looking as beautiful as ever. 

“Let me guess,” she smiled, “Bullshit?” 

“You bet ya and Y/N is kicking the pants off of your brother,” your Uncle John smiled watching as Shawn just waved his hand at the older gentlemen. 

Aaliyah’s eyes widened, “Really?” 

“Yeah, yeah but not for long,” Shawn defended attention falling back onto his cards. 

“Alright, Mendes, if you say so,” you said showing Aaliyah the cards in her hand. 

He began to shuffle his cards around ignoring the comments going around the table, “Let me get back on track here. Three Sixes.” 

He put the cards into the middle without another second to hesitate but you had him right where you wanted him, “Bullshit.” 

You watched as Shawn’s head turned to you and his mouth opened in disapproval. His head fell back against his seat and a small noise of protest passed his lips. 

“That’s right I said it. Bullshit,” you said again this time louder. 

Shawn took the three cards from the pile and flipped them over revealing an Ace, Three, and a King. “Damn it!” He growled smiling over towards you. 

You let out a loud string of giggles, giving him one more long look as you stand from your spot at the table. Handing Aaliyah your cards, you adjust your dress and start to head towards the glass door to head back inside to the kitchen when Shawn’s voice yells after you, “Giving up already?” 

“Nope, just taking a break,” you called back as you opened the door and moved inside. 

In the kitchen, you found your mother, Karen, Loretta, and Demi. They were making small talk and there stood by the counter was your best friend shoving a cookie into her mouth. At the sound of the door, all of the women looked up to noticing your warm cheeks and large contagious smile that was on your lips. 

“Hi, hun,” your mom smiled, “How’s the game going?” 

Taking small steps towards the island you nodded as your hands knotted in the bottom of your dress, “It’s going great, Mom.” 

“Are you having a good time?” she asked taking a sip from the glass of wine that was in her hand. 

“The best,” you said honestly, “Thank you for the party.” 

Your mom nodded towards you reaching forward to rub your arm, “It’s nothing really. Just want you to have the best birthday you can.”

“Well it’s definitely high up there on the list,” you admitted inching your way towards the edge of the kitchen, “I’m just going to use the bathroom.” 

You made your way through the kitchen and as you passed Demi sent her a look before exiting the room and heading down the hall towards the bathroom. Walking in, you closed the door behind you and stood in front of the mirror looking into your reflection. You carefully fixed the few pieces of hair that were out of place and let out a soft sigh. As you stared at yourself and the smile on your face you realized that these last few weeks had been the happiest you had seen yourself in so long. It was because of all those people who were outside. It was your family, your friends, all those people that cared about you so deeply, that made you smile so much that your cheeks would start to hurt. 

They were the people that made your life worthwhile and you had gotten so lucky in the family and friends department. Most of all it was because of Shawn. He made you the happiest of all, in ways you didn’t know you were capable of feeling. Since your kiss, you two had been taking things slow. You hadn’t kissed since and hadn’t verbally admitted your feelings to each other but you were sure that you didn’t have too. That you both just knew how you felt about each other and words didn’t need to be said. He had been so understanding about your fears and wanting to go slow. It must have been hard for him, considering he was a guy but the last week had been crazy ever since your visit to the hospital. 

But even with the news of the cancer being back you had managed to smile through it. Days after you had gotten together again with Dr. Myers and gone through the plans of the surgery and everything. He was still hesitant about the fact that you were waiting to have it but you were a stubborn girl. You wanted it after your birthday and that’s the way it was going to be. In fact, you were having it in three days. A day after Shawn boards his plane and goes back to LA. You still weren’t sure how you were going to tell him or if you were going to tell him because he was still Shawn Mendes. 

He still had a life out of your small town of Pickering and your apartments in the city. When you were sick the first time, he didn’t have a place or time in his life to sit at your bedside waiting for you to get better and things hadn’t changed. He still wouldn’t have time for that and you couldn’t be a burden to him. He had a life, a career to get back to you and there just was no place for you, and you could only hope that one day he’d understand that even if he never gets to hear you explain it to him. 

A soft knock at the bathroom door interrupts you from your thoughts and in walks Demi with her long curls and yellow long sleeve romper. You don’t turn to look at her and keep your eyes locked onto your reflection struggling to swallow the lump that’s formed in your throat. “Hey, is everything okay?” 

“It’s back,” you whispered turning to look at her over your shoulder. 

At your simple answer, she looked at you confused but as her eyes met yours it’s like a switch went off in her brain and her face fell. She reached out to you and took your hands in hers. “Oh shit. Y/N.” 

You nodded and gripped her hands tightly in hers. “How long have you known?” she asked. 

“I went to the hospital late last week and I got tests and there is a small group of Mets where one of my ovaries used to be,” you explained. 

The frown on Demi’s face deepened and you can see the tears that are forming in her eyes. You quickly pulled her into your arms and began to rub her back softly, “Hey, I’m going to be okay. It’s all going to be fine. I’m having surgery in a few days to get them removed. No chemo.” 

“W-What are the risks?” she asked voice cracking. 

“Well,” you paused trying to gather your thoughts, “There’s a few but we don’t need to worry about them.” 

You were trying to calm her down because you couldn’t have other people finding out. The only reason you told her is because you needed to get this out of your system to someone without the whole day falling apart. She wouldn’t tell anyone, for you, you knew that. 

“Y/N, I’m so sorry,” Demi cried wiping at her eyes as you hugged her tightly. 

“For what? You aren’t the one that gave me cancer,” you joked pulling back from the hug where you began to wipe her tears away. 

She gave you a look that said that your comment wasn’t funny but somehow a chuckle still fell from her lips. Shaking her head she began to wipe under her eyes, “You’re awful.” 

“No, I’m just sick,” you mumbled running your hands up and down her arms. 

“How many people know?” she questioned grabbing some toilet paper to wipe at her eyes. 

“As of right now,” you pretended to be counting on your fingers, “You.” 

“Y/N!” Demi scolded. 

“I’ll tell them,” you insisted, “I mean I kind of have to before the surgery anyway. My Dad’s my emergency contact person.” 

You could tell that Demi was getting tired of your jokes and your sarcastic attitude. Clearly, it wasn’t working to lighten the situation at all. “I know, I’m not making this any better. I’ll tell them, Dem, but not today. Everyone is so happy and for one more today, I just wanted to be treated normal. Healthy even for one more day.” 

“Then why would you tell me?” Demi asked voice straining. 

“Because I needed to tell someone and you’re you. You’re my Demi. You were there by my bedside every day when I was in the hospital. You would always sneak in the best snacks that I wasn’t allowed to have and you didn’t tell anyone that I was sick. You’re my partner in crime. I can trust you. We’ve gone through everything together and this was something I needed you to go through with me too,” you smiled tucking your hair back behind your ear. 

Demi forced a smile on her face and you knew that you had picked the right person to sit by at lunch on your first day of school at age five, “I got you.” 

Sticking her pinky out towards you, you locked yours with hers and pulled her back in for another bone-crushing hug, “God, I love you.” 

“I love you too, you hoe,” Demi said in response with sad chuckles sounding through the air. 

Pulling back, her hands reached up to cup your cheeks and she stared into your eyes so intently, “How are you so calm about all of this? How can you be so happy when you were just told that your cancer is back?” 

Your hands covered hers on your face and your lips curved up into a soft smile, “Because I was given the last almost week for it to all settle in. I’ve come to terms that life is unfucking fair and I have to deal with the cards I’ve been dealt. Plus how can I not be happy? I have the best family and the greatest friends. I have you and I’m pretty sure that the curly haired rockstar outside loves me. I can’t think of any reasons why I shouldn’t be happier on my birthday.” 

“You are the bravest person I know,” she mumbled, causing your heart to ache because there was the chance that you might not make it through this and you were going to miss this girl in front of like crazy.

“I’m honored,” you laughed feeling tears pricking at the corner of your eyes, “Okay enough of all of this deep talk or I’m going to cry and having my makeup ruined is the last thing I need today.” 

“Yeah you’re right,” Demi agreed, moving in front of the mirror to wipe at her face again, “Now get your ass out there before Shawn gets more tally marks on that damn board.” 

You smiled and gave her arm one last gentle squeeze before you made your way back through the kitchen and outside towards Shawn Mendes, the champion, of Bullshit. 

He was still sat in the same spot he was before, a bunch of cards still in his hands that he moved around every few minutes. His eyes glanced mischievously around the table like he had everyone figured out but you knew that it was just an act he used. With your hands behind your back, you moved across the porch stopping as you stood behind his chair. Your eyes scanned across his cards while you began to chew on your bottom lip. Glancing over towards Aaliyah’s cards she sent a look with a smile and you sent her wink back. Shawn seemed so sucked up into the game that he hadn’t realized you were back outside and standing behind him. Lifting your hands, you placed them on each of his shoulders feeling him tense for a second but instantly relaxing as soon as your voice fills his ears. 

You gripped his shoulders tightly in your palms, “Oh, why so tense Mendes? Worried you’re about to be beaten by your little sister?” 

He shook his head, “Nope. I’ve got this in the bag because there are very few things Aaliyah can beat me at.” 

Instantly at his comment, Shawn had received a harsh slap to his arm from Aaliyah causing a laugh to fall from his mouth. You looked at Aaliyah’s cards again. “You might want to recheck your ego.” 

“Not a chance, love,” he said looking up at you for a split second before he placed four cards onto the table, “Four Aces.” 

Aaliyah glanced from her brother to you. You raised an eyebrow at her and began to bite onto your bottom lip as your eyes looked down at Shawn’s cards in his hands then back up to her. She smiled at you as her brown eyes fell back onto Shawn. 

“Bullshit!” 

+

him 

“You know I think you told Aaliyah, that I was bluffing,” Shawn said sending a raised eyebrow towards Y/N as he took her down the porch steps and into the backyard, hand intertwined with hers. 

“No, I think your just upset that someone finally beat you in a game of Bullshit,” Y/N shot back as he stopped under the porch so they were out of sight. 

It was just after dinner, and the sun was finally starting to set. The fairy lights around the yard were lit up along with a battery operated candles that lined the white tables across the yard that were covered in soft pink sheets. Wooden benches were around the tables and the music stand was set up on a small stage near the edge of the yard looking like it was meant for a DJ, though it was just a few speakers hooked up to someone’s laptop. The desserts had been moved outside to one of the tables and only had a few cupcakes and cookies left. There were more balloons scattered across the yard along with a large number 20 balloon that Katherine had bought on a wimp. It was beautiful. Everything had gone to plan so far and Shawn knew from the way everything was set up and how the lights sparkled across Y/N’s face just right that the rest of her night was going to be just as special if not more than her day had been. 

“You want to know something,” Shawn paused leaning closer to Y/N as he lowered his voice like it was a secret that no one else could know, “I let her win.” 

She let out a laugh shoving Shawn’s chest playfully, “No, you didn’t!” 

He smiled down at Y/N and grabbed both her hands in his as they lingered on his chest. “What are we doing over here?” 

Taking his bottom lip in between his teeth, Shawn let go of one of Y/N’s hands to reach into his back pocket and take out the rectangular box. It was wrapped in golden wrapping paper, that was slightly wrinkled, and a white bow. “Giving you your birthday present.” 

Offering it out to her, she was hesitant to take it, as her eyes fluttered up to look at him, “Shawn you didn’t have to do this.” 

He smiled, “Of course I did. It’s your birthday after all.” 

“Shawn,” she sighed glancing down at the small wrapped box. 

“Hey,” his thumb ran across her wrist soothingly, “Don’t worry about it okay. Just open it.” 

She nodded, Shawn’s hands dropped from hers as she began to rip at the wrapping paper of the small box. The gold wrapping paper fell at her feet revealing a black box underneath. With a small breath, she lifted the lid off and as soon as her eyes fell down onto what was inside a gasp fell from her lips. It was a necklace. The pendant that hung from the thin golden chain was a circle, with the continents from the Western hemisphere on it. And right on North America, there was a small star right were Pickering was. 

She sputtered lifting the necklace up and out of the box by the chain, “How much did this cost?” 

“It doesn’t matter,” he responded taking the black box from her hands and setting it down on a nearby table. 

“Yes, it does,” she whispered finger tracing over the star on Pickering, “It’s so beautiful.”

“I know how much you want to travel so I tried to fit as much of the world as I could on there without making the continents too small because you wouldn’t be able to see where the star was for Pickering. Anyways, I know that you want to travel and when you do start to explore the world and begin to fall in love with all these new places, I want you to be able to look down at your neck and remember about your place here in Pickering. It’s just in case you start to forget about all the love for you here,” Shawn explained eyes sparkling as he stared down at Y/N. 

“Shawn-” 

He interrupted her, “That’s not all. Turn it over.” 

Y/N’s eyebrows furrowed in confusion as she turned the pendant around to the backside instantly feeling all air leave her lungs as she stared at a date carved into the back. 04/21/14. April 21st, 2014. It was four years ago. 

Her eyes locked with Shawn’s as his hand took one of hers in his. “That’s four years ago. The day, I left Pickering for the first time for my career. It was also the day that I realized how much you mean to me Y/N Y/L/N. That’s when I figured out that I couldn’t live without you in my life. Leaving you was probably the worst feeling I had ever experienced and every day I found myself missing your smile, and hearing your laugh. Most of all I just missed being with you and ever since that’s all I’ve ever felt. You’re my person.” 

Shawn’s smile was so large and at his confession, he could feel his cheeks turning red but he didn’t care because there she was standing in front of him smiling up at him with so much admiration and happiness as her eyes threatened to spill tears of joy. Bringing her hand up to his face, he left a kiss on her knuckles and that sent her over the edge. A single tear slipped down her cheek and onto her neck. 

A chuckle fell past her lips as she wiped at her eyes, words coming out soft and scratchy, “Will you help me put this on?” 

Shawn’s smile widened and nodded as he took the chain in his hand. She turned around and he draped the necklace around her neck as she held her hair to the side for him. He clipped the chain in place and let it fall against her neck. Y/N’s hand dropped to her side and as she was about to turn back around to face Shawn, she stopped at the feeling of his warm lips connecting to the side of her cheek, leaving a small lingering peck. And almost in an instant, she leaned back into his touch like it was a natural thing they did every day. 

+

her

You stood in the corner of the yard away from all the other guests near the spot under the porch where Shawn had given you your birthday present. Your fingers touched the pendant around your neck softly as you watched across the yard, where your best friend and the man you were pretty sure you loved, spun his sister around to Perfect by Ed Sheeran. Both smiles were present on the Mendes siblings and it caused one to form on yours as well but it didn’t last long though. 

You were instantly hit with the reality that neither one of them knew about your past years with cancer or now where you once again were presented with a sad fate. When they looked at you they didn’t see you as someone who was sick or someone who was healthy. They saw you as you. The crazy girl they grew up with who liked pineapple on her pizza and could sing the Canadian anthem from back to front. You could die and they would have no idea how or why it happened. And at the end of the day, it would be entirely your fault that they were left in the dark about the whole thing.

“Hey, what are you doing over here all alone,” you jumped at the hand that was placed on your shoulder as you came face to face with your mother. 

“Uh, just taking a second for myself is all,” you replied, hand dropping away from the necklace. 

“Is everything alright, hun?” she asked hand stroking your back lovingly

“Yeah, it’s just,” you paused hand flying back up towards your necklace, “Mom, how do you know if you’re really in love?” 

“Oh, honey, I haven’t heard you ask me that in years,” your mother revealed watching as your eyes widened in shock.

“Wait, I’ve asked you this before?” 

Your mother nodded a small chuckle falling from her lips, “Yeah, you were around five or six, and you had just came home from spending the whole day at Karen and Manny’s. You couldn’t stop going on and on about Shawn. You said he was the sweetest boy in the world and then you asked me how would you know if you were in love.” 

Your gaze fell on Shawn as he dipped Aaliyah arms wrapped around her. Fingers grasping the necklace you looked back towards your mom, lip tucked in between your teeth. “Well, what’s the answer? How do you know if you are in love?” 

“In all honesty, honey, when you know you just know. You get this sort of feeling around them like you don’t get around anyone else and all you can think about twenty-four seven is that person. When you’re together it just feels right and there’s nothing else in the world that feels better than being with them. If you’re in love, you’ll know.” 

Your grip loosened from the necklace and your arm fell limp to your side, head turning towards the yard. He was pushing his curls back out of his eyes while he wrapped his sister up into a hug just as the song came to an end. Your mother was right. You just knew. It was the way your heart would swell whenever he was around and how your body would tingle under his touch. It was the way he could always make you flustered by his words and how he would do anything for you. 

You wanted to spend every waking moment with him and when you weren’t with him, he’s all you pretty much thought about. He had been your best friend for years and all those sleepless nights you had at the age of fourteen thinking about him, you never thought had anything to do with love but now at twenty, you knew without a doubt that you had been in love with him for years. Some days you were sure and others you didn’t think you were but now it was real in your mind. No more doubt, no more excuses to deny the way you were feeling. You were in love with Shawn Mendes and there was nothing you could do about it except fall deeper into the reality of it all. 

“Y/N, dear, where did you get that necklace?” your mother asked noticing the new pendant around your neck, “It’s beautiful.” 

A soft smile formed on your lips, “Shawn gave it to me.”

+

him 

Shawn knew which song would be playing next. It was her parents who requested it. It was their song and he knew how much it annoyed Y/N whenever it played. She thought her parents were adorable of course but the song had been played one too many times in her life and he knew it was inevitable that she would let out an irritated groan as soon as the starting few notes broke through the speakers. 

That was exactly what had happened too. Shawn watched as Y/N’s mouth opened and a noise of displeasure fell out. “No, you let them play this song?” 

She sent a pointed look towards him, who only chuckled in response as he noticed from the corner of his eye Katherine and Bradley walking towards the middle of the yard to begin to sway softly to the music. Soon Karen and Manny joined them and one by one Y/N’s grandparents and aunts and uncles stood up too. They were all dancing as Elvis’s voice flowed loudly and perfectly through the large speakers. 

“Did you know about this?” she asked eyebrows raised. 

“Yeah, now come and dance with me,” he demanded, grabbing her hand and pulling her into the crowd of the rest of the dancing couples. 

She rolled her eyes as her hands looped up and around Shawn’s neck, “I can’t believe I’m about to dance to this song.”

“Ah, ah, ah,” Shawn voiced eyes falling to her feet, “Aren’t you forgetting something?” 

Her arms dropped from around his neck and an amused look appeared on her face. “Oh, I get it. You want it to be just like how we used to do this. Alright, if that’s what you really want.” 

With that, she slipped off the nude hills and kicked them to the side towards a close table and moved back to where she had been before, arms wrapped around his neck and chest connected to his but now she was a little shorter. Shawn’s arms wrapped around her waist and slowly he began to move them back and forth to the song, she had said on multiple occasions that she despised. 

His head dipped down and the smell of coconuts and vanilla filled his nose. Now, this was familiar. He could recall on multiple occasions during family gatherings, and summer barbecues where she would be in his arms, dancing with him, barefoot in the yard. He sighed happily but after a few minutes, he lifted his head at the feeling of Y/N’s arms tightening around him. Her eyes were locked on something else and as he followed her gaze, a low chuckle escaped from him. 

There a few feet away was Demi wrapped up in James’s arms. They were dancing close, probably too close in Y/N’s opinion. She sent a glance towards Shawn and he knew she was going to try to make a move for them. “Uh, I should-” 

Before she could though, his arms tightened around her waist and he held her still against his chest, “Hey, just let it happen on its own.” 

Her eyes widened slightly and her jaw dropped too, “Let it happen. My best friend is dancing with my older brother.” 

“Yeah, and you shouldn’t interfere. It’ll only ruin it,” he reasoned beginning to dance again. 

At his words, she smiled teasingly, “Huh, when did you get so smart?” 

“I always have been you’ve just been blinded by my striking good looks to notice.”

“Okay whatever you say, Mendes,” she laughed, head falling onto his chest and eyes fluttering to a close. 

Shawn could feel the smile that was lifting at the corners of his lips because this was all he ever wanted and more. He wanted his best friend back and somehow fell in love with her in the process. She really made him feel things he wasn’t used to and he found himself learning something new every day. He still, of course, didn’t know about why they had a fallout but at the moment he didn’t need to know because they came back stronger than ever. 

Someday he would know because it was something that he would need to hear. He would need to know the truth because if there was one thing Shawn knew it was that relationships couldn’t be built on lies and secrets. And if that’s what this was building up to be with Y/N, a relationship, then those were two things they would need to live by. He knew that sometime soon they would have to face this thing that seemed to divide them but at the moment his mind was too hazy from the smell of her perfume and the soft grip she had on him to care. 

He was in such a state of peace, he hadn’t realized he had started to hum to the Elvis song and then that turned to him singing the lyrics in her ear, “Wise men say only fools rush in, but I can’t help falling in love with you.” 

Within minutes though, the song had started to come to an end and the last remaining notes traveled through the speakers until it went silent altogether. Shawn let go of Y/N and unwinded her arms from around him. She gave him a look of confusion as he let go of her arms and began to move away. Jogging over towards where the speakers were, he reached behind the stand and grabbed the neck of the brown acoustic guitar. 

He sat down on the edge of the small stage with the guitar propped into his lap. Y/N still stood in the same spot she had been dancing with him moments ago, a small smile starting to blossom on her glossy lips. As the rest of the guests took notice of Shawn and the guitar they began to gather around smiling at the young star who had managed to make it big. 

Every person was able to take notice of his rosy cheeks and pearly white smile that seemed to never disappear from his lips. He ran his fingers through his curls quickly as all attention fell on him. Strumming at the guitar to make sure it was in tune, he looked back up at at the small crowd that all had something in common with them. They all cared deeply for the girl in the white dress who stood barefoot in the middle of the yard. 

Shawn licked his lips quickly as his eyes found hers, “Um, I know that you all probably want to get back to dancing as soon as possible and I don’t blame you but all I need is a few minutes. I just wanted to say that today is a very special day for me because it’s the day that my best friend was born. I don’t know if someone you know this but Y/N and I have been attached at the  hip most of our lives and after all these years of being by each other’s sides I have no clue what I do without her.” He paused trying to gather his thoughts and control his racing heart as his eyes scanned over the yard again, “To put it, simply, she is one of my favorite people in the world and I’m sure that I care about her as much as you all do which is why you are here today. To celebrate her and her birthday.”

Smiles were forming on everyone’s faces at Shawn’s kind words about the young woman who had affected all the people there. He spoke with such admiration and love that everyone easily could see how much love he held for her. At every single thing that was coming out of his mouth, Shawn’s cheeks were getting more red and his mind more clouded. His eyes locked with hers and everything else seemed to fade. Her smile was so big and so bright, that Shawn swore he was getting dizzy. With one look, she was able to get a reaction out of him and he knew that he was in deep for his best friend. 

He chuckled as he began to rub the back of his neck nervously, “Uh, Y/N I know I already gave you your birthday present but I guess I have one more.” 

Y/N shook her head in disbelief at him and Shawn sent her a wink in response. Dropping his head, he began to pick at the strings of the guitar, letting the familiar notes pass through the air. Lifting his head, his gaze passed by everyone until they were once again on her. Her eyes were wide and she was biting on the bottom of her lip as the song she knew all so well filled her ears. Shawn had opened his mouth and began to sing the oh’s that wasn’t in the recorded version but was included when he sang it live. 

He could see the emotion pass across her face at the sound of him singing the very song she had been listening too for the past three years since he had left and they had their fallout. It was her first time hearing him sing it live and in person but what mattered most of all was he wasn’t singing for a large crowd that paid to watch him perform. No, he was singing for one person and one person only, her. And nothing could have been more special than that moment when a look was shared between them and the only thing there was complete and utter love. 

“I promise that one day I'll be around. I'll keep you safe. I'll keep you sound.” Shawn sang, feeling the lyrics hit him deep in the gut, “Right now it's pretty crazy. And I don't know how to stop. Or slow it down.” 

Sure, it was a vulnerable thing to do. Shawn singing his songs. It all felt the same though. Whether it was a whole crowd of his fans, a few friends, or now with this small group of family neighbors he had known most of his life. He was singing everything he felt, the words that he had spent hours in the studio trying to string together. 

This song had been out for three almost four years now and he had gotten used to singing it and he felt more comfortable every time but now in front of her, he felt like it was the very first time. The first time he sang it live in an arena with a bunch of screaming fans. His stomach was turning and he was starting to sweat. His face felt hot and his heart was beating like crazy. That was just the effect she had on him.

“Hey. I know there are some things we need to talk about. And I can't stay. Just let me hold you for a little longer now,” Shawn smiled as he sung seeing the happiness that appeared on everyone’s faces. The biggest being on Katherine and Bradley’s besides their daughter who looked like she was going to burst from how overwhelming it all was. “Take a piece of my heart. And make it all your own. So when we are apart. You'll never be alone”

For the rest of the song, Shawn couldn’t look away from Y/N. Her reaction was all he cared about and he gained exactly what he wanted as he sang out the last ohh’s. She was almost in tears, he knew it. Just by the way she was biting into her bottom lip and how her nose kept scrunching up. Shawn strummed the last few chords and applause erupted around the yard. The guitar fell across his lap and he started to laugh lightly at Y/N. She was smiling at him as tears were starting to fall from her eyes. Shaking his head, Shawn grinned at her as she just shrugged and began to wipe at her tears. 

He was about to put his guitar back and move back over towards Y/N but halted as he watched Brad take a step out of the small crowd. Her dad looked beyond grateful as he shared a look with the boy he had watched turn into a man. Brad’s brown eyes then moved to all the people who had come to celebrate his daughter’s birthday and show how much they all loved her and that’s when something passed across the older man’s face that Shawn couldn’t place. That’s when it happened, it all made sense in the worst way possible. The truth was out and he felt all happiness he was feeling moments ago disappear into thin air.

next part

[jockvillagersonly]

ATLA x Animal Crossing

I feel a lot like Dom on the first slide after making this and that’s ok 

+ (very long) image descriptions under the read more :)

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Thanks for coming to my TED talk, folks. Let’s dive right in with fan favorite, protagonist, and ~small chaos baby~ AANG:

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Sadly, we can’t all be lazy villagers. The economy would fall apart. Thank God for lesbians:

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It’s that time in the presentation where Katara absolutely destroys any bar we ever held for (1) minimum fucks given and (2) water-bending skill. 

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Sokka, Suki, and Zuko coming soon! :)

[ID: 

Image 1: A slideshow title screen. Next to the title is a picture of Dom, a white and pink fuzzy sheep from Animal Crossing who is wearing a tie dye shirt and looks particularly confused. He is to the right of the title “ATLA Characters as Animal Crossing Villagers” and the subtitle, “An evidence based presentation by me.” The red TED talk logo is in the lower right corner

Image 2: In the top middle of the slide in curly font are the words, “Aang is...Lazy Villager Cranston.” Underneath this, Aang is pictured, smiling and wearing a pink flower crown. Around his face in purple are 3 descriptions: “Literally 12,” “My sweet summer child,” and “Full of infectious joy (and rage).” Next to Aang is an equal sign and a picture of Cranston, a tall, white ostrich Animal Crossing villager wearing a blue shirt with delicate pink flower details. Cranston is labeled as, “2 relaxed,” “Always humming,” and “Too precious for this world; deserves everything good.” Both Aang and Cranston are framed by yellow sparkles.  

Image 3: The next slide is titled Further Evidence and features 3 sections. In the upper left, inside a red box, are two images. The images are labeled, “Always looking for the best in people” with red heart and pink hibiscus flower emojis. One features Aang, crouched in the forest, saying: “If we knew each other back then, do you think we could have been friends, too?” The other image is of Cranston speaking to another villager and saying, “Avery, you’re so tough! Avery, you’re so wise! Avery, your voice is so manly!” Underneath the red box is an image of Aang doing his air marble trick while Sokka and Katara are tied up behind him. The image is labeled, “No real evidence, but doing an air marble trick while your friends are in mortal peril is textbook lazy villager.” Finally, on the far right, there is a purple box titled, “True zest for life!!” Inside the purple section are two pictures. One has Aang riding his glider with a huge smile on his face. The other features Cranston talking to a player character and saying: “I wanna make a new bug friend today! I’m gonna catch one and say, ‘you wanna eat some snacks?’” Underneath Cranston is a black arrow and a comment from the slide author: “Also, I’m pretty sure Aang said this exact line in Book 1. No I will not prove it.”

Image 4: In the top middle of the slide in a handwritten looking font are the words, “Toph is...Cranky Villager Cyrano.” Underneath this, Toph is pictured, holding the Earth Rumble belt aloft. She is labeled as “sass master” and “will kick anybody’s ass for free.” Next to Toph is an equal sign and a picture of Cyrano. Cyrano is a rotund, dark blue anteater Animal Crossing villager with an orange face and his hands on his hips. He has pronounced and angry looking eyebrows. He is wearing a shirt with the colors of the bi flag (blue / purple / pink). He is labeled as, “Takes no shit,” and “Queer solidarity.” Both Toph and Cyrano are framed by yellow sparkles.  

Image 5: This slide is titled, “Further evidence.” On the far left is a purple section titled, “Point 1: Show their affection through violence.” There is an image of Zuko immediately after being punched by Toph during the Ember Island Players intermission; he asks “What was that for?” and she replies, “It’s how I show affection.” There is also a picture of Cyrano talking to the player character and saying, “Just trying things on can be a lot of fun! Yeah, I like to play dress up sometimes! Wanna fight about it?” We can easily see the parallels. To the right of this is a red section with the title, “Point 2: Confident in themselves and their abilities; will not take constructive criticism. The red section has a picture of Toph on top of a rock yelling, “I am the greatest earth bender in the world!” and a picture of Cyrano telling the player character, “Yeah, I KNOW it doesn’t seem like something I’d do. Don’t give me that look! I’ve got hobbies!” Finally, above the purple section, are two photos of Sokka and Toph hanging out together (in one, they are eating kebabs. In the other, Toph punches Sokka in the arm) and one photo of Cyrano fishing next to a relaxed looking pink cow with a huge closed mouth smile. The pictures are labeled, “TFW you’re a cranky idiot with a dumbass best friend” 

Image 6: In the top middle are the words, “Katara is...Big Sister Villager Pashmina.” Underneath this, Katara is pictured, looking confidently into the distance and clearly in the midst of water-bending a large wave behind her. She is labeled as “mom friend energy,” “she’s beauty, she’s grace, she’ll punch you in the face,” and “certified badass, an absolute legend” Next to Katara is an equal sign and a picture of Pashmina. Pashmina is a svelte, light brown deer Animal Crossing villager. She has impressive winged eyeliner, a take-no-prisoners stare, and an almost punk-esque black vest with a lace up front and white fur trim. She is labeled as, “Better than you,” “absolutely no fucks to give,” and “takes awhile to warm up to you, but once she does is FIERCELY loyal.” Both Katara and Pashmina are framed by yellow sparkles.  

Image 7: This slide is titled, “Further Evidence.” In the upper lefthand corner is a red section. In the red section is an image of Katara yelling, “No way am I apologizing to a sour old man like you!!” at Pakku and cracking the ice behind her. There is also a small image of Pashima frowning with her hands on her hips. The box says, “Extremely...stubborn? Blunt?” There are green checkmarks next to both stubborn and blunt, as though to say both Katara and Pashmina have those traits. Underneath the red section is an image of a player character talking to Pashmina, who has Katara’s face photoshopped on top. Pashmina says, “Yeah, what’s up bitch!?” Finally, the right half of the slide is taken up by a purple section with the title, “Absolute queens of giving no fucks.” This section has 3 images and 2 crown emojis. One image features Zuko challenging Katara at the North Pole. He says, “Here for a rematch?” and Katara replies, “Trust me, it’s not going to be much of a rematch,” before absolutely destroying him in a huge wave of water and ice. Next to this is a picture of Pashmina in pink floral shades and a yellow flapper dress, with a music note over her head like she is straight vibing. The final image in the purple section has a player character talking to Pashmina, who says, “More importantly, was I serious when I said I’d wanna live here? Actually, nah, I don’t think this place is for me.” We stan a blunt legend. ]

[purplesurveys]

456

Do you hate it when there is a fly around you? OMG so much. And in such a polluted place as the Philippines, we’re swarmed with flies every damn minute of the day unless we’re indoors. Is your Mom overbearing? She can be. She lets me live my life for the most part – drive wherever, get whatever career, eat whatever – but she’s so particular about everything else. Blankets have to be folded this way and pillows have to be stacked that way and the way I tuck in my shirt is wrong and how I like to wear a shawl is wrong. Things like that. I can’t live like that forever so I’m stoked to move out lol. What is the closest object to you that is orange? The bowl of pasta I just got for myself is red-orange, if that counts. How about blue? The Tumblr dashboard in front of me. What is your favorite clothing store? H&M.

Do you wear a cross? No. What is your opinion on Arby’s? I’ve never had it because we don’t have them here. What is your favorite kind of chapstick? I’m not into products much, so I’m fine with the plain, scent-less one that just fixes up dry lips. How often do you get disappointed? I feel disappointed at least once everyday, for various reasons lol. What does your bathing suit look like? Right now my favorite is an all-black two-piece. Is there snow where you live? Nope. Do you hate having a top friends? When you have your own kitchen, how will it be done? My dream kitchen, if money wasn’t an object, is honestly just gonna be a trophy kitchen lmao, I wanna invest so much in a gorgeous kitchen that I’m not gonna use because I can’t cook HAHAHAHA. It’s gonna have an island and be made of marble and have fancy lights and sleek drawers and all that stuff. Why do we have to learn our own language? What does this question even mean? Other than to be able to communicate and get in touch with your own history and culture, I don’t know what this is supposed to mean. Do you have a space heater? No. I don’t even know what that means; Filipinos have no concept of a heater because it’s very warm here as it is. What is your favorite doughnut? Chocolate-glazed. Sprinkles or no sprinkles will do. Do the LED lights of a digital clock fascinate you? No? Do you have a hot tub? If so, where is it located? We don’t. Where is your best friend right now? Angela’s in Shanghai (sorry, idk why I said South Korea in my last survey) for an AIESEC exchange opportunity; Gabie’s in her house, still asleep as always. What is your favorite baseball team? I don’t watch baseball. I do remember pretending to like it because WWE uses so many baseball references and I just wanted to fit in with my Western friends, until I watched a few games and realized that nothing made sense to me and my Filipino ass finds it really boring. How has your day been? It’s 7:13 AM and IT’S SO HOT. I feel so sticky already. Also, my cold is getting bad and I can barely taste my breakfast and it’s bound to get worse from here. So no, not looking too good. Do you smile at random people, hoping to brighten their day? No. You never know who’s a creep so I just ignore everyone. I smile when someone does the same to me first though. Do you live in a small town? No, Antipolo is pretty big. Did you read the Twilight series, or jump on the bandwagon after the movie? I jumped on the bandwagon when the first movie came out. Twilight came out 2008 but I got the bookset in 2009, four years after the first book got released. What is your favorite party game? Anything that doesn’t require me to be too competitive, cos I tend to be a sore loser hahahaha. What do you think of secrets? I think everyone’s entitled to them and that they should be respected. Do you or your parents rake your yard? It doesn’t have to be. Markers, crayons or colored pencils? Colored pencils! What color is your bedroom painted? White. My mom picked the very boring choice, obviously. How about your toenails? Never painted. Do you wear your shoes in your house? Nope. Ultimate sin in a Filipino home. Do you prefer T9 or a keyboard? I have a touchscreen now but I never did like the idea of having a keyboard on a phone. Always seemed bulky to me. What do you think of Old Navy's new flip flop style? Of what??? Were you pro-Obama? For the most part. He’s still a better pick than the embarrassment America chose this time around. Do you sometimes hate being from America? .................wow What is your favorite holiday? My birthday. I’m counting it. Are you currently single or in a relationship? In a relationship. What is your favorite scent from Bath & Body Works? I don’t have one. From Pink? Nope. Do you like XBox or Wii better? Wii. Was never an XBox person. Not for the 360, not for the One.

[docholligay]

CCC

This is OLD OLD stuff. I’m.....not entirely sure why I stopped cracking at it, it’s a little weak, but it has good bones. I can see where I’m going with it. Ah well, it’s about 2,300 warning taht I literally stop mid sentence

Censhi Combat Camp had always been Mina’s domain, stupid spelling and all. A week in the woods, away from it all, whether anyone else liked it or not. War games, one on one combat work, sparring, all that and some s’mores too. And it made a certain amount of logical sense—she was leader, and certainly if anyone knew how to polish her troops like chrome, it would be her.

But while she was willing to give Mina a certain amount of leeway in her methods, Rei was certain that, in some slight twist of destiny, she could have been leader. Number one, instead of number two. And, perhaps (not even truly perhaps, in her mind, but certainly) she would have been better at it than Mina.

Mina laughed when she asked to run CCC that year, but she’d agreed with a wave of her hand, and an insincere wish of good luck.

And now they were gathered in the woods.

“As the second in command,” Rei boomed, somehow making the word ‘second’ feel smaller than the rest of the sentence, “I’ve come up with an activity for us all to improve ourselves. I told all of you to bring a notebook and a pen.” she looked hard out at her audience, until Usagi clicked her donut pen on to assure Rei that she had, in fact, brought it, and that seemed enough a salute to her genius to allow Rei to continue. “Good. I want you to write—“

“Is it a poem about our feelings?” Mina called from her seat next to the fire pit.

Rei shook her head, her jet black hair casting decisive lines. “No, it’s—“

“There once was a girl named Michiru.” She grinned and tucked her hands behind her head.

“Mina.” Rei stared at her as if she could open up the floor beneath her.

“Whose butch swore her loyalty was true.”

“Mina.”

“But she laughed, ‘How absurd, I don’t know what you heard, I joined not for the war but to fuc—‘“

“MINA!!” She took her notebook, elegantly leatherbound, with her name in gold leaf on the cover and painstakingly chosen for the occasion, and, before she could think, threw it as hard as she could at Mina’s head. It was doubly disappointing when Mina caught it right in front of her face.

“Nice toss, but I think that’s a walk in any country.”

Rei ignored her and tossed her hair behind her head, ignoring the snickering coming up from the girls. She closed her eyes, and took a deep breath, her fists slowly unclenching.

“What we’re going to do,” she spoke slowly but firmly, “Is list our weaknesses,” she opened her eyes, refreshed, at looked out at the other girls, “your faults, your frailties, your failings, reasons you’re not a very good senshi, or a person even! There’s so much for us to improve.”

Mina sighed and buried her head in her palms. “Sheesh, Reinaldo.”

Rei ignored her and continued on. “I want you to think REALLY hard about what makes you a personal liability to the group. We’ll make our lists in our notebook, and then we’ll go over them together.” She put her hands on her hips proudly. “This will make us all stronger!”

The girls all looked back at her with a mild look of horror, save for Mina, who was walking to the cooler, and Michiru, who was studiously filing her nails.

“Okay, good!” she beamed in her obvious success. “Now everyone take your notebooks, and go sit for some quiet reflection.”

They grumbled, a bit, but they obeyed, and Rei grinned proudly as she walked around the campsite, her own notebook in hand. Mako sat cross-legged on top of the picnic table, Ami tucked inside the tent, Haruka sat out in the field of wildflowers, and Michiru sat neatly at the edge of a rock. It appeared she was using a watercolor palette. Oh well, she could write in watercolor, probably.

*****

She held up an elegant cream notebook. “Michiru, this is a painting of Haruka bent over her notebook in the wildflowers.” She looked seriously at Michiru, who shrugged.

Mina called from her space by the fire pit. “And somehow I feel like that’s a valid answer for her!”  

Rei looked back at the tenderly rendered picture, and back out at Michiru, “I mean that’s not really—how are you supposed to—“she looked back at the notebook, every strand of Haruka’s hair delicately detailed. “I mean, THAT’S NOT WHAT I MEANT.”

Michiru shook her head softly. “My apologies, Lieutenant Commander Mars, I must have misunderstood the instruction.”

Rei put her hands on her hips, still clutching Michiru’s notebook. “Oh, you did not. Fine.” She tossed the notebook over her shoulder and picked up the next one, a glittering bright orange. “Ass is very distracting to Sailor Mars in batt—MINA.” She glowed a hot red, and even she was not sure if it was from anger or embarrassment.

“I feel like my ass is a real liability to the team! How can you possibly shoot straight—not that you do anything straight, mind—but I mean really, how, when you’re staring at this magnificent finely-carved marble?”

“Next.” Rei remarked flatly, picking up a notebook covered in donuts. “Sometimes, I,” she looked back out at the girls, “Oh look, SOMEONE took improving themselves seriously,” she cleared her throat and continued, “Sometimes, I take too much time to think over a situation, and lose the opportunity of a moment.” She looked at Usagi and shook the notebook at her. “You copied off Ami? Did you REALLY THINK I WOULD FALL FOR THIS, USAGI?”

Usagi grabbed the notebook from Rei’s hands and scrawled hurriedly. Cries when Rei is mean.

“Usagi!”

Usagi grabbed the red leatherbound notebook and wrote inside. Is mean.

There was a chuckle from the fire pit, and the sound of a beer cracking open. Mina was kicked back in her chair, one toe touching the ground.

Rei marched over to her. “And what are YOU doing?”

Mina took a drink. “Enjoying an ASTOUNDING amount of job security.”

Rei kicked over her chair and swiped the beer out of her hand grumpily. “Nobody is taking this seriously! I am just trying to improve all of you!”

Mina dusted herself off. “Who votes to keep ‘is mean’ on Rei’s list?”

Rei was astounded to see that the Senshi could all agree on one thing after all. See, her activities were getting somewhere. She picked up another notebook.

“I don’t think before I go sometimes.” She looked out at Haruka, who kicked at the ground with her foot. “Is that the only thing on your list? Really Haruka? I mean, it’s true, you don’t think, but there are so many more things I can think of that—“

“Rei.” Michiru spoke for the first time, and locked eyes with her, and the girls held their breath as neither of them moved or spoke.

Rei was strong, but not stronger than Michiru’s protection, and she acquiesced. “Anyway, at least you put down a real answer.”

Haruka stood up and kicked the chair behind her, throwing it a few feet to the dirt and very narrowly missing Mina, who did not so much as flinch. “This is fucking stupid anyway.” She pulled on her sweater despite the sun of the day, and pulled a beer out of the cooler as she walked away into the woods.

Michiru rose quietly. “Agreed.” She slipped off into the woods without another word.

Rei clapped her hands together. “Okay, so who’s ready to make ideas for improvement!?”

The girls sat silently, a tapestry of different looks on their faces: Boredom, sadness, frustration, and Mina, grinning in the back.

“Think you’ve lost ‘em, fireball.”

***

It was quiet at the campsite, after the hubbub of today. Mako was cooking something that smelled of cinnamon and citrus in the big cast iron pot, after a rich dinner. Michiru, Rei, and Pluto were off doing something…scrying, it might have been, something particular to their gifts, and for once, Mina approved of Rei’s tactic. The Seers each only had a piece of the puzzle, and they had to work together to build a picture. They had to. Lives depended on it.

She poked through the field, not thinking about much in the evening light, when a dash of white caught her eye. She picked it up, a crumpled piece of paper with cartoon teddy bears on the border, a list covering it, the writing harder and darker as it went down the list.

·               Doesn’t hear very good

                 Runs into stuff without thinking

·               Says shit I don’t mean

·               Eats too much sugar

·               Smokes (sometimes)

·               Too loud

·               Too skinny

·               Doesn’t pay attention

·               Stubborn

·               Stupid

·               Failure ·               Murderer

“Ah, bud,” she sighed heavily, “Rei I sure as shit hope you put ‘needs to cultivate people skills’ on your list.” She had noted Haruka’s absence at dinner, but that hardly mattered—Michiru had a campsite for the two of them off a ways, well-stocked with a canvas tent and a real bed, gourmet food and wine. It was about as rough as Michiru could bear to get, and it was nicer than some people’s apartments.

Mina tucked the note into her shorts and ambled over toward Haruka and Michiru’s campsite. It had been an almost certain fact that Haruka would take this thing too personally. Her and Ami both.

“I mean, technically you’re only an attempted murderer.”

“Do you think I’m a total fuck-up, Mina?”

“I mean, no more than the rest of us.”

Haruka snorted, and Mina patted her leg. “No, I’m serious! We’re all a little fucked, but you’re not a bad person, Haruka, I know bad people. Bad people do not sit by the creek and feed minnows and cry.”

“I wasn’t crying.”

“Bad people do not sit by the creek and feed minnows and have an extreme allergic reaction or whatever we’re calling this.” She popped a marshmallow into her mouth. “More importantly, bad people don’t make lists of why they’re bad and get upset about it. And you’re not stupid. And you’re not a failure, and you gotta stop telling yourself that.” Haruka turned away toward the creek, and Mina grabbed her face and turned it to hers. “Listen. Whatever lie you were told when you were a kid, it’s not true. It’s not true at all.”

Haruka swallowed hard, and Mina hugged her tightly, until Haruka let herself relax

“We gotta find a better outlet for your frustrations, you damn near nailed me with that chair.”

“Sorry.”

“You know, if you ever decided to share your feelings with the class…none of the girls would make fun of you, or anything.”

Haruka shrugged. “What’s the point, they already hate me. Everyone does, except Michiru.”  She looked off. “I can’t be their friend, so I may as well be someone who can protect them.”

“What am I, a pile of pig assholes?”

Haruka laughed. “Okay, everyone else.”

Mina put her hand on Haruka’s shoulder. “After this many years, have you considered that you don’t have to be some big unbreakable rock of a human being? It doesn’t look good on you.” Haruka shrugged again. “Ruka, you think it’s what people want from you, but it’s not.

She shrugged again, and threw another marshmallow to the minnows

***

“Rei, you gotta remember this is a people job.”

“Everyone is just being DIFFICULT, on PURPOSE, while I am TRYING TO HELP.” Rei was incensed. No one paid attention to her plans, the ones she’d worked so hard to make, and everyone was making a mockery of it, and not being serious, and now Mina was lecturing her about what she needed to change, which was never meant to be a serious part of the exercise.

“Okay, but,” Mina shrugged dramatically, “Did you really learn anything new today? Did you need a list to know that Haruka jumps in too fast and Ami jumps in too slow? That Usagi doesn’t even know what she’s doing wrong? That Michiru doesn’t care? You should have known all this!”

“I just thought—“ Rei mounted her own defense, wondering when playful Mina had gone and serious, intense Mina had entered without her noticing.

But Mina was on a tear now. “I mean, so let’s look at Mako, she wrote down ‘sometimes forgets to pull her punch when she’s sparring with Haruka.’ Mako doesn’t forget shit, what this really says is, ‘I hold a grudge in a way that prevents teamwork.’ Which I knew. Which I’ve been working on by trying to build rapport between her and the lesbians. Rei, you can’t just tell people, ‘this is what’s wrong with you, fix it.’ People are more complicated than that.”

“God,” Rei crossed her arms and her brow furrowed, “Sorry I hurt Haruka’s feelings, Mina, I know she’s your friend, but—“

“Not even remotely about that! But let’s take Haruka. This is the EXACT wrong activity for her. She’s sensitive, and it hurts her feelings, and when she gets her feelings hurt, or she’s scared, she turns into an asshole. It’s also the wrong activity for Michiru, because, Rei, Michiru, does not give a fuck. Not one. If you ever figure out how to motivate her outside of dangling Haruka over a tank of man-eating sharks, let me know.” She clapped her hands together in front of Rei’s face to punctuate each word. “You have. To pay. Attention.”

Rei was whirling now, defensive and angry. “So EVERYTHING I do is wrong, and EVERYTHING you do is right.”

“I’m not saying that, goddamn Rei, I’m trying to teach you how to be leader!”

“Why? What about your precious job security?”

“BECAUSE I MIGHT DIE, REI.” Her voiced echoed through the trees, and then the forest became very still, holding its breath in respect to the cruel reality of the shadow that hung over top of them. “I might die. And then you’re it. And you have to know how to deal with them, or they’ll scatter, and fall, and we’ll all die, and Usagi too.” She took a deep breath and continued. “Ami doesn’t like to be yelled at. Haruka responds to praise. Mako and that’s where I stopped writing this.