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amintyworld · 3 years

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Doubts - Beginnings Part 4

WATERFALL (Part One), SUNSET (Part Two), SECRETS (Part Three)

A/N: Guess who back, back again-! Anyway, thanks to all the support in the last three parts, this series has been such a blast to write! I’ve finally decided on a name for it - Beginnings, so that’s what they’ll be titled with from now on to avoid any confusion. As always, links to the last three parts are above. I hope you enjoy! - Minty

TW: Surprise Pregnancy, anxiety/worry, blood/gore, alcohol/drinking, implied major character death, sickness, cursing. (Let me know if I need to tag anything else!)

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They started construction on a house around a 15-minute walk from Phil’s house, on a hill that overlooked the waterfall in the distance. They didn’t know what they were doing, but Phil did his best to help out when he could and give advice, having been in a similar situation not too long ago. Wilbur went out searching for jobs when he could and managed to get gigs every now and then as he saved up cash to get everything they needed. It was a new feeling for the couple - Wilbur’s constant worry over his girlfriend, and Sally’s determination to not let the pregnancy control her. All in all, it was a bit of a frazzle. Tommy and Tubbo were a bit off-put at the fact that they’d be uncles at such a young age - nonetheless, they tried to take it all in stride.

Phil answered a lot of questions in the following weeks from his two younger sons, who didn’t understand how it all worked. A good example could be just last week when Tubbo gave Sally ginger ale and straw, leaving Phil slightly confused until he figured out Tubbo was trying to help her out since ‘her stomach hurt’. Tommy’s confused ideas of helping were a bit more out there than his brother’s - the Carrot Incident was a pretty good example - but it was clear that their hearts were always in the right place.

Technoblade was distanced and tried not to get too involved but helped out when he needed to - he told Phil that this was more Wilbur’s responsibility than his, which Phil couldn’t deny. The pig hybrid still hung around the couple and even eased their worries when he realized how absurd some of Wilbur’s concerns became - “You’re reading too much on those books, Wil. Just because it could happen doesn’t mean it will!” Technoblade was always available to talk and support his brother, who became a bit of a mess from it all.

Still, they were a happy family who was nothing but excited for the baby’s arrival - they were going on five months, and things had been going smoothly… at least, mostly smoothly.

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Wilbur pulled up the covers on the bed as he left a tender kiss on Sally’s forehead. She smiled, yawning. “Wake me up for dinner…?”

“Of course, my salmon. You rest, I’ll make sure Tubbo and Tommy are quiet.”

Another yawn escaped the shifter’s lips. “You tell them if they wake me up they’ll be dealing with a very pissed off pregnant lady who…*yawn* won’t hesitate to kick their asses.” Wilbur giggled softly, brushing the hair out of his girlfriend’s face in a simple loving gesture.

“Get some sleep, okay?” Wilbur said. “I won’t be far.”

“I love you, Wil.”

“I love you too, Sally,” Wilbur said, turning off the lights to darken the room as he gently and softly closed the door behind him. Over time, most of his worries had eased, thankfully - but a few lingered in his mind that fizzled around his brain. Wilbur tried to push them away as he moved downstairs, resting his head against the counter for a brief moment, sitting on one of the kitchen stools. He let out a breath he didn’t know he was holding as he ran his hands through his hair once again. He had a gig later that night, but his body craved rest. Wilbur chose to ignore it, there wasn’t much use anyway. If he napped at this point he’d miss the job altogether, and he needed the cash. Bored, trying to distract himself, he pulled out his notepad and flipped to a fresh page as he rhythmically tapped the pencil against the paper, willing himself to focus his thoughts.

It felt strange to Wilbur to stare down at a blank page and not have anything to write. It was hard to describe how he felt, much less think of rhymes. So much was overwhelming his emotions and feelings, still, he tried to focus and scribble words across the page. Maybe if he wrote it all down, he’d feel better somehow - it always worked for him before. His notepad held all the times he was happy, all the times he was sad, upset, angry, confused… all hidden in words like a code only he could understand. It was the closest thing to a journal or diary that he owned, one of his most prized possessions.

Maybe it’ll comfort him now.

I’m struggling to breathe

Keep going

Protect her

Push forward

Wilbur looked down, his mouth turning down in distaste - this wasn’t exactly the lyrical poem that he usually formed. There was, as always, some truth in the words. It felt like he was ranting, almost. It didn’t make sense.

Everything will be okay

Wilbur’s eyebrows furrowed in thought at what he wrote. He was trying to reassure himself, but… it felt wrong.

Will everything be okay?

“Uh-oh, the notepad’s out,” Phil said jokingly from the doorway as he carried in what looked to be a large basket filled with the garden’s harvest - wheat, carrots, and potatoes. He quickly noticed Wilbur’s distress, his smirk quickly disappearing. “Wil? Wil what’s wrong?”

Wilbur sighed as he read the words staring up at him over and over. “Nothing really. Just a lot on my mind, I guess.”

“I see,” Phil said, not believing that for a second as he set the large basket down on the counter, methodically moving to store up the food. “You look tired.”

“I feel tired,” Wilbur said, finally closing the notepad as he let out a soft chuckle in the suffocatingly silent house. “Got a gig in an hour, though.”

“You need to sleep, Wil.” Phil scolded, his gaze stern.

Wilbur waved him off. “I’ve got a lot I need to do. It’s no problem, anyway - the club’s gonna close up in a few days, and then Jay said I might not get another job in at least a month while they restock for summer.” Phil gave him a look, hand on his hip as Wilbur held up both his hands in surrender. “I’ll get some better sleep then, I swear.”

“Good,” Phil said, his gaze softening as he turned back to the basket. “Are you heading to Melrose’s place tonight, or TBO?”

“Melrose. She needed me last minute to fill a half-hour slot, promised to pay double.” Wilbur said as he got up from the stool and stretched, heading over to grab a cup of lukewarm coffee that was left in the pot from the morning. Hey, coffee was coffee, and he needed to keep the sandman at bay - double pay was no joke, and with his earnings tonight he’d finally be able to get everything they needed for the new house and for the baby. He needed to go, and he had to do well.

“I hope she doesn’t expect to keep dragging you out last minute.”

“Hey, as long as it pays well-” Wilbur shot thoughtfully as he sipped his coffee. The two turned their attention as Technoblade entered the house, his weapons, and clothes covered in blood, a few of his kills on his shoulder. Phil grimaced.

“Techno, I told you not to track blood in the house, go around to the back-!” The smell of rotting and decay, potent, filled the boy’s noses as they pinched them, trying to get rid of the scent. Technoblade silently turned around, going out the front door again. “You better shower and change before dinner, don’t forget!” Phil called as Techno simply waved his hand.

“Yeah, yeah…”

Wilbur quickly chugged the last of his coffee as he put the mug in the sink and quickly followed his older sibling. The night was cold as he pulled his jacket closer around him, walking around toward the back of the house. The sky was quickly turning dark as the day began to end, stars not quite appearing just yet. Techno sat over the two dead sheep he’d brought into the house earlier, the nasty musk somewhat masked by the cold wind. The pig hybrid was focused as he ran his blade along the belly of the kill, carving and cutting out sizable chunks of meat which he began to wrap in some jungle leaves for storage. Technoblade liked hunting, and no one could deny his skill, knowledge, and precision of it. He was patient and always waited for the right moment to strike, always hunted smaller game because he knew others were too big to carry back home. The prey always usually went down in one hit, and if that didn’t do the job Techno would usually hold the creature down while he made a quick jab toward the skull. He pig prided himself on his hunts, which provided the majority of their meat for meals ever since the town decided to enforce a livestock tax on the people to raise a little extra coin.

Setting the packages aside, Techno looked up to notice Wilbur staring at him silently. “Uh, hey Wil. Whaddya need?”

“Can’t I just check on my sweet older brother?” Wilbur smirked, and Techno huffed, amused.

“You can, but you and I both know you don’t.” Technoblade joked as he walked past him, heading toward the river with Wilbur close behind, grabbing a cloth and his bloodied weapons along the way. The pig hybrid took a breath as he turned to look at his brother. “What’s wrong?”

“It’s nothing important, really,” Wilbur said. “I’ve just been worried, I guess.”

“About Sally?” Technoblade asked, kneeling down beside the river beginning to scrub his weapons clean. “Don’t tell me you’ve been reading those parenting books again, I’m telling you they’re shit-”

“I’m worried about myself.” Technoblade’s eyebrows shot up as he looked at his brother, slightly shocked at the intensity in his voice as he sat next to him by the riverbank. Wilbur took a deep breath as he tried to release the stress from his mind, looking into the clear running waters. “What if I mess up, or… or I can’t be a good father? What if I’m the one who’s not ready, you know?”

“This has all been your decision, Wilbur. Your life. I can’t tell you that everything will be sunshine and rainbows because to be completely honest Wil, I don’t know.” Technoblade said honestly, moving to place his clean sword on the grass and moving to grab his axe. “But I don’t think you should be worrying so much about the future. Live in the moment, in the now. If things go bad, you’ll know what to do Wilbur. Trust yourself.”

“But what if I-?”

“Nope. No more worrying.” Technoblade said, cutting off his brother. “Just focus on right now, and as cheesy as it is, have a bit of hope.”

“When did you get so philosophical?”

“I’m wise beyond my minutes, young one,” Technoblade smirked as Wilbur laughed. Techno began to wipe off his face and neck of blood, rinsing the cloth in the river as he went.

“Do you have any parenting wisdom to place upon me?” Wilbur asked, half-joking.

“I mean, It’s not really my department. Kids aren’t really… they’re not my thing.” Technoblade said with a little shrug of his shoulders. “But if I had any advice to give you, it would be that if you have the same patience and love Phil had for us, I think you’ll do just fine.”

Patience and Love. Live in the moment. Trust yourself. His worries seemed to melt and dull in his mind, and he felt a lot better than he did earlier. “Thanks, Technoblade.”

Technoblade just saluted his two index fingers with a smile before moving to get up, ruffling Wilbur’s hair. “Be good to the little scamp, this family’s already crazy enough.”

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Wilbur zipped up his guitar case as he grabbed his keys and the small bag of coins. Looking out the window, he could see the nightclubs and bars, restaurants and torched streetlamps slowly flicker to life, glowing against the dark sky. Like a whole new town lying just beneath the surface, revealed in the darkness. Sally walked over with his gloves and scarf, a gentle sad smile on her face as Wilbur took the wool gloves and pulled them on.

“Every time you leave, I miss you just a little more.” Sally said, wrapping the scarf around Wilbur’s neck and folding it neatly in front. “Do you have to go?” Wilbur warmly smiled as he gently cupped her cheek.

“You know I’ll never be far, my salmon.” He kissed her forehead tenderly as he brushed a bit of stray hair behind her ear. “You’ll close your eyes and when you wake up I’ll be right by your side, you’ll barely even notice I left.” Sally leaned in closer as Wilbur wrapped his arms around her comfortingly, his chin resting gently on her head. As they pulled away Sally’s eyes looked up to his, a worry and fear behind her gaze that seized Wilbur’s heart.

“Promise you’ll be safe?”

“When am I ever not safe?” Wilbur asked, leading Sally to cross her arms and look at him with a slight pout that made Wilbur laugh. “Okay, okay. I promise.”

With one final goodbye kiss, Wilbur shut the bedroom door behind him again, walking downstairs. He noticed Tommy sat on the couch, head in his hands and his blonde hair messed. He looked over to his younger brother, gently propping up his guitar against the stair railings. “It’s late, what are you doing up?”

“Nightmare.” Tommy mumbled, slightly sleepily.

“Do you... wanna talk about it-?”

“I’m not seven anymore, Wil. It was just a stupid nightmare, I can handle it on my own.”

Wilbur was quiet for a moment, processing what Tommy said, how he snapped at him. He sighed before looking over to meet the teen’s eyes. “If you’re sure you’re alright…?” Tommy nodded before Wilbur pulled him into a small hug, Tommy’s hand held onto his arms around him in comfort as he smiled slightly despite his current state.

“Heh. Thanks, Wil.”

“That’s what big brothers are for, right?” Wilbur smiled as he pulled away. “Don’t stay up too late, okay?”

“Yeah.”

“Well, I guess I’ll be off.” Wilbur said, getting up from the couch to grab his guitar once more, throwing the straps over his shoulders. “That gig won’t play itself.”

“Good luck, Wil.” Tommy called before Wilbur turned, his heart warm and happy, giving him a smile and thanking him before taking his leave into the cold night air.

------------------------------------------------

“Thank you, you’ve been an amazing audience!” Wilbur said as cheers erupted from around the pub. Moving off the stool, he grabbed his guitar by the neck and sauntered offstage, feeling happy with his performance. Within 30 minutes he managed to squeeze in four songs, which to his delight the crowd seemed to enjoy - at Melrose the tap was never empty, and as such the crowd was easily angered by the slightest things, or even nothing at all. The only somewhat mishap during his slot was when a bit of beer had splashed against his clothes thanks to a patron who had a little too much. They were quickly shown the door and the night resumed its somewhat peaceful pleasure.

He walked up to the bar and sat in the corner with his guitar, watching the next musician take the stage - it looked like a band from the amount of people. Wilbur knew he wouldn’t get paid in full until the end of the night after each performance was done, Melrose wanted to make sure they held up their end of the bargain instead of running off what the money. He had at least another hour in here before closing.

“Are you drinking or not?” Wilbur looked up to the bartender as he stared down at him, expecting some kind of response. He wasn’t exactly a big drinker, quite the opposite - the only times he’s ever drank were with Phil and Sally. Sally, once when they were both eighteen just to try it out - he winced remembering the monster hangover the morning after. Phil around a year ago when he turned twenty-one and they both shared a few beers together in celebration. Both times he’d gotten tipsy pretty easily, either because he wasn’t exactly used to drinking yet or because he was a natural lightweight, who knows. Either way, he wasn’t exactly going to risk getting drunk right now.

“Uhm, I’ll have a club soda, thanks.”

The bartender gave him a once-over, put off by his request before slightly shrugging his shoulders. “Suit yourself, buddy.”

“Alright, we’re Black Rose and we hope you enjoy the set! This first song is called ‘Sleepless’.” A guy spoke into the microphone, turning to his friends with a smile before counting them in as the music began to blast through the pub. It was a nice tune, and Wilbur found his foot unconsciously tapping along with the music. He closed his eyes and let the sound fill his ears as they began to sing the chorus. It felt right. There was a kind of emotional distress behind the singer's voice, in the twinge of his tone or in a voice crack or two that almost felt like magic.

“And I’m not going blind, I just keep falling, falling behind;

Time goes slow and fast, my heart’s pumping and my head has crashed;

Sit in silence and pretend like your demons are your friends;

Your thoughts are racing while you’re pacing, it’s all in your mind, sleepless~!”

“Hey Wil, you got a minute?” Wilbur jolted back at how close the voice was, as he looked over to see none other than Melrose - her blonde hair flowed down her back messily with a ruby red dress that complimented her blue eyes. She pursed her lips into a line, a signal she was thinking as her pen tapped against the clipboard in her hand. “Sorry, didn’t mean to scare you.”

“It’s, uh, it’s fine. What’s up, Mel? Hope my performance was up to par.”

Her lips formed back to a comfortable smirk. “Performance was great as always, Wilbur. You never cease to please.” Her eyes turned down toward her clipboard. “Though I’m afraid I can’t say the same for everybody. Tips came up a little short thanks to a few blanks, I’ve got to decrease your pay for tonight.”

Wilbur’s eyebrows furrowed. “Mel, you promised.”

“Look, Wil I’m sorry but there’s nothing I can do.” Melrose let out a sigh, rubbing her temple in frustration. “I’m barely making enough to pay as is.”

As she turned to leave, Wilbur quickly grabbed her wrist to stop her. “Mel, you don’t understand, I need the cash.”

Melrose sighed, rolling her eyes. “Don’t we all.” She snapped slightly, yanking back her arm. “I told you I can’t do anything-”

“Rosie, come quick!” One of the bodyguards interrupted as he approached with a sword slung over his back. “Charlie’s getting wasted in the back, someone gave him vodka…”

“Goddammit, not again. Can’t that bastard ever get sober?” She huffed, giving Wilbur one last look before slipping back into the crowd. Fuck. Well, there goes a whole extra gig’s pay - with the pub’s restock he won’t be able to pay off everything now even if he had work twice each week...dammit. The due date was in April, he still had time. He could probably get another job while the pub’s down, he’ll have to check the town bulletin on his way home later. He turned back to his club soda, letting out a defeated sigh.

Guess I’ll be away from home more than I thought.

A scream from outside quickly tore Wilbur from his thoughts as he turned toward the sound.

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Philza was a light sleeper. Being on the road and sleeping the wilderness had always made him jump at the slightest hint of danger, a sort of survival instinct that developed. It only increased when Techno and Wilbur came around, for the first time in his life he had someone else to protect and look out for than just himself, more he could lose. He guessed that’s why he jumped the gun a bit at teaching them how to fight so early - If he couldn’t be there in time, he wanted for them to be able to protect themselves. Even so, his instincts from way back then never stopped, which was most likely why the head of the family was awake now.

Muffled sounds came from below him, shuffling. Something was here, and whatever it was it wasn’t good. His heart beat quicker as adrenaline rushed into his veins. He grabbed his sword, leaned against the wall, and crept down the hallway silently. It was dark in the house, he could barely see a few feet in front of him as his eyes adjusted to the darkness. He couldn’t hear the noise anymore, which only heightened his senses as his heart beat faster.

Then, a groan which sent him backing up - that was much, much closer than before. Suddenly, he bumped into something that grabbed his arm and without thinking he swept his feet under whatever it was, sending them to the floor. “Ugh… hey to you too, Phil.”

He looked down and noticed his oldest moving to stand back up from where he fell against the floorboards, rubbing the back of his head. “Techno…?” He asked before quickly helping him up. “What are you doing, you scared me!”

“I was checking out the noise, same as you.” Technoblade said before readjusting his grip on his own sword. “Remind me to never spar with you when you’re in attack mode.”

“Will do.” Phil smirked. Both quickly tensed as they heard shuffling and groaning from down below, clear enough for the two to recognize the noise instantly. They looked to each other, eyes wide. Zombies. Where there’s one there’s bound to be more around in minutes. “Get Tubbo and Tommy, I’ll get Sally.” Technoblade nodded before turning and rushing off behind Phil as he rushed toward the end of the hallway, toward Sally and Wilbur’s room. Phil didn’t know how they managed to have a breach in the walls, but however it occurred it meant one thing - the next ten minutes were the difference between life and death.

He entered the room to see one of the rotting creatures standing over the shifter, who decked it clean across the face, her ears scanning her surroundings, green goop covering her hand. She turned to face Phil, who rushed forward and pushed his blade through the zombies’ skull, killing it for good. Both panted heavily as Phil checked her over, worried. “Are you okay, did it bite you?”

“No, no. I’m good.” Sally reassured him as she looked around the room. “Where’s Wil?”

“I...I don’t know, but... I’m sure he’s safe, wherever he is.” Phil said, trying his best to push his own worries out of his mind.

“Wait, he’s not back yet?” Sally’s eyes grew wide at the realization as her body tensed in worry. “He’s out there, with… with…”

“Wilbur knows how to handle himself.” Phil reassured her, worry growing in the back of his head and forming an uncomfortable spot in his stsomach. “For now we need to be more worried about ourselves - If we’re going to survive until morning we need to barricade the house, and fast.” Phil said, grabbing her by the wrist as they rushed back out into the hallway, Phil chopping another zombie’s head clean off its skull as they rushed past it toward the stairs. He could see Tommy and Tubbo wielding their swords as they tore through zombie after zombie in the living room, somehow making it into a sort of game as they smiled and laughed. Technoblade, on the other hand, moved chairs and tables against the two doors to block them watching his back as a zombie stauntered toward him, and he swept his legs under the creature and quickly curb stomped its skull, slimy green goo flowing into the wooden floor. Phil tossed Sally an axe that she caught quickly, feeling the weight in her hands and happy to have a weapon. “Clear out the ones inside.”

“Got it.”

Tommy jumped from the couch onto a tall zombie, piercing it through the chest and pinning it with his sword to a nearby wall. “Ha! Top that, idiot!” He shouted trumphantly toward Tubbo, who’s eyes lit up competitively as he attempted to hack a nearby zombie in half and managed to get his sword stuck.

“Uhm…”

Sally rushed in, ignoring the tender soreness in her tired body as she hacked the zombie’s head clean off with her axe as its body slumped to the floor. Quickly and effortlessly, she pulled out the lodged weapon and handed it to Tubbo. “Be more careful, yeah?”

“Uh… yeah, yeah…” Tubbo said sheepishly as he took his weapon back and Sally rushed to finish off Tommy’s pinned zombie. With a few strikes, it was down. Tommy grabbed his sword to get it free, tugging harshly to no avail. He got more anxious with each tug as Sally faceplamed.

“You stupid-” She muttered, handing him her axe. “Finish off the last two with Tubbo, and try not to lose another weapon, okay?” Tommy huffed in slight protest before Sally gave him a look and he rolled his eyes, taking the weapon and running off.

“I don’t think it’s gonna hold!” Technoblade yelled as he threw his back against the door, pushing it closed against what must have been around twenty zombies pushing and trying to get in with any means necessary. Sally looked over to Phil, who looked around frantically, trying to think of a plan, any plan at all. “Phil?”

“Phil, what do we-?”

A loud crash erupted - a broken window. Danger. Phil’s grip tightened on his sword as he began to shout orders. “Tommy, Tubbo, hold the back door NOW! Sally, stay behind me.” Phil’s tone was tense and sharp, and the two teen boys rushed like mice to do as he asked. “We just need a little more time, it’s gotta hold a little longer…” At this point, he was hoping for some kind of miracle. This wasn’t just a regular breach - this was a massacre. Rushing forward, he pushed the shadow in the dim light down to the floor, and quickly raised his axe to bring it down when-

“Wait wait wait-! I’m not one of them!”

Phil’s eyes squinted in the light to find… Wilbur. He looked like a mess, his clothes torn and ripped with green slimy goo staining the fabric. Phil’s eyes watered in relief as he quickly pulled his son in for a tight embrace, helping him up off the floor. “Thank god, don’t ever scare me like that again.”

“Good to see you too, Dad.” Wilbur smiled before the two let go, his eyebrows furrowed and his tone more serious. “These aren’t regular zombies, they’re stronger and more resilient. Last I checked they were taking down the square one house at a time, and from the looks of it most of them were not prepared for a visit.”

“...Fuck.” Phil cursed under his breath, his mind beginning to race once again. Did they have a chance?

“I ran as fast as I could to get here, I was so worried…” Wilbur said as Sally rushed forward to embrace him with a smile, running her hands down his face and through his hair, afraid she’d lose it again. Wilbur, in turn ran his hands down her arms, his smile brightening that it was real and alive and here-

“Good to see you’re not dead, Wil.” Tommy huffed against the door as the monsters on the other side growled and moaned, pushing their weight and strength against it. “But we have a bit of a situation here!”

“We need to get out of here.” Wilbur looked over to Phil. “If we stay any longer, we’ll be trapped. Once we’re out of here we can run into the forest to hide and wait out the horde.”

“But both exits-”

The two elder brothers looked at their father and answered at the same time in surprise. “The second floor window.” They turned to each other, sharing a brief smile. Technoblade looked over to Phil once more, his mind and heart racing as the voices in his head boomed louder, and he tried his best to ignore their shouts.

“Look, it’s risky, I know, but we’ve gotta try. We don’t have time.” He winced and grunted as the zombies on the other side of the wall grew more violent in their animalistic attempts to break in. Phil looked at his family’s faces, hints of fear and uncertainty in their expressions. Tommy’s arm went to stop Tubbo from falling over at a particularly forceful blow, and as Tommy’s nerves increased he could see Tubbo holding his hand and giving it a squeeze. Technoblade’s heels dug into the wooden floor as chairs, tables and wooden boards began to splitter under the force of the creatures outside. Wilbur pressed a soft kiss to Sally’s forehead as Sally’s hand drifted to her stomach instinctively at this point, her eyes filled with nothing but worry. He knew this was crazy, but if it meant that there was a chance they’d be safe, he’d risk it.

“Alright. Wilbur, make sure the window’s open and we have a clear way down. Everyone else, get ready to run.”

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Wilbur’s heart stopped as he saw the creature’s teeth sink into Phil’s neck as he let out a scream in agony. Shit, shit, shit… he didn’t know where they came from, they blocked the stairs as they ran up, why didn’t he see it?! The zombie that bit Phil fell to the ground with a thud as Phil’s own blood seeped down his shoulder and stained his shirt. Techno stilled as he made eye contact with his father, who looked sad, knowing his fate. “Phil, I’m so sorry, I-” Wilbur trembled, his hand reaching out toward Phil, not knowing what to do, what to say. Phil’s head shook back and forth slightly before pushing his sword into Wilbur’s hands.

“You two need to go. Now. Before you lose the chance.”

Technoblade was stone faced. “Phil, we’re not leaving you-”

“There’s no time to discuss this, I said GO-!” Phil shouted sternly before going into a coughing fit, holding himself steady against the wall. Wilbur stepped forward, wanting to grab his hand, help him before Phil recoiled. “Wil… Techno… you need to go, that’s an order.” Silence fell over the two brothers, not wanting to leave their father. “Look, they’re not going to attack me now but they will attack you, now MOVE IT!”

Shuffling and groans grew behind them as Phil winced, feeling the infection flow through his body. They needed to get out before he turned, they needed to live, he wanted them to live-

“But what about you?”

Phil looked over to his sons with a sad smile. “I think I’ve taught you both enough to know what happens now.” Suddenly it felt like all the air in the room vanished. “Now do me proud and show me what we do if someone gets bit. Show me what I’ve taught you.” Phil could feel himself getting lightheaded, he was going to pass out, but he couldn’t… not until they both were safe.

Wilbur didn’t know what to do as he looked to Techno then to Phil, who slowly lowered himself to the floor, his back leaning against the walls of the home he built for them. Techno’s fists tightened as he turned to face his brother. “Techno…?”

“Get somewhere safe, okay?” His voice was heavy, serious. “Promise me you’ll get somewhere safe.”

“I… I will, I promise.” Wilbur said, trying to look at his brother to see if he had any plan. “But what are we going to-?” Before he knew what was happening, Techno shoved him through the window, closing and locking it firmly behind him. Wilbur began to panic, realizing what Technoblade was doing and trying to find some kind of grip before he slipped off the roof and landed in the bushes, pain and bruises blossoming on his body. Tubbo helped him up off the ground as Tommy’s eyes looked up to the window, confused.

“Where’s Phil and Tech?”

Tears pricked at the edges of Wilbur’s eyes as he felt his heart begin to throb without them here. Why, why why… Why did he stay? Why didn’t he let him stay? Why wasn’t he careful enough? It’s all his fault-

“Wil…?” Tommy’s voice wavered. “Where’s Technoblade and Phil?”

At that moment, Wilbur knew things changed forever. Phil and Techno were gone, they were gone and they were never coming back. He told Technoblade, he promised him that he’d get all of them somewhere safe, and with a heavy heart Wilbur knew it wasn’t here, not anymore. He wasn’t going to lose anyone else, he was going to protect them. He was going to protect all of them, if it was the last thing he’d ever do. That very moment what Techno said to him finally made sense.

‘If things go bad, you’ll know what to do, Wilbur.’

Right now, he wanted, more than anything in the world, to get them out of here. Tubbo and Tommy shared awkward glances as Wilbur took a deep breath for a moment, sniffling and wiping the tears from his eyes. Sally looked towards him concerned as Wilbur slid his hand into hers, looking towards his brothers with the same look and tone Phil had.

“We need to go. Now.”

28 notes · View notes

dindjarindiaries · 4 years

Note

okay i’m back before my lecture and i was reading your things of [how the boys react] and i am SOBBING maAM WHO GAVE YOU PERMISSION but also. if you’re not too busy. how they react to someone (me) who doesn’t get nearly enough sleep and has too much caffeine (i’m calling myself out it’s fine)

We’ve all been there, my friend how else do you survive through college/uní?

Din won’t be able to say much—at first. He rarely sleeps himself, but he’s gotten used to the routine, so he doesn’t need any assistance. You, on the other hand, are practically bouncing off the walls from your doses of caffeine, and while he loves your sense of energy, he can see right through the façade. He feels a tug in his heart at the way the bags under your eyes sit there silently, practically screaming at him to get you to rest like you need to. Din won’t gain the faith to say this for quite a long time—and when he does, you know you truly must take it to heart. “Rest,” he’ll urge you before you can reach for your next dose. “Please. I’ll tend to the kid if necessary.” That statement alone releases the tension from your shoulders, and Din will be pleased to finally see you walk off to your cot. He’ll check in on you a few minutes later to see you passed out already—and he’ll lay his cape over you just to make sure you’re comfortable enough to sleep for as long as you need to.

Javier knows the pain of getting little sleep, but damn, how are you so upbeat throughout the day? He knows the answer clearly—he notices the fact you drink at least 5 mugs of coffee during a typical work day—so he won’t stop himself from muttering a “Take it fuckin’ easy” when you’re feeling particularly buzzed from the caffeine. Of course, you’ll kindly tell him to fuck off and gesture to the pack of cigarettes on his desk, reminding him that you’re not the only one with a damaging habit. Over time, Javi will start to appreciate the energy you bring regardless of the fact you lose so much sleep from your dedication to the work. The day he brings you your needed dose of coffee before you have the chance to get up yourself—made just the way you like it—you won’t be able to help smiling as Javi tries to keep himself from doing the same. This starts to become a habit, and it’s Javi’s silent way of thanking you for all you do—with a hint of something extra you’re sure he won’t be able to confess just yet.

Ezra is intrigued by your odd routine. His dark gaze watches as you practically skip around the moon you’re both harvesting on, stopping every once in a while to sip from your pouch full of coffee rather than water. “You know, birdie, I find it extremely riveting that you seem to exchange your slumber for the indulgence of such a powerful substance,” Ezra will confess, offering a small chuckle as he watches you sip more coffee. You’ll shrug and tell him that’s the only way you can get everything that you want done in a single day. Ezra will be so interested that he’ll ask to try it with you. As soon as you get back to the tent you’ve pitched near your pod, you’ll brew some coffee for him and yourself, and in less than an hour you’re listening to him list off random facts at a mile a minute. His mouth can’t stop moving as you laugh at him, trying to get him to calm down after a while. You both end up with no sleep that night, and the next day, Ezra will beg you to never let that happen again—because his eyes can barely stay open for harvesting, now.

Jack (Whiskey) is at first very entertained by your caffeinated manner. “Well, you sure are just one ball of energy, huh, darlin’?” he’ll drawl when you zoom by him at the headquarters. He won’t understand that it’s the caffeine that’s always got you going at a mile a minute, but he’ll realize something’s up when he catches you at work very late one night. Jack’s only headed in because he left something he’ll need for a mission the next morning, and when he sees you still there—chugging away at a mug of coffee as you stare blankly at the screens in front of you—he’ll look at you with a concerned expression. “You still here, sugar?” His voice will take you by surprise as you practically jump in your chair. He’ll hold his hands out to keep you calm. “Now, I ain’t mean to scare you.” You’ll assure him it’s fine, and you’re usually here at this time and never see anyone, and that’s when Jack will truly feel concerned—and he’ll ask you to go home and get some rest while he finishes up whatever you have to do. This becomes a habit of his, and you find him coming in often to make sure you’re not working as late anymore.

Frankie (Catfish) hates the idea right away of you exchanging sleep for caffeine. “That shit will fuck up your body, babe,” he’ll say, sighing as he watches you brew another pot. “And I’d really like to have you in bed earlier.” You’ll assure him it’s fine, remember when you trained yourself to do this during college? And Frankie will remind you that he never liked it or encouraged it then, either. You’ll only be convinced by his words when you head to bed one night and see Frankie already asleep—but rustling in a restless manner. You’ll realize he’s having some kind of a nightmare, and nervously you’ll wake him up to save him from the torment of his mind. He’ll tell you he dreamt that he lost you somehow, and you’ll get him to slip that this has happened nearly every night since he’s had to fall asleep without you by his side. Instantly, you begin to change your routine, slowly waning off the caffeine so you can be there for him every night to ease him to sleep.

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anonbebe97me · 4 years

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𝕄𝕒𝕜𝕖 𝕚𝕥 𝕎𝕠𝕣𝕜 (Ch.7: The Calm.)

A/N: This was a fic I’d originally posted on Wattpad last year. Hope you guys enjoy!

Description: Working for Mr.Yoo Kihyun was an absolute nightmare; Y/N hated everything about him, and was convinced he was either part demon or at least some sort of reptilian hybrid- never in a million years would she have expected to learn that he was, indeed only human, and even worse; that he might even be…likeable?

Link To: || 1 || 2 || 3 || 4 || 5 || 6 || 8

"Ladies," Wonho walked up to our table with a tray of drinks and set them down in front of us.

"You didn't have to do that," Karina smiled at Wonho, grazing his muscular arm with her long nails.

"I didn't, actually- they're from," he scanned the crowd and then settled his eyes on someone, "Him."

Wonho was pointing at the end of the room at a table. We all looked at where he was pointing.

I furrowed my brow with irritation, and Karina waved Wonho away.

Kihyun was looking straight at me. He seemed to challenge me with his eyes.

Usually, I would break the stare- look away in intimidation or fear...but I had a stomach full of alcohol and a head full of dangerous thoughts.

I grabbed the drink and put it up to my lips, "The storm," I echoed Karina's words as I, once again, threw my head back and chugged the glass, using my arm to wipe my mouth (and my lipstick).

Kihyun raised his eyebrows slightly, surprised, and the corner of his mouth curled into a half smile.

I stood up from the table, "Watch my bag," I said to Karina and Lizzie, who had watched the entire silent exchange.

"You sure you wanna-" Lizzie began to speak, but all I could focus on was walking over to Kihyun.

As I walked, I remembered those times in the lobby when I would walk toward Shownu- my heart racing, palms sweating, knees going weak by the second, and how my courage would drain from me as soon as I reached my destination.

But now, in this moment, it was nothing like that.

In fact, it seemed like the more distance closed between us, the more strength I got.

Finally, I was face to face with him, and this time...he was the one looking up at me.

"Mr.Yoo." I said, my face as expressionless as his usually is toward me.

He leaned back in his seat and then motioned for me to sit down.

I didn't take my eyes off of him as I sat across the table.

"Y/N, I'm going to need you to keep this between us. Like I said, I like to be professional-" His tone was firm, the way it usually was at the office, making my blood boil.

"Don't you talk to me like that," I snapped at him.

He seemed to be caught off guard by my tone, "What?" He asked.

"We're not in the office, which means here," I motioned to the room around us, "You're not my boss," I said.

He looked around, trying to make sure no one was listening, "Excuse me?" He asked, an incredulous expression on his face, "I may not be your boss out here, but you still need to respect me. What you say to me out here might affect our relationship in the office, so I suggest you watch yourself," He said.

My courage kept growing, "Or what? You're one to talk, considering the display you just put on," I said, pointing to the platform.

He caught himself and looked down. I could see his Adam's apple move as he swallowed.

"I know...I'm sorry," He said.

Even getting fired for my drunken rebellion would've been less surprising than what he just said.

"...what?" I asked, my heart steadying.

"I know I put a lot of pressure on my employees-" He looked at me, connecting his eyes to mine, "especially on you, to be professional and, well... I know I haven't set the best example tonight," He looked back down.

Sitting there across from me, out of the suit, out of the monster-chair... he seemed almost human.

"You're not just hard on me," I said, "You're a jerk."

He bit his lip, "yeah..."

A short silence fell between us, making me give in.

"But I accept your apology," I said, reaching out and taking the beer that was in front of him.

His mouth hung open in disbelief at my confidence, but I couldn't care any less as I downed the contents of the bottle.

"You sing nicely," I said, setting the bottle back down and releasing a satisfied breath.

His face turned bright red, "Thank you...but I-"

"I won't tell anyone," I sighed, looking back at Karina and Lizzie. Lizzie was staring at me, but of course, Karina's attention was completely focused on Wonho who had taken advantage of my empty seat.

When I turned back to Kihyun, his eyes were intensely fixed on me, making me feel small again- but in a different way than it usually did.

"I'm drunk..." I said, looking down.

And for the first time ever, Kihyun smiled at me.

"No kidding," He said with a laugh.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I shot up in my bed, my heart racing. I looked around, struggling to figure out where I was.

Home.

I felt around on my bed for my phone and finally found it by my feet. I checked the screen for the time and sighed.

11:00AM, already?

I sighed and sat at the edge of my bed. My head was throbbing.

"Never again..." I said, holding my head as I remembered everything I'd had to drink the night before.

The shot, the iced teas, Kihyun's beer-

My eyes widened at the full realization of what had happened last night.

"What have I done?" I smack my forehead with my palm.

I jumped out of bed, the room spinning slightly as I tried to find my balance. I clumsily made my way to the kitchen, holding onto the wall for stability. I turned the stove on and then put a kettle of water on to make myself some tea.

I sat down at the small table by my kitchen window and stared out at the street, my mind wandering to the events of the previous night...

"I'm drunk..." I said, looking down.

And for the first time ever, Kihyun smiled at me.

"No kidding," He said with a laugh.

"Don't laugh at me..." I glared at him.

He cleared his throat, "Sorry..." But he couldn't contain his laughter.

I tried to keep my face expressionless, but his laughter was contagious.

Before I realized it, we were both laughing hysterically while the rest of the room exchanged loud conversations around us.

"You have..." He motioned to his mouth.

"What?" I asked, confused.

"Lipstick..." He laughed a little bit more.

I licked at my teeth, thinking maybe my lipstick had ended up there.

"No...here, let me," he leaned over to better reach me.

His left hand held my face still while his right wiped at the outer edges of my mouth. His eyes were focused on the task at hand, and his lips were pressed together in concentration. My face was burning up as I stared at him- his sharp, yet delicate features distracting me from how incredibly messed up I was.

He caught me staring, and for a moment, his eyes truly connected with mine.

What a beautiful, yet fleeting moment it was.

"All done..." He said softly.

I looked down, "Thanks..."

Karina walked up to our table, my purse slung over her shoulder, "Uhm...sorry to interrupt..." she says before turning to me, "Lizzie's feeling sick and Wonho offered us a ride since he's about to get off in a few minutes."

I pursed my lips and then looked at Kihyun.

He stared back at me, and I swear he was thinking the same thing as I was.

"I'm...I'm not ready to go home yet..." I said.

Karina looked confused, "Are you sure?"

I nod, leaning back in my seat.

"Alright...call me when you get home..." She says, narrowing her eyes at Kihyun as she turned to walk back to Lizzie and Wonho.

Kihyun propped his elbows on the table and intertwined his fingers together, "Y/N... what are you doing?" He asked, his question was loaded, though it seemed superficial.

I leaned forward as well, matching him in closeness.

"I saw you here last week, too." I stared at him, gauging his reaction.

The only change in his expression was the lifting of his eyebrow.

"Oh yeah?" He asked.

I nodded, thinking I'd shocked him.

"I saw you too," He said.

I was dumbfounded.

"What?" I ask.

I was snapped out of my memories by the high-pitched scream of the kettle. I poured the steaming hot water into my mug and brought it to the table, steeping the little bag of tea. The smell of chamomile settling my increasingly upset stomach. I was hungry, but I knew that any sort food would probably make me barf.

I looked across from where I was sitting, and saw the stack of papers that I needed to work on. I put my hand to my forehead and sighed.

I'd forgotten about my little weekend task...

Suddenly, anxiety filled my chest as I imagined how my interaction with Kihyun would be. After the night we'd had...how could we go back?

He sighed, "Last week, as I was about to walk off of the stage...I watched as you ran out with- uhm..." He pointed over to where I was sitting with Lizzie and Karina.

"Karina..." I filled in the blank.

He nodded, "Karina."

I scrunched my eyebrows and thought for a moment.

"Why didn't you say anything?" I asked.

"Why didn't you?"

I shrugged, unsure of how to answer.

"When I bought you the food the other night at the office..." He looked down at his hands, "I guess... I was thanking you."

"Thanking me? For what?" I asked.

"For not telling anyone or...for not using it against me," He said, a small, sad half smile on his lips.

I thought back to when I was leaving his office the other day and I'd asked him if he'd ever heard the 'Hyeya' song.

"I mean...I did bring it up- at least a little bit," Feeling sheepish as he thanked me.

He laughed, "True...but I was being a dick to you."

I smiled, "Well, at least you're aware..."

"I'm always aware..." He shrugged.

I sipped my tea half heartedly, and by the time I was halfway through with it, it had gone cold. I sighed as I got up and placed the mug in the sink.

I can't focus here.

I decide on going to the coffee shop down the street. At least there, the buzz of people around me might help me take my mind off of him.

I walk over to my dresser and grab a fluffy white sweater and some blue jeans- knowing full well that I'd regret the sweater around 3:00pm, but deciding on it anyway. I removed my dress, feeling instant relief as I freed myself from its vice- body con dresses always made me feel like a stuff sausage after a night of drinking. I reached for the pants and as I bent over to put them on, I glanced at my knee, where I saw a dry, deep crimson scab.

"What in the world-"

"Mr.Yoo...you wanna go somewhere?" I asked, suddenly feeling a burst of energy.

"What do you mean?" He looked me up and down cautiously.

I rolled my eyes, "Not like that. I'm hungry."

He sighed with relief, "Good God. I thought I was gonna have to call your friends back here," He laughed.

I was slightly offended by how relieved he seemed to be, "Ouch. Thanks." I said, standing up.

He looked up at me, "No, not like that- I just meant I was relieved- not relieved, I was glad- I mean, you're beautiful but I meant-" His face got more and more red as he rambled on.

I blushed.

"I seemed to have had too much to drink..." He looked away nervously.

I smiled at how pathetic he was acting, "...come on."

I started walking and he followed behind me.

"Where are we going?" He asked.

I shrugged, "Where that heavenly smell takes us," I say, pointing up in the air.

The air around us smelled like fried food, and my stomach growled ferociously.

He walked beside me, looking straight ahead. I couldn't help but stare at him from the side of my eyes.

"Yes?" He asked, his voice familiar, and yet, quite unfamiliar as he softly spoke.

"Nothing," I said, pretending not have been staring at him.

Just as quickly as I looked away from him, the toe of my heel got caught on the sidewalk, sending me flying forward. Luckily, I didn't fall on my face- but I did break the fall with a sharp scrape to the knee.

I winced in- albeit dramatic- agony.

"Oh God, are you alright!?" Concern scribbled all over Kihyun's face.

Still on the ground, I lifted my knee up to examine it. Blood was oozing out of it, but I it wasn't bad enough to warrant any immediate action.

"Come on, let's go find some bandaids or something-" He said, reaching out his hand to help me.

I rolled my eyes, "I'm fine, it'll dry," I said, thinking back to my days as a child, when I'd play tag just a little too intensely and I'd tumble over my own feet.

I reached my hand to meet his, and when it finally did, my stomach was sent flipping. As I finally got to my feet, I ended up so close to him that I could smell the beers on his breath, and the subtle yet musky cologne blowing off if him.

"Thank you..." I said, my eyes fixed on his lips.

His eyes did the same, but a second later, he was back to clearing his throat, "We should get you home..." He said, his voice low.

I looked up at him, "Yeah, maybe we should..."

I shook the thoughts out of my head as I pulled the pants all the way up, choosing to ignore the slight ache from the thick fabric running against my wound. I grabbed my bag and the papers I needed to work on, and then headed out the door.

A/N: I swear I didn’t purposely imagine her looking like this… but In case you’re wondering what Karina looks like XD

#monstax #monsta x #mx #smut #angst #fluff #shownu #wonho #minhyuk #kihyun #hyungwon #jooheon #changkyun #im #monsta x scenarios #monsta x reader #kpop #kpop stan #fanfic #fanfiction

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dndfuckhouse · 3 years

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session 33 - Introductions and Invitations

youtube

> 🎵 Sword Search on Koholint Island / LOZ: Link’s Awakening (2019) OST.

After having spent the whole of the morning walking around the group find themselves drawn to the smell of fish wafting around the city square and head over towards the nearby café to refuel themselves over lunch.

After being greeted by the upbeat waitress they seat themselves and begin pondering the menu. The feeling of the bright midday sun beating down on their heads while the cool seaside breeze blows through keeps them company amongst the townspeople in the city square.

Cimmorro: the image rn is finn cimm han plum rokka in the same table..... psalm also but at the edge??? Chip: dnd cafe marching order being determined rn Celebrity Guest Aki: WHY DOES THIS SOUND SO UNBALANCEDD Rokka: BC IT IS Psalm: achieving total mental blankness trying to imagine this Keva:

Finn: im ordering nothing because i literally cant eat or drink Psalm: just ask for the bloodwine alone Finn: yeah ill just inconspicuously ask for fish blood in isolation Plum: they got that just for you actually the blood drink, god put that on there for you finn Psalm: yeah we called ahead

Noticing Keva struggling with the menu, Cimmorro moves to lend her a land subtly. Meanwhile Plum tells Finn they can order the dish that comes with fish blood and split it with him if he’d like.

Keva: she's not really looking at the menu much.... you probably just see her watching everyone else and checking the number on the menu for the thing they order Cimmorro: okay well he's going to look at you for a good second, contemplating if he should offer to help but realizes that might be a bad idea so he's just going to go get the waitress' attention and go like "what would be your best sellers here? and what you would recommend?" Cherry: she hums and thinks "i'd say the sea bed or the prawn's eyes usually sell pretty well! the salty dog ale is a local specialty as well, id recommend it if you aren't made queasy easy" she says with a laugh Keva: trying to picture wtf sea bed and salty dog could mean Cimmorro: (dwfl he wanted to order the sea bed) cimm nods at her and looks at the menu "10 sp for the sea bed... fish and bread sounds appealing today huh i'll have one," he says alla this w/ intention for keva to hear. and adds, "i think i'll just have a glass of water though, thanks" Keva: she looks at cimm for a moment, silently feeling grateful, and says "same as him" tilting her menu a bit towards cimm and hands the menu back

Plum: plum turns to finn and says "i could order this," and points to the caver's treat, "and you could have the cup of blood that comes with it, if you're hungry." Finn: hes already spacing out when plum suddenly speaks to him, whipping his head around a little startled. "oh" admittedly, finn wasn't hungry, or thirsty, but plums attentiveness does touch him a little. he nods. "that is very kind of you plum... if you truly do not mind, then ... id appreciate that." Plum: "sure, no problem" plum says to finn and takes a sip from their drink. they wave the waitress over to order one ＣＡＶＥＲ＇ＳＴＲＥＡＴ

The Group’s Orders ~ 🐟

Plum: Reaver’s Luck, Caver’s Treat Rokka: Berried Salmon, Reaver’s Luck Psalm: Berried Salmon Han: The Phoenix, Fishers Teeth (takeout - Caver’s Treat ) Keva: Sea Bed Cimmorro: Sea Bed

Taking the orders, the waitress gives a nod and scuttles off. After a small wait the dishes are brought out, the scent of fish overpowering the place. The group find their meals appetising and begin to dig in and chatter amongst themselves. Finn stealthily transfers the bloodwine into a cup of his own he can discretely drink from while Keva wraps and saves a slice of the bread for later consumption.

Finn: he clinks his glass with plum to thank them for the fish but before he takes a sip he blinks "oh... what are we to do with the fish plum?" Plum: they clink their mug with finn's and then gives him a confused look. after a moment they look like they're trying not to laugh a little. "what made you think i wasn't gonna...eat it?" plum asks before picking up a fork. Finn: "i simply thought it might be a bit much.. is all.." feeling a little stupid for having asked now. "and it is meant to be eaten with the blood after all.. " Plum: "oh, nah. it was two gold pieces so i'd better finish it, honestly," plum says and starts eating. "also i don't really want the blood," they stop and make a hand gesture as if to say that finn can just go ahead and enjoy the blood himself. Finn: he fails to control himself and finish listening to plum, chugging the glass in one go, feeling particularly satisfied and sated for now. "ah, please... i will pay for it of course, you ordered this for my sake" he says quickly as if he didnt just drink that like a possessed man Han: finns eyes do the cat silly time thing Cimmorro: yess finn goo you fucking horse Han: vibrates in his chair cause he got the blood zoomies

Plum: "or we can just split it" plum says casually, not saying anything at the change in finn's demeanour for a moment there. it'd probably be rude to seem a bit surprised.

Rokka: “LOOKING GOOD” Cimmorro: "kinda pog as they say...." cimm gives his thanks to wee jasus christ and begins to eat in a decent pace... just focused on eating Rokka: halfway through chewing rokka talks with his mouth full, "watsh pogh" Cimmorro: cimm looks disgusted at you, once again, for talking with your mouth full. and just goes. "oh you know like- [does the pog face for a split second]" before going back to his food though he looks up at you again the next second and goes like "oh right. rokka, here." he slides 35gp across the table to you. "for the time at nickels." and he just goes back to eating Rokka: "ohhh so then if i wanted to say my food is "pog" i can just [makes the pog face]?" he looks down at the money "oh! you didn't have to pay me back....thanks though!" le pockets money Han: han goes (mgs ❗ noise) and starts fishing in her side pocket too "wait i owe you for bedroll and rope" and hands rokka X gold Rokka: he then turns to han "WHAT!!! NO, NO ITS OKAY!!" he tries to push it back to han Han: she doesn't even touch it again and goes back to food "i dont like being in debt" Rokka: he stares at the xgp before reluctantly taking it seeing as han refusing to take it back "alrigghtt. thanks hannn" Han: 😇 Psalm: he watches Rokka’s exchanges for a moment. "It just occurred to me that now would be a good time for that drink you owe me." Cimmorro: cimm looks at rokka and psalm and goes "i'm starting to learn that it's a bad idea to be in debt to you psalm" Psalm: "I think I'm pretty fair all things considered 😇 " Cimmorro: he just sighs and goes back to his food

Rokka: his head whips over to psalm like !!!!! "i-WHAT--oh! yeah....do you.......want to share my drink?" Psalm: "No I don't...?" Rokka: well, then.......what do you want?" Psalm: "One salty dog ale please (: ." Han: did chip plan for this joke. its too perfect? Psalm: WAIT YOU'RE SO RIGHT Han: I LEGIT THOUGHT IT WAS A GAG U WERE DOING AND LOOKED AT THE MENU Chip: LIFE FINDS A WAY....

Ghester: you hear a chuckle in your head followed by a voice that says "well he's a good sportsman about it" Psalm: "It was his idea to play." Rokka: he looks around "HUH WHAT?!" Ghester: "that makes a person more reluctant sometimes" he then laughs at rokka's reaction Psalm: he scoffs. Rokka: he abruptly stands up from the table and shaking the table in the process "OK WHATS GOING ON"

Getting agitated by Ghester’s repeated remarks, Rokka bolts up from his seat ending all other conversation in his wake, the rest of the party stares at him, grabbing their plates instinctually in case he flipped the table over. The waitress in the meanwhile hands Pslam his newly purchased drink on Rokka’s dime.

Ghester: "oh he's gotten excited" says the voice Rokka: “WHO!?” Psalm: psalm is just drinking casually

Cimmorro: when rokka finally settles down, cimm just looks at him like 🤨 before looking at psalm again, "speaking of being fair, why don't you tell us about your little friend... ghester? you said you'd tell us about them, no?" Psalm: * doesn't remember what he said * "Yeah alright. I introduced Plum and you already right?" Cimmorro: he nods "introduced us... but we don't even know who or what you introduced us to" Rokka: just looking up at the sky like "....hello?" Plum: they had jumped at rokka's reaction but at the mention of their name by psalm they think they can guess what's happening now. Finn: he was gonna reply to plum but because of all the commotion his attention is focused on psalm rn, but he is bouncing his leg under the table Keva: she just has no idea what's going on

Psalm: "Your guess is honestly as good as mine." @ ghester "You want to explain? I myself am not really sure what to say." Ghester: he chuckles before speaking into the rest of your heads "hmm... well you may call me ghester. i am a companion of sorts to your lovely friend psalm here. pleasure to meet you" Rokka: "ghost...........?" side eyes psalm Psalm: "No I don't think that's quite it." Rokka: “then what?” Psalm: he just shrugs Rokka: rokka slowly nods as if he gets it but he doesnt

Keva: she jumps a bit "what the fuck" Plum: plum shivers at the sudden voice in their head. "i really thought the cult would be the weirdest thing with y'all and yet." Han: she squints her eyes "can you like, read our minds? do you have a body? are you stealing psalms...?" han leans in quizzically and stares at psalm Ghester: he laughs "no i cannot read anyone's mind, not even his. nor do i hold any control over him, i dont think he'd quite appreciate me doing it even if i could" he thinks "i dont have a body, though i feel like maybe i did once, a funny thought to have these days" Han: she pouts thoughtfully but her brain is actually empty "hmmm" Cimmorro: damn so no cock penis? Han: hate your ass Finn: im just imagining the voice of the book from nier rn for this guy Chip: YOU SHOULD THATS HIM Plum: oh my god that was the decided voice, thats so horrible Han: liam obrien haunts us everywhere

Finn: he does squint at psalm, but he thinks that ghester’s voice is quite pleasant so its not like its a huge hassle. after psalm told them about this, at least. he is a bit irritated over having thought he was hallucinating it a while ago. Plum: "doesn't sound like he's been with you for too long" Psalm: "It's been a couple weeks. Maybe a month." Plum: "wow, that's shorter than i expected. i've already known you fuckers for a week by now." Cimmorro: he just kinda looks confused towards psalm and responds to ghester "uhh huh... are you the reason why he coughs smoke or..." Psalm: he’s just blinking at Cimm like oh you saw that lol whoops Ghester: "not directly, but its related. i guess you could say im a conduit for his magic. in charge of watching over him" Cimmorro: just shaking his head at psalm and how he said they've only been together for a short time... like what is wrong with yall

Finn: "and you just.... hid this from us?" Ghester: he chuckles at you finn "thats a funny response" Finn: "im sure it is after youve messed with all our heads" bouncing his leg quicker Psalm: "What reason would I have to tell you? It's not like I've known any of your for all that long." Plum: looking at finn like you good bro Finn: "if you didnt want to tell us you should do better to keep your parasite out of our minds then" Ghester: "ooh quite harsh" Psalm: “Right? Yeesh. Why am I being put on trial here? He called you a parasite (lol)." Cimmorro: "i get the feeling that you don't wanna share more about this. but i just wanna know if you communicating with the rest of us like this won't harm us in any way..." no video game rpg sanity drain so to speak Keva: squinting like wtf does magic do to you...... is orin okay...... Ghester: "oh nothing to worry about there, my job is to keep him safe. If you are his friends then this extends to you as well, quite the opposite of harm" he turns his attention back to you psalm and laughs at his joke Cimmorro: cimm just hums at this, not entirely convinced but it's good for now Finn: just staring at you for a moment longer before looking away, expecting psalm to understand without actually saying anything because he's awful. Psalm: Psalm just 🤨 ...? and just decides to go back to his drink. Finn: finn: dear uncle, ive witnessed another cringe moment. this is number 10 in the top15 list

Psalm: "I think friends is generous :j , but rest assured that for now your life isn't being slowly siphoned away from you or whatever it is youre worried about. At least I don't think it is /s" Ghester: "i wonder why you would even put the thought out...? Psalm: "Because it's funny?" Ghester: [sigh] Plum: "thanks, i feel a lot better about that now." Rokka: just staring at u dead on sarcasm flying over "wait......HAVE U BEEN FEEDING OFF ME" Ghester: he laughs jovially at you "theres nothing on you to eat dear boy" Han: han thinks 'damn... does he mean rokka has no brains to eat....'

Han: she thinks for a bit "do you have big range? before you cannot hear us?" Ghester: "hmm from wherever our good man here is standing i can hear about 120 or so feet...granted you yell when you are far away that is" Han: "does that mean you hear through psalm? and here i thought you would be useful for undercover work" han sighs a bit Psalm: "I have to agree with you on that one. Kind of disappointing." Ghester: "not necessarily, if he cant hear i still can. i can talk to you all if you are all that far away as well even if he himself isnt close" @ psalm "and here i thought you were my one ally at this table" Psalm: :j Han: "oh hmmm... that suppose that is useful..." han thinks abt strategies.. Keva: she sarcastically mumbles "just what i always wanted, a ghost from i don't know where doing god knows what, listening in on whatever i'm doing" Ghester: he laughs Rokka: he mumbles to himself after hearing this "scary..." Cimmorro: well then he stifles a small laugh and looks at keva "what could possibly go wrong, yeah?" Keva: "can't think of a single thing" Psalm: "It's thanks to him (and plum) we didn't lose your money to Rickert though. So I'd say for now the pros are more than the cons." Ghester: "oh such rare praise" Cimmorro: "oho is he not always this nice to you?" Ghester: "tis' a heavy burden i carry" Psalm: "Stop framing it like I'm picking sides" Ghester: [laugh] Plum: "true, and he's more personable than his host," plum says jokingly Psalm: "Alright, alright already." psalm waves everyone off Han: han is like 👁 but also snorting at this

Cimmorro: "aww you poor thing... psalm be more nice... i think ghester does care about you, you know... he immediately went to me when you were unconscious." Psalm: he just rolls his eyes Ghester: "well... as far as charges go i could have been given far worse" you feel a warm presence before he snickers "try not to bully him too much" Han: "far worse?" Ghester: "hmm well imagine if i were companion to someone completely silent...now that would be a trial" Han: she ponders the previous thought "you are right (@ ghester) at least psalm is funny sometimes." Psalm: 🤨 "Okay, pester Psalm hour is over now. Hope you all had your fun." SWATS THE AIR IN FUTLITY Ghester: [laugh] Plum: they wants to say we're not even talking to you we're talking to ghester but they'll leave him alone Keva: she snorts at the try not to bully him and pops a piece of bread into her mouth Cimmorro: he smiles at the warmth but also "no bullying, not even in your honor? you are so humble, king..." and just laughs at psalm swatting everyone off Psalm: "I try." Ghester: he laughs "you'll be fun to be around im sure" Keva: "oh he likes you" like someone talking abt a pet taking a liking to someone Cimmorro: "he knows how to pick them... " he laughs and responds to ghester "if you ever change your mind on bullying psalm, you know who to call"

Plum: "you changed your mind pretty fast, huh?" @cimmorro, plum is amused they're not making fun of him Cimmorro: "oh i'll still get him whenever i can. just leaving the offer with ghester in case he wants to join in." Plum: "oh, i meant on warming up to psalm's mind demon in the first place, but true" plum says Cimmorro: "oh well he's a charmer. what's not to like" he laughs Plum: "agreed" Ghester: "flattery will get you everywhere" Plum: "hah, i guess that's true ain't it." flattery's not really their thing, but they give an amused laugh.

Finished with their food and their curiosity over Ghester for the moment sated, some of the party get up to go pay for their meals while others continue to sit and chat. As they do Han continues messing about and pulling Ghester’s attention over.

Han: she covers her mouth with her hands and whispers to herself "ghesterrrrr can you hear me? tell psalm he looks like a strawberry." then get distracted and moves her hands "actually, can you move things? or are you simply ghostly" Ghester: "i cannot. lest i am a weapon psalm has willed me into and is...well using me to move things" a beat passes "all these ghost comparisons are amusing" Han: "ooooh... maybe living weapon... cool :D" Psalm: "He's what I've been fighting with this entire time." Keva: she’s gonna get up and head to the counter where she spies people paying for their food, and as she passes psalm she kinda gives a little shrug like "i tried" to change the subject lol Psalm: psalm nods, benedict cumberbatch salute

Han: she has lightbulb moment "your weapon that seems to change every time i look? and that you never actually carry on you?" Psalm: "Yes that would be the one."

To drive the point home psalm has Ghester discreetly apperate in his hands as a short sword for Han.

Cimmorro: psalm like yosuke persona 4 pulling out his katanas at the convenience store and gets arrested for it Psalm: I ASSUME EVERYON EELSE HER JUST HAS WEAPONS HONESTLY LIKE I THOUGHT THAT Cimmorro: NO ONE WHIPS IT OUT IN A RESTO Psalm: HDG WELL I DO NOW Cimmorro: AND THEN WE HANDED PSALM CHAN OVER TO THE POLICE

Han: "ghester, can i have you?? it would be super useful to change from bow to glaive in second.." han is v excited now Finn: he’s getting up yet, being intrigued by an ever changing weapon........but he feels too awkward to actually comment on it. he thinks han's reaction is kinda cute. Ghester: he laughs jovially again "sadly you cannot have me, him and i are bound. you'll have to look elsewhere, though im flattered by the thought" Han: "aww booo" han pouts and flicks at the sword (if its in arms reach anyway) Psalm: "I'm amazed you even asked honestly." on the outside psalm is :/ but on the inside psalm is like 😏 Han: HAN LOOKS AT PSALM PUZZLED Psalm: PSALM JUST LOOKS BACK AT HER LIKE WHAT? Han: she shrugs and lets it go

Chip: the pact is marriage <3 Keva: exactly, ordained by psalm's patron Psalm: why areyou trying ot homewreck me he's happily married Cimmorro: damnn psalm already taken before this campaign even started... how can we homewreck that beautiful marriage Chip: next quest Psalm: OI

Having had their fun messing with Psalm the rest of the group get up to go pay for their meals. The party idle around deciding what to do next, as they chat Han orders and waits for an additional meal to be prepared for her to take back to the Swallow’s Perch for Ferrie and the others.

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> 🎵 Village of Rynoka / Moonlighter OST

Han: oh before everyone starts leaving han is like "oh oh oh, ferrie chris insists everyone stay at the swallows perch.. its free food and bed " Rokka: "WHAT" Han: "yea :D" Finn: finn gives you this look 🤨 Han: "you included" Rokka: rokkas tail wagging at mach speed bc free roof and food epic!!! "THATS AWESOME!!! TIME TO GO PACK THEN" he quickly gets up and immediately heads home to do as he said Han: han waves bye :D.... Rokka: waving in the distance as he runs off Finn: "i ... see" he cringes at the fact that he will need a new residence soon, and that this is the most convenient option. however, he absolutely doesn't want to be stuck with the others. bad enough that they'll have to travel together for so long

The group split off their separate ways, Han sticking around to wait for her food, though Finn also sticks around to continue chatting with her about Ferrie’s offer.

Finn: finn rolls his eyes and crosses his arms. "ugh. not much of a choice, is it?" he pulls up his scarf more before continuing. "if you want me to stay so badly theres something youll have to do for me first." Han: HAN LOLS INTERNALLY and cocks a hip "what might that be? dont overestimate how badly i want you" Finn: finn makes a grimace, you can tell from his visible eyes. "ive no interest in women, give that up this instant" (so full of himself he believes that) he begins rubbing his temples. "anyway, itll give you an opportunity to be closer to me, i suppose." and motions for you to come closer Han: han guffaws "what?? and i have little interest in small men that cant handle me. whats that got to do with your favour?" she seems entertained and leans in Finn: finn is confused by hans push and pull, was she hoping to charm him somehow like this? when she leans in he yanks her down more to a comfortable level (by her hair) and whispers "i will say this as clear as i can to" an insult lies in the tip of his tongue but his scolding uncle appears in his mind "you. i want you to stealthily move my coffin to that inn, once i have to leave my quarters. youre the strongest so i trust youre capable. ill reward you if need be" Chip: WHY IS THIS THE GREEN M&M COPYPASTA JUDE ? Cimmorro: P;'TLQ30TO305O-0RQOFASF CHIP ILL ILLL MAUL YOUHG Finn: finns done fighting w cimm he needs someone new to hate him Psalm: finn's moral compass is his uncle its not even an angel devil him situation, its vorde

Han: han’s entertained demeanour drops immediately as her hair gets grabbed and shes mad and even madder that she didn't catch that so she just grabs finns hand painfully as he holds her hair and whispers with contained anger without even listening to whatever finns saying "dont do that. if you want to play friendly." Finn: he winces when she grabs his hand like that. normally he would not yield just yet but a fight in direct sunlight, with their bulkiest party member, is not what he needs. he lets go of her hair quickly. "i assumed it was fine to be playful around you. my apologies." <- genuinely meaning this Han: han is silent for a second "... just not the hair" and she drops finns hand "what did you say you need" Finn: "note taken. not the hair." he rubs his hand before going on his tip toes to talk to her instead this time. "i need you to move my coffin the day i move out. but obviously i dont want the whole city to see us with that thing, if you catch my drift." taking on a neutral, dry tone. Han: han thinks briefly "consider it done. i can burrow the inns cart and hide your coffin... actually, what exactly .. is it." Finn: finn blinks a little in surprise, not having expected her to still do it after he's pissed her off. his eyes get a little bigger, 🥺 like. "you will? i.. thank you. we can work out the details closer to my departure..." Han: han is like augh 🙄 at the puppy eyes bc she is immune to them "yea, just tell when to show up" Finn: "ill let you be on your way then." going off his tippy toes and waving goodbye for now Han: han waves him bye too......... cherry wheres my takeaway Cimmorro: how yall going to explain to ferrie chris abt finn's coffin Keva: dont worry about it its his burden to bear Celebrity Guest Aqua: His jesus cross to drag

After waiting a few more minutes Han is handed her takeaway, she soon scuttles her way back to the Swallow’s Perch with the meal, heading in she notes that Cimmorro isn’t back yet either. She promptly hands the food over before getting ready to work on the clock for the rest of the day. Layne joyfully takes the lunch as its handed to him, Ferrie steals a bite from it as well while Jessep stares at it and remarks he's full.

Soon after the two’s conversation, Finn heads back to the blacksmiths to get his rapier worked on for the day, finding no need to head over to the Swallow’s Perch for the moment. The rest of the party head to their inns to prepare and transfer their belongings over, Plum and Cimmorro however make a brief stop off at Vinny’s store first to check in on the goings on and to see if he’s returned yet.

The two glance at the building once they reach it, though it doesn’t exactly look to be open. Squinting through the window they see Cole bumbling around behind the counter in the back. Cimmorro waves at her from beyond the window though she doesn't seem to notice prompting Plum to knock on the glass instead.

Cole: you see her head swoop over like : D ? before she recognizes the two of you, and comes over to the front door, appears it was locked after all, as she wrangles it open the bell jingles "hey guys!" Cimmorro: cimm goes hiya and asks her if everything's been good around Plum: "hiya, i'm just here to buy one or two things" Cole: "yep I've just been cleaning up since vinny still isnt back" she tilts her head with a sigh before turning to you a bit more chipper plum "oho... were closed but ill make an exception for my new pal" she gives you a wink and ushers you in Plum: they jump a little at that and are a bit embarrassed now. a bit red, they scratch the back of their head and say, "i mean, you don't have to. i was just lookin' for shit to buy for my mom and pop before they got here... nothing serious." Cole: "aw dont worry about it, and if its something that easy then its all good for me to let ya nose around" she smiles as she waves her hand Cimmorro: "still no show huh, don't have any news when he'll be back too?" Cole: she frowns as she walks over to the counter "no... but if he isn't back tomorrow ill go over and see if they'll let me poke my head in..." she shakes her fist "he's...got important obligations here... yknow!" next to her one of the cats on the counter meows Cimmorro: he leans over and tilts his head looking at the cat "indeed, very important obligations." he pats the cat's head. "oh but don't get into trouble trying to get him though haha... in any case i oughta be going but i'll be peeking in from time to time. let him know i'm looking for him if you get the chance though, yea? thanks cole" he gives her a smile before gesturing to plum that he'll be heading back first Cole: she folds her arms "aauugh guards and wizards.... but sure thing, i'll...twist their arms somehow!" she gives you a cheery wave as you trot off Cimmorro: he kinda just smiles while shaking his head at that as he walks on off Plum: plum waves goodbye to cimmorro. they're kinda curious because they thought cimmorro was gonna buy something but whatever.

Going off ahead Cimmorro trots off back to the Swallow’s Perch noting Vinny still hasn't been able to return to his own store just yet. Walking back he gets a quick idea and shoots off a sending spell towards him to ease his mind over Cole and Ezra’s current statuses.

Cimmorro: "yoohoo, this is cimmorro. we found cole and ezra all safe and well. they've been back at your store since yesterday. no need to worry." Vinny: after a brief pause you hear a quiet sigh of relief in your head followed by words said in a whispered hush "i cant quite speak right now but. thank you so much, i mean that genuinely" followed by the typical silence Cimmorro: cimm scrunches his face a bit but will continue going abt his merry way then

Soon after he makes his way back to Swallow’s Perch, second after Han, and settles in their shared room. In the meantime Plum takes the time to pick out a few items from the store shelves as gifts for their family, chatting with Cole once they bring them back over to the counter to purchase them.

Chip: the cat seems to stare at you for the duration of this transaction Plum: "what's this one's name?" Cole: she turns her head and scratches its head "this ones coal" Plum: plum snickers. "what? did vinny name this one before or after meeting you??" Cole: she laughs "before! before! this guy here's my senior teaching me the ropes" the cat starts purring Plum: "right, how long have you been round here again?" Cole: she stretches back thinking "hmmmmm a year ago now...probably two actually" she scratches her chin "it's a nice city though, the airs so ...fresh around here even though its so busy" Plum: "yeah it is nice. too bad i'm not sticking around for much longer, i wanted to see the ocean better " plum says, mostly conversationally. "anyways, thanks for the stuff. and good luck getting that wizard lady to let go of vinny, also." plum huffs out a laugh. "poor guy." Cole: she pumps her fist "im getting him back here at some point at least! maybe ill wrangle ezra into it..." she thinks to herself before turning back "you should head down to some of the docks soon, they're real fun for peoplewatching" she says with a smile walking over with you back to the front door Plum: [pumps fist in return] "maybe i'll do that later then, thanks. seeya." Cole: she sees you out with a wave and locks the door behind you as it jingles, getting back to...you're not sure what she was doing actually. Finn: PLUM GOT HER ROUTE UNLOCKED Han: DONT SQUANDER UR CHANCE FOR A CUTE GF Plum: i will Han: oTL

Content with their purchases Plum heads back to their inn to begin their transfer to the Swallow’s Perch. Slightly ahead of them, Psalm and Rokka return to the Hole in the Wall and get the few things they have all sorted to go.

Heading out they note that at the front desk this time appears to be Artie as opposed to the other two employees that work there, perhaps they have their hands full with something at the moment. He silently notes the duos departure and mail transference with a surly nod.

Artie: at mention of the swallow’s perch he tilts his head and remarks “good place. got decent pie there” sending you on your way Psalm: "Also, if Ruth and Esther Brimdrorvi come looking for me can you direct them down the street please." Artie: he nods silently Psalm: Nice Rokka: i give artie my farewells and wait for psalm bc wynaut

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> 🎵 A Tavern on the Riverbank / The Witcher 2 OST

The two make their way to the inn next door, after a bit of chatter with Layne he leads them upstairs and directs them to the empty rooms they have upstairs on the first floor, adjacent to Cimmorro and Han’s shared room.

Rokka: "what room are u going to?" Psalm: "I have no preference." That being said he just goes up to the first empty room he finds and opens the door. Rokka: he nods and walks a little further down the walkway and goes into the second room

The two each take an empty room for themselves, forcing those who show up afterwards to decide who they’d prefer to room with. Across the street Keva also checks out of the Out and Inn similarly asking for her mail to be rerouted. At the counter are the two twins who quickly send her on her way

Flinn and Pin: they remark that one of the dwarves there will give you beer at a discount if you tell him a funny joke, but do not specify which one. Keva: she makes a face like 🤨 but with an amused smile "okay... thanks?" and heads over to the swallow's perch

As Rokka and Psalm settle in across the way, Cimmorro in his room takes has a thought and decides to shoot off another sending spell to another important recipient.

Cimmorro: "ulle!!! it's your cimmy. i wanted to show off what i can do now ehehe i'm going to be so cool when i get back" <--- he sounds very excited Ulle: you hear a confused sound in your head in response before spluttering noises and a response "whoa i was-bleh, eating a sandwich just now you scared me! haha this is so cool hey hey mahalia ! cimmorro just spoke to me-" before it cuts off

As Han’s shuffling about and doing some menial tasks around the rooms on the first floor she overhears the sending spell and pokes her head in to spy on Cimmorro. At the same time Keva soon arrives at the inn, getting the same spiel from Layne downstairs she heads up to the first floor hallway staring at which room to pick while Han blocks one of the doorways.

Keva: she does not want to room with psalm and his spying ghost. she does not want to room with rokka bc headache. she does not want to room with han bc headache........... but she figures she has to talk with cimm anyway so........ least of the evils Chip: women and cimm united front Cimmorro: clerics who respect women

Han: "were you talking to someone?" Cimmorro: cimm plops his back into his bed, completely relaxed and thanks wee jas in his head "ohhhh... this is one of the best things you've ever let me have!! thank you, thank you, lady wee jas >_<" and then notices han come in and acknowledges her. "hm? i was casting a spell... did you need anything?" Keva: keva's standing behind han blocking the doorway, in that time she is considering whether she should change her mind Han: she shrugs "nothing, just heard u talking, got curious- AH" at keva teleporting behind her and stares at her for 2 seconds before going "im going back to chores, bye" and scuttling off Cimmorro: he just looks at you two like 🤨 Keva: she moves out of her way and says bye back after she's already left like 🤨 "any room in here?" Cimmorro: he looks at you for a moment before understanding what's going on "oh you're staying here? that makes things so much easier for me. yeah there's room, though han can be a bit energetic" he laughs and points at a spot in the room Keva: she looks back in the direction han left for a moment "yeah that's going to be fun" /s, she'll go over and plop her few things down Cimmorro: a laugh "she's like that... though she can easily be distracted lolll... i think she'll be more focused on dress making than at you, for tonight at least." Keva: keva tosses her cloak on the bed while mumbling "thank the gods for that." turning to cimm "does she work here or smth?" Cimmorro: he nods at you as he sits back up on his bed "she was already here when i arrived a few weeks ago. i'm sure she's been here for way longer" Keva: "hm. well, don't let me get in the way of what you were doing." and she gonna climb onto her bed and take out a little bit of bread to feed amos Cimmorro: he watches you do that for a sec before going "okay, i'm still beat from going around the stores earlier myself so... we can talk about what you want to do with your outfit later. give it some thought meanwhile.."

As Keva settles in, Han remembers to head over to Ferrie Chris and notify her that Finn will probably be showing up later in the week.

Han: "the pampered one will come later... ill borrow the cart to fetch him, if its ok.." Ferrie Chris: she tilts her head from where shes bent over moving crates "hm? sure whatcha need it for anyhow? Han: han shrugs "he needs some stuff moved" Ferrie Chris: she squints "how much stuff could tha' guy have...?" she shakes her head "eh 's fine, we moved most of the stuff earlier in the week anyway" Han: SHE SHRUGS HARDER

As the two of them chat Cimmorro and Psalm both begin the process of attuning to their newly bought weapons in their rooms, though Psalm also goes through the additional ritual of designating his new scimitar as his pact weapon.

Ghester: for the latter ritual ghester is silent the entire while until the end in which he lets out a sigh, quickly remarking how strange a sensation that was Psalm: "Strange how?" Ghester: he ponders the thought a moment "like growing another limb, despite the fact that i dont have any in the first place" Psalm: he nods like he gets it even though that's kinda weirdchamp

As the group settles for the afternoon Plum also arrives at the inn, the last of the party to make their transfer for the day. Receiving the same spiel as those before them they waddle up to the first floor, deciding to pick whoever is behind the closest door to them for their roommate, the result being Rokka.

Chip: for your viewing pleasure

Cimmorro: AKFHJLKASFKSAJFAKLWFKAL Han: EMO A;LKDHGKLLKDSF Keva: I'M LAUGHING THAT GHESTER AND AMOS COME WITH US NOW Chip: your government assigned leeches

Rokka: his ears twitch and he turns towards the door "come in!!" Plum: "oh it's you rokka, nice. you don't mind being roommates do you?" Rokka: he perks up seeing plum enter, "oh plummy!! hi!! i don't mind at all in fact im glad we can be roomies hehehe" rokkas tail wags in delight Plum: "ok great, what are you up to for the rest of the day, then?" Rokka: "hmm" he taps his chin and looks up to think "nothing much unless you wanna do something with me? :D" Plum: "i'm not up to anything today, so sure. got anything in mind?" Rokka: "we can work on that music box you got!!" Plum: "oh, right! forgot about that thing." plum says, and starts fishing around in their bag of holding until they pull out the ＭＵＳＩＱＵＥＢＯＸＥ Rokka: he moves next to plum and leans his head closer to them "i don't know much about fixing music boxes so I don't think i will be much help but i can cheer you on :D" he tilts his head a little "whaddya think it would sound like once it can play" Plum: "i think it'll probably play, just not very well. i'm not even sure how this thing is broken. also thanks, if you cheer me on that means i definitely have to fix this thing though." plum says, lifting the box carefully to peek at it. Rokka: "yeah i had a feeling it would sound like that too...i cant wait to hear it in its full glory" rokka goes 🥺 and speaks with a little gentler tone "i just thought its another way i could help you is all." Plum: a little embarrassed now plum just says "right..." and trails off. then after a moment of looking at the box they say, "y'know this thing might not actually be broken after all. so it only plays on a full moon, right? and i thought that was just some kind of charm attached to it for fun or somethin', probably is. but other than that it's a functional music box. think the seller thought that little catch to it meant it didn't work." plum says this all in one go without realizing because they like to talk about magical objects. "personally," they continue, "i don't think that means it's broken. i think that just makes it more special. i could probably make it so that it plays all the time though, what do you think?" Rokka: he silently nods throughout plums explanation simply enjoying them talking more than usual in one sitting, "thats a bummer we gotta wait until then for it to play but if you can make it play ALL the time that would be super cool of you plum!" he gives them a thumbs up Plum: "well i can try, anyways."

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> 🎵 Tired Rynoka / Moonlighter OST

Plum begins working away at the music box as Rokka sits attentively beside them for the rest of the day. In their own mind they decide their course of action is going to be to change the enchantment into a dual purpose one. A person will still need to wind the music box on a full moon to have it play, but it will also play whenever if Rokka is the one to wind it.

Getting to work on inspecting it Plum finds the enchantment is inscribed weirder than they’d thought it would be once they actually get a look at it. Most of the evening is spent trying to make out the creators handwriting, but it is solid progress nonetheless. After much interpreting they see the enchanted name signed near the bottom thusly " -ＲＡＮＤＯＶＵＳ / THE GREAT AND BEAUTIFUL"

Han: randovus instant fave character no lie Rokka: whoever this is i wanna fight them Plum: chip was it that the seller thought it was broken??? Chip: yeahp Plum: oh LOL Chip: zafar like what in the....not gonna ruin my day [puts on shelf] Plum: hHHHFHFG

Plum: "this guy's handwriting fucking sucks" Rokka: he makes a weird sound of agreement as he doesnt wanna admit it "mmmnnyyeeahmnn?????????" Plum: "anyways, that's all i got for you today re: this thing. might take me a couple days." plum says, without telling rokka what exactly they're intending to change about the box until it gets done. Rokka: he oohs and ahhh through the process of what plum does "neat! you got me excited now that I know i can probably hear it sooner!" his tails lazily wags in content and a little nostalgic spending time with plum like this in a room as they remind him of his siblings Plum: "yeah, i'm pretty excited too. and its fun working on something for...fun. i feel like its been forever, even though its only been like, a week. feel free to tune in next time." Rokka: "yeah! i getchaaa especially with what we've been through having some time to just enjoy like this is nice hehe" he tilts his head at plum "really?? then please let me know whenever you choose to work on it! I will be there to watch and cheer asap! thanks for letting me watch plum " Plum: "any time. i can make it a little task while we wait for the ball and all of that." Rokka: he stares at plum for a moment seeming to ponder something "plum, you're really nice. I like you, can we be friends?" he says without his usual loud and cheery tone. this time being more calm as he asks genuinely for the first time Plum: "h-huh?" plum says after a beat, suddenly turning fully red in the face. "man, rokka, why do you sound so serious... and! a-anyways! i thought we were already friends?" Rokka: "I just never-- wait what???i---" he struggles with finding words to respond as he didn't think plum thought they were friends "you.....we're friends? really? really really friends?" he looks expectantly down at plum Plum: "oh i mean i just assumed since we get along and we're stuck in this large group for now. maybe i jumped the gun there, sorry. but yeah we can be friends." plum says and scratches at their face, feeling embarrassed. "you're making me feel kinda embarrassed over here, saying "i like you" to people so bluntly, y'know." Rokka: he lets out a small gleeful laugh with a smile growing larger each second "ah...ahah!! yess!!!!!!!!" he ruffles plums hair "Sorry, I just like to be honest, hehe," now in a very great mood he cant help his wagging tail Plum: [is ruffled] "no it's fine, just caught me by surprise. i like to be blunt too 🤨 " plum says and coughs a little awkwardly. Rokka: he just grins at plum before plopping onto his bed with a content sigh followed by a mumble "my first friend.."

As the afternoon ebbs on Cimmoro also finishes attuning to his new healing knife in his room, the other two going about their business in silence and settling in. Finally he moves and stretches, and gives the knife a stare, he decides to give it a whirl and to check whether he’s been scammed or not. He tightly gripes the blade with one hand and makes a swift cut on his hand, he makes a low hissing sound as he does, alerting the other two briefly as they spot his hand bleeding for a couple of seconds

Han: han just stares like 🤨 Keva: keva was feeding amos the little snack thing she bought from the pet store, but when she hears cimm hiss, she looks over her shoulder. when she sees the blood and the knife she jumps a bit in surprise like "what the fuck?"

However, despite how quickly he made the wound, once he expends the charge, it heals just as quickly, glowing slightly for a brief moment as the skin stitches itself back together, like there was nothing there in the first place. They watch even as the blood quickly rises through the air and zooms back into his body from the wound.

Han: she stares at the immediately closing wound "that..what?" Keva: she's also staring in confusion and curiosity Cimmorro: he watches the wound heal itself, wonder in his eyes and then immediately puts his palm up for han and keva to see it stitch up like ":D SICK...!!" Han: "is magic? thats cool" she pokes the part where he sliced himself Cimmorro: he breathes out in relief "wuhahhu... looks like i got my money's worth..." when han pokes at his palm he goes like "yeah! you wanna try?" Han: "fuck yeah!" han holds out her forearm excitedly >:D Cimmorro: "it only works when i do it though" he's taken aback by your enthusiasm but likes it regardless. cimm swipes the blade on your arm, making a clean cut [will use charge] Keva: she makes a 🤨 face at han's enthusiasm and closes up the jar of treats to put it away as she says "no thanks" .... she does turn back to watch tho

Cimmorro slices again this time on Han’s arm.....blood...a second...thwoosh the body stitches itself back together immediatley and the wound is healed.

Cimmorro: "aw cmon we can do it one more time" once han's wounds begin stitching too he looks back at keva like "see? see?" Han: "oooh.." han goes over the wound with her hand "its only a bit tingly... wanna try it over actual wound?" Cimmorro: he turns to han looking confused for a sec like "... wait are you injured?" Han: "no, but keva can stab me" :D “or you stab with the knife normally. i just trust keva to make it count” 😌 Keva: "you're really excited about being stabbed" Cimmorro: cimm is wondering why han wants to hurt so badly rn and his mouth is just agape Han: "wounds are an honour" Cimmorro: "what... well, i guess?" Han: "well, more in battle than in here but still" Keva: "is that why you tend to go into things without thinking" Han: "without think-?! i think a lot, thank you !!!!" han sounds offended Keva: keva makes geralt from netflix "hm" noise "kay well, i'm not stabbing you so" Han: han pouts "your loss" then goes back to looking at cimm expectantly with her forearm to him Cimmorro: "okay, ladies.... let's...." he sighs "this dagger can do as much damage as it can heal, supposedly... so... to test?" he looks like he doesnt want to tho Han: "to test!" >:) Keva: "we already know it works. why do we have to do this" Cimmorro: "just to be sure!" Han: "to test!" han repeats Cimmorro: "you're not going to hold this against me are you? if i stab you like real stab?" cimm is starting to wonder if this is a good idea Keva: keva puts her hand to her face Cimmorro: he makes a fake stab against the air right now just to make sure han knows what she's asking him to do "like this, stab stab" Han: "huh?? why would i?? plenty of family have stabbed me, just do it" she doesn’t flinch Cimmorro: he completely sputters at that "do-what tthe ?!? the HUH?" Keva: keva's slient for a moment in shock as well and then "...gods you're so weird" Han: han tsks impatiently "i can do it myself, yeesh" takes out her own dagger Cimmorro: "no, WHAT? STOP" Keva: "(medieval fantasy equialvent of jesus christ)"

Han makes a clean slice along her forearm without flinching, taking damage, much to the displeasure of her two roomates.

Han: the dagger looks similar to the hammer shes taken out before, one solid chunk of blueish metal Keva: she winces watching it happen and is like, getting up off her bed Han: "nnnow try it" :) Cimmorro: cimm looks horrified not bc of the wound but bc of han just being so.... han. he clicks his tongue while he makes a weary slice on her already open wound, expending a charge

With a glow the wound stitches together again and the blood zips back in, the wound is not fully healed but it looks alot less bad now, closer to a papercut but long across the arm.

Han: "ooooo~" Cimmorro: cimm lets out a sigh of frustration and keeps han's arm in place while he grabs his holy symbol to cast cure wounds on the leftover cut :( Han: han lets him but is like :/ Cimmorro: cimm lightly blows and pats on her arm as if to check if he missed a spot then lets her go once cleared out. "this thing is more for emergencies, it looks like" tilting the doctor's blade a bit with his free hand Han: han wiwis for a sec Keva: keva relaxes back onto her bed once the wound is healed Cimmorro: "since we'll be travelling together for a while it's good to let you guys know what this does, though i won't use it unless i really have to... i don't like relying on things aside from what i already know anyway..." he puts it away and then looks at han like :| "no more stabbing yourself like that" Han: han goes 😤 "this was for teeeest!" Cimmorro: cimm remembers how han also just nonchalantly sliced her arm in the blood chamber and he rubs at his eyes at the memory "you do this kind of thing so often!! what the hell was that about your family!! uggh" he just keeps rubbing his eyes rn trying not to think of what he was to deal with the next coming weeks Han: han just goes 😟 but says nothing Keva: keva notices the look on han's face and says "anyway." Cimmorro: cimm stares at her and sighs and shakes his head Han: han gets weirdly shy under the attention Cimmorro: "no more hurting yourself. if that's what your family liked to do then whatever. but don't do it around me.. don't like seeing it" he says that rather harshly but there is a hint of concern Keva: keva like a sibling looking out the car window while the other kid gets chewed out Han: han is still like 😟 "no its.. they didnt.. uagh" she looks frustrated by both not wanting to talk about it and not knowing how to explain it, and just drops the thread entirely , pacifying cimm with a non commital "i wont, i wont" Keva: keva just quickly raises and lowers her eyebrows, thinking well that sounds convincing in her head Cimmorro: cimm doesn't seem convinced, but it's not like he expected his words to do anything immediately. he exhales and waves his hand around to clear the air "well... anyway. you two know what this does. don't go stabbing me back when i bring you conscious with this pls..🙄 " Keva: keva waves a hand like yeah yeah Han: han snort laughs a bit and also agrees Cimmorro: he shrugs as if to say he's just trying to make precautionary measures "nice. well okay you are cuties dismissed 👏" he hops off his bed and walks out the door peace out

Cimmorro scurries about preparing things for later on, and as sundown and evening comes the rest of the party settle into their rooms and comforts for the night. Han however, after a bit more pestering of Cimmorro, heads out after clocking off her shift, and walks off towards a familiar destination in the city.

She weaves her way in and out of a few alleys and streets in the business district before entering one of the taller buildings nearby. Despite there having been no rain recently she also spies puddles of water near the outside of the building. Shrugging it off, she heads inside and up a few flights of stairs down some interior hallways, past the doors of a couple other businesses

it’s pretty quiet in the area compared to when she’d usually come around, with the sounds of people revel making and drinking typically filling her ears. She quickly comes to the entrance of the place she’s looking for, the words ‘The Bone Pit’ scrawled nested into a carefully illustrated poster nailed to the front of the door.

youtube

> 🎵 Through the Valley / Pyre OST

She opens the door and steps inside, finding herself in a small lobby area of sorts, connected to a larger room that appears to be a bar floor with hallways leading upstairs branching off it. Though looking about it appears pretty empty and quiet, not silent however, some chatter here and there and the sounds of things being moved echo through the place. As she stares about it appears pretty sparse, its then that she notices a whole bunch of cleaning supplies stacked around the place.

Han: she just says loudly "hellooooo?? ruel? stella?"

As Han yodels out the names, someone shuffling around the larger bar floor seems to notice and comes running over, she recognises the woman as Stella, a short pink haired girl.

Stella: “ahh sorry there!!” she gives a cutesy wave “were closed right now for -er” she blinks now seemingly recognising you “oh my gods haaaaaaan, i'm being forced to do manual labouuuur- save me pleaaase” her tone changes to an uncharacteristically whiny one as she dramatically walks over pouting and shaking a mop that she’s holding in her hands.

Looking at her Han notes she’s not in what her typically style, instead in clothes that appear to be much more shabby, probably for cleaning. Behind her she also spots a taller person, whom she recognises as Ruel, a half orc woman leaning herself against a broom

Ruel: “...stella that’s like the 5th walk in, did you even put the closed sign out front..?” shaking her head as if she doesn't even expect an answer from the former. Han: han laughs at stella "you are such a baby." she notes their dress and says "cleaning day? do u want extra hands?" Stella: she lazily throws her head back with a groan “auuugh because of the lockdown the other day the good big boss decided this would be the perfect time to scrub down the whole place” she holds the mop out in front of her “this isnt in my job description y'know, i'm going to have to get my nails redone and everything after this, its tough work looking this perfect” she continues huffing a little before actually realising you asked a question "ah? oh no way we cant make customers help out, bad look..." Ruel: while she chats ruel crouches near the floor fiercely inspecting a stain in the wood near a bar table Han: "with the amounts of fluids this place sees daily i cant believe it took you this long to do deep clean....." han grimaces a bit but its still finds stellas baby attitude funny so it gets a bit lost. "and what? there are no customers around, no one sees me here. i asked a couple hours off." Stella: "ehh well it gets cleaned regularly but i guess she really wants these bar floors finally annihilated" she grimaces at the comment before looking back at you "y.........eaaaaaah but if i got caught doing that i'd get an earful is the thing" she waves her hand noncommittally though she looks like she is internally fighting off the temptation to just let you Han: han is just holding back laughter at stella like ppfftt "im sure you can do it, youre big girl" and then walks over to ruel and opens her arms for a hug Stella: she groans again and shakes the mop menacingly at you Celebrity Guest Aqua: is this like those clubs where they gotta hose the floor every morning or is it a nicer establishment Han:

Cimmorro: hate that gif so much dawg Chip: STOPPPPP Han: I AHTE THIS GIF TOO IT PLAGUES ME Plum: what is that fucking gif lord

As Han walks over to Ruel with outstretched arms she stands up curiously staring at her with a quirked brow.

Han: "i know ure off work but one hug pleeeaaase" >_< Ruel: she stares at you again but eventually sighs and opens her arms out invitingly like 😓 Han: "Oh! i actually came over to ask. me and some ..." han makes some grimacing/thoughtful expressions "friendsss?? like saved the town or whatever and they invited us to be guests at the new ball, do you guys wanna come??" :3 Ruel: ruel just ?? confused face at the question after the hug Stella: she turns her head towards you leaning on the mop completely disbelieving "if you ya want to invite me to a party han you dont need to lie about how cool it is" she says wrly Han: she probably has let go of ruel at this point lolol "no we talked to the king and shit.." han shrugs "its in 2 week, cimm, that priest guy, i dont think i told you about him, he even drew me a dress!" she starts looking around her bag "oh i must've left it with him... well anyway!" han is still in a chipper mood "you guys and the swallows perch are my only friends around so i thought i would invite you" she does get pink at this lol Ruel: she makes a face like 😑❓ silently thinking to herself Stella: she walks over and slaps her hand across your stomach jokingly "yeah and what did the king tell you?" she seems to be a little embarrassed about the only friends statement but is way to distracted by the ridiculousness of the gala thing Han: "uuhhh he was like [han tries to imitate his voice] thank you so much, here is 5000 gold, we are doing ball in 2 weeks, invite your friends. i have the gold to prove it" han opens her heavy ass stash and shows the girls the coin

Stella looks like shes about to crack another joke until Han opens up the bag, after which both her and Ruel open their eyes wide in surprise. Stella looks back between Han and the bag multiple times in shock

Stella: "th... first of all this is like, all platinum han, and second......i...." she stops mid sentence like she doesnt know what to say out of shock Ruel: she pipes up after "........you know they did say they were gonna rehost it...." Stella: at this she seems to snap out of her awe and stares up at han grabbing your giant arm and shaking you "HAAAAAN. YOU CANT BE SERIOUS THE GALA??? LIKE WITH THE ROYALTY AND EVERYTHING??? Han: she gets shaken around "yes, those guys, i dont rlly understand the big deal, ferrie chris was also excited about them?" Stella: "YESSS HAN THOSE GUYSSS" she seems to calm down a little though still gripping your arm "okay okay well im not gonna shoot for the moon or anything so i dont care too much about them but do you know how many rich nobles go to those parties.... the connections i can make there..." she then begins shaking your arm again "and i can brag about having BEEN to the palace my gods what am i gonna wear... i need to create the perfect ensemble, andrella is NOT gonna hear the end of this from me" Han: she laughs "i thought you might like it." she turns to ruel "how about you?" Ruel: as you turn your attention to ruel stella continues babbling to herself while shaking your arm, ruel stands nearby with her arms crossed thinking over it thoughtfully "honestly i am not sure i'd be good schmoozing somewhere so high class but" and she lifts her eyes up seriously with a glint and a thumb on her chin "the opportunity. is way too good." Keva: the egirls looking to get paaaaiiidd yeeeessss Chip: stella getting ready to have 100 business cards made Keva: are they bedazzled Chip: gel pen as well Keva: the other side is sequins that if you run your hand over it it reveals other colors and a message lmao Han: wait thats genius Keva: "stella" one way, "see the stars" the other Han: UA;LHDSGKH;KHWKH3LKESGKDX

Han: she just heehees "i went dress shopping with cimm today, hes gonna help get something tailored, you want dresses too? i can pay" Ruel: her eyebrows go up "oh no no, we can get that done ourselves fine, you're already inviting us and everything" Stella: she nods next to you feverishly "han i love you oh so dearly, now even more so, but i have my pride" she lifts a fist "and its telling me to go all out on this look...." Ruel: she nods sagely agreeing with her Stella: she quickly relaxes to a more joking demeanour before continuing "i appreciate the thought though as ludicrous it is for you to offer you big lug, if this works out i wont even have to annoy you to give me free drinks" she says with a smile ^__^ Han: han giggles then stops abruptly "what!! you said you annoy me because i dont let you tie me up!!!" <- she is faux sad Stella: she lifts a finger "i can have multiple reasons to annoy you" Han: she tsks "im glad you two are alright tho 😊 when you think the deep clean will be done?" Stella: she slaps your arm with a laugh at that Ruel: she thinks a moment "judging by how powerful these wood stains are... i'd say another two days with the others helping out" she folds her arms with a smile looking back at you "i'll be sure to expect a visit now that you're rolling large..." she squints her eyes and tilts her head afterwards though thinking on it "...kind of dangerous carrying all that actually" Han: she snorts at the wood stains comment "i dont have a lot to use it on anyway but thieves would be stupid to go for me" puffs out her chest "i will visit... soon? i will be leaving soon after so yeah.." han think thonks Ruel: she laughs at the chest puffing Stella: at the last comment stella tilts her head "ohhh??...flying the coop? you gotta tell me when we can go out for drinks or something, i'll have to console poor ruel.." she mock wipes her eyes Ruel: she rolls hers and grabs a cloth, getting back to working away Han: she shrugs "dunno, got one other bossman now and he wants us to go to antessa..." han trails off thinking about routes and times "you can grab me whenever you have free day. OH ferrie chris wants have do a banger too..." Stella: "damn moving up in the big leagues of freelancing now, cross country" at the second comment her face lights up "ohhhhh yes! when you have a date let me know i'll free up the evening" she says with a >:) grin Han: han is jsut ^O^ heeho evening successful, STARTS BIDDING THEM ADIOS? "no sex, no cleaning, im useless here" pouts again

Han scuttles off back to the inn satisfied with having said her piece, making sure to tell Stella to stop slacking off as she goes. The party all spend the rest of the little of the evening left idling around and killing time before finally heading to rest and bedding down in the dark.

Notes

💎Cimmorro and 🔮Psalm attuned to their weapons of choice

🦇Finn upgraded his sword to a +1 weapon

🍺Plum got an evenings work in on the music box

👨‍👩‍👦‍👦👨‍👨‍👧‍👦 Most of the Party relocated to the Swallow’s Perch

#recaps #210124 #this one took a little longer than the usual to get out yahaha

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sankyeom · 5 years

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after dance practice, the boys were heaving while trying to catch their breath after the rigorous routine they had just perfected for just about the hundredth time that day. you watched as they slowly dispersed, grabbing their water bottles and chugging as much water as possible in an attempt to hydrate themselves.

“you guys were great!” you said enthusiastically, looking through the pictures you had taken of their practice on your dslr camera. “i’m starting to get a feel for who is the centre of which part and the pictures are improving.” you added, showing yeosang, who was standing closest to you.

he wiped the sweat from his left brow and grinned. “these are great,” he insisted. “thank you again for doing this.”

you waved off his thanks. “it’s nothing!” you insisted. “it’s actually really fun.” you added just as mingi came over to you, sports bag thrown over his shoulder, sweat wiped away with a towel and a baseball cap on his head.

“ready?” he asked you, a nervous look in his eye and general demeanour. for someone as tall as mingi, he always stood up straight and confident, but today, his shoulders shrunk forward just slightly, a tell-tale sign of anxiety you had learned to pick up on.

“let’s do it.” you agreed, less enthusiastic than you were with yeosang. if mingi noticed this change, he didn’t let it show in his expression as the held the door to the studio open for you. you thanked him quietly, giving everyone else one last wave before stepping through the threshold.

when the door closed behind mingi, the room fell silent. yeosang, san, yunho and wooyoung were stunned to see you leave with mingi after your unaddressed tension for the past few days. the silent argument between you and your best friend had not gone unnoticed or un-spoken of within your group of friends, and neither had yunho’s confession to yeosang that he wanted to pursue a relationship with you. as if recalling this, yeosang, san and wooyoung all glanced over at yunho to see his reaction. yunho only stared at the door which you and mingi had just walked out of, his expression void of any emotion. he would have looked quite normal, and the water bottle in his hand not been held on to so tightly that his knuckles turned white.

“a latte with vanilla syrup and no whip, please.” mingi ordered your usual order for you at kqu’s coffee shop. you felt the urge to call him out for knowing your order but not knowing how to be a good friend, but held your tongue instead, trying to have an unbiased outlook on the conversation you were about to have with mingi.

“you didn’t have to order for me,” you said instead once the two of you found a vacant booth to sit at. mingi shrugged, but said nothing, cupping his americano in his palms. “so…”

“so…” mingi responded, removing his baseball cap and readjusting it on his head. “i figure i need to explain myself.”

“you don’t need to,” you felt yourself saying before you could think about it. “you don’t owe me anything.” you added, glancing down at your latte before blowing on the hot beverage to alleviate some of the heat.

“then why have you been ignoring me?” mingi retorted. you raised an eyebrow, placing your mug back onto the table.

“i haven’t been ignoring you or punishing you, mingi.” you told him calmly. “you started ignoring me the second i started taking pictures for the dance team. it’s not like i didn’t sit around waiting for you to reach out. because i did.” confessing this wasn’t embarrassing to you, because mingi was your best friend and he knew that you looked forward to his texts and conversations.

mingi averted his eyes. “actually, that was because you were getting close to my friends.” he confessed, squeezing his eyes shut as he spoke, as if the very thought embarrassed him to the highest degree.

this surprised you. you blinked a few times, milling his words over. “you don’t want me to be friends with your friends?” you asked slowly, as if the words made no sense to you.

“no? or yes?” mingi sighed, his eyes meeting yours. “i don’t really know. i guess i was just worried you’d like them more than me so when you started hanging out with them outside of our time together, it just made me insecure.”

“i’m your best friend, mingi.” you reminded him. “the only reason i wanted to get along with your friends was because they’re yours.”

“but they’re all just so handsome and charismatic!” mingi exclaimed. “and they have so much in common with you in different ways. i just didn’t want to lose you as my friend.”

you reached over and to grasp mingi’s hand in yours, but thought better of it halfway and stopped, clearing your throat awkwardly when his eyes darted down to your outstretched hand. “you were the one that pushed me away. not the other way around, though.” you reminded him before pausing. “what happened at that party?” you asked him, your voice quieter than it had been all day.

“ah,” mingi sighed. “not my finest moment.” he tried to play it off with a laugh, but it both sounded and felt rather forced. “i was feeling increasingly insecure about our situation and our little fight over text, and i wanted to clear my head. so i went to that party, got ridiculously drunk, and kissed that girl i was dancing with.” he explained. “i wasn’t keeping any secret relationship from you and i wasn’t doing it to rub in your face the fact that we weren’t talking, i promise.” mingi finished, looking at you with nothing but honesty in his eyes. “i wasn’t keeping secrets or trying to cast you aside.”

you bit your lip. “it felt like a slap in the face when i saw it.” you admitted. mingi felt his stomach sink, upset that he made you feel that way. “it felt lie you didn’t want to be my friend anymore. like you didn’t want me involved in your life at all, and that made me really upset.” you tried to articulate your feelings. “especially because you’ve been so cold to me at dance practice and never wanted to meet up. seeing you kiss that girl… it felt like i didn’t even recognise you. not because you shouldn’t be kissing girls,” you added quickly. “you can kiss whoever you want. it just made me upset that you hadn’t told me about it.”

“i was just stressed about my friends and then school was starting to really pile up because of how short the quarter is and to be honest, i just didn’t want to take out my anger and stress on you.” mingi said, reaching out to your outstretched hand and grasping it. “i’m sorry i made you feel like you didn’t matter and that i let my insecurities get the best of me. but i promise, i will make it up to you.”

“there’s nothing to make up,” you insisted. “i just need you to know that you’re still my best friend, even if i make new friends.” you assured him. “and i want you to be more open with me, okay?”

mingi nodded enthusiastically. “i can do that.” he agreed. you smiled, relieved that you had worked it out and stood up to give mingi a hug.

“so that’s it then?” you asked as you hugged him. “no more secrets?”

mingi felt his heart stop. “right,” he lied straight through his teeth, his heart pounding due to his close proximity to you, cheeks blushing at the mere thought of touching you this intimately. “no more secrets.”

𝚠𝚊𝚟𝚎 (𝚊𝚝𝚎𝚎𝚣 𝚜𝚘𝚌𝚒𝚊𝚕 𝚖𝚎𝚍𝚒𝚊 𝚊𝚞) // 𝚎𝚕𝚎𝚟𝚎𝚗

𝚙𝚊𝚒𝚛𝚒𝚗𝚐: 𝚢/𝚗 𝚡 𝚑𝚘𝚗𝚐𝚓𝚘𝚘𝚗𝚐 / 𝚖𝚒𝚗𝚐𝚒 / 𝚢𝚞𝚗𝚑𝚘

𝚠𝚊𝚟𝚎 𝚖𝚊𝚜𝚝𝚎𝚛𝚕𝚒𝚜𝚝 // 𝚖𝚊𝚒𝚗 𝚖𝚊𝚜𝚝𝚎𝚛𝚕𝚒𝚜𝚝 // 𝚗𝚎𝚡𝚝

#ateez #ateez au #ateez imagines #ateez scenarios #ateez blurbs #hongjoong imagines #yunho imagines #mingi imagines #ateez social media au #ateez x reader #yunho x reader #ateez texts #hongjoong x reader #mingi x reader #kpop social media au #kpop fake texts #fic: wave

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darkvalkyrie6 · 4 years

Text

Isn’t the lie more interesting

I got the inspiration when I thought of going to a concert alone, while I was falling asleep.I didn't use any movies, books or series for inspiration, the story is my original work. I hope you like it :)It’s still just a story, like all of my other stores. It doesn’t have a deeper spiritual, moral or ethical meaning.

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Emma always had a gift of knowing when people told the truth and when they were lying. She could see small changes in people’s faces, in their posture or their behavior that gave away their lies. She didn’t practice it or learn it. She just had a natural gift for it. It wasn’t a good thing to always know when your friends or loved ones were lying to you, so she just usually kept to herself.

One day, Emma went alone to a club. There was music and a very well known metal band she liked was performing. She sat alone at the table drinking her favorite beer, Guinness, listening to the music. The concert was still an hour away, so she just sat at the table, looking at other people when a guy walked over to her table.

“Is this seat taken?” He asked.

Emma looked at him and saw that he had one too many beers and that he barely stood up straight, so she said. “Yes, I’m waiting for my friends.” Emma used that excuse because it always worked. It was an unwritten rule that if somebody said that you back away.

Sometime later, another guy walked up to her table and asked the same question.

Emma looked at him, he looked sober and actually kind of cute and smart, so she said. “No, It’s not.”

The guy sat down and started the pickup line routine. Guys were so predictable. “Hi, I’m Lucas and if I may ask, what are you doing here alone?”

Emma looked at him. That was one of the worst pickup lines she heard in her life. Why did she think he looked smart, but everyone deserves a second chance so she said. “Truth or lie?”

“Hmmm… Truth.” Lucas said.

“Why truth?” Emma asked.

“Well, I want to know the truth.” Lucas said.

“But don't you think the lie would be more interesting?” Emma asked.

“What do you mean? Why would I choose the lie when I could know the truth right from the start?” Lucas said.

“I’ll tell you what. You go first and then I’ll tell you the truth.” Emma said.

“Ok. So, what’s it goanna be. Truth or lie?” Lucas asked.

“Lie.” Emma said.

“Ok. Lie it is. I’m here because my friends made me come. I didn’t want to go, because I don’t get out that much, but they insisted that I come and maybe meet someone.” Lucas said.

Emma rubbed her face with her palms, took a big sip of beer and said. “That was a good try at a lie. It wasn’t the best lie I have ever heard. You started with a lie, the part about you going out that much I really didn’t know if it was true or not, that was good. Then you told a part of the truth to make the lie convincing, I was actually amazed you did that, but you went overboard with the truth and told too much of it.” Emma explained.

“How do you know what’s my truth?” Lucas asked.

“After many years I learned that the truth for men in clubs, who approach women to pick them up, is always the same. There are some small differences, like with you. I know you are smart and a good person, but the pickup line you used told me all I need to know about you.” Emma said.

“So, your lie, in the end, sounded more like the truth than the lie. Come on, I’ll give you another shot, you were missing a few key elements of a lie. Tell me a proper lie, tell me a story that will intrigue me. You can add some truth to it but it can’t be all truth.” Emma said.

“I’m not good at telling stories.” Lucas said disappointed that Emma saw right through him.

“Can I then tell your lie?” Emma asked.

“What? You want to tell my lie? Why don’t you just tell me your truth?“ Lucas asked.

“Well, you still didn’t successfully intrigue me or made me laugh. How do you expect a girl to talk to you without making her laugh?” Emma asked with a touch of sarcasm in her voice.

“Ok. Tell my lie.” Lucas said.

“Well I’m almost done with my beer, let me get another one.” Emma said.

“I’ll get you another one. What are you drinking?” Lucas asked

“Guinness.” Emma said.

Lucas stood up, went to the bar and ordered a beer for Emma and a beer for himself.

“Thank you.” Emma said. “Now let’s tell your lie.”

“There were two concerts we wanted to go to, but they were on the same day. A friend and I wanted to go to the concert in the Factory club because of the bend that was playing, but our other friends wanted to go here. I don’t like this club. Every time I’m here the sound is awful, you can hardly hear the singer’s voice and the people pouring beer are polite as parking officers giving tickets. Since we couldn’t decide where to go without involving our fists one of my friends suggested we make a bet about it, so we did.” Emma looked at the confused look on Lucas’ face and said. “Bear with me, this is where it gets interesting.”

”The bet was that each of us would drink a full mug of beer and burp as loud as possible. The one who burps the loudest will get to choose where we were going. One after the other we drank a full mug of beer and burped. I was in the lead until the smallest friend of our group chugged down the mug of beer in less than a minute and burped so hard the windows shook, trust me I'm not lying to you about that. We were all taken by surprise. I mean how can such a small body make such a loud noise” Emma was saying but was interrupted.

“Ha ha ha ha ha! I could swear that you are talking about Simon right now. Ha ha ha...”

“Ok. So, Simon clearly won the bet and he chose this club. Others agreed and so did I. When we were standing here, at the bar, I saw you order a beer and then sit at the table alone. You have a cool tattoo on your thigh, but I could only see a part of it. I wanted to talk to you but I saw a guy stagger towards your table and ask you something. You just dismissed him and I lost confidence. My friend Simon didn’t, he rolled up his sleeves and told us he was going to talk to you. I stopped him and said that I saw you first and that I have the right to go talk to you first.” Emma said and took a large sip of beer. “I bet they make Guinness from the water of Antarctica’s ice”

“Where was I? Oh, yes. Simon started arguing with me and we agreed to flip a coin on it. I flipped and he called. He called tails and it came up heads. I was happy that I won, but at the same time, I thought that you’ll dismiss me as the guy before. My friends gave me a push and I walked over here. When I asked if the seat was taken and saw you looking at me from head to toe I was starting to mentally prepare to be rejected. I was really surprised when you pointed at the seat and said that it wasn’t. Since I thought that you would dismiss me I really had no plan on how to continue the conversation.” Emma said and took a few sips of beer.

“That’s not fair. I started talking to you when I sat down.” Lucas sad.

“Shush! Let me finish. With no plan, I introduced myself and used one of the corniest pickup lines that exist on this planet. It was as if I was working against myself at that moment. Who starts a conversation with the words ‘if I may ask?’ You could have just said no and cornered me. But the dumbest thing was that I asked you what you are doing here, here in a club where a concert will be. Yeah… I made a fool of myself from the start and again mentally prepared to be dismissed. But to my surprise, you didn’t do that.” Emma took a few sips of beer

Then she said. “You see, it’s not so difficult. You start with the lie that can be believable, ad some humor to it because you have to make the girl laugh, ad truth to it that you saw me and wanted to talk to me and end it with how you made a fool of yourself so the girl feels pity and thinks you are just an oaf. If you do that every corny pickup line will work.” Emma smiled and kept drinking her beer.

“So do you still think the truth is more interesting?” Emma asked.

“I don’t know anymore.” Lucas said. Emma managed to tell his truth through his lie as if she was reading a book. He wasn’t sure if he even wanted to know her truth anymore. He sat there just looking at her for a few moments not knowing if he should ask for the truth, she promised him but then the concert started.

“I think I’ll chose the lie.”

“Aahaa… A change of heart. Ok, I respect that.” Emma said. “Well, I have this app on my phone that tracks concerts around me. I saw that one of my favorite bands is going to be in town so I bought a ticket. None of my friends listen to this band so I decided I’ll go alone. When I was standing in line today, I felt like those people that go to the movies alone. You know the crazy people that go to the movies alone and watch the movie alone. All of those people are crazy. But standing alone in line to get into the club I started to feel the same as those crazy people.”

“Oh yeah. Those people really are crazy.” Lucas said.

“I know. How can you go watch a movie all by yourself? Crazy.” Emma said. “So I got here and I’m enjoying my favorite beer before the concert. The only problem with being here alone are the drunk men coming to my table pestering me. They can’t even make a complete sentence yet they want to pick me up with their charm and beer breath.” Emma smiled and continued to drink her beer.

If that was the lie, Lucas wondered what the truth was and wanted to take back the change of his choice. From the other room, where the stage was, they could hear someone saying that the concert will start in a few minutes.

“Want to go watch the concert?” Emma asked.

“Yeah, sure.” Lucas answered hoping that he will get to hear the truth eventually.

————————————————–

Thanks for reading :) Every comment is welcome

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heyhowdyhellohi · 6 years

Text

To Hold You

Blog Masterlist

Pairing: Bucky x reader

Word Count: 1.9k

Summary: Bucky has a bad day. You do your best to be there. That’s not always easy, but for him you would face your worst fears.

Warnings: Language, blood (nothing gruesome)

You get home from work and immediately kick off your shoes. Bucky had slept in today, which was strange, but you had to get to work so you hoped he was just tired from his latest mission. Now, seeing that he isn’t in the living room watching tv or in the kitchen messing around with old recipes, you stomach drops. You held on to the tiny hope that he might be showering as you dropped your bags off on the counter and rushed to the room. When you opened the door... disaster.

The mirror, or rather pieces of the mirror, lays shattered on the ground, jagged shards covering the floor. They reflect only the light from the hall, the room is dark, curtains drawn, lights off. You had been hoping for a different kind of surprise, maybe roses leading to the bed instead of broken glass. But Bucky has bad days. You can see were he has hidden himself under the sheets, and, as you accustom to the absence of light, you see the minute shakes of his shoulders.

“Bucky?” You say softly. Your heart is beating out of your chest. Bucky who you gave your soul to without a second thought, who brightens your days with laughter and love, who encourages you to stand up and brush yourself off when the starless nights seem to stretch into eternity, is as fractured as the room reflected in the mirror, trying to reconcile parts of himself that don’t fit into the tapestry. What do you say to the strongest person you know that he hasn’t already heard a thousand times? What piece of wisdom or personal experience could you possibly offer him? No amount of cuddling can meld the pieces back together. He has to do this for himself.

“Get out!” Bucky growled, he grabbed the lamp on his bedside table and threw it across the room, where the mirror had been. It wasn’t meant to hit you. In fact, you knew he had thrown it in such a way that it couldn’t possibly have hurt you. But that didn’t stop you from jumping out of your skin.

He has to do this for himself, but that doesn’t mean he has to do it by himself. Steve had said, “He doesn’t think he deserves you. He’s going to try to scare you away. Don’t let him.”

Your words are caught in your throat and it’s all you can do to keep your feet from carrying you off somewhere else, somewhere that didn’t make you want to cry, somewhere that didn’t make your entire body tense, somewhere your mind doesn’t stall thinking of what the right thing to say is.

“I said. get. out!” Bucky yells, locking eyes with you as his voice reaches its enraged peak. You tremble under his gaze. This was a stare down. And if you stayed he would get angrier, trying to scare you off. And if you broke, he would feel calm for a moment, but terrible in the long run.

You take a shaky breath, standing there with your mouth hanging open for a moment before you remember how to talk. “Is-is that what you really want right now?” Your voice is a pathetic squeak.

“It’s what I’m asking you! Yes, it’s what I want!” Bucky growls, breaking the stare and turning his back to you.

“Do you-” your voice breaks. Bucky sighs and brings a pillow over his head to ignore you. But he’s a super soldier, he’s gonna need to do better than that to block out your voice. You take a deep breath. “Do you want something to eat? Or I could turn the radio on for white noise? Or... we could talk?”

“I don’t want to fucking talk.” Bucky growls. “Just leave me alone!”

“Okay,” you shuffle out and close the door behind you. Your shoulders drop as you stand in the bright hallway. Your tears slip out, but you try to keep your breathing even as you walked to the kitchen. He couldn’t see you breakdown, and, being him, he couldn’t hear you break down either. You let yourself have a good cry before you dry yourself off and get to work. You brew some hot chocolate and pour a glass of cold water. You put sheets and a sweater into the dryer for a light tumble. You turn the tv on and turn the volume up until you can hear the noise from anywhere in the house. You get candles out of the cupboard and bring everything with you to the bedroom door again. Attempt #2

“Bucky?” you call at the door. You receive an angry groan and you can practically imagine the eye-roll, but you still think he’s calmed downs some. You walk through with the mug, the glass of water, and the candle on a tray, and the warmed sheets bunched up under your arm. You walk around to your side of the bed and set the drinks down on your night stand. “I brought dryer sheets and a sweater, if you wanted.”

Bucky doesn’t say anything. You grab the corners and whip it out so they’re spread out over him. He slips out from under the bed sheets so more of his body is in contact with the toasty one. You take that as a win.

“Hot chocolate or water?” you say gently, as loud as your throat will let you. You hear some kind of car insurance jingle from the tv as you wait in silence.

“Water,” he finally croaks. “Thanks.” He sits up, and scrutinizes you as you take the glass in shaking hands and give it to him. He sighs down at it for a moment before chugging about half.

“I brought a candle, if you wanted.” You hold it up. You feel slightly lighter now. So far, so good. “Pine trees.”

“No. No fire.” Bucky grunts. You nod and put it back down on the tray.

“Do you want to take a shower?” Every sentence is like navigating a war-zone.

Bucky shakes his head. One missed step and you set off a landmine.

“Do you want to talk?” You have no experience diffusing landmines. Identifying, yes. Avoiding, usually. Dealing with? Nothing terrified you more.

“No!” Bucky’s tone is sharp as he says this. He takes a moment to swallow his pride before finally whispering, “Sorry.”

“That’s okay. You can just listen while I talk about my day. Or we could just sit here and listen to the tv.” You continue to offer, refusing to leave his side. He was letting you in. You suddenly felt something bothering your foot, like a mosquito had bitten you right on your heel. You bring your hand down to scratch it, and it hurts. When you twist around to look, there’s blood, bright red, dripping down to your toes. “Ow!”

Bucky is up in an instant, leaning over you to look at the injury. “Shit! This is my fault. The fucking mirror. Why aren’t you wearing shoes?”

You don’t have time to answer as he sweeps you up and carries you into the bathroom. He sets you down on the toilet and sits on the edge of the bath. “Bucky, I don’t want you to put alcohol on it, it stings!” you whine as he holds your ankle on his knee. At some point he must have opened the first aid kit because it’s open on the floor next to him.

“Okay, I won’t put alcohol on it.” Bucky assures, looking solemn. You relax now that he promised. He dries up the blood gently so he can find were it’s coming from and not hurt you. “I need to pull out the glass,” he mutters.

“There’s glass in my foot?!” you immediately try to yank it back from him, but he holds you foot still.

“It’s tiny, baby. Just let me take care of it.” he smiles and you’re so distracted at having your smiley Bucky back that you don’t argue as he does something with tweezers. But your heel starts to itch even more until that itch becomes a stabbing pain.

“Ow! What did you do?” You try to pull your foot back again.

“Did that hurt? I’m sorry sweetie. This will help,” he says as he brings a cold towelette across your foot, from your toes down towards your heel.

“Shit! Shit! Shit!” you jerk your leg as the pain sharpens, stinging deep under your skin, but it does nothing to loosen his grip. “You promised not to put alcohol!” The pain dulls but never quite leaves.

“I didn’t! I put ethanol,” Bucky shrugs, a tiny smirk on his face that he isn’t even trying to hide.

“Ethanol is alcohol, you ass!” you glare at him, but you know it’s for your own good so you struggle to keep the smile away, leaving you pouting like a petulant child.

“Really? I had no idea! We didn’t have that in the 40′s, doll.” Bucky laughs and puts the band-aid on your foot with surgical precision.

“You think you’re so funny,” you shake your head and roll your eyes, but the frown keeping you from laughing is comical.

“No, I think you’re funny.” Bucky laughs and sets your foot down. His smile fades fast though, first becoming tight then dropping completely. It was crazy how fast he switched between funny and serious.

“Bucky?” you tried to move to kneel in front of him, but your foot was still super sensitive and you ended up plonking back down on the toilet seat lid with a hiss.

“I hurt you.” Bucky sighed, rubbing his hands down his face.

“You didn’t hurt me, I walked on glass like an idiot,” you shook your head.

“Glass that wouldn’t have been there if I wasn’t so fucked up that I couldn’t- look at myself.” Bucky’s voice broke as tears brimmed his reddening eyes.

“Bucky. My Bucky,” you placed your hand over his. He wouldn’t meet your eyes.

“You deserve someone stable, doll. Why are you with me?” Bucky peered up, keeping as together as he could manage.

“You think you’re the one who doesn’t deserve me? Bucky! I’m the one who isn’t good enough. I can’t... I don’t- I never know what to say, and you need one of those girls who live to comfort people. It comes naturally to them. They can tell exactly what you need by smelling you or something. They’re like emotional bloodhounds. I only started figuring it out because Steve gave me a briefing. I don’t- On my own, I’m like a lampshade. Not even on the lamp. Just a loose lamp shade,” you shut up as you realized that you weren’t assuaging his worry, just adding your own on top of that. Two negatives don’t make a positive. But at least he looks amused now. “Never mind. Bucky, I’m here because I want to be here. No one is forcing me. I want to be with you because I love you, good days and bad days.”

“And that’s why I don’t deserve you,” Bucky smiles, small and tinged with guilt.

“And it’s precisely why you’re stuck with me,” you say, smiling wide and cartoon-y. “Carry me to bed, I can’t walk.”

Bucky leans up to kiss you before he sweeps you up again and carries you to bed.

“You’ll call doctor Wyatt?” You mumble into his neck as you cuddle.

“Yeah, after a nap.” Bucky sighs. And you knew he would call his psychiatrist. And you would both clean up the mirror and lamp pieces around the room. And at some point you would turn off the tv in the living room. But for now you would just lie together.

“I’m sorry,” Bucky mutters in your ear.

“I forgive you,” you answer because he needs to hear it. But there’s nothing to forgive.

#bucky #Bucky Barnes #james bucky barnes #james buchanan barnes #winter soldier #white wolf #fluff #fluffy #mcu

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swyllh · 6 years

Note

request: soonyoung's last wish is for you to move on, but being held by someone else will always seem wrong. + “When I’m gone, don’t hold on too long. I know he’ll take good care of you.” [soonyoung + side!seokmin]

title: three wishes

premise: genie! reader and dance student soonyoung

pairing: soonyoung x reader

genre: … fluff? a little, tiny, tiny, dash of angst (i just wanted to write something cute)

word count: 2242

three wishes - that’s the deal.

you sulk in the confines of your tiny chasm, tapping your fingers against the marble table. everything is the same as it is at the palace, silk and intricate ornaments deftly replicated down to the last detail. but the luxury seems more like a mockery.

especially when your latest master can’t even think of a single, mortal desire for you to fulfil. his name is kwon soonyoung, and he’s got the audacity to tilt his head in genuine, unabashed confusion when you congratulate him on getting a genie.

“i don’t need anything,” he had said, placing the lamp on his desk carefully.

you tried not to look irritated. “surely there must be something?”

you glanced around his room, adored in all its bare necessities. there’s a bookshelf by the wall, a couple of posters stuck to the ceiling, a simple desk and bed…

“what about,” you struggled to think of what a teenage boy might want, “the latest game controller?”

he had actually considered it, thoughtful. “i’m sorry, i don’t really need a controller.”

“it’s not about what you need,” you snapped. “it’s what you want!”

and all he had to say to that was a shrug and apology.

thinking about it makes you mad. there’s no way someone wouldn’t know what they want - especially not humans. greedy, self-absorbed mortals. dionysus was probably stoned when he announced his love for the human race, identifying with their vivacious, capricious moods. what a pain. and when you’re so close to finishing your punishment too.

the skylight opens, and you spring to your feet - maybe this silly boy’s ready to ask for a wish. you pop out of the lamp, drifting into sight. soonyoung smiles at you in greeting. it takes a moment to realise that he’s not in that ratty shirt and shorts, but rather dressed up. if the distressed jeans are deliberate, that is.

“so, master,” you say, lips curling when he winces at the address, “what can i do for you?”

“oh,” soonyoung says, rubbing his neck. “um, i just wanted to say that i’ll be off to a dance camp for the week, so…”

you raise an eyebrow, and when he doesn’t continue, you say, “and you wish for?”

soonyoung actually holds his hands out quickly. “no! i’m just telling you, to say goodbye-”

he cuts himself off when he sees you fuming.

you press a hand to your temple, “are you serious?”

soonyoung bows his head, apologetic. and then he perks up. “you could come with me! then you wouldn’t be alone!”

this boy. this boy.

“i’m trapped in a lamp,” you want to shout. what comes out instead is a garbled groan and a jab of your fingers towards the lamp holding you hostage.

he follows the line of your arm to the glittering, tacky, and would-be-out-of-place-at-a-dance-camp lamp. “oh.”

“i don’t think you intend on bringing a lamp to your camp?” you say.

he shakes his head. “yeah, you’d still be stuck… hey! i know!”

“what?” you snap, half a mind to just resign yourself to the cosy quarters of your prison.

soonyoung’s eyes twinkle dangerously. “i wish for you to come with me to the dance camp! as a human!”

it works. it works, and now you’re in cardio hell. you tug your darkened collar away from the sticky heat of your neck, heaving unfairly. the wooden floor beneath you is almost glazed with sweat. soonyoung turns to face you, grinning brightly like you haven’t just done fifty lunges, nine sets of star jumps or whatever torture the instructor’s doling out.

“it’s just the warm up!” soonyoung says to you when your soul is already slipping out of your body and slithering across the studio.

“what,” you say, panting too hard.

soonyoung smacks you on the back, hard, and you think it might be worth another eternity in hell just to punch him through the walls.

some masochistic part of you actually feels better after being put through the grinder. the downside is that this is only the first of four long, aching days. you try to move your leg. even divine intervention can’t shift your limb to the side. the best it does is allow your toes to wriggle helplessly, numbly.

soonyoung plops down next to you, and offers you his bottle. you seize it over, chugging his water down mercilessly. soonyoung only laughs harder at your defiant drinking. so you make sure to finish it down to the last drop.

he raises an eyebrow. “really?”

you stick your tongue out, prompting more laughter. unfair. truly, hatefully unfair.

“isn’t it fun?” he says, looking out at the studio where you were once suffering.

you slump further down against the wall. somehow, even trying to speak or form coherent sentences is too hard. your mind is only a mess of ineffective sounds and blurry images.

he ruffles your hair, laughter deep and certain, when he turns to see you half-asleep and melting into the floorboards. you’re not sure how you get back to the dorm by night time, but you do.

“so you like dance, huh,” you say, immediately regretting the small talk when soonyoung’s head snaps up with uncanny swiftness.

“yeah!” he nods, eyes narrowing into slits, cheeks puffing out in pride. “it’s really - i love it.”

you stir your diluted hot chocolate and then poke at the toast you don’t have to eat. “cool.”

soonyoung’s not impressed by the lacklustre attempt at dodging further conversation, and instead hypes himself up. “yeah! it’s really something to just dance - you know? it - it makes me happy.”

you glance up. he’s sincere. “really.”

soonyoung smiles. “yeah, i don’t remember being sad. except when the dance is a sad one, but even then it’s not like, sad sad, you know?”

you shrug. “you could always wish to get really good at dancing. to be the best dancer in the world.”

for a moment, soonyoung seems to consider it. and then he’s shaking his head vehemently, jerking away from the table and upsetting a plate - everyone in the cafeteria turns to look. his mouth scrunches up, upset.

“no,” he says, throat dry. “i wouldn’t-”

“you wouldn’t,” you say quickly, surprised.

soonyoung looks down at his own hot chocolate, and frowns. before you know it, he’s gulping the entire mug down and scarfing his toast down. he rises, lifting his tray from the table with a jerky motion, and then rushing to empty it before exiting the room.

you look down at your untouched toast, sighing. the bitter, unwitting smudge of something tastes foreign in your chest. and then it hits you that you’ve effectively turned down getting a second wish request. that soonyoung could have been persuaded.

when you watch him double his efforts for that morning’s street jazz class, you realise that maybe you weren’t wrong to stop him either.

“i’m sorry for being rude this morning,” he says to you while you’re barely managing to remain separate entities from the floor.

you wriggle your fingers in his direction. he huffs, amused. but hands you his bottle all the same.

“i think i got angry because i actually considered it,” he says slowly. “i could be really good at dancing and get scouted by the best schools in the city, and-”

“you don’t have to,” you say, slurring your words. “it’s cool.”

soonyoung nods firmly. “yeah. i gotta do this myself, get there by my own hard work.”

and then he’s awkwardly apologetic again. “sorry, i’ll do my best to think of another wish.”

you don’t mean to, but you snort. the chortle catches you both by surprise. soonyoung’s the first to start laughing, cheeks puffing out again as he slaps his palm to his forehead. you laugh along, heady and high with exhaustion.

when it dies down, he turns to you. “so what happens after three wishes?”

you tell him. “the lamp and i move on, i guess.”

his brows furrow. “oh.”

“yeah, but i’m like, near the end of my sentence, so,” you shrug.

“sentence?”

you flush. “yeah, i had an… indiscretion. the gods were like, well damn son time to die i guess.”

“…what?”

“they didn’t say it like that,” you hurry to explain. “it’s just, yknow. like community service.”

he nods. “so when you do enough wishes then you’re free?”

“kind of,” you say. “but like, no pressure.”

soonyoung stares up at the ceiling, lost in thought. “yeah. no pressure.”

the next lesson - intermediate hiphop - has you feeling some kind of way. that is to say, the delicate pain of a sprained ankle. soonyoung’s all worried and wide-eyed when you actually shed like, one tear. (maybe two. or three. whatever. they’re uncountable nouns.)

you like him better when he’s laughing and being the epitome of naive sincerity. even as you wave him off, opting to watch from the sides of the studio, you can tell he’s distracted. during their water break, he’d walked over and placed his bottle in your lap, checking if you were fine or if you’d like to go back to the dorm.

you gave him the finger. and then he’d backed off, realising that you were indeed fine and able to take care of yourself anyway. still, kind of sweet. maybe.

and maybe the finger worked, because he’s working harder as usual and doing his best with the routine. even has the gall to smile and wink at you as he does a bodywave, as though asking you how he’s doing. you put up a thumb, lazily, and soonyoung’s grin widens impossibly.

when he joins you and helps you back to the dorms, he says, “i could wish that away for you.”

“what?”

“the sprain,” he says. “then you could join in with our classes.”

you give him a look. “you think i’m desperate for cardio hell?”

“cardio hell?” he echoes.

you roll your eyes. “let’s just say that dancing isn’t my forte.”

“i still feel bad,” he insists. “i dragged you here and you’re hurt now. you’re going to be bored the whole time.”

i’m not bored, is what you think. and because of that revelation, you choke on your own gasp, turning red. soonyoung uselessly thumps on your back.

“fine,” you say, once the coughs die down. “wish away then.”

and that idiot actually does it.

for all his flippancy with his two wishes, soonyoung seems to be guarding his third intensely. back at home, after the camp, he leaves the skylight of your lamp open, so you’re free to roam around. even as a ghostly afterthought.

it’s a nice gesture. you appreciate it.

the only thing is how guilty and apprehensive soonyoung seems to be whenever he’s around you. he’d just shut up suddenly, hesitant and unwilling to face you. but you’d just swivel over to wherever he’s facing and demand attention. the topics always divert themselves away from the main question of his final wish.

frankly, you think you might not want to hear it either.

you’re in the middle of discussing the guy who mailed himself naked in a box to the met gala when soonyoung drops his pencil.

and says, “i wish you all the best. that you’ll have a good time when you move on to the next person and you’ll finish your sentence really soon.”

what the fuck. what the fuck. what the fuck.

you’re back in your lamp, slammed against the silken threads of your mattress. and then the skylight opens. it’s not soonyoung. it’s another boy, with a toothy, sunshine grin and a dizzying gasp of shock.

oh god.

seokmin, as it turns out, is someone who’d be really good friends with soonyoung. he laughs at everything, is easygoing enough to accept your cynical, bitchy self, and is passionate about singing. as much as soonyoung.

and even if he’s got the same problem of thinking up what to wish for, he’s less troublesome about it. quickly rummages through his needs and wants when he realises you’re gonna be stuck here until he’s done: wishes for a new doll for his sister, health for his family, and an adequate recording microphone - all after a solid day’s worth of thinking.

you move on really quickly, the lamp changing hands without missing a beat. in no time, you’re back at your room in the palace, deemed chastened and humbled. the guards dwindle to a mere handmaiden, loosening their security once they know you’re not going to get into more trouble.

what they don’t know won’t hurt them.

soonyoung wakes up to a new week, groggy and a little hungry. he tries not to think about the genie in that ikea-lookalike lamp, tries to ignore the way he’s still keeping his things out of the way where the lamp once stood. he’ll make two eggs. he’s deserved it for staying up with calculus.

that in mind, soonyoung hums a tune and stumbles into the bathroom to brush his teeth. he’s halfway through with his top incisors when there’s an inhumane banging at the door. it’s relentless, hellish, and downright despicable. is this not a world of law and order? who the heck would do that at eight in the morning?

“‘m coming!” soonyoung hollers. the banging doesn’t cease.

disgruntled, he walks over, toothbrush lodged in his mouth, and opens the front door.

“surprise, bitch,” you say, jabbing him in the stomach.

#seventeen #soonyoung #kwon soonyoung #hoshi #soonyoung x reader #soonyoung scenarios #soonyoung imagines #hoshi scenarios #hoshi imagines #the smallest mention of #seokmin #answered #request

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shatteringzimmermann · 6 years

Text

Part 11

Parts One & Two / Part Three / Part Four / Part Five / Part Six / Part Seven / Part Eight / Part Nine / Part Ten /

NGL i’m not super sold on this section. It’ll probably be either heavily edited before going up on AO3 or deleted all-together. TW anxiety/concussion stuff

It took three days until Jack could go into his bathroom without the nightlight setting off a migraine. Eric had to help a few times, much to his horror, and Jack made sure to turn on the water while he peed because he knew Eric waited just outside the door, listening in case he fell. It was too early in the relationship (was it even a relationship yet?) for learning each other’s bathroom habits.

“I don’t have regular ol’ job,” Eric had said when Jack worried about the days he spent in bed. “I work from home every day anyway so as long as I tweet once a day no one will think I’m dead and right now, that’s good enough.”

He’d cooked them brunch the first day Jack managed to be in his kitchen. All the curtains were closed until only narrow beams of light brightened the space. Omelets and biscuits, the latter of which Jack was quickly realizing was a new favorite food. He’d eaten one layer by layer as Eric cooked. Shitty had been delighted to come home from class to find leftovers waiting in the fridge for him.

The Falconers had two away games and won them both. Jack breathed a bit easier after the first game, a matchup with the Bruins. Teams that close to each other always formed intense rivalries and he’d dreaded not being on the ice with Marty and Tater. But a win was a win no matter who was on the ice. Or if a rebounded shot had ricocheted off the leg of a Bruins player and bounced into the goal. A win was a win.

Over glasses of orange juice Eric scrolled through Jack’s phone and read him well-wishing texts and emails. He pulled out his own phone and talked about tweets and tags and reblogs. Jack pretended his headache returned and Eric pushed his phone away, brows creased with concern. Jack wanted to scoop Eric from his stool and carry him to the couch, to hold him tight like in that last dream.

Instead he stole both phones from the counter top and stuffed them into the couch as quickly as he could. Eric was laughing too hard to stop him even though Jack was clumsy enough still that it took much longer than it should have. His phone had a thick rubbery case but Eric’s was protection-less and slippery in his fingers so he’d been extra careful.

They sat on the couch for a few hours as Eric read 1776 aloud. As the time passed Jack found himself leaning more and more towards the man he was so convinced was just a dream but every time their shoulders nearly brushed Eric would shift away.

Jack pushed the coffee table away with his foot and slid onto the floor. Eric paused in his reading. Waving him on, Jack sat in the figure-four position and began to stretch. If Eric wasn’t going to let him touch him then he was going to listen. He couldn’t help that he was drawn to brushing against Eric. He would have to keep himself away even though it felt like the scrape of a knife on a dinner plate.

Eric finished the chapter. He marked the spot with the scrap of paper Jack usually used and set the book on the empty couch cushion beside him. “How are you doin’?”

Jack shrugged. “That first night was rough but overall I’ve felt better than I did during my last concussion.”

“You don’t feel upset about missin’ games?”

Jack shrugged again and then felt stupid. Who shrugs that many times in a conversation? “Eh, yeah, but I’ve learned the hard way about taking care of myself. A few weeks of games isn’t worth my safety or my life.”

“My dad could take some points from you. He’s of the belief that the Player’s Safety Commission over exaggerates the danger of concussions. Says they’re tryin’ to make the game so weak MooMaw could play.”

Switching outstretched legs, Jack frowned. “Is he really ignoring all the research?”

“He’s been coachin’ football since he graduated his high school team. He’s a bit set in his ways.”

“Yeah, but there are even players who have talked about how post concussive syndrome and how it’s wrecked their lives-”

Eric held his hand up. “You’re preachin’ to the choir.”

Eric cooked dinner while Jack slipped back into the nearly black bedroom to rest. Jack’s appetite hadn’t even partially returned so he picked at most of his plate before Eric shooed him off. He lay in bed and drifted in and out of work, the sound of Eric typing on his computer drifting through the cracked door.

They’d unplugged the clock that sat on his bedside table. The neon green light had burned even though his closed eyes but now Jack wished it worked. He’d know when Shitty was going to be back or he’d know when there would be a game on.

He rolled over. Pressing his palm against the cool, empty space where Eric had spent the last several nights. He understood Eric’s hesitations. He did, really, and he’d back off on the touching. He just didn’t necessarily like the hesitations.

Jack had four things in his life that he knew were true: His parents loved him. Shitty loved him. His team had his back, no matter what. Hockey was his number one love.

He felt a fifth truth forming the past few days. Eric (Richard, he’d learned during one late sleepless night chat) Bittle was important. Jack didn’t know how yet, if Eric would let them be more or if they’d just be friends, but those dreams had brought them together for a reason.

Eric smiled when Jack emerged. It was toothy and free and Jack wanted to do whatever it took to make him do it again. He crossed the cold tile floor and sat on the barstool across from him, his hands firmly tucked under his legs. Shitty was snoring so loudly it was surprising he hadn’t woken himself up yet.

“Can’t sleep?” Eric asked. He hit a few buttons on his computer and then closed the lid. He’d lit several candles and left them burning in the center of the counter. The firelight darkened and brightened Eric’s hair, hid and showcased the freckles across his nose. Jack felt his breath disappear from his lungs. He searched Eric’s face with hungry eyes, mentally cataloguing every inch of him. His fingers pressed hard into the soft padding but he didn’t move them.

Eric tilted his head to the side. His lips pursed into something between a smirk and a grin. Jack had to bite the inside of his cheek to keep from leaning over the wide countertop and kissing him.

“Jack?” The amusement was still evident in Eric’s voice but concern laced his voice.

He cleared his throat. “Eh, yeah. Hi.”

“It’s nearly three.”

Jack’s eyebrows rose. “Aren’t you tired?”

“Aren’t you?”

Jack shrugged- god, Jack, enough with the shrugging- but said no. “I think I’ve slept enough the last few days that I’m gonna stay up the next week.”

Eric shook his head the tiniest bit. He stood and offered Jack his hand. Without thinking about it Jack went around the edge of the counter, taking his warm hand. “Do you have any more of that sleepy tea?” he asked. He began to walk back to their- Jack’s bedroom, Jack falling into step beside him.

“Yeah, eh, I think so.”

Less than ten minutes later Jack was sitting in bed clutching a half-empty mug of warm tea. Eric was beside him with his own mug, talking quietly about how he and his MooMaw came up with the recipe when Eric was young. The kitchen candles were blown out save the one Eric brought into the bedroom.

Eric finished his tea first. He put the mug on his bedside table and flopped down on his back, arms spread wide. One hand hung off the edge of the bed and the other arm was pressed against Jack’s leg. Jack quickly chugged the rest of his drink and turned away to put his mug down, hiding his blush. Eric moved his arm as Jack slid down until his head was on the pillows.

He was expecting Eric to pull away again so Jack turned away, pulling off his t-shirt and dropping it over the side of the bed. When he lay on his back Eric was watching him, the earlier amusement on his face gone.

“Sorry, I normally don’t sleep with one on. I’ve been really hot at night with it on. I can put it back-”

“Oh hush. You should be comfortable. Don’t worry about anythin’ but that.”

“But-”

“It doesn’t bother me, Jack.” His words were quiet but still cut through the growing fog in Jack’s head. He reached over and brushed the tips of his fingers over the back of Jack’s hand.

His heart pounded at the touch. Eric’s face was mostly in shadow and unreadable. It remained that way when Jack turned onto his side facing him, and laced their hands together.

The silence in the room was heavy. Breathable but malleable, depending on what came next. The tea began to weigh on Jack’s eyelids but he forced them open. The distant Eric was gone and the warm, open, I’m –right-here Eric was in his bed. He didn’t want to miss these moments.

“How come you’re fine with me touching you now but you weren’t earlier? When we were on the couch?” He hadn’t meant to ask it. He was going to respect boundaries and limits. He was.

Eric played with Jack’s fingers. “Can you blame me for not wanting to get used to something I might not get to have for real?”

His words rang in Jack’s ears, sounding loaded and false and just…wrong. “How come this is okay?” He wiggled their hands. His mind raced as he tried to figure out why what Eric said bothered him.

“I-” Eric sighed. “Two reasons. One, I know how important it is to be comfortable when you’re healin’ so I’m here to make sure you’re doin’ okay and aren’t over exertin’ yourself. As for the second…don’t be makin’ fun of me for this, but if we’re lyin’ down and gettin’ ready to sleep, I can pretend it’s one of our dreams.

In daylight things get…messier. More real.” He avoided Jack’s eyes. “Now, I know how stupid I’m soundin’ but it’s workin’ so far so I’d appreciate any cruel opinions not bein’ voiced.”

Jack protested. “Eric, do you seriously think I’m going to be cruel to you?”

He wrinkled his nose. “Lord, even my momma doesn’t call me that. And honestly? No. I don’t think that, but I shouldn’t be relyin’ on my gut for major life decisions. I need talkin’ and trust and all the other important stuff.”

“I think you talk enough for both of us,” Jack chirped.

“Ha. Ha. Ha,” Eric said dryly.

“As for the other part,” he said, wrapping his fingers firmly around Eric’s and bringing his hand to his mouth. As he brushed his lips across each of his knuckles Eric’s mouth parted with a quiet gasp. “Don’t you know you already have it?”

In the dim light Eric blushed. “Lord, you keep harpin’ on this.”

Jack’s heart squeezed. “I’m sorry, I’m not trying to force anything on you, I just don’t understand.” He inhaled as quietly as he could, held for four, and exhaled. Eric noticed and sat up. His movements dislodged the blankets from his chest.

“Darlin’, you haven’t done a thing wrong, okay? None of this apologizin’.” Eric hauled himself out of bed and filled the empty glass in the bathroom. Jack sat up in bed, the blankets falling away from his bare chest, and took the offered glass and pills. He swallowed them easily. When he handed the glass back to Eric he saw the hunger and longing in Eric’s eyes. They stared at each other for what felt like minutes until Eric broke away. He was muttering under his breath when he put the empty glass on his bedside table and slid under the covers. Jack couldn’t hear what it was.

Maybe he was regretting coming over to wait on Jack hand and foot. Maybe he regretted ever saying his name in that dream. Maybe he regretted ever moving to Providence because now he knew Jack and would see his face on promo material throughout the city. He was never going to be able to get away from Jack no matter how this ended. Maybe he didn’t know how to say that so he was just waiting here until he figured it out.

Maybe.

Jack had spent enough time fraying at the edge to know what a too-close spiral felt like. He glanced at Eric, who was curled on his side facing Jack with his eyes shut.

Tell him?

Don’t tell him?

Tell- no- don’t- don’t show him all the fragments of your heart because that’s how people get cut and don’t want to come back or help him clean it up. Why should someone stick around to love a heart that’s more in pieces than not? He’d repaired much of it himself, using tape and Elmer’s glue and what tiny bits of forgiveness he could manage but so much of himself was shattered beyond repair.

“Brah.” A hand, large and rough-skinned, rested on his shoulder. “You’re sitting in bed at home. It’s….it’s almost four in the morning. You’re safe.”

There was something in Jack’s hand. When he squeezed it, it squeezed back. Person. Who, though, no clue.

Jack just held on.

#omgcp #omg check please #check please #zimbits #jack zimmermann #eric bittle #i can't tell if i'm blah about this chapter because it sucks #or if i'm blah about this chapter because i'm blah #just get the first draft down and make it pretty later #anna is lame

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