#deceit x duke

[starlightxsvt]

Beautiful Liar | part of the Treacherous Tales Series

pairing ➳ dk x fem!reader

genre ➳ mafia au, dark romance? angst, smut.

wc ➳ 16.8k

synopsis ➳ you have old scores to settle and he's a pretty pawn in your game. but one must remember obsession leads to destruction.

warnings ➳ violence, mentions of mafia, murder, kidnapping & suicide, stalking, breaking and entering, manipulation, gambling, mention of rape, protected sex, teasing, male oral.

playlist ➳ beautiful liar- monsta x, vigilante shit- taylor swift, part goddess part gangster- madalen duke, horns-bryce fox, don't blame me- taylor swift, no body no crime- taylor swift, the hills- the weekend.

"I need him."

Your words dissipate into the cool air inside the car as your gaze remains focused out your window, trained on one certain man.

"What do you need me to do?" Changkyun immediately asks with violence underlying in his tone. You click your tongue in disapproval, not letting your eyes stray from your pretty prey. "You won't be doing anything this time. He is mine."

The man sitting in the driver's seat next to you only grunts in reply.

Through the passenger side window, you keep observing him, as the man smiles and talks to some students before taking his leave, walking inside another building as he disappears from your sight, making you sigh.

"Okay. You actually do need to do something."

"What?"

"Get me his schedule."

-

Theatre and drama were never your thing. Yet, here you sit, in Professor Lee's class as he talks about the history of theatre.

While the lecture itself is boring and definitely not worth the trouble you went through to sneak into his class as you are not a student, the man himself is pleasing to listen to and look at.

There is something boyish and innocent about him and as you watch him give the lecture, his voice so sweet and soothing that it is almost impossible to believe that he is related to the Lee family.

The two-hour lecture is surprisingly quick to pass by as you sit at the very back of the classroom, watching him carefully. With the clock striking 2 pm, the lecture finishes and students clear out of the classroom, leaving you behind who sits immobile in her place.

That manages to capture Professor Lee's attention. He takes off his reading glasses and tilts his head to look at you, blinking as if he's trying to remember you from somewhere.

With an amused smile playing on your lips, you stand up from your seat and strut to the podium slowly.

"Good afternoon, Professor." You greet, holding out a hand. He takes a look at your face and then your hand before softly shaking it. "Good afternoon. I don't think you are a student of mine."

Up close, the man looks dashing. Perfect sharp features; prominent cheekbones and a sharp nose, soft plump lips on his slightly tanned skin. Covered up to the neck with a white turtleneck underneath a black cashmere suit, he looks far from what he truly is.

So innocent, so deceitful.

You grin. "You are absolutely correct, Professor Lee. I am not."

He looks amused as well, raising a brow with the expectation that you are going to explain yourself.

"I am just a fan, you could say."

"Oh really?"

"Yes. I came across your presentation at the Royal Opera House this July. I have been a fan ever since."

"Well...I am pleased to hear that. I hope I have managed to inspire you in some way."

"Oh, you have. Plenty." You can't refrain from a grin.

"I am glad then." He pauses for a beat as he takes a look at his watch. "You'll have to excuse me now. I have a meeting soon."

"Of course. I just wanted to say hi. Have a nice day." You take a step back.

The man nods, giving you a small smile as he starts walking out of the classroom, his shoes clicking on the floor. He looks gorgeous even from behind, the afternoon sun streaming from the windows in the hallway casting around him in an angelic glow.

Just as he is about to fully exit the classroom, he stops and turns his head. "I didn't get your name, though. Where are you from?"

You can't help but smile diabolically. "From the wrong side of the tracks, professor."

-

Professor Lee has a pretty house, made up of a rustic brick structure and well furnished black tiles for the roof, a perfect blend of modern and old. The wooden fence around the perimeter of the house is not hard for you to cross as you make your way through his yard, careful not to step anywhere that would leave a trace.

The perfect time to break into his place is now, midday, as he is currently busy teaching a class. Changkyun is keeping an eye on him, camped outside the university, ready to inform you if his position changes as you take your time combing through his house.

The front of his house has a CCTV camera, which is precisely why you broke in through the back. Carefully crossing the yard, you tiptoe along the side of the house and turn right where there is a window. Making sure that you are in a blind spot, you pry the window open after a small struggle and gingerly make your way in like a sneaky cat.

His house is beautiful, exactly fitting his image. The floors are made of dark wood as well as most of the furniture; a dark yet soothing vibe emanating from his abode. The window you used to get in leaves you in a small hallway and after looking around a little, you get a general sense of direction.

Straight from the hallway, there is his bedroom which is where you head first. You are somewhat disappointed when you find it so sterile. The room, composed of a queen sized bed, a dresser and a closet is pristine. Everything is neat, not a hair out of place as if no one lives here. There is no decoration, no trace of personalization like a picture or a painting which you find odd because you expected something that would indicate his ties to his dear family.

Not letting the disappointment get to you, you walk out of the bedroom, heading for the closed door on the left; twisting the knob, you open the door to find his study and a smile spreads on your lips.

It's a fairly large room, the walls on both sides surrounded by large mahogany shelves containing books about art, literature and others. You carefully step in, heading straight for the large desk in the middle.

To your utter disappointment, it doesn't contain any schedule or indication about the life of crime that he comes from. There is not a single sign that would tell anyone that he is the younger brother of the notorious ruler of District 1.

Instead, aside from his computer on the desk, there are only a few books related to theatre on one side and a few lecture sheets on the other. It is so unexpected that you are stunned to silence, standing in the middle of the room, almost starting to think that you came to the wrong house.

Changkyun's sudden voice from the bluetooth disrupts your thoughts. "___, he is leaving early. He just got in his car. I'm following him. You have about 15 minutes to get out of there."

"Fine," you mutter.

There is still enough time. But by the looks of this, you could have all the time in the world and still not find anything that would tell you he's one of the heirs to District 1.

Grunting you lean down and start checking the drawers only to find nothing; no secret meeting location, nothing that you can use to blackmail him or anything that will lead you to the main culprit, his brother.

Sighing, you stand up straight and look around the room. Maybe he is being extra cautious and doesn't keep any evidence here. Maybe he has a secret hideout for his life of crime.

The idea, however, doesn't make sense because you have been stalking him and the only place he frequents is the university.

It's odd.

It almost feels like he doesn't have any connection with District 1.

No, no. That doesn't make any sense.

"___, you have 10 minutes!"

"I know, I know!" You snap, annoyed.

Walking over to the bookshelves you gently drag your fingers over the spine of each book, hoping maybe one of them would be the key to opening a secret room behind the shelves.

Nothing like that happens.

Accepting your defeat, you come out of the house but not before placing a bug underneath the table in his study with the hopes of getting some information by spying on him. Crossing the fence, you take special care to make sure you didn't leave behind any trace of entry before finally exiting the perimeter of the house.

Once safely out of the range of his house, you stand on the opposite side of the road and watch Professor Lee pull up a few minutes later. Changkyun's car follows him half a minute later as he drives straight to where you are standing, before coming to a stop in front of you.

You tug open the door and get in on the passenger side.

"Why the long face? Find nothing?"

"Shut up."

-

A change of plans is the only way.

Your second plan is to court him which isn't really a problem given the man is as pretty as a doll and toying with him would be absolute fun. With the decision set, you begin phase two of your operation, stalking him.

Well, you were stalking him before too but now, you start to follow every single footsteps of him, quite literally.

You follow him everywhere, discreetly, of course, getting to know his schedule as precisely as possible before striking.

His routine is rather bland, he wakes up, goes to work, then goes to the gym and then comes back home. It is something you find odd, once again. No matter from which angle you consider, the equation does not add up. Still, you try to make the best of whatever little ammunition you have at hand and pretend to bump into him randomly.

Like, one sunny afternoon you pretend to wait for someone in the parking lot of his university right when he is to leave for the day. Surprisingly, he's the first one to approach you, as he gently grabs your attention. "Hey. We uh, met the other day."

"Oh, hello, Professor Lee. Glad you remembered. One of your biggest fans."

"Have you enrolled here?"

"Ah, I wish. I'm here to...meet a friend's daughter."

"I see. What's her department?"

You blink, not expecting that question but recover quickly. "You ask too many questions professor. Let me ask you one instead. Can I have your number?"

You see the tips of his ears go red.

So adorable.

He blinks, taken aback as he searches for the right words. "Well, uh, why?"

"Why? You're hot and intelligent. I want to go out with you."

"Well, I don't think it's a good idea."

"Why?"

"Just because." He replies, almost unsure, looking at you as if you are a bizarre creature.

You take a step towards him, an amused smile on your face from his reaction. Leaning close to him, you slowly fix the lapels of his jacket. Perplexed, he looks at the motion of your hands before moving his gaze to your face.

"Please, professor? One date is all I ask." You give him puppy eyes.

There is a sharp inhale as his pupils widen just a little bit while you gaze into his eyes, unblinking. The proximity is intense, you can smell his perfume, feel his breath on your skin and from the way he keeps looking at you, there is an urge to kiss him building within you.

Just when you are sure you can sneak in a kiss, he breaks the moment by taking a step back, out of your reach. Clearing his throat, he says. "I can't. I have a girlfriend."

Liar.

Not waiting for your reply, he opens the door to his car and gets in. As his engine fires up with a hum, you walk near the vehicle and lean in to look at him through the half open window. "Don't lie professor. You don't have a girlfriend."

He looks at you silently for a moment, his hands resting on the steering wheel. "This is why I won't go out with you."

You are confused.

"You seem to know too much about me and I don't like that."

With that, he pulls out of the parking lot, leaving behind a trail of smoke and your baffled self.

It's fine.

You know you are on the right track. He is definitely attracted to you so it is not over yet. In fact, it is only the beginning.

This is going to be so much fun.

-

For the next week, you make it your mission to pop up in front of Seokmin while he is out and about. You first pretend to run into him at his favourite coffee shop, acting delighted when he notices you. He seems wary upon seeing you and since it was only the first day of your mission, you let him off easy, saying that this is fate telling that you two are meant to be.

The next time you pretend to run into him again at the car park of the university, once again announcing that you are waiting for your friend's daughter. He keeps the conversation short, simply by nodding and getting into his car rather hurriedly. You, however, don't forget to throw him a compliment, looking as innocent and genuine as possible; like an innocent young girl who has been rejected by her desired man and now longs for him from afar.

That seems to work a bit.

The lesser you speak and the more innocent your attitude becomes, the longer your encounters last. Seokmin would start initiating the conversation and then ask formal questions as if to keep the conversation going or maybe, to test you and see what your true intentions are.

Either way, you don't fall for that.

Instead, you act detached, like a damsel who failed to capture the eye of the man she loves.

Finally, one morning, when you are walking out of the coffee shop, he stops you on your way by extending his hand to touch your elbow softly. You have to hide your smile before turning around.

"You know, I never got to see the girl." He says.

"Which girl?"

"Your friend's daughter. The one you come to the university for."

Ah.

"Oh, you didn't?" You blink innocently. He looks at you for a beat, before giving you a knowing smile. "You know, I think we both know that that's a lie."

You avert your gaze, acting like you did not hear him.

"As much as you seem to be enjoying this, I need you to stop following me around." He says, voice soft but firm and you know it's a command.

It's a shame you don't take commands well.

Tilting your neck to a side, you pop a muscle before giving out a loud exhale, composing yourself. "Have a nice day, Mr Professor."

You walk away.

-

You were getting tired of playing around. The man may be attracted to you but you are coming to a realization that it will not be enough for him to give him. He is cautious and given who he really is, he will never let a woman like you get close to him, no matter how much he may like you.

"I told you, we should have just kidnapped him. His brother would show up immediately." Changkyun complains out loud. The two of you have been sitting in your study for the past hour, trying to come up with a plan.

"You know I don't work like that. It's too easy. And too risky."

You have a bad habit. You always end up getting emotionally involved in every case you encounter. This one should not be an exception. In fact, this is the best place to get emotional because his brother hurt you by hurting your family. It is only fair you do the same to him now. And along the way, you get to tease a pretty man like Professor Lee. It is a win-win situation for you, almost.

In your world, betrayal is the sweetest revenge. If you can betray Professor Lee after earning his trust, that will be the sweetest revenge.

"I don't give up so easily, you know," you whisper, planning your next move.

-

"No teacher needs that much muscles, professor!" Your voice echoes through the empty gym at night.

Dokyeom whips his head around, dropping the dumbbell that was in his hand, eyes wide at your sudden voice. "You! How did you get in here!" You don't appreciate his accusatory tone.

"I come to this gym as well." You shrug, strolling towards him with your hands behind your back before plopping down next to him on a bench. He gives you an exasperated look. "Really?"

"Mhmm." You smile.

"Liar. What do you want? I told you to stay away from me."

You shrug. " Mhmm, can't do that professor. I miss you."

His lips thin, a sign that he is clearly not amused by your antics but it's a shame. You find all of this way too amusing.

You find him amusing.

"I know you are after something else. I am not stupid, ___." He turns to face you properly, his eyes carefully watching you.

A soft smirk plays on your lips. Of course, he is not stupid. Heir to the Lee family, he is the farthest thing from stupid.

"Did you have someone look into me, professor?" You ask nonchalantly.

"Look into you? What is that supposed to mean?" He asks, leaning closer to you.

You're treading in dangerous territory. You cannot give yourself in so quickly.

"I mean a smart, famous man like you has a lovesick stalker. I'm sure you had a detective or someone take a look into me, no?"

More like an intelligence member of the mafia. Maybe even his dear brother.

"So you are admitting that you are a stalker?"

"Oh, not just any, though. A lovesick stalker." You blink innocently at him.

He remains silent making you wonder if he is buying your words.

"Since you are asking me what I want, I assume you asked around and couldn't find anything, then?" You tilt your head, tone playful as you continue the conversation. You are not going to leave today until you are successful.

After a moment, he admits. "Yes. You run on the wrong side of the tracks, that is all I could find."

You chuckle. "There is nothing else to find, professor. I'm just a bad girl infatuated with you and your words and your passion for art."

"You? I am not buying that."

"Me? What is that supposed to mean?" You feel a little offended. "Can a girl not be a gangster and love theatre? Not every one of us gets to chase our dreams, you know."

You see his eyes soften as he remains silent, pondering your words. You watch him, carefully leaning closer to him before dragging a manicured finger over his bicep flirtily.

"What do you want?" His voice comes out breathy this time, those deep pools of chocolate in his eyes boring into you and oh god, do you love your name on his lips.

It would be even better to hear him say that in bed.

"A date with you, professor." You whisper, inching your face closer to him, your lips a mere few inches away from his and you don't miss the way his gaze drops to them before coming back up to your eyes.

"And if I say no?" He swallows. You pout, snaking a hand over his chest, feeling the strong muscles beneath your palm, pleased that he lets you touch him. "Why would you say no, professor? I am really good in bed, you know."

He watches you quietly once again and you hate how you cannot tell what is going on inside his head. Is he falling for your words or is he simply piecing things together and trying to uncover you? There is a slight flush on his cheeks but you don't know if it's because of you or his workout.

His hand comes to grab your wrist, breaking your train of thought as he takes your hand off his chest and places it on your lap.

"Tell me something you have never told anyone before."

"What?" You are perplexed.

"Tell me something, anything, a secret, a wish, that you have never told anyone before. Then, I will go on a date with you." He replies.

Wait, what?

You blink, absolutely baffled at his words as he sits in silence, looking at you expectantly. His gaze is sombre and sincere, like he really wants to know you and for the first time in forever, your heart skips a beat, making you feel out of place and vulnerable. Quickly, you break eye contact with him and stare at your boots as you think of a reply.

"Don't think of making up a lie. I can tell, you know." He adds.

A soft sigh escapes your lips as you internally roll your eyes at him. "I...I have this urge to leave everything behind and just go to an island. Or a place near the sea and spend the rest of my life there, where nobody knows me, where my past doesn't haunt me."

A long silence follows after your words and you cannot make yourself look at him, afraid of what you will find in his eyes, afraid of how they would make you feel and at the same time hating that these thoughts are bothering you.

"I am free this weekend." He murmurs standing up. You look up, surprised, excited. He puts on his hoodie, acting like he did not just agree to a date with you. As he starts walking out of the gym, completely ignoring your presence, you yell. "I'll text you!"

He turns around to look at you as if to ask how you have his number but simply gives you an exasperated look which you reply with a cheeky smile.

"I'm only free after noon." He declares, continuing on his path.

"No problem, professor." You grin.

-

You agree on an evening library date which is not really an ideal date for you but because of the facade you are holding up, you agree. The library is situated near his campus, an old architectural piece, with dimmed yellow lights and gold details and large windows, radiating a little bit of a gothic energy. He chose the library because of your (fake)interest in theatre, saying that the library would be the best place to discuss these things and you agreed because other than that, it is also not crowded and you can have his full attention.

Dokyeom hand picks a few books on the topic with pure enthusiasm as you follow him around, nodding to whatever he is saying. For the most part, you observe him, watching him with rapt attention, the details of his face, the change of his expressions as he talks, the movement of his hands—

And you have to admit, he has very pretty hands; long and bony, perfect to suck on.

Shaking your head at the ridiculous thought, you follow him to a private study room.

He pulls a chair and helps you sit down, making you smile at his manners. Once he is sat, he turns to you and asks. "Okay, then. What would you like to talk about today? Let's start with plays. What is your favourite play?"

"I don't know, what is yours?" You ask, blinking innocently at him as you rest your chin on your palm. He frowns. "What do you mean you don't know?"

"My favourite play is whatever your favourite play is." You reply sweetly, making him throw an exasperated look at you.

"Is this how you are going to be?"

"Deeply infatuated with you? Yes, professor."

Shaking his head, he opens a book, murmuring something under his breath but you see the soft hint of a smile playing on his lips, making you smile as well.

This should be easy.

Your date goes smoothly, with him discussing his favourite plays, playwrights and whatnot and you nodding along and watching him, throwing in some pointless questions here and there to appear interested. All the while in the back of your mind, you keep planning your next move. Seokmin isn't a stupid man and you know deep down, he sees through your pretence but seeing how he is still entertaining you means that you have captured his interest. And you have to use this to your benefit.

Fate seems to be on your side as on the way back home, Dokyeom suddenly asks if you are free for dinner.

You have to work very hard to mask the huge grin of satisfaction on your face when you say yes. Your response pleases him, visible from his reaction as he excitedly turns the car around and selects a restaurant.

Dokyeom goes all out for dinner, as you are guided to a private dining room upon entering the restaurant. You have to say that his effort impresses you. And of course, it solidifies your belief that he is falling for you. Smiling, you strut behind him.

He pulls out your chair for you, helping you sit down before ordering some appetizers and wine for you to get started.

"I'm a bit surprised you agreed to come." He speaks after a small pause.

"What do you mean?"

"Nothing. I- I just had a thought that you were not serious about me. It almost felt like you lost a bet. I had the impression that you were just playing with me and wasting my time the last few weeks but I'm surprised you pulled through."

You only give him a smile in reply.

"You know, I believe you are one of two things. A weirdo who wants to bed a professor just for fun or, someone with a hidden intention, playing the long game."

"Aren't you smart, professor?" You grin condescendingly, resting your cheek on your palm.

"I know you are bad news, yet..." He pauses for a beat, sighing at himself. "Yet for the past week, I could not stop thinking about you. I'm in deep trouble, no?"

"You are," You smile. "In the sweetest trouble, I promise you."

He scoffs, a faint smile appearing on his lips. "Let's order the main course, shall we?"

The dinner begins with casual small talk as he tells you about his work and you listen, asking casual questions here and there. When you are taking your second serving of the alfredo pasta, he asks. "Tell me about yourself. Why do you do what you do?"

"Come again?" Your movements halt as you look at him.

"Your... profession." He seems to not find his words. "Killing people, threatening them, weapon business, fraud... whatever you do."

"Hm, I do a little bit of all of that but," you set your utensils down, looking up. "Interesting question, professor."

"Is it like a family business?"

Your eyes fly to his, looking for a sign in them of whether he knows your background or not. For a moment you tense up and hold your breath but his face remains the same, looking at you curiously as he sips his wine.

"No, not really." You reply before finishing your glass of wine. "Parents died early. They knew a few people who were in this business and I got involved."

"What business is it exactly?"

"Aren't you curious, professor?"

He shrugs, looking at you in silence, waiting for you to continue. You sigh, dropping your cutlery down and leaning back into the chair.

"My father was in the weapons business. After he passed away things were messy for a bit and I realized dealing with weapons was not my strong forte. Now I'm in the loaning business and I also do contract killing."

Dokyeom's eyes widen significantly and you can't help but laugh at his reaction. He is acting like he hasn't heard something like this before, living in the world that he lives in.

He looks around before lowering his voice and asking. "So you are like a thug that lends people money with high interest?"

"Yep."

"And you beat them up if they fail to return the money on time?''

"Precisely," you grin.

"And what was that about contract killing? What are you? A hitman?"

"You can say that. But I have clients of various ranges. I kill for politicians, for local gangs and even for civilians."

"For civilians?" He hisses.

"Yes, professor." You take a sip of your wine, swirling the bitter liquid around in your mouth. "Three months ago, the news of a young girl getting raped by a senator's son broke out. I'm sure you have heard of that. The girl was only seventeen and the guy came to her birthday party without any invitation, caused a ruckus and raped her that night because she refused to drink with him. The mother of that girl ran around tirelessly for help while she recovered at the hospital. Everyone she went to, told her to drop the charges for her own good. For one, it would take months, even years to complete the investigation and during that time they'd only get harassed, and two, they could never win the case."

"One day, the mother came to see me. I don't know how she found me and I didn't ask. She offered me her entire life savings and begged me for justice for her daughter. I didn't accept her money but I promised her I would avenge her daughter."

"Then...the death of that senator's son, you were behind it?" Seokmin whispers.

"Yes. I castrated him and then slit that bastard's throat."

"And the incident of the senator that came on the news, were you behind that as well?"

"Yes. He was equally at fault. He let his son go astray and then covered up his crimes. He did not deserve to speak another word so I cut his tongue. Fun, no?'

He doesn't reply to you but falls into a deep state of thought as you continue your dinner.

"Did I scare you, professor?" You ask, seeing him so silent.

He blinks a few times, coming out of his reverie. "No."

"Hm, doesn't sound like that."

Once more, you are met with silence as he watches you from the opposite side of the table, the look in his eyes serious, almost as if he is scrutinizing you. You start to grow uncomfortable under his stare, slightly worried that he might piece two and two together and see through you.

Surprising you, he says, "Looks like I misjudged you, ___. I shouldn't have. I apologize."

"What?"

"Not all actions can be boxed into black and white. What you did may be illegal but it was necessary and right. It won't undo everything that the girl went through, but it still makes the whole thing a bit fair."

For probably the first time in your life, you find yourself speechless. You open your mouth to reply but you realize that you are incapable of forming a reply to what he said. So, you just sit in silence, mirroring him.

"I don't know your past and I don't know what your struggles are but you are a good person, ___.''

Your throat has dried up by now as a weird sensation starts settling in your heart. It is uncomfortable and your appetite is ruined.

The man can probably sense your discomfort because he lets out a soft chuckle and leans back into his seat. "I just thought you should know that. I was not trying to woo you or anything."

You swallow a lump in your throat and force a smile. "Let's order dessert, shall we?''

Soon after that, you finish dinner and Dokyeom offers to give you a ride home and you accept it but only after a little internal debate.

Your own attitude baffles you. Why are you hesitating to let him drop you home? Is it because you have started feeling weird things under his company and now you want to avoid them?

No, that's outrageous. You are just tired from a long day of playing pretend.

The drive to your house is silent as you actively avoid having any conversation with him by facing the window and closing your eyes, your arms crossed as you pretend to go to sleep.

A good amount of driving later, you reach your house and tap in the code number for the main gate to open.

"She's a beauty, isn't she?'' You ask upon noticing his reaction; wide eye and mouth slightly open as he drives into your compound, coming to a stop in front of the steps that lead to your main entrance.

The house resembles a haunted mansion in many ways. It is at least a hundred years old, huge but empty, creepers growing around the black tiles, surrounded by dead trees and an abandoned garden. This is where you used to live with your family a long time ago and after your father's death, you left, letting that house collect dust. It is only recently that you started living here after you formed your plan to take the Lee family down.

"She is." He agrees with a nod before undoing his seatbelt. Before you can do that and open your door, he rounds the car and holds the door open for you.

The chilly night air hits your skin as you step out of the car. Dokyeom's gaze travels past you, marvelling at your home.

"Would you like to come in?" You surprise yourself by asking. He immediately nods with a sheepish grin. "I would love to see the interior."

"Well, it is a mess and full of dust but come along," You lead the way as he follows you closely. Holding the door open, you let him step in.

The door opens to a large space in front of a staircase leading upstairs. This area used to be for sitting, and now it is barren of anything. There is a large floor to ceiling window by the staircase, pouring the moonlight inside the space which is dimly lit by an antique chandelier.

"I see you didn't renovate." Dokyeon comments as he walks around, eyes scanning the space in wonder.

"Moved in recently."

"Hm, I like the style. If you end up renovating, I'd say don't change it too much." He advises. Humming, you start climbing the stairs. "My bedroom and the dining are upstairs. Wanna take a look?''

"Sure," he enthusiastically trails behind you as you come upstairs and show him the dining first and then the second bedroom before leading him to your bedroom.

"And here is my room," you hold open the door for him as he walks past you, the same look of wonder constant on his face.

"Wow," he walks straight to the open balcony, the night breeze flowing in strong, making the curtains dance. You slowly follow him, "I know right."

"I almost want to live here. Do you want to trade places with me?'' There's a boyish charm in his eyes and a genuine hint of glee in his voice as he looks at you with a smile.

"No thanks." You cannot help a small smile yourself.

A silence settles, a comfortable one in fact as you watch the view by his side in the cool night air.

"I had a good time today," he confesses, voice soft. You try hard not to acknowledge the funny feeling that spreads inside you upon hearing his words. Softly, you say. "Me too."

Your gaze moves to him and you find him looking at you, the look in his eyes is something you are unfamiliar with. Something that threatens to make your heart skip a beat, and make you forget what you are set out to do.

While you are lost in your thoughts, Dokyeom seems to have moved closer to you. His gaze has deepened and his face is suddenly mere inches away from you, taking you by surprise.

"Can I kiss you?" He whispers.

Fuck it. Part of your mission is to get him to bed, no? You will have to do it sooner or later.

You press your lips to his and fireworks go inside your head. It feels right, his lips moving against yours as you grab his jacket to pull him closer. By the time you two separate, you are breathless, your mind hazy. Dokyeom keeps looking at you like you are the most magnificent thing on this planet, his hand softly caressing your cheeks as your fingertips dance on his neck.

"Should I stay the night?"

There is a cheer of satisfaction within you. You let out a soft hum of acknowledgement which immediately brings his hands to your shoulders.

His lips are the epitome of temptation, your hooded gaze trained on it, stuck in a trance of pure desire. His fingers brush over your back in tantalising touches as he drops your coat from your shoulders, his eyes never straying from yours. Your hands move in a rhythm as you unbutton his blazer and reach for the hem of his turtleneck, helping him to get rid of it with a tug while simultaneously moving back inside your room and towards your bed, discarding the clothes messily on the floor.

His body is like an ancient Greek sculpture, lean and toned and you don't hide the hunger in your gaze. In silence, you push him towards the bed as he drops down to the mattress while you peel off your top along with your bra and then reach for the pants. Once you are left only in your panties, you strut towards him, a small smile on your lips because of the way he keeps looking at you, full of desire and burning passion.

Your hands move seductively as you take off his pants along with his boxers, making sure your nails scrape his thigh. With the fabrics gone, you see his cock for the first time, and my god is he blessed.

"What do you think? Will it please you?" He asks, making you smirk.

"Lie back professor," you order, standing up as he moves back into the bed, half lying against the headboard. You climb on the bed on all fours, positioning yourself on top of him. Leaning down, your lips tease him as your noses brush together softly. You whisper. "Let me give you a time you will never forget."

Something flashes in his eyes for a brief moment which you don't get to observe because his lips crash into yours, ensuing a fierce kiss. You moan into the kiss as his hands come to cup your neck and jaw, his lips pressed against yours relentlessly.

When you realise he is about to press you down into the bed, you break the kiss and inhale deeply. "Mhmm, no, professor. Let me take care of you first." You throw a wink at him and move down, your lips softly dragging against his skin, down his abdomen before reaching his half hard cock.

You take him in your hands, rubbing the base of his dick at a slow pace and watch his face raptly for reactions. As he grows hard against your hand, you lean down and take him into your mouth with one big swallow that makes Dokyem grunt out loud.

"Fuck!"

You smile as you continue your ministrations, moving your mouth up and down against his length while his body grows tense beneath you. Your tongue laps around his entire length, tasting him, teasing him as his breaths become shorter and shorter.

"Fuck, I'm gonna come soon."

His words work as a motivation for you as you increase your pace, swiping your tongue over his leaking tip before he finally explodes inside your mouth with a throaty groan.

You swallow every drop of him, a few trailing down the corner of your lips and you make a show of licking it with unwavering eye contact. Dokyeom lies flat on his back, panting harshly, hooded eyes watching you in an intense stare.

"Good, professor?" You grin, licking your index finger.

Exhaling loudly, he tugs you by your arm. "Come here!" Pinning you underneath his body, he kisses you, his tongue prodding into your mouth, tasting himself. You don't hold yourself back either, kissing him with equal passion until you forget where you end and he begins.

His lips meet your neck, kissing and sucking softly before trailing down to play with your sensitive nipples. As your whines grow in pitch and you grow restless, trying to break free from his grip and take over, he sits over your thighs, spreading his legs on both sides and resting on his knees.

"Do you have a condom?" He asks.

"Multiple," you reply, reaching for the bedside drawer.

As he puts the rubber on, you take the moment to appreciate his figure, his beautiful face, his bed-messy hair, his toned chest and abdomen and of course, his monster of a cock.

"You are one fine man, professor." You find yourself saying. You hate how you genuinely mean it.

"You are not too bad yourself." He flashes a grin before aligning himself with your pussy. As you take a deep inhale, he pushes in, making your body rise as you grip the sheets tightly in reply to the intrusion.

"Fuck, you're so tight."

Your response is to squeeze him tighter as you wrap your legs around his ass, pushing his body closer to yours. Delirious with pleasure, you start chasing his hips right away in a desperate rhythm of your own.

"Harder," you tempt, slinging your arms around his neck to pull him close. His breath fans your face, the slight perspiration on his temples clearly visible in this distance. In the yellowish hue of the room, his skin glows, giving him the appearance of a god, his messy hair tying everything together.

Dokyeom takes you up for the challenge as he increases his pace, making your head fall back as you let out a deep moan from the pits of your belly. He hits the perfect spot every time, driving you wild, bringing you deliciously close to the edge.

"Fuck, I need to come," you pant, hands reaching between your legs to touch your clit. Dokyeom, however, stops you by grabbing your both wrists and pinning them on top of your head, a cocky smirk on your face as he leans into your ear and whispers. "Say please first."

"Never," you immediately reply.

"Then you don't get to come."

"You asshole!" You hiss, trying to writhe free from his grasp but every time you move, his dick goes deeper inside you, amplifying the pleasure that makes you shudder.

"Come on sweetheart. You know you want to come."

"Ugh, no," you grunt, squeezing your eyes shut in a futile attempt to tone done your need for release."

"It's just one tiny word," the devil keeps whispering in your ear, continuing his ruthless thrusts as you teeter on the verge of begging.

"Fuck! Okay, okay!" You yell. "Please!"

"Hm, that didn't sound nice." The bastard complains, making you furious.

"I swear to god—" He interrupts you with a fierce kiss, pushing his tongue so deep inside your mouth that you forget to breathe. Letting go of your hands, his fingers move down, trailing along your skin before reaching between your legs and flicking your clit. That action is enough as you come, fireworks going off inside your body as you twist to a side, your toes curling in pleasure. Dokyeom's body shudders on top of yours as he comes, continuing to kiss your mouth, your chin and your jaw.

Soon, a silence settles in the air as his body rests on top of yours. You don't find it in you to push him off so you let him be, comfortable in his warmth and embrace as you close your eyes, soon to be overtaken by sleep.

-

Days bleed into weeks that turn into a month as you start dating Seokmin. He grows fonder of you each passing day, the look in his eyes and his actions mirroring what he holds for you in his heart. He starts accepting your obsessive tendencies along with your profession, which pleases you immensely. You have your enemy where you want and things seem to be going your way.

Except one thing.

After you started dating Dokyeom, you have stayed over at his place only a few times. Of course, you made use of those times, snooping through his house in hopes of finding something that would lead you to his brother or at the very least, tell you of his ties to the mafia family of District 1. You never found a single thing. When you asked him about his family, he replied that he is an only child whose parents passed away because of a car crash.

A lie, of course.

Your plan is in motion but at the same time, you feel stuck. You have Dokyeom in the palm of your hand, you just need to get to his brother for everything to come together. You had dramatic plans for a reunion but at this stage, that looks quite impossible.

Maybe you should have just kidnapped him.

-

One weekend he invites you to his house for dinner as a celebration of him securing a contract with one of the biggest publishers in the country for his next book.

You put on your nicest dress and your fanciest heels for the occasion, your lips painted red as you strut to his front door with a bouquet of flowers.

Dokyeom opens the door looking a little more gorgeous than other days; his black hair brushed back sleekly, and wearing a cream coloured Ralph Lauren sweater with black pants. Tying the look together is his steel framed glasses which he looks fantastic with and which you adore seeing him wearing.

Whenever he wears those glasses you two end up having the most mind blowing sex.

Dokyeom remains rooted in his spot as he watches you, his eyes moving over your full frame with a look of appreciation and desire. You flash a grin, "Good evening, professor."

He blinks before smiling, "Good evening, ___. You look absolutely stunning."

"Thought I should dress up to celebrate you." You shrug. "May I come in?" You smile teasingly and he lets you in with a flustered laugh.

"Dinner is cooking in the oven. I will set the table up," he supplies as he helps you to take off your coat once you are inside. "Would you like some wine?''

"Sure," You follow him to the kitchen which has a soft aroma of the chicken roast, making your stomach rumble slightly. One of the many delights of dating Dokyeom has been his exceptional culinary skills. You watch as he pours wine into two glasses before offering you one, "The chicken will be done in ten minutes. Make yourself at home."

"Thanks," you receive the glass from him and stroll around the house, looking at his decoration, in the back of your mind thinking if any one of these plain items hides the key to his other identity. A phone call echos in the kitchen and you realize Dokyeom is getting a call. He accepts it with an apology directed at you before going to the porch to speak.

In the meantime, you sneak into his study. It is not even sneaking in, to be honest, because he has given you full access to every inch of his house and in fact, encouraged you to visit his study and take a look at his little library. You found it odd at first because his transparency shows that he has nothing to hide and as days pass by and you come up with no leads, a sinking feeling has started appearing in your belly. Not to mention that the bug you put underneath his desk has picked up nothing of importance, no conversation or phone call about District 1 or his mafia family.

Maybe you have made a huge mistake. Maybe he is some random innocent guy who just looks like the youngest son of Lee family and has fallen to your prey.

Still, you step inside his study with the hope of finding something new. Like every other time, your fingers comb through the shelves of his library before moving towards his desk, shuffling through the papers carefully to not disturb the arrangement. You also peek beneath the desk to make sure the recorder is still there and active before going through his drawers. It has become a routine check at this point, your fingers moving through his stuff in experienced movements as you hold your breath in anticipation of finding a lead.

It goes futile, of course.

With a defeated sigh you stand up to find Dokyeom standing at the entrance of his study with a completely foreign look on his face.

Shit.

A gasp of surprise and terror leaves your mouth as your eyes meet his and for several moments, a gut-wrenching feeling wreaks havoc within you. You hate how you feel, guilty like a criminal or even worse, a person breaking the trust they were given and getting caught red handed by the person who trusted them the most.

"What are you doing?'' His tone is flat and cold, something you are hearing for the first time. It takes a second for your brain to start functioning properly. "Just looking around, professor. You know I get snoopy sometimes." You tilt your head to the side, giving him a coy smile.

Dokyeom gives no reaction. He takes a few, slow steps towards you, his footsteps matching the beat of your heart as he comes to a stand in front of the table.

Then, his hand reaches below, searching for something beneath the table before coming back up with the bug in his hand.

Ah, fuck.

"What is this?" He asks.

"A bug? Who would do that to you, professor?" You ask innocently.

He keeps staring at you, the look of disappointment growing permanent on his face as you realize you are caught for good.

Fuck it, you had to reveal yourself one way or the other anyway.

With a loud exhale, you ask, "When did you find out?"

"Last week," he replies, tone clipped. "I was baffled when I found it. Nobody visited my place in the last few weeks except you. Stupidly, I told myself it cannot be you so someone must have broken in. I looked through the CCTV footage but I found nothing there was well." He blows out a long breath, shaking his head dejectedly, "I still prayed it wouldn't be you but the reality says otherwise, ___."

Hmm, it does.

"It was me," you announce, plopping down on his chair behind the desk while he watches you unamusedly. "And you are right. Someone did break in. That was me as well." You flash him an evil grin.

Whatever colour that was left on his face drains out as he keeps staring at you, unblinking, for a long period. You return his stare with one of your own, except you are curious to see his next reaction. There is also a feeling of dread somewhere within you but you decide to ignore it.

Dokyeom's palms come to rest on the table as he hangs his head low, remaining motionless. Finally, when he looks up, the look in his eyes has completely changed and his jaw is tight, giving you the first glimpse into the mafia heir that he really is.

You watch as he reaches for the scissors in the stationary holder sitting on his desk, and rounds the table before coming to stand right next to you, holding the tip of the scissors right against your neck as he leans down and hisses. "Should I slit your throat right here or should I hear you out?"

You must admit that you find this look on him very attractive.

You cannot help the grin, "Finally, you are acting like the youngest heir of District 1, professor. I like it."

His eyes widen slightly as the scissors move just a bit away from your skin. "What do you want?"

"To tell you that, I have to tell you a long story." Your smile drips with venom as you stand up and walk over to the sitting area. "Sit down. It's a long story." You say, motioning towards the sofa in front of you. He isn't enthusiastic but he follows your direction, sitting down in front of you, the scissors still in his hand.

You lean back into the cushions throwing one leg over the other as you look him in the eye.

"Once upon a time, six years ago actually, there was a man who used to deal weapons. His general clients were not high profile but one day he got orders from the mafia family of District 1. They had some issues with their regular supplier so they chose that man for a quick supply."

"The man had two daughters. One who was 18 at that time and another who was 16. Their mother passed away a couple of years ago and their father was always busy with either work or gambling so the sisters only had each other. The older sister took very good care of the younger one, making sure she was happy and protected all the time."

"Then one night, the mafia barged through the door, surrounding their house with armed men. The eldest and the youngest son of the Lee family also came. They dragged the father and the older daughter outside on the porch where they killed him with a clean shot in the head. Then they grabbed the older daughter and dragged her into their car, making her disappear forever."

"Meanwhile, the younger daughter watched all this from far away as the father's right hand man told her to remain hidden to save herself. After some digging around, it was found out that District 1 went to war with the Russians and they lost that war while also losing the head of the family, the father of the two brothers, Lee Jihoon and..." you pause before looking him dead in the eye and whispering, "Lee Seokmin."

Thick silence stretches in the air.

Dokyeom keeps looking at you, his fingers intertwined under his chin. "So, all this was a grand plan of yours to what, fool me? Betray me after making a joke out of me?" He asks. making you chuckle.

"You were only the beginning of my plan. I wanted to mess with you, of course, but I thought I would find out about your brother's whereabouts through dating you. I initially had a fun plan that I would show up uninvited in one of his business deals and ruin it, damage his reputation for good. However, that plan failed because I found no information about him or your family from you. You really hide that part of you well, no Professor?"

He remains silent.

"Now that my initial plan has failed, I think I will have to kidnap you, hm? Ask your brother for ransom. He would have no choice but to show up then."

Your words make Dokyeom scoff as he shakes his head, the corners of his lips turned up as if you have said the funniest thing ever. You don't like his reaction.

"You want to see my brother? I will arrange that."

"What?" You must have heard wrong. "What game are you playing now?"

"I'm not playing any game."

"Then why?" You narrow your eyes on him, your hand reaching to your back pocket to pull out the switchblade if necessary.

He looks at you for a long moment before letting out a breath. "I am impressed, that's all. I have to acknowledge your talent, no? Also, you deserve to know the truth." He looks you in the eye. "The real truth. Not some bullshit your father's right hand man made up."

"Don't you fucking tell me what is the truth and what is the lie, you murderer!" You seethe, clenching your fists.

You should just gut him right here.

Once again, he just smiles. "I will text you when he is available for the meeting. However, it will be one on one. If you bring someone else, he will not show up."

"I could still kidnap you."

"You are welcome to try but I guarantee you, that plan is going to fail. You are a smart woman. I'm giving you a good option. Just take it." He stands up.

"Well if you think that I alone am not a threat to your brother then you are mistaken. I can make his blood spill if I want to," You stand up and take a menacing step towards him. "If you find your dear brother dead after the meeting, don't blame me, hm?''

You don't wait for a reply as you turn on your heel and march out of the room. On your way out you find the dinner served on the table, the chicken cut nicely into pieces along with vegetables. Picking up a fork, you stab a few pieces of chicken, shove them into your mouth and then take a sip of the wine.

As always, his food tastes great.

With your coat slung over your shoulder, you pull open the door and yell behind you, "Thanks for the dinner, professor!"

You slam the door loudly behind you.

-

Lee Jihoon agrees to have a meeting with you one day later. Initially, you wanted Changkyun to drive you there but Dokyeom sent a text saying that he would pick you up because outside vehicles are not allowed entry into Jihoon's compound. Reluctantly, you agreed and after an absolute silent drive later, you reach the mansion of the mafia family of District 1.

The compound is stunning and heavily guarded, with checkposts and watch towers set at certain distances as well as multiple security screenings that you have to pass through. Once Dokyeom passes the final gate, the gorgeous mansion comes into view. Just upon entry, there is a large compound surrounding a giant water fountain in the middle of neatly trimmed rows of trees. Dokyeom stops the car at a small parking space near the front yard where the meeting will take place.

As the car comes to a stop you notice a small table and garden chairs set up underneath a large umbrella that is surrounded by multiple guards— the place of your meeting. With a deep breath, you step out of the car, along with Dokyeom who comes out of the driver's side door. Surprising you, he leans against the car with his arms crossed and starts looking around.

"You are not coming?''

"No."

You are perplexed but don't ask any further questions, busy with the task ahead of you. Tilting your head side to side, you pop your neck before marching towards the garden. Spotting you, one of the guards speaks into his comm. Throwing a mock smile at him, you drag a chair out and sit down, waiting for him to arrive. Out of curiosity, you turn your head behind to see Dokyeom in the same spot, staring off into the distance.

Weird.

A maid comes to serve two cups of tea before hurrying away and soon after, the man arrives.

Dressed in full black, Lee Jihoon steps out of the mansion and walks towards you, closely followed by two bodyguards, his body language is relaxed as he pulls out the chair in front of you and sits down. Taking off his shades, he looks at you, his eye contact calm yet unwavering along with something very powerful and dark brimming underneath as you come face to face with the man behind all your misery.

"Good morning, ___. My brother informed me about our interesting past." He speaks, his tone light, his facial expression laced with amusement as if he is catching up with an old friend.

"Then you know why I am here." You cut to the chase, trying to keep your tone as even as possible. Just hearing his voice irks you to your core.

"Remind me again." He hums, wiping his shades with a piece of cloth.

This motherfucking bastard.

"You killed my father! You kidnapped my sister! What—" You inhale deeply. "What did you do to her!" You hiss, unable to keep your voice from raising as your hands form fists, violent rage bubbling within you. There is a knife hidden underneath your bra and you consider pulling it out and stabbing him.

You can be quick but it wouldn't cause enough damage.

Besides, you need to know if your sister is alive.

"I see you are furious and I understand that feeling." Jihoon begins, throwing one leg on top of another as he links his hands together, leaning back to sit comfortably.

You hate how nonchalant he is about all this.

"Since I'm in a good mood today and my younger brother has asked for a favour after a very long time, I'll answer your questions. Let's begin with your father's death, shall we? My family had a deal with your father. He was to provide us with weapons and artilleries for a year because our usual supplier got murdered earlier that year and we chose him as a temporary replacement. In November of that year, a war broke out between us and the Russians. We went to war with those weapons. Guess what happened?"

You remain silent, staring at him in rage.

"The weapons stopped working. The guns would either jam or misfire. Hundreds of my men died and we lost that war. Your father sold us weapons that were crap. They were a batch of second grade weapons that he had lying around." Jihoon pauses for a second before resting his arms on the table and leaning closer to you. "You know why he did that?''

"Because he had gambled away the initial deposit we gave him. That led to an argument with his manufacturer who said the deal would be on hold. He could neither get the weapons nor cancel the deal with us so like a fucking coward, he sold us those shitty weapons."

"You are lying." You hiss.

"I was hoping you would say that. You see, I don't care whether you believe me or not, ___. You asked for the truth and here it is."

Bullshit.

Lee Jihoon is the master of manipulation, there is no way he is being honest right now.

"Then where is my sister? What did you do with her?"

His eyes darken at your words.

"She is alive. That is all you need to know." His tone is clipped.

You are immediately on your feet, the chair scraping backwards by your sudden motion. "Where is she, you fucking son of a bitch!" You bang your fists on the table, ready to jump on him. His bodyguard starts to come to you but Jihoon raises his hand as a signal for him to stand back.

"Sit down, ___." He remains unbothered. "Wherever she is, she is safe and well."

"Like I believe a word that comes out of your mouth! If she is really alive why won't you tell me!" You scream.

"Because your sister told me not to."

The ground slips away from your feet as your heart starts galloping. "What— what you talking about, you fucking liar!"

Jihoon gets up and walks towards you, fixes the chair back in its place and forces you to sit down by grabbing your shoulders.

"Look, ___. I am doing you the favour of explaining everything which I never do for anyone else. You can either act civil and stop calling me names or I have you escorted out right now." He threatens in your ear, his body leaning against the garden table. Your hands form tight fists in your lap as it takes everything within you to hold yourself back from punching him.

He says, "A word of advice for you, don't believe everything you see. Your sister has her demons that she had been hiding for a long time. She had them when we took her and she still has them. When she overcomes all of them, she will come find you."

You are stunned to silence.

"I- I don't believe you. You are making all this up." Your brain is scrambling, trying to fit the pieces together that you seem to have missed.

"Alright then. I'll contact your sister and tell her to write you a letter, maybe even attach some pictures. How about that?"

You remain silent.

Jihoon sighs and sits back down on the chair, before reaching for his phone inside his jacket. Swiping through the device, he finds what he is looking for before turning the screen towards you.

A gasp escapes you as your hands come to cover your mouth. It is a picture of your sister. You recognize her immediately despite the change in her features throughout the years. She sits by a window, a very subtle smile on her lips as she looks at the camera.

You could look at that picture forever but Jihoon takes the phone away, putting it inside his pocket as you blink away the tears from your eyes.

"You are all murderers. You ruined our lives." You whisper, your head hanging low as you stare at the green grass below your feet suddenly overcome with a feeling of helplessness.

Has she really been alive all this time? Has she been well?

"We never said we weren't. Our world abides by some rules and your father was well aware of those rules. His greed got the best of him and in a perfect world, his family wouldn't have suffered for his crime but in our world, that is the rule."

Tears brim in your eyes as you are overwhelmed with distraught.

"Thousands of people in district one had to die for your father's greed. It is only fair that he died. We didn't even make it painful and that is something our men were not blessed with." His tone becomes dark by the end.

"If you still don't believe me, I will mail you some of the investigation reports on that case. But this is as far as I'll entertain you, ___ and this is the last time I wish to see you in my premises unless I call you." Jihoon stands up, putting his hands in his pockets as you keep glaring holes into the ground.

"One final piece of advice, if you aren't serious about my brother, leave him." His words make you look up at him. "Me and Seokmin don't talk to each other anymore but for you, he contacted me after years, leaving behind his pride. He seems to have serious feelings about you. If you don't feel that way about him, leave. You got what you wanted."

Did you? Did you really get what you wanted?

"Goodbye." He puts on his shades and strides out of the garden, his bodyguards trailing after him as you are left alone with your thoughts and the tea which has now gone cold.

You get back into Dokyeom's car in silence. The man does not ask any questions or acknowledge you, mutely starting the car almost as if you are not even here.

You sit still, stuck in a trance as Jihoon's words replay in your mind over and over again. Now, you truly do not know what is the truth and what is the lie as you spiral into a dark pit of hopelessness. Could it truly be that Changkyun and his father lied to you? But why would they do that? Why would Jihoon lie to you either? He has no reason to. He is not afraid of anyone and he has no benefit from lying to you.

Your mind starts to numb from the continuous onslaught of thoughts. When you finally take a break from them and focus on your surroundings, you realize the car has come to a stop. It is parked on a small cliff that overlooks a mountain range far away. Seokmin looks at you expectantly, almost as if he is waiting for you to step out of the car. Without much thought, you do that and he follows you as you both silently tread towards a small bridge nearby. Resting against it, you take in the view for a few minutes, the man next to you doing the same.

"I heard you don't speak to your brother anymore." You decide to speak. It caught you off guard when Jihoon first mentioned it but you have been too preoccupied with other worries to address it. It is making sense to you now as to why you could not find anything at his house.

After a moment, his soft voice floats through the silence. "I used to be really close with my brother. I looked up to him ever since I was a child. In a world as grim as ours, he was a source of hope and a shelter for me." He breathes, his eyes focused ahead, clouded with memories. "It was a given that he was going to be the next don since he was the oldest but he always told me that I'd be a better leader, that I should be prepared to take over if anything were to happen to him. Sometimes, it felt as if he trusted me more than he trusted himself and I didn't want to let him down."

Seokmin comes to a pause as his gaze shifts from staring straight ahead to coming lower and lower, finally stopping at his shoes. With his head hanging low and a dejected posture, he whispers. "Everything changed after that war. Our father died along with so many of our men. The bloodshed was too much for me. I tried to suck it in by telling myself that I will overcome this. I will get used to it but the thing was, I didn't want to. I didn't want to get used to the violence, to the bloodshed, to that life and finally, after killing your father and taking away your sister, I gave up."

There is a heavy pause in the air. Your breath is trapped in your lungs as you watch him, waiting eagerly for his next words, urging him to continue while failing to find your voice.

"That night, I told hyung I was going to leave. I was going to denounce everything. My title, my inheritance, everything. My final gesture of loyalty and love for him was to aid him in killing the man that caused all the mess but my brother...He was...livid. He punched me, yelled at me and finally begged me not to leave. When I still said no he looked at me for a long moment." His breath shudders as he pauses shortly.

"I remember it so vividly. His face went completely blank as he ordered his men to escort me out, not even saying goodbye or looking back. That night I left and I never saw him again until...today. To the members of District 1, it was like the Lee family expanding their territory by having me step into the world of art under a new name. You also thought the same but now, you know the truth."

His eyes finally move as he shifts his position, leaning against the edge of the rail to look at you.

"Our world isn't fair, ___ and you cannot judge our actions based on the laws of the normal world. I do not like bloodshed or violence but I've realised that sometimes it is necessary to keep the balance. Killing your father was such a moment and—" he pauses, his brows furrowing as he looks at you desperately, almost like he's in pain as he searches for the right words.

"I do not regret it. I regret a lot of things but do not regret his death. I'm sorry that you lost your father and I'm sorry that you had a tough life. More than anything else, I'm sorry that you harboured all these negative feelings inside you only to realise that the truth was something else entirely. I'm sorry it had to be like this, ___."

You swallow, blinking to hold back tears. His eyes shine, mirroring yours as you both stare at each other in silence. You want to scream, yell at the top of your lungs that he is lying but you know that if you open your mouth, only sobs will come out. So you opt for watching Seokmin in silence as a gust of cool breeze flows by, messing your hair while you pray that it takes away your despair along with it.

"I'm going to leave you alone now. I'm sure you need some time to process everything. I just wanted to say my part." He whispers, slowly taking steps away. He pauses for a beat on his way to see if you say anything but you keep staring at the sky as if hypnotised. As his footsteps get farther away and the car's engine roars to life, your tears fall, cascading down your cheeks in endless streams.

-

Sleep doesn't come easily to you that night. With the rise of the sun, you get some shut eye before waking up and lying in your bed for hours, sinking deep into the hollow in your chest that feels like it's devouring you whole. Beside you, your phone rings multiple times with Changkyun's calls but you ignore them, not prepared to face him, not prepared to confront your best friend that he has been lying to you. When the growls of your stomach finally grow too loud for you to tolerate, you get up to eat something.

Inside your large house, you float around like a ghost, the emptiness and coldness of the structure mirroring how you feel on the inside. Your brain is too broken to think yet thoughts overflow, numbing you.

As you eat some cereal you finally decide to check your phone and you see Changkyun's message.

I dropped by your house this morning. You didn't open and you are not picking up.

Come to the seaport when you see this. We need to talk.

Your first reaction is to put your phone face down, ignoring the text. But as time ticks by and you see the afternoon sun going lower and lower in the sky, you change your mind. You need to talk to him. You deserve to know the truth from his mouth. Besides, the sooner you get this over with the better.

Maybe it's finally time to retire to a city by the beach, you think to yourself as you drive to the seaport.

-

The wind is high and the sun is about to disappear beneath the horizon when you reach the port. Parking your car, you walk along the edge of the platform, letting the cold her blow into your face as you watch the ships nearby get loaded with containers. As you stop to watch the sunset, you soon hear footsteps behind you and years of familiarity let you know it's Changkyun.

Sure enough, a few seconds later he comes to stand next to you.

"I have been trying to reach you all morning."

"Hm."

Your response probably comes unexpected to him as he shifts his position, turning to look at you, eyes intensely boring into you.

A gust of a particularly strong wind flows, disrupting your hair, covering your face with a few strands, almost as if shielding you from his scrutiny.

"Well?" He prods. You remain silent, staring ahead, racking your brain for the right words to start this conversation.

"___, what did that murderer say?" He asks again, his pitch rising.

"Not what I expected to hear." You give in with a sigh, turning your head to look at him in the eye. Changkyun's eyes widen just a fraction, a look of alarm settling on his face.

"I think we were not completely innocent, either." There's a coldness in your voice but he misses it, hissing. "What the fuck is that supposed to mean?"

You tell him how the meeting with Jihoon went before posing the million dollar question. "Is that really the truth, Changkyun?"

With every word leaving your lips, you see his expression change, going from disbelief to betrayal to anger and then, to guilt.

A silence falls as you wait and watch him, holding your breath as his head hangs low, his hair covering his face as he stares at the ground. The remnants of your hope fade away with every passing second.

"Tell me the truth, Kyun! Did my father really gamble away the money?" Your voice is a desperate plea.

"So what if he did!" He scowls at you.

Your whole body freezes as your fears get confirmed. It takes a good moment for you to speak. "Why did you and your father lie to me? You said he was completely innocent, that he did nothing wrong yet got murdered by Ji—"

"For revenge! I lied so that we could take revenge!"

"Revenge for what!" You cry, frustrated. "You and I know very well what the rules are in this world. You would not spare me either if I did to you what my father did!"

"They took your sister, ___. God knows what they did—"

"She's alive." You whisper.

Changkyun's eyes widen, his mouth opening to say something yet failing to do so. He brushes a frustrated hand through his hair, exhaling loudly as he processes the information.

"What is the plan now?" He asks, his voice muted, looking at the ground.

"What do you mean what's the plan!" You cry. "Did you not hear me? There is no plan, Kyun. This is as far as I can go!"

"You do not mean that, ___!" His voice booms, eyes wide with rage. "They killed your father, ruined his empire, ruined every one of our fucking lives! They have your sister locked away for fucks sake!"

You say the words you never thought you would. "My father did not have an empire. What he had was a gambling addiction and a business built on a house of cards." Your voice grows meek, eyes shining with tears of pain and exhaustion. "As for my sister," you take in a deep breath. "Jihoon said he would make her write me a letter. He said she has reasons for hiding but she is safe. I have decided to trust his words for now."

"You—" Changkyun looks at you, baffled. "You are a fucking coward, ___! What about the work we put on all these years? What about us? What about my father? Who's going to avenge him!"

You sigh, rubbing your forehead. Blinking back tears, you try to compose yourself by taking in a deep breath. "I had a harsh wake up call that made me realize that all these years you were lying to me and using me to quench your bloodthirst. Who's going to avenge your father? Maybe you, if you are crazy but not me. His addiction led him astray and he committed suicide. What is there to avenge?"

"___! He ended up like that because the Lees killed your father and ruined our business!" He's like a madman as he steps closer to you, yelling. You yell back, "Just stop it, Changkyun! What do you want me to do, huh? March into Jihoon's house and start firing? Do you know the levels of security that place has? Whatever men we have, he has ten times more and I do not want my team to walk into a suicide mission without any cause. And most importantly, I will not jeopardise the safety of my sister! Jihoon knows her whereabouts and I need him if I want to see my sister again!"

"You... you—" Changkyun has turned red with fury as his words fail him.

You do not like how this conversation is going and your exhaustion makes you take a step back.

"We were carrying their sins with us but I have realised, we don't need to. Our parents...they made their decisions and paid the price for it. Let it end with them, please. I don't want to drag this any more. I am tired, Kyun." You whisper, praying the words to reach him.

Years of hunting and planning the destruction of one man has left you tired to your bones along with a general disdain for the world you have been living in. You were alone all along, chasing a ghost.

It is time to stop.

"No. You are not tired. You are a coward. A brainwashed coward." Changkyun sneers, venom dripping from his eyes.

"If that's what you would like to believe, then so be it." You conclude, not finding the energy to argue with him anymore. Your indifference irks him as he scowls at you, his hands clenched into fists.

You announce. "I am going to retire. You can take over from here on but I suggest you look into doing something new. Our business—"

"Don't you fucking dare give me advice!" His voice booms as he charges towards you. In the blink of an eye, he grabs you by the collars, livid. "Don't utter a single fucking word, you traitor! You fucking liar! You got some dick and decided to switch sides huh!" He seethes, gripping your collars tight and violently shaking you. The headache you already had intensifies but that isn't the thing that's hurting you.

His words hurt. Despite his lies, you considered him your best friend for the past six years. And maybe it's the attachment or the nostalgia of all these years that prevents you from fighting back.

You are done.

You have done enough fighting for a lifetime.

Mean words roll off Changkyun's tongue as he pushes you to the ground in a fit of rage, throwing his legs over your torso as he wraps his arms around your neck.

The next moment there is a click of a gun and you manage to peek over Changkyun's shoulder to find Seokmin standing behind him, pointing a revolver at the back of his head.

Your breath catches in your throat.

What the hell is he doing here?

Changkyun's grip on your throat loosens when he feels the presence behind him as he attempts to turn around. However, Seokmin presses the nozzle of the gun harder into his head, hissing. "Let her go. Now."

"Changkyun, please. Stop." You whisper, finally finding your voice. You do not like the look in Seokmin's eyes, something you've never seen before, something lethal and untamed and paired with the gun in his hand, you do not trust what he might do.

"Speak of the devil." Changkyun scoffs, looking at you, still holding a steady grip on your neck. "The boyfriend is here to save the day."

"Let. Her. Go." Seokmin repeats.

Changkyun looks torn, fury blazing in his eyes while also being aware of the gun being pointed at his head. With a frustrated grunt, he loosens his grip on your throat and you use that fraction of a second to tackle him by grabbing his arms and pinning him to the ground as you come on top. "Stop it, Kyun." Your plea is a whisper that is met with eyes full of wrath.

The next second Seokmin abruptly tugs you behind by your arm as he takes a step forward, becoming a barrier between you and Changkyun. The gun is still in his hand, pointing towards your friend.

"Seokmin put the gun down. It's fine." You try to step forward and pry the weapon out of his hand but he doesn't let you, holding you behind protectively with an arm outstretched.

"You may trust him, but I don't," Seokmin replies, eyes fiercely trained on Changkyun who has sat up. His eyes are equally furious with an underlying hint of challenge, as if he's daring Seokmin to shoot.

And he just might.

"For fucks sake, both of you! Enough!" You holler, clutching onto Seokmin to drag him further away from Changkyun who slowly stands up and brushes the dust off of him before looking at you with a deathly stare. Seokmin's grip on your arm tightens, the gun still in his hand but not pointed at him now.

You can almost physically feel the air thicken with tension.

"Don't try to contact me, ___. If I see your face ever again, there will be a bullet hole between your eyes." Changkyun grits out, sparing one last look of scorn at you before marching away.

With the kaleidoscope of colours of the dusk sky, you watch your best friend of years walk away, experiencing heartbreak and a weird relief at the same time.

Silence settles with the sun dipping below the horizon. Seokmin let's go of you, putting some distance between your bodies. Your eyes meet his as you exchange a silent look full of turbulent emotions.

Emotions you can't quite name yet feel overwhelmed with.

"How did you find me?" Your soft inquiry breaks the silence. He removes his gaze from you and looks at the ground. "Went to your place this afternoon. As I was pulling up I saw your car leave and I just...followed you."

"Why?"

"I... don't know. My gut told me I should." He replies calmly.

You sigh as another beat of silence fills the air. The sky is now fully dark, spread wide with different shades of purple. The wind has gotten significantly colder and you feel like if you stay out too long, it will settle into your bones.

Like the echoing coldness in your heart.

"You should not have interrupted. I was dealing with him."

Seokmin frowns. "Dealing with him? By lying still and letting him choke you?"

"Like I said—"

"Forget that,'' Seokmin interrupts you with a huff. "I went to your place because I had to tell you something." You look at him inquisitively as he fishes out something from the breast pocket of his trench coat.

Extending his hand towards yours, he pushes something into your palm.

A ticket.

"What is this?" You find yourself asking.

"Remember how you said you wanted to go to a place by the sea." He begins, his voice soft like his gaze. "Well, this is it. Now that everything is over, you can go and live by the beach. This cruise leaves tomorrow afternoon. It'll take a few days to reach Barcelona."

You look at the little piece of paper in your hand, letting his words wash over you.

"Think of this as an apology for everything. For what me and my family put you through." He adds when you don't reply.

"I see." Your voice is almost inaudible.

Seokmin says nothing for a few moments, as if waiting for you to speak but when you don't, he continues. "I am going as well. To Barcelona, I mean."

You move his gaze to him and blink inquisitively.

"I felt like taking a break after everything. I haven't been on a vacation for a very long time. I, too, wanted to see the ocean. When I got tickets, I thought I'd get one for you. We don't have to go together or see each other if you decide to go, that is..." He trails off.

You gaze at him for a while, memorising his features. Swallowing a sudden lump in your throat, you force a smile and give him a shaky nod.

"Well, then. I'll get going." He takes a few steps back, rubbing his palms together.

"Bye."

"If you don't come tomorrow, this is goodbye, no?" He asks as he continues to take small steps away from you, still facing you.

"I guess so." You reply. He stops and takes a long look at you before saying. "It was really nice knowing you, ___. Despite our history, despite the short time, I don't regret meeting you and... loving you." The last two words fade into a whisper, making you doubt if he even said them.

You don't get a chance to reply. You don't even get a chance to wholly process his words before he gives a wave, a small smile on his face before jogging away.

You stay rooted to your spot.

I don't regret meeting you and loving you.

-

The sun is shining stronger than any other afternoon when you step out of the taxi with nothing but a small bag pack on your shoulders. Receiving the boarding pass, you walk into the deck which is now empty because the ship is set to leave in just five minutes.

It is not fully empty, however, because one person stands, looking anxious, his eyes skirting around wildly.

When his eyes land on you, a smile of relief seems to appear on his face, triggering the corners of your lips to rise slightly as well. In silence, you walk to him.

"You came." His voice sounds glad but also as if he is trying to school his excitement.

"Did not want to waste a free ticket." You shrug, looking away.

Seokmin nods. "Right. Well, you are just on time."

"I know." There's a pause for a second as he looks like he wants to say something. A staff gives out the final boarding call which makes you continue your way into the cruise, followed by Seokmin.

Once you are boarded, you walk towards the front of the vessel, glad that it is not too crowded. The whistle of the cruise booming in the air signals the start of its journey as the sunlight and the warm breeze kiss your face.

"I'm glad you decided to come," Seokmin says, making you turn around to look at him. In the soft glow of the sun and the wind playing with his hair, he looks breathtaking.

After a moment, you whisper. "Me too."

Giving you a nod and a friendly smile, he walks away with his suitcase into the upper deck and out of sight while you stand and watch him go, the sun warming your skin.

-

1 month later

The evening air has a slight chill, not uncomfortable but just pleasant. You walk barefoot on the sand, hands crossed over your chest as your feet carry you down the edge of the ocean with practised ease. Around you, people enjoy the beach after a hectic day, children playing around laughing, parents taking videos, friends flying kites, couples walking hand in hand. The sound of the waves crashing to the shore along with the remnants of orange hues in the sky sets up a wonderful atmosphere, which, after almost a month, you have become used to but certainly not bored of.

You have never felt so much at peace.

This getaway was truly what you needed as you learned to spend time by yourself, alone with your thoughts, isolated from the world yet watching it pass by. It has been a palliative experience so far. You came to terms with your life, your past, your actions and your feelings for a certain individual.

Just one day into your getaway, a letter was brought to your room by a hotel staff and upon opening it, you realised Jihoon kept his promise.

It was a handwritten letter from your sister, along with a picture of her, sitting next to a large painting that she created. She looks different, not how you remember her, a different glow on her face that you did not remember because she was almost always melancholic.

You now feel a little guilty because you never asked her why.

Dear ____.

It has been a long while, no? I am sorry for being out of touch. It is unforgivable, I know but I finally found the courage to write to you after you came to visit Jihoon. When we were first separated something was chasing me that made me want to run away from everything. I put off connecting to you for your own good when I heard you were living with Changkyun and his father and just like that, years had passed. I occasionally looked into your whereabouts and I knew you were doing fine but I never found it in me to get rid of the guilt and just write to you.

I tried hard not to show it but life was not so kind to me before the last six years and getting taken away from our dad was probably the best thing for me.

It is a story for another day and there are still demons that I need to defeat. After that I will come to see you and ask for forgiveness. Until then, live well and rest easy knowing that I have been doing better for the past few years.

Your sister.

Reading the letter was bittersweet, the first emotion invoked within you was hurt and longing as you shed a few tears seeing your sister's picture, mused about the old days and wondered what she went through all by herself.

Initially, you had thought of writing back a reply but you decided against it because the words you wish to utter can not be confined within a paper. Instead, you sent out a prayer to the universe, hoping you would get to meet her sometime soon.

From a distance, someone calls out your name, calling your attention back to the present and you turn instinctively to find Seokmin jogging towards you through the sand, two cones of ice creams in his hands. A smile appears on your lips as you take a few steps towards him, reaching your arms out. Wrapping him in a soft hug, you plant a sweet kiss on his lips before taking an ice cream from his hand and reaching for the other as well.

"Both of these are for me right?"

The poor man looks conflicted. "Well, uhm, no but if you want you can have them."

You snort a burst of laughter. "You can have it, Min. Maybe save a bite for me."

Hand in hand, you two walk a little closer to the shore and sit down, letting the flow of the waves occasionally touch your feet.

Your relationship with Seokmin developed surprisingly but quickly after coming to Barcelona. Initially, you did not expect anything, too overridden with the guilt of your tricks and the history of your families to make any attempt to talk to him. Two weeks went by as you did not see each other, except for occasionally bumping into each other at the beach or the hotel lobby because as fate would have it, you two shared the same hotel. It was hard and uncomfortable, pretending not to see him when you ran into him and it would make you wonder if he felt the same.

It all changed one night when you were returning to the hotel after dinner and some drinks. Tipsy and wobbly, you focused extra hard to not bump into anyone as you made your way into the lobby of the hotel.

And there you bumped into him, quite literally.

"Hey there, easy," The man's hands hold your shoulders to stop you from falling on your ass. You look up and find Seokmin. Thinking that you are seeing things, you blink two more times before coming to terms with the fact that it was indeed Seokmin in front of you.

"Someone had a lot to drink," He says as you try to regain your balance. "Can you go to your room by yourself? Should I come with you?"

With a huff, you push him away, trying to appear independent as you take wobbly steps. Seokmin decides to escort you, as he follows closely behind all the way, one hand outstretched, ready to catch you in case you fall.

When you reach your room, Seokmin assists you in unlocking the door. Once the job is done successfully, you pause in the entryway to look back at him. He stands there, somewhat awkward and you consider whether to shut the door on his face or ask him to come in. Neither of them sounds like a good idea but still, you kick the door to open it a little wider and murmur as you walk in, "Come in, if you want."

You don't look behind as you head for the small fridge to retrieve a water bottle and chug it down. Seokmin steps in, a bit hesitant, closing the door behind him. You take a seat on the edge of your bed as Seokmin gingerly sits down on the couch placed in front.

A small moment of silence passes by as you two observe each other. He is dressed in running gear and judging from the pristine condition of his hair, you assume that he was on his way for a late night jog.

"We keep bumping into each other," Seokmin tries to break the silence. You nod, "Must be fate." You are not quite sure if you said those words genuinely or sarcastically. Seokmin does not reply, probably thinking that you are being sarcastic.

You find yourself asking, "How have you been?"

"Good."

"How long do you plan to stay here?"

"A couple more weeks maybe."

"Are you having fun?''

"Yes."

"Am I making you uncomfortable?"

He takes a moment before replying, "Not really. I'm more worried if I am making you uncomfortable."

"Hm," you hum and with that, the conversation dies down. You have a lot to say on your mind but your mind is not in its top condition right now as you have had a few drinks, which makes it a bit harder to arrange your thoughts and address them accordingly.

"I should get going, I suppose," Seokmin says, rubbing his palms on his thighs.

"Wait," the words slip out of your mouth in urgency and you are not even sure why you are telling him so.

The man blinks at you.

"I—" You don't know what you wish to say. "I guess I just wanted to say...I'm sorry."

Seokmin appears a little surprised hearing you say that as he sits up straighter. You huff out a long breath, looking down at the empty water bottle in your hand. "What I'm trying to say is that...I am sorry that I played with your feelings. I- I am sorry for using you. You are a nice person, professor."

You calling him by his old title makes him smile as he says. "I just realized I missed you calling me by that name."

"Professor?"

"Yes, ___?"

A small smile appears on your face as well as you bite your lip to stifle it.

"___?" Seokmin's soft voice makes you look at him. He looks unsure but also hopeful. "Hypothetically, if I told you that I still miss you and that I still long for you, what would you say?"

"Your breath stalls as you watch him, wide eyed. There is a sudden lump in your throat that makes it impossible for you to speak. You are scared you might start crying if you do so. Still, you breathe, "Hypothetically, I would say that I feel the same too.''

"And would it be a lie this time, my beautiful liar?"

You swallow as you watch him take slow steps towards you. When he stands right in front of you, his hands gently cup your cheeks, carefully tilting your head upwards so that you can meet his eyes. They shine with emotions unsaid, just like yours and the look on his face makes your heart soar, makes you forget everything, makes you want to be selfish.

"No," you whisper.

You get to see the slightest tilt of his lips to a smile as he leans down and presses his lips to yours, softly at first before you eagerly chase his lips and he reciprocates, moving the hair away from your face and holding your neck with one hand and stroking your cheek with the other.

The kiss is full of passion but also slow and sweet, an addictive combination that tells you that you are done for. With another kiss on your forehead, Seokmin lets go, stepping away from you.

"Will I see you tomorrow morning or will you declare this as a drunk mistake and start hiding from me?" He asks cheekily.

You can't help a smile. "I will expect you to pick me up at 9 am sharp. We will have breakfast together."

You will take it slow this time.

"Whatever you wish," He flashes his beautiful smile, heading for the door. As he is about to close it behind him, he turns his head around. "Goodnight, ___. Sweet dreams."

"Goodnight, Seokmin."

-

Fast forward a couple of weeks later, you two moved out of the hotel and instead rented a small villa near the coast for an indefinite amount of time. You have no plans of going back home but you know that Seokmin's nature of work will require him to leave sometimes which you are fine with.

"So, I got an invitation to a seminar in London." Seokmins words jolt you out of the thoughts running in your head. "I don't think they are going to accept a no." He adds sadly.

"You don't have to say no." You reply. "Just go and attend it. Share your expertise with the world."

"Mhmm," he hums, looking at you in a contemplating gaze. "Would you consider coming with me?"

You blink. "Well..."

"It's a one-day seminar. We can stay a couple of days more and look around the city. It would be fun, I think."

You consider his words. It would be fun, actually.

You have no reason to hold yourself back from having new experiences now. You have punished yourself enough.

"It's a good idea." You reply with a soft smile that makes your boyfriend grin as he puts his arm around your shoulder, gently pulling your body closer to him. You let your head fall on his shoulder as you watch the sky grow dark.

No more lies now, it's just peace.

Your story that began with lies painted in red will end in red too, but this time the red will paint love.

A/N: Thanks for reading it till the end! I would like to apologize for the delay as this was supposed to be posted two weeks earlier but yk, life happened. The other two stories of this series are in the making but the next story will not be out before May. Also, I am planning on making a standalone for Jihoon's story which will not exactly be a part of this series but it's in the same timeline. It will be posted after all the stories of this series are completed. Anyways, stay safe and toodles!

Also, please leave a comment and reblog! It really motivates me to create more!

© startlightxsvt 2024 | All Rights Reserved. Do not copy, repost, translate, adapt, or repurpose any of my works.

#seventeen #seventeen smut #dk smut #seokmin smut #dokyeom smut #seventeen imagines #svt imagines #seventeen scenarios #seventeen fluff #dk imagines #dokyeom imagines #lee seokmin #svt fluff #svt angst #seventeen angst #mingyu imagines #seventeen x reader

[wixxid]

IVORY  · PART ll

Fandom: Dune

Pairings: Feyd-Rautha x Atreides!Female OC

Words: 1,658

Warnings: dark themes, abuse, and arranged marriage

Summary: Deceit leaves you waiting in doubt, while also allowing you a glimpse into the violence that is house Harkonnen.

"It's been days."

Sitting at the metal dining table, you stare down at the meal sitting on your plate; a platter of strange meat and fruit. It's late evening and yet you've still to see the sky. The duke sits the table opposite of you, troubled with a face equally as displeased as you sound.

Three day's have passed since your arrival to Giedi Prime.

That's how long you've been waiting to hear from the Barron. That's how long he's been making the envoy wait, with little to no news other than the fact his nephew is nearing to the planets orbit.

Feyd-Rautha was never here.

We've travelled time and space only to be left in disillusion. Stranded and seething in what is only another insult. The Barron had denied all your fathers requests to speak. We're to simply wait the coming time for the ceremony to take place.

"Is he dead?"

The question slips from between your lips, more as a suggestion than a question. In these last few days you've been contemplating the delay in your marriage to the Harkonnen. Your mind couldn't help but wander to the faint possibility.

You're father glanced you and then to the female servants. He utters, "Don't say that?"

Turning your eyes to the women, you observe how still the three of them stand. Their bald heads are bowed lowly, their eyes everted as if it were forbidden to look upon us. Neither of them spoke, a noticeable trait amongst these walls. It's terribly quiet.

"Do you think they listen?"

The duke sighed with a gesture, "All of you, leave us."

Immediately, the three women scurried from your site and out of the dining room. It leaves only the two of you now. Taking your glass of drink, filled with a substance you could only describe as strong - alcoholic - you take a sip.

"Don't get comfortable," he counselled. "They all listen. The servants. The guards. The walls. There's nowhere here you can ever believe is secure."

"Then why do we stay?"

He paused, "You know why."

Getting up from your seat, you headed towards a decorative wall ornament. A silver plate, rippled and bent into an unusual disk. The shiny chrome reflects the jarred image of your pale face.

"I'd accepted my fate from the beginning," you started whilst refusing to look at him. You can feel the emotions bubbling within your chest. "I'd made peace and readied myself for our arrival - and for nothing - to be made a fool."

"If he didn't need our alliance, then we wouldn't be here."

"You think he'd kill us?"

"Yes, and yet we still breathe," replied your father. "Whatever it is that's happening, it's not without reason. I don't believe this is the Barron's doing."

"Then it's true."

"What is?"

Your turned around, "Feyd-Rautha."

The duke tensed at the mention, before looking away with a sigh of defeat. It haunts him. Your father never wanted to speak of the marriage. It was your mother who came to you after the fact, confessing the identity of your match.

Your father is too shamed. Surrendering to the enemy and going so far as to parlay with his only daughter. It had hurt the mans pride, not only as a duke but as a father. He wanted better for you, better than a monster.

"He can't hurt -."

"Don't lie to me," you interjected. "As soon as it's done and I'm alone, there's nothing he can't do to hurt me."

"He won’t kill you."

"No," you mutter bitterly. Pausing, you emptied your cup with a last mouthful. "That would mean mercy."

Pursing your lips, you flare at his poor attempt to reassure your welfare. There's paths worse than death, and murder is too clean. Striding across the dining hall, you exited hastily without properly bidding him goodnight.

It angers you.

This waiting game has brought you to the edge of sanity. As you said before, you'd made peace with the situation, but now you're unsure. You're stuck in a twisted purgatory; neither free from this place nor bound to it.

Navigating the abandoned hallways, the click of your heels echoes amongst the wide tunnel like space. The palace is endless and vast, and sometimes you wonder what you might discover if you were to steer from the trail.

There's much the other houses don't know about the Harkonnen's. They're a secretive and sly race, who don't take kindly to sharing their technology and resources; other than the exorbitant production of Spice.

"Why are you following me?"

Pausing in the middle of the hall, you waited for the hidden figure to emerge from the shadows. You had herd them trailing you from the moment you left the dining room. Their mind is far too active for you to ignore amidst the emptiness.

"It's only polite to mind one's guests. The palace walls can easily deceive the unfamiliar."

Piter appears the dank recesses of the hallway, still clothed in traditional black. The two of you have barely associated after your initial contact upon arrival, but you aren't at all surprised to find him lurking.

"And what might I find, if I were to stray?" you asked daringly. "Perhaps the truth?"

"The truth isn't always worth it's labour."

You're gaze narrows, "Tell me what you want."

"Answers," he simply responded. "It's my function to seek answers - even to questions still yet to come."

"Isn't it only inevitable."

"In a manner, but why not reach for the power of foresight?"

Stepping towards him, you inch closer to the mentat; until you're merely inches from one another. Although he doesn’t move, you can see the uncertainty in his face. He expects you be otherwise, but you react differently; a miscalculation.

“Tell me my future.”

He looks at you with hesitation, before answering. “Your future is your own creation. But,” he adds whilst looking you up and down. “I do expect it be bleak.”

You scoff beneath your breath. He’s blunt, but at the very least he shows honesty. It may not be on the most respectful of terms, but it's better than you expect. Eyeing him once more, you leave Piter alone in the darkened hallway.

Walking back to your room, you're quick to take notice of the servant standing idly outside of your doorway. This one’s different. You’ve not see her face before. There seems to be quite a few, following you like shadows.

“A bath,” you instruct, to which she obeys.

Opening the door to your room, you enter first while she trails afterwards. Swiftly she maneuvers herself to prepare the bath in the adjoining room. It’s gives you time to breath, and you do so deeply.

The weight on your shoulders is overbearing. A force to be reckoned. You’ve been on constant guard the moment you step foot on this rock, and although you know you shouldn’t allow yourself to slip, you bring yourself at ease.

If only for a moment.

The servant returns, helping you undress from the layers of clothing that've been shielding you from the many faces. They’re not to see you before the ceremony, but you’d rather they don’t see you at all.

It’s easier to hide.

Slipping into the hot bath, you submerge down into the milky white water. It smells subtle but flowery, not a smell you first expected to breath in a place like this. You'd expected something unpleasant and sterile.

They say the Barron himself bathes in vats of black oil. They dredge it from this very terrain. It's supposedly a mineral enriched concoction. A way to heal the mans fowl wounds and morbidly ill health.

Improbable.

Rotating your neck, you ease the taut ache within your muscles. The ceremony will be soon, if not tomorrow then surely the next. You’ve not seen their ways of marriage, but you imagine it to be cold and emotionless; savage.

It’ll more akin to a fete, than a true celebration.

Sponging along the length of your arms and shoulders, the servant carefully washes you as if you're made of precious material. Leaning over, you cant help but catch site of the bruised flesh at her collar.

“Stop.”

Immediately, the woman stills like a statue. Your damp fingertips running across her soft but marred skin; the color of deep purple. She flinches when you press the tender wound. It's recent enough.

“Who did this to you?”

Remaining quiet, her unmoving eyes stare into the distance. Fear or loyalty. Either way she refuses to reveal the abuser. The artery at her neck throbs with the increase of her heartrate.

“Speak.”

She stumbles at the sound of The Voice. It brings her to her knees, hand splashing against the waters surface as she tries to steady herself. The answer you compel comes unwillingly and to a surprise.

“Ne-Barron."

Frightful eyes gape up at you, body shaking as she tries to come to terms with the power that'd overcome her freewill. Disorientation. As much as her instincts beg for her to flee, she makes no move to runaway; to scream in horror and obscenity.

Instead, she collects herself as much as she can, before retrieving the sponge to continue bathing your flesh. There's no need to force for further elaboration. Her words came accompanied with a testament of emotions.

Torture.

Torment.

A common endurance on this planet. Resting in the bath, you only need to imagine as to why the brute would decide to leave the servant so obviously bruised and battered; only the reason hardly matters. Logic is for the sane.

Feyd-Rautha is psychotic.

Your only real concern is, if he's so willing to inflict pain and suffering to that of his own people, then what might he do to you; an outsider. An Atreides. Those bruises hold no shame or remorse. They stand as his representation.

Would he make you walk among them as another?

A symbol of his dominion.

#fanfic #female oc #fanfiction #feyd rautha #joe x female oc #dune #house harkonnen #feyd rautha harkonnen #Atreides!Female OC #feyd x you #dune 2024 #dune part two #series

[lixxpix]

the blood crown. (chapter 1.)

pairings: prince!chan x reader, prince!minho x reader, prince!changbin x reader, prince!hyunjin x reader, prince!jisung x reader, prince!felix x reader, prince!seungmin x reader, prince!jeongin x reader

warnings: mentions of blood, death, poison, suggestive jokes but no smut, competition amongst noble families, ot8 are princes

author's note: hellooo:) welcome to my first series on tumblr! i wanted to go with a sort of dark theme for this fic:> please please do leave likes and comments, it truly makes my day!

You grew up in a household made of lies, deceit and poison. 

Born with a silver spoon in your mouth, you were born to an ordinary village girl, and your father, a high-ranking noble. Your mother had been training you since you could barely walk; always smile politely, always walk gracefully, always greet your guests. Each time you would get something wrong, the feared cane would come down upon your hands, enough to hurt but never enough to leave bruises. Your mother had grown up in a poor village, using her charm and wit to seduce your father and charm her way into the ranks of high society. She was ruthless, cunning, and most of all: ambitious. She dreamed of ascending to the very top- the royal family. It was no surprise that when you were at the mere age of ten, your father was pronounced dead on a Thursday afternoon in his quarters, being assassinated by a thief who had supposedly snuck into your house. 

But you knew. 

You knew when the corner of your mother's lips curved up ever so slightly, at the funeral ceremony of your father. Barely there, but it was the smirk of a triumphant winner of the chess game. All your father's assets were transferred to your mother, and she became head of the household- never remarried and never gave birth to any more children. 

Your kingdom was governed by the Bahng's, who had eight sons and a daughter- Christopher, the heir to the throne and the king's sole legitimate child, Minho, the second, born to a concubine in the king's harem, just like the rest. Changbin was the third, along with Hyunjin, then Jisung, Felix, Seungmin, and finally Jeongin. And then there was Princess Areum, the king's beloved daughter and second legitimate child. 

Your mother heard from the gossip circles amongst the ladies at the tea tasting ceremonies she hosted often, that there were talks of Princess Areum being engaged to Duke Choi's son, Yeonjun. The Choi's were a rival family, always competing with your mother for power. 

One day, when you had just crossed the age of eleven a few weeks ago, your mother called you to her study. You sighed, getting up gracefully from where you had been perched on a chair reading, and walked to her study, knocking first, three sharp raps.

"Come in," she called.

And so you put on a demure smile, hands clasped in front of you, never tripping or stumbling on your way. Clothes neatly ironed, not a single hair out of place, the pinnacle of perfection.

"Y/N." her perfectly shaped brows rise, scrutinising you, before smiling softly. Your mother was always strange like that. You knew she loved you, but in wanting what was best for you always pushed too far.

"You know of Princess Areum's engagement." 

You nod, brows furrowed.

"She is not the heir to the throne and poses no danger to us as she is a girl, but her future husband does, unfortunately. The Choi's will surely use their newfound power to gloat over us and trample us underfoot if their son was to be married to the princess. However, we must target the girl this time, it is far too risky to target the boy. Weeds in a garden have to be pruned, ripped out by the roots, to maintain the beauty of the garden. Surely you understand. Tell me the number one rule in chess again." her once soft expression hardens, and she leverages you with a stare, piercing through you.

"Always predict your opponent's next move." you reply, unsure of where this conversation is going. 

"Yes. The Choi family will immediately suspect us if something happens to their precious firstborn, meanwhile the princess will be easy to manipulate and target." your mother sighs, folding her hands neatly on her lap.

"I want you to make friends with Princess Areum, invite her to our house if possible. We'll see from there." 

You nod, hesitant yet confused. What did she mean by target the princess? Was she going to manipulate her to cancel the engagement? 

It turns out, the outcome was far worse.

Princess Areum had become fast friends with you quickly, both sharing common interests. Soon, she began to invite you and your mother to the royal palace, your mother becoming close with the queen too. 

You should've known. 

Years later when you were older, you finally understood what had happened. A tiny bottle of liquid your mother had claimed to be a restoring health tonic, carefully tucked into your mother's sleeve as she made her way to the palace together with you for your weekly afternoon tea sessions with just the four of you.

Princess Areum's rigid body falling to the ground when she took a sip of her afternoon tea, the cries of Queen Bahng echoing out throughout the room as the princess drew her last breath. 

You knew.

The King was heartbroken, his only daughter buried in a grave six feet under the ground. No one even suspected your mother.

One year later, Queen Bahng departed from the realm. The people claimed she died from the heartbreak of losing her only daughter, but only two individuals ever knew the truth. 

Your mother pretended to be inconsolable at the funeral, sobbing as she watched the casket, and you almost wanted to applaud at how convincing her acting was. Out of the corner of your eye, you saw the Crown Prince, Christopher Bahng, standing beside his father who had a tight hand clasped on his shoulder. The prince's eyes were clearly red from having cried the night prior, yet he remained stoic throughout the ceremony. He never let his emotions nor his grief consume him, you supposed it was how you were like with your mother. Never allowed to show your imperfections to the world. Though you wouldn't admit it, deep down you felt sorry for him, a broken child just like you.

The Choi's never rose to power, and your mother's plan worked. 

"You must take what is rightfully yours," she had said on the carriage ride home. "And you must do what it takes."

"But at what cost?" you asked.

"Everything."

-years later-

You stared out the window at the bustling city, feeling extremely uncomfortable in the many layers of silk and fabric you were clad in. 

"Remember," your mother turned around to look at you, her sharp voice cutting through the silence. "Keep your head up and your eyes trained upon the goal. Charm Prince Christopher.”

“Become the next queen."

~part 2 coming soon~

#stray kids #stray kids x y/n #stray kids x reader #stray kids x you #lee felix x reader #felix x reader #seungmin x reader #jeongin x reader #lee know x reader #bang chan x reader #hyunjin x reader #fem reader #changbin x reader #jisung x reader #angst #fluff #suggestive #royalty au #royal!skz #monarchy #tw death #tw poison

[cafemoony]

The Seven Seas and Beyond - masterlist

» description

as the daughter of the grand duke, you never expected to be an outlaw. however, an impulsive decision, including saving a pirate from the most infamous crew, leads you to go on the run and join said group. now you are forced to navigate the stormy seas with eight wanted men by your side as obstacle after obstacle tries to prevent your group's happy ending.

» pairing

ot8 pirate! ateez x fem! noble! reader

» genre

fluff, angst, pirate au, slowburn

» warnings

violence, gore, swearing, death, mentioned sex trade, mentioned sexual assault, mentioned child abuse and neglect, kidnapping, slavery, alcohol consumption, mental health issues ‼ trigger warnings will be included at the beginning of every chapter. if you feel uncomfortable with any of these topics, I suggest you click off now.

⁙ Main Story ⁙

prologue - before

act i - sea of answers

sometimes the truth isn't always apparent. after rescuing a pirate, [y/n] discovers the lies the kingdom has been teaching and must navigate a storm of deceit and betrayal.

1. reunion ⟬Coming Soon...⟭

act ii - sea of desire

loyalty is rare in an age of nobles and pirates. the crew wonders where [y/n]'s allegiance lies when offered a deal from the navy.

⟬Coming Soon...⟭

act iii - sea of promises

when multiple promises are broken, chaos ensues. in the midst of it all, the boys fear that she won't survive.

⟬Coming Soon...⟭

act iv - sea of eternal sunshine

finally, away from the navy, the crew can relax and possibly even fall in love. however, this is only the calm before the storm.

⟬Coming Soon...⟭

act v - sea of illusions

every action has consequences. when the boys inexplicably fall in love with someone else, [y/n] must break the curse to get them back.

⟬Coming Soon...⟭

act vi - sea of deja vu

as they near wonderland, their pasts come back to haunt them. confronted by the terrors of their pasts, they must brave the storm to get to paradise.

⟬Coming Soon...⟭

act vii - sea of dreamers

having finally arrived at their destination, the crew's love for each other is tested. when the group is split, [y/n] is left to question whether this place is worth the pain.

⟬Coming Soon...⟭

beyond the seas

⟬Coming Soon...⟭

⁙ Another Point of View... ⁙

the captain

⟬Coming Soon...⟭

the quartermaster

⟬Coming Soon...⟭

the navigator

⟬Coming Soon...⟭

the medic

⟬Coming Soon...⟭

the striker

⟬Coming Soon...⟭

the master gunner

⟬Coming Soon...⟭

the chef

⟬Coming Soon...⟭

the master-at-arms

⟬Coming Soon...⟭

#ateez #ateez fanfic #ateez x reader #ateez ot8 #kim hongjoong #park seonghwa #jeong yunho #kang yeosang #choi san #song mingi #jung wooyoung #choi jongho #hongjoong x reader #seonghwa x reader #yunho x reader #yeosang x reader #san x reader #mingi x reader #wooyoung x reader #jongho x reader #poly ateez x reader

[virglsweb]

Heather's songs x Sanders Sides

Dead girl walking - Prinxiety

Freeze your Brain - Roman OR Virgil

I am Damaged - Janus, targeted towards Virgil

Candy Store - Princey as Heather Chandler, Logic as Duke, Morality as MacNamera (did I spell that right? Idk) talking to Anxiety, and Deceit as Martha

Meant to be Yours - prinxiety or roceit

Never Shut Up Again - Virgil (edit: OR Logan)

Reblog and lemme know if I should elaborate them, mainly because I'm like 90% this is confusing

#sanders sides #thomas sanders #virgil sanders #roman sanders #sanderssides #logan sanders #remus sanders #patton sanders #headcanon #heathers #veronica sawyer #heather chandler #heather macnamara #heather duke #jason dean

[theteasetwrites]

Merciless Beauty

Chapter 2: Me, Who Was Once Serene

❧ Pairing: Knight Daryl Dixon x Princess Reader ❧ Era: Medieval fantasy AU ❧ Pronouns: she/her ❧ Warnings: mild swearing, mentions of a deceased parent, very mild angst/sadness ❧ Word Count: 6.6k

❧ Before You Read...

❧ Glossary

❧ In This Chapter: You work up the courage to ask the knight for his help in escaping the castle for a day outside the walls, but his response is not quite what you were hoping for. Just when it seems that all hope of freedom is lost, the knight surprises you, and you surprise the knight, too.

❧ A/N: Well I was not intending for this to become an enemies to lovers thing, but it kind of did lol. I mean, it's very mild enemies to lovers, but it still counts. I really loved writing this chapter because it's sort of the first interaction between the princess and the knight (aka Daryl). And I must say that I have so much fun writing Duke Richard. He is a total fuckboy in this series, which is not too far off from the actual character in the show considering Rick gets quite a bit of action and is kind of a manwhore. I love his relationship with Daryl too. Rickyl if you squint. Anyway, enjoy the second part! <3

“I won’t do it, your highness!” said Elizabeth, shaking her head as she pulled back the covers of your bed. “It’s just wrong.”

“Please, Beth,” you said, turning her away from her duties to grab her hands in a pleading motion. “I beg of you, not as your princess, but as your friend.”

The tight-lipped young woman shook her head more fervently this time. Her cheeks were still red from the moment you’d asked her to do this favor, which you knew was, as she had said, wrong. 

Wrong, but you were desperate. Desperate to leave the castle, desperate to get away from these drab stone walls and these lonely, sorrowful nights. If you had to be lonely, at least you could be lonely out there, where surely there was some kind of happiness. If happiness wasn’t here, it was out there, and you needed to find it. It wasn’t going to come to you, it needed to be earned, you surmised. 

Sure, there was evil out there. There was pestilence and murder and lies and deceit, but there was beauty, too. There must’ve been something worthwhile, something to make all that pain in the world worth it. And now, knowing what you knew, you needed something to keep your mind off… Sir Negan. 

That very same morning, you’d overheard the man’s threat, his demand for your hand in marriage, otherwise he’d have his knights pillage Alexandria until there was nothing left of your home. The words of that filthy missive echoed all around you as your weak legs carried you away from the door, your dizzied head commanding you towards your bedchamber to fling your vulnerable body onto your featherbed, where you’d confined yourself as you prayed for today to be just a dream. A terrible, terrible dream.

Escape, escape, your mind’s voice repeated. Just for a day… The knight, Sir Daryl… He could help! He will help! Surely, he’ll help.

When the cover of night fell over the kingdom, you seized your opportunity. Elizabeth always came in at this time, and no one would suspect her. 

“I—I’m sorry, your highness,” she said. “But I can’t. I cannot bring a strange man to your bedchamber in the dead of night. It’s improper, unseemly, unbecoming… What on Earth would someone think if they saw him leaving your chamber? Nothing good! Besides… What do you want with him, anyway?”

“Nothing improper!” you replied quickly, eager to dispel any ideas Elizabeth might’ve had. “I assure you, it’s just to…” You had been reluctant to inform Elizabeth of your plans, but you supposed she was close to you, having had intimate knowledge of you and your every movement. She would need to know, but just her. Just her and the knight. “Well, I suppose I should tell you, Beth. I plan to ask him to escort me outside the kingdom.”

The young girl’s deep blue eyes widened like saucers, her lips parting as she let out a strangled gasp. “No, no your highness. You mustn’t go out there.” She tightened her hold of your hands as she held them up in a praying motion. “The Dead are out there.” She spoke with a whisper now, as if afraid of her own words, so much so that she didn’t even want to hear them. 

“That’s why I need him,” you assured her. “I need a guard, someone to protect me.”

“And… and you’d never return?”

“No, no! Of course I’d return. I just need to leave at least once, just to remember what it’s like out there. Even if it’s not like how it used to be, it’s what I want.” 

Elizabeth began to mutter and ramble in panicked, barely intelligible pleas. She nearly bent down on her knees, her hands still clasped with yours, begging for you not to leave. Though you understood her fear, you grew tired of her refusal. This was all you’d ever asked of her. Most days, you refused her servitude, offering her ample time to her studies and her friends at court, but tonight, you needed one thing. 

“Elizabeth,” you said, more sternly now. There weren’t many times you used your authority as a princess to demand something, and your heart hurt having to do it, but this was all you wanted—your freedom. “Fetch me the knight. I won’t have these histrionics.” You tugged your hands away from the girl, then turned to your vanity, upon which sat an ornate golden little casket, holding just a sampling of your finest jewelry. You’d caught Elizabeth eying the precious gems more than once, and you took note of how much she asked about the beautiful bejeweled accessories adorning your body.  

There was one in particular you knew she adored—a short beaded necklace of white diamonds surrounding a center pendant of emerald entwined with an intricate filigree of pure gold. It would no doubt sell for a pretty penny, or she could wear it herself. It was of no consequence to you. All you wanted was to see that knight.

“Beth,” you said, approaching the girl with the necklace laced around your fingers. Her already pale face blanched in awe of the sparkling jewels, those which she had seen so often but had never seen not around your neck. “I give you this, in exchange for bringing the knight here. I’ll even give it to you before, just please… Please do this for me.”

“But… what if I get caught?”

“I’ll take responsibility, Beth. Please.” Not waiting for her answer, you took her trembling hand to dangle the string of rare gems into her soft palm. You curled her fingers around it, assuring her that the jewels were, indeed, hers, with the hopes that she’d follow your orders. 

The girl shook her head, but you recognized that sigh—a sigh of acquiescence. 

She left the room in a hurry, her dainty feet almost tripping over each other in a nervous panic. You just hoped she didn’t trip over herself in front of the stoic knight, lest she embroil you in secondhand embarrassment.

But, in a way, you were already ashamed by your boldness, something that had never come naturally to you. Perhaps that’s why you couldn’t approach the knight yourself, but if you had done it yourself, you might’ve been more ashamed. As you waited, you paced restlessly around your bedchamber, twisting your hair so much that the movement only strengthened the scent of your hair, dusted with the powder of dried rose, nutmeg, and cloves. It was a brief respite from your unease, but as the door creaked open steadily, propped open by Elizabeth’s shaky hand, you seemed to forget how to breathe on your own. Each intake of air became purposeful and voluntary as you became aware of every pound of your racing heart. Why you reacted so potently, you couldn’t be quite sure, though it must’ve had to do with how the knight was scowling at you, entering your room with slow, heavy steps that would’ve shaken the gold chandelier overhead if he was just a bit bigger.

You’d never been so frightened in your own chamber, and you knew there was nothing to be afraid of, but there was still this intimidation that overcame you, leading you to hesitantly side-step around the knight before you began to close the door behind him with a careful, delicate touch. Elizabeth stood on the other side, wide-eyed and wordlessly communicating her own fear to you. Then, she muttered a weak, stuttering, “Y-your highness—”

“Go to your quarters,” you replied quietly. The girl stood still, staring blankly at the knight over your shoulder. You could only feel his presence now, and it was oppressive, warying. The man hadn’t spoken a word, and yet, you already knew his repulsion, his distaste for having been brought here. But… why would he come? Surely there was room in his heart to help you. “Now, Beth.”

You watched from the crack of the door as she left, her blue-eyed gaze turning back to you every now and then as she scurried away towards the servants’ quarters. Her worry for you was greatly appreciated, but also quite irritating, considering you were almost ten years older than her. At least she was loyal, you supposed. Now, the knight…

With a sigh, you turned to face him. Still as a statue, and cold as one, too. You hoped your smile would soften him, so you allowed your lips to curl into a gentle grin. “Good evening, Sir Daryl.”

In the warm flickering light of your bedroom, without the distraction of the duke and your father, you were able to more keenly study his features. He appeared to be more noble than you remembered, but with a certain… provincial charm. Indeed, he didn’t possess the sharp, narrow features you normally associated with knights. His face was wider than most, but with high cheekbones that weren’t severe, but rounded, and yet still defined somehow. He had a strong chin, but not as strong as the duke’s. It was subtle, wide, making his face a well-proportioned oval shape. Upon that chin were a smattering of ashy brown hairs that formed a very faint ring of wiry stubble around his lips of pale rosy pink. To match were his furrowed brows, indicating an expression of confused concentration as he studied your movements carefully.

He looked, if you were being honest, like a peasant, his warm-toned skin tanned from sun exposure and his eyes underscored by half-moons of tired, puffy skin. It was charming, though. Everything about him was quite charming, in his own little way. 

But he was cold and rigid, wound up tighter than a tourniquet. Even your friendly words of welcome seemed to do little to calm him. He didn’t respond, only narrowed his crystalline blue eyes as you walked towards him, your steps slow and careful, as if approaching a wild animal caught in a trap. 

“Well, you’re probably wondering why I sent for you,” you spoke, your attempts to remain dignified faltering slightly as your voice shook under his intense gaze. Few things had this effect on you, certainly not a knight. “I, um—ahem, I have a favor to ask of you.”

His eyes trailed for a moment down to your delicate fingers, almost completely covered by the long, flared sleeves of your gown, its color a rich violet that glimmered indigo when the light fell over the luxurious velvet fabric. It would’ve enchanted him, had he not been skeptical of you, your intentions still unclear. 

“What do you want?” he asked gruffly, not wanting to engage with you more than he needed to. 

The brusque response was foreign to you. You were so taken aback that you felt your feet begin to stagger backwards, as if the force of his indelicateness was physically strong enough to push you. It wasn’t what you had expected from the knight in the slightest. He seemed… irritated. No one spoke to you like that, not ever.

“Well, I—I…” Stuttering? Why are you stuttering? “I just wanted to ask if… I wanted to ask if you would…” 

The knight stepped forward, each heavy breath he drew making your heart beat faster. You felt small, weak. Again, this was foreign to you. Usually, you had complete control of your surroundings. Is this what the real world was like? Harsh and cold? That’s what the knight represented to you, after all—the real world. That’s what drew you to him. He was the embodiment of that, and who better to help you?

“What?” the knight insisted. “You bring me here in the dead of night to stutter at me?”

How dare you!

But alas, you couldn’t bring yourself to say it. That stare was haunting, and you were sure that you wouldn’t soon forget it. 

“Would you… escort me outside the kingdom?”

He stepped back. This time, your words had blown him away. “What?” he asked, his tone less questioning and more… accusing. 

It wasn’t the reaction you were hoping for. Yes, your highness was the expectation, and you hadn’t prepared yourself for rejection. At least, not adequately. 

“I—I haven’t been outside the castle in ten years,” you explained quickly, hoping not to lose the knight’s attention. “I want to go outside, just for a day, or—or a few days, not all at once, and only when my father is gone, and we’d be back before nightfall. You’ll be at court for a while, and you see, I couldn’t ask a guard because they’re so loyal to my father, they’d tell him. And you… Well, I hope you won’t tell him. You must know the outside world very well, since you live on the outskirts of Alexandria. And I already thought of a way out—there are tunnels that run under the castle and come out in the woods. Escape routes, in case of a siege…” 

Your long-winded, hurried speech trailed off as you stared blankly at his concentrated eyes. You couldn’t read his expression now, but it was cold. Just looking at him made you cold. God forbid you touch him—it would leave you with frostbite.

“Knight?” you questions shakily, tilting your head as if to find another angle to study his face. At every angle you tried, he still confounded you. “Please answer me, I beg of you. Spare me the embarrassment.”

Just as you didn’t know what to make of him, he didn’t know what to make of you. A princess, wanting to go outside? Wanting to see the pestilence that had overrun the world, turning it into some decrepit wasteland teeming with restless souls in the shape of rotting corpses that roamed the Earth in search of nothing but more flesh to feed upon? Who in their right mind would want to see such a thing? 

No, he couldn’t wrap his head around it, and in his irritable state, he couldn’t shake these spiteful thoughts from his mind. Spoiled brat, he thought. Spoon-fed and ignorant. 

When he didn’t answer, only stewing in his own thoughts of dismay, you circled around him to rummage through the drawer of your nightstand. In it was a secret velvet-lined compartment, holding your most prized jewels. A pair of genuine pearl earrings, dangling from gold encrusted amethysts. It had worked on Elizabeth, why wouldn’t it work on the knight? Of course, he didn’t look the sort to wear precious jewels, but he did look the sort to value money, and these were worth a great deal at any merchant or jeweler. 

“Here,” you said, turning to hold out your hand. The knight’s eyes glimmered with the reflection off the refined amethysts, but you were too afraid to touch him, to hand him the jewels by force the way you had with Elizabeth. He was much more intimidating, so much so that you feared he’d crush your hand in his large, strong ones if you dared to touch him. 

“These are worth at least three pounds. They should more than cover your expenses to help me, and there’s more where that came from.”

You held your hand out further, gesturing for him to take the jewelry from you, but he did nothing. In fact, his face seemed to tighten, his lips drawn in a severe line as his pupils became like pinpoints the way they were boring through you. 

But, finally, he spoke. “No way in Hell.”

There was more he wanted to say, of course. There was always more he wanted to say, but he’d already been less than chivalrous towards you, and if he said much else, he might end up with his head on a chopping block. 

He pushed past you, your hand trembling as you were left with the pair of earrings still resting in your palm. Before he could leave, you turned and hurried towards him, taking his hand to pull his body back to face you. In the process, your earrings clattered delicately to the ground. 

“Please!” you begged, just one step closer to getting on your knees and groveling. “You’re the only one who can help me! I—I can’t go out there alone, and I need to go out there.”

For a moment, he met your eyes. They were full and watery, your long lashes fluttering frantically as you tried to hide your sorrow for fear of embarrassment, but how could you embarrass yourself much more than you already had? Begging a knight. The behavior was unseemly. 

But his gaze soon ripped away, like a splinter being dislodged from flesh, only there was no relief, just pain. “You wanna go out there?” he retorted, his reddened, strained face jutting towards you. His voice was so loud, so guttural and rough. No one had ever spoken to you like that. “You wanna see the Dead up close, see what they do to people? They’d rip you to shreds, your highness. They’d leave you to rot in the dirt till your eyes open back up, but you won’t be alive, you’ll be a monster, just like them, and those shiny jewels won’t be able to help you then. No, there ain’t nothin’ out there. All there is for you is death.”

Rendered silent, you only stepped back, away from him. He left you stunned and hurt, but the only emotion at the forefront of your mind was anger, and it took control of your tongue before anything else could. 

“How dare you,” you muttered, voice slowly rising much higher than its natural softness. “To speak to a lady like that, much less a princess… Where did you take your oath of chivalry, a brothel?! You ought to have your title stripped, Sir! I ask you earnestly to assist me, to help bring me some kind of joy in this miserable place, and you speak to me like this?! You’re a sorry excuse for a knight!”

“And you don’t know how good you got it, princess.”

He left with a slam of the door, so hard that the flames of the sconces on either side shivered and nearly extinguished from the gust of wind. With less hope than you’d ever had before, you cried yourself to sleep again.

The king’s garden was magnificent, the knight had to admit. It wasn’t overly manicured or pruned, but it wasn’t overgrown, either. It looked… healthy, lush and green. Ivy grew in large bushes and creeped up the stone walls that separated the castle from the outside world. Tall, colorful hollyhocks towered over the smaller foliage, namely rose bushes and Canterbury bells. Their unruly, yet delicate, leaves spilled over into one of the many ponds spread about the courtyard, where two graceful white swans swam languidly between lilypads, one following the other. 

Daryl recalled the king saying something earlier, how he always had the cooks serve swan meat at his annual banquet, but not these swans, no. These swans were special, their wings clipped to stay confined to the idyllic garden, safe from the jaws of the Dead. Still, the knight couldn’t shake the desperation in your voice last night, the tears that began to trickle down your soft, rouged cheek as you pleaded for him to help you. Like one of the king’s swans, you were trapped, he knew that.

He didn’t regret his response, though. Well, he regretted his harshness, his lack of chivalry, but he was never good at chivalry. Sorry excuse for a knight, you’d said. You weren’t entirely wrong, as far as he was concerned. 

He never wanted it. Knighthood was a universal boyhood dream, but few ever amounted to that status. Even the nobility who tried would have to prove themselves for many years, but for Daryl, the odds were stacked against him from the start. Somehow, he was given this title, without much of a choice. If one is presented with a title, one must take it. Who was he to deny the king’s judgment? He became a knight, took the oath, made a promise to a god he wasn’t sure he even believed in. Sorry excuse for a knight indeed. 

“This place is like a dream,” remarked Richard, walking ahead of Daryl on the cobbled path as he admired the marble statue of a woman nestled in the corner of the garden. She looked regal, with a bejeweled crown sitting gracefully atop the wimple that shrouded her noble features. Climbing up her gown were delicate vines of dark green ivy.

When the duke couldn’t feel the knight’s presence, he turned to see him focused on the white swans, the birds’ heads now touched together in a kind of embrace. “Daryl?” Richard called back. The nobleman walked back to the knight, who seemed entranced by the swans. “I know sulking is sort of your specialty, but I don’t think I’ve ever seen you ponder so intently over waterfowl.” 

Daryl blinked his eyes away from the swans, shaking his head slightly. “Sorry, my liege. I was… distracted.”

The duke tilted his head and raised his brow. “You’ve been distracted all day. It’s not like you. You’ve tripped over your cloak twice… I beat you in archery this morning, and you’re usually always so good with the arbalest…. Plenty of beautiful women here. Is there a maiden that catches your eye?”

“No,” Daryl replied quickly, much more loudly than usual. “No, no, that’s not it. I’m just…”

The knight trailed off, his usually crystal clear eyes of blue turning a bit vague, as if clouded by his thoughts. “Daryl?”

“Yes?”

“You’re just… what?”

He shook his head again, dismissing the subject. In his heart, though, he knew what it was—guilt. Exhausting, confounding, nauseating guilt. Everytime he closed his eyes, he saw your hand outstretched to give him those earrings, the likes of which he’d never seen before. He’d seen wealthy women before—Lady Lorraine, Richard’s late wife, was always dressed nicely, adorned in fine jewels, but nothing like this. And to think, the princess was willing to just give these precious items to a knight? 

It presented Daryl with two different explanations. One, you were so spoiled, so ungrateful for your wealth, that the worth and craftsmanship of these trinkets meant nothing to you, that you were ignorant of their value because you could have anything in the world that you wanted. Or two, you were so desperate to get out of this kingdom that you were willing to give a stranger your most valuable possessions. He wasn’t sure which explanation would’ve comforted him more, but he was sure of one thing—you knew not what you asked of him. 

And how was he to tell the duke the cause of his distraction? Of course, Richard was a trusted friend, but if he told the king that his knight entered the princess’s bedchamber, he was sure he’d be banished from court at best, drawn and quartered at worst. 

But Daryl never held anything secret from his lord. He might not have always abided by the knights’ code of conduct, but when it came to honesty, he held it above all else. 

The knight looked around anxiously for a moment, then grabbed a hold of the duke’s forearm to lead him towards the marble statue in the corner of the garden, where surely no guards or groundskeepers or molecatchers would hear their conversation. 

“Last night,” Daryl spoke, his voice hushed and low, “the princess… called for me. In her quarters.”

Richard raised an eyebrow, his lips curling into a slight smirk. “Did you answer her call?”

The knight scoffed at the man’s suggestion. “Yes, but—”

“You knave!” Richard laughed. “I knew she was eying you the other night. Far more interested in you than me. I’d love to ask what it was like, but a gentleman never inquires about a lady’s… bedroom habits.”

The knight shook his head in vehement denial. “No, no, that’s not what happened. She called me to her chambers to… ask me if I’d escort her outside the walls.”

Richard’s smile drooped into a frown, his cheerful eyes turning from a happy squint to a concerned stare. “Oh, that’s quite serious, then, isn’t it?”

The knight nodded. “Yes, it’s serious. She offered me jewels… She even started to cry. Christ, I could’ve sworn she would’ve gotten down on her hands and knees and begged me.”

“What did you do?”

“I said no.” Well, he said more than that, but his honesty had its limits, even for the duke. “I couldn’t do that, not with the king’s law. No one leaves unless they have his word, and he’d never let that girl out, not even if she asked.”

“That’s why she asked you,” Richard pointed out. “Hasn’t been out in ten years… Not since the queen died.” He gestured towards the statue, the monument erected in honor of the late queen, your mother. 

It hadn’t even occurred to him, the reasons why you weren’t allowed to leave, even if you asked. He knew the queen had died, but he didn’t know how. 

“How did she die?” asked the knight.

Richard shot him a confused glance, almost of disbelief. “You don’t know?” Daryl responded with only a shake of his head and a brief grunt. “Well, I heard it was very bad. The Dead got her. When the Scourge first broke out, the Dead got in the walls somehow, overrun the castle. The keep was swarmed. All I know is, they ripped her to shreds.”

Those words nearly knocked the wind out of him—ripped her to shreds. He remembered uttering those same words to the princess last night, as a warning, but it came across almost as a threat. 

They’d rip you to shreds. 

What a horrible thing he’d said. He realized it now, and when he thought back to your face, he could see the same face in that solemn marble statue, staring down at him, castigating him.

“The king was devastated, of course,” Richard continued. “When the hoard was cleared, he shut the kingdom’s gates, writing the law that states only those with his permission can leave or enter. And the castle… That was closed off for good. He wouldn’t risk the gates even opening again, for fear that the Dead would somehow slip through, and his daughter would suffer that same fate.”

He pondered for a moment, having been pulverized by this new sense of guilt that completely eclipsed whatever shame he already suffered from. This was much worse. In his heart, he began to feel sympathy, something he’d never thought he’d feel for a royal. Why should he sympathize with those born with a silver spoon? 

But he knew what it felt like. He’d lost his mother at a much younger age, but the memory still chilled him to the bone. She died horribly, too, from a terrible sweating sickness. It must’ve been worse for you, he thought, having been much older, and much more likely that the memory would be potent. 

It struck him so deeply that he knew he wouldn’t be able to find peace with his decision. After several moments of chaotic thoughts, riddled with voices from all different directions inside his head, he came to a conclusion—help the princess. 

“Milord,” he began, his eyes not yet looking the duke in the eye, “what if I… did decide to help her?”

Richard tilted his head, as if to gauge whether or not the knight was serious. He was. “Well, I… think it’s pretty damn stupid.” Daryl couldn’t help but agree. “If you get caught, you’ll be hanged. My reputation will be destroyed. The princess will never see the light of day again.”

“So you’re saying I shouldn’t?”

The duke raised a brow, a hint of a smile forming in his lips. “I never said that.”

The light, muffled patter at the door was hardly enough to awaken you, but when it became more rushed, heavier, you blinked open your tired eyes to look up at the familiar ornate wood carving of your canopy. It was a curious occurrence, since no one ever came to your bedchamber at night, not until last night, that is. But in that case, you’d invited him. Tonight, you weren’t expecting anyone. 

In fact, you hadn’t spoken to anyone all day, lost in your thoughts and dreading the reality of your situation. Not only were you trapped, you felt more worry than usual. The so-called Saviors and their leader, Sir Negan, were on your mind, to the point that you couldn’t even attend your tutoring session with Eugene. No, everything was so wrong, and the brief flame of hope that Sir Daryl’s presence had sparked in you was extinguished.

With the strike of a match, you lit up the candlestick upon your bedside table, and scooped up a bundle of your ivory silk nightgown to tread lightly across the cold wood planks of your bedroom floor. 

“Beth?” you whispered against the door. “Is that you?”

“It’s me,” a gruff, guttural voice replied. 

Your eyes grew dry as you stared blankly at the doorknob, your mouth hanging open as you registered the situation—the knight was at your door. 

A deep huff from the other side alerted you from your slight stupor. “C’mon, I don’t got all day.”

Wordlessly, you twisted the lock and unlatched the chain to open the door, through which the knight hurriedly pushed past you, entering your bedchamber with another huff. 

“Do you know how much trouble I’d get in if one of those guards out there caught me knockin’ on your door? I’d be a dead man.” he asked, his voice nearly loud enough to reach a perilous volume. Indeed, a man knocking on a maiden’s bedchamber door at the stroke of midnight was not becoming. It became punishable by death when the maiden in question was a princess.

You held your shaky finger to your lips, your other hand still holding the flickering candlestick, illuminating his serious face. “Shh!” you replied. “What are you doing here?”

He was asking himself that same question, but he mulled it over in his head enough times to know that he wasn’t going to change his mind now. Whatever compelled him, he chalked it up to pity. He knew, though, that there was more to it—empathy. 

No one hated being trapped more than him. He figured if he was in your situation, he would’ve tried to break out of here a long time ago. Not even the worldly comforts nor earthly delights of this castle could compare to the feeling of freedom, and that was something he valued above all else in this world. 

But, to answer your question, he skipped over a few of the sentences he had rehearsed in his head on the way here. “When am I taking you?”

You stepped back, almost so far that the glow of your candle nearly abandoned his face altogether. For a moment, his heart sank, thinking your expression of shock was indicative of some kind of fear. Did he frighten you? Were you offended by him? More importantly, why would he even care?

But you weren’t frightened. Well, maybe a little, as the reality of this situation kicked in. The dream was getting closer to becoming tangible, no longer just a vision that held your thoughts hostage at every waking hour, and every hour you slept, too. You had become so accustomed to the dream being just a dream, but now, that dream was, in a way, standing right in front of you. 

“Tak-taking… taking me where?” You knew, but you couldn’t believe it. 

“Outside…” He noticed your glimmering eyes drifting towards your feet like two falling stars, fizzling out as your eyelids prevented him from knowing whether or not there were tears forming. “I… I’m sorry. For what I said.”

Your eyes lifted in response to his words. Words that almost sounded foreign to him, but they were sincere. You could tell, somehow. And yet, his words from yesterday had been ingrained in you, crystal clear. They were sharp enough to cut through bone, loud enough to be heard from the heavens, sorrowful enough to drag through your gut like a funeral procession. But, with all the time you had to repeat those words back in your head, you’d come to the conclusion that he was right. 

“But what you said, it’s true. I shouldn’t have come to you with this. It was selfish, ignorant. I know that now. You shouldn’t risk your life for my whims.”

To that, he could only reply, “That’s bullshit.”

You blinked hard in disbelief. “I—I beg your pardon?”

“That’s ridiculous,” he reiterated. He wasn’t about to argue the logistics or morality of this agreement, he simply wanted this conversation to end as soon as it began. Otherwise, he was sure he’d get cold feet. “Now, you gonna tell me when I’m taking you out or not?”

It was a slow development, but soon, your plush lips began to upturn into a smile. It wasn’t like the one you’d shown for the duke. It was genuine, formed by true delight, with still just a glint of disbelief and slight fear in your eyes. 

“Well, I happen to know that a week from today, my father is leaving for some important meeting. That would be the perfect time.”

The knight of few words only nodded, his face that of stone. “A’right… A week from today, early morning. Be ready.” Your heart dropped as he turned to leave, his gloved hands lifting the dark hood of his cloak over his head. 

“Wait!” you called out in a whispered yell. Without hesitation, you retrieved from your nightstand that same pair of earrings he’d so brazenly rejected the night before. Though you were now quite frightened to approach him with the jewels, you simply had to repay him in some way for the joy he’d given you, and this was all you had. 

His eyes trailed to the sparkling gems cradled in your delicate, noticeably unsullied hands. Though the gesture had offended him at first, he looked up to see the genuine thanks in your face. You weren’t ungrateful, as he’d thought. You were kind, the type of thing so many people out in the world you so desperately wanted to see would take advantage of. He couldn’t be one of those people.

“I… I know these jewels are meaningless to you,” you said softly, “but they mean a great deal to me, and I want you to know that… this is the kindest thing anyone has ever done for me.”

This time, you did what you were too afraid to do last night—you unfurled his tight fist to lay open his palm, upon which you carefully placed the earrings. He could only inspect your face, as if searching for some kind of hidden agenda, but deep down, he knew it was useless. There wasn’t anything hidden—you wore your heart on your sleeve. You were true, and, above all else, Daryl knew your heart was full of virtue.

His eyes turned down in a flash, though, when your gaze met his. He instead admired the handiwork of the earrings, how much thought had gone into each minute detail. In some deep part of him, he wondered how they had looked on you, but that thought was quickly dissolved when you spoke again, with that voice of velvety honey.

“And if you find the monetary value not to your liking, you could always give them to your lady.”

He swallowed hard, his hand still laying flat and suspended in midair. “I have no lady, your highness.”

Your breath hitched. It was a dainty little breath, the kind only princess would make, of course. “Oh… Well, perhaps you could give them to a lady you admire, or anyone who would cherish them as much as I have.”

A swirl of some foreign feeling meandered in his stomach. Though he couldn’t quite identify the feeling, he could only describe it as sweet. 

“I cannot accept these,” he rasped, jutting his hand a little towards you. “Besides, knights shouldn’t take payment from ladies.”

You almost let out a chuckle at that, the knight who’d already broken just about every chivalric law in regards to women was now suddenly a paragon of virtue. But it appeared he was quite serious, and you weren’t about to ruin your chances of seeing the outside world by laughing in your escort’s face.

“Don’t see it as a payment,” you replied, “but a gift, to do with what you like. In any case, I command you to take them.”

A small chill ran up his spine, which astounded him. No woman, and hardly any men, had provoked such an intimidation within him. He closed his hand over the jewels, carefully tucking them into the pocket of his cloak.

“Now, go,” you ordered. “Till next we meet, knight.”

That very same night, Sir Daryl retreated to his quarters with a lighter step than he had had on the way to your chamber. The relief he felt was enough to render him satisfied with his ultimate decision to assist you, though he knew the consequences of being found out were great.

In the dim light of a lone lantern sitting atop his chest of drawers, the knight stripped himself of his lightly padded gambeson, the knots of which descending vertically down his torso. His tired fingers unlaced each knot mindlessly, his thoughts occupied elsewhere, though he himself was uncertain of their exact whereabouts.

With his shirts removed, he turned back the blankets atop his modest bed, fit for a knight. Just as he was about to settle in, the shadow of his cloak hanging upon a hook behind the door reminded him of the glimmering treasures inside.

Her earrings.

Now, what on Earth was he going to do with earrings?

Well, he’d thought about selling them, as you said, but it truly was against his own code of honor. In any case, he didn’t need the money—he was well-off enough to live comfortably on his lord’s land. 

And he had no one to give them to, no maiden he wanted to woo or mother he wanted to impress. As he turned the crystalline objects around in his hand, he found himself entranced by their beauty. A part of him couldn’t believe he was holding in his hands such valuable items, but another part, a quieter, more subdued part, was just thinking about how those earrings had been worn by the most beautiful woman in Alexandria, perhaps beyond.

He wasn’t immune to your beauty. It was the kind of beauty that left no survivors. It didn’t carry a misericorde to slay a suffering victim and spare him the agony left in its wake. No, this kind of beauty was ruthless, vicious, merciless. While you yourself were none of those things, not in the slightest, your beauty was a worse torture than a Judas cradle or a Catherine wheel. That was how unrelenting it was.

That all being said, it wasn’t a terrible thing. In fact, thinking back to the smile that graced your soft, unblemished face was… pleasing. Not agonizing at all. And to think that his words, his promise to you, had invoked such joy. 

Him, a sorry excuse for a knight. 

~

Thanks for reading! Likes, reblogs, and/or comments are always appreciated!

Series Masterlist Next Chapter ➳

#daryl dixon x reader #daryl dixon x female reader #daryl dixon fanfiction #daryl dixon x y/n #daryl dixon x you #daryl dixon x reader insert #daryl dixon #the walking dead #the walking dead fanfiction #the walking dead fanfic #norman reedus #norman reedus x reader #norman reedus x female reader #norman reedus fanfiction #norman reedus fanfic #norman reedus x you #norman reedus x y/n #norman reedus x reader insert #merciless beauty series #theteasetwrites fanfiction

[cheriecelestial]

Shelf II

❝ This shelf contains series.❞

·:*:·゜𝐎𝐦𝐧𝐢𝐬𝐜𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 ➢ Shoto Todoroki

┈ 𝑰𝒏 𝒘𝒉𝒊𝒄𝒉 , after a unique twist of fate a gangster ends up in the fictional world of Boku no Hero Academia .

·:*:·゜𝐄𝐩𝐡𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐥 𝐈𝐧𝐟𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐎𝐟 𝐒𝐩𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 ➢ Satosugu

┈ 𝑰𝒏 𝒘𝒉𝒊𝒄𝒉 , in which a pessimistic medical student meets his polar opposite. Insomniac x Dead Dreams, in this fleeting moment of eternal spring, finding together their lost dreams .

·:*:·゜𝐌𝐞𝐥𝐨𝐝𝐲 𝐨𝐟 𝐚 𝐌𝐮𝐬𝐞➢ DCKZ

┈ 𝑰𝒏 𝒘𝒉𝒊𝒄𝒉 , Worlds of a influencer and a popular boy band collide and sparks fly .

·:*:·゜𝐏𝐚𝐩𝐞𝐫 𝐑𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬 ➢ Percy Jackson

┈ 𝑰𝒏 𝒘𝒉𝒊𝒄𝒉 , fate leads an aspiring jujutsu sorcerer to discover her destiny as a half god in a camp for demigods . What could possibly go wrong ?

·:*:·゜ 𝐏𝐮𝐩𝐩𝐲 𝐋𝐨𝐯𝐞 ➢ Bakugo Katsuki

┈ 𝑰𝒏 𝒘𝒉𝒊𝒄𝒉 , a vet finds a very lost and a very snappy pomeranian puppy.

·:*:·゜𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐅𝐚𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐚𝐧 𝐆𝐚𝐦𝐛𝐢𝐭 ➢ Wriothesley

┈ 𝑰𝒏 𝒘𝒉𝒊𝒄𝒉 , a con artist attempting to swindle the Duke of Meropide out of his wealth, but as the layers of deceit unfold, unexpected emotions emerge, and the con artist finds herself entangled in a web of love and lies , unexpectedly taking something far more valuable —his heart.

Cred: @cafekitsune for the dividers

╰ ┈➤ Master list

#shoto todoroki #mha #shoto todoroki x oc #gojo satoru #satosugu #geto suguru #dckz #kaeya alberich #kaeya x reader #genshin #genshin impact #zhongli #zhongli x reader #diluc ragnvindr #diluc x reader #childe tartagalia #childe #childe x reader #percy jackson #percy jackon and the olympians #Percy Jackson x oc #bakugou katsuki #bakugou x reader #wriothesley #wriothesley x reader

[pulaasul]

Kisaragi Gentaro Befriends the Universe - Senpai is?

After the Kyurangers rescued Gentaro Kisaragi, with the powers of Kamen Rider Fourze, he chased after his kidnappers, at the urging of the Kyurangers themselves, to stop them from wreaking havoc in other worlds. As he chased after them, he encountered one person who accused one of his senpai of things he knew any of his senpai as a Kamen Rider would never do.

A/N: Special thanks to @flaim-ita​ for helping with the characterization of Narutaki. Thanks!!!

FFN I Ao3

--------

Gentaro found himself in a land full of sand as soon as he exited the Aurora Veil. He looked around and he could only see hills made out of sand.

He utilized his suit's propulsions and flew forward, looking for any trace of the Foundation X members that were trying to run away from him.

After a few moments of looking around, Gentaro saw an active Aurora Veil. He could only guess that this was supposed to trap their followers in another world as they escape to another.

Gentaro used his suit's propulsion to its greatest capacity and gave himself a speed boost in order to catch up to the Foundation X members and follow them to their next destination, that and to avoid getting stranded in another world.

"Kamen Rider Fourze, once Kamen Rider Decade appears you need to remove him for he has corrupted many worlds." A declaration stopped Gentaro on his tracks as he looked around for the source of the voice.

Gentaro was tempted to ignore the declaration, but he knew Kamen Rider Decade, he was one of his senpai as a Kamen Rider. He can't just ignore someone who was badmouthing his bud.

He immediately stopped and landed on one of the sandy hills in the area. He looked around, trying to find the source of the voice.

Behind Gentaro was a man in a brown coat and brown bucket hat.

"He is the destroyer of worlds."

"Gaaah!" Gentaro gasped as he turned around.

"Kamen Rider Fourze, you must eliminate Decade to save all worlds from ruin."

"Senpai is?"

"S-senpai?"

"Yeah! Kadoya-senpai is my senpai as a Kamen Rider," Gentaro grinned after undoing his transformation. "I don't believe that he's the destroyer of worlds, I mean he saved mine countless times."

"It may seem that way, but he is the personification of deceit." The man shook his head.

"Dese-?" Gentaro tilted his head in confusion, trying out the new word he just heard.

"He lies." The man amended his statement.

"Kadoya-senpai is a Kamen Rider, he is a hero." Gentaro insisted.

"I did not think you to be naïve, Fourze." The man shook his head. "There have been many dark Kamen Riders in the past, alongside Decade are Duke, Eternal, Jam, and Mars to name a few."

"They made their choices and I know Kadoya-senpai chooses to do good every time." Gentaro denied the accusation. "He may even come to rescue me if he knew what has happened to me."

"Do you really believe in Decade that much?" The man asked in bewilderment.

"Of course!" Gentaro beamed. "He's my bud!"

"Buds?" The man tilted his head.

"Come to think of it, you look familiar." Gentaro frowned as he tried to remember where he encountered the man before. "You're Narutaki, aren't you?"

"I see you remember me from when the Showa Kamen Riders and Heisei Kamen Riders were fighting." The man, now identified as Narutaki, stated.

"Of course! But you disappeared immediately with those curtains before I could make you my bud."

"There's that word again, bud."

"Of course, I'm Kisaragi Gentaro, the man who's going to be buds with everyone." Gentaro offered his hand.

"Huh." Narutaki was speechless but he nonetheless took the hand offered to him.

Gentaro gleefully pulled off another one of his signature handshakes on Narutaki as soon as the other held his hand.

"Fourze, you're different from all the Riders I have met," Narutaki shook his head. "I can only hope more Kamen Riders like you appear."

"Buds help each other out," Gentaro grinned. "And we will help each other make the right decisions."

Narutaki shook his head. Maybe he had failed to gain an ally for destroying Decade, but he is also a Kamen Rider, a Rider with a mission.

"If I remember right, you were chasing after Foundation X."

"Crap! Yeah, I need to go to them before they bring the apocalypse like colliding two worlds together." Gentaro transformed back into Fourze and into Cosmic States before hovering with his suit's propulsions.

"Here." Narutaki handed Gentaro something.

"Senpai kitaaaa!" Gentaro exclaimed as he pumped both fists in the air. "An astroswitch with senpai's face on it!".

"With that, you can slow down the decay of each Aurora Curtain you encounter," Narutaki explained. "Just like that one.' He pointed towards the curtain that Gentaro was heading for earlier.

"Aaah! No! It's starting to fade."

"Simply put the Decade Astroswitch on your driver and switch it on, one stomp should slow down its decay."

Gentaro nodded and landed on the sand dune and inserted the astroswitch on his driver then switched it on.

Fourze's left leg changed from cosmic blue to magenta as soon as he switched the legend rider astroswitch on. Kamen Rider Decade's face was on his left knee whereas the entire barcode-like appearance of Decade continued to his foot.

Gentaro stomped his left leg once and the Aurora Curtain that was active a few miles away stopped disappearing.

"I cannot guarantee that they'd still be there once you enter their curtain, but you can use your Radar module to locate those curtains while the Decade astroswitch is on."

"Thanks for the tip! I need to get going."

And with that Gentaro propelled himself towards the Aurora Curtain.

"Kamen Riders, heroes who continue to fight for the future of humanity." Narutaki stated to himself before disappearing in another Aurora Curtain.

#kamen rider fourze #kamen rider decade #narutaki #gentaro kisaragi #kisaragi gentaro #story #kisaragi gentaro befriends the multiverse

[drarreckyninja]

Subships for drarreckyninja’s top 50 ships of Apr 2022 [part 4/5]

21. Sanders Sides

Dukexiety [Intrusive Thoughts Sanders | Remus "Duke" x Anxiety Sanders | Virgil]

Remile [Sleep Sanders | Remy x Dr. Emile Picani]

Roceit [Creativity Sanders | Roman x Deceit Sanders | Janus]

20. Monsters University

Jully [Johnny Worthington x James P "Sully" Sullivan]

19. Hey Arnold!

Eugurly [Eugene Horowitz x Thaddeus "Curly" Gammelthorpe III]

Pherald [Phoebe Heyerdahl x Gerald Johanssen]

18. Wreck-It Ralph

Calhank [Calhoun x Shank]

17. iZombie

Maine [Major Lilywhite x Blaine DeBeers]

16. Ghosts (US)

15. Psych

14. Supernatural

13. Marvel Cinematic Universe

Stucky [Steve Rogers | Captain America x James "Bucky" Buchanan | Winter Soldier]

Phlint [Phil Coulson x Clint Barton | Hawkeye]

Thunderhulk [Thor Odinson x Bruce Banner | The Hulk]

Spideypool [Peter Parker | Spider-Man x Wade Wilson | Deadpool]

Widowshock [Natasha Romanov | Black Widow x Darcy Lewis]

12. Knight Rider

#my subships #dukexiety #remile #roceit #jully #eugurly #pherald #calhank #maine #stucky #phlint #thunderhulk #spideypool #widowshock #sanders sides #hey arnold #wreck it ralph #izombie #ghosts us #psych usa #supernatural #marvel cinematic universe #knight rider 1982 #countdown #apr 2022 #none of the art is mine

[libidomechanica]

“Who saw the enemy retired his brain”

A rispetto sequence

               I

Who saw the enemy retired his brain of Donna Julia, whom fortune has been. The banner might be quite dispossess’d of either

eye: yes; and all the cause been one edition, like honey—but will boast that were well as ill with orgies and the happy spots the day?

               II

Who shall ever blind to Truth, unsullied by Deception of her pardon when dilated case, they help me, I am hard to love

and hardly leaves the Ring, flaunts and me. Yes, Don Alfonso saw his Hand from her gentle, so unmov’d, be both pedantic wretched Maid!

               III

She proved its flesh is frailty of all we see an awkward steals in a cold which guided were nothing there?—As a thunder, which he pleasure,

drink one Shakspeare puts the gently laid, and loved books, the Duke of Ichar, and the nuptial chime; soft for it, none of his lineage?

               IV

And send him at her full brighter heart. Not one new comfort but of her way; t was dear. We may be difficult to shun some good, nor

even as Gods, be wise. Caught and nuances spoken, yet worse belov’d: oh pardon of self-deceitful is the small regard for tears.

               V

I will or no. With your neck be wroong! Than another Secret from counselled heart alarm’d, aw’d with three. For there she wrought two grand

illumined; and burn in this comrade’s Juan; the face again, and what’s hardest. Till lovelorn women. How could not fir’d her son to herself.

               VI

Was it for the patient look, this sinne of your memory deathless, by the cheefe: theeues do rob, but his resumes life’s lower Sky; these

same none; in Spain, or if the gentle verse, who hating heart, t is all come back your spies out. In height, nor let me but a barre again.

               VII

At length the walking, till the Prize, expos’d thro’ mystic Vision vanish in battle unroll’d! To encumber: examples of true

philosophic in our bosoms like these to await, anxious Ariel plac’d? Take for instance in life shall feel the concluded, conceal’d.

               VIII

In every spring, and slip into her own good qualities; but her sight neuer thy prey: the names want not all Spanish she had not

let me, true is, a good desert sand. Its passion, and but one gentleman proceed in pleasure miss’d the door. The lady of water.

               IX

And ev’ry Atome just, the Sun first, one sense, good Christian at her down. Is my lofty cedars as fair, that I the javelin suck’d away,

sets down to me, is the enemy is beauteous Grief appear; from home in the stony bed. Thou should not be scorched by the nations.

               X

For my friend’s heart and speaking, burning o’er human heart alarm’d, aw’d with zeal. But, wo is me, thoughts and be wisely choose but few hours of

delighten’d by one that charge vniustest tyrannie; and I can say; so unrecorded with what is streight impart, and whispering I will.

               XI

This was an easy matters worse of clamorings and viler clowne, lyft vp thy selfe, shall our old regiment’s act. Perhaps it was much

as the lily all her Art, an Earth, his proud brow, it merit it. Your name will you was most people faster—they left me many blisse!

               XII

Her self slipt from the mother courtly Balls, and her graves are found such faces are broken and inspiration. I wander’d on the North,

with all her child of decency abide a moment should understand each human happiness, then each shall open wing thro’ all time?

               XIII

One faithful dear company of Cossacque, o’er whom were deem’d Cossacque, o’er which bright, if such a mother! Your vassal, bound to him to here

he alighted Skies. Everything on the shines above, the frailest the bed. Four Knaves in her, she dearly pays for Nisus’ injur’d Hair.

               XIV

Seen but both of us, your crueltie farre departing we will bleed, my bird with temper, who in the pale Ghosts starting tears. ’ Whether Julia

instantly competent false enough times short in his Reign A Sage, when true love that sort of god, to play then the Gods deare play he trye?

               XV

The sun and that Juan still she bore; for these, when in her cheek to glow seem’d so; and how Alfonso grappled to and fragrant from above

had given up his reflection aids our glory! And atheism and must halt, for this way: don Juan’s eyes; she smil’d to him: Friend! Mind.

               XVI

Then came up to mince that alone beside his desolate; all thy Guardian Sylphs thro’ the Praise shall spurn as vilest dust the world, my

universe! Enough; silence be it said, better what suspicious, this great and feathers to be said to their relationship to sex.

               XVII

I was the works running aground, through all eares worse belov’d: oh pardon, which outweighs the Memoirs of the sweetness up, and let vs

cast up what am I saying to a man of thy storie. Light, after all her try, whether think, he stood near; so little starre.

               XVIII

Like little still imputes some good, nor have I invoked thee to the young praise. All hush and glittering as soon as kind. Exceeding

shall if that doth not several footstep of lost love, only free from barren of leaves room for many years: I wish I could our own.

               XIX

Where the effect: the man, sweet to put an end to strip there’s no doubt they should not warm them twa. Not talking besides much of glory

eke much greenish marble and lustihead tho mayst pity had heart to swallow jinkin’ round her faults, but never felt such existed?

               XX

A glory gaping o’er earth am rotten person’s certain and adulterate fruit might put the stars to stick in a knife. With pleasant

things rare when London had its charm, and one would do a steeple. The freshness of god, the stream, the flowers, with the where meaning lies.

               XXI

They either too, be blind braine of heav’nly Flow’rs, the other shall be its Interpreters. Then those thought all his home in an abyss. An

only multiply their darkness; as the budding, our animal, and I became sole guardian Sylph prolong the here was crazy.

               XXII

Our mother who doted; they decked her out for worships thee, and so dauntless breasts I drew figs. Mortal and new: her smallpox, above, varied

with thy longing could turn the though so shown, marrying them all, hands and gives way; and every difficult, to such a Prize is mine!

               XXIII

Those that says, Shalom! You still out of their zeal, and me, is a pure cup of wine. You like a rivell’d Flower. But to the cork forest

boughs, with answer’d very often knit, my kerchief they can, have as I think is necessity and flutter in the Breath of heaven?

               XXIV

” Eating to repeats there diverged. One of her brow. He laid as low. Here my Muse, you, reconcil’d, shall leap, and trust in the gag even

the Book of eyes into eyes, his Children and in the gate. If such an education, I wish thou dost shine upon even in jest.

               XXV

All the dead from my tree that would lie outside. But beg Security entwine, how near home; t is pity thee; nor Arac, satiate

without end; nor end of our skin, those thought to themselves were gushing: sweet dim light thing, and barbarous opulence jewel-thick sunn’d itself.

               XXVI

Make me the owners choose: alfonso’s head and became a prince Ferdinand, Granby, Burgoyne, Keppel, Howe, evil and burn in this coming

as the nuptial chime; soft for its mystery. Spite, for which won it, shall renew, clipt from above speeds that one swear that I became.

               XXVII

And nuances spoken wing of your smell, yet the feast, those rancid dream passed for his pride with such vicissitude appear’d like the brindled

bitch, they look down it goes again. Of the found out, if I name my guilt, t is with me oft she resides, they make that little time.

               XXVIII

Others scribble Plays; who neither eyes we ply their turns; and all presaged good Simplicius asks of her weel again. So dear as the

hopelesse, torment of that all is settled wind; my blood ’t was ne’er discompos’d of either miss home- talk and bliss I wonder, Mr.

               XXIX

Who give him ashamed, and death to me sad stuff, but then the Fights of Cupids shafts on me, nor heart. Matter when their country quarter than

at the sea. If many Worlds could not a day, a summer sky’s without a word or act; unless, like clouds the worst all the Rahvs in this.

               XXX

But anxious Cares there, and blossoms on our freezing way. Take for it, none of this midnight her weakness or the twilight dawned; and out shames

and Chartres. Death is through the glory eke much good aduice: or pricke them not believe them, as much more to mell, but now them at my feet.

               XXXI

And now your only seem strange animal, and so dauntless in war, was turned in the kindly interpos’d; fate urg’d the Heroe’s Wits are

so, t would only shouted, Allah! Change that the heauen apace. The air is grey I wonder at yourself may privilege your spies out.

               XXXII

As Numa’s who wast thou mayst thou for fault in war paint or write, speaking then, they’d understand anything and wept outright; still out of

thy kind: nor even as the ring means let the cunning powre to seek; all have no Characters; the Time is come out of lovers, to know.

               XXXIII

Nor knew what can cause to quake; the passions and fife to their Pride, my brothers. In rymes of pleasures prove, a woman’s house and in bydding

be, and fling it like th’ aerial bow, his home in the veil that you want my blue yes everlasting union—slashing tack.

               XXXIV

Often have put my hand on the bard I quote from their umbrellas a drunkard grows more fruitfull showers. I cannot rue the silver

and viler clowne, lyft vp thy heat the wind no more than bread; now to blame, which you want my blush, and liuing dying. The lady of water.

               XXXV

Some hang upon its returns in fair hand; and wild voice by the sun in water unaware, that e’er tis too strong, and swig! Whence than you’d

never could not catch’d my brow Sighing she should fail from hours of absence of mine, to love, not I loved, and innocently met. And, please.

               XXXVI

I could shut him up the moon too brightest Fair that each human clay but the truth and sure, not as brittle ambition, whose owne fault was

only grasps the moon hath got, and half retiring from Belinda may vouchsafe to view of modern phrase; announcing the shooting there?

               XXXVII

It was ever seen, the mother’d, from both her Mother Eve, whose grace for me: always done in war, was teach his dame from the Mirror of

that in battle unroll’d! For conversations bear amiss the syntax of love, the spiral-talk. Which leads into Airs, and so the Prince!

               XXXVIII

And thine imaginary deathlike type of pain, pass and pestle. Or music was playing Prince! Against actual fact, that equall’d by

a fretful bee; and not tease our eyes. If e’er to Juan’s heart or in the moving Toyshop of the Horizon is the Sun first that then?

               XXXIX

I marvelled, my Belovëd, whence the fretful briar will to the young passageways with such famous oath is to the babe had

a granary floor, which he toilet’s great arm-chair, and compliant to call you watches to colour day by day. And fear not; breathes three.

               XL

The first i’ the breaking through thou hast enough times of Demon, Ghost, and let us have shrunk as flies whose hands. To withdraw one ray from

out the stars, tis undistinguish’d strange grace could not do’t in Prose. The worst all evil speaking this its many a breeze before the Lock!

               XLI

Dangle heart, for how she wore, not scornful Virgin’s Thought, and false in lawrell tree: in the various Dye, the Linnet and flower grace.

Cannot such a thousand others’ works thou art nourish’d in the greater wonder, Mr. Alas, I have no tear could rouse a feeling.

               XLII

My blood thereof he knew her nose. But Don Alfonso’s marriage, for all lose my place for once a helper, me, that there: for a time went

to me almost pure. It is time, they rose, however, and a forky Beard; and which she smile—and dread the moon forgot the gen’ral Fate.

               XLIII

By distant sky, while ever to her revolution’s rather was it bolted, that th’ approaching the street of fools: prose poets

find no rest. To the porphyry font: the master, with noise; her thou didst bid me bring and that burneth alway ye have looks thro’ all time?

               XLIV

And mistress is call’d their Insect- Wings unbearably in the lawyers’ fears not her violet eyes I lay listenings to communicate;

though each Turkish ladies, by a bee was more green leave their taste awhile the third is neither must not set my seal upon a dunce.

               XLV

When Juliana came, and the smoke in every general, if he fear of our skin, the screwball rocks. That I became a bright Locks admir’d,

he watch-dog’s honest, and ruin, And again it opens, it can its last breathing, were ample reason will not pass. With his Tongue.

               XLVI

Oh! On steering on the mischief; they who cause that climbs a peak to gaze o’er land and gold refines, and turned to cinders by hours in my

mind, where no sooner let Earth, his private life long sighs a Jar, and base, and the Rules, t is with our scorn, and never would wish you all?

               XLVII

Chalk, the ill; I have foundered hart. Therefore we admir’d! Our friend: to her, and Despair, lest he could wish you all? A rose as longer there

upon the supernatural heat till mine grows with Rufa studying in five, and his Pow’r disdains all loue, contend till all fruit?

               XLVIII

In Show’rs a bright and blossoms, and think only. To something in his chiefe pride than musicke made then these responses given: he miss’d, or

the Finny Prey, faire triumph—let the voice that caus’d Suspicion when dilated case, the peroration, ere the starry Nymphs at home.

               XLIX

The bard—that’s hardest. A thousand and daring Souls retirement to take a Helen. Praise in the English, many? She mentions fly,

in the extent of the rising Fire. To live air sick, and largest, think our selves awake, and bless with temper not heard; I saw things are.

               L

Slept on their reflection prove himself felt only like a broken, sweet is old and for ever and butterflies unclasp from the dishes

and thou woundest with Psyche true survey’d the world; approach shall live! You were in October, the reflecting love; then on the grave.

               LI

That all is vanity’-most unluckily ne’er to make me a heavy heart, where t was thy though unseen lurk’d in her cheek to glow

seem’d answer, glitter. That as no matter that for it; smiling bright they mean to make myself the walls, his Children too; for charity.

               LII

This, in the flowers, and how to make that pretty pair; t were well in an abyss. Say, when the Fights of former regiment? By tinklings

of our bosoms like each eye a sermon, and soften’d Sounds, Charms, faded the Regal Circle they say to the other vice content.

               LIII

Blessing, All ’s Well! Decree more evil is—their light and to facts, which our young man, a carpenter by far to his mother was so

anxious, and all that long it is also are at times, ’ they tell me a joke about discretion, and acts just they must, and spiral-talk.

               LIV

So that she seem’d resting on Cannobie Lee, but die, and as truly, have thee down withouten leaue: seemeth thou wert made me feel romantic.

But still silver Lamp; the fight. That heaven, for speaking those fair face in passing sweethearts folds and hang the shuddering dawn, the Town.

               LV

Then, blubber’d is that breathe. Her mother never roome more fleet and faithless treasure: methinks to the Muse a liberty must thing admir’d,

he watch’d with all her trim prepared fascines, and that their engines and wordless charity: but more wisely manage such blood by thee.

               LVI

Like Oedipus I am losing Game; if e’er to Juan’s cheek: its onion root they shifts, we talk to you. ’Er with answer of thy dear

love that cruel fair; her beauty from his voice choked, and neck, your love is. Of a burning bloudie paine. That any other is your shores to be.

               LVII

This warning my rude ignorance. For at a Beau. Here were not mad; yet ne’er agreed except some six or seven years? Of this a plight?

And barb’rous crueltie farre worse, and here theorems, her feet? Don Jose and then the swarthy Moors. Not pure; for, praising her—will clear expansion.

               LVIII

—Flirtation were mute among the requisition’s Cheek forsook, a livid Paleness spread, i’m a plait the tendency to under-

rate and am beloved accents high against whole inherited sin on the place for me! And then their couplings, they’ll have no tears.

               LIX

Were changes that my affection by tinklings of our paine, make the forms: I knew her not, and in the same. For little fast as spring

so long; I was content, when you were well as ill, woman’s hand, till God is filling body hung in air, I would be had, save forgo?

               LX

And heal’d their examples of love and chat. Said young praise that common grave, to war again, forbidden crimes, those Eyes are spent. So when the

gazette of the eye, the Irish peer, who kill’d himself than such a mother if her owne. Since you were taught that salve which at once again.

               LXI

And when he suspect me, while he binds himself, a friend’s heart. Exertion might out and think I pick’d up too, as well whether by degree,

that I felt to be so, at the State’s corrector, like cloudes of Pins extend, some living, took his lady with a wound in the bell.

#poetry #automatically generated text #Patrick Mooney #Markov chains #Markov chain length: 7 #174 texts #rispetto sequence

[thatonelesbianfander]

TW// caps

No one:

Literally no one:

My Demus shipping a**:

THEY’RE HUSBANDS, YOUR HONOR!

#sanders sides #thatsthat24 #thomas sanders #demus #ts demus #dukeceit #dukceit #deceit x duke #deceit x remus #remus x janus #ts janus #janus sanders #deceit sanders #ts deceit #ts remus #remus sanders #ts duke #thatonelesbianfander

[sympathetic-deception]

Remus: DEE DEE! I just came to tell you that you've run out of pepper spray!

Deceit: What? Why? What happened?

Remus: I drank it all, but it tasted like bad feelings. So I drank a coke instead, but that tasted like belly medicine. So I ate a whole box of donuts that were in the kitchen. They had sprinkles!

Deceit: Wait, you drank caffeine?

Remus: MY BLOOD FEELS FAST!

#caps lock #caps tw #capslock #incorrect dark sides #incorrect deceit #incorrect deceit quotes #sanders sides incorrect quotes #incorrect sanders sides quotes #ts remus sanders #remus sanders #deceit x remus #ts remus #duke sanders #deceit x duke #dukeceit #duke remus #ts duke #deceit sanders #sympathetic deceit #ts deceit #ts deceit sanders #sympathetic dark sides #sympathetic remus #incorrect sanders sides #sanders sides incorrect #food ment tw #food mention #food mention tw

[the-sweetest-slytherin]

Yo so nevermind my last post, I be having a bit of a mood-swingy night, lads.

I wanna talk about more Dukeceit stuff because I'm LITERALLY feral.

I keep thinking about the two of them interacting with the other sides, and Janus is just taking everything Remus says in stride. Like my man is talking about some of the darkest shit the human mind can possibly fathom, and Janus is just like “Sweetie, stay on topic. Although yes, that is rather interesting.”.

I also keep thinking about how Remus is definitely a bottom. Like hardcore sub bottom. He out here actin’ all tough, but in the bedroom, all I can see him doing is being an absolute lamb, gentle and patient. Kinky =/= Sadist. (Although make no mistake, Kinky COULD = Masochist)

Yo wouldn’t it be cute if Patton got Janus a snake as a welcome gift? And like Janus is so happy, and he’s just handling the snake and going “Who’s a pretty girl?” like someone might do when talking to a puppy. And then Remus pops up behind the TV and watches with this huge enraptured grin. And when Roman tries to alert the others, Remus just clamps a hand over his mouth like “I swear to god if you make a sound I’ll eat your femurs for afternoon tea.” while still looking at Janus all heart-eyes-emoji.

We all know that rat man is feral, however I think we’re all overlooking just how feral snek boi can be. This is a ship comprised of two chaotic neutrals, wake up america. I can just see them building a giant blanket fort spanning the entire mind palace, recreating vines, doing “parkour” (in quotes because it does not go well), staying up all night arguing the pronunciation of “croissant”, and so on. 

Janus: Don’t touch me. I hate physical contact. Do not test me. I will bite. *feral hissing*  Virgil: Okay but Remus is literally sprawled out across your lap right now. Janus: *stroking Remus’s hair* I don’t see how that could possibly be relevant.

I don’t care who disagrees with me, these two are the sides that get the most hyped up for pride. Watch out bitches, dukeceit is here to ruin every single drag queen’s career.

I believe with my whole heart that Janus carries a purse, probably in the style of an oldschool medical bag but (faux) snakeskin. He always has WHATEVER anyone needs in it. Virgil is having a meltdown? Don’t worry sweetie, mom friend has headphones and a tangle toy. Remus has another knife wound? Best believe Janus has a whole ass first aid kit. Patton packed lunch, but no silverware? Bitch please, snek boi is already passing out forks. He’s Mary Poppins, y’all.

No one can convince me that these fuckers don’t pull pranks on the others. I know they both have tiktok, for the soul purpose of finding harmless ways to torment their fellow sides. This is the hill I will die on.

#dukeceit #janus sanders #sanders sides janus #janus sanders sides #remus sanders #sanders sides remus #remus sanders sides #the duke sanders sides #sanders sides the duke #duke sanders #deceit sanders #sanders sides deceit #deceit sanders sides #janus x remus #remus x janus #duke x deceit #deceit x duke #sanders sides #sanders sides headcanon #patton sanders #patton sanders sides #sanders sides patton #virgil sanders #sanders sides virgil #virgil sanders sides #roman sanders #roman sanders sides #sanders sides roman

[saibug1022]

For the prompt thing, 79 & 80 for dukeceit?

79. “You could never ruin anything.”

80. “Your comfort and happiness is more important to me than some stupid dinner.”

Anon I’m so sorry I just saw this, it must have gotten drowned in other notes or asks or something. I hope this makes up for it!

Warnings: Dysphoria, little bit of self-deprecation, period, cramps, cursing, mention of scar, very passive thoughts that I think technically qualify as self-harm

‘Oh you’ve gotta be kidding me,’ Janus thought.

This had to be a joke. Really? Of all days? He had to get his period on his anniversary? That just meant he was going to be dysphoric all day and uncomfortable and he’d probably get cramps later which were always awful for him. There was a chance though, he always got cramps either so bad he wanted to throw up or didn’t get any at all. He just had to hope for the latter. If not, well, he could tough it out. He was not going to let his stupid uterus ruin his night out with Remus.

Thankfully Remus was still asleep so Janus just hurried up to change underwear and put on his pad so he could just slip back under the covers. Even then he still woke up before Remus. He sighed but climbed out of bed to start on breakfast. As soon as he moved he was reminded of what was happening but it was whatever. It was a thing that happened that he dealt with every month. He toughed it out then, he could tough it out now.

Even if he usually toughed it out with cuddles, ice cream, and trashy romcoms that he and Remus would make fun of. 

But whatever!

Janus was halfway through making eggs when he heard footsteps behind him and two arms wrapped around him. He nearly jumped two feet in the air but contained himself. He cleared his throat when Remus started kissing up the column of his throat. Janus stiffened at the contact, the touch making his skin crawl.

“Remus I’m busy,” Janus said and Remus whined against his neck.

“Oh come on, snookums,” Remus pouted. “I was just saying hello.”

“Sure,” Janus replied sarcastically. 

He peeled Remus off of him and gave him a kiss to placate him before finishing what he was making. From there they had to hurry to eat, get ready, and leave for their respective jobs. Janus seriously considered waiting for Remus to leave and then calling in sick because he was inches away from crawling out of his skin but he managed to psych himself up enough to get in the car and drive.

He regretted it with every fiber of his being. Normally he liked his job but when every touch set your skin on fire because you were hyper-aware of every inch of it because it all felt just...wrong, well, being a make-up artist at Sephora got frustrating fast. It took all of his self-control not to snap at his customers, which was saying something for him. He just really wanted to go home, not have to resist the urge to perform surgery on himself with scissors.

Eventually, he got to leave but he knew it would be short-lived. Once Remus got home they had reservations at someplace Janus could barely pronounce the name of. Which meant sitting for hours in a fancy restaurant trying not to be a dick all while wearing a fancy suit and people stared at him because he looked like some girl in a suit and had a huge ass scar on his face.

Great.

Just fucking fantastic.

He barely had time to stare in the mirror and contemplate how expensive getting back alley testosterone would be when he heard the front door open. Remus grinned at him and scooped him up into his arms. Janus tried not to show his discomfort because this was his husband and he loved him, but he wasn’t wearing his shirt so the skin on skin contact made him want to claw out of his skin himself because of the way it crawled. Not to mention that at some point that pain in his lower stomach started and since he was in the middle of the mall he couldn’t take any pain meds or anything so he hated everything.

He must have been a horrible person in a past life to deserve this. Dysphoria was awful and cramps were annoying and he hated it all. What had he done? He better have been a serial killer or else he was gonna be pissed because this shit was uncalled for.

“Sweetcheeks?” Remus prompted and set him down. “You all good? You don’t seem good.”

“I’m fine Rem,” Janus lied and went back to going through his closet trying to find that stupid black dress shirt but he couldn’t find it fucking anywhere and was getting really fucking tired of it. He stood there and stared at the closet as if it would answer all his questions.

Remus made a disbelieving noise but began to change as well. They didn’t have a lot of time before their reservation and Janus was just proud he thought of that himself. Of course, that pride was immediately masked by a spike in pain that made Janus curse under his breath. He curled an arm around his stomach reflexively as he dug through the closet some more. He could do this. It was just one night, a night Remus had been excited for and that Janus was gonna make it through. It was the least he could do on their fucking anniversary. Suddenly Remus grabbed his wrist and turned him around. Janus hissed at the touch before he could think better of it and knew from the look on Remus’s face he wasn’t getting out of this one.

“Come on baby boy, talk to me,” Remus said. “What’s going on in that pretty little head of yours?”

“Remus I told you I’m fine,” Janus tried but Remus just held up his wrist which was red and irritated. Shit.

“Considering you were scratching, Imma call bullshit,” Remus retorted. “It’s your dysphoria, isn’t it?”

“I-,” Janus tried to lie again but sighed. “Yeah, it is.” 

As soon as he said that Remus let go of his wrist. He stayed close enough for Janus to feel his warmth but not enough to touch him. Despite how he acted and how brash he was Remus was just so fucking considerate. He knew Janus didn’t like touch sometimes when he was dysphoric so when he was he didn’t touch unless Janus initiated it. 

“Coolio,” Remus nodded and Janus decided to ignore the fact that the man he married had just said that. “Why? Did fucking Lindsay say something again? I swear Janny, you gotta do something about that transphobic cockalorum.”

“No, she wasn’t-did you just say cockalorum?”

“Yeah! It means a boastful or self-important person.”

“You hang out with Logan too much.”

“I’ll have you know I learned that one all by myself, actually!”

Janus just gave him a disbelieving look.

“Okay I learned all the words I could find that started with cock,” Remus admitted with a shrug. “But that doesn’t matter! Are you just having a day?”

“I started my period this morning,” Janus sighed. “But it’s alright. Because we are going to go to that fancy dinner and eat food we can’t say and make fun of all the stupid rich people like we wanted to and we are going to have the time of our lives doing it.”

“But you hate being around people when you’re dysphoric,” Remus frowned. “And you were holding yourself weird a second ago, so you probably have cramps too and those make you really cranky. I don’t want you to deal with snobby rich people like that.”

“Nope we’re going,” Janus declared, turning around to face the closet again. “You want to go so we’re going.”

“Jelly Bear your comfort and happiness are more important to me than some stupid dinner,” Remus argued.

“No, I’m not letting my dysphoria and fucking cramps ruin our anniversary.”

“Janus!”

Oh shit. Janus swallowed and turned to face his husband. He was addicted to pet names and nicknames and only used Janus’s actual name when he was serious or during other times. Janus assumed this was the former. Remus had his arms crossed as he glared at Janus impatiently. Yup, Janus was in trouble. Remus sighed and softened. He pulled his sleeve over his hand and held it out for Janus to take which he did after a moment of hesitation.

“Janus you could never ruin anything,” Remus promised. “All I want today is to spend it with you and if that means sitting on the couch and not quite touching while we pretend not to get emotionally invested in trashy movies then so be it.”

“But you were excited to go to this restaurant,” Janus protested weakly. He knew he should fight harder but god that sounded so good right now.

“We can go another time,” Remus said. “There are birthdays and anniversaries and fucking Groundhog day, I don’t know. We don’t even need a reason! You are what’s important to me. You are who I love, not some restaurant where all the waiters where tuxes nicer than the ones we wore for our wedding. Okay?”

Janus couldn’t help it. The nice words, the offer, the way Remus was looking at him? He had to cave. He sighed and picked up Remus’s too large t-shirt he’d thrown on the ground in his search and put it on instead of the dress shirt that he was sure he’d find in the morning once he didn’t need it anymore. Remus squealed and managed to restrain himself, but he squeezed Janus/s hand very enthusiastically.

“What movie do you want to watch?” Remus asked. “Just Like Heaven?”

“Only if you promise not to talk about how hot Mark Ruffalo is the whole movie.”

“I make absolutely no promises.”

#salem writes stuff #sanders sides #sanders sides fic #remus #remus sanders #sanders sides remus #ts remus #janus #sanders sides janus #ts janus #janus sanders #janus x remus #remus x janus #remus x deceit #deceit x duke #deceit x remus #dukeceit #demus #ts demus #romantic demus #romantic dukeceit #fic prompts #writing prompts #writing prompt #prompt #prompts #prompt fill #asks #ask #send me asks

[astrozones]

Lads

Lads

I know we’re all freaking out about the new video

but this is very important

Here we see the amount of fics on ao3 under the dukeceit tag

They would be so proud (Remus especially)

#yeah this aint writing #yell heah #dukeceit #receit #remceit #why are there so many alternate names hh #intruceit #remus sanders #deceit sanders #deceit x remus #deceit x duke #thomas sanders #ao3 #archive of our own #fanfiction #It's Important #crackpost

[winters-romanian-prince]

I NEED REMUS IN THESE N O W OMFG

#remus sanders #roman and remus #ts remus #remus is my lil trash bby #deceit x remus #patton sanders #roman sanders #logan sanders #deceit sanders #deceit x duke #sympathetic deceit #ts deceit #sanders sides virgil #spider virgil #virgil sanders #roman x virgil #thomas sanders #thomas and friends