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scarletwinterxx · 2 months

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your beginning and middle and end - mark lee imagine

hello🥺 sooo this one is a bit longer than my usual posts. think of it as a valentine special. i loved writing this one, i hope you like it too🤍

if you have a request or scenario you want me to do, just send me a message I'll see what I can do😊💌

For my other works you can check them out here, and for my other story series’ you can check them out here.

All works are copyrighted ©scarletwinterxx 2024 . Do not repost, re-write without the permission of author.

(gif not mine, credits to rightful owner)

FEBRUARY 09, 10AM

"That's the fourth date you declined, girl valentines is around the corner" Yun-jin tells you the moment the other guy walked away

"Genuine question, do I need a guy to celebrate it or do I even need to celebrate it?"

"If Valentines has a version of the grinch it would be you"

You laugh at her statement, reading over the small note that was given to you along with a single rose. It was cute, you appreciate the thought but you really didn't want to go out with the dude. You'd rather let them down now than pretend to have fun during a date.

"It's just not my thing" you tell her

"Then what's your thing? Tell me and I will personally look for him"

Looks like luck is on your side because you spot the big clock behind her, your next class about to start.

"Once I know, I'll tell you. I'm gonna be late. Bye" you gather your stuff and rushed out the hall, you can hear her protests making you laugh on your way out.

When you got to your next class, the other students are just arriving. A lot of vacant seats, you choose the one in the middle. You get your notes and laptop out to skim over your notes from the last session.

"Another one?" you hear someone say from behind you making you look up

"Yep, want to read it?" you chuckle, passing the rose over to Mark.

Mark Lee, the boy you sit next to class with. You see him enough around campus to get acquainted. He's friendly, known by many, a poet by heart. And he's also well aware of the failed confessions to you.

The first time you brought a flower to class he didn't say anything, the second time he thought it was from the same person but then the third time it happened right in front of him. He witnessed how you gently turned down the poor lad who was asking you out after handing you a rose.

Mark takes his usual seat beside you before reading the note

"You and Me, on v? huh like Valentines?" he laughs, holding the little card in his hand

"I'd give it a 4 out of 10"

"Ouch, so the lowest one then. I'd say my favorite is still the one about cats" he tells you, passing the rose back to you

Do you like cats? Because I’d like you to take meowt

You remember that one too. You thought it was cringey, but Mark smiled when he read it. You even let him keep the card.

"Do you still have it?" you ask "The card? Oh yea, I drew like little cats all over it. I'm sure it's somewhere in my bag"

"Why? Planning to use it on someone?"

"Yeah right, I think I'd have a bit more game than that" he jokes

"Ha, we'll see about that" you snorted. Missing the way Mark is looking at you with small grin on his face. Trying to be as inconspicuous as he could be.

The two of you might be on good terms but he wouldn't put it past you to reject him too. Since he got to know you, one thing he learned about you is that you're always so sure of yourself. To you, no is a full sentence. You like what you like and say no to what you don't. You're unapologetically you and he likes that.

He's not sure yet whether he likes you or likes you.

"Earth to Mark?" you wave your hand in front of his face, making him break out of his thoughts

"Lost you there, where'd you go" you joke

"Was just thinking about this paper I have due on Tuesday" he says, it's not a total lie. He does have a paper he needs to finish before Valentines day.

"Need help? I have a few works to catch up on too"

"You don't have plans?" he asks, it's like asking if you have a date on Valentines without asking if you have a date on Valentines day.

"Not really no, and if I'm being honest I heard this guy planning to ask about dinner and I'd rather not..."

"Am I... the getaway car?" You chuckle at his question

"I didn't mean to eavesdrop, but if I could avoid it I would. So library or the cafe near campus?"

He looks at you like he's weighing his options, playfully hitting him on the arm making the guy laugh "Cafe it is, I'll see you there?" he says

"It's a date" you grin at him

FEBRUARY 12, 11AM

"It's not"

"You said she said it was" Jungwoo says, looking at Mark who is currently trying to find something to wear. After that little moment with you, Mark made sure to clear up his schedule for that day. Ofcourse Jungwoo being the nosy bestfriend didn't let it pass without making Mark tell the whole story.

"Also if this wasn't a date, why are you freaking out about what to wear? You're just going to study, are you going to study her?"

Mark throws the hoodie at Jungwoo's face before looking through his closet again, "Maybe it was just a slip of tongue. It's Y/N, she rejects everyone who asks her out" Mark says while his head is buried deep in his closet

Jungwoo rolls his eyes at his bestfriend, Mark swears he doesn't like you like that and yet here he is. He only met you a couple of time, Mark introduced you before when he went to give Mark a book he forgot to bring.

"I can think of something else you want her tongue to slip in" he mumbles, "Shut up, don't talk about her like that" Mark stands up straight, looking at the other guy. Jungwoo holds his hands up, "Sorry"

Mark gives him another glare before getting a hoodie inside his closet, "Whatever, I'll just wear this. Should I bring an extra one just in case?"

"Just in case what? You spill something?" Jungwoo jokes

In case she gets cold, Mark thinks to himself.

"Just cause" Mark grumbles, walking back to his closet to get another hoodie then stuffing it inside his backpack.

"You're going to be late, go have fun at your not a date date"

About an hour after that, Mark is waiting for you at the cafe. He got there first and sent you a quick text. After a few minutes, the door chimed making Mark look up.

And that's when you walk in, a bouquet of blue tulips in your grasp. You look around, quickly spotting Mark. You make your way towards him, Mark stands up to pull the chair out for you. Saying a quick thank you then you set your stuff down.

"Sorry I'm late"

"Nah, I'm just early" he tells you, "You uh the guy caught you?" he jokes, pointing at flowers

"Oh these? No, I got them actually like I bought it this morning. Yun-jin forgot to buy milk so I had to go out this morning then I saw these. Here" then you're handing the flowers over to him

When you notice the confused look on his face, you giggle. This made Mark look more confused at what's happening, "What? No one ever gave you flowers?" you joke

"No, it's suppose to be the other way 'round?" he asks but accepts it nonetheless

You shrug, getting your stuff out

"I don't like flowers, main reason why I always say no to those dudes. I appreciate the effort, I do but it's not my style. But I remember you said these are your favorite during our class introductions, so I got them for you" you smile at him, he smiles back.

"Thanks, no like really thank you" he says, this made you chuckle finding the situation cute.

"Okay, back to business. I do have like three agendas to finish today" you tell him, gesturing at the small stack of papers on the table

"I'll buy you a chocolate cupcake if you finish it all" he offers, your face lighting up at the mention of the sweet treat. Mark also remembers something about you during that class intro.

Actually he remembers everything about you and that day. The professor asked everyone to say their name along with two random facts about themselves.

"Hi everyone my name is Y/N, I love chocolate cupcakes and I can recite the graduation speech from Twilight"

That earned a few laughs from the class, and from him. You really did leave an impression on him. As days, weeks and months passed by the two of you got acquainted.

If someone asks (mainly Jungwoo) Mark when was the exact moment he felt different about you, he can't pinpoint the exact moment. It just sort of happened for him. Maybe from all the small gestures you unknowingly do, or how it's easy to talk to you. You just get him.

"Can you make it two?" tilting your head to the side for effect, making Mark laugh and nod his head "You got it"

A few hours later, and a few cups of coffee the two of you finally finish. Mark actually finished his paper an hour ago but you weren't done with the last module you had to do,

"Are you done? Am I making you wait?" you ask, noticing he stopped doing anything and was just looking at you

"Huh? Oh uh yea, but don't worry about it. I can wait" he tells you with a smile

"You sure? I'm almost done"

"Don't rush it, I'll still buy you the cupcakes" he tells you, you shoot him a smile before going back to work. Meanwhile Mark goes to the front of the store to get you your cupcakes.

You didn't even notice he stood up, focusing on saving the file before sending the final file to your professor.

"And done! Mark?" you look up only to find the seat infront of you empty. You spot him over the counter, choosing to wait and tidy your things in the mean time.

"Hey, you done?" he asks when he got back to your table

"Mhm, finally. Sorry for taking up your whole afternoon"

"No worries, I finished my work too and I enjoyed your company. And as promised, here's your cupcakes" Mark then opens the box, he might as well presented you with a pot of gold with the way you're grinning from ear to ear. Your joy radiating, making him smile too.

"For me?" you asked, he nods his head

"These are the chocolate ones, I got two. The others are their best sellers, then this one I just thought you might like" he points at the cupcake with heart sprinkles on it.

You laugh, getting the box from him "Okay fine, I believe you. You definitely how to make a girl say yes"

He shakes his head, suddenly feeling shy "Believe me I'm not an expert when it comes to girls" he mumbles

"No, but you got this type of vibe about you you know" you tell him, getting one cupcake from the box

"What vibe?"

"You know like someone could've been in love with you for ten years without you knowing, a classic case of unrequited love but not in a mean way you just don't really know. It's the way you see the world, it's always nice, forgiving, full of chances. You see meaning even in little things. You got this boyish charm about you, the kind that girls would pick over their fictional boyfriends. You're better than any guy written by anyone" you tell him not noticing the way he's just staring at you

"I follow you on your socials, it's cute when you take pictures of the moon or the sky. Makes me remember to take a breath and be in the moment every once in a while"

He don't say anything, still processing what you said. He has never heard himself be described that way, atleast not to his face but he doubts anyone can be as eloquent as you.

"Can I ask you something?" he finally finds his voice, you nod at him

"Why do you say no to all the boys who ask you out? besides the cringey one liners and flowers"

You chuckle, "Because I know me. All of them would've just ended one way or another. I know what I want, what I like. I like a guy I can have an actual conversation with from philosophical point of views to something so random. Someone that makes it feel easy to talk and listen to"

"Do you know how hard it is to control my expression when I'm in public? Yun-jin said my face is too judgy" you jokingly add "I'm an open book if you know how to read it exactly, if that makes sense"

"No, I totally get it. You're not complicated or hard to get, they just don't know how to. You deserve more effort than that" he tells you

"See, that's what I'm talking about. If you keep on doing that I'm gonna be the one asking you out" you tease him, the guy across you laughing. Trying to hide his blushing cheeks and fluttering heart.

The two of you talked some more before he offered to walk you home. It's almost sunset when Mark got back to his place,

"And he's back, how was the date?" Jungwoo shouts from somewhere inside. Mark spots him lounging on the couch, taking a seat beside him with the bouquet of flowers on his lap

"You got rejected too?" Jungwoo asks and Mark just shakes head

"Did you forget to give it? Got too shy? I'm pretty sure you're suppose to give it to the girl not take it back home"

"I didn't get it, I mean I got it but I got it from her. She bought me these" Mark clarifies, taking the bouquet to look at it again,

Jungwoo looks back and forth between Mark and the flowers, "Let me get this straight, the girl whose notorious for turning down guys who gives her flowers gave you flowers on your not a date date?"

Mark just stares back at his bestfriend because honestly it doesn't make sense to him too.

"Homegirl got more game than you" Jungwoo says with a chuckle

"She said she remembered I said these were my favorite. I mentioned it once during freshmen orientation week and she remembered"

"Oh my god, he's in love" Jungwoo laughs

"And you know, I gave her cupcakes and she got so happy I actually thought about signing up for baking classes" Mark grumbles, setting the flowers on the coffee table before taking a thrown pillow to bury his face in.

Jungwoo watches his bestfriend realized what he's known for a while now. Mark likes you. He just never said it. It's Mark. He thinks everyone is nice, most time he overlooks the nice gestures of other girls to him thinking it's normal when in reality they were trying to get his attention.

"Oh. This must be serious then. You don't even know how to cook"

"Yeah I know! Like I know I like her, I didn't know I like her." it felt surreal finally admitting it out loud.

"So you do like her? like like her"

"I think?"

"It's a yes or no"

"No, I don't"

"You got him flowers"

Meanwhile back at your dorm, Yun-jin is also interrogating you. You just finished giving her a recap of your day, she was half listening half watching her show when you suddenly mentioned you got flowers for Mark

"Just because I got him flowers don't mean I like him, I just remembered it was his favorite" you shrug, trying to not make a big deal out of it.

"What's my favorite flower?" she asks, you blink back at her coming up with a blank answer

"See! Oh my gosh, my baby girl is growing up" she dramatically hugs you

"Was that weird? That I gave him flowers?"

"No, it's the 21st century. Guys can get flowers too"

"He got me cupcakes too" you mumble, looking at the box on the table.

Yun-jin watches you, smiling to herself. She's with you twenty four seven and she's never seen you like this. There are a few times she's seen you on campus with Mark, you always smile whenever he's around. Choosing not to push further, she gives the topic a rest and changing it to something else

"So what are you doing for valentines? because if you're free I know this dude who's free also-" "Actually Mark and I are hanging out again" you cut her off

"You're spending valentines with Mark?"

"Yea, so uhm actually I'm gonna call it a night. I have classes in the morning, we're meeting again around lunch. Night" then you're making a beeline towards your bedroom.

FEBRUARY 14, 10AM

Come Valentines day. Yun-jin thinks you're out with Mark while the boy is completely unaware he's being mentioned.

Choosing a place you know Yun-jin won't find you, you stayed at the farthest lounge area after class. Most students won't even walk all the way here since it's a long way going back and forth.

Finding a spot to sit on, you spot someone sitting alone on one the benches

"Mark?"

The boy looks up, immediately smiling when he sees it's you

"Hey, you. What are you doing here?" he asks, getting his stuff from the seat beside him to make room for you. Putting your stuff on the table before taking the seat beside him

"I just finished for the day, and currently hiding from Yun-jin"

He chuckles, "Why?"

"She's trying to set me up with a blind date so I pretended I had plans" leaving out the part he was mentioned

"You don't have plans?" he asks, giving himself a pat on the back for not sounding too nervous

You shake your head, "I have something to say though, I might have told her I had plans... with you"

Mark just looks at you, feeling shy under his gaze you look away.

"With me?"

"Yea, sorry. You don't have to stay though if you have plans don't worry about it. Go enjoy your valentines day" you told him a bit too energetic than you intended.

Then he smiles, Mark smiles at you like he's keeping a secret he can't wait to tell.

"What?"

"I don't have plans, I was going to ask if you had plans yesterday but I didn't want to overstep"

"What do you mean? You're just asking" you smile back at him, "Did you think I was going to say no like always? Oh my gosh I swear I'm not as heartless. I wasn't-"

"No no no, of course I didn't think that. I mean I don't think you're heartless" he pauses to collect his thought because right now words are flying out faster than he can think of them.

And if he got one chance at this, he'll make sure to do it right the first time.

Then you start speaking again, surprising Mark once again with your words

"Yun-jin said I smile a lot when I'm with you, now that I think about it I think I do. It's just you're easy to be with, and I feel relaxed like I can talk to you about anything and you listen. It's also so fun to listen to your stories, especially when you get this animated look on your face. And when you laugh before you can even say the joke. Am I rambling, sorry I'm rambling"

He takes your hand, holding it in his. Testing the waters to see how you'll react. When you don't pull away, he gets a card out from his notebook. Then he hands it over to you,

Today we are obliged to be romantic And think of yet another Valentine. We know the rules, and we are both pedantic. Today’s the day we have to be romantic. Our love is old and sure, not new and frantic. You know I’m yours, and I know you are mine. And saying that has made me feel romantic, My dearest love, my darling valentine.

You read the note carefully, a smile slowly forming on your face while Mark watches you. When the thinks you finish it, he speaks up

"I read that, and I thought about you. You're worth more than a one liner, more than a single flower. You deserve poems to be written about you, gardens to walk through with the prettiest flowers"

You playfully hit him, reading the card again before putting it in your bag for safe keeping

"I love it, thank you. Now I feel bad I got you nothing"

"It's okay, I didn't even know I was going to give it to you. I was ready to just hide it in my bag for the rest of time" he admits

"Why? It's so nice though"

"Yea but I don't want to make you feel uncomfortable"

"I appreciate it really. Out of all the notes I received, I'll keep this one"

At that he smiles.

Like how the story began, with one liner notes and a single flower, who knew you'd find a friend and now something more. Mark is someone you didn't expect you'd have something romantic with especially since you're not really looking for it but it makes sense that you'd end up with him. He makes your days brighter, it's like he bring everything that is good into your world.

When you said he's the kind of guy who beats every fictional character, it's true because he gave you something better than a fairytale; a reality worth living in.

And yes spoiler, you do end up with him. The story ends with you and him. Spending all of your valentines together.

end.

#fic #story #tags #nct #nct imagine #nct scenario #nct au #nct fluff #nct boyfriend #nct mark #mark lee #mark lee fluff #mark lee scenario #mark lee oneshot #mark lee imagine

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hockeylovee12 · 2 months

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Anyone But Him

Prologue-Discontinued Version

Jack Hughes/Original Character

Summary: The day Luke Hughes has been waiting years for finally arrives-Draft Day, little does he know this day will bring a new beginning for more than just him.

WARNINGS: Underage Drinking, mentions of death of a parent

A/N: I'm gonna be so honest I'm not sure if this classifies as a prologue because I couldn't give you the definition of one, but I had already planned out all my chapters when I decided to add this so now it's called a prologue. I have posted previous versions of a story entitled Anyone But Him on this tumblr but I have spent the last few months deciding I want to rewrite it. The previous versions will not be deleted but I will not be continuing them either. Starting from this chapter will be the series I will be writing from. Also I’m aware Luke was drafted in July not June because of Covid but for this story Covid did not happen, but the draft was still switched to a remote version due to something else. This is also posted on AO3 and I hope you enjoy it!

June 20th, 2021, Draft Day

The walls surrounding the spacious living room in Canton, Michigan owned by Ellen and Jim Hughes, appear to vibrate with a mixture of excitement and anticipation as a large crowd of familiar faces gather inside the space, their voices laced with emotion as they eagerly whisper predictions and hopes for the upcoming moment.

Along the edges of the room, a camera crew stands silently, capturing this important moment. Their lenses remain focused on the nervous faces, surrounding the large television.

At the center of attention, 17-year-old Luke Hughes sits rigidly on the edge of his seat, his navy blue suit stretching across his broad shoulders and tall frame.

As he watches the numbers on the television continue to descend, counting down to the next draft pick, his heart relentlessly thumps against his ribcage and his fingers begin to tremble uncontrollably, betraying his conscious efforts at appearing calm.

To the right of him, his oldest brother Quinn-the one he’s idolized for years-sits his posture impeccable as his fingers move his dark brown hair away from his face. Quinn silently offers a nod, a small gesture of reassurance, in an attempt to ease his youngest brother's nerves.

On the other side of Luke, his brother Jack, remains calm and collected, his body leaning comfortably against the back of the couch, as he allows a playful grin to curl at the corner of his mouth as if to say “Been there, Done that”

They’ve been through this before, not in this exact space, but the same anticipation, same nervousness, of waiting to hear your name called, to find out if all the work, all the late-night practices, all the hours you spent watching the same plays over and over again, if all of it was enough to make it to the NHL.

Quinn had endured this waiting game in 2018, as the Canucks 7th overall pick, and Jack-who had a much shorter waiting period being first overall- felt the same nerves, up until the moment the New Jersey Devils announced his name, and now it’s Luke’s turn.

The waiting is almost suffocating as the numbers continue winding down. The fourth pick would be chosen soon, a pick held by the Devils.

Luke turns his head to the space next to Quinn, where the gorgeous girl with light brown hair and a flowy blue dress, is perched on the edge of her seat, her blue eyes glued to the screen with unwavering focus and concentration. His gaze lingers there for a moment longer, his heart fluttering with a feeling he can’t quite name yet. It’s the same girl who knows nearly everything about him, the one who’s shown up to every single one of his games for the past five years, the one who’s spent more nights in his bed than he could count, the one who sees him as as more than just a friend, the one that sees him as a brother. It’s Sadie, his best friend.

His eyes flutter to the conjoining side of the couch where his mother Ellen and grandmother Penny are seated, their hands clasped tightly together and their eyes beaming with a mixture of pride and anxiety.

On the other side of Jack, Jim, their father, and his younger brother Marty, share a tense posture from two armchairs, strategically placed next to the couch, their shoulders stiff with anticipation.

The coffee table in front of Luke is adorned with an array of hats each proudly representing a different NHL team. Luke nervously fiddles with his tie, his fingers itching to pick one up, to claim it as his own, to write his own future. But Not yet, Not until his name is called.

Luke stares at the hats, their colors blurring as his thoughts race. This moment was more than just a personal milestone, this was his whole life, everything he has worked for since he was two years old, everything his family has worked for, his coaches, his teammates, every game, every win, every loss, all of it has led to this moment. His moment.

The final seconds on the screen wind down, and the crowded room falls into a hushed silence, every eye trained on the screen as Tom Fitzgerald, the General Manager for the New Jersey Devils, approaches the podium.

Luke feels an invisible sting tugging at his spine, pulling him upright, and every muscle in his body begins to coil, prepapering to spring or recoil-whichever fate decides. The pulse in his throat hums, a silent prayer escaping through his clenched teeth, while the rest of the room, a mirror of anticipation, holds its breath.

“With the fourth overall pick the New Jersey Devils are proud to select…from the USA National Development Program…Luke Hughes”

The words hang in the air suspended for a moment, before reality sets in and the room erupts into chaos, a mixture of cheers and applause filling the room.

Jack, unable to contain his excitement after learning his baby brother was drafted by his team, practically tackles Luke in a bear hug, his joy contagious, as Quinn wraps both his brothers in a tight hug, congratulating Luke.

Sadie stands beside him, her own smile beaming with pride and joy “The Devils!” she exclaims with a joyful laugh, as Luke turns to hug her tightly.

Deafening cheers continue to erupt as Luke’s arms squeeze tightly around each member of his family.

The TV in the background buzzes with commentary from the draft analysis. Their voices blend together with excitement “...and there you have it folks, Luke Hughes, will be joining his brother Jack in the NHL, what an incredible moment for the Hughes family…”

Luke’s eyes briefly flicker to the screen as one commentator adds, “...and let’s not forget, Luke is already committed to the University of Michigan, like his brother Quinn. What a powerhouse program they’re building there. He’s going to make quite the impact in the NCAA before he takes the ice in the NHL.”

He turns his eyes back towards Sadie, a mixture of excitement rising inside him, at the reminder, he gets to go to his dream school, with his best friend. He watches Sadie tightly embrace his mom, tears of joy streaming down both their faces, as Jack reaches down to pick up a red hat with the iconic Devils logo, and hands it to Luke, who places it on his head. He made it.

***

About an hour later the initial excitement and shock had begun to dispute, Luke had finally finished the whirlwind of interviews he found himself in, and he’s able to join the lively party taking place in the backyard courtesy of his parents.

As he steps outside he’s met with a mixture of chaos and excitement. The nearly 70 people that were previously crowding inside the living room, had all spilled out into the backyard.

The scent of fresh pizza mingled with the tang of barbecue sauce-an elite combination-accompanied by laughter, chatter and loud music coming from the speakers, fill the outside air.

Luke maneuvers his way through the crowd of people, exchanging hugs, and fist bumps with friends and family, until he arrives at the barbecue area where a group of his friends are standing.

He grabs a paper plate from a nearby stack and selects a piece of pepperoni pizza, before standing to the side of the group and listening in, a tap on his shoulder pulls him from his thoughts.

He turns around to see Sadie standing there with a smile plastered across her face.

“Congratulations!” Sadie exclaims, pulling him into a tight hug.

Luke lets his arms rest around her small waist for a moment longer, the feeling of his heart fluttering returning.

“Thanks Sades,” Luke replies grinning from ear to ear “I couldn’t have done it without you”

Sadie playfully rolls her eyes before replying with a smirk “Oh please, you would’ve made it either way”

Luke shares a similar smirk before countering “Nuh uh I think showing up to my games was crucial to my success. Kinda like having my own personal cheerleader”

Sadie laughs and narrows her eyes in his direction, delivering a playful threat “Watch it Lukey, You know I’ll push you into pool if I need too”

The two exchange a look, a look only readable by them as a result of several years of friendship.

The moment is interrupted by one of their friends Michael, a friend from high school, inviting them into the lively debate over the ultimate question of which pizza topping reigns supreme “Luke, Sadie help us settle this, which is better pepperoni or sausage?”

“Definitely pepperoni” Luke declares with no hesitation

Michael shakes his head in disagreement, before continuing the conversation “None of you have taste buds!” he claims.

A wave of laughter washes over the group, when Luke hears a voice call his name “Hey Hughes!”

He turns around to see his close friend Chase effortlessly weaving his way through the crowd to reach him.

Luke takes a few steps closer to Chase, slightly distancing himself from the group. “Chase, hey man” Luke greets with a casual nod

With a mischievous glint in his eye, Chase leans in closer to Luke and directs his gaze towards Sadie, “Alright spill it,” Chase begins lowering his voice despite the noise around them “Have you talked to Sadie yet?”

Luke Adam’s apple bobs as he swallows hard, his gaze instinctively seeking out the girl in question, who was now energetically tossing her hands up, defending her love for pineapple on pizza.

“Yeah, I’ve…talked to her” Luke sheepishly responds. It’s not entirely a lie-he did talk to her about the draft-but that’s not what Chase was asking.

“You know what I mean, about how you feel?” Chase presses his simple question speaking volumes to the complex feelings that stirred within him.

Chase was one of the few people that knew how Luke felt about Sadie, beyond their platonic relationship, and he only found out after their senior prom prior, when Luke had planned on taking Sadie, as friends-at least that’s what he told her-but their plans fell short, when another guy asked Sadie, leaving Luke somewhat heartbroken, although he wasn’t quiet sure why. Chase on the other hand, quickly put the pieces together, and has been trying to offer encouragement ever since.

“No” Luke confesses, tugging at the collar of his shirt, suddenly feeling suffocated by the formality of it. “I haven’t said anything, we’ll both be at Michigan come fall and I just I just don’t wanna mess up a good thing you know”

Luke was more than happy to use the excuse of Michigan to end this conversation, because it was true, Luke didn’t need to worry about it now, They still have at least two years ahead of them, it was plenty of time for him to figure out his feelings.

Chase claps him on the shoulder, a gesture heavy with unvoiced understanding “Well I guess you got time, just don’t wait too long for someone else to swoop her up, cus she’s a catch” he says a hint of encouragement and teasing threading through his tone “And hey now that you’re a first-round NHL pick, anythings possible right”

“Right,” Luke repeats, reassured by the simplicity in Chase’s logic. Anything is possible, including finally telling Sadie about the way his heart speeds up whenever she’s around or how he wishes more than anything he could lean over and kiss her.

But not today. Today is a day for celebration. The other stuff well that can wait.

***

The evening sky continues to paint a canvas of deep blues and purples as laughter mingles with the fading daylight. Luke’s hand is still tingling from the countless handshakes and high fives he’s given through the night, when Jack’s teasing voice cuts through the noise.

“Hey Moosey, come here” Jack beckons flashing a mischievous grin, well this ought be fun, Luke thinks as he walks closer toward his brother, and now future teammate.

Quinn appears beside Jack, nodding in agreement, a silent partner in whatever scheme Jack has planned.

Quinn wraps an arm around Luke’s shoulder and steers him through the crowd towards a more secluded area.

Once their feet are planted in an area, out of sight from the majority of the guests, Quinn being the only one of the three who could legally drink, reaches behind a plant, and pulls out three bottles of beer, which he had snuck from the drink station a few minutes prior.

Jack and Luke exchange a look-the kind shared by siblings who knew all too well the tale of bending a few rules.

“Seriously” Luke raises an eyebrow glancing at Quinn.

Despite prior accusations, typically coming from their mom or dad, Quinn was not accustomed to sneaking alcohol for his youngest brother, seeing as how Quinn still sees him as the baby of the family.

Jack on the other hand, had no issues, flashing a compelling smile, towards the pretty girl, who works weekends at a nearby liquor store, in exchange for her ‘forgetting’ to check his ID, allowing Jack to successfully buy a bottle or two for his younger brother.

“Only because it’s your night,” Quinn says, the corners of his mouth twitching with suppressed amusement.

Jack checks over his shoulder before passing one bottle to Luke “Don’t worry, I’ll take the fall if mom catches us” Jack assures knowing Ellen and Jim would not be too pleased to find Quinn drinking, let alone all three of them, especially considering the legality of it.

Luke wraps his fingers around the cold bottle, and pops the cap off, a fizzing sound erupting.

“Consider this like a rite of passage” Jack says his voice low but warm, as he raises his bottle towards the middle of the three brothers, a clicking sound occurring as Luke and Quinn do the same.

Luke brings the beer to his lips, the taste of bitterness and roasted barley trickling on his taste buds.

“Thanks guys” Luke murmurs, receiving a nod in response.

The backyard behind them, echos with music, but in their bubble it’s just the three of them.

After a few more sips, private words and laughs are exchanged, Luke rejoins the party, weaving through the backyard.

***

Two hours pass by, and the party begins to slowly disperse. Luke navigates his way through the thinning crowd of people, his mind seeking a moment of solitude as the noise and energy surrounding him starts to blur.

“Luke! A photo?”

“Congrats again man!”

“Can’t wait to see you play”

The voices bounce around him, well-meaning but overwhelming. Finally he reaches the sliding doors leading to the kitchen, and slips inside to the quiet, deserted space.

Luke, stands alone, leaning against the cool countertops, closing his eyes as he lets out a measure breath. His only company the hum of the refrigerator and his thoughts.

The events throughout the night play like a movie inside his head, leading to the return of Chase’s question. Sadie’s image flickers behind his closed eyelids, and a smile tugs at his lips as he imagines the possibility of a future with Sadie, a future where they’re more than just friends.

The soft padding of footsteps interrupt his thoughts as he opens his eyes to find Sadie, walking towards him, her dress swaying gently as she moves.

“Hey” She says, her voice a calm achor in the sea of festivities

“Hey Luke replies, the previous tension in his shoulders easing just a touch “Crazy out there huh”

“Yeah, you’re family knows how to throw a party” she agrees, her gaze lingering on him with a platonic concern “You holding up ok?”

“Ya just needed a breather” Luke responds with a smile

“Me too” Sadie chuckles before leaning against the counter next to him.

“It looks like things are starting to wind down a bit” Sadie gestures with a nod towards the now less crowded backyard.

“Yeah” Luke agrees his eyes fixated on her “Want to crash here tonight?” Luke offers the same way he’s done so, many times before

Sadie hesitates, her eyes wandering around the kitchen. Her lips part, ready to speak, “I don’t think I can, I came with my dad” Sadie tells him

“Gotcha” Luke nods, understanding flashing in his eyes. A figure appears near the entrance of the kitchen. It’s Sadie’s dad, David.

Sadie and Luke move closer together, Sadie’s arm momentarily brushing against Luke’s as Sadie’s father approaches them.

“Great party, Luke and congratulations again,” David says, offering a firm handshake, that Luke returns.

“Thank you for coming Mr. Howe” Luke replies his tone genuine

The three engage in some polite small talk, the conversation light and familiar, as David is a good friend of Luke’s parents.

“How are things going at the station?” Luke asks

“They’re going well, although we have had some crazy calls about teenagers getting into some trouble, I hope you two are staying safe?” He replies

“Of course Dad” Sadie answers

As the conversation continues, several people make their way through the living room, making their departure from the party.

“I think we should head home, Sadie” David says glancing between his daughter and her best friend

“Right” Sadie agrees, a small speckle of reluctance shown in her posture.

“I’ll see you soon Sades” Luke says, his voice tingling with a hint of sadness, as the three make their way towards the entry of the home.

“Definitely” Sadie promises her smile bittersweet as she follows her dad out the door.

Luke returns to the kitchen, the house feeling slightly emptier. He stares at the space Sadie, previously occupied, and exhales slowly. He has time.

***

Sadie enters her house the sound of the closing door, echoing softly behind her. She climbs the stairs, each step deliberate. Finally reaching the top she makes her way to her room, flicking te lights on, and quietly closing the door behind her.

She begins stripping off the baby blue dress and heels, that have been torturing her feet for the last several hours, and replaces them with a pair of comfy sweatpants, an oversized sweatshirt and her fluffy blue slippers.

She stands in front of her mirror, removing each piece of jewelry, from the dainty earrings to the statement bracelet with a large S and the multiple rings. The only exception being her gold necklace with a delicate chain and a pendant bearing the words ‘one in a million’ a precious gift from her late mother, that she never takes off.

She moves towards her desk to put her jewlery away, carefully placing each piece back in their designated spots, when a large white envelope catches her eye.

It’s addressed to her, from Rutgers University.

A school she has dreamed of attending since she was a little girl, her mothers school.

Sadie’s fingers tremble as she reaches down to pick up the envelope. A few weeks ago, she applied on a whim to the school, never thinking she would actually get in.

She moves to her bed, taking a seat on the edge and taking a deep breath, before tearing open the seal and eagerly pulling the contents out.

She scans through the words on the paper. “I got in” she whispers

“I GOT IN!” she repeats her voice raising loud enough to be heard through her closed door

“Sadie?” her dad asks the door still shut

Sadie practically leaps off her bed, the letter clutched tightly to her chest as she opens the door.

“Dad I got in! I got into Rutgers!” She exclaims, practically shoving the papers into her dads face.

Her dad softly removes the papers from her hand, reading through each word.

“You got in! Sadie I’m so proud of you” Her dad announces his tone genuine, as he wraps his daughter in a hug.

A surge of accomplishment floods through her body, mixed with a pang of sadness. She had always dreamed of going to this college, but now all she could think about was how much her mom would have loved to see this moment.

“Sades?” Her dad asks his voice ringing with parental concern

“Ya sorry” She replies, shaking her head slightly

“How about I make us ice cream sundaes to celebrate?” Her dad suggests a beloved tradition made up by the two a few years back.

“Ya that sounds good, I’ll be there in a second” Sadie says watching as her dad walks out of her room.

Sadie takes a seat on her bed, unable to shake the feeling that something else is missing. Sadie's gaze falls to the photos displayed on her nightstand. The one of her mom and the one of Luke and her side by side. staring at her nightstand, the picture of her mom.

That’s when it hits her-Luke thinks they’re going to Michigan together.

A/N: I hope you enjoyed! Feel free to send me any comments or feedback! Updates will be rather slow because I have a lot of school work but the first chapter should be coming soon.

#luke hughes #nj devils #jack hughes #hughes brothers #original story #original character #original fiction #ANYONE BUT HIM

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chrissymorgan9700 · 9 months

Text

Once I Called You Lover

Luigi franticly palmed his way through the unusually darkened Koopa Kingdom and toward Koopa Castle, determined to see the king, plague of darkness be damned. Potholes the size of washtubs pitted the ground around him, nearly causing him to trip over as he grew ever closer to his destination.

Bowser was going to listen to him this time, he will make sure of it!

He just had to.

There was too much at stake if he refused now.

For him and Luigi both.

He sighed as he felt his way towards the main gate. The Koopa guards had long abandoned their posts when the fourth plague came in the form of a swarm of flopters, so there was no fear of being stopped for trespassing. Luigi knelt down and felt around the ground before finding an abandoned torch before venturing closer to the lava moat and dipping one end, lighting it. Though the darkness still obscured his view, the glow of the lava moat and his new torch allowed him to make out the extensive damage the castle took from the bob-omb sized balls of fiery hailstones from two plagues back. Chunks of obsidian stone were missing from the castle's battlements, dashed to pieces by the fiery balls of ice. Stone statues of the gargantuan Koopa we're missing limbs if not completely smashed all together. As he turned his gaze from the building, he felt his heart constrict with sympathy. Whatever damage Bowser's castle had sustained was nothing compared to the absolute devastation that his citizens' homes endured. The few he was able to see had irreparable damage, ranging from nearly being burnt to the ground to being almost crushed by an giant hailstone, or both. Many of the citizens who lost their homes had to take shelter in one of their gaming arenas, leaving the streets completely empty.

So much destruction. And for what?

He placed a hand over his face before taking a shuddering breath.

How did it come to this? He thought to himself.

What was supposed to be a simple plumbing job with Mario to "save Brooklyn" had turned into a few months of a dream turned waking nightmare. And all because of a certain king whose selfishness was going to get others even more hurt.

Including himself.

Suddenly, the castle gates were opened, causing the timid man to jump. He looked down as Kamek, the royal Magickoopa and one of Bowser's closest advisors, glared at him through his thick coke-bottle glasses.

"What do you want?" He sneered, his beak turned up in a snarl.

"I... I need to speak with Bowser," Luigi stammered, holding the light closer to himself.

Kamek scoffed, "Oh, do you now? What else could you possibly have to say, hmm? What? Was turning our only water supply into lava not enough? What about the frogs? Or our moo-moos dying? Hmm, maybe when you gave everyone shellpox?"

"Kamek-"

"Oh wait, maybe it was last time when the swaphoppers destroyed the rest of our crops after the flying balls of fiery hail burnt most of it to a crisp?"

" C'mon-"

"Let's not forget about the skeeters and flopters! Although, I might be speaking to someone else entirely, considering it's so dark here lately, I haven't been able to see my own beak in front of my face!"

Luigi went silent for a moment. He couldn't blame the elderly mage in the slightest for his anger. But the more time he spent with Kamek, the more time was running out.

"Please, Kamek," Luigi begged, "He needs to hear this. If he doesn't, this next plague will destroy us!"

Kamek paused.

He very well knew what Luigi meant by "us".

He growled.

"I swear, if any harm comes to my grandson-"

"That is what I'm trying to prevent!"

Kamek stared at the young human. When he first arrived in the Darklands, his son had just finished conquering almost all of the known kingdoms after Princess Peach rejected his marriage proposal for the last time and fled to Sarasaland, which was currently under siege. He remembered the way that Bowser's obsession of the Princess seemed to melt away in an instant after locking eyes with this green plumber. The two of them connected in a way that he had never seen before, and he could see just how much his very presence brought out the best in him. He was able to make him laugh (and a real laugh, not the hollow-sounding cackle that he adopted during his conquest), he would stay in the library and learn everything that he could about Koopa culture in order to better understand the things that Bowser held near and dear to him.

But what had really won him over was the way Luigi bonded with the Crown Prince.

If Bowser was in love with Luigi, then Junior seemed to worship the ground he walked on. Every waking moment of the day, Junior wanted to spend it with the green clad man, no matter how boring the task. And who could blame him? In the few times that Bowser kidnapped the princess, Peach would sulk in her room and refuse to let anyone inside, even to give her meals. And though she was never cruel to the poor boy (at least not intentionally) the few interactions she did allow were filled with an apathy so palpable that after a while, Junior stopped asking for her altogether.

But then Luigi arrived.

Soon, the halls were filled with the little prince's laughter as the two of them drew together, played video games, went karting around the castle courtyard, and baked delicious treats together. And with the happiness of the prince, the king's happiness was doubled.

Happiness that the scrawny human brought.

It wasn't very long until Bowser was writing love poems and ballads dedicated to literally sing his praises and three months in, he had commissioned an engagement ring for him.

What a shame that it didn't last.

Without another word, he opened the door wider for his supposed-to-be son-in-law to let him in.

"Thank you." Luigi whispered. The elder nodded his head as he passed, but not before calling his name.

"Luigi."

The green plumber turned around to face the elderly Koopa once more. The weariness from the plagues caused him to slouch and lean against the heavy door.

"Convince him. I don't know how much more of this we can take."

With a nod, Luigi ventured further into the castle, the atrium growing darker as he carried the torch inside.

Luigi breathed in the familiar scent of smoke and brimstone that permeated the castle, his heart aching. This was his home. All he had ever wanted was right here. The man of his dreams, a child to call his own. Everything that his heart desired was right inside this castle.

But the ends can't justify the means.

In the absence of the normal hustle and bustle that used to echo in these halls, the sound of a mournful piano concerto filled the air.

Bowser.

Following the sound, he walked the empty halls as memory after memory played like a broken record in his mind.

The awkward first meeting, when the Koopa spun him around in an attempt to interrogate him.

The room he was given after staying in the dungeon for all of 30 minutes before the little prince came and broke him out in order to play with him.

Their talks in the library.

The first dinner date where they talked long into the night and into the next morning.

Bonding with Junior.

Their first kiss.

The proposal.

The night they shared after.

He stopped outside the music room door, the piece nearing its end as he tried to quietly open the door to not disturb him right away. Bowser poured his heart out over the music willing the plumber to both stay rooted to his spot on the floor and to run into his arms as the crescendo rang out of the instrument and slowly began to fade, much to his dismay.

"Bravo, mio Re. Bravissimo." Luigi whispered.

The Koopa king was startled, his claws causing the piano to create a cacophony of mixed up notes. Luigi had ended up right at the base of the floating stage. He growled as he caught sight of his former lover.

"Oh, let me guess. Greenie wants me to 'let the kingdoms go'?" Bowser spoke, sarcasm lacing his words.

In the poor light, Luigi was still able to make out the king's hulking frame as he hunched over the piano keys. A golden goblet sat right on top of the piano as he paused to take a gulp from it.

"I... I was hoping to find you here."

"Get out!" He barked, chucking the half-full goblet at the voice.

Luigi quickly dodged as the cup shattered on the floor next to him, the sheer force behind that throw causing a dent in the obsidian stone floor.

"Bowser, we need to talk."

He slowly inched his way closer to the piano before Bowser let out another snarl.

"Oh really? What else do we need to talk about that we didn't discuss the last nine times you were here?"

With a heave, he got up from the piano bench and stomped past him, nearly toppling Luigi over with his spiked tail.

"Now leave. And don't let the door hit you on the way out."

Luigi breathed out a sigh as he tried to keep up with the fleeing Koopa, his gigantic strides causing him to jog to the throne room after him, torch in hand like he was in the opening ceremony for the Olympic games.

If it weren't for the situation, Luigi would have chuckled at himself.

Bowser, meanwhile, was getting agitated. The green man was the one person he most definitely didn't want to see right now. Or ever again, for that matter.

Liar. His heart seemed to reply.

He finally got to the throne room doors and tried to quickly open and close it before Luigi could follow him in. He didn't care if the room would be pitch dark. In fact, he would actually prefer it at the moment. But the presence of a tiny glow of firelight that lit up the dark room made him aware that his efforts of keeping him away were in vain. Luigi had already found a fire pit nearby and threw his torch into it, lighting the pit into flames for the both of them to see each other better.

With a defeated sigh, he stumbled his way towards the throne, slouching and folding his arms with a pout. It took all of Luigi's willpower to not just go up there and kiss that pout away, just like they used to, but there was too much at stake now.

"Well? Get on with it! Tell me how awful I am and how I am such a monster." Bowser interrupted his thoughts.

The human glanced at the Koopa, a hurt expression on his face.

"You're not a monster."

Bowser scoffed.

"Oh really? Then why did you leave, huh? I get the fact that you would have been startled by my plans for world domination, but to up and leave like that?"

Startled? Luigi thought, That was an understatement.

"Did you know that I had to try and explain to Junior why his Mama was missing? Why every time I looked for you, I could never find you? He was crying every night for two weeks straight!"

Luigi was stricken dumb as his heart sank. He never intended to hurt the little prince. Junior might as well be his own heart, he loved that little boy as if he was his own.

And that's why I got to convince him!

"I-"

"And then, you just decide to show up after abandoning us!"

"I didn't -"

"And then-

"WILL YOU JUST LET ME TALK?!"

Bowser jumped in shock, shutting up immediately. No matter how angry he was, Luigi had never yelled at him like that.

He didn't know whether to be scared, pissed, or aroused.

And he didn't know which one he wanted to feel more.

"Bowser, we both know there is no other option. Your people are suffering; the plagues are not going to stop unless you do what's right and let the other kingdoms go."

And... The feeling's gone.

Bowser huffed at that.

"If that is all you have to say, then you might as well see yourself out. I'll take my chances with the plagues."

Luigi growled in frustration. If he had the power to yank this Koopa around and shake him until he had some common sense, he most absolutely would.

"Stars! Why must you act like such a-"

"Like a what?! Go on, say it!"

After a moment of silence, Bowser huffed again, deciding to be petty.

"Well, at least I am not someone's pawn!"

Luigi felt his blood boil at that.

"You take that back!"

"Why?" Bowser sneered, " Does the truth hurt?"

"At least I actually care about what happens to your citizens! You're so willing to let your people get hurt 'cause of what?! Some... stupid sense of pride?!"

"Do you think I like this?! That I like to see the people I love so much suffering?!"

"Then why don't you just let the other kingdoms go, tu... tu esasperante tartaruga?!"

"Because I will not allow myself to be weak again!"

Luigi was stunned into silence. Bowser slumped back onto his throne, emotionally exhausted. It was no secret that Bowser was a very passionate king. It was regarded as his best (and worst) quality, as Princess Peach had attested when he ran to Sarasaland. His love was just as deep and consuming as his rage and both resulted in something breaking.

Or someone.

Luigi sighed. This was getting nowhere, like the other nine times. Suddenly, he had an idea.

"Why don't we just...talk?"

Bowser did not reply, avoiding eye contact with him.

"No arguments, no fighting, just a regular conversation."

Silence. Bowser was not going to budge, not one bit.

Nope.

Not by a long shot.

Let him stew in his-

"I'm sorry for not saying goodbye."

Bowser looked up at that. The plumber stood still, green cap in his hands, his eyes casted towards the floor as he spoke.

"I'm sorry for hurting you like that. For hurting Junior like that. No matter what I saw, what I heard, I should have at least left you a note. But I... I knew that if I didn't go then and there, I would never leave."

Bowser still didn't reply.

Luigi sat down at the foot of his throne, his back turned to the Koopa before he heard him grumble.

"I didn't know where you were. I thought something bad had happened to you and that you were gone forever. And when you came back, I was so relieved. But then..."

He stopped talking, unwilling to speak on that moment.

The day his world seemed to crash and burn.

He wouldn't admit it to anyone, but he himself had spent many a restless night sobbing his eyes out. He never had romantic feelings about anyone in his life. Even with Peaches from before his takeover, which he had now understood as an obsessive infatuation. But Luigi was different, even now.

Luigi was the first and only person he had ever truly loved that wasn't his adopted father or his son.

And the first and only one who truly loved him back.

I highly doubt he loves me now, the Koopa King thought.

Luigi felt his eyes well up with tears of shame. He truly didn't take into account just how much his disappearance affected them. Sure, he knew that Bowser would be upset, maybe even feel betrayed, but he didn't mean for him to worry.

"I meant what I said, y'know. When you first came back."

Luigi looked up and met the king's amber eyes as he stared directly at him, watching his every move before he continued.

"You were my everything. The best thing to ever happen to me. And, to be honest, you still are. Even if you don't love me anymore, I still love you. And whatever I did to loose that love, I'm sorry."

The silence was deafening as Bowser laid his heart bare for the plumber. Luigi's own heart seemed to mend and break as his feet seemed to take a mind of their own. He sprinted up the throne steps, climbed atop the throne armrest and hugged him as best as he could before speaking.

"But that's the thing, amore. I never stopped loving you."

It was then that Bowser felt it.

The fluttering of his heart that he tried to ignore as he took Luigi and held him closer.

"Just as beautiful as the day I lost you," Bowser whispered as he cupped Luigi's face with his paw.

He closed the space between them in a kiss. Time seemed to melt away at that moment and it was just the two of them and eternity. The weeks of pain that they went through was inconsequential, it was just them, that moment, forever.

The kiss broke all too soon as they touched foreheads, their eyes closed.

"I love you, mio Re. Tu avrai il mio cuore per sempre." Luigi whispered.

He felt Bowser set him down on the floor him as he opened his eyes, gasping at the sight before him.

"Then stay. Please."

Bowser was on one knee, a heartbreakingly hopeful expression on his face, and in his claws was a golden ring set with emeralds and a large ruby in the middle.

His engagement ring.

The same engagement ring that Bowser proposed with all those months ago in the castle courtyard.

The same engagement ring that he wore when he ran to Sarasaland to meet up with his brother and Princess Peach.

The same engagement ring he wore when Rosalina, Princess of the Lumas, commanded him to go to Bowser and demand for the freedom of all of his conquests.

The same engagement ring he gave back when he returned the first time.

"I-"

"Mama?" A small voice interrupted.

The couple turned around to see a little Koopaling carrying a flashlight in one claw and a teddy bear in the other.

Junior.

Junior couldn't believe his eyes. His Mama was back home where he belonged. Dropping the stuffed animal at the door, he took a running start at the plumber before taking a flying leap into his arms. Luigi caught him and twirled him into a bear hug.

"I missed-ed you!" The little boy sobbed, dampening the front of his denim overalls.

"I missed you too, il mio Principe." He nuzzled the Koopa prince's fiery locks as he held him closer to him.

Bowser looked on as his two greatest joys reunited, his heart ready to burst. Junior had most definitely taken Luigi's disappearance the hardest. His crying and tantrums were loud enough to tear the paint off of the walls, and he even resulted to that when he learned that his Mama came back, demanding his father to let him see him.

And now his wish has come true.

Settling himself into Luigi's arms, Junior nuzzled his face into his shoulder, taking in his smell.

"You're home! I missed-ed you so much and I don't want you to go again! We can go see the new artwork I made for you and Papa and go round on my clown car and...and..."

Bowser laughed, ruffling his boy's head.

"One thing at a time, Junior. Mama just got back, but you have plenty of time to show him everything once he's all rested. Right, Luigi?"

Luigi's smile slowly began to fade, regret shining in his sapphire eyes. Junior, sensed his Mama's hesitation.

"You are staying this time, right Mama?"

With a shuddering breath, he hugged him closer.

"I'm sorry, tesoro. But I can't stay... Not this time."

Bowser felt his mind do a record scratch halt.

After all of that, after he had handed the plumber his battered and bruised heart once again, even after their declarations of love, Luigi had crushed it in his hands, like it was nothing. And now he has broken their son's heart in return.

"B-but, why?" Junior cried, tears forming in his crimson eyes.

Luigi was silent as Bowser gave a mirthless chuckle.

"Y'know, Luigi? You really had me there for a second."

"Bowser, I-"

"All those declarations of love you just spewed out, just gotta hit 'em where it hurts, right? So go ahead Luigi," Bowser baited, "Tell us. Why?"

"Because... because what you're doing isn't right and you know it, Bowser."

"Right? And what is right? Before I took over, those kingdoms were rife with war and famine, both with us and with each other! The citizens of those other kingdoms were treated unfairly, their leaders did nothing to help the poor and marginalized, so I instilled order by dethroning their corrupt leaders. And I don't know what "Princess" Peach or your nuisance of a brother tried to sell you about what the Mushroom Kingdom was like before, but it was not some happy-go-lucky utopia. In fact, her forefathers had once enslaved my entire kingdom for centuries. Enslaved, Luigi! Treated us like the scum of the earth! Made us fight to the death for their own wars and amusement!"

"And how is that any different, Bowser? How is taking over kingdoms by force any different from what the Mushroom Kingdom did to yours?"

"Because at least I can protect them just like I protect my own kingdom! Or at least I did, until you came along and brought these plagues down upon us!"

Here we go again! Luigi mourned.

"I'm not, Bowser. You are. The more you resist, the worse the plagues will be. If you would just please listen-"

Luigi reaches out his hand to touch his golden scales, but the king flinched away, his temper growing less and less restrained.

"I will not be dictated to. I will not be threatened. I am the morning and evening star. I am Bowser! King of the Koopas!"

"Something else is coming, something much worse than anything before. Please, let go of your contempt for life before it destroys everything we hold dear. Think of our son!"

Bowser looked down as Junior clung onto Luigi's overalls, terrified but unwilling to let go of his Mama as he placed a gloved hand on his tuft of red hair. A moment ago, Luigi's claim to his little boy would have softened his heart, but now all he felt was rage. With a roar of betrayal, he punched his throne, hearing the distinct sound of metal being snapped in half and gems crushing under his palm.

"I do." He growled at last, "And fuck me for not doing this before."

Luigi felt his breath hitch in fear.

"Bowser? Bowser, what are you-?"

"Kamek! Get in here, now!"

With a pop, Kamek appeared on his broomstick, a worried look etched into his face.

"Yes, Your Wrathfulness?"

"Call the troopas! Tomorrow, we attack Sarasaland and destroy all who stand in my way, once and for all! Starting with Mario!"

He turned to the love of his life, a hateful sneer gracing his maw.

"And there will be a great cry throughout all the kingdoms, such as there never has been or ever will be again!"

Luigi's blood froze in his veins as he felt his knees sink to the floor, his grip on Junior growing tighter.

Bowser briefly stole one last glance at his family before glancing down at the crushed ring in his hands, a flash of regret and pain shining in his eyes before stomping past them as he and Kamek made preparations for a full-on ambush. .

The elder mage and the young man gave each other a horrified, knowing glance before the plumber broke down into sobs as king and advisor left.

He was right about one thing: tomorrow, there will be a great cry throughout the kingdoms.

But both his and Bowser's sobs will echo the loudest of all.

You failed. The words buzzed around his mind like an angry swarm of hornets.

"Bowser," He whispered sorrowfully, hugging their scared son for what would be the last time, "You have doomed us all."

#bowuigi au #bowuigi #luigi x bowser #super mario bowser #super mario fanfiction #oneshot #bowser fanfic #bowser day #bowser junior #super mario bros #luigi mario #bowser x luigi #prince of egypt au #angst #hurt/angst #koopa week #repost from reblog

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laxmiree · 4 months

Text

[CN] MLQC Season 2 Chapter 54 Translation (Lucien's Route - Part 1)

⚠️ SPOILER ALERT ⚠️

This post contains a VERY HEAVY SPOILER for the chapter that has not been released in EN yet! Feel free to notify me if there are any mistakes in the translation~

"Speaking of which, if there's a beautiful dream, would you like to stay in it with me?"

"A beautiful dream? Is it the kind where I don't have to go to work every day?"

"More beautiful than that—it's a dream where we can always be by each other's side."

Translation under the cut!

Previous Lucien’s chapter -> [Here]

[Background Info]

Please read Lucien's previous chapter first before this chapter jnsnjsdjd. Lucien might feel OOC if you don't.

Long story short, although the world already diverted from its original path of heading toward destruction caused by a comet, now the world is ascending to the fourth dimension and the rifts are the manifestation of it. The boys' each route is basically how they deal with it.

About me dividing it into parts- the S2 Chapter 54 is FULLY translated and released at once. Just for fun, I divided it like this so you can also choose and get bad endings just like in-game~

[Chapter 54-1]

In the office, I occasionally hear birds chirping outside as if they are singing in celebration of the arrival of a new day.

I type the last Enter key in the document, click the save button in the top left corner, and take a deep breath.

A client I've been pursuing for a long time finally showed interest in collaboration yesterday. However, they also presented additional requirements, requesting a draft proposal by noon today.

I'm working overtime with my colleagues, and we've finally put together a decent draft.

I asked Anna to send the document to the client's contact person and I massaged my sore shoulder.

Beside me, Kiki suddenly leans over and shakes her phone.

Kiki: Boss, I just discovered a hidden gem of a beverage shop! I heard their best-selling hot chocolate is especially delicious. Do you want to order takeout together?

MC: Sure, send me the link to check it out~

I open the store page, and the cover features promotional image of their best-selling drink. However, the packaging looks a bit familiar.

=Flashback Start=

Lucien: On the way to your company just now, I happened to come across a newly opened beverage shop.

Lucien: The staff recommended this "Orange Hot Chocolate", and I thought it might be to your liking. Do you want to give it a try?

He hands a steaming paper cup into my hand and passes on his warm scent with it.

MC: Wow- it's delicious! It has the refreshing fragrance of oranges and is quite sweet. But I can't keep something this good all to myself~

I raise the paper cup and bring it to him, Lucien bends his eyes to a smile and lowers his head. His hair gently falls amidst the dense steam and----

=Flashback Ends=

The sweet warmth from the memory gradually surfaces at the corner of my lips, and I shake my phone at Kiki.

MC: I'll pass for now; I suddenly remembered I have something to do and need to step out for a bit. Go ahead and order; it's on me!

As I speak, I walk towards the exit and pick up my phone to send a message to that person in my heart.

MC: "Professor Lucien, are you still in? I'll come over now to see you~"

Lucien quickly replied with two voice messages, accompanied by a sticker of a little fox looking dizzy while doing experiments.

Lucien: I just finished a task, now I'm pondering on how to capture a photo of the scenery outside the window that hints I miss you a bit.

Lucien: But I'm happy because you'll get to see it in person soon.

I reply to him with a smile while briskly walking in the direction of the beverage shop. I can't help but feel that this year's winter isn't as cold as it seems.

MC: Hello, give me two cups of "Orange Hot Chocolate," please.

Clerk: I'm sorry, but we just ran out of the ingredients for that beverage this morning. Can I offer you a different flavor instead?

MC: ...Oh, okay.

Feeling a bit disappointed, I point to the "Rich Winter Hot Chocolate" on the side of the menu.

MC: I'll go with this one.

The clerk starts preparing the drinks and hands me the two cups after a moment.

Clerk: Please be mindful of the cup's rim, it's hot.

MC: Okay, thank you.

I instinctively reach out, my gaze still fixed on the phone screen. With a muffled sound and liquid splashing in my peripheral vision, I abruptly snap back to reality.

MC: ...Oops!

I frantically try to catch the fallen cups, but it's too late.

The newly changed shirt takes the brunt of it, and the little mochi* beside me isn't spared either, now adorned with unsightly brown stains.

[T/N: The little mochi is a keychain that Lucien gave to MC in the last chapter]

MC: …..

Frustration and speechlessness well up within me. I impatiently grab tissues to wipe it, but the effect is minimal.

So, I quickly ran to the restroom, wetting the stained areas with water. Despite my persistent efforts, hot water successfully turned a few drops of chocolate stains into a large light brown patch.

Looking at my disheveled reflection in the mirror, I take a deep breath.

Forget it, who cares! Lucien won't mind anyway. Thinking so, I hastily walk out, only to be tripped suddenly—

I manage to grab onto the wall, preventing the third mishap of the day.

MC: ….

Why does it feel like I've been a bit unlucky since leaving the office...

Suppressing my dismay, I push open the shop door, and the cold wind hits me as the wet clothes turn stiff.

Without thinking, I quicken my pace. Let's just walk faster, get there a bit sooner, and see the person who can soothe all my irritations.

Fortunately, the way to the Bioscience Research Institute is smooth.

The elevator carries me up, and when the door opens, a somewhat familiar voice reaches my ears.

??: ...So, you want to activate it again.

It's Cyril's voice... How could he be here? I freeze when I see Lucien standing in the corridor not far away from Cyril.

Lucien: This is a necessary step to obtain the results.

Cyril: May we both achieve the worlds we each desire.

Cyril says this as he walks past Lucien towards the direction of the elevator. When our eyes meet, his cold gaze blinks, seemingly surprised.

Cyril: Didn't expect to see you here.

MC: ...Shouldn't I be saying that?

I can't help but make a sarcastic remark, but Cyril doesn't answer my question. Instead, he takes another step in my direction and speaks calmly.

Cyril: Have you made a decision about the matter I asked you last time?

Our conversation in the jewelry store flashes through my mind. I look into his clear eyes and shake my head.

MC: I still need time to consider.

MC: After all, the world in the dream is false. If there's another solution, I don't want to choose this method.

Cyril nods, his expression as calm as ever.

Cyril: I understand.

Cyril: But if you delay further, you might fall behind.

Fall behind... what does he mean?

I'm slightly taken aback. Before I can ask, Cyril has naturally walked past me.

His slender figure, accompanied by unhurried footsteps, quickly disappears into the elevator.

MC: Why does he never make things clear...

I glance back from Cyril's departing figure, and when I look up, I see Lucien walking towards me.

His gaze inevitably falls on the large stain on my clothes, then slowly moves to my face.

I thought he might ask what happened or say something comforting, but he just smiles lightly and speaks.

Lucien: I smell the scent of hot chocolate, but it's different from the previous one.

I blink in surprise. It’s as if the earlier worries have suddenly dissipated and I take a step closer to him.

MC: It's the Rich Winter Hot Chocolate~ from the same shop as the "Orange Hot Chocolate" you brought last time.

I open the bag, watching as Lucien takes out one cup and uses his other hand to push open the office door.

Meanwhile, a researcher comes out from behind the door. As they pass each other, Lucien's hand holding the cup inadvertently shakes a little.

The cup tilts ever so slightly, and a few drops of hot chocolate splash onto his cuff.

Lucien: Hmm... This is troublesome.

He walks into the office and fixes the glasses on the bridge of his nose in a slightly distressed manner.

Lucien: I'm not very good at dealing with these stains. Can you help me think of a solution?

He says it quite seriously as if facing a challenging problem. I can't help but laugh, feeling a softness in my heart.

The little thoughts I keep to myself never need to be explicitly stated; this person always understands them.

MC: Of course. But I just learned from personal experience that you shouldn't use hot water.

MC: Unexpectedly, both Professor Lucien and I are getting a bit of chocolate "favor" today.

Lucien: Hearing MC say that makes this small trouble seem kind of cute.

We exchange smiles, and he raises the cup, gently tapping it against the one in my hand.

Lucien: So, before dealing with it, let's toast to these cute little troubles today.

[Chapter 54-3]

Following Lucien's footsteps, we enter the laboratory deep in the corridor. Unlike the usual laboratories filled with the smell of disinfectant, the air here is surprisingly fresh.

Lucien skillfully takes several bottles of reagents from the shelf and places them on the table.

Lucien: If you want to deal with stubborn hot chocolate stains, there are actually many methods.

Lucien: The reagents in front of us can all address our current predicament at a molecular level.

MC: But using them to clean up little chocolate spills, wouldn't that be a bit wasteful?

Lucien: How about considering it as conducting a fun little chemistry experiment?

His words create a cascade of ripples in my heart, and I can't help but laugh, pretending to roll up my sleeves and stand up straight.

MC: Well then, Professor, please give me instructions~

The transparent bottles and jars in the laboratory reflect the cold light from the overhead lamp.

Under Lucien's guidance, I pour the reagents into the beaker, submerging the little mochi treated as the "experimental subject".

Its originally dull fluff becomes damp, and soon, a faint color begins to emerge.

MC: It works quickly!

Lucien: After all, it hasn't been stained for a long time. As long as we target the lipid-soluble pigments appropriately, solving it is not difficult.

After confirming the results, we also took care of the clothes stained with the hot chocolate spills.

I inadvertently turn my head and see a few scattered experiment documents on the nearby table.

MC: "The possibility of transferring perception through neural links"... Is this your recent research direction?

Lucien's gaze sweeps over the proposal, placing the stirring rod on the dark rubber tabletop.

Lucien: It's... a kind of unexpected gain.

Lucien: In a recent neuroscience experiment, we discovered a similar phenomenon, but it has been temporarily set aside for now.

My gaze lingers on the obscure experiment documents for a moment, then turns to Lucien's composed face.

Thinking about my recent overwhelming matters, I can't help but let out a "sob".

MC: Darn it, how come I don't have a brain that can multitask problems like yours...

I mutter wearily, and Lucien immediately strokes my head.

Lucien: (chuckle) It seems there is indeed a challenging problem troubling our Great Producer.

MC: Absolutely, a super-sized problem!

MC: I need to absorb some of Professor Lucien's intelligence energy to make my thoughts clearer too.

I rest my head on his shoulder, rubbing against it, and hear a soft laugh by my ear.

Lucien turns towards me, pulling me into his embrace.

Lucien: If that's the case, then you can absorb a bit more.

I "hmm" in agreement, and after a moment, I lift my head, looking at Lucien with a feigned look of grievance.

MC: Professor Lucien is so cooperative; he doesn't think I'm silly, does he?

Lucien is slightly surprised. He places a hand on his lips, his voice carrying a clear sense of amusement.

Lucien: Miss Producer, if you think like that, you're unfairly judging me.

Lucien: What I meant is, there's still a troublesome future waiting for us.

I lock eyes with Lucien for a moment, only then realizing he's referring to the troubles we faced in the rift before.

Being captured in the glass chamber in NW, the chaotic escape during the pursuit... scenes after scenes flash before my eyes.

After a moment of silence, I let out a deep sigh.

MC: Oh no, let's just not talk about this for now. Let me be an ostrich a little longer...

MC: Dealing with the troubles at hand is already more than enough for me to handle.

I suddenly pause in my words, realizing something.

MC: Lucien, what if there are other troubles in the world at that time point? Would NW not have the time to deal with me?

Lucien: For example?

MC: For example... I recently saw a terrifying vision.

MC: Our world will face countless disasters in the future, and everyone's lives will be in ruins.

Thinking about those devastating scenes, my voice unintentionally carries a hint of gravity.

Lucien: Is this what has been troubling you these days?

I nod with a hint of distress.

MC: I really want to find a solution, but I have no clue where to start.

MC: How could these disasters suddenly happen out of nowhere? I always feel like there's a missing key link in the middle.

The steady breath falls by my ears, Lucien seems to be thinking seriously, and after a moment, he speaks.

Lucien: Perhaps I can help you find that link.

I instinctively look up, inquiring with a hint of surprise.

MC: Do you already have an idea so quickly?

Lucien: Because the question you mentioned aligns perfectly with my previous hypothesis.

Lucien: Let's go, I'll take you to the laboratory.

The quiet corridor echoes with our footsteps. After turning several corners, we arrive at the entrance of a hidden laboratory.

Lucien raises his hand and enters something on the keyboard on the wall. Accompanied by a series of beeps, the massive door slowly opens before us.

After passing through several rows of intricate instruments, a wall of glass comes into view, enclosing a white, sealed space.

A rift silently stretches across a corner, its edges faintly shimmering. I observe for a moment, then hesitantly speak.

MC: Why do I feel like the shape of this rift is somewhat familiar?

Lucien: Because a few months ago*, we used it to enter NW.

[T/N: refer to what happened in the previous chapter]

MC: It's been so long, and it hasn't closed yet?

I murmur in surprise, but thinking about the recent influx of submissions regarding the prolonged duration of the rift, I decide not to inquire further.

Just out of curiosity, I turn my head and look at Lucien beside me.

MC: Is there a specific reason it was deliberately moved here?

Lucien: No, it just has an unusually long duration, no different from other regular rifts.

MC: So, do I need to do anything? Should I use CORE to close it like before?

With my previous experience, this doesn't seem like a challenging issue for me. However, Lucien shakes his head.

He then picks up a small glass orb-shaped device from the lab bench.

Lucien: This time, our goal is not elimination but addition.

MC: Addition? It can't be as simple as figuring out 1 + 1 equals 2 to find the crucial link, can it?

I blink with a bit of confusion, but Lucien doesn't seem inclined to provide further explanation, a mysterious smile playing on his lips.

Seeing him deliberately keeping me in suspense, I clear my throat and pout, then take the device from his palm.

MC: Alright, I'll listen to your explanation later~

I exhale deeply, invoking that familiar power within me once again.

The device in my hand trembles slightly. I lift my head seemingly in response. I look expectantly at the rift behind the glass.

The next moment, it suddenly enlarges before my eyes.

[Chapter 54-5]

The rift expands without any warning, like a wound suddenly torn open, stretching out before me and Lucien.

I pause for a moment, unable to help but softly exclaim, "Wow," swiftly turning my head to look at Lucien.

MC: Lucien, its area expanded so much in just an instant!

Lucien: Well, it seems our "addition" has worked.

Lucien: With this, perhaps the link you're looking for will soon appear.

As Lucien speaks, his inky eyes slightly narrow, there's a hint of cunning in his voice.

I lock eyes with him for a moment, unrelentingly leaning closer to him.

MC: No more teasing! What's the connection between this experiment and the "critical link"?

Lucien takes the instrument from my hand and places it back on the lab table, looking at me with an unhurried look.

Lucien: This experiment shows that the impact of CORE on the rift is actually bidirectional.

Lucien: Apart from closing, it can also trigger the expansion of the rift.

I contemplate his words for a moment, then ask with a hint of confusion.

MC: But what happens after the rift expands?

Lucien: The change in area is just the most apparent manifestation. In reality, the energy within the rift is also expanding.

Lucien: Once it surpasses a certain critical point, it spontaneously seeks a more suitable "outlet", no longer manifesting catastrophically.

Lucien: This way, the situation you're concerned about won't occur.

[T/N: Not gonna lie, I'm not sure how to explain this one except that it's similar to how the stars turn into a supergiant and then white dwarf once it runs out of fuel lol. Or once the rift is big enough it'll let go of the energy less chaotically. Anyway, it's just sci-fi don't think about it too deeply]

The question that had troubled me for a long time was resolved so casually. I blink my eyes, feeling a bit surreal.

MC: ...Is it really that simple?

Lucien: The essence of this issue is not as complicated as it may seem.

Lucien: But if the lady wishes for a more convoluted approach, I can certainly give it a try.

MC: No need! I trust Professor Lucien's discovery, of course~

The heavy gloom that shrouded my heart finally reveals a glimmer of hope. My tone lightens involuntarily, and with a touch of anticipation, I speak.

MC: What do we need to do next? I'll do everything I can to help~

Lucien's gaze shifts to the window, seemingly lost in thought for a moment. He changes out of his research attire and opens his mouth with a light smile.

Lucien: I do have an invitation.

Lucien: Next, let's go and see the snow.

After a simple drying process, I hold the small mochi keychain that has regained its fluffiness and whiteness. I follow Lucien down the stairs with light steps. As we step out of the Bioscience Research Institute, I blink in surprise.

Countless delicate snowflakes silently dance in the air—this year's first snow has arrived so quietly.

The snowflakes gently blanket everything around in pristine white.

I can't help but raise my hand, catching a few falling snowflakes. Lucien looks at me, and his eyes seem to soften a bit.

Lucien: You look particularly happy.

MC: Of course~ I've been looking forward to a scene like this for a very long time.

MC: This time last year, I was running around in a time loop, searching for dark matter...

MC: There was never enough time, and I never had the mood to stop and appreciate this scenery.

MC: Until spring arrived, we never had the chance to quietly watch the snow together.

He tightens his grip on my hand. Lucien seems to follow my lead, tilting his head upward, quietly gazing in the direction of the falling snow.

A few delicate snowflakes land on his eyelashes, softly melting away without a sound.

Through the warm night, I hear his gentle voice.

Lucien: (softly) Perhaps… this belated snowfall is a gift for us now.

The fine snowflakes soften the features of the person before my eyes.

As the snow gradually intensifies, pure white flakes float down from the distant sky, quietly tinting the boundless night in serenity.

Reluctant to part with such fervent snowfall, we return to the car.

Lucien casually turns on the radio, and light music immediately fills the car. Accompanied by the swirling snow outside, it feels like a scene from a crystal ball.

I rest my head on Lucien's shoulder, gently rubbing against it, unable to help but murmur with emotion.

MC: So beautiful... it's like a dream.

The sounds of the evening breeze wafting in through the window crack resembled a delicate and subtle white noise. The fatigue from staying up all night last night gradually surfaces.

The phone screen lights up for a moment, and the digital clock shows eight in the evening. I let out a gentle yawn.

MC: I can't believe I'm tired at this hour... blame it on the recent excessive overtime.

Lucien shifted, allowing me to lean more securely on him, and he spoke in a gentle tone.

Lucien: (in a very, very gentle tone) Have you been tired lately?

I nod and lazily begin counting with the fingers resting on my knee.

MC: I'm exhausted... there's a ton of tasks at work to push through, and I also need to figure out how to save the world.

MC: It either keeps me tossing and turning in insomnia or gives me a night full of nightmares.

Lucien: (gently) What kind of nightmares are you having?

I vaguely recall for a moment and make an exaggerated gesture.

MC: I've been snatched away by a dinosaur this big—

MC: And I've been flattened by this many project proposals—

MC: But you know~ After waking up, as long as I see the messages you send me, all those dinosaurs, all those project proposals, seems like nothing!

Lucien: (chuckle) Mm... I've had that kind of dream too. I wonder if the dinosaur that snatched us is the same one.

Lucien gently squeezes my hand, a hint of uncontrollable laughter in his voice.

I imagine the scene and can't help but burst into laughter as well.

Lucien: (laughs softly) Silly, next time, come knock on my door before you get snatched away by a dinosaur.

The snow outside falls gently, and Lucien speaks amidst the delicate melody.

Lucien: (murmur softly) Speaking of which, if there's a beautiful dream, would you like to stay in it with me?

MC: A beautiful dream? Is it the kind where I don't have to go to work every day?

Lucien: More beautiful than that—it's a dream where we can always be by each other's side.

MC: If there's such a thing I'm willing to dream it for eight lifetimes!

A low chuckle comes from above my head. His voice quietly melts into the night breeze, sounding like a casual sigh.

Lucien: What if I say, I hope never to wake up from this dream with you?

MC: That sounds good too. As long as I'm with you, anywhere is fine…

I blink my heavy eyelids and hear a soft laugh beside my ear. A warmth covers my eyes that I find a bit hard to open.

Lucien: (whispers gently) Get some sleep.

Lucien: I'll make sure to wake you up.

—--------------------------------------------------------

Winter seems to have truly arrived after that night's first snowfall.

With the dropping temperatures, a layer of frost forms on the branches along the river and roadsides. The news on the streets gradually shifts to reports about snow and cold prevention.

I pull my gaze away from the lengthy red light outside the car window and engage the handbrake.

The rift continues to quietly spread, casting shadows of various sizes throughout the city.

However, for some reason, the popularity of news related to the rift is steadily decreasing, and the submissions on this topic are dwindling.

Perhaps people have become completely accustomed to these rifts. Despite some lingering confusion, I do feel a sense of relief.

The green light in the middle of the road lights up, and I put away my phone. After turning a few corners, a spacious bridge suddenly appears before me.

...Strange, there were so many cars just a moment ago. How did it suddenly become so empty?

A hint of confusion creeps in as I carefully survey the surroundings, finding nothing unusual.

As I drive onto the bridge, I suddenly feel the wheels slipping. I instinctively hit the brakes, but the road in the rearview mirror shows no signs of anomalies.

Just as I fall into bewilderment, the throttle gauge on the dashboard spins violently.

The tires emit a harsh, squeaking sound as they uncontrollably move forward.

MC: What's happening...?

Before I can grasp the situation, there's a distinctly audible sound of shattering beneath the car. The next second, the car suddenly plummets.

MC: ....!

I struggle to push open the car door, but the resistance of the water turns my efforts into futility.

No matter how hard I pound and shove, the door remains steadfast. Only the icy water keeps pouring in through the window crack.

The air inside the car diminishes, and I strain to tilt my head upward, closing my eyes in a somewhat desperate attempt.

The world before me gradually fades into darkness.

Next Part-> [Here]

#mlqc lucien #mr love queen's choice #mlqc cn #mlqc spoiler #mlqc translation #mlqc #mr. love queen's choice #mr love lucien #mlqc xu mo #mlqc spoilers

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Text

Princess Maker 5 Guide (for True Princess Ending)

This is something I've been putting together for a little while now. The purpose of this guide specifically, as opposed to the other Steam guides for this ending out there, is to elaborate on how certain events trigger and the conditions to meet them. I should also note that I tested the original Windows PC version of this game with a fan-translated patch. However, this means that the numbers I'm pulling may not completely match up with the CFK version of Princess Maker 5 on Steam, as I haven't tested it. I still thought it might be helpful to those wanting a more clear direction on how achieve this ending rather than just a list of stats or dialogue options.

It goes without saying that this goes over spoilers for the main story of Princess Maker 5, all the way to the end!

A large portion of this guide, specifically dealing with the assassins & Aspar, come from the Japanese atwiki. I just went over it all to verify that it was correct.

This guide is formatted assuming you are trying to trigger events as soon as possible. Almost all of them can be delayed somewhat, but you might find yourself soft-locked inexplicably if you delay them for too long.

I use the fan translation's localization for names, but I tried to include both names for the stats themselves for the sake of clarity.

GATEAU

The first assassin you meet in the game. He also plays a part in the rebel boss fights for each world. He unlocks adventuring.

CORNET

The second assassin. Unlocks the Fairy World boss fight.

NAPPAGE

The third assassin. Unlocks the Spirit World boss fight.

SABAYON

The fourth assassin. Unlocks Hell's boss fight.

ASSIETTE

Your daughter's classmate turned rival. Her recovery cutscenes signify that you're on the right track. Triggering them are REQUIRED for Aspar's proposal and the Princess/True Princess endings.

ASPAR

His events are special, and can trigger many things you might be missing (assassins, queen scouting events, Roche) in late game if you have failed to meet the stat requirements for them previously.

REBEL BOSS FIGHTS

There is a rebel leader for each of the 5 worlds: Biscotti (Human), Gelato (Fairy), Kenpi (Spirit), Waffel (Hell), and Alfort (Heaven). You must defeat them in order (Human, Fairy, Spirit, Hell, Heaven) to achieve the True Princess ending. While other events and assassins drop the items needed to explore the first 4 worlds, defeating Waffel in Hell is the ONLY way to get the Angel's Wing and gain access to Heaven.

-YEAR 3-

Your daughter will hear the bell on the night of the first Sunday after spring vacation. The next time you go outside, spend time, and then return, Gateau will appear. Your daughter will regain her memories, and the "story mode" portion of the game officially begins. You can delay this indefinitely by simply choosing not to leave the house. Just note that delaying any event will delay every other event that comes after it.

Cornet will arrive on the first Sunday of October. you can throw her away manually from your inventory, but she will always come back by the end of the day. Doing this won't delay her second event, which will happen ~1 month after she arrives, IF:

Adventuring has been unlocked

You have a relationship above 0 that isn't the parent or Cube

Winning or losing her fight doesn't change the overall outcome, and the story will progress as normal. Her fight will be delayed indefinitely if you don't have any friends.

-YEAR 4-

The rebel boss fight for the Human World will become available the moment you come back from spring vacation, IF you have met Gateau. You have an unlimited amount of attempts to defeat both Gateau and the Hydra. The Hydra drops the Morning Dew, which can be obtained from Cornet or the Sakura Tree Spirit after meeting it twice (takes at least 2 years, needs 60 sensitivity).

Both Nappage and Sabayon can be triggered in 2 ways:

You meet the minimum stat requirements based on this equation (w = weeks that have passed in game)

charm/attractiveness = (w) x 2 refinement/elegance = (w) x 1.8 charisma = (w) x 1.6 willpower/guts = (w) x 1.4 intelligence/intellect = (w) x 1.2 affection/love >=50 morality/morals >=0

They are guaranteed to trigger once you meet Aspar for the first time.

The EARLIEST Nappage can appear is during the first week of October of year 4, which is week 183, making these her *minimum stat requirements for that week:

*these stats are rounded up

charm/attractiveness = 183 x 2 (366) refinement/elegance = 183 x 1.8 (330) charisma = 183 x 1.6 (293) willpower/guts = 183 x 1.4 (257) intelligence/intellect = 183 x 1.2 (220) affection/love >=50 morality/morals >=0

Because of this equation rule, stat requirements INCREASE every following week. Nappage's event is split into 2 parts, meaning that your stats must meet the minimum requirements for whichever following week the second part of her event is triggered (ex: week 200 would need higher stats than week 184).

You have a limit of 5 attempts to defeat Nappage before she gains full control of Takeda and leaves for good, forfeiting the run. There is no penalty for having the parent or Cube defeat her instead.

Assiette will appear on crutches ~1 month after Nappage is defeated. Defeating assassins very late into the game (year 8) seems to prevent her from recovering at all, which also forfeits your run.

-YEAR 5-

The rebel boss fight for the fairy world will become available as soon as April, IF:

Cornet has been defeated

It has been ~3 months since you've defeated the Hydra

You have an unlimited amount of attempts to defeat both Gateau and Gelato. Defeating Gelato gives you the funeral orb, which can also be obtained from Nappage and from the ghost in the test of courage event.

You will meet Sabayon once you leave your house and **click on a location IF:

Nappage has been defeated

~1 month has passed since Assiette was seen on crutches

The EARLIEST possible date to fight Sabayon is on the first week of year 5 (week 209), making these stats the *minimum requirement:

*These stats are rounded up

charm/attractiveness = 209 x 2 (418) refinement/elegance = 209 x 1.8 (377) charisma = 209 x 1.6 (335) willpower/guts = 209 x 1.4 (293) intelligence/intellect = 209 x 1.2 (251) affection/love >=50 morality/morals >=0

**You will find Sabayon by visiting any area around town EXCEPT: any friends' houses, the haunted house, Inari Mountain, the river bed, and Kuki's shop. You have an unlimited amount of attempts to fight him, but he will only be available to fight once at month at the Hero Show in the Amusement Park after losing to him for the first time.

Just like with Nappage, your stats must keep increasing for each week in order to fight him at a later date. There is no penalty for having the parent or Cube defeat him instead.

Defeating Sabayon will allow to Assiette to either fully recover by the first week in September (start of the second school term), OR ~2 months if you have defeated Sabayon after September. Defeating assassins very late into the game (year 8) seems to prevent her from recovering at all, which also forfeits your run.

-YEAR 6-

The rebel boss fight in the Spirit World will become available as soon as April IF:

Nappage has been defeated

It has been ~3 months since Gelato has been defeated

You have an unlimited amount of attempts to defeat both Gateau and Kenpi. Kenpi drops the Demon Ring, which can also be obtained by defeating Sabayon.

Aspar does not follow the weekly equation rule like Nappage and Sabayon (he does, technically, but by this point the stagnant stats will be lower than the weekly ones). These stagnant stats and will work for ANY period beyond the initial set date.

You will meet Aspar for the first time on the first week of January during the 3rd term of school (after winter break) if your stats are:

charm/attractiveness: >= 575 refinement/elegance: >= 520 charisma: >= 460 willpower/guts: >= 400 intelligence/intellect: >= 345 affection/love: >=50 morality/morals: > 0

If you have NOT triggered Nappage's or Sabayon's event by this point in the game, meeting Aspar will guarantee Nappage's event immediately afterwards (and then Sabayon's, after his other requirements are met). Meeting Aspar for the first time, regardless of whether you guide him or run away from him, will also trigger the beginning of the Queen scouting events as well as allowing you to meet Roche, for other endings.

You can trigger this event at ANY point after the initial date, up until October in year 8.

-YEAR 7-

The rebel boss fight for Hell will become available as soon as April IF:

Sabayon has been defeated

It has been ~3 months since Kenpi was defeated

You have an unlimited amount of attempts to fight Gateau and Waffel. Waffel drops the Angel's Wing, which is the only way to unlock Heaven.

You will meet Aspar for the second time during the first week of July IF:

It has been more than 3 weeks since the last time you met him

Your stats are:

charm/attractiveness: >= 625 refinement/elegance: >= 560 charisma: >= 500 willpower/guts: >= 435 intelligence/intellect: >= 375 affection/love: >=50 morality/morals: > 0

And then again for the third time, during the first week of the third term in January IF:

It has been more than 3 weeks since the last time you met him

Your stats are:

charm/attractiveness: >= 675 refinement/elegance: >= 610 charisma: >= 540 willpower/guts: >= 475 intelligence/intellect: >= 405 affection/love: >=50 morality/morals: > 0

You can trigger these events at ANY point, up until November and December in year 8 respectively.

-YEAR 8-

You will meet Aspar during the first week of July IF:

Sabayon has been defeated, and thus

Assiette has fully recovered

It has been more than 3 weeks since the last time you met him

Your stats are:

charm/attractiveness: >= 725 refinement/elegance >= 650 charisma >= 580 willpower/guts >= 505 intelligence/intellect >= 435 affection/love >=50 morality/morals > 0

You can trigger this event at ANY point, up until January.

Aspar will propose to your daughter during the first week of the 3rd term in January if your stats are:

charm/attractiveness: >= 775 refinement/elegance: >= 700 charisma: >= 620 willpower/guts: >= 545 intelligence/intellect: >= 465 affection/love: >=50 morality/morals: > 0

You have a short window of triggering this event from January to the end of February. If you fall short of these stats by March, and have met Aspar for the 4th time, then Assiette will become engaged to him instead, forfeiting the run.

If your stats fall below these requirements by the end of the game AFTER his proposal, Aspar will call off the marriage, and you will get the second highest priority ending after Princess and True Princess.

If you accept Aspar's proposal, then Assiette "returns to France". The final boss fight in Heaven becomes available one week AFTER the proposal, making the earliest date to defeat Alfort 1/18.

You have a maximum of 9 attempts to defeat him, including the final Sunday in April after your daughter graduates. Save-scumming is recommended though, since you will almost certainly need to use the Water of Life to revive, and it can only be used once.

Some tips for Alfort's fight:

His fighting spirit cannot be lowered.

He CAN be put to sleep/restricted from attacking.

Use the Water of Life ONLY once you're fighting Alfort so you don't waste it. Using it will not take up a turn.

Magic is the best offense, Fencing is your second best. Unarmed Martial Arts has a much lower chance of hitting and deals significantly less damage. I recommend the God Staff, Familiar's Tail, and the Mithril Armor.

Once you have defeated him, keep your stats up until the end of the game, and you will have the True Princess Ending! :D

#princess maker 5 #princess maker #プリンセスメーカー 5 #プリンセスメーカー

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shytastemakerthing · 1 year

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Obey Me matchup for @alina-awen

A/N: Here is the second part of your first match up request! I'm sorry that it took so long to get out to you! I hope that you like it!😊

I match you with......

Barbatos

• Dad friend meets mom friend😊. No, seriously. Barb here has some dad friend vibes going off on him, not to mention he's basically helped raise Diavolo and takes care of so much, even if it is his job. Seeing your mom friend self, it makes his tail wag (when it's visible)

• So, with as busy as this butler is, everything thay he does and has on his plate, it makes sense that days are few and far between, but you bith certainly make the most of whatever time you both have. It honestly feels more special in that way.

• He knows of your love of traveling. If he is relieved from hus duties for the day by his lord, then you can guarantee that he has a portal opened up to the human realm. Anywhere you want to go, he will have you there in a manner of seconds. Just seeing your eyes shine and the smile on your face is enough for him.

• Your love for books and reading reminds him of a certain fourth born occupying the House of Lamentation. He will sometimes go to said fourth born to gather insight on possible recommendations of books to get you, or even borrow some (with the promise that they will be returned in proper shape), or he may even find a few little book shops to either take you too, or surprise you with some new copies.

• He takes up residency within the palace, meaning (if you want), you may stay there as well. You both will be able to see each there throughout the day as he is working, and you get to live life in a palace. It works out very well for the both of you.

• Now, if you have your own place outside of the palace, he is sure to visit you.... a LOT. May even do some chores for you here and there so you won't have too much to do upon your arrival.

• Speaking of arrival, yours was one that he had known about, via his powers, but the one thing that bad eluded him, was the future that you two had now, where the two of you were in a rationship. That is something his power did not show him, but you will not find him complaining. It brought you two together.

• He knows of video games, mostly hearing about them from the third born, Leviathan. Though, he as personally not played them really at all, with his busy schedule and all, but if it's lager in the evening, he will retire with you for the night, maybe watch you play as he either leans softly on your back or even his head in your lap (he finds it remarkably comfortable). Sometimes he will speak with Levi about recommendations about what to get you........ he has received many ideas.

• Thanks to just how old the butler is, him picking up on a vast variety of languages is very plausible. Knowing rhat you'd love to learn and know more languages, he takes it upon himself to lersonally tutor you in any language that you would like to learn! He is a very good teacher, after all.

• Overall, despite his busy schedule, Barbatos always makes time to be able to be with you. He loves reading books to you in warmth of his room, watching you crazy various things with such skill, taking you on little trips and dates knowing just when the weather will be nice and perfect to suit your specific interests in clouds and some wind. He strives each day to have you happy. That started off as a future that was unknown to him and now, it's the only one he wants to continue to know and to live. With you at his side.

#obey me headcanons #obey me imagines #obey me shall we date #obe me #obey me barbatos #barbatos x reader #obey me barbatos x reader #romantic #matchups

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afterthegreatunknown · 3 months

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Widdershins Gets Inadvertently Insulted, and Semi-Reveals his Feelings

Welcome to the fourth ‘chapter’ of my Seven Six Widdershins Family Members AU. Inspired by the Six Baudelaire AU by unfortunate-stranger-losers, in this AU, the Book!Widdershins Family and Netflix!Widdershins Family are now combined together to make a family of six. This 'chapter'...it's a lot.

Off-screen: Violet, Klaus, and Sunny after telling Mr. Poe they’re not going with him, hitchhiked their way to Paltryville, due to the mystery of a now-gone group photo and newspaper headline. They soon get illegally adopted by Sir to work at Lucky Smells Lumbermill. Olaf as such spends two weeks trying to find the Baudelaires, for Mr. Poe lost tabs on them. During the second week, Mr. Poe hears rumors about the children being at a melon mill, and he and his sister Eleanora go investigate it.

Of course, the Melon Mill no longer stands. But Olaf has an idea where the Baudelaires could be at, and gets confirmation after asking Madame Lulu at Caligari Carnival. Fernald isn’t happy to drive Olaf to the middle of nowhere that is the Hinterlands. He’s even less happy to be at Caligari Carnival, for reasons...

Because I'm still unable to make 'align center’, as well as proper breaks in HTML in the new editor, when you see [] brackets with ramblings inside them, it’s indicating a section change.

Fernald: “God! To think this place is still such an utter dump! I heard stories from my stepfather—well, I heard it was the tourist destination to go to back in the day.”

Madame Lulu, gesturing to their surroundings: “Madame Lulu is trying to get help as she can, yes. Very hard though to get money to fix things up. The House of Freaks generate entertainment, but not enough that audience give enough money in my pocket.”

(Olivia Caliban, mentally thinking: “I think it would better to get the rides working again. And games booths. And better refreshment. And acts. I think maybe forcing people who are oddly considered freaks by society’s standards is losing their charm at last.”)

Hugo, Colette, and Kevin, all sticking their heads out from their caravan, for they’re a bunch of eavesdroppers: “We’re trying the best we can as freaks, Madame Lulu!

Kevin, noticing Fernald, and smiles: “Hey! Nice to see you again Hooky! I-we haven’t seen you in a while! Are you alright? You sound sort of tense.”

Fernald, waving hook: “I’m fine. Thank you. I hope you three have a semi-decent day.” *turning to Madame Lulu* “Seriously. Do you ever plan on fixing up this place?”

Madame Lulu: “Fixing not in carnival’s future, yes. At least not now.”

With Olaf getting confirmation from Madame Lulu the Baudelaires are in Paltryville, he takes Seller as the associate, for Seller is only one who can handle Dr. Orwell’s personality. Seller and Olaf disappear for a full month, with disguises packed by Verne for them to be Foreman Flacutono and Shirley the Secretary, which came from the V.F.D. kit. Except for the Flacutono wig; Verne hates the V.F.D. wig enough to buy his own. That leaves Harper, Penny, Lucy, Verne, and Fernald back in the City.

Nothing happens for a full month. At the start of the next month, Seller calls the house, and orders Verne to take a train and/or steal a car to get to Paltryville. Seller for once, thinks Olaf is in over his head, and concern that something bad may happened at Lucky Smells Lumbermill. Verne arrives just in time too.

Violet was able to save break Klaus free of his hypnotism after playing the researcher. Klaus was able invent something to save Charles from getting murdered. Sunny had her buck-wild sword fight with Dr. Orwell with her teeth (the wildest thing to ever happen).

And Dr. Orwell falls to her death. Well! Looks like Seller was right!

With Olaf soon getting expose from his secretary act, and Seller dropping his foreman act alongside the wig, the two high-tail the hell out of the mill before Mr. Poe, his sister, and the authorities arrived. Verne in his stole car is waiting outside the fence, and frowns upon seeing Seller and the lack of wig on his head.

Verne: “Do you know how difficult to find such a decent looking wig without a shine?! Do you also know how time consuming it is to get a shine out of a wig!? God! I should have given you the shitty V.F.D. wig had I know you would carelessly throw a wig away!” Seller: “You can buy a decent looking wig without a shine or the materials to get a shine out a wig at a reasonable price, Nemo! Why not bitch about your nephew’s wooden hands!? They’re the one that take up a lot of money!” Olaf, patience wears thin: “As much as I enjoy watching a good conflict, WE STILL NEED TO GET THE HELL OUT OF HERE. Nemo, start driving to the train station!”

Meanwhile, while this is going on —near the end of events—Tegan officially joins the Queequeg as the second member of the Crew of Two. It would have been a great occasion, if it wasn’t for the fact that day is also Fiona’s fifteenth birthday. Fiona isn’t that upset her birthday was a bit overshadowed by Tegan’s arrival, and doesn’t cry at her party. Fiona finds some positive from Tegan’s joining the Queequeg.

Fiona: “She may not be a mycologist, but Tegan does know fungi. It’ll be nice to have someone around with a similar interest. I just hope we’ll have the chance to discuss it though. With the way everything is, well as Tegan’s new-found professionalism, the chances of that seem very slim.”

As Ephraim departs from the Queequeg to go out on his mission, Ephraim gives Fiona and Widdershins parting gifts. For Fiona, it’s her birthday present: a copy of The Mysterious Island. For Widdershins, it’s a reminder of “the greatest chance you would never get normally.” It’s a painting of Ephraim himself. Tegan covered her face in embarrassment over the gift (rightfully so because WHAT IS THIS GIFT).

Widdershins: “…This is a fine gift, sir.” (Mentally though, Widdershins is all, “FUCK THIS PAINTING AGAIN?”) Fiona: “I agree with my stepfather. It’s a very fine painting.” (Mentally though, Fiona is all, “And once again, Step-Grandfather has no idea what actually constitutes as a good gift.”)

Returning back to Olaf and the Acting Troupe, they lay low for a week. The Baudelaires find themselves having a happy time at Prufrock Prep. It’s not because the academy is a wonderful place itself, but because they finally have friends in the form of Duncan and Isadora Quagmire. However, such happiness doesn’t last long.

Olaf, after getting around round of help from Madame Lulu (for ‘Orphans off to a boarding school’ is too vague of hint, as well as it surprisingly refers to other orphans), takes Penny and Lucy as his associates for his newest scheme. However, this time around, he asked the ladies to go on ahead first as cafeteria workers. Olaf is unsure how he can get around the advance computer Vice-Principal Nero programmed roaming outside the school, and wants them to figure out the computer’s flaw.

Two weeks pass. Penny and Lucy call the house and tell Olaf about the flaw. They believe that if he’s in a disguise that hides some particular features—namely his eyebrow— he’ll go undetected. And so, Olaf goes to back to the hell that is Prufrock Prep under the disguise as Coach Genghis, with a new plan in action.

With Coach Genghis around, he makes the Baudelaires run laps at night for the S.O.R.E. program to get them time and get them to fail their class. As such, to help their friends in the realm of research, the Quagmires decide to dig up information about Olaf, as well as something else the Baudelaires requested.

Klaus, unfolding the drawing from Ike’s room that he kept: “I found this in our Aunt Josephine’s husband’s private room.” Duncan, narrowing his eyes, leaning close to the drawing: “That’s an interesting illustration. What it is of?” Violet: “We don’t know. Our Aunt Josephine only told us was that her husband Ike was studying it with a few others within their…friend group, but that’s all.” Isadora: “It must be something dangerous, private, or both if she kept quiet on it.” Sunny: “Senildeah!” (“What about the headlines!?”) Klaus, turning to Sunny: “That’s right! I nearly forgotten about those! Thank you, Sunny!” *turning back to the Quagmires * “In Ike’s private room, there was a newspaper headline about The Thistle of the Valley accident. Our time in Paltryville didn’t tell us anything about it. We only learned more about parents and their…friend group.” Duncan, pulling out his commonplace book and pencil, writing things down: “Paltryville, The Thistle of the Valley…” *looking up, smiling* “It’s still not a lot to go on, but it should be enough to find basic information, even if it’s unfortunately wrong.” Violet, smiling: “Thank you. I know it might be a mystery that won’t get solve completely, we’re grateful that you’re helping us.” Isadora, smiling: “We’re friends, and that is what friends are for.” Sunny, grinning, clasping hands together: “Daw…” (“Daw…”)

Meanwhile, back in the City and in Olaf’s house, Seller and Fernald are at each other throats, and Verne and Harper are playing card games that isn’t Roland’s Folly. The closest things to interesting is Harper getting updates regarding Gustav’s corpse and Monty’s house. Gustav’s body was found floating down from Swarthy Swamp to a river that leads to Lake Lachrymose, and that Monty’s place got mysteriously burned down, with rumors of two arsonists in odd get-up having set the place on fire.

Actually, Monty’s place getting burn happens right after Olaf enacted his plan to kidnap the Baudelaires after they get expelled from Prufrock Prep. Olaf orders the remaining troupe to pick them up. Verne and Fernald have one car to drive Penny and Lucy and the kidnapped children, while Seller and Harper have the other car to drive Olaf himself, because he at the moment, doesn’t want to share the vehicle as them.

But there’s a small change of plan regarding the kidnapping.

Duncan and Isadora, having disguised themselves as the Baudelaires (with Sunny being played by a sack of flour), get themselves kidnapped. Near sunrise, the Quagmires make their escape, but fail to see ‘Sunny’ was left behind. Lucy, having watching in the shadows alongside her sister, panicked, and ran onto the field.

Lucy: “Is the baby sick! IS THE BABY SICK? WHY DIDN’T YOU GO WITH YOUR SIBLINGS, BABY?” *The bag of flour flops over, and Lucy screams* Penny, joining her sister: “…That’s flour. That’s a bag of flour! Why would Violet and Klaus not have their sister running tonight alongside them?” Olaf, joining them as well, connecting the dots on why Violet and Klaus were oddly the same height, unlike all the other nights: “…Those annoying orphans brats. Ladies, go after the two Quagmires!” Penny and Lucy, confused: “The Quagmires?” Olaf: “Yes, the Quagmires! They were pretending to be the Baudelaire Brats the whole time! Like I said before! Go after them! I have a feeling they’ll be useful to us!”

Verne and Fernald as such, get a surprise when driving away from Prufrock Prep.

[A Kidnapping in the Happening!]

“You got to be kidding me! You two got the Quagmires Triplets?!” Fernald continued to look back behind the front passenger seat, not giving a damn that he’s unbuckled, because fuck car safety at the moment.

“Triplets?” asked Lucy, trying her best to keep Duncan from moving around. “There’s two of them though! The newspaper said they’re twins!

“Just because there’s two of us doesn’t mean we’re twins, lady!” shouted Isadora Quagmire, struggling against Penny’s tight grasp on her. “Our brother’s death in the fire doesn’t change a thing about our birth!”

“You lost your brother in a—OW! I got bit! How rude!” Lucy’s winced, and loosened her grip on Duncan Quagmire. Duncan as such, started to kick against the back side-passenger door in a rhythmic pattern.

“FUCK YOU ALL!” yelled Duncan at the top of his voice. “FUCK! YOU! ALL! YOU HEAR ME? YOU HEAR ME!?”

“Don’t you go breaking the door, brat!” growled Uncle Verne. “God, talk about having a hell of a drive back! Why do you have the Quagmires!?”

“A ruse is what happened!” Penny struggled to keep Isadora still, while trying to grab the burlap sacks from the backseat pocket to throw onto the Quagmires faces. “These two tricked us by pretending to be the Baudelaires! The boy was Klaus, the girl was Violet, and a bag of flour was the baby! How stupid that last one is!”

“Oh, fuck off with your stupid-ass complaints and insults about us!” Duncan continued to kick the door, and then glared at Uncle Verne. The glare had Fernald wondering what the Quagmires discovered about V.F.D. exactly. “You’re a bunch of miserable, selfish, assholes ruining other people’s lives without a damn over something stupid!”

“I agree with my older brother!” exclaimed Isadora. “You’re doing this all willing too! How do you live with yourselves! Don’t you care what others might think! Like your family?!”

“Shush, annoying little girl!” sneered Penny, managing to cover Isadora’s face with the burlap sack. “Now stay quiet, or else I’ll do something you’ll wish never happened to you. Unless you want me to do it your older brother! He bit my little sister, after all!”

Isadora did that, but it doesn’t stop her from moving around in the backseat anyway. Duncan meanwhile, continued to curse like a sailor at the top of his lungs. Well, at least until Lucy stuffed the burlap sack into his mouth. Fernald had to give up his jacket to Penny to cover the brat’s eyes.

[Must Be HELL of a Ride Back...]

Meanwhile, back at on the submarine Queequeg, V.F.D. finally got to Widdershins’ request for another crewmember, for Phil joins as the cook. Because Tegan is the unofficially part of the Crew of Two, Phil is delegated as an additional member; the chef.

With Tegan around, Fiona either helps Phil in the kitchen, or assists her stepfather and Tegan on reading charts and maps and submarine repairs. Fiona only has enough idle time to read The Mysterious Island. Fiona has yet read her stepfather’s birthday present, for it’s still in its wrapping.

(It’s a surprise tool that will help later.)

Tegan is doing a great job of being part of the Crew of Two. She keeps the Queequeg in almost near perfect condition, and almost always shadows Widdershins. Widdershins doesn’t mind her tailing, at first. He slowly grows irritated as Tegan unknowingly insults him. Widdershins wouldn’t mind the insults (for he’s quite use to insults) if Tegan didn’t compare him Ephraim while doing so. Tegan is harsh on Widdershins for not going back to land to restock on supplies so quickly, unlike Ephraim’s supplies runs. Tegan complaints to Widdershins on switching back and forth between subject matters, for Ephraim focuses on one thing at a time.

One day, Widdershins and Teagan were walking to a trolley stop with bulk of groceries in boxes, for they went on a supply run. There at the stop, is a thirteen-year-old boy with dark hair and dark wearing a backpack, holding a folded map in his hands. The boy has a mask covering the lower half of his face, like he has a cold and doesn’t want to spread germs. The boy eventually starts a conversation with them.

Thirteen-year-old Boy, muffled voice: “You got a lot of groceries for just two people.” Widdershins: “We’re actually carrying groceries for four people! Aye!” Tegan: “Eight people really, given we’re stocking up for supplies.” Thirteen-year-old Boy: “Stocking up?” Tegan: “Aye. It’ll be a while before we can go get groceries again, so we’re preparing.” Thirteen-year-old Boy: “Ah.” *nodding head, tilts head to side* “Thank explains why you have everything in bulk. Odd to see you don’t have small snacks in bulk.” Widdershins: “None at all! But we do have crackers!” *Widdershins sets the boxes he’s carrying down, and takes the top box off, setting it onto the ground. He then pulls out a rather large box of circular, salted crackers* “We got it for free, and while I like snacking on crackers, I don’t like this particular brand! Aye! Would you like to have them?” Tegan: “Are you—” *rolling eyes* “I can’t believe you’re doing this right now!” Thirteen-year-old Boy, tying his best to not laugh: “I was always told by my parents that I’m not supposed to take food from people I don’t know…” *stomach growls* “…but given my personal circumstances, I think I’ll make this the sole exception.”

The thirteen-year-old boy takes the box of crackers just as the trolley arrives. The boy goes onto the trolley, while two people get off the trolley. The boy takes a seat near the window, and waves goodbye at them, with Widdershins and Tegan waving also.

(Widdershins and Tegan will not know that they interacted with Quigley Quagmire until a dispatch got sent to them a week later when on the Queequeg:

Fiona, looking up from her charts: “Stepfather! Tegan! We got a telegram!” Widdershins, running down the spiral stairs: “Here I thought it wasn’t working!” Tegan, sliding down the pole: “Who send it to us, Niece Fiona?” Fiona, looking at telegram: “It’s from Quigley Quagmire.” Widdershins and Tegan: “What?” *Everyone looks at the dispatch* Dispatch: Captain Widdershins, I know this isn’t how one must use the Volunteer Factual Dispatch, but I must thank you STOP. The crackers you gave me lasted me a good while STOP. I am unsure when I’ll communicate with you again, but just know I heading towards the Mortmain Mountains for personal reasons, as well as related to the organization. Hopefully we will communicate with one another in the future STOP.”)

The two people that got off the trolley are real estate agents. One of them opened up their umbrella due to the sun, and they begin talking. There, Widdershins and Tegan hear that Monty’s home is gone, due to a fire of unknown origins. The land is now up for sale as potential retail development.

Widdershins was ready to stand up and ask them question as a random, curious citizen, but for the first time in years, he hesitates, and keeps quiet. This has Tegan going on yet another comparison, after they return to the Queequeg (Fiona is in the makeshift library, while Phil is out in the main control room looking out the port window).

[~If you say it like that, it must mean that you hate me~]

“Why did you stay silent, V? Remember our old man’s philosophy!” Tegan’s voice was close behind him, yet seemed so far away. “He —or she— who hesitates is lost!”

“I know that, Tegan.” Widdershins gripped the bottom box tightly as he tried to set the boxes onto the table. “I can’t forget such a philosophy, even if I wanted too. Aye, I had it drill into me longer than you.”

“Why did you hesitate then? Aye! You could have asked them more about it as a random, curious citizen. I think they wouldn’t have mind that!”

“I could, but I didn’t, aye.” Widdershins inhaled, and then exhaled. It’s all just a matter of keeping it under control. He can do this. He can do this. Widdershins took the first box off, and then the second box.

“That still doesn’t answer my question. Why didn’t you ask, V? Aye! If Stepfather was here, he would have asked them for sure!” Tegan’s voice goes slightly higher, as well as defensive. “Stepfather would have asked nonchalantly without a second thought! Aye! Stepfather would have successfully gotten more information! Having so many years of experience, our old man’s actions unlike yours—”

“Are correct! Aye! Are ideal! Aye! Are what the organization wants in a true volunteer! Captain Ephraim B. Widdershins does everything right, and everything I do is wrong!” Widdershins spun around on his heels, and gave a cold, stern glare at her.

Tegan, still carrying one the boxes, stared at him with her brown eyes. Her eyes blinking fast behind her triangle glasses, and her lower lips quivers. “V…”

“Is everything okay? I heard loud voices!” Phil’s voice called out from the outside.

Widdershins stared at Tegan, and then closed his eyes. He knew he fucked up big time. He had to apology, not just to appease his old man, wherever he is right now.

“I’m sorry.” Tegan’s voice was small.

Widdershins reopened his eyes, and stared at Tegan, and shook his head. He then took a step towards her.

Tegan took a step back, still with the box in her hand. The way Tegan was acting now, Widdershins was reminded of that day so long ago. Tegan was six, thinking him as a ghost from her past haunting them. He can’t blame Tegan for acting like this now.

The two of them didn’t speak for a bit. But Tegan eventually, took a step closer to him. Widdershins carefully took the box from Tegan’s hands.

“Don’t apologize, Tegan,” said Widdershins. “You didn’t know how I felt, because I didn’t tell you. Aye, so don’t go feeling guilty over something you didn’t know of.”

Tegan remained quiet, but she did nod her head.

“To tell you the truth about all of this,” continued Widdershins, “I’m doing this in the perspective of an outsider. As an outsider, Captain Ephraim B. Widdershins is a great submarine captain. He’s a well-respected volunteer in the organization. His stepdaughter as such deserves the best chaperone. Instead, you got stuck with—”

Widdershins couldn’t help but pause mid-way. Insulting himself would make Tegan feel worse, no doubt. Widdershins just sighed, as he placed the box onto the table.

“Tegan, I’m fine with you disrespecting me as your brother. Stepbrother,” said Widdershins. “As your chaperone though, I insist you accept and respect what I do, and do exactly as I say. And I said it was best we didn’t engage in conversation.”

Tegan once again, nodded head. In a quiet voice, she replied, “Okay.”

[~No! I don't hate you at all~]

Despite all the bickering and unknowing comparisons, there is one good thing going between Widdershins and Tegan. And that, is calling Phil “Cookie” for no apparent reason. Widdershins started it first, and Tegan jumped onto it. It drives Fiona off the walls to where she told them over dinner one night, with the meal being some sort of fish, vegetable, and cheese casserole (it’s not as bad as it could be, too).

Fiona, passing the black pepper to her stepfather: “It’s just impolite! It’s more polite to call someone by their proper name!” Widdershins, dumping black pepper over the casserole Phil made for diner: “Maybe so! Aye! But I have yet heard Cookie complain about it!” Tegan, drinking some lemonade, for they can’t have the lemon-lime soda: “He clearly likes the nickname. *turns to Phil* “Isn’t that right, Cookie?” Phil, *serving himself casserole, smiling*: “I do like it! I don’t mind the nickname at all. I always wanted a nickname when I was a kid! Cookie is a very nice nickname to have!” Fiona, doing an expression that is similar to the well-known scrunch-up Kermit face: “Well, alright then. I’m just surprise that you two when in a blue moon, are scarily so much alike. And this is considering how you are the opposite of one another.” Tegan, nearly choking on her lemonade, having feeling insulted: “Scarily alike? Niece Fiona, understand that comment is just uncalled for! He may not look it, but know at times he’s an empty head with no thoughts.” Widdershins, setting the black pepper down: “That means you too, can be an empty head with no thoughts.” Tegan: “…” *Pushes Widdershins off his chair* Widdershins, from the floor: “Hey!” Tegan, smirking as she swaps their plates: “It’s mine now, V.” Phil, still smiling: “Ah, siblings bonding. How wonderful!”

#asoue #a series of unfortunate events #fanfic #widdershins family curse concept au #captain widdershins #tegan widdershins #verne widdershins #fernald widdershins #fernald #hook handed man #fiona widdershins #ephraim widdershins #count olaf #the acting troupe #the theater troupe #the bald man #the white face women #madame lulu #(there's a lot of characters in this chapter. tagging those in au + those with 'roles'. hence madame lulu but not olivia caliban)

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thebreakfastgenie · 11 months

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WIP Game: By Any Other Name and Strawberry Fields!

I talked about by any other name here! here's another snippet:

“Thomas W. Gillis.” Sidney looks at him again, but Hawkeye avoids his gaze. “Born the same year as you,” he observes. “Friend of yours?” “We grew up together.” It sounds forced, clipped, even to him. It’s not even half the story, and he senses that Sidney knows just how much he’s leaving out, if not exactly what. Sidney glances at the headstone again. “1951.” He raises his eyebrows. “Did he die in Korea?” he asks in that way he has—gentle, but matter-of-fact. “Yeah, uh,” Hawkeye pauses. “I guess I never told you.” He looks at the headstone. Nestled just behind it are Tommy’s parents, who died within four months of each other, a couple of years before Daniel. They can’t hide from time any more than the Pierces can; the faded granite betrays the grave with the latest birthdate as the oldest. “He died at the 4077th.” Sidney conceals his surprise well, but not well enough. “Why do you suppose you never did?” “You remember what it was like over there,” he shrugs. “There was always something else.” Sidney waits. Sidney always waits. Sidney can sense when Hawkeye wants to say more, even before Hawkeye can. “I saw it happen,” Hawkeye adds carefully. “That must have been very painful.” It’s an honest assessment, not patronizing. He's always been able to count on Sidney for that. “It was almost thirty years ago,” Hawkeye says, like that makes it better instead of worse.

Unlike with Hawkeye's parents' graves, which he kind of does want to show Sidney, he just won't admit it, Hawkeye really does not plan on stopping at Tommy's grave. It's not in this excerpt, but on their way out of the cemetery, Sidney sees the same flowers from Hawkeye's parents' graves and the front of the house and makes the connection. W is a middle initial I gave Tommy because I thought he deserved one. That last line is very personal; it's weird to talk about your dead childhood best friend, and people will say they're sorry because there just isn't anything else to say, but it's weird to hear about something that happened so long ago so you say well, it was a long time ago, like that makes it better, but when you think about it it just means they died so young it's been that long and here you still are. Anyway. I hope you enjoy!

I am so happy you asked about Strawberry Fields because it's been on my mind! Strawberry Fields is very much a working title, but strawberries do figure. This fic is basically the night of the Rosslyn shooting from Josh's mom's perspective. One of the reasons I took a break was I couldn't figure out what the end point was, but I think it's going to be when she finally gets to DC, just before she sees him. I made some OCs to be her friends and neighbors and it was really fun! There's this one particular Moment I haven't been able to get right yet but I'm very excited for when I pull it off.

She took a third spoonful of filling. She never measured, it was always instinct. She always overfilled the spoon just slightly, so she could get it done in one go. Her hands were steady; she never spilled a drop. Jim had complimented her technique. She crimped the third tart, then went back for the fourth. There was a sharp knock at the door. The sound startled her. She dropped the spoon. It caught the side of the bowl with a splash, before clattering to the floor. There was a second knock. She turned in the direction of the front door, and her eye caught the television. The letters scrolled across the screen in red. Special Report Shots Fired President Bartlet She picked up the remote. She found the mute button without tearing her eyes away from the screen. The sound roared to life. “—and we can now confirm that President Bartlet’s motorcade has arrived at George Washington University Hospital—” Oh, God, she thinks. Let that be all. “—we are also receiving reports of several other injuries, but these victims have yet to be identified. The injury count is believed to be low—” Someone would call. If it was— someone would have called her. Someone was still knocking on the door. She stood, transfixed, in front of the TV. A shrill sound cut the kitchen in half, drowning out both the news report and the continued knocking. The telephone. She glanced toward the door, then turned her back on it. She picked up the phone.

#ty!!!! <3

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abbinurmel · 9 months

Text

here is another peculiar yet effective way that I have found to chase the blues or the BRAINFOGS away

So hear me out

You fellas ever watch videodunkey? If you don't, go pick just one video of his to watch, so you get the kinda jist about who he is.

youtube

Ok now seriously, stay with me, hold up.

Some of you are gonna like this video. Some of you are gonna find it dumb or annoying. Either reaction equally is okay. No concern if you actively play or like videogames, or you like or dislike this guy's opinion on any game franchise, or if you like HIM, as in the irl guy, or his persona. You do not have to regularly be a fan of his to do this. You can even dislike him if you want. BUT. But. Here is the thing, here is your new amazing coping mechanism tool that I swear totally works at getting me out of my own negative head, whenever I'm in a braindead funk...

You gotta narrate your life, like a game commenter. A stupid ass comedic sort of game commenter. You are reviewing this game, which stars you, the avatar of the main character, but you are also, either out loud, or in thought, gonna pretend you are the guy PLAYING WITH THE CONTROLS. You are not merely talking to yourself, but imagine you're always talking from a safe distance behind a mic and a fourth wall.

And the game, of "Your Name Goes Here", does not have to be *good.* In fact, the more stupid, boringly mundane, broken or confusing the game is, usually the more popular and funnier a videogame review is too. -So every time you just are pulling thru your regular day, even if you screw up or panic, try to remind yourself that this is only a glitchy dollar bin game you randomly picked up. You don't know what each day holds same way a reviewer doesn't know how good or lame their first playthru is. Speak honestly about it and your feelings as you 'play,' exactly how you are feeling and what you are planning to do, moment to moment, like you're just blindly puppeting around the character thru the level.

"I'm gonna make some spaghetti! Here we go...oh, I hafta collect my ingredients first..."

"man my chest hurts, this sucks...I need a recharge. This is so tiresome."

"I can't get this character to do the thing again...jeesh, OOH looky HERE ladies and gentlemen, we found the car keys, YES!

Or you just breathe and think it out in your head and imagine your doofy game nerd is patiently coaxing you on.

"Cmon guy. Make the bed. You can do it. Up. Up we go. Outta bed now. Here we go ye-...yes....uh....ah UP. HERE WE GO, AWRIGHT, THAT'S IT!-"

If you don't wanna use dunkey, use Jacksepticeye or GameGrumps, whoever your favorite gamer reviewer is. Or even better, if you like OC making, then why not invent your own gamer critic nerd persona? Make them as charming or geeky and scummy as you want, they can be like you, or they can be as far fetchedly different as you can imagine, make em be a fat gay octopus, or anime catgirls or aliens from space if you want. It doesn't matter. The idea is to playfully distance yourself without dissociation but total lighthearted IMMERSION into your present moment of life.

Next time that you're arriving into a cloud of melancholic doom, a pointless meandering, a miserable gloomy frustrated tired burnout crapfest; or just another regular day of ADHD braindead funk.... I want you to verbally talk to yourself, or at least mentally, like the character persona of videodunkey does. His voice is too stupid to be taken seriously and that is kind of half the point.

Imagine your day is a crappy little new videogame that this guy or some otyouher doofus is reviewing and trying out. They are there to hawk and support you, show you off and talk you up as a product, but, at end of the day, they might also simultaneously call you out on all of your stupid bullshit flaws- and what's funny about people like dunkey in particular is troll creators like these often both talk insultingly AND ironically AND sincerely in genuine praise of a game ALL AT ONCE IN THE SAME REVIEW. Say whatever you want about him or his videos, the guy might be nice or a total piece of shit for all I could know irl. But, if there is one thing him and his ilk are good at, it is nuance and THAT is fundamentally what you are as a human being. Neither good or bad as a whole, like most games, nuanced. You have times when you as a game work, and times where you glitch and times when you get away with cool cheat codes and times when you grind, you frustratingly grind, you work so hard and get so far but in the end it doesn't even matter... Times when the graphics and the level music are beautiful and sometimes there are levels that they suck, some stages have intensely annoying themes, or a hard water maze that you can't stand, but, maybe you find a treasure chest you will need, to get a cool ability. Every day is a new unique stage. Life is like a videogame, I mean no not in THAT way but...look.

By pretending your life is a game demo with some laidback wacky nerd in the background just nitpicking and praising and mumbling about your daily every move, you start feeling ironically more confident, and accomplished, because you feel both a lot more self aware, and yet a lot less bad about yourself. You realize how *trivial* your failings and mistakes are, how silly and annoying yet sometimes worthwhile it is to both nitpick your every flaw but also NOT take it seriously at all. Cos why should your own actual emotions, or more toxic peers, hold you in the same light? Imperfections are what make these dumb kind of video reviews funny, and what make us human.

Meanwhile, whenever you comment upon your every tiny *victories*, every time you 'beat' a 'high score' by just feeding yourself, doing chores, getting done hard tasks, beating any 'boss 'character (aka positively communicating with that one rude guy at work or your stressful mom) in conversation, you get a win.

*Celebrate* every victory, with 'upgrades and prizes' when you can. Pat yourself verbally on the back, buy a snack, go have a bubble bath or something you enjoy to do. Yor omniscient gamer inner monologue isn't only there to tear you down, they are there to ALSO PRAISE YOU AND HAVE FUN. Even if your persona is a scoundrel!- you can make them have in a snobby bragging gamer voice things to say like "Ooohooo, look I did it you guyshh, you fucks all didn't believe me, but here I am, proving you dicks wrong, YEAHHHUUH!" Be as pompously over the top, or kind and gracious to your audience in your mind as you like. You start to feel this goofy but genuine sense of confidence. Cos the more you treat yourself like you are aren't sucking as a whole abstract, you are just currently are sucking at TODAY'S CURRENT *LEVEL*, your mind starts operating a whole lot more differently. When your day is good, you really start to feel gradually more permanently self-encouraged, cos it has always been now like you pulled off a bigger over arcing success.

🎉👾🌟

Show me all of your game reviewer OCs!!!!

#dunkey #self love #adhd brain #depression and anxiety #psychology #disassociation #jokes #game reviews #indie games #life #leveling up #game grumps #jacksepticeye #markiplier #original chararcter #Show me your inner game OC!!!!! :)#autism #autistic artist #cognitive behavioral therapy

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skepticalkoi-catastrophe · 1 year

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|Come Closer| Kuroo Tetsurou x Blackfem!reader

The following fanfic is an inspired spin-off of Deciphered by @hoeneymilktea, The Sunrise, and Your Sins by @leia505 , and fanart by @aikk00 . Pls, check them out as well as other spin-off authors. Comments, Reblogs, and Shares are heavily appreciated. I hope you enjoy~ ♡

Words- 2,001

Chapter [005] Wish it More

Subway doors clang shut at the Toranomon Hills Station via the Hibiya Line. Kuroo texts you and says he's waiting at the next station's platform. You have your headset on one ear, the other somewhat hanging off to hear any upcoming announcements. Your mouth quirks at its corners as you notice a toddler sitting across from where you are, babbling and reaching for you.

Sunlit clouds drift through the clear skies, casting radiant lambency out the windows of the train. Its beams turn your irises into sunny versions of themselves. When Kuroo said he'd see you today, you didn't think you'd wake up to brunch delivered at your doorstep from your favorite café you thought closed many summers back. He first took you there after his morning practice as a thank-you for accompanying him during volleyball training camp.

You’re pulled out of your reverie as your stop, Kasumigaseki Station, is announced as the next stop. You wish the toddler goodbye with a wink and a wave, seeing their teeny tiny hand wave bye back to you. Waiting by the candy cane-striped line for safety at the edge of the track, train schedules and map routes are posted on the wall along with digital signs announcing the estimated arrival time for the next train.

"Y/n!" Kuroo stumbled to a halt. "I'm so glad you had some time to do this with me."

"Lucky for you I've got all the time in the world, Tetsurou."

He's decked out in a white Chicago Bulls jersey and khaki cargo pants, an acid wash jean jacket wrapped around his waist. Red, white, and black retro Jordan 6's on his feet as he ushered you inside the train. You both tromp along, taking baby steps into the sardine can-like compartment alongside dozens of strangers. Attempting to snag an empty seat, the train lurched unanticipatedly at its next stop.

Had the last person boarding not rushed inside the train, Kuroo -adding to his now brought-on discomforting sense of dread- blunders about nearly crushing you between him and the train doors at your rear. He catches himself even though there wasn't a handle to grab ahold of. Till he realized his large hand was on your hip holding you upright.

You raise your chin, pursing your lips. "You good? You almost busted your ass there for a sec."

"Uh- yeah sorry about that, Shortcake. Can I uh...?" He trips over his tongue, the forced proximity making his heart play double dutch. "I'm gonna put my arm above you, okay? To steady me."

"Right, uh, go ahead." You said, folding your hands at your sides and holding your ruched red Prada mini bag. His gold cuban link chain dangling within the modest gap between you both. He's not far off from an overprotective boyfriend with his right forearm stiffly propped onto the train doors. Kuroo turned his head sideways, throwing his focus elsewhere.

You both bring your attention as the speaker crackles to life, announcing the next platform. Seven stops left.

You press your foot down on the gas controller, only for your avatar to place fourth once again across the finish line. Kuroo takes pleasure in his victory, even going as far as to one-up you by driving one-handed just like in real life. Yet he had another thing coming as you got to your feet on the old thin patterned carpet, blowing out your cheeks.

"Best two outta three?" He insisted, stretching his arms above his head.

"Tell yah what, you may out-drive me but I mos def can out-gun you." You taunt, leading him away from the seated racing games to the loud bomb blasts and gunfire emanating from the nearby shoot-em-up games.

Rows of machines with colorful pictures on the sides filled Gigo Shinjuku Kabukicho. Players jab at buttons, some frustratedly slamming their hands against the side of them. Recorded crowds cheering and bellowing out the basketball/hoop games. Inserting your tokens, you hold the shotgun controller, squeezing the trigger.

Kuroo practically bent over backward narrowly keeping up with your kill streak. Marveled, he watches as you gun down hordes of zombies . The Annihilation–each zombie barely made it a step through the graveyard before you blew them to high hell with seconds left in the round.

You size him up, grabbing a quick slurp of your blue raspberry slush before the next level kicks in. "Quittin' already?"

"I'm all outta tokens, smart ass. Imma be right back." He simpered, gingerly bumping your side.

You give him a half-shrug, mowing down more zombies as Kuroo jogged out of view to the token exchange. At the final boss level, you chuck a grenade, adding another S-rank win to your belt. Level three loaded as you pumped your fist in the air, jamming your hand in your front pocket for what's left of your tokens.

"Here, you can have mine." Your head jerked in the direction of the voice, his stack of tokens resting on the game cabinets' console. He held out his arms, wrapping them around your shoulders, yours around his torso squeezing a bit.

"Where have you been at, Tangie? Last we spoke, you were leaving for Brazil." You pull away, the ginger barely concealing his delight. "You were shorter, too."

"Says the one who hasn't grown much since then. Last I saw you, you were catching your flight back to the states."

Hinata's tan is evident of his time away. His short-sleeved shirt revealed elaborate tattoos down to his wrists. "I'm taking some time off. I got homesick. I've missed you, Mi Querida."

"Oh, so we're bilingual now?" Your hip juts out amused. "I missed you too. Sorry I wasn't calling you as much. I had my number changed recently. "

Inserting his stack of coins, you wait on the countdown to the next stage of zombies. You hand your blue flip phone to him, a Calpico charm with a small four-leaf clover inside hangs from it.

"I can't say much right now, but add your number to my contact list. And don't tell Blondie Miya. I want it to be a surprise."

Hinata taps away at the number keys. "That's if his brother didn't tell him first. Word travels fast 'round here. Wait, you're here alone?"

"Who says I'm alone?" You ready your stance, cocking the plastic shotgun and adjusting your aim. "I'll give you the deets later."

Hinata snaps your phone shut, sliding it into your mini bag. He side-hugs you once more, starting to quicken his pace en route to the prize counter.

"You might wanna head out pronto." His flip phone chirps reading off a message. "Blondie and Grey will be here in a few minutes. I'll message you a meeting place by Friday."

You wave him away, putting the plastic gun down in the console's holster. Searching for any signs of the twins, you bump into a medium-sized toast and skeleton cat plushie won from the claw games held in Kuroo's arms.

Somewhat peeking around his shoulder, you notice the twins now battling in air hockey while Enigma was by the dance pads.

"Careful y/n. What's the rush?"

You take his hand, hastily leading him to the exit doors. "I'm craving something sweet. Let's get ice cream. My treat."

Colorfully painted walls and an ornamented chalkboard menu board lists various ice cream flavors and their correlative prices. Jolly décor and customers peer into glass-covered cases holding buckets of creamy confectionery nestled in ice as they ask for samples. Tubs filled with candy toppings and pump containers of chocolate, caramel, butterscotch, and strawberry syrups lined the display cases.

Seated in a booth, you take spoonfuls of your parfait as Kuroo tries desperately to keep his waffle cone from melting in his hands. Both of your plushies are seated beside you.

"We're gonna spoil our dinner because of your sweet tooth."

"What do you care? Do you have reservations planned for us somewhere? " You rocked back and forth, brushing your palms together.

"Does Thai Take-out count?" Kuroo bites into his cone, licking what he could of his three scoops. "In all seriousness though, why were you so quick to leave the arcade? Did something happen? "

You shook your head. "No. Nothing like that. I just saw some familiar faces and I didn't want them to know I was out and about."

He wiped his mouth with a napkin. "Why? Scared I'll ruin your rep?"

"For starters, you still haven't told me what your rep is nowadays. Apparently, you race and you have money as far as the eye can see. Am I wrong to assume the worst? "

Kuroo laughs bitterly, crunching more of his waffle cone between his teeth. "Assume the worst huh? I'd say I'm living the dream. Fast cars and fast money all the while I'm my own boss."

"And your Chem degree is still in the picture?"

"Working on it as we speak. Part-time, obviously."

Wrapping a curl around your finger, you lean back into the cushioned seat, wiggling your foot.

"If life's so carefree, then, please do tell me whose nine millimeter that is in your glove box."

There's a beat of silence as his shoulders slump and he massages the back of his neck. "How did you-? Look, I never said I didn't have enemies, y/n. It comes with the territory."

Across the way, a girl your age waited afar. You realize you know her, red and white ink formed a chrysanthemum norigae on her right bicep.

Exhaling, you rise from your seat. "I'll be in the bathroom."

Shim Ya Naoki. Da Vinci was once her name. Nothing more than a talented tattoo artist who visited your old place of work for flowers and coffee. You hated where things left off between you both. She's the one who disappeared. She had no right to blame you.

Her black platform lace-up boots entered, heavily pacing to the stall you stood within. She leaned back against the wall, hanging her head and crossing her arms over her chest.

"I'd apologize but I know you don't want to hear a word I have to say."

"Yeah, well, you shut everybody out. I won't take it personally. Never did." You quipped, glancing up at the ceiling.

"Spades, you can't- " She retorted, shifting her weight from one foot to the other. "You cannot avoid me forever."

"How much do you wanna bet ?" You opened the door of the stall. Naoki steps back, granting you enough space to stand straight.

"I don't want an apology, 'Vinci. I didn't ask you to nose around in my business with the Miya's. If you wanted Kuroo so bad back then, you should've opened yah fuckin' mouth and told him."

"It was pointless. He used me as a rebound the same way you used him."

"Kuroo and I were strictly just friends. Him and I dating was out of the question."

"Guess he didn't quite get the memo. He moaned your name while he fucked me." Naoki tenses, her expression pinched and eyes narrow.

"You're lyin'." Your head drew back quickly. Disbelief audible as you shakily replied. "It doesn't matter, you two weren't officially together. Having a 'fuck buddy' dosen't equal having a boyfriend."

"Neither were you and the Miyas either."

Naoki shoved her hands in her pockets bumping your shoulder to get by. She cracks the bathroom door, looking back at you, her acrylic nails like talons.

"He's not who he's cracked up to be. From one girl to another, stand down. He's more trouble than he's worth, Spades."

With that, she exits, leaving you frustratedly speechless. Touching the base of your neck, your other hand grips the sink in front of you as you grimace.

You never called to mind Kuroo looking at you in a lovey-dovey way. He was a player, a delinquent who could have any girl he wanted back then and even now. Everything you both did together was totally platonic. No strings attached. Naoki's warning repeats itself back as a question from your lips.

"More trouble than he's worth?"

If you enjoyed this chapter, make sure to follow me for more. If you'd also like to be added to the tag list, comment below.

Taglist: @blissfullyrhea @nanastie @peachjaem00 @melbugs1 @jfoxxarts @s-1-xx

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24-7-testing · 1 year

Text

I posted 1,180 times in 2022

25 posts created (2%)

1,155 posts reblogged (98%)

Blogs I reblogged the most:

@24-7-testing

@enrichment--center

@humanwheatleyslefttoenail

@the-dangerous-mute-lunatic

@ratt-core

I tagged 1,180 of my posts in 2022

#aperture science - 1,170 posts

#aperture laboratories - 1,170 posts

#portal 2 - 1,047 posts

#chell - 498 posts

#testing queue - 346 posts

#wheatley - 329 posts

#glados - 326 posts

#portal - 270 posts

#companion cube - 157 posts

#caroline - 67 posts

Longest Tag: 116 characters

#this unlocked a deeply repressed memory of me playing petz in my grandparent's basement on an old macintosh computer

My Top Posts in 2022:

"Welcome, gentlemen, to The Aperture's Fortune. Aristocrats, soldiers, bilge rats -- you're here because we want the best, and you are it. So: Who is ready to plunder some gold? [laugh] Now, you already met one another on the dinghy ride over, so let me introduce myself. I'm Captain Johnson. I own the ship. That eager voice you hear barking orders is the lovely Caroline, my First Mate. Rest assured, she's stashed your excess gold with the rest of our loot. Isn't that right, Caroline?"

"Yes, sir, Cap'n Johnson!"

"Hardest working deckhand, Caroline. She's the backbone of this ship! Pretty as a postcard too. Sorry scallywags, she's married; to the sea!"

I've been playing a lot of the game Sea of Thieves with a good friend lately (highly recommend it btw) and we got talking about what a Pirate Portal AU would look like. Surprisingly enough, there doesn't seem to be any fanart of Portal characters as pirates at least that I've found.

So, thanks to an art commission done by the amazing @sapient-nes , this new multiverse now has some content! Here's Captain Cave Johnson and his First Mate Caroline sailing the seas on their ship, The Aperture's Fortune, looking for adventure, plunder, and any crew members brave enough to accompany them on their voyages!

I'm very happy with how the artwork came out. The artist did a wonderful job and was great to work with too! Go commission them if you like what you see!

Also, if anybody out there has seen any other Portal-themed Pirate content, send it my way!

138 notes - Posted June 28, 2022

I've been seeing a lot of people slightly confused by it, so I thought that I would point out that Aperture Desk Job is not part of the main timeline of Portal and Portal 2.

From the Steam page for the game:

It's a story in the expanded universe of those games, ie the Multiverse! That being said, it's extremely fun and should definitely be played!

Hopefully everyone can keep this in mind while developing fan theories about the content of the game. 😊

258 notes - Posted March 2, 2022

The end of the year gets tough for a lot of people, especially the last few years. Because of this, I am once again excited to announce the return of…

The Portal Holiday Spirit Initiative!

To try and lift people’s spirits up this year, I will be making and sending out FREE Portal-Themed Holiday Cards to anyone who asks for one! The cards are customized to match any December Holiday of your choice and mailed to you physically or emailed digitally!

This will be the fourth consecutive year I have run PHSI, and features the return of the nifty Postcards from last year! But don't worry: All physical cards will be mailed in themed envelopes this year, so your postcards should arrive in much better condition! :)

These postcards are are also special and unique, because they feature new artwork made by eight different artists from the fandom, specifically for this event! The design of the postcard you receive will be based on what you select in your Card Request. I can’t express the amount of thanks these artists deserve for volunteering their time and talents to make PHSI 2022 special!

If you would like to receive a Portal-Themed Holiday Card:

Visit bit.ly/portal-holiday-spirit-initiative …

Answer the questions on the form…

Wait for your card to be made and sent!

It’s that simple! Card Requests are now open, and close on December 20th in order to give me enough time to make and send all the cards before the end of the year. Please submit sooner rather than later so I have time to finish them all!

Also, please don’t be afraid to request a physical card if you don’t live in the US! It might take a bit longer for you to receive your card depending on what country you live in, but they do get mailed to whatever address you provide, whether domestic or foreign. Last year I mailed/emailed a total of 141 cards to Italy, Australia, Canada, Colombia, The Czech Republic, Germany, England, Finland, France, Mexico, New Zealand, Poland, Romania, Russia, The US, The United Kingdom, and Vietnam!

I’m glad to be a part of the Portal Fandom and hope to bring a smile to others in the Fandom this year! While not a requirement to receive a card, please visit ko-fi.com/247testing and click the Donate button if you’d like to give $2 to cover the cost/postage of your card and someone else’s too. Thanks!

Answers for common questions and concerns under the cut:

Worried about providing a mailing address, for whatever reason?

PHSI has an eCard option! All you need to provide is a name for me to call you by and an email address to receive your card!

Worried about requesting a card because you don’t live in the US?

PHSI mails to any address provided, whether domestic or foreign! However, please wait patiently for your card, due to the current global rate of shipping.

Worried that you can’t give $2 to cover the cost of your card and someone else’s?

Requesting a card from PHSI has been and will always be FREE! However, giving $2 to the initiative helps me buy card supplies and postage to mail physical cards (visit ko-fi.com/247testing if you’d like to contribute). I gratefully appreciate any contributions received, even if it’s just a comment saying thanks!

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274 notes - Posted November 20, 2022

A Study Of Lies, by yours truly.

460 notes - Posted April 17, 2022

My #1 post of 2022

!!!

From the article:

"We've gotta start Portal 3, that's my message to you. Anything you can do, let's do it, let's just make it happen. Because yeah, I am also not getting any younger like we are reaching the point where it's crazy to think, literally gonna be too old to work on Portal 3 so we should just do it," said Wolpaw.

Wolpaw went on to say that Portal fans should make their appeals known to Gabe Newell, though the writer was quick to point out that he doesn't think these appeals will help the game materialize. However, if Newell and Valve see an interest, it certainly couldn't hurt!

632 notes - Posted April 18, 2022

Get your Tumblr 2022 Year in Review →

#tumblr2022 #year in review #my 2022 tumblr year in review #your tumblr year in review #aperture science #aperture laboratories #portal #portal 2

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journalofsorts2 · 1 year

Text

there's a billion things i want to talk about with my therapist tomorrow and im gonna list them all here so i don't forget.

okay where to start, so first off i forgot how bad my paranoia gets when my dad's out of town. it's less related to worrying about his safety then it is worrying about mine. my paranoia is already pretty bad but when he's out of town it gets like a million times worse. it's thoughts like, "oh someone's gonna break into the house" or "oh when they break in they're gonna murder you and the cats" or "oh someone's gonna break in when you're sleeping and murder your little sister" and these thoughts are already there when my dad's around but they're muffled because i feel confident that he could protect me. but when he's gone i feel scared and weak. it probably doesn't help that i had a break in scare 2 weeks ago either.

anyways, second is how much i rely on my dad for conversation. i've always been adamant that i hate small talk, but now that he's out of town and i don't get to talk to him i'm realizing that our conversations were small talk and i miss it so much. my day feels emptier because i don't get to engage in conversation with him. like yeah, i talk to my sister but it's not the same kind of conversation as with my dad. this leads me to my next point of jesus christ im so lonely. i never realized how much of my human interactions on a day to day basis consisted of talking to my dad.

third is OMG DETROIT BECOME HUMAN ARRIVED THE OTHER DAY AND I LOVE IT SO MUCH!!! i literally started yesterday and i beat my first playthrough today. it's one thing to watch a playthrough of the game you've been obsessing over and it's another thing entirely to actually play it. this game is helping keep me sane while my dad is gone

fourth is oh my god i do not feel safe inside my own house. whenever my dad's gone for a long period of time, i go into protect mode for my sister and cats. i put them above everything and make sure they're happy and safe because i do not trust my mom to do that to any capacity. this goes into a problem i've had since i was little is, i always assume the role of a caretaker when my primary caretakers are gone and unable to take care of me. like when i was 9 i think, my brother dislocated his knee and went to the hospital with my dad, and god knows what my mom was doing and so i made sure my younger sister was okay, i made sure the cats didn't get out when the ambulance arrived, i made sure the cats were okay, i did the dishes that didn't get finished, and i made sure my older siblings knew what happened to my brother. and no one asked me to do this, i just did it on my own. anyways so with my dad gone i've been in protect mode and it's exhausting to not feel safe 24/7. i've been triple checking locks, triple checking that curtains are closed, getting a heart attack any time i hear noise outside, and it's fucking exhausting and it doesn't end till saturday. im tired man

anyways it's good i started writing this when i did because i already forgot my other things i was going to bring up cause the melatonin is starting to kick in.

#journalofsorts rants

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sanity-jester · 4 years

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Rapture Masquerade.

------------------------------------- Redbubble: Cat Bunny Birb Spider Butterfly

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albertasunrise · 2 years

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Hey!! I don’t know if you take requests but I had this idea that I thought I would share with you as I noticed you live in the UK. It would be about an English girl who moves to the US and meets the Triple Frontier guys (obviously falls for Frankie) and the guys always take the mick out of her accent and the way she says things (just little things like car park instead of parking lot, bin instead of trash can etc.) but her response is always “where am I from? England? Yeah so I’m right” 😂 and then maybe we get some baby stuff (which you write beautifully) and the girl can’t believe you have to pay to have a baby in America. With a sprinkling of angst thrown in for good measure somewhere!

British Beauty

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Summary: After moving from England to the US after a bad breakup, you find more than you bargained for.

Relationships: Frankie Morales x Reader

Warnings: Like AO3 I choose not to post any warnings. Will give the story away.

Notes: LOVED THIS IDEA... Also... I'm half Canadian so my friends are constantly correcting how I speak so I can totally relate 😂 hope you enjoy!

You met Ben first. It had been your fourth month living in Texas and you'd decided to take your chances in a bar down the street from your apartment. Your friends had been telling you since you'd arrived that you had to try a sports bar so after a little wandering you'd found one a block over.

It was busy but not loud. Two large screens hung above the bar, one playing a hockey game and the other a sport you were familiar with growing up. You had sat at the bar, ordered a cider and watched the race, practically screaming at the TV as if Hamilton would be able to hear you from where he sat in his driving seat.

"That British driver's pretty good huh?" Ben had asked, stepping up beside you with an empty jug in hand.

"Six times world champion." You'd replied, turning to see one of the most beautiful men you'd ever seen smiling back at you.

"A fan of the sport then?" He asked and you nodded enthusiastically before looking back at the screen.

"By the time I was 2 I could name all the drivers and what they drove." You'd stated proud, smiling sweetly at him as your eyes wandered back to him "It's a big deal back home."

"British hmm?" Ben had asked and you nodded "Whereabouts?"

"West Country." You answered with a smile and he look perplexed "I'm from a city called Bath."

"Like bathtub?" He's questioned and you'd chuckled and nodded.

"Sorta, yeah." You'd replied, "We do have some famous roman baths in the city centre."

"Wow, that's pretty cool." He had said as he nodded at the bartender to refill his jug "You here alone?"

"Yeah." You'd replied with a shrug "Moved here a few months ago and haven't really had a chance to make any friends outside the office."

"Join us." He said sincerely and you had given him a questioning look before seeing nothing but sincerity in his expression.

So you'd accepted his offer and joined his friends. Santi, the short but sweet. Will, Ben's sweetheart brother and Frankie. You saved the best for last.

Francisco Morales was something else entirely.

He was a little rough around the edges in appearance and yet, he had a softness to him that drew you to him like a moth to a flame. His hair was longer than the others, curling at the ends and a warm chocolate colour. His eyes were dark and sparkled in the dim light of the bar and you had felt yourself mesmerised by them like you could look into them for the rest of your days.

You'd been pretty gutted when you had learned he had a girlfriend and then you'd found yourself cursing yourself for hoping otherwise. He was perfect in every single way but you'd figured this was probably the one and only time you'd hand out with them all so you had suffered in silence for the rest of the evening.

How wring you'd been.

One year later...

Will was holding his annual barbecue and the boys had invited you. As they did to all their major events now. You were excited at the prospect of chilling with your friends after the hellish week at work you'd just had. You weren't, however, looking forward to spending another evening pining over a man you could never have. It was just the four of you, Santi having returned to Australia a few weeks after you met him but you liked it that way. Being closer to the Millers.

"Right we have burgers." Announced Will as he clapped his hands to grab everyone's attention "We have sausages, ribs, wings and because Queeny here requested them, we also have baked potatoes."

"They're called Jacket Potatoes." You corrected and the boys scoffed.

"You and your weird sayings." Ben teased "It's a car park..." Ben started in a mock English accent "Not parking lot."

"Oh..." Started Frank, putting on his own English accent "You couldn't possibly take out the rubbish bags for me would you?"

Ben and Will barked and you scoffed.

'What language do you all speak?" You asked and they all stopped laughing.

"English," Ben answered and you snorted.

"And where am I from Benjamin?" You pushed and his eyes narrowed.

"England..." He trailed off and you nodded at him with a cocky grin plastered across your face.

"Oh yes... that's right... the inventor of the language you speak." You stated "Which meaaaaaans... I'm right and you're all wrong." You finished, blowing them all a kiss before skipping off to the kitchen to fix yourself a drink.

"Damn she's hot." Groaned Ben, watching you waltz away and the others chuckled at his reaction.

"She's also soooo not into you." Will teased and Ben groaned.

'No... She's into Catfish." He grumbled under his breath, not realising he'd been heard.

"She what?" The older man exclaims, stopping Ben dead in his tracks "She likes me?"

"You seriously telling me you never noticed how she looks at you?" Asked Will and Frankie just gave the brothers a bemused look "Shit." Will breathed as he shared a look with his brother "God she looks at you like you hung the stars man. The night we met her and you told her about Lucy, her face literally fell."

"I didn't know," Frank said softly and Will sighed.

"Well, you do now." Will stated and Frank nodded "Just don't give her hope where there is none man."

You remerged a few minutes later with a tray of drinks and the boys all smiled sweetly at you. That was just you in a nutshell. You thought of them always and as you handed them the drinks you fetched them, Frankie couldn't help but pine after you.

"So where's Lu?" You asked as you placed the tray down on the table beside you "Surprised she's not here, she's usually throwing herself at the opportunity to chow down on Will's famous wings."

"We uh... Well, we broke up." Confessed Frankie and everyone looked at him in shock.

"What happened, brother?" Asked Ben and Frankie sighed

"We uh... Well after we lost the baby, things kinda started to fizzle I guess." Frankie started and your brows knitted together as he continued "She was being distant. Going out with friends more and getting back super late. Thought nothing of it at first but then I managed to cut my shift short on our anniversary and thought I'd surprise her." He paused, scraping a hand over his mouth before taking a large swig of his beer "Walked in on her shagging her boss."

"Fuck." Will clamoured and Ben gasped in shock "I'm so sorry brother."

"Yeah well..." Frankie started, letting out a breathy sigh "I guess we were pretty doomed for a while. Losing a kid does that to people sometimes I guess..."

"Losing your baby does not justify her cheating on your Frankie." You piped up and his eyes locked with yours "Yes she lost her baby but so did you... and yet you stuck by her. Shows what kind of person you are." You said sweetly as you gave him a small sympathetic smile "You deserve better than that."

His heart started to race as you pulled him into a friendly hug. He'd been taken from you from the moment he'd met you but he had been with Lucy and so those feelings had been pushed aside. Now though, things were different. He had a chance to see if there was something there.

He owed it to himself to try.

So after the barbecue, he worked out a plan. He'd been single a month and so he knew he needed to give it a little time before he jumped back into the dating poo but he knew when he did. He wanted to swim with you.

So as days merged to weeks and then to months he started to arrange more nights with you. Drinks with the boys became drinks with just the two of you and he found that the more time he spend with you, the more he wanted to pull you into his arms and kiss you breathless.

"So how are things with you?" You asked softly as you took a small sip of your drink "Been on any dates lately or..."

"Dates?" He questioned, brows drawing together "Why would I..." He trialled off, his stomach twisting a little as you chuckled.

"Well, you've been single a few months now." You stated with a shrug "I figured you'd want to get back out there."

"Oh... right." He replied and you noted his sudden change in tone

"You been dating?" He asked and you shrugged slightly "Been on a few." You replied and his heart dropped through the floor "Seeing someone at the moment but I dunno."

"Right."

"You okay?" You asked and he nodded unconvincingly.

"Yeah." He replied as he downed the last of his drink "You want another drink?" He asked, ignoring the concern plastered across your face "I need another drink." He continued to ramble "Same?"

You didn't get a chance to answer before he was up and making his way to the bar. He ordered your usual along with a beer for him and a tumbler of whisky that he downed before making his way back to the table. He could see that you were texting and he felt his jealousy bubble under the surface but he pushed it to one side as he sat back down across from you.

"Here's your weird, English, drink." He grumbled and you smirked at him.

"You can get cider wherever Frank." You snorted.

"Sure." He replied and you felt yourself growing a little irritated at his sudden change in attitude.

"What the fuck is up with you?" You snapped.

"What?" He growled and you rolled your eyes.

"I asked you if you'd dated anyone and you went a little quiet and then I tell you I'm seeing someone and you..." You trailed off as you piece it all together and your eyes drifted up to his.

"Frank-"

"Save it." He pleaded, holding his hand up to stop you "Save me the embarrassment, please... Clearly, the boys were wrong."

"Wrong about what?" You asked and he sighed.

"They told me you like me but clearly they were wrong so-"

"I do." You interrupted and his mouth dropped open "I really like you but you were with Lucy and then..."

"It's fine." He sighed "I'm too late... I get it Queeny. It's getting late, should probably head."

"Frankie-"

"It's fine... really." He said sweetly and you sighed "Want me to walk you home?"

You nodded. Glad in the knowledge that he wasn't just going to abandon you in this bar so that he could lick his wounds. He waited for you to finish your drink and then walked in silence beside you to your apartment. When you reached your door, you turned to face him and your heart sank at the sight of him down and dejected.

"Look... Can we just forget about everything that happened tonight?" He begged, "Rather the boys not know I was painfully shot down."

A tense silence fell over you both as your eyes remained locked.

"No." You said, shaking your head slightly "No, I can't."

"Please I-"

He was interrupted by soft lips slanting over his and Frank moaned into the kiss as his arms wrapped around you to pull you closer. It seemed to be over much faster than he would have liked but as you both pulled back to look at each other, he found himself lost in your eyes.

"I don't want to forget."

One year later...

It had been one whole year since that night and you hadn't parted since. You had broken it off with the guy you'd been seeing the following day and that evening you were riding Frankie on his couch whilst the boys sent text after text, wanting to know exactly what had happened between you both.

Your romance had been a whirlwind that had moved so fast for all the right reasons. Within a month you were living together and after four you had drunkenly asked him to marry you.

You were officially engaged a week later.

He had been everything you'd ever wanted and you were the same for him. The love you shared was all-consuming and despite his constant correcting of everything you said, you knew he was the man you wanted to grow old with.

"Baby, have you seen my handbag?" You shouted to Frank as you desperately tried to find the last few things you needed before you left.

"What the hell is a handbag?" He yelled as he sprinted up the stairs and you rolled your eyes at him as he walked into your shared bedroom.

"You know, the bag you shove your shit into when we go anywhere."

"You mean your purse?" He continued and you groaned.

"This is a purse." You snapped as you waved it in his face.

"Babe, that's a wallet."

"Men have wallets." You corrected "Women have purses that they carry around in their handbags."

"Whatever." Frankie chuckled as he placed a peck on your cheek "It's on the couch."

"You mean the sofa?"

"Baby, we're going to be late." He warned and you sighed.

"Fine. Let me just grab something from the bathroom and I'll meet you by the door." Frankie kissed you sweetly before making his way back downstairs again and you watched him leave before making your way to the en-suite. You grabbed what you were looking for and skipped out of the room and down the stairs, shoving it in your bag along with your purse and keys.

"Ready?" He asked and you nodded.

"Let's go."

It took but ten minutes to get to Will's from the home that you shared with your love. The Millers had planned a celebration for your anniversary despite the two of you protesting. You had wanted to spend it in, eating pizza and watching shitty TV but when a certain piece of news reared its head you decided that perhaps a celebration with your favourite brothers and Frankie wouldn't be so bad.

Stepping through the gate that led to Will's back garden, you were greeted by balloons and a banner having from two trees. It was all too much and it all screamed Benjamin Miller.

"Cat, Queeny, you made it!!" He practically shouted as he held his arms open for you both to hug him.

"Wouldn't miss our own party Miller." You said playfully as you poked him in the ribs.

"Whatever Will's cooking smells amazing." Frankie piped up as he pulled you into his side.

"You know my brother. Any excuse to show off his skills." Ben chuckled and you both grinned at him before following the younger Miller to the couch.

He handed you a glass of wine and Frankie a beer before the two of you sat down on the plush cushions and you cuddled into Frank's side.

"So how is the wedding planning going?" Ben asked, his eyes snapping up to see Will walking out with a tray of food.

"Yeah, it's going okay." You said, glancing at Frankie "Pretty much decided on a venue and such, just the date we need to decide."

"Well, you're going to need a few months to plan, surely?" Will asked as he placed a plate of food in front of you.

"Yeah." You replied, nodding your thanks to him before sitting forward to eat.

"Cheers." Declared Will as he sat down beside Ben "Happy Anniversary to the two most deserving people I know."

"Soppy prick." Ben teased and Will slapped his arm gently "Happy Anniversary guys."

You all ate in relative silence then, the food rendering you all speechless but when it was all finished and cleared away, you settled back into your seat and basked in the warm evening sun.

"You haven't touched your wine." Frankie pointed out as he sipped on his second beer of the evening.

"Haven't I?" You said innocently and his eyes narrowed before shrugging and taking another swig of his drink.

When Will and Ben returned from the kitchen, the four of you settled around the table you pulled the box you'd shoved into your bag out and held it in your hands.

"Want your present?" You asked, pulling Frankie's gaze.

"I didn't think we were doing presents?" He asked as he looked at you a little panicked.

"It's just a little something." You said as you handed him the box, chewing your lip as he lifted the and pulled back the paper.

His eyes widened as he looked at what had been hidden beneath that teal tissue paper before looking up at you with a mixture of shock and joy.

"Really?" He asked and you nodded, smiling sweetly at him before he put down the box and pulled you into a bruising kiss.

"Really what?" Ben asked before leaning over the table and grabbing the box, staring long at hard at the contents "You're pregnant?" He exclaimed and you both chuckled.

"Yeah." You breathed "We're pregnant."

"Well, that explains why you haven't touched your wine." Will teased and you grinned at him.

7 months later...

You'd had a small ceremony a few months after that evening at Will's. Santi and his girlfriend had flown over from Australia for the occasion, and your family from England.

Your dress had looked perfect with the small bump you had developed almost overnight and your parents had gushed over you and Frankie all day, overjoyed you'd found someone after all the heartbreak you'd suffered.

Now you found yourself holding the new life you'd created in your arms, smiling down at him as he slept soundly in your arms.

"Damn he's perfect." You said softly, taking your eyes off of your son so you could look at your Husband.

"So's she." He said as he smiled down at his daughter who was also sleeping soundly "So perfect." He finished before placing a soft kiss on her brow.

When you'd learned you were having twins, you had freaked but Frankie had been over the moon with the news. He's lost one, now he was being blessed with two at once.

Frankie's head snapped up as a nurse poked her head in the door, motioning for him to follow her and he placed one final kiss on his daughters head before placing her in the clear cot beside your bed.

"Just going to sort the insurance." He said sweetly as he kissed you softly.

"I still can't believe it costs money here to have a baby." You scoffed and he gave you a bemused look "In England, all you pay for is parking... Which is extortionate I will add."

"Well, luckily we have insurance hmm?"

"Still crazy." You snorted and he grinned at you.

"Sure it is baby." He said before kissing you one more time.

You watched him leave before returning your gaze to the little boy in your arms.

"It's fine though." You said after a short pause "You two are worth all the money in the world."

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katsukikitten · 3 years

Text

Just some general warnings and disclaimers, this is an aged up Victorian era AU that I did a sort of collab with @bakugotrashpanda, so please check out BTP’s work as well. We had so much fun discussing this idea and breathing life into it, we would love to hear how these stories made you feel. Please also note that the woman in the banner is NOT the set skin tone for reader so please feel free to have that match your own skin tone! Also this is one of my bigger works coming in at a little over 14,000 words! (maybe a part two idk) but enjoy~

The room ebbs in the low light of flickering candles, people gather in clusters like lost geese as they honk their gossip at one another causing you to sigh. It would be another long night of mental games as your cold eyes fail to warm from the eccentric sights. Silk dresses, long gloves, shimmering gems, and endless drink and food.

Yet you hated how little power you had over your choice of being here or not.

Countless eyes rake over your long dress, always choosing a color so deep in hue it is often mistaken for black. They often murmur curiosities as they ponder over what exactly you are mourning.

Little do they know it is your freedom.

Tonight you are in blood red with matching gloves to your elbows, diamonds, garnets and rubies drip from your throat and ears. A sight to be seen in your bold dark colors that are often frowned upon during the bright season of spring and summer.

A bold male approaches and yet the closer he gets to your stunning form the more meek he becomes. He nods his head and reaches for your hand, pressing his lips to your gloved knuckles.

"May I have your first dance?" He peers up at you as you stare down with an icy glare. Removing your hand with deadly precision from a man you know of but could not care less about.

"You may not." You say simply and all he can do is stew in his rejection, affirming your wishes with a small nod. Another male in a smooth storm grey suit approaches. His large hand grasping onto your fingers, bringing your knuckles to his lips.

"You look exquisite my dear. Would you honor me with your first dance?"

"I shall not." Another subtle yet swift removal of your hand from his, wishing you had worn two pairs of gloves for this sniveling little asshole. Not everyone knew his secret love for abusing women but you did. He would never get the pleasure of dancing with you and in the two years since your introduction into the market you've made sure he had no one to wed. Using the power and respect people had towards your Father's name, towards you for guidance, ultimately steering them away from this pathetic sack of bones.

And with your power you were dubbed the icy hot debutante of Alryne, fierce as a flame so hot, it felt cold.

You wear a neutral face, but you do not smile, making yourself a touch unapproachable. This already weeds out the weak men who want nothing more than to suck the blood and money from your father's estate.

But it wasn't as if the neutral face was easy to achieve, oftentimes you had to fight a scowl. For two years you've hated every second of every ball, party, or soiree since the Queen smiled in your favor during your first debut. She often praised, as did your mother, your cold precision, quick wit, and intelligent political decisions that were so well disguised that men just thought you modest.

When in actuality you were playing the game, and since you were being forced to play by your father then by Hell's flames you would win it all.

The first half of the ball drags in stupor of tedious repetition as you idly chat with women of various titles to gather any information you could without revealing your own hand.

Besides all of the pestering gnats, everyone knows that your first dance is always reserved for important males, to never approach until after the two of your six stamps have already been taken. Even then there was a high chance of rejection, as there were no men of value to be seen.

At least not yet. For as long as you could remember the higher ranked males arrived a touch late, "fashionably late" they claim. Abhorrently annoying is what you call it.

Fashionably late men such as Lord Bakugou, son to the Duke of Summer or his distant cousin Lord Kirishima, son to the Duke of Spring.

Bakugou arrives first, his grin wolfish as he scans the crowd, women flock to his arrogance in troves, although he ignores them. He has one woman in his sights yet it is not the woman he stands before. You give a small courtesy as you speak.

"My Lord." Offering your hand gently.

"My Starlight." He presses his lips to your silky glove for a long moment unable to keep his cocky smirk off of his face, "May I take your first dance?"

Fighting to keep the delighted smile off of your face you offer a flutter of your lashes. He kisses your knuckles once more as if you needed convincing but the two of you know what you are doing.

"You may." And with that his wolfish grin returns as he sweeps you onto the dance floor, showcasing your abilities as he shows off his own. Not to mention the dance floor is a great place to talk in private. His hand lingers just above your lower back, firm in his grip as his other hand holds yours almost delicately.

"We match tonight, my Starlight. A brilliant touch." He guides you along the floor with ease, his eyes gesturing towards his vest and tie.

"I only took an educated guess as to what you would wear, my Lord."

"Do not sell yourself short. I know how sharp that mind is." Another wolfish grin, his eyes never leaving yours while feeling the court gaze upon the two of you. You give him a knowing smile before asking.

"Any luck with her majesty, the prized diamond?" You ask, eyes blazing with curiosity. He smirks again, only his eyes revealing his true scoff as he twirls you in your jeweled slippers.

"I did as you instructed and went with my father to that dreaded stay at the countryside Manor, how did you know her Majesty and Princess Amila would be close by."

"I took an educated guess." A blatant lie that has him grinning from ear to ear. He leans closer, pulling the attention of the ladies especially as his ember eyes burn into you.

"Far more than an educated guess." He spins you again and you fight the tightness in your gut. Enjoying the dance as he parades you around the room as if to say look at what I have that you could never.

Even if the two of you agreed you would never be his. The two of you having struck up an arrangement of sorts on your first dance. He was forced by his Grace to ask at least one woman to dance and he had only chosen you with hopes that you would say no.

But you loved the honest, irritated look that lingered in his eyes and on his lips. So of course you said yes as misery loves company. It was then he told you not to fall for him as he had his eyes set on the Crown, you laughed loudly and said "As if I would ever fall for an arrogant pig such as yourself, my Lord." His smile was wild as he enjoyed your insult, it was then you told him you would help him with the Crown, only if he made you his first and last dance of the evening at every event.

Back then he had hesitantly agreed, now he can see how far your scheming mind went. Saw the numerous callers and suitors who loitered in your parlor, the extravagant flowers that they sent in excess. The rings they bestowed to you as they dropped to one knee, bold enough to peacock the large diamonds in front of other callers.

And all after Bakugou had done as you asked for only three parties. He got a front row seat to rejection every single time, which in turn started the talk, the gossip, that this city loved. You were desired because of how you painted yourself and in turn made Lord Bakugou desired as well. Talked about, all because he was the only male who had your approval.

He loved your scheming mind so much he could kiss you, but alas you did not wear a crown. Although you often had a braid of jewels atop your head, sadly you were not kin to royalty, only a Baron's daughter after all.

Bakugou wonders what you could have done as a queen. He would think you an empress.

"Is that all the detail I get? Just a confirmation that I was correct about their holiday?" He spins the two of you in step, hand guiding you although you did not need it. Having memorized every step to every dance there was since before your debut.

"She saw me."

"And?!" You can hardly keep up the façade of calm collection as you wait.

"And she flushed. Her cheeks were as red as any rose, Starlight, she was a rare red diamond sparkling by the lake. She must already be in love with me." You snort, unable to stop the smile on your lips.

"I've never heard you so poetic before. Normally you leave that to Lord Kirishima. How many times did you run into her? Not more than three I hope."

"Oi, I am a well versed student and I listened to my teacher. I made her wait for the fourth and denied it. Left her in wonder and hope as you said." He rolls his eyes, fingers sliding up to your dress line touching your bare skin with his beneath your guise of hair. The sensation of his warm fingers against your cool skin does not go unnoticed.

"Are you practicing for your dance with the 'rare red diamond' now?" You taunt, earning that chest tightening wolf grin.

"I'm only doing as my teacher has instructed."

"Well the Princess will fall for you the moment you kiss her hand."

"One can only hope. Her official debut is less than a month away. I want it to be perfect." His eyes shimmer with plotting mischief as does yours.

"So it shall."

The music flows and ebbs to the end of the song as Bakugou deposits you right back where he got you. Bringing your hand to his lips, kissing your knuckles as he holds your gaze once more.

"My Starlight." When he straightens you curtsy.

"My Grace." With that he leaves, heading towards the table of sweets and beverages, you were sure he would be ordering bourbon. Your mother clears her throat from her chair, the out of season silk blanket over her thick skirts pulls at your heart. She sits on that plush chair as if it were her throne.

"You dance with Lord Bakugou often." An observation.

"Indeed." A dry retort.

"I am sure Lord Kirishima will be your next dance, correct?"

"One can only hope."

"So you have an eye for a Duke's son?"

"I am happy to dance with those deserving, Mother." Your mother keeps her eyes on the turning bodies on the hardwood floor, Kirishima makes his way through the crowd once he spies you. Your mother turns to face you as she says

"Is the Duke of Winter's son deserving?"

"Hmm, he has three sons, mother." You keep your eyes away from her until she finally looks back into the crowd.

"Ah yes but only one is ever at these events." You follow your mother's gaze and they fall upon the Lord, he is the third son, he opted to chase after the world of medicine rather than women. Earning his doctorate much faster than his peers, he only just returned to conduct his practice in Alryne.

Pity he returned at all.

He catches your eye and you make a point to turn your cheek, unable to stomach his heterochromatic, condensing gaze. Your turned cheek was as close to fuck you as you could ever say to the high and mighty Lord. Still the words burned on your tongue as if you swallowed acid.

"It is not as if he ever dances mother. Therefore, how can I give him my attention? As you taught me a woman must wait to be asked as it is every woman's dream to be wed to a handsome, skilled dancer." Out of the corner of your eye you can feel her displeased look before she straightens.

"At least do not string along Lord Kirishima, that boy is not as zealous as his cousin." She says just as the large man slips through the last throng of the crowd.

"My shining gem." He smiles with sharp teeth before he places a chaste kiss atop your hand.

"My Lord." A curtsy before he asks.

"May I have this dance?" His smile is plastered on his face as he knows your answer.

"You may." Kirishima sweeps you across the floor in a different manner than Bakugou. Lord Kirishima is more flirtatious in the way that he guides you. Always choosing more of the upbeat dances as opposed to his cousin's serious selection. You do not hesitate to go in for the kill.

"So when do you plan to ask Lady Mina for her hand?" He blushes at your words. Biting the inside of his lip subtly, a habit you could only notice from being up close.

"Have you even attempted to court her? What fear plagues you, Lord?" Confusion dots your features as a sad smile paints his soft lips.

"I am not sure she would- That we would be an ideal fit." Kirishima admits, turning you gracefully, pulling you close to his body. Scandalous some would say had the two of you been an inch closer.

"Well my Lord, I believe, had you actually talked to her while the two of you danced, as I suggested, then you would come to find out that she is lovely. Pure hearted as she is honest in this game seeking love. Most women here are making attempts to move up in position, my Lord. As a Duke's first son the title of Grace is yours to master. She is a delight and air is not the only thing between her ears as some of these…"You survey the room as everyone watches with greedy eyes, "Vultures."

He laughs never used to your own unwavering honesty. He knows you are not participating by your own free will, he knows because you are helping himself and his cousin when he was sure you could have had anyone in this room.

If the Majesty's nephew, Prince of the Yarrow were to attend even one ball this season, Kirishima was sure you would have his attention too.

He twirls your body away from his and brings you back to the safety of his sturdy form. Your eyes are molten determination as you all but hiss

"Ask her to dance next. You know the host prefers the set to be serious, flirtatious, and then a slow dance. It will be the perfect time to talk."

Lord Kirishima sighs, squeezing your hand as he guides the two of you closer to your mother so he can leave you in her company.

"You could turn any dull man into something more. Whoever wins your hand is getting a precious gem indeed." He kisses your hand as the music begins to change into something slower as you had predicted.

"One shall only hope." You curtsy as he takes his flushed neck towards a certain Countess. Your mother gives you a knowing look and you offer her a cat smirk. She shakes her head but even she cannot hide her own satisfied smile.

A blonde male approaches, as he does every third ball after he ensures your first two dances have been taken. The flamboyant male has not once asked for a dance first, trying to be just as calculating as you. Although he is much more obvious.

You suppose it was not half bad for a male.

"My lady." He bends lower than he should for his station in life, but he is obviously copying the cousins before him having seen how it makes you smile.

Lavender eyes shine up at you as the Viscount brings his lips to your gloved hand. You debate if you should say yes tonight. Having left him in the dark as your desire to dance with him solely depended on your mood.

"May I show the room the grace in which steals the breath from my lungs?" Your eyes smirk as your lips form a small smile. It seems flattery would earn him a dance tonight.

"You may."

The Viscount smiles with delight as he gently takes you to the dance floor, holding you to him as he takes you across the hardwood. The candle lights play along your features as Monoma's face grows soft. Had he been anyone else his gaze might have brought a flush about you. The two of you shared a few dances before, he has sat in your parlor in the time he has attempted to court you and the flowers he sends are always the most expensive.

He has even brought you chocolate from a month's long trip. Even you had to admit that was thoughtful, not too many people knew of your Achilles heel. A small part of you thought that if no one else would do, at least this man would bring you luxurious chocolates.

"No trips this season?" You smile politely, he blinks as he seems to come to.

"Only if I can take you with me." He smiles, a hint. You pretend yourself modest and look away to fight the roll of your eyes.

Maybe chocolate would not be enough to sate you.

His eyes flicker to your mother as a question forms on his lips.

"Neither your brothers nor the Baron attended tonight?"

"Ah unfortunately no. My mother is my chaperone tonight." You say tilting your head, he turns so you can face her, stepping slowly as the song lulls on.

"I am elated she is well enough to attend." He smiles, you cannot tell if it reaches his eyes so instead you offer

"As am I."

The rest of the night is filled with rejection tumbling from your rouged lips as champagne flutes seem to find their way into your hand.

"Not too much of that dear or you will not be able to enjoy the company of your suitors."

"Truly a pity." You say taking another from a passing waiter. Eyes trained on Lord Iida and the lovely dancer in his hands, a blue dress sweeping across the floor and a white carnation nestled in her hair.

A beautiful touch and it pays homage to their first dance before they were even wed.

The love that embraced the couple could turn anyone in the room green with envy.

You down your flute as you reach for another.

Night brightens into morning much too soon as curtains are ripped open in your room.

"My lady callers will be here soon." Rose, your handmaiden says softly, "I have a bath waiting for you."

You groan in response having not had enough sleep after pouring over your drafts for your book until your candle snuffed itself out.

"Turn them all away Rose." You growl turning away from the irritating light, could it not have rained this morning to delay the suitors as it always did in this forsaken town?

"She will do no such thing." Your mother says as she walks into your room with her cane, her hand gripping onto the golden beak of a bird.

"Mother, why not marry off Hendrix or Hideki?"

"Hendrix must apprentice under your Father for a period of time while Hideki can do as he pleases for now. He is only 20, besides he makes an excellent chaperone does he not? He isn't too nosy nor does he neglect his duties to intimidate pushy men." She pushes some of your hair back as she sighs, "Although I doubt you need help in that manor."

"I deserve a strong bloodline, so I will do what I must to ensure that. Even if my face has to be scary at times." You and your mother share a laugh before she adds.

"Your face is far from scary my dear." She touches your cheek softly rising from the bed to allow you to get ready, "The suitors shall arrive within the hour. Make haste."

"Yes mother." You half groan rising to wash. Enjoying the warm water that Rose has so kindly added aromatic flora and citrus to. Once you enter your bedroom Rose has a dress picked out for you, waiting for your final approval. You nod allowing Rose to assist you with your corset and strings of your dress before you pick out jewelry to match your silver finery. You choose a silver bracelet with little diamonds as stars that Lord Bakugou had given you for your birthday this past year, smiling down at the small thing before assessing yourself in the mirror.

"What do you think Rose, should I add some rouge to my lips?" She gives you a smile of delight.

"And your cheeks too, my Lady."

Breakfast is served in the parlor as it consists mostly of fruits and finger pastries that will be served to the other guests. Hideki comes down in a fine and deep sapphire suit.

“Sister.” He gives a smirk to which you nod.

“Brother.”

“And what trouble will you get into today?” He stage whispers, causing you to cut him a glare as your father comes around to loom in the arch way of the parlor.

“Remember, you need to pick a husband this season or I will pick for you. It is disgraceful to have gone through two seasons at your age.”

“I am only twenty four, dearest Father..”

“That just proves my point. You have a month before I extend an offer to the Duke's-.” He takes in a sharp breath to chide you further only for his Grace to swoop in and save the day.

“Baron.” Bakugou says, his eyes challenging as your father bows his head. As Bakugou makes his way towards the delicate foods. Father cuts you a knowing glare. As if to say I know your games child.

You offer a sweet smile as you make your way towards your small writing desk, fighting off the urge to groan outwardly. You just wanted to work on your manuscript or read for that matter. Instead you would have to entertain men who cared not what you thought only what your pretty mouth would not say. They would swarm you, demanding attention as you waved them off gently, half you had never even spoken too. Bakugou gives you a wicked smile from beside you as if he could read your thoughts. At least he always sat closest to you, saving you in a way although you never instructed him to sit close.

He just always had.

"Do you not want to play the piano today, my shining Gem?" Kirishima asks from the door.

"Ah I am not sure I am in the mood for it, my Lord."

"Easier to avoid people as the bench is only meant for one." Bakugou gives a devilish smirk, Kirishima almost pouts, his sullen expression does not go unnoticed by his cousin.

"It has been an eon since you last played for us." Bakugou adds.

"Am I to be your song bird today?" You cut a glare at him.

"Yes, Starlight I believe you are." It seems it had no effect. Sighing you stand, collecting your skirts as your wrist twinkles in the morning sun. Garnet eyes bore into the delicate wristlet. Your fingers pluck a key here or there until you begin to play. Losing yourself in the music as you sing ballads from ages ago, melding them into songs you've written until it all sounds like a cohesive piece. Each old song is lost in transition to the new one, time ticks on but you do not notice the string of men who come and go from your parlor. Resting your voice for the time being as your fingers fly across the keys to something you composed while thinking of your father and his ever pushing hand towards a Duke's son you had great distaste for. The notes are sharp, almost jarring at times yet still the piece is stunning. In that time you had not noticed the lavender eyed man who sat closest to you, right in front of the piano in the corner of the couch. The finger cramping song ends on a somber, harsh note.

"What a beautifully charged song." Monoma says breathlessly.

“Well I was thinking of my enemies when I composed it.” You smile at the sunshine blonde with a devilish grin, he feels unsettled by it but says nothing nonetheless. His lavender eyes glance over to the wolves at the back of your den. Hideki gives him a small nod, Kirishima a soft smile but Bakugou gives him a glare that feels like Monoma is gripping needles.

He swallows thickly, adjusting himself on the plushed silk of the couch before your small piano.

“Ah before I forget.” He smiles pulling out a box setting it atop the polished wood. Gifts were a natural part of courtship or so your mother said. You offer a smile, grabbing for the box with poised eagerness and yet not overly so.

Not that you were excited but you had to pretend to be. You unbox the obvious jewelry and fight back the distaste as you stare down at a gaudy, overly large necklace. The colors are a soft green and yellow, colors you avoid for many reasons.

“Thank you.” You think to add a chord or two to your unnamed song in honor of Monoma. Bakugou laughs loudly from the back of the room, feeling how much you hate the gift, you look over your shoulder to send him a glare that he can only smile at.

After hours of trepid and boring conversation Monoma takes his leave.

“Another evening my Lady.” He smiles softly and you return it half heartedly.

“Another evening.” Lavender looks over your shoulder before Monoma clears his throat

“Your Grace and your Grace.” He bows his head, the ash blonde and redhead nod in unison.

"Shall we go and drink my high friends?" Hideki asks, hoping for an excuse to leave the stuff house. He was more than over bearing witness to gag worthy stares and compliments some of these men gave you.

"An excellent idea!" Kirishima exclaims, standing before stopping by you. He takes your gloveless hand with a sharp, flirtatious smile.

"My shining gem." He presses his lips to your skin and you return his smile.

"My Lord." He nods and takes his leave, Hideki at his heels as Bakugou approaches. He does an exaggerated sigh unable to hide his smirk.

"Little songbird how will I ever get through the night without my Starlight?" He holds your hand, lowering his upper half as did his cousin before him.

"I suppose you will fumble in the dark."

"If only I had the pleasure." He purrs as he presses his lips to your bare skin. Suddenly his fingers are too warm as he holds your gaze, he looks as if he could devour you.

Lest he forget he is staring down a panther himself.

"Have fun fumbling in the dark by yourself, my Lord." You remove your hand and look out of the corner of your eye at him. He backs towards the door of the room.

"I should hope to have thoughts of Starlight." He calls before he disappears into the hall. You tap a key as your mind wanders before you rise, famished and ready for dinner before you would take a long night of writing.

A month passes by faster than you'd like and you find yourself outside of the ballroom in the grand hall of the castle. Soft music filters in through the doors as your Father insisted the family be a bit late this evening.

For he wanted to make a statement and one at your expense.

"If Duke Enji's son asks you for a dance you will oblige." Your father hisses, his large hand curling around your bicep. You bare your teeth, stepping out of his grip as you collect yourself.

"He has three." Acid drips from your tongue as sure as morning dew.

"The doctor. Not the failure first born and not the inadequate second. The third. Shoto. Think of your ailing mother...would you abandon her for such vile, pointless ambitions?"

"I think you will not weaponize her. So do as I please and decline." You hold his burning glare as you add, "If the Duke's family is as bad off as you make it seem."

"Oh I think you shall accept his dance. Or so help me God I will burn every book your ill, grief stricken mother ever shoved into your scrubby little hands." He leans closer, a nasty smile forming as his lips, "And if that is not enough I will throw your manuscript into the fire for fodder."

Your eyes blaze with a rage that ignites beneath your skin, burning your blood as your eyes make unspoken promises. When I am through with you

You part your lips to retort but your eye catches Hendrix and Hideki, their eyes filled with pity before your mother slowly approaches.

Father chose his battleground well, knowing you would be unable to react as you pleased and with Bakugou already at the party there was no other male to save you. You bite your tongue until you taste blood.

"Is everything alright?" Mother asks tentatively, fussing with your hair, "Darling you must mind your face, my love."

You swat her away, breathing through your nose as if you were a dragon. Heat still dancing in your veins as you allow your feet to move on their own.

"Announce me. Only me. And do not announce another soul until I am beyond the last step." You hiss to the harbinger whose eyes grow wide before he nods. His voice booms over the murmurers of the crowd and once eyes begin to land on you they are silenced.

Your eyes are set hard and as cold as stone as you look over the crowd, slowly descending the steps in your deep ombre gown. Starless night black from the bodice before it lightens gradually into a charcoal grey, glittering crystals sewn into the material shine in the candle light like miniature stars. Your gloves followed the same gradual pattern except it seemed as if each finger was dipped in glittering silver and atop your wrist was your favorite piece, diamonds winking in the low light set into silver pointed stars. Woven in your hair were diamonds and pale citrine alike forming a crown in its own nature.

Had Her Royal Highness not have already been announced and seated it would be easy to mistake you for the Crown. Considering how you commanded attention and held yourself, eyes looking at no one but seeing all.

The envy, the awe, the lust.

A pivotal moment was coming, the last three stairs is where a woman would normally hold out their hand, expecting their favorite suitor to take action but you did not hold out your hand. Keeping one firmly on the dark wood of the banister while the other was eloquently posed beside you. Even if you had held out your hand the men in the room were too stunned to step up to help you. This allowed a soft, devilish smile to form on your painted lips as they performed exactly as you had planned. Finally your gem encrusted slipper touched the hardwood, parting the crowd before the spell was broken by the announcement of the rest of your family. The room let out a collective breath and instantly erupted in hot gossip. All of it falling on deaf ears as you grabbed onto a flute of trusted champaign.

From across the room you felt burning garnet eyes on you, you met them briefly before sipping at your bubbly beverage. He begins to cross the sea of bodies when a large man steps into your view.

His eyes are cold as they bore into you, a shining sapphire paired with a smokey quartz. Distaste curdles your stomach as you fight to keep your face neutral and your eyes trained on him. Fans block painted lips as they spread more gossip about the man before you.

"Is she ensnaring another Duke's son?"

"She is becoming too haughty for a Baron's daughter."

"Do you think she insulted the Crown with her entrance?"

"Would you allow me your first dance?" His deep voice cuts through the vultures' cries pulling you back to him. He has your glittering left hand in his. Brining the dazzling glove to his lips in greeting, there is no joy in his gemstone gaze.

The hot rage bears its teeth again as it surges through your blood like liquid fire, burning so hot it felt cold as it licked at your bones. Your lip barely twitches, No poised on your tongue as your father's grating voice echoes in your head.

"Think of your ailing mother...would you abandon her for such vile, pointless ambitions?"

And so your mouth finally forms the words.

"You may." He looks surprised, surrounding faces mirror his own before he fully takes your hand. Guiding you to the floor during one of your favorite songs that you always sat out as no dance partner ever dared the secret, advanced steps. You were steeling yourself for disappointment

Shoto's grip on your body is tight but not uncomfortable as he sweeps you across the dance floor, twirling you, guiding you as he holds your gaze. His stare is heavy and intense in a different manner from Bakugou's with a hint of something that could be mistaken as flirtatious. But you saw it for what it was, discontent.

As the song pushed on the discontent seemed to change into something new entirely as he showcased your skill while hiding his own. Allowing you to twirl away from him in several rotations that would make even the most skillful dancer fearful of misstep and yet you breathed in the music as if it were precious air. Neither of you notice how the other dancers give you room, allowing for more twirls and advanced steps as the two of you are becoming lost to the music. His fingers brush your bare skin as he pulls you back to him for guided, sharp steps as the music heightens. His skin brushes yours again, electricity thrums beneath the pads of his fingers before he sends you into another dizzying rotation but to you it was nothing. Briefly you wonder if this were a test until you see the soft smile on his lips when you return to his arms safely for the final set of guided steps before the music were to abruptly end, just as the dance was intended. His eyes were glued to yours the entirety of the dance, softening with each step.

Both of you stop in beat with the last soaring note panting as the movement seems to catch up with the two of you. Neither of you realize how quiet the room is until clapping comes from the royal dais high above the room, the rest of the crowd follows suit. Shock melts into a smile as your eyes return to his. A sharp pain rings out in his chest.

"Not bad for a Baron's daughter." Disgust settles on your face faster than you can stop it spewing from your lips.

"Not bad for a recluse of a Duke's son." You tilt your head up, fighting the snarl of your lip as his face becomes so mind numbingly neutral while his eyes darken. Shoto drops you off by your mother only for Bakugou to approach, swiftly bringing you to the floor for a slow song.

"Starlight. How did I not know you could dance like that?" He is astonished by your skill, "I've never seen you so happy. Maybe the Duke of Winter's third son will do you justice yet."

You scoff but all Bakugou can do is offer you a deadly smile.

"Enough about my dead end dancing." Your eyes glance towards the dias, the Princess cannot look away from the two of you, "This should be enough for the Princess to want to dance soon."

It is Bakugou's turn to scoff.

"Are you sure she is even going to have the opportunity to dance? No one is even allowed on the stairs to their enclave."

"Ah but this is her debut. The Queen will allow it, besides the princess cannot keep her gaze off of a certain ash blonde."

"How could she ever?" Your laugh rings out, it warms even the coldest hearts as Bakugou pulls you closer to him. Heat radiates from his body in a calming manner, your fingers squeeze his.

"Arrogant as ever." You smile, thinking how you will miss dancing with him or even having him at the back of your parlor to laugh with over sad attempts at your hand, "Remember once you take her one dance for the night, she must be your first and last dance of the night in the future, if not your only."

Bakugou cannot hide the dejection in his eyes even as he feigns cockiness.

"I am a well versed student, remember?" His fingers brush over your skin, his middle finger tracing a small circle.

"The best student I could ask for." The music comes to a close on more than just the song as Bakugou returns you to your family. He presses a long kiss to your glittering glove.

"Until we meet again, my Starlight." He holds your stare.

"Until then my Grace." With that the night sets into motion as you turn down dances left and right. Eyeing a ruby haired man who twirls a certain countess in his hands. As the music ends the Queen stands earning a hushed crowd.

"My daughter, the Royal Princess shall take the dance floor, she will only allow one dance on the night of her debut." It is not a shock that she is allowed so little but there is no worry on Bakugou's face. The princess straightens at the top of the stairs, trying to exude the same commanding energy you did. She falls short in power but outshines you in other wordly innocence and grace. As if she were a lily that only bloomed for the moon, her beauty unmatched in her pale pink dress. Carefully she guides the layers of it down the steps as diamonds and pearls drip from her hair and throat. She tries to keep her eyes from sticking to a broad shouldered man and yet at the same time from wandering, as she stares at the back wall of the room.

As she nears the third step Bakugou struts towards his prize with the ease of a relaxed swagger, glaring at men as he passes before he reaches the bottom of the steps. Extending his hand to the Princess just as she hits the third step from the bottom. She cannot keep the smile off of her face as her gloved hand claps onto his bare fingers. He bows deeply, raising her hand above him to look from beneath long lashes before he brings his lips to the silk.

"Your Royal Highness, my shining diamond. You are truly the envy of the night." A flush gives the Princess' lack of experience away, "May I have this dance?"

"You may." It is a breathy answer before Bakugou sweeps her off of her feet. Charming her with each calculated step and arrogant quip. The princess smiles wide and almost pouts once the music begins to ebb. Bakugou returns her to the stairs, supporting her hand as long as he can before she rises out of reach.

But to Bakugou she never was and never will be unattainable.

Before the night is over an envelope is pressed into your hands with the Crown's seal pressed into the wax. You quirk your brow, tucking it away to be read at home.

"I am so elated you came." Her voice is like honey as the butler opens the doors to a parlor so large it could hold your entire home. She guides you towards a small table and fights with the layers of her silk dress before sitting.

"How could I reject a personal invitation from her majesty?" You sit across from her, eyes going over the deck of cards and a set of tea.

"Well, believe it or not, I do not have the pleasure of friends, so please call me Amila."

"Everyone would desire to be a friend of the Crown, your Royal Highness." You counter, quickly she points her fan towards you, tapping your side of the small ornate card table.

"Ah but you do not have the desire to befriend the Crown, so I have high hopes that you will befriend me for me." She smiles, a certain gleam to her eye before she says, "Now let's talk about handsome Bakugou and how well you played me."

Your face gives nothing away as you look up from the cards you've been dealt. Your mind rushes down all possible avenues but you know to avoid the one of playing dumb. It is obvious that the Princess has a keen eye.

"Surely you'll reveal to me what gave us away."

"After that dance Bakugou had with me, had I been anyone else he would have returned to you. He either has his only dance with you or his last dance with you. I figured him or Lord Kirishima to be heavily interested in you. You are a sparkling gem amongst the coal down there so I know you have many callers and suitors. But the last to leave are always Lord Bakugou and Lord Kirishima. That is what has thrown me off the scent." You laugh at her honesty of the knowledge she has obviously collected about you or was tactful enough to guess.

"This is what we do, your Royal Highness." Your gloved hand gestures to the table, "I take them for all that they are worth." An honest giggle leaves Amilia's lips.

"For that I am grateful and some would dare say I am in your debt."

"A brazen statement." Your eyes return to your cards, "I would not state it as a debt although I am happy to receive your gratitude. Especially since it is in the form of cards and cake."

A laugh falls from her lips as a smile settles on yours. The round of cards continues. You win the first few rounds and then Amelia has a lucky hand. Winning the last white tea macaron.

"Did you allow me to best you?"

"Lady Luck just happened to take favor of the Crown."

"Or maybe she took pity. " She smiles, fingers fidgeting nervously, "Would you care to admire the art? Mother allows me to have this as my own personal parlor so I decorate it as I wish."

"I would love to admire some of these lovely paintings. Starting with the one behind you." You stand, heading to the large piece you had been eyeing for some time during the games. You could tell by the stroke of the brush that the artist was newer to painting but they were quite talented, the strokes almost went unnoticed even by your sharp eye.

Most importantly were the emotions the work of art evoked from the viewer.

Silently the two of you drank in the large oil painting. The canvas colored in deep pinks, reds and oranges as the sun laid to rest to allow its lover the full scope of the sky. Shadows stretched far and towards the viewer and if one paid close attention they would notice the black cat in the corner with two large moon eyes.

You especially liked this painting, the ease it made you feel even earning a small smile.

"I can already tell this one is by far my favorite, your Royal Highness you have a fine eye for art." She blushes at your compliment, twisting some of her low hanging hair. You keep your amusement of her flustering to yourself, eyes trained on the swirling colors of the rippling blue mirror of the sky, looking for a signature.

Odd, there isn't a looping set of initials in the corner like most have. As if reading it on your face she speaks.

"I- I am the artist…" It is shy and soft, unlike the Princess and you realize the weight of the truth. That she had not heard one genuine compliment of anything that she had ever done.

All she would ever receive is flattery and only for the hopes of kindness from the Crown. Finally time swallows up her sudden meekness as she blurts out.

"Are you sure Lord Bakugou is not in love with you? I know you fancy Lord Todoroki, Doctor Shoto."

"I do not fancy the Doctor, he simply is the most logical option I have currently, he would make a fine partner and husband. The seasons have not brought anyone new and my days of spring are limited." You idly move to the next painting as you speak, "As far as Lord Bakugou, he and I are too much alike. Too ambitious for our own good, we'd either explode or implode I'm afraid. Like some tragic star in the vast galaxy."

"You would not marry for love?"

"It is best to marry for a strong partnership, love is a possible byproduct, however it proves to be a rarity. Love comes with time, your Royal Highness, a luxury us women do not have." You glance her way, "Not even a Princess is immune to this unfortunate condition from which all women suffer."

"But he looks at you with intense burning, with...love."

A quiet moment passes between the two of you before you offer your honesty.

"He would learn to look at you that way, more than he would see the Crown. Especially with your mind and artistic skill. He would be a fool not to fall for you." Her eyes water at your response, "Come, let me teach you how to best Bakugou at his favorite card game, Amelia."

When you return home later that afternoon Bakugou is fidgeting outside of the manor causing your brow to furrow. Then it dawns on you that one of your brother's has a big mouth and told his Grace where you would be.

"My Lord."

"Starlight." He offers you a strong arm and you take it as he guides you up the stairs and into the parlor just off the foyer.

"Are you here to gossip?" You trust Bakugou enough to go without a chaperone, besides the doors to the parlor are wide open. You sink into your writing chair as he takes his normal seat by your side. The plush cushions do not ease his twitching fingers before you give him a playful shove.

"Out with it then!" You giggle, the sound pulls a devilish smirk from the blonde seemingly easing whatever troubled his mind. He leans back into the cushions.

"So, how much did her Highness speak of me? Endless compliments no doubt." His teeth flash white as you roll your eyes.

"And here I thought you had a pressing matter." You move to turn away from him to focus on writing but he grabs onto your knee. Giving it a gentle squeeze as his face gives him away. The tips of his ears burn before he clears his throat.

"I have to show you something and I need your honest opinion." Silence is his answer as you patiently wait for him to produce the mystery item. Slowly he reaches into his pocket, a black velvet box is in his hands. A smile blooms on your lips as you anticipate the ring he must have picked for the princess. He opens the box and your heart free falls into your stomach.

It is a pear shaped black diamond flanked by silvery diamonds that wink in the afternoon sun. At the top of the circle of diamonds was a deep red garnet that looked like a drop of blood. The ring felt powerful if it could make one feel such a thing. You fist your skirts as you collect yourself. He watches your face contort as you look over the ring, his jaw ticking with worry as you assess what is essentially both his ego and pride.

But the ring is breathtaking, perfect really.

"Katsuki, it is a gorgeous ring…" Your voice trails as you admire it, "But I believe the princess to have less...moody tastes. She does not normally wear dark colors."

A small silence stretches between the two of you, almost as if he expects something else, quickly he snaps the box shut.

"This is why I ask you things, my stunning Starlight." He pulls out a red velvet box popping it open. This ring is beautiful as well but does not have your heart as much as the first.

It is a stunning and giant marquise cut white diamond. Blinding in the light with a halo of pale pink diamonds. It is vibrant, radiant like the princess. Katsuki always did pick out the perfect jewelry to match a woman's tastes. Bakugou watches your face carefully, the sad smile that pulls your lips upward causes a deep ache in his chest. His jaw ticks again but you answer before he can even think to lash out.

"Your Grace, this will surely win her heart." He looks you in your eyes, a flash of an emotion you cannot quite catch before his arrogance returns.

"Indeed it shall. We can discuss the best date to ask another time." He closes the box and tucks them both away, he grabs your left hand, fingers ghosting over the bracelet he gave you, "You seem tired, you should get some rest."

"I believe that to be a grand idea." You say softly as he kisses each knuckle. He squeezes your fingers.

"My life would be dark without you my Starlight." You fight to keep the bitterness out of your voice as you reply.

"Soon you will have a shining diamond to light up your life."

"Only thanks to you." With that he takes his leave.

With burning eyes you add to your manuscript, foolishly writing a love story as your other novels have been completed. The candle dwindles as the hours pass before your hunched shoulders ache from the poor posture and lack of movement. You stretch, yawning as you do before you decide to head to bed.

Expecting an empty foyer you are surprised to see your father looming in the hall, your mother standing solemn by his side. Her fingers clutch at her pearls as your eyes catch sight of bags at their feet. It is not unusual for them to leave in the middle of the night in order to keep the severity of your mother's health from the limelight.

"Is there troubling news?" Anxiety twitches in your fingers as you clasp them together. Although your father's next words make your fingers want to wrap around his thick neck.

"We have been invited for an extended stay at Duke Enji's manner in the countryside in hopes the two of you will court one another."

"Father that is scandalous in itself."

"Not if an engagement comes of it. Which one will, whether you fall for him or not, young lady. The matter has been decided among the men." His words sting like a slap in the face. Where most would cry you lash out.

"Oh, I get it. Per usual the men can think with nothing more than what hangs between their legs, fearful that theirs is not long enough. So the men do all that they can to control everything but their own fragility." You step towards your father and he takes a step back, "Or is it more gruesome than that? One blackmailing the other? I just cannot imagine the ambitious Duke wanting a Baron's daughter for his son. Unless his family is so far in decline he must place the weight on his new heir and bride."

His eyes widen unnaturally before he is frothing at the mouth.

"YOU WILL NOT SPEAK OUT OF TURN. YOU WILL LEARN YOUR DAMN PLACE. " He slaps you, causing a hush to fall over your family. Your eyes are wide with animalistic rage as you lunge only for Hendrix and Hideki to hold you back. Both strong men begin dragging you away.

"Forgive her, Father." Hendrix starts before Hideki finishes, "You know how the heat gives women a touch of hysteria."

"We will help her pack her bags."

All the while your mother looks at her husband in horror. The sight falls beneath the stairs before you are shoved onto your bed.

"Sister!" Hendrix roars while the youngest brother looks flustered, worried, "What were you thinking? You know how closed minded father is."

Hideki cuts the eldest a look before he adds.

"We are just worried. Normally you keep your wrath at bay."

"As much as it may come as a surprise. I am only human." You rise from the bed asking Rose to prepare you a trunk. To pack anything, that you did not care as you sat at your desk furiously writing. Your bothers watch you with curious eyes as the tension seems to subside before they take their leave.

Minutes tick by before you're standing in the foyer. Father and mother were already sitting in the carriage that waited outside under the cover of misty rain. Hendrix and Hideki stand awkwardly by the round table in the middle of the foyer. Pretending to fuss over lavish flowers Lord Bakugou had sent that morning. A beautiful arrangement of roses and hydrangeas, two of your favorites, the Lord knew of them through observation alone. You wait patiently until one brother makes eye contact with you. Hideki breaks first, guilt shining in his eyes as it threatens to spill over. It is obvious he does not want you to leave the house, his normally crooked smile falters. You cup his cheek, smiling up at your sentimental younger brother, he acts as if you will never come back.

Maybe there is some truth in that.

"Cry not, for I have an iron will while father's is but made of glass." You swipe the tear, before pressing two letters into his chest, "Besides I have an important task for you."

"Is it your scheming?" Hendrix chides and you laugh in answer before continuing.

"These are for Lord Bakugou and Lord Kirishima, it is imperative you deliver these letters." The paper contained important instructions for not only a successful proposal but a marriage as well.

You'd be damned if all three of you would turn out miserable.

"I'll put them in the post."

"No hand deliver them." Your eyes turn icy causing both brothers to go rigid, "And should I find out the seal has been broken before their arrival I shall take the family jewels from between your legs."

"Is that any way for a lady to talk, my dearest sister?" A jest in an attempt to lighten your souring mood.

"Yes, it is."

"They will be in their hands by this evening. We are wagering on a fight tonight. Enjoy your stay." Hideki leans in close with a tease but his voice almost cracks, "Make sure the rock is huge."

"Indeed." Hendrix agrees with an almost sad look in his eye, leaving you to wonder what it is that they know and you do not.

Well, you do know why they have such long faces, you just do not care to admit. You wave to them and their eyes catch on the silvery reflection of diamonds on your wrist.

The manner is stifling to say the least. The large, grand thing is as your trunk is set in your room that overlooks a small garden and the long sweeping hill that leads home. You pace your room before a knock comes at your door.

Hoping to ignore it, having not the desire to speak to a soul, your feet quiet. You listen for them to retreat but instead a louder knock sounds out. Before his grating voice floats from beneath the door and through the keyhole.

"I know you are in there, my lady."

Ugh, that stupid doctor stood on the other side of the door. Still you ignore him.

"It is rude to ignore your host." It ignites something in your stomach before you rip the door open. Eyes ablaze as Todoroki stands perfectly still in his onyx black suit sans jacket. White sleeves rolled up showcasing his strong forearms.

"Surely, a good host would not force his guests to his estate?"

"A good host would not mention how unwanted their guest is." His smile is sickeningly polite, eyes as cold as yours. It is hard to keep your composure as you breathe in deeply through your nose, eyes widening before you slam the door in his face.

Only once you hear his footfalls retreat and the moon shines long on your floor boards do you finally make your way towards the door. A woman on a mission as you yank the door open, uncaring that you were not in much but a thick white nightgown that could be mistaken for a dress. You rush for the stairs and through the door just off their back parlor, having memorized it from the long winded tour both your father and his Grace Enji insisted the small party take of the grounds.

A cool summer breeze whips your hair this way and that as it dries the sweat that sits at your nape. Normally people would describe this feeling as miserable, that even the breeze had a bit of heat to it, but you.

You lived for it. Twirling in the moonlight you allow yourself a moment for vulnerability you often cannot afford before you go deeper on the grounds, closer to the woods that lie just beyond the manor.

Once you are at the edge you give the grand home a glare with your back towards the woods. The creatures of the night sing their symphonies well into the late hour. A twig snaps behind you cause you to turn about face, your eyes meet with lavender framed beneath light lashes.

Ice runs through your blood as you faintly recall him speaking of these trees by his own countryside manor. He often went to these grounds to hunt.

So why was he standing on the Todoroki grounds?

"So it is true?" Monoma chokes out an ugly sound. It is between defeat and a snarl. He takes a step closer, "Whisked away in the night. Did Todoroki steal your maiden head from me?"

Your eyes widen at his scandalous accusation and it is then you see how truly disheveled he is. Hair plastered to his forehead, his canary suit stained green from foliage. The fabric even darkening beneath his armpits and at his collar, it sends a sort of frantic look to his eye. He steps forward and for once in your life you yield, stepping back.

"That is a damning accusation." You fight to keep the cracking rage from your voice, the small fear that blooms in your belly like poison nightshade. Swallowing thickly he steps forward.

"He, he can't take what's mine. I- I was going to propose today. But that damn Bakugou is always lingering around like toxic gas. Poisoning your mind with his….ambitions." It is then you see red.

How dare anyone thing you were so fucking fragile and innocent some young blonde could corrupt you. Your palm strikes his cheek with enough force that he is facing away from you. You strike again and then as you rear up your fist he pulls you to him. Pressing his whisky soaked lips to yours as he swallows you whole. Mouth extended over your lips, sloppily engulfing you as he makes sounds that make you want to retch. His tongue slides past your lips and you bite.

Not enough that he loses it, although you wish you could afford to do such a thing. But you still lived in a society where a man's word was far more valuable than that of a "whore." Shaking you pull back, so much rage that you do not see the flash of light until it is too late.

"Fucking bitch!" He slashes at your nightgown, cutting the fabric away as you think you've doged, he goes to slash again, "God damn whore!"

His voice echoes through the trees and that scares you more than the knife in his hand, his sloppy demnor creates an opening as you kick him so hard between his legs he falls to the ground, puking up his belly full of liquor onto the moss floor.

Suddenly the summer night is too hot, the frogs and crickets too loud as an owl calls deep within the wood. Thunder roars overhead before the clouds become too heavy. Panic slicks your skin before the pounding rain as you turn to run, hopping you kicked hard enough to rupture something in this cowardly man.

If you lived in any other world, you would have tried your best to seize that knife and plunge it into his chest.

But you didn't, so you ran. Vision blurring as the pain finally catches up to you. Hand instinctively flying to your stomach only to come up wet.

"It's the rain, it's just the rain." You gasp out rushing into the house and shutting the glass paned door as quickly and quietly as you can. Fumbling for a lock before you give up all together, arms outstretched in the dim room looking for a candle or a mirror. Shaking fingers find a match that you light using the wallpaper, uncaring of the risks as you frantically look for a stick of wax. Lighting the wick once you've found one and taking it to the mirror above a small runner table. You set the wax down, close to the glass, thunder shakes the windows and the house as you pull the fabric from your torso. It reveals an angry red slash that weeps crimson, a choked gasp leaves your lips as lightning flashes illuminating the whole room. Still you do not see the reflection of the man in the mirror.

"What happened?" It sounds animalistic as it comes from the corner. Your whirl to face him, pulling the cloth back down to cover your decency. A lie falls from your lips as easy as breath.

"Nothing." Your rasp, feigning embarrassment, "My-my courses have come early. Your Grace this is not something you should witness."

"Do you take me for a fool?" He steps closer, eyes burning in the candle light, "I may not be an expert of female anatomy but I know the basics."

You swallow thickly, trying to jest.

"Then my Lord you are far more experienced than myself. I am bashful to be in the presence of a skilled womanizer. This truly is nothing." He closes the distance, wrapping his deadly hand around your small wrist. Pulling it away from your body.

"That laceration does not look like 'nothing'." He mocks, "I will not ask again."

Silence engulfs you as the storm rages on, it competes with the roaring in your head. Your knees slowly buckle as Shoto keeps you up right. His winter's night by the hearth scent floods your senses.

"I feel a bit faint." Your voice sounds so small, so far away that it stirs something in Todoroki. In the year that he has watched you, he has not once seen your falter or become meek. He makes way to scoop you into your arms and is a mixed of relieved and agitated as you swat him away.

"I-I can walk." You straighten your back, smoothing the reddening fabric over your bodess and for once you're thankful the blasted nightgown is so thick. He gently guides you to your room.

Once there he prepares a basin as you try to sit on the plush bed.

"Aht!" He whispers harshly, "Change."

You relax into the foot of the bed anyway, unable to hold yourself up right any longer. He sucks his teeth, bringing the supplies to the bedside table before searching through your trunk.

"A Lady's things should not just be rummaged through."

"Hmm is that so?" He finds another night gown before he hovers over you, face pinched as he asks, "Can you undress yourself, truthfully?"

Moments pass before you admit that you are not sure that you can with a shake of your head. Slowly he eases you out of the damp fabric, dabbing at your wet skin with a towel. He avoids looking at your breasts and as much as he would love to stare a weeping wound commands his attention. He places the gown just enough to hide your breasts before he lies you down on your back.

"From beginning to end, tell me what happened." When you do not answer he forces your chin to face him, "Tell me, now."

And your name slips off his lips like poisoned honey, a truth serum you swallow whole. You retell the quick exchange, including the damning kiss as you watch rage blister across Shoto's handsome features as he silently begins to work.

"We must prosecute him."

"We must not!" You exclaim as he dabs antiseptic at your wound. He gives your an exasperated

"What would have happened if he had nicked an internal organ?"

"I suppose I would be free of this wretched world." A nonchalant shrug as best as you can manage.a glare cuts your way as his roar turns soft.

"Why would you say such a thing? Do you think no one would mourn the loss of you? Do you think he would not weep at your service?" Shoto touches the bracelet of dancing stars and you pull your wrist back. Tears burning your eyes, you do not allow them to fall.

"He is not up for discussion!" It's a loud whisper before you grip Shoto's jaw with enough force it grinds, "I am more than capable of taking care of myself, Lord. You can take your leave as I do not need a soul."

He melts as he watches the pain flutter in your eyes, a long sigh escapes him as he melts into your touch. His fingers feathering over your forearm.

"Pride is a deadly sin. Allow me to help. I will be quick." Slowly you drop your arm away from him. He digs around in his bag before you change your mind. He disinfects the sutures before he sends the needle through tender flesh, your tears dry as you allow your mind to retreat. Shoto takes quick notice.

"You do that a lot…" He comments softly, pulling the suture through your skin, you glance his way, "You seem to disassociate."

"Well, feelings hurt so it is better to not feel at all." You grind your teeth as he pulls the widest part of your wound together.

"Is that why you push him away so often?" He holds your gaze before returning to his work.

"Did I not tell you that he is not up for discussion. No matter, I do not have feelings for Lord Bakugou." He scoffs at your lie.

"Ah so then it was not you who suggested the Princess in the form of flattery? Lord Bakugou is a smart man but you played into his blind spot, stroking his ego and enticing his ambition." Your gritted teeth say it all.

"And how pray tell would you even guess at such grandor things when you are not in attendance at even half of these events?"

"I am privy to this knowledge because I too keep everyone and everything at arm's length. It is much easier to see the moves when one is far enough away from the board." He dabs at your abdomen, "And you my Lady are by far the best player."

"Flattery does not go far with me." You sigh softly, fingers idly playing with the wrinkles in the sheets, "Father wants me to set a final round."

"Mine wishes for me to begin and end in the same turn." He slowly places your nightgown down, "Which is why we should make an effort to at least get to know one another. With your wound I suggest staying an extra week or two to ensure it closes properly. I can convince our Wardens that the extension is for an attempt to win your hand."

He leans back in his chair, sweat on his brow from fusing with your wound, from worry as it furrows. Your chest tightens and suddenly the urge to be in control sinks its teeth into your skin. Quickly you unclasp the birthday present Lord Katsuki had given you, setting it on the nightstand beside Shoto with dramatic flare. His eyes widen as he reads between the lines, the silent vow of "I will make an effort...for now". The promise seems to pierce his heart.

"Fine. I enjoy picnics, I suggest we do that on the grounds so that we may be chaperoned from afar and yet have privacy. My expectation is unbashful honesty from both parties." You turn over to give him your back as you pull the fine blankets to your shoulders, "Furthermore you must come up with some sort of endearment for me. Anyone who has ever tried to seriously court me has. I have come quite fond of them as titles bore me. Something lovely so give it thought."

Shoto is stunned into silence for a moment before he lets out a dark laugh.

"I see, this is still your game"

"Precisely." You say, he stands, lingering in the doorway before shutting the heavy oak.

It was difficult to sleep to say the least. Still you were grateful to have risen before Rose. Dressing yourself before she could see your wound. More grateful still when Rose set down some tea claiming Lord Shoto sent it.

You downed the scalding liquid in three swallows, surprising Rose, before she passes you a folded note.

Meet me in the back garden for lunch.

-Shoto

A muscle ticks in your jaw as pain blooms across your stomach as you stare at his lovely script.

Shoto hates to admit that the first thing he looks for is that bracelet on your wrist, when he does not see it he lets out his held breath. Drinking in your deep, sapphire dress. It sparkles as if covered in stardust, his heart clenches. He looks towards your stomach, worry etched on his features.

"How are your stitches? No corset right?" He asks, gently guiding you to the plush pillows on the ground. Maybe he should have asked the butler to bring out chairs instead.

"I feel naked without it." You admit, he sees a bit of nervousness you have normally schooled away.

"You look lovely." His eyes are gentle, lips formed in a soft, genuine smile. Your heart tried to skip a beat. It's the heat you tell yourself.

"Flattery will not get you far remember?"

"I'm only being honest, my sweet petunia." You give him a puzzled look, was this going to be his nickname for you? You were not a delicate thing.

"A flower?" You give him a look but his smile does not falter.

"Ah would you rather I say my dew kissed rose? My begonia?"

You both laugh at his last suggestion.

"My sunflower." Your heart stutters, you glance away for just a moment and he takes notice.

"Ah so you approve," He collects a strand of your hair between his fingertips, "Sunflower?"

Heat rushes your cheeks as you fight the smile on your lips. You lose as he kisses your hair. Maybe you could be a delicate thing.

"Did you know sunflowers can remediate soil? It is why they are planted after tobacco is harvested in hopes to use the fields once more." He is quiet as he waits for your admission.

"It is my favorite flower, it is in season now. Alas not one suitor has sent them. Roses and hydrangeas are my favorites too but nothing quite says summer like a sunflower." You sigh, looking over the manicured bushes and flowers in the garden.

"Is that your favorite season?" He is perceptive, you take a moment to breathe in the sweltering breeze with closed eyes. Humming your answer.

"Indeed." You kick off your shoes and place your feet into the grass, leaning back to allow your face in the sun. Not many women would be so open to sitting on only a blanket and with no umbrella or covering. And yet here you were soaking up the sun like a lazy cat. Heat rushes Shoto's cheeks as he realizes just how perfect his name for you is.

"Have you ever had intercourse with a woman?" You ask, eyes still closed as Shoto flushes further. His cheeks are as red as part of his hair.

"Sunflower." He gasps but you giggle.

"Unbashful honesty, remember?" He lets small silence stretch between the two of you before he answers.

"I have. My brother convinced me it was a good idea." His eyes look sad, it makes your gut clench as you look away for a moment. Question burning on your tongue.

"What if I were to say my maiden head was taken?"

"Who am I to judge after I have slept with another. Sadly I know some are stolen." He answers without hesitation.

"This is true. Mine is still intact, I am grateful Monoma had only stolen a kiss." You sigh.

"You'd never kissed anyone?" His tone is curious although his eyes are dark with anger for you.

"I tried to be a proper lady. More so because I do not like to touch people or feel their skin. Touching them makes them real, you know? And when someone is real they can have power over your heart." Shoto mulls over your words and realizes how much he relates. He places his hands near your fingers but does not touch them. You notice the gesture and scoff without the pretension you skillfully lace his fingers with his. Delighted to see the burning blush on his cheeks.

Maybe life with Shoto would not be half bad, if only he gave you more moments like this.

Moments like this last over the two weeks that drag into three. Days are spent beneath the summer sun with exchanged and often heated, intellectual debates. Both of you feeling mentally stimulated for the first time as each of you allowed a few walls to come down, pulling each other closer than arm's length. While a few hours of the night are spent beneath the moon. His gem stone eyes raking over your abdomen in worry but nothing more than his checking on your wound as he was ever the gentlemen.

On Monday of the second week Shoto has come fond of his summer sunflower, so much so he brings a large black box to the next picnic, tucked away in his pocket is a matching, much smaller box. He presents to you the medium sized box as you giggle in delight.

"My Lord, my shining Shoto. What could this be?" Your cheeks hurt from the width of your smile as he opens the box for you to see. Your face flutters into shock before joy returns as you hold out your wrist. Shoto takes the delicate golden bracelet that has several round onyx surrounded by citrine in the shape of petals. Sunflowers dance on your wrist as you twist it this way and that, unable to school your features into your normal distaste for guadry gifts from suitors. But this gift was far from gaudy, only one man before Shoto had earned this reaction. You bring your parasol to hide your face and his from the prying eyes of the manor as you gently press your lips to Shoto's cheeks.

"I love it." You admit. It gives him enough courage to commit to ask you on Friday, the bigger question.

Having you walk for "therapy" through the grounds, pointing over your shoulder to point out phantom ducks on the lake as he nervously sinks to one knee.

"Shoto, love I do not see-" You turn to face him and see his loving eyes, wavering smile and shaking fingers holding open the box that reveals a giant oval ruby surrounded by diamonds. He clears his throat.

"My sunflower," You fling your arms around him, making him fall off balance as you land on top of him. Peppering his face with uncharacteristic kisses as excitement, for once, rushes through your veins like a second blood. He laughs lifting you by your ribs, careful of your slowly closing wound as he spins you before setting you on your feet. He fumbles for the momentarily forgotten ring before he slips it onto your ring finger. He presses a kiss to your cheek, smiling warmly. It reaches his eyes in such a way your gut clenches.

And for a moment you forgot you were ever anyone's starlight.

For one returning to the manor seems almost dreadful and not because of waiting suitors but because you would be without your own. He insisted the two of you be seperate as your mother and his, prepared to arrange the wedding, as you demanded the ceremony to be small. Despite your desire for to keep the engagement quiet for just a week or so, your mother and father took it upon themselves to spread word back home before you could even arrive.

You exit the carriage as the house looks quiet, earning a soft smile. Your ring catches your eye and you remind yourself that this truly was the best possible outcome.

The foyer is covered in flowers, from congratulations to a giant trove of sunflowers on the center table.

You smile at the flowers Shoto must have sent this morning, they sit in a glass globe of a vase, their usually tall stems cut short. Their flower heads are large and vibrant even in the ambient candle light. You finger a petal as you reminisce over the past few weeks, your stomach hardly protesting as you stand on tip toe to look at them all. Relishing the moment of silence before you realize you are most likely home alone. Your brothers lost in some fighting match while your parents took their leave from the Todoroki manor to busy themselves with venues. You figured a change of clothes would do you nicely before you settled down over your much neglected work.

A black nightgown and almost sheer robe clung to your frame as you stepped down the grand staircase, smiling once more at the flowers before slipping into your parlor. Lighting only one other candle by the door before taking yours to your desk. With deft hands you pull out one of your manuscripts and tap along the top with a manicured nail. A sigh leaves your lips, you finger with your bracelet, with the ring on your finger before a fresh page is found on your desk. You write furiously.

About something as trivial as love.

Still the quil seems to move on its own as if enchanted as words dot the parchment in ink. Suddenly your work is disturbed by someone entering your parlor. You assume it is a brother who has come home, glancing up you see locks of ash blonde causing you to grip at your robe to close it tighter. The moment you realize it is just Bakugou your grip on the fabric loosens.

"I wasn't expecting you at this hour." Fear of needing a chaperone barely crosses your mind since it was Lord Bakugou who was your company. You relax into your seat as he crosses the room to sit in his normal seat, on the corner of the couch, closest to you. His posture is poor as he leans his forearms on thick thighs, garnet eyes cast downward, he grips at his own hands as his knuckles turn white. You wonder if he did not heed your letter.

"How did the proposal go with Princess Amelia?" Your voice sounds out over the silence of the room, still he remains quiet. It is unnerving how solemn and silent the normally wolfish man is. Something pulls at the strings of your heart. His eyes seem misty. He keeps them to the ground or so you think, as they rake over the ring on your finger, on the bracelet on your wrist. The onyx and citrine dance in the low light of your burning candle. Bakugou feels a sheen of sweat coat his hands, bile rising in his throat that he has to swallow down.

You think the worst, you think the Princess rejected him but that didn't make sense either. She was so obviously in love with the ambitious man, you heard while away that she even turned down a dance with a forgein prince.

"What's wrong, Katsuki?" The way your voice forms around his name, the way your eyes look with unbiased worry causes Katsuki's limbs to act on their own. In one swift motion he cups your face in his broad hands, bringing his lips to yours so softly. Once the plush of your lips touch his he cannot stop as his hunger for you comes to the forefront. He kisses you with a fervor unmatched as his lips move yours, his hand moves to the back of your neck. Tilting your head so he may deepen the kiss, tongue sliding over yours as the world falls from beneath your feet.

But as quickly as it fell it returns, pushing him away while turning to face away from him. You keep your head held high as he pants on the couch beside you. He grabs your thigh, desperate for touch, for anything but rejection.

"Starlight." His voice is deep, rough from what might be disuse as it cracks on the second syllable. A question runs rampid in your mind. How long had he felt like this?

"Please, my starlight." He squeezes your smooth thigh and you look towards him. Watch his force contort with pain, as if you held his beating heart in his hands and crushed it.

Really it is what he had done to you, as you look down at him with hot tears.

He is the first and only soul to see you cry in decades. It seemingly tears him about but he brought this among himself.

The kiss is answer enough as to why he is here.

It should not be this tempting to throw it all away.

"Get. Out." You seethe, fat droplets catching on your sheer robe, falling down your cheeks as if you were an actress going through a tragic scene. He does not move, does not breathe as he hopes your temper will cool.

Instead it heats.

"Get out, Get OUT. GET OUT GET OUT!!" More composure lost with each increase of volume before you completely lose it, "FUCKING GET OUT!"

He hardly moves and the ruckus calls alarm for your brothers who were home, who let Bakugou in at such a late hour. They come from the office across the hall in hurried steps, expecting to see an assailant, hoping that Bakugou could fight them off.

They silently determine what they see is far worse. Bakugou gripping at your thighs with this pleading look while your face is now firmly buried in your hands. A sob racks through your body setting your brothers ablaze.

Hendrix speaks first.

"What did you do?!" His eyes are flaming as he sets them on Bakugou, who ignores the two men. Hideki begins to close the distance and his eldest brother follows suit.

"What have you done to make my lovely sister cry?" Hideki's voice is full of hurt, disappointment and when they receive no answer they decide it is time to remove your true assailant.

Both grab at Bakugou, pulling him away from the couch as you wet your palms with years worth of tears.

Everything in your life, no matter how hard you tried to conduct it, was truly wrong wasn't it?

The fresh swirling ink on the pages answered you enough, the love story you did not know you needed with a protagonist with soft ash blonde hair.

"Please. Do not make me BEG!" He yells as your brothers' sad attempt at forcing him from the room topples furniture and the like.

Still you weep your self pity away.

His next words are deafening as your heart finally cleaves apart, the pieces falling to the floor before shattering like glass at your feet. He brandishes the black velvet box with the black diamond ring tucked inside as you finally look up to him.

"IT HAS ALWAYS BEEN YOU, STARLIGHT!"

#bakugou x reader #todoroki x reader #bnha historical au #bnha imagine #bnha x reader

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