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linkemon · 3 days

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Piece of wood on wheels (Hasegawa Ranga x Reader x Kyan Reki)

Friendly reminder that English is not my first language. You can check my Masterlists both in English and Polish here. Consider supporting me on Ko-fi. You can also check out my commissions if you’re interested.

Other oneshots can be found here.

[ʀᴇᴀᴅᴇʀ] ʜᴀᴛᴇᴅ ꜱᴋᴀᴛᴇʙᴏᴀʀᴅɪɴɢ ᴡɪᴛʜ ᴀʟʟ ʜᴇʀ ᴍɪɢʜᴛ. ᴏɴʟʏ ʀᴀɴɢᴀ ᴀɴᴅ ʀᴇᴋɪ ᴍᴀᴋᴇ ʜᴇʀ ʀᴇᴀʟɪᴢᴇ ᴛʜᴀᴛ ᴀ ᴘɪᴇᴄᴇ ᴏꜰ ᴡᴏᴏᴅ ᴏɴ ᴡʜᴇᴇʟꜱ ɪꜱ ꜱᴏᴍᴇᴛʜɪɴɢ ᴍᴏʀᴇ…

ᴀᴅᴅɪᴛɪᴏɴᴀʟ ɪɴꜰᴏʀᴍᴀᴛɪᴏɴ:

ɪ ᴅᴇᴄɪᴅᴇᴅ ᴛᴏ ᴜꜱᴇ ʀᴏᴍᴀɴɪᴢᴇᴅ ᴄʜᴀʀᴀᴄᴛᴇʀꜱ' ɴᴀᴍᴇꜱ ᴀɴᴅ ꜱᴜʀɴᴀᴍᴇꜱ ɪɴꜱᴛᴇᴀᴅ ᴏꜰ ᴛʜᴇ ᴇɴɢʟɪꜱʜ ᴠᴇʀꜱɪᴏɴ ʙᴇᴄᴀᴜꜱᴇ ɪ ꜱᴛɪᴄᴋ ᴛᴏ ɪᴛ ɪɴ ᴀʟʟ ꜱʜᴏᴛꜱ (ʜᴇɴᴄᴇ ʀᴀɴɢᴀ ᴀɴᴅ ɴᴏᴛ ʟᴀɴɢᴀ). ᴛʜᴇʀᴇꜰᴏʀᴇ, ᴛʜᴇʀᴇ ᴀʀᴇ ᴀʟꜱᴏ ʜᴏɴᴏʀɪꜰɪᴄꜱ ᴀɴᴅ ᴄʜᴀʀᴀᴄᴛᴇʀꜱ ᴀᴅᴅʀᴇꜱꜱ ᴇᴀᴄʜ ᴏᴛʜᴇʀ ʙʏ ꜱᴜʀɴᴀᴍᴇꜱ ʀᴀᴛʜᴇʀ ᴛʜᴀɴ ɢɪᴠᴇɴ ɴᴀᴍᴇꜱ.

ᴋɪᴄᴋꜰʟɪᴘ, ɢʀɪɴᴅ ᴀɴᴅ ʙᴇɴɪʜᴀɴᴀ ᴀʀᴇ ᴛʜᴇ ɴᴀᴍᴇꜱ ᴏꜰ ꜱᴋᴀᴛᴇʙᴏᴀʀᴅɪɴɢ ᴛʀɪᴄᴋꜱ.

ʙʟᴜᴅᴇ ᴄᴀʀᴅ ɪꜱ ᴋɪɴᴅ ᴏꜰ ᴀ ʀᴇꜱᴛʀᴀɪɴɪɴɢ ᴏʀᴅᴇʀ ɪɴ ᴍʏ ᴄᴏᴜɴᴛʀʏ (ɪᴛ'ꜱ ᴍᴏʀᴇ ᴄᴏᴍᴘʟɪᴄᴀᴛᴇᴅ). ɪ ʜᴏɴᴇꜱᴛʟʏ ᴅᴏɴ'ᴛ ᴋɴᴏᴡ ɪꜰ ᴏᴛʜᴇʀ ᴄᴏᴜɴᴛʀɪᴇꜱ ʜᴀᴠᴇ ꜱᴏᴍᴇ ᴋɪɴᴅ ᴏꜰ ꜱᴜʙꜱᴛɪᴛᴜᴛᴇ.

ᴛʜɪꜱ ᴡᴏʀᴋꜱ ꜱʜᴏᴡꜱ ᴀʟᴄᴏʜᴏʟɪꜱᴍ ᴀɴᴅ ᴀʙᴜꜱᴇ. ɪᴛ ᴍᴀʏ ɴᴏᴛ ʙᴇ ꜱᴜɪᴛᴀʙʟᴇ ꜰᴏʀ ᴇᴠᴇʀʏᴏɴᴇ ᴛᴏ ʀᴇᴀᴅ.

Ranga gained momentum and jumped into the air. The board flew with him. For a moment he felt as if he were traversing the Canadian snows again.

There was a clear sky above his head. He inhaled a breath of cold mountain air. Dark green branches lashed him as he was snowboarding. He didn't even avoid them. He scraped his cheek a little but it was nothing. The pain was gone in the cold. He'll deal with that later. Thick white snow was falling from the sky. It was lying on the hat and scarf. He brushed it off every time he came back upstairs but it soaked his jacket. His mother managed to scold him for this before she went to dinner. He should have joined her and dad but he still wanted to snowboard. Each time he told himself it would be the last time. He wasn't hungry. He still felt the pleasant warmth in his stomach from the hot chocolate he had recently drank. It was dark brown, aromatic and spiced with cinnamon. He also got double the amount of marshmallows. The lady at the café had always considered him her regular customer. Favourite drink made the afternoon even better. He was standing in line for the ski lift and reached out to catch a snowflake. Apparently they were unique. He strained his eyes, trying to see if the one he caught was really special. Against the background of the navy blue glove, he saw six arms. He couldn't judge...

— Hasegawa-kun!

He fell onto the concrete. The memory ended in a split second. He was in Japan. The board had wheels. It didn't run smoothly through the snow. It's not a snowboard.

— Are you all right? — Kyan shook his hand.

— I'm fine.

The kickflip didn't work out. Once again, he chose the wrong amount of force. The rotation should have been a full but he only completed three-quarters of it.

His right leg was throbbing in pain. He rested his entire weight on it when he fell. He will certainly start the weekend with a huge bruise.

— You're terribly distracted today. Dude, what's wrong with you?

The boy didn't know what to answer. His friend was right. All afternoon he thought about everything but preparing for the race. He should strive to be equal to Adam. This was what he had wanted all last week but today something was distracting him from thinking about S.

Involuntarily he turned his head towards the distant bench. He passed by it every day. Its appearance was not encouraging. He had no doubt that there might have been more than one splinter hidden there. The paint was a nasty, dark yellow color. It was peeling off in patches. Plus a sick tree that is constantly shedding its leaves and flocks of ravens. Nobody wanted to sit in such a setting. Otherwise, the area was deserted. The former apartment blocks were demolished. Now there were only warehouses and an old skate park. Boards and roller skates took over this area a long time ago. That's what Joe told him once.

That's why he was so surprised by the girl reading the book. He hadn't seen a single person in this place since he came to town. He felt intrigued.

This did not escape Reki's attention.

— I see how things are going — he said with the air of an expert. — A girl caught your eye.

— Not at all! — Ranga turned his head. — I don't even know her.

He grabbed the skateboard and went back to training. He hoped that this would distract his friend from the topic. He felt heat on his face. He had been blushing since childhood. Some people thought it was cute but he didn't like how much his own body could betray him.

— I can tell — Kyan teased. — Her name is [Reader]-san. She comes here sometimes. She always sits in the same place and has a book with her. I'm not surprised you haven't seen her yet. The last time she was here was before you arrived. — He put his arm around him. — I got to know her but whenever I wanted to talk longer, she said she had to go...

Ranga knew how pushy the boy could be. His stubbornness exceeded healthy limits.

— How many times have you tried?

— Six or so. — He scratched his head.

— No wonder she hasn't been here for almost two months. — Hasegawa laughed.

It was a mistake. A familiar smile appeared on Reki's face. It portended trouble.

— Today will be the seventh. Lucky numbers don't lie. And besides, we'll go there together.

His friend tightened his grip around his neck. Thus he forced him to follow him. Protests and begging were in vain. He didn't manage to break free.

— Hi!

At the sound of a familiar voice, [Reader] closed her book.

— Hi! — she replied not very enthusiastically.

— Long time no see. I came to introduce you to my new friend. He recently moved here. [Reader]-san, this is Hasegawa Ranga. Hasegawa-kun, this is [Reader].

The boy bowed. He felt embarrassed. They interrupted the girl while reading. She didn't seem annoyed but she was definitely confused. Probably like him, she didn't like meeting new people.

— I read 'The North Wind,' too — he said, wanting to break the silence. — I liked the way it dealt with difficult topics. I didn't expect the ending at all.

The blue cover was eye-catching. He recognized it immediately.

— It's quite a niche title. — She looked at him with surprise.

— I'm from Canada.

The author of the book also came from there. She set the action in his native country. Accordingly, sales in the Maple Leaf Country were phenomenal.

He bought the book a few months ago. He didn't like this kind of entertainment but he needed something to occupy his mind. After the loss of his father, he sometimes wandered aimlessly around the house. He couldn't sit still. He didn't want his mother to worry, so he decided to try his hand at reading. He didn't read the pages at an alarming rate but the plot really captivated him. He didn't expect the secrets hidden by the main character at all and that was what fascinated him the most.

— Damn, Shadow's here. We should get going. — Kyan seemed really disappointed.

Apparently, he has already realized that another chance to deepen this acquaintance is gone.

There was another race that night. Higa promised to take them with him. They had to beg him to let them sit in his car at all. He cared for it more than he cared for his skateboard, even though it was a piece of junk. Strange sounds were coming from it, indicating that it was high time to visit a mechanic. Once it didn't even want to start. They almost missed S. They once tried to open a bag of chips quietly in the backseat. Hiromi went crazy and told them to vacuum up every last crumb. They wasted the entire afternoon.

— [Reader]-san, you should come over sometime to see how we skate.

— Guys, how long do I have to wait for you? — There was impatience in the driver's voice.

Reki moved ahead, trying to calm Shadow down.

— I'm sorry if we intruded — the words came out of Langa's mouth — and for my friend. Sometimes he can be pushy but he wants the best.

— Did you really think so? — She blinked in disbelief. — That I don't want to talk to you?

Now he really felt stupid. He assumed that was the case. He basically had nothing to prove it. It just seemed the most logical thing to do. Especially after what he heard earlier. After all, six times is enough to make it clear that you don't want to see someone.

— I know it looks weird but something really bothered me every time I tried to talk to Kyan-kun. I can't really explain it but I hope he doesn't mind...

— Of course not. — He tried to save the situation. — He'd be very happy if you came to the skate park.

— It's just that... ummm... He really likes to skate and I... I can't. Actually, I really don't like skateboards… — She looked at the ground.

— We can teach you. And even if not, just come and read on the bench next to it. We have better light than under this tree. — He smiled encouragingly.

Suddenly, a loud honk sounded in their ears.

— Are you coming with us or are you going alone?! — my friend shouted.

— I'm coming! — he shouted back. — I should get going. It was nice to meet you. — He turned to leave.

As he took a step, a silent question stopped him:

— Hasegawa-kun, do you love skateboarding?

He turned towards her and nodded.

— Why? — She clutched the book tightly.

The boy thought of that strange, mysterious feeling he felt every time he started skateboarding. He couldn't describe it in words. It wasn't just a wooden board with wheels. It was about something more.

— I was a bit like the heroine of North Wind... Lonely and lost. I thought the best was far behind me... but skateboarding showed me that wasn't true. It pulled me out of a black hole when I thought there was nothing for me. It rescued me. It gave me a friend, good memories and a new purpose. It's more than I could ever want.

Another loud honk from Higa's car signaled that he was pushing it.

— See you! — he said and ran towards the car.

He didn't see it but the girl stared at the skate park for a long time after he left.

***

Reki was very surprised to see [Reader] on a bench by the skatepark.

— Have you come to see how we fly? — he asked enthusiastically.

— Hasegawa-kun said there's better light for reading here. I came by to see if it was true. — She looked away.

Something slightly stung him. He knew this feeling. It was jealousy. Faint and inconspicuous but still. Deep down he told himself that he had a right. He tried to contact the girl many times. He invited her several times but she never came. And now all Ranga had to do was show up and it was a success. As if that wasn't enough, he was surpassing him in his favourite discipline. Just two months ago he was a novice. A total rookie. He couldn't even keep his balance on the board. Kyan became the teacher of a helpless friend. But now the student has surpassed the master. There was nothing new left for him to show him.

— We're going to practice. — Ranga smiled.

He did it naturally. As if he didn't have to think about this reaction at all.

— Look at us sometime! — Reki said.

His smile was different. Stuck to his face. Forced.

He began to wonder when they had switched roles. At what point did he stop being that fun guy, always ready to cheer someone up?

He gripped the board tightly, that worn-out piece of wood that had brought him so much joy. He installed special wheels himself. He looked at the surface covered with bright sprays. They recently renovated it together. A friend helped him choose colours and patterns. They spent a fun afternoon together in the garage.

He pushed hard with his left leg. He only knew one way to deal with problems — skating. His Grinds needed some refinement. He decided to focus on them but unwanted thoughts kept pushing into his head.

He didn't want to get angry at his friend. It would be rude to blame him for something he had no control over. Especially since he had been having fun with Hasegawa for a long time. They went to school together, spent time and talked about their common passion. In addition, they were connected by illegal racing. He couldn't remember the last time so many strange but good things had happened in his life.

Only recently had he been poisoned by thoughts of being inferior. He tried to explain to himself that it was only in this one aspect. After all, he couldn't beat someone's talent with hard work alone. No matter how hard he tried, it became clear that Hasegawa would be one step ahead of him in skateboarding.

But now it seemed like another thing he cared about was being taken away.

He quickly reprimanded himself for these words. Thinking about girls objectively was inappropriate. It made him feel even worse.

He tried to repeat Benihana again. Fingers slipped off the edge of the board. He desperately tried to make it but instead of a stable surface, his foot hit the air. It seemed to him that everything around him froze for a moment. It was as if time stopped for a split second. Immediately afterwards, he fell onto the hard concrete.

— Shit — he muttered quietly.

— Everything's all right? — Ranga shouted.

— I'ts cool!

[Reader] put her book down on the bench, took her bag and walked over to him.

— Does it hurt a lot? — She crouched down.

— It's nothing. A skater without bruises is like a soldier without a gun.

She snorted quietly, trying to hide it with her hand.

It wasn't the first or last time he hurt himself. Sports were associated with injuries. From an early age he was accustomed to scratches and wounds.

He twisted his head back with all his might, trying to see what condition his right arm was in. Some blood and dirt but otherwise everything seemed fine.

— I can patch it up if you want. — She grabbed her bag.

— Wouldn't you rather watch Hasegawa-kun skate? — The sarcastic comment left his mouth before he could stop himself.

[Reader] blinked a few times.

He felt stupid. What's been going on with him lately? He was fed up with himself.

— Sorry. Forget I said anything.

— That's okay. — She took out a bottle, gauze and a bandage.

— Do you have a whole first aid kit inside? — He looked at it all with wide eyes.

He sometimes saw girls carrying plasters with them. Usually in case your feet get chafed by high heels. He wondered why they were doing this to themselves. They might look nice but he wouldn't trade his comfortable, worn-out sneakers for high heels.

However, it was much more than the average contents of the bag.

— It's because... I'm clumsy. You know... I fall a lot and stuff like that — she said quietly.

— Is that why you wear long sleeves even in the summer?

He hadn't even realized he had noticed it before. He had looked in her direction far too often over the last few months.

— Yes but... never mind — she said.

[Reader] soaked the gauze. She gently grabbed his hand and began to wash the red spot.

— Ouch! — He got away.

— It must sting a little.

— It hurts. I thought you had Octenisept or something. Maybe we'll leave it as it is? — he suggested, feeling tears welling up in the corners of his eyes.

She looked at him scoldingly. He felt like a little child.

— Hydrogen peroxide is cheaper. Why spend money unnecessarily? — She shrugged. — Let me finish this, otherwise it will get infected.

So he endured the unpleasant feeling. He didn't hiss once. He didn't want to seem like a terrible wimp.

[Reader] handled the dressing efficiently. She must have had a lot of experience.

— I have to go back or I'll be late. — She looked nervously at her watch.

Kyan noticed that it looked quite old. The model was definitely from last decade. This intrigued him. Is she following some strange fashion? But he had never seen her dressed in anything particularly special before. She usually wore her school uniform or a comfortable sweatshirt and pants. So he concluded that the item probably had some sentimental value.

— About that question from earlier… — She hesitated, as if she wasn't entirely sure whether she should answer. — Hasegawa-kun skates well but I think you enjoy it more. I wanted to see if a board could actually bring joy to someone. When I look at you, I think it's really possible.

She left him with these words and a bandaged arm. From that moment until the evening, every trick was perfect.

***

— You should try it! — Reki insisted.

He still didn't really know how he should feel about his skateboarding. But that didn't mean he would stop encouraging others to try. Especially since [Reader] didn't seem like enough competition to undermine his self-esteem even more.

— I don't know...

The girl looked at the board uncertainly. She promised herself so many times that she would stay away from the hated sport. However, it found her, even though she wanted to hide from it all her life.

— I'll hold your hand the whole time if you're scared. — He grinned.

— Maybe it would be better — Hasegawa emphasized — if I held her hand. When I was learning, he also promised me that it would be safe. Guess what happened next...

— He let you go and you hit the ground?

— Exactly. — He looked reprimandingly at the teacher.

— I wouldn't let her go — Kyan said back. — Anyway it doesn't matter. I can always belay.

The mention of how he had helped his friend's courage made him feel a little ashamed. He had various ideas came to him on the spur of the moment. It was true that he planned to make the student independent a little too quickly but he did not want to harm him. What doesn't kill you makes you stronger. He never expected them to come back to this topic, especially now.

Ultimately, [Reader] was convinced. At first she wobbled slightly but it soon turned out that neither a hand nor securing the back was needed. She didn't fall even once. Ranga saw nothing strange about it. After all, despite his talent, he had only recently started working on the subject. Reki, however, was different.

— You've never skated before? — He asked.

The girl looked away and got off the board.

— Maybe a long time ago, when I was a child. I don't remember — she mumbled.

He felt that this was not the complete answer. Not entirely a lie but not honesty either. But who was he to demand the whole truth?

— I guess that's enough for today — he said, wanting to cut the topic short. — Beautiful girls shouldn't have sore muscles...

He felt like an idiot. He felt as if his brain had stopped working for a moment. Or worse yet, it disappeared. Such texts were served in films, not in real life. Even if he thought she was beautiful. What if she thinks he's being pushy? Or that he only sees beauty in her? And she won't want to come to the skate park anymore... How do you apologize for such things? Is it possible that he's about to have a heart attack?

He felt as if his thoughts were flying through his head at the speed of a speeding skateboard. He couldn't utter a single word. Now he was sure that he had switched roles with Hasegawa. After all, Reki always knew what to say. It doesn't matter if it was a teacher at school where he was driving illegally, or Adam during a race. And now he was stunned.

She blinked three times before realizing what he said. He knew because he counted. The moment seemed to drag on mercilessly.

— Nobody... has ever...

He wanted to sink into the ground. He even considered taking his skateboard and running off to the nearest street.

—...told me I looked beautiful. Thanks, Kyan-kun. — She smiled shyly.

The joy and relief after these words were comparable to winning in S.

***

Ranga passed red, orange and yellow trees planted along the sidewalk. The sun rose lazily in the cool, crisp air. The morning was going to be cold. Fortunately, he took his jacket from home. He looked to the side. Neighbours were cleaning their lawns. This reminded him that he had promised to help his mother when he returned home. Autumn in Japan looked beautiful but nothing will clean itself up. A few lone, dry leaves flew past his head.

He was driving to school, reading a book. On one hand, he was afraid of being fined but on the other, he got so into it that he couldn't stop. He hoped he would be able to finish the chapter in class. The teacher was slow. Maybe if he hides the novel behind the cover of a textbook, he will somehow succeed. [Reader] gave him this advice. After all, it was thanks to her that he found pleasure in his new activity. He wanted to go out with her sometime in the afternoon. However, he was aware that it would be a good idea to invite Reki. The three of them usually spent time together and it became so common that they almost never saw each other in a different lineup. Lately, he's been having thoughts about what it would be like to see a girl alone. Would it be like betraying a friend? He wasn't blind enough to not see the interest Kyan was showing in her. There was something in the air. But why would he give up a potential opportunity? In the end, no official statement was made from either side. [Reader] might as well not have been interested in his friend in that way.

He yawned. At Japanese lesson, he will definitely be a zombie. He just hoped he wouldn't fall asleep. Yesterday he helped prepare a birthday present until late.

He found a dedication in the book he borrowed from the girl. The date made it clear that the holiday was today. They didn't have much time. So he and a friend rolled up their sleeves and decided to make a skateboard for her. She didn't want to buy her own because she said it was a waste of money. Borrowing wasn't an ideal solution either because someone always had to sit. They needed something more to ride as a three. So Reki put all his technical know-how together and happily began assembling the pieces he ordered online and purchased from Dope Sketch. They begged Oke-san for a discount. He gave it, although with a heavy heart. Hasegawa couldn't help with the building, so he started decorating. He designed a pattern on a piece of paper and then sprays and stickers were used. He even managed to find a few themes related to the books she told him about. He hoped it would make her feel more like the board belonged to her. After all, individualism was an important part of skateboarding.

Finally, they found an unused box in the garage and put the work inside. By the time they wrapped it in paper, it was already three a.m. Ranga had to be saved by coffee in partnership with an energy drink in the morning but he did not regret it. He hoped that the work would pay off and he would soon see a happy birthday girl.

***

Hasegawa had the gift under his arm and wondered if he looked weird skating with it. Mainly because people looked at him with interest. However, it was more likely that it was his unusual beauty that attracted attention. He was often mistaken for a tourist. It was also often assumed that he could not speak Japanese.

His friend was whizzing past him. He performed tricks every now and then. He wasn't surprised. The ride itself got boring quite quickly. Plus, Kyan was bursting with energy. He could see how much he was looking forward to the surprise reveal. He was also overexcited. Unfortunately, instead of handing over the package, they wandered around an unknown area.

[Reader] wrote that she wouldn't be able to come to the skate park today. So they decided to come to her house. Only then did they realize that they didn't know the exact address. The girl didn't reply to any messages, so they took matters into their own hands (or rather, feet). They headed towards the housing estate she had once mentioned. They asked people in the area, hoping someone would point them to a suitable apartment.

The milkman brought them happiness. The old man had the best years of his life behind him. Gray, bearded and wrinkled, he pushed forward tirelessly. His hunched back showed how many years he had been riding a bicycle with a trailer. They lined up with him.

— [Reader]? I know them. — They never buy from me — he muttered. They live this way, two blocks from here. Quite a big house, you definitely won't miss it.

They thanked him. They were tired of wandering around in unfamiliar territory. As a token of gratitude, each of them bought a bottle of a white, still cool drink.

They texted [Reader] that they would be over soon. They hoped that she would read it and come out to meet them.

They followed the instructions they received. The man was right. There was no mistaking the buildings. Although the house was small, it stood out from the others. The gate was richly decorated. There were bushes in the garden, shaped strangely. Even the paving stones looked like an expensive mosaic. A decorative wreath of colourful flowers was hung on the door. Instead of a bell, they found an old-fashioned knocker. Without thinking, they grabbed the boards under their arms and knocked.

— Hey, are we singing for she’s a jolly good fellow? — Ranga whispered.

He didn't have time to receive an answer.

A tall and slim woman appeared in the doorway. She tied her dark hair in a distinguished bun. An elegant purple dress billowed behind her as the autumn air flowed into the hallway. The only thing spoiling her appearance was her aquiline nose, giving her face a stern expression. She looked at them suspiciously.

— Good morning. Mrs. [Reader]? — Reki made sure.

— That's right — she nodded. — But I don't want to buy anything from you — she grumbled, looking around the box. — I already have pots, vacuum cleaners, juicer... — she started to list.

— You misunderstood us. We are looking for our friend — [Reader].

He described her appearance in hopes that it would help.

— My niece? — The tone of voice changed immediately. She became even colder than when she started. — She sent you to get money? — She laughed hysterically. — You can tell her and my brother that they won't get a penny from me! He deserved everything. He didn't have to get drunk. I always told him that his damn sport wouldn't do him any good but why listen to your older sister? He ruined his life and destroyed his family...

They didn't know what to do with themselves. They were sure it was about their friend. But what exactly was this woman talking about? It was inappropriate to interrupt her. They couldn't leave either, having gotten themselves into this strange situation. So they stood there, listening to the tirade.

Hasegawa felt like they shouldn't be here at all right now. It all sounded like a family affair and they weren't part of it. He was about to say goodbye when [Reader] appeared behind him. Apparently she finally read the message. She ran out of one of the neighbouring houses. Compared to the mansion they stood in front of, the building looked repulsive.

— What are you doing here? — There was horror in her eyes.

Tears glistened in the corners of her eyes. She clumsily tried to wipe them with the sleeve of her old, worn-out sweater.

She came running, hoping that she would somehow manage to get the boys out of the area. However, it was too late. Her aunt said what she wanted. The truth came to light. There was nothing to cover up. Especially since the red mark from the impact was still visible on his cheek. Stories about falling down stairs or tripping on the road will not help.

— Come back here! — Mr. [Reader]'s scream echoed throughout the road.

He was staggering. He held cheap wine in his hand. The remnants of the red liquid danced in the bottle with each unsteady step.

This sight was nothing new. Her biggest regret was that her friends had to watch it. There was a reason she stayed away from people. Because of her father, no one wanted to associate with someone like her.

Ranga was stunned for a moment. He felt like he was watching a movie. It was hard for him to believe that he was witnessing this whole situation. He was aware that such things happened to people. However, the whole idea was unrealistic because he had never experienced it. And now it turned out that someone around him was a victim and it turned everything he knew up to now upside down.

Every bruise and wound took on significance. Carrying a first aid kit for emergencies was a must. He understood why the girl spent so much time away from home. Escaping into the world of books was the only way out. It also occurred to him that he had never seen her in the company of her friends or acquaintances. Suddenly canceling meetings for strange reasons finally made sense. The antipathy towards the board didn't come out of nowhere either.

When he realized that the father was going to raise his hand against his daughter, he stood in his way. He felt a rush of adrenaline. His body moved on impulse. Kyan did exactly the same. The gift box took the brunt of the impact. Then he only remembered a mixture of screams, a struggle and a call to the police. When the officer arrived, he was still in shock but relieved.

***

— That's funny — [Reader] said. — Failing at skateboarding destroyed my father, so I learned to hate it. And now a skateboard saved me.

She looked at the piece of wood on wheels under her feet. It seemed that she would like this sport as much as reading.

— Are you sure you want to stay with your aunt? I'm sure my mother wouldn't mind if you stayed with us for a while. — Hasegawa adjusted his leg position.

— I don't know what exactly touched my aunt. Maybe she just felt stupid that strangers defended me and my family didn't do anything. Anyway... — She tried to jump up, keeping her balance. — We talked for a long time about everything. I can stay there. Now that they have issued me with a blue card, things should be calmer.

— We'll see to that — Ranga said.

— Let's not talk about it for now. Today I just want to skate.

Tomorrow she was going to see a psychologist. There was no way to prepare for this. She was afraid of it but she also had hope.

She took a deep breath of cool air. The world looked completely different in the rush. The colours blurred in her eyes. She wanted to forget about everything for a moment. Not having to worry about the past. Some old thoughts lurked in the back of her mind. About the fact that there may be a great unknown at home — apparent order or wild madness. So that she had to meekly stay out of people's way. Just in case. Now the financial problems were finally no longer on her shoulders and she felt strangely about it. She didn't have to wonder how she was going to pay the next month's rent. She even got pocket money. She was still afraid to spend it as if it would become necessary in a moment. Sleep became strangely peaceful. So much so that sometimes she couldn't even go to bed. She no longer went to sleep to the accompaniment of screams alternating with apologies and false promises of a better tomorrow. She knew the present was normal but she still couldn't fully accept it. It was impossible to suddenly erase years of violence, alcohol and pain. But she was going to try.

She looked at the guys skating next to her. She believed that everything would work out with them by her side.

#hasegawa langa x reader x kyan reki #hasegawa langa x reader #kyan reki x reader #sk8 the infinity x reader #alcohlism #heali #healing #shadow #sk #sk8 x reader

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linkemon · 4 days

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Demoiselle en détresse (Bakugō Katsuki x Reader) [Fantasy AU]

Other oneshots can be found here.

ᴏɴᴇꜱʜᴏᴛ ɪɴꜱᴘɪʀᴇᴅ ʙʏ ᴛʜᴇ ᴛʜɪʀᴅ ᴇɴᴅɪɴɢ ᴏꜰ ʙɴʜᴀ. [ʀᴇᴀᴅᴇʀ] ꜱᴇᴛꜱ ᴏꜰꜰ ᴏɴ ᴀɴ ᴇxᴘᴇᴅɪᴛɪᴏɴ ᴡɪᴛʜ ʙᴀᴋᴜɢᴏ ᴋᴀᴛꜱᴜᴋɪ ᴏꜰ ᴛʜᴇ ꜱᴏᴜᴛʜᴇʀɴ, ᴡɪʟᴅ ᴛʀɪʙᴇ. ᴛʜᴇʀᴇ ɪꜱ ᴀ ǫᴜᴇᴇɴ. ᴛʜᴇʀᴇ ɪꜱ ᴀ ꜱᴛʀᴀɴɢᴇ ᴄᴏᴍᴘᴀɴʏ. ᴛʜᴇʀᴇ ɪꜱ ᴀʟꜱᴏ ᴀ ᴅʀᴀɢᴏɴ. ᴏɴʟʏ ᴛʜᴇ ᴏʀᴀᴄʟᴇ ɪꜱ ɴᴏᴛ ǫᴜɪᴛᴇ ᴡʜᴀᴛ ɪᴛ ꜱʜᴏᴜʟᴅ ʙᴇ… ᴛʜᴇ ᴍᴏꜱᴛ ɪᴍᴘᴏʀᴛᴀɴᴛ ǫᴜᴇꜱᴛɪᴏɴ, ʜᴏᴡᴇᴠᴇʀ, ɪꜱ - ᴡʜᴏ ᴡɪʟʟ ᴡɪɴ ᴛʜᴇ ᴛʀᴇᴀꜱᴜʀᴇ?

ᴀᴅᴅɪᴛɪᴏɴᴀʟ ɪɴꜰᴏʀᴍᴀᴛɪᴏɴ:

ᴛʜɪꜱ ɪꜱ ᴀ ꜰᴀɴᴛᴀꜱʏ ᴀᴜ.

ᴅᴜᴇ ᴛᴏ ᴛʜᴇ ᴀʙᴏᴠᴇ ᴘᴏɪɴᴛ, ɪ ᴅɪᴅ ɴᴏᴛ ᴜꜱᴇ ᴛʜᴇ ꜱᴏ-ᴄᴀʟʟᴇᴅ "ꜱᴜꜰꜰɪxᴇꜱ" ᴀɴᴅ ᴛʜᴇ ᴄʜᴀʀᴀᴄᴛᴇʀꜱ ᴄᴀʟʟ ᴇᴀᴄʜ ᴏᴛʜᴇʀ ʙʏ ᴛʜᴇɪʀ ꜰɪʀꜱᴛ ɴᴀᴍᴇꜱ, ɴᴏᴛ ᴛʜᴇɪʀ ꜱᴜʀɴᴀᴍᴇꜱ, ʙᴇᴄᴀᴜꜱᴇ ᴛʜᴇ ᴀᴄᴛɪᴏɴ ᴅᴏᴇꜱ ɴᴏᴛ ᴛᴀᴋᴇ ᴘʟᴀᴄᴇ ɪɴ ᴊᴀᴘᴀɴ.

Night was falling. Flames from a small fire shot up cheerfully and five tired hikers warmed themselves around it, talking about the events of the past weeks.

— My magic didn't work on these creatures at all — said Ochaco. — I still have a lot to learn.

Everyone shuddered at the mention of nasty flying monsters.

The only one who knew who the mysterious beasts were was [Reader] but she wasn't going to reveal it to the rest of the group.

She played her role, one of many previously prepared for the destinations. As the queen of Kamino, she was taught from a young age to take on various characters and put on appropriate masks. This time she chose the role of a wise woman who didn't stick her nose out from behind books. She changed her appearance and became a quiet mouse. One of the advantages was that she did not have to completely shed her highly developed manners and higher education, which would have been difficult for her to hide.

— Thank you again for saving us, Your Higness — she said to Shōto, who nodded and returned to sipping the aromatic brew of phosphorescent mushrooms.

— It was amazing — Izuku added and began to mumble in fascination.

It didn't take a few moments for him to start writing something down in the leather book he carried with him throughout the journey.

The only person who did not speak flatteringly to the prince that evening was Katsuki Bakugō — the last living representative of a wild tribe from the South and the owner of a huge dragon. With a frown on his face, he repeatedly announced that he didn't need rescuing. Todoroki did not accept his challenge to a duel, which was considered a personal grudge. Finally, in order not to escalate the situation, [Reader] asked the blonde to go collect more firewood. Despite this, curses and the sounds of branches could be heard coming from the forest, which (judging by the cracking sounds) were probably broken by the force of muscles.

— So, if I understood correctly earlier, you are going to try? — Shoto asked.

— Yes. — Ochaco pulled her cloak tighter around her. — We hope that we will be able to convince the oracle. I want to get money to ease the burden on my parents. Along the way, I met Izuku, who wants to become a hero. As for [Reader]… — the girl trailed off.

Until now, she hadn't really thought about what the scientist's goal was.

— My wish is a secret.

— Anyway, she's the only one who knows the way to this place. — Without her, we would probably have been wandering for a long time. Katsuki joined us later. He saved us from monsters similar to those your majesty fought this morning. Then he said he wanted to get to the cave as quickly as possible and joined us. I didn't even try to ask about his wish, I'm too afraid of him. — She pouted. — Along the way, we also met Tenya Īda, a noble knight following an ancient code and...

This was going to be a long story.

— We have a lot of adventures behind us. — Izuku smiled. — And now we're a day away from our destination. I think it's time to rest a bit.

Thus the blankets were distributed and the company fell into a deep sleep in the midst of the ancient forest.

Some time later, Katsuki also joined them. Ever since they first encountered the beasts, they had been on guard duty. That evening, he was first in line.

However, he didn't wake [Reader] up so she could take over his shift like he should have. As he approached and tried to pull her from sleep, she muttered something about five minutes and then began to snore softly. The blonde wanted to shout at her but eventually he adjusted her blanket, added his own and only muttered:

— Sleep well, idiot.

He didn't want to admit it but the scientist caught his eye at the very beginning of the trip. In the first days, she stayed away from him but after he rescued her from the hands of a famous thug called Stain, their relationship warmed up significantly. Sometimes, sitting under the stars, they talked about various trivial and serious topics, enjoying each other's company. They also happened to fly on a dragon in the moonlight.

This was the guard that Katsuki wanted to send, a being who, contrary to appearances, is very intelligent but cunning. It was hard to get him to do any favors other than tearing to shreds and burning everything he could find. [Reader] seemed to be his favourite though because he even let her pet his muzzle. For most of the group, this was an unattainable phenomenon.

In reality, however, the dragon instinctively sympathized with the girl, after all, like her, he was pretending to be someone he was not.

The mythical animal flashed its eyes and nodded in agreement.

The wild one needed sleep too. He planned to reach the oracle with the others in the morning.

This is how the last night before trials passed.

***

At dawn, the travelers said goodbye to Prince Todoroki and his brave white steed and headed towards the caves.

They managed to open the mysterious door to the underworld because Izuku solved the mysterious riddle thanks to his knowledge of mythical heroes.

The dragon had to stay outside, there was no chance of dragging the huge creature into the narrow corridors.

It was dark inside, so Ochaco turned on the light on the end of her wand. They went deeper, trusting the [Reader's] notes, which actually belonged to the castle's book collection. The air was thick, stuffy and stale. They passed stalactites and stalagmites, occasionally scaring bats, to see the mysterious path and the shadow at its end.

When a person hears the word "oracle" they usually imagine a beautiful woman. However, it turned out to be an older man with long black hair who introduced himself as Shōta Aizawa. He obviously just woke up.

— You're interrupting my nap, you idiots. — He rolled over.

— We came to take trials — Izuku said.

— All of you?

He was answered by four nods.

— Great, let the trials begin or something... — He rubbed the sleep from his eyes. — Oh, I would have forgotten. Only one of you will reach the end and I will grant theirs wish. The rest will fly out of here faster than you can imagine.

No one was prepared for such a quick turn of events. Especially the young queen when she realized her hopeless situation.

Before they could ask anything more, white light surrounded the hikers.

This is how the journey through a strange maze full of traps began. It was somewhere above the caves. This was indicated by the green grass, clean air and daylight.

During the trials, Izuku came to the conclusion that he could become a great hero without his wish, willingly giving his chance to the others. Ochaco said that if it weren't for [Reader] who saved her from the thorny vine, she would have beend dead and she honorably retired. They disappeared in a cloud of dark smoke and that was all that was seen of them.

So Katsuki and the false scientist remained on the battlefield. They reached the end of the maze without any major obstacles. There were two shining swords lying there and nothing else.

— I think they want us to fight. — The girl raised her sword.

She took lessons at night but she was aware that she had no chance against the wild man.

— I won't fight you because you pose no challenge to me. — Hey you, Aizen, or whatever your name was, come up with something else! — he shouted at the top of his lungs.

— A fight is a fight, these are the rules of the final trials — the man said in a dispassionate voice.

He was sitting on the wall, unnoticed so far.

— I don't give a damn about your games. You can't force me. — The blonde crossed his arms on his chest.

— You will die here.

— You have to watch us, otherwise you wouldn't be here to begin with. You want to sleep, so going away is not an option for you — [Reader] deduced.

It was a mistake. A nasty smile appeared on the face of the previously calm man, heralding trouble.

— I know you inside and out. I also know what your wishes are. You want your family back, Bakugō — he continued. — Do you even know who you're up against here?

A shiver ran down the girl's neck and she tightened her fingers on the hilt of the sword she was holding.

— Enlighten me.

— Queen [Reader] of Kamino — he said in a quiet voice, then disappeared in a black cloud and reappeared on the wall.

— Katsuki, listen...

— A family of murderers!

The girl could barely withstand the force of the angry boy's attack. The hail of blows fell with unexpected speed. [Reader] felt adrenaline coursing through her veins as she tried to use any defense. Every breath she took was burning with fire because the enemy did not give her even a moment's respite.

The blade clanged as it hit the floor and the girl felt the blade close to her throat. After a moment, she saw him raise it up to deliver the final blow. Her ears were ringing. She tried to articulate a sentence but her voice refused to obey her.

— You've won — a scathing voice whispered to the last of the wild people — I told you I'd make you fight.

The sword was pulled back to a safe distance.

— Get her out of here before I change my mind!

— NO.

[Reader] felt like she was doing one of the biggest stupid things in her life but she had responsibilities and debts to pay. Even if she was defeated and had to be on her knees begging for help.

— It's not fair. Why should I be judged for something my parents did? I know they murdered your tribe fighting for the land but it's not my fault. It's also not the fault of the humans, who will soon face an army of beasts called Nomu. The ones you dealt with along the way. My people don't stand a chance against them. My wish is to stop Shigaraki, their master. I know that tens of thousands of nameless people are nothing to you compared to the parents you lost but I'm going to ask you to use my wish anyway. If revenge or a crown is of any value to you — she felt a lump in her throat — then I'm ready for that too.

— Enough of these sappy speeches — said Aizawa.

With these words, he snapped his fingers and [Reader] disappeared in a cloud of dark smoke.

***

— Your Highness. — Maiden bowed. — Our savior, Katsuki Bakugō, has arrived.

[Reader] nervously adjusted her diadem and smoothed her dress.

— Let him in.

The boy entered as if he was oblivious to the dozens of pairs of eyes watching him in the throne room.

In fact, he admired the craftsmanship and wealth around him. Like all the way to the palace. The city had been blooming and prospering for a year. When he made his wish, he was not fully aware of how many lives he was saving. Now, with so many residents in front of his eyes, he was convinced that he had done the right thing. Strangers who recognized him on the street began to congratulate him, invite him to dinner and give him flowers. This wasn't what he expected.

Even more so, he didn't expect that his heart would accelerate so much at the sight of her.

— I thought I'd drop by.

He had the same cheeky smile as before.

The girl gracefully descended from the platform to kneel in front of the blonde. There were quiet whispers in the room:

— It is not proper to stand higher than Her Highness.

As if on cue, each courtier lowered themself to the floor and bowed their head. There was complete silence.

The boy felt his cheeks turning red.

— I'm not going to kill you or take your crown, so get up, you idiot.

There were murmurs again:

— The hero insults Her Highness?

The queen obediently stood up, dismissing the court with a gesture. A sincere, warm smile appeared on her face.

— It's good to see you again, Katsuki. I would like to thank you for your wish. After the oracle sent me away, I was almost sure that I would have nothing to return to and yet I am standing in my own palace among my subjects.

— You declared me a hero and publicly confessed your parents' sins. — He glanced at her.

— I know it won't bring your family back but I want to fix as many mistakes as I can. Is there something you want? Do you have any treasure or reward in mind that I could repay you with?

— I don't need anything — he muttered.

Suddenly the distance between them decreased dramatically. The boy couldn't stop following every detail on [Reader's] face. The last rays of the setting sun passed through the colorful stained glass windows and danced in the girl's hair and eyes.

— They say every knight should be kissed after saving a damsel in distress — she whispered.

— Well... I think that sounds good.

Bakugō expected it to be just a kiss on the cheek but he received so much more. The girl's lips were soft and warm. He swore he felt sparks spread throughout his body. He placed his hand on her cheek as if he wanted to hold this moment in his memory longer.

From behind the closed door one could hear:

— They look so cute together...

— You see, man, I said that it's a wedding, gimme that three gold coins...

— Youth, I used to be the same...

[Reader], smiling, moved away slightly.

— I think I'm in love, you know? — She looked at him from under her eyelashes.

— That's good, because so do I. — He pulled her and kissed her again.

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linkemon · 4 days

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Life doesn't discriminate (Ash Lynx x Reader)

Other oneshots can be found here.

"ɪᴛ ᴡᴀꜱ ᴛʜᴇ ᴏɴʟʏ ᴛɪᴍᴇ ɪɴ ᴍʏ ʟɪꜰᴇ ɪ ᴀᴄᴛᴜᴀʟʟʏ ʀᴇɢʀᴇᴛᴛᴇᴅ ꜱᴏᴍᴇᴛʜɪɴɢ. ɪ ʀᴇɢʀᴇᴛᴛᴇᴅ ɪᴛ ʙᴇᴄᴀᴜꜱᴇ ᴜᴘ ᴜɴᴛɪʟ ᴛʜᴀᴛ ᴘᴏɪɴᴛ [ʀᴇᴀᴅᴇʀ] ᴛʜᴏᴜɢʜᴛ ᴛʜᴀᴛ ɪ ᴀʟᴡᴀʏꜱ ᴋᴇᴇᴘ ᴍʏ ᴡᴏʀᴅ."

ɴᴏᴛᴇꜱ: ᴀᴅᴅɪᴛɪᴏɴᴀʟ ɪɴꜰᴏʀᴍᴀᴛɪᴏɴ:

ᴏɴᴇꜱʜᴏᴛ ᴄᴏɴᴛᴀɪɴꜱ ꜱᴘᴏɪʟᴇʀꜱ ꜰʀᴏᴍ ᴇᴘɪꜱᴏᴅᴇ 2.

ꜰʀɪᴇɴᴅʟʏ ʀᴇᴍɪɴᴅᴇʀ ᴛʜᴀᴛ ᴍʏ ᴡᴏʀᴋꜱ ɪɴ ᴇɴɢʟɪꜱʜ ᴀʀᴇ ᴛʀᴀɴꜱʟᴀᴛɪᴏɴꜱ. ɪ ᴛʀʏ ᴍʏ ʙᴇꜱᴛ ʙᴜᴛ ᴀɴʏ ᴛɪᴘꜱ ᴀʀᴇ ᴡᴇʟᴄᴏᴍᴇᴅ.

"Life doesn't discriminate Between the sinners and the saints It takes and it takes and it takes "

Wait for it, Hamilton musical

People at the hospital definitely have too much time to think. I should probably call you now.

I remember this day half a year ago. It was so hot that everyone on the streets of New York was practically melting. In fact, come to think of it, that was one of the main reasons I didn't move that day even though damn Dino called me. Mafia bosses don't like to be kept waiting but that's me. Anyway, as it turned out, it was good that I stayed.

— Have you ignored him again?! — Skipper shouted as he stepped through the doorway and then threw himself onto my bed with the force of a tornado.

He handed me a new newspaper. We're getting famous.

— This old man won't tell me what to do — I muttered. — Something new?

— You could say that. I think you should talk to [Reader].

— If she wants something, she can come to me. — I got up and went to the window.

— The problem is that she doesn't want to talk. I came to her place to watch the series...

— You know very well that I don't care — I interrupted.

I knew exactly what it smelled like. [Reader] had a ritual with Skip where they got together every week to watch a hopelessly typical sitcom. They invited me once and, to my delight, it was the first and the last. Apparently I'm too surly, I spoil their fun and ask too many questions. Since then, I've avoided Friday nights at the apartment, which isn't that hard. At least I don't have to listen to all the shouting from the floor above me.

— You don't understand — he insisted. — I came but she didn't let me in. She said she was tired and we should catch up in a week.

— And what's so strange about it? — I jumped on the windowsill.

— She never did that, even when she was tired. Plus, her eyes were swollen. She was 100% crying but when I asked her she started laughing. She won't tell me anything. You need to talk to her.

— You're being dramatic. She probably watched some romantic comedy again and is now roaring. And even if she didn't, why would she tell me if she ignored you?

— Because I'm not you. She really likes you, Ash. I don't know if you don't see it or don't want to see it. Anyway, it doesn't matter, just do it for me and talk to her, okay? — He got ready to leave.

— Fine. — I sighed. — I don't promise when but I'll try.

I was worried about her, although at that moment I probably didn't want to admit it to myself, much less to Skipper. Besides, I had the impression that something more was beginning to emerge between us and I had no intention of developing it. Anyone who found out would use it against me. I was afraid of what this might entail in the current situation.

The Machiavellian plan was precisely that I went upstairs at an ungodly hour, hoping that [Reader] wouldn't open and I'd get it over with. It sounded good, after all, she wasn't likely to be up at two in the morning. It's a pity that all my life plans (except those related to the gang) suck.

— Why the hell are you calling at this hour? — Her voice was hoarse.

She was still wearing the clothes she wore to work. Her hair, always tied in a ponytail, was messy. There was also a bad look on his face. She was rubbing her eyes as if she was sleep-deprived but it seemed like she was trying to hide the fact that she was crying.

— I came to talk — I said bluntly.

— Ash, maybe you'd kindly wait until tomorrow? — She started to close the door but I managed to wedge my foot between it, wedging it shut.

— No I can't. Let's get to the point. What's actually happening to you?

I entered the apartment practically by force and headed to the living room. As I expected, I saw a pile of tissues on the floor and a crumpled blanket on the couch.

I reached for the unfinished ice cream. Strawberry — tasted pretty good.

— Skipper told you? I knew that once I gave up on this marathon, he would go to you. — She sighed. — Nothing happened, I just had a hard day at work. Dealing with customers is not that easy.

— Great. Now I want the real version.

She looked at me reproachfully. Still, I felt I had the right to know what was going on. Since I'm already sharing with her this part of my life that I never confess to anyone else, she should be honest with me too. After she runs away from her father and lives on her own, she no longer recognizes practically anyone from the family apart from her cousin. Let alone confide in anyone.

— Someone stepped on your toes? Some girl went back to that guy who was hitting on you or something? Your cousin called you again and wanted to apologize for your father?

The only way to get an answer.

— They fired me! All right?

The anger was so visible in her eyes. Only for it to be replaced in a moment by something like regret.

— There was this guy coming last week. He started with inappropriate comments. Boss told me to serve him because it was his friend and he got angry when coworker came over instead of me. There has been nothing more until today. — Her voice cracked. — But when he tried... — A short breath. — I just instinctively punched him in the guts, just like you taught me.

Bitter laughter from her lips. I've never heard it before.

— I can lend you the money, you know that.

— And you know very well what I think about it. We're not going back to the topic.

It was grayish area. [Reader] shunned the money the first time I offered it to her. She wanted nothing to do with the gang in any form. I should have been included there too but apparently I was an exception.

— What will you do with it now?

— I'll try to find something. — She shrugged. — I have no other choice. I'm just begging you, Ash, don't get involved in this. Promise me.

I nodded.

What else could I do when she looked at me with those big doe eyes?

She snuggled into me as if I was the last person on Earth. Maybe that's exactly what it was like back then in her little world.

I kept my word and didn't interfere — Shorter arranged everything. I don't consider it cheating. Besides, my moral code has long since become distorted.

We got the job done quietly and naturally. Although "natural" in my sense of the word looked a little different than one might imagine. I poured in where needed, banknotes flowed, some blood flowed, and [Reader] got a normal job interview, a sufficient salary and flexible hours just right for the university. I also had a guarantee that no one would link it to me. The safer for all of us.

When she announced that she would leave us, I acted surprised.

She looked suspiciously in my direction but before I left I reminded her that I had promised.

Even before she left for university, I knew it wouldn't work out. I expected to end what hadn't actually started yet but I didn't anticipate how much it would hurt.

It was killing me to know that she would have a life in which I would no longer play the first fiddle.

I knew she deserved someone better.

Not a person who will never quite put himself back together.

Not a man whore trying to get out of this whole lousy world.

Not someone who has been taking the lives of others for over a dozen years.

Then, on the day she left, I promised her something one last time.

— You'll take care of Skipper, right?

— I won't babysit him.

— Pffft… — She let out something like a laugh mixed with a snort. — You know he takes better care of himself than you do. — Just keep an eye on him.

— Fine.

— I'll see you in six months — she said, walking towards the car.

Now I'm holding this phone and dialing her number. Someone has to do it. No police officer would be suitable for this. I know I'm the only one who should call. But that doesn't make it any easier.

It was the only time in my life when I actually regretted something.

I regretted it because [Reader] up until that point [Reader] thought I always keep my word.

I regretted it because up to that point it seemed to me that [Reader]...

— Please leave a message after the tone...

#ash lynx x reader #banana fish x reader #oneshot x reader #spoilers #skipper #shorter wong #death #angst

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linkemon · 6 days

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Start in your head (Yuri Plisetsky x Reader)

Other oneshots can be found here.

"ᴇᴠᴇʀʏᴛʜɪɴɢ ɪɴ ʙᴀʟʟᴇᴛ ꜱᴛᴀʀᴛꜱ ɪɴ ʏᴏᴜʀ ʜᴇᴀᴅ." ᴍᴀᴋꜱɪᴍ ᴡᴏɪᴛɪᴜʟ

ɴᴏᴛᴇꜱ: ᴀᴅᴅɪᴛɪᴏɴᴀʟ ɪɴꜰᴏʀᴍᴀᴛɪᴏɴ:

ᴘɪʀᴏᴢʜᴋɪ ɪꜱ ᴀ ʀᴜꜱꜱɪᴀɴ ᴅᴇʟɪᴄᴀᴄʏ ᴍᴇɴᴛɪᴏɴᴇᴅ ɪɴ ᴛʜᴇ ᴀɴɪᴍᴇ

ꜰᴏᴜᴇᴛᴛᴇ́ ɪꜱ ᴀɴ ɪɴᴛʀᴏᴅᴜᴄᴛᴏʀʏ ꜱᴛᴇᴘ ᴛᴏ ᴘᴇʀꜰᴏʀᴍ ᴀ ᴘɪʀᴏᴜᴇᴛᴛᴇ

[Reader] looked around the rink. She had been coming here for a week in a row and these visits promised to be a new, quite interesting tradition. Partly because she enjoyed teasing Yuri on most occasions and it was an interesting new form of an old game. Whenever the boy saw that she came to stare, he immediately gave her the best kind of taunts. The day before yesterday, he even deliberately extended the training to see if the girl would leave. However, he failed to achieve the intended effect and she returned with him chattering all the way.

— What are you doing here again, you idiot?

— Nice to see you too, Plisetsky. — She grinned so widely that Yuri swore her jaw was about to stretch.

It was hard for him to admit it to himself but deep in his heart he was surprised at her behaviour. Most people hated him from the beginning (or didn't want to be friends with him after some time). He weeded out a lot of those individuals who fit into the two categories because he didn't want to associate with them. Apart from his fans and family, with whom he already had problems, he was left with only a small group of people who wanted to see him and whom he allowed to do so. And she was slowly starting to belong to that group.

— I told you not to come. — He started unlacing his skates.

— Nothing new. — She leaned against the board. — Today we're going to town.

— For what reason? — he huffed.

— They opened a Russian food stand near the park and are selling pirozhki.

This was his weak spot. [Reader] knew well how much Yuri appreciated his grandfather's delicacies.

The boy was aware that the taste probably wouldn't be as good as what he usually ate but the thought of a warm buns after training almost made his mouth water.

— Okay, let's go. — They better be edible, though — he muttered.

The walk to the park consisted mainly of [Reader's] monologue but it was nothing new. Since the ballerina arrived with Lilia Baranovskaya, he managed to say goodbye to silence for long moments.

—... and then I do a pirouette, and she says... — she stopped abruptly. — Wait a second!

The skater was about to comment on how he wouldn't freeze like a fool on the street in sub-zero temperatures when he saw where the girl had turned.

— Who is sweet and charming? Who is? You are!

[Reader] was just lifting an adorable, furry, ginger ball into the air. The kitten snuggled into her shoulder, clearly craving warmth.

At the same time, his second, less trusting companion appeared around the corner and, after sniffing the girl's shoes, he gave up her company in favour of Plistesky.

He looked a bit like Potya, so he started stroking his fluffy head without hesitation. He already missed his pet.

— I don't think they're strays — [Reader] said, examining the collar that should have a contact address on it.

Before she could add anything, a young couple with a child turned from the main street into an alley.

A little girl who was missing several baby teeth stopped shedding tears as soon as she found the kittens. As if on cue, both of them obediently jumped from the teenagers' arms and wandered over to her.

She mumbled a thank you, which her parents told her to repeat, and then disappeared.

— It's a pity. — [Reader] glanced at her now empty hands.

— It's not a pity. They found the owners.

— I know but still... — An unfinished thought hung in the air.

Without any further obstacles, they finally managed to reach the booth. The girl had to admit that it looked quite pretty in the pastel colors of the Russian flag, lit by a row of light bulbs.

While standing in line, she managed to argue with Yuri three times. The customers closest to them looked at them strangely and parents covered their children's ears. And when they reached the ordering stage, she was afraid that the seller simply wouldn't serve the two of them because his murderous look indicated exactly that. However, nothing like that happened and she received her pirozhki.

The girl sniffed it, and then reluctantly bit into her portion.

— Wow, it's sooo good! — She looked at the filling, trying to guess the composition of the it in the dim light of the lamps.

— Tch — he snorted. — My grandfather makes better ones — he said but he ate the rest of his portion.

After this trip, it turned out that it was the first but not the last.

[Reader] liked Russian food so much that she dragged the boy to the booth every day, ordering new delicacies.

The system added a new item to the menu every day and worked quite efficiently. When they were halfway through the list, one fateful afternoon occurred.

It was starting to get dark. The boy's training was almost over and the girl still hadn't shown up at the ice rink. Baranovskaya stood by the board, which never happened at this time. As usual, she was accompanied by a careful look and a frown.

Yuri drove towards her in a fluid movement.

— Was [Reader] here?

The question, short and to the point, required the same type of answer.

— NO.

— If she does show up, tell her to come to me. It's true that she took second place and she can do better but for God's sake! Instant break down? We have to fill out these papers and she disappears right after the competition. — She waved the stack of papers angrily and walked away.

The skater had no desire to return to training. He left the rink, wondering if [Reader] had told him anything about the ballet competition. However, he came to the conclusion that despite letting some information out through the other ear, he would still remember something so important.

It was hard for him to admit it to himself but the ballet mistress's words and tone worried him.

He searched the Internet for recent news. The photo in a recently published article showed the lucky winner of the gold medal. However, it was not [Reader]. He managed to find an amateur video showing the performance of the girl and her competitors.

He called her once but only silence answered on the phone.

With quiet hope in his heart, he decided to go to the park. It was a bull's-eye. It's true that the girl, although she didn't choose their usual bench, didn't really hide. Her cheeks and nose were pink from the frost, and delicate snowflakes settled on her hair. Moreover, she was bathed in the dull light of the park lamps. She would have looked beautiful if the image hadn't been spoiled by her red eyes from crying. [Reader] held the unfinished pirozhki in her hand, her eyes fixed on the dead center. She only broke out of her trance when she saw familiar shoes and their owner a few meters in front of her.

— What are you doing here, idiot? Baranovskaya is looking for you — he huffed.

— Then call her and tell her I'm here — she replied in a flat voice.

Yuri was speechless. The girl had never seemed so emotionless to him.

— I won't handle things for you, call her yourself — he provoked again.

— I'm not going anywhere. — She shrugged. — Nothing will happen if I don't sign these papers. I want to quit.

— What exactly? — He frowned.

— Ballet. — She bit into her food. — I've spent a lot of time here today thinking about it, and I think it's a pretty good idea. No more training and competitions. I will finally be able to return to normal school. Plus, seeing family every day sounds good too. I won't have to spend half my life abroad. By the way, you're a damn hypocrite. You kept saying that I was dragging you here by force and now you came of your own free will.

This was too much for the boy. Her condition, so different from what he had been accustomed to over the past weeks, was getting on his nerves. He couldn't deal with it.

— Have you gone completely crazy? — He asked in the coldest tone [Reader] had ever heard from him.

Yuri pinched the bridge of his nose, sighed, and then sat down on the bench next to her.

— I saw both performances online. You may be on a similar level but you are better than her. Just look at your fouetté at the end. Those damn judges must have been blind when they gave you half a point less.

The girl raised her head to look at his face. She had rarely seen him talk about something with such conviction. She was ashamed to admit it but she didn't suspect Yuri of ever being able to give anyone a compliment. For that reason, however, this one had a stronger effect on her than most she had heard about her dancing before.

The Yuri's green eyes seemed sincere. The decision she had made that afternoon now seemed to her like a less than fantastic vision, driven by the impulse of failure.

— I'm grateful but...

— If you think I'm just saying this because I want to comfort you, then...

— That's not what I meant — she quickly denied. — I appreciate what you said but I still need to think about whether I want to enter the next competition. Go back and tell Lilia not to worry.

— But if you do, just know that at the next competition I'm going to sit in the audience and watch you beat the crap out of all of them and...

— Yuri!

The boy rolled his eyes and stood up from the bench. [Reader] did one of the most spontaneous things she had ever done. She ran to him and placed a gentle kiss on his cheek.

— Thank you again — she whispered and returned to her seat.

The Russian smiled to himself, feeling a feeling of warmth spread throughout his body.

That night neither of them could sleep.

#yuri plisetsky x reader #yuri on ice x reader #oneshot x reader #tsundere #cats #ballet

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linkemon · 10 days

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Raining chocolates (Jack Frost x Reader)

Other oneshots can be found here.

[ʀᴇᴀᴅᴇʀ] ᴀɴᴅ ᴊᴀᴄᴋ ʜᴀᴠᴇ ᴄᴏᴍᴘʟᴇᴛᴇʟʏ ᴅɪꜰꜰᴇʀᴇɴᴛ ᴠɪᴇᴡꜱ ᴏɴ ᴠᴀʟᴇɴᴛɪɴᴇ'ꜱ ᴅᴀʏ. ɪᴛ'ꜱ ɢᴏɪɴɢ ᴛᴏ ʀᴀɪɴ ᴄʜᴏᴄᴏʟᴀᴛᴇꜱ!

ᴀᴅᴅɪᴛɪᴏɴᴀʟ ɪɴꜰᴏʀᴍᴀᴛɪᴏɴ:

ʀᴇᴀᴅᴇʀ ɪꜱ ᴛʜᴇ ꜱᴘɪʀɪᴛ ᴏꜰ ᴠᴀʟᴇɴᴛɪɴᴇ'ꜱ ᴅᴀʏ ᴀɴᴅ ᴛʜᴇ ɢᴜᴀʀᴅɪᴀɴ ᴏꜰ ʟᴏᴠᴇ.

— Are they arguing again? — Tooth looked uncertainly towards the hall.

— Yes but at least the chocolate boxes are flying! — North caught the package mid-flight.

Satisfied, he tore the dark red, shiny paper. Inside he found a mixture of pralines. He was trying to decide which flavour he should choose when a snowball flew above his head. Unfazed, he decided to eat the entire package at once.

— Maybe we should separate them? — The fairy was nervously flying next to the fireplace.

— That's what I'm talking about! — The Bunny wiped the snow from his face.

Judging by the dirt on his paws, he had just jumped out of the tunnel. He didn't like the welcome snowball straight to the forehead.

— I do not see a problem. — Santa continued to eat the best nut chocolates.

He was interrupted by a loud bang.

He rushed towards the argument. The corridor looked like a battlefield. The entire batch of robots was lying on the floor. Dolls and blocks followed suit. The production machine turned off. There were screws and wires sticking out of it. The paint poured straight onto the carpet, dyeing it rainbow colors. Yeti, in charge of production, was sitting in the corner. He covered his head with one paw and stuffed chocolate hearts with the other. Two Guardians stood in the colourful chaos.

— Valentine's Day should be joyful! — Jack Frost was making a new snowball in his hands.

— Get on with your job! — [Reader] deftly dodged the throw.

— North, good to have you here! Tell her. Love is a beautiful, joyful feeling, isn't it? So the holiday should be like that too! — he said as if it were the most obvious truth.

— You know nothing! Who is the Spirit of Valentine's Day here? You or me?

The girl took out her bow. In a second, she reached for an arrow from the pink quiver. She was already drawing the string when a loud voice interrupted her:

— Enough of this! I don't care who started it — North added as the two prepared to explain. — You'll clean it all up. Every single toy, got it?

***

— You know what she once told me? — North put his arm around Jack. — That love is ten percent joy and ninety percent suffering. Do not interrupt me. — He glared as he saw the guard open his mouth. — She has good reason to think so. I don't agree with her but I don't question her work and neither should you.

They had already passed the main hall and three floors and the boy was beginning to wonder where they were going. It took him a while to understand the purpose of the strangely long trip.

North grabbed him by the hood and then unceremoniously pushed him over the threshold of the room. When the boy heard the lock click, he knew something was up.

— But it's a bit inhumane. — He heard Toothiana's voice from behind the door.

— They didn't act like humans when they demolished the quarters! And now they will sit there until they make up!

The winter spirit yanked on the doorknob. Unsuccessfully.

He turned around and saw what he feared most. [Reader] was sitting on the couch. She was slowly realizing the situation they were in. A closed room without windows made escape impossible. If they want to leave, they have to come to an agreement.

He walked over to the sofa and sat down on the opposite end from his companion. He stared stubbornly at the fireplace. Orange flames licked the pieces of wood. They produced unbearable heat. The winter spirit didn't like it. He would much rather have the fire extinguished but he had no intention of moving. [Reader] was getting cold quickly. Why did he even care? He convinced himself that it would escalate the argument and left it at that. Because there's no way he would care about her...

Out of boredom, he started counting the seconds. He wanted to estimate the time he would spend in the room. However, he quickly gave up. Instead, he pulled the nearest pillow, placed it under his head, and decided to take a nap.

— Did he bring you here too, saying he wanted to talk? — The spirit of Valentine's Day couldn't stand the silence.

— Yeah — he muttered.

Out of the corner of his eye, he saw the girl shift uncomfortably.

— So maybe we can pretend we've made up and just leave here, huh?

The boy turned his head towards her. He hadn't expected it but the idea was tempting.

— I'm in. — He smiled mischievously.

He was already getting up from the couch when the plan backfired.

— I heard everything, you cheaters. You two should really get along! — Santa shouted from behind the door. — I'll know if you lied to me!

There was a slight threat in his tone.

— North, you weren't supposed to eavesdrop! — Toothiana's loud voice joined the conversation. — Don't disturb mind him, little ones! — she added sweetly.

For a moment, a scuffle could be heard. Then the sounds gradually faded away. Apparently they're gone.

Resigned, the boy sat back down between the soft pillows. Now the idea of using tricks stopped running through his mind. First of all, it would be suspicious. Secondly, although he didn't want to admit it, he was a little afraid of the Guardian of Christmas. His pleasant exterior concealed a weird man.

He decided to look at the room. Unfortunetely, it was empty. The brown boards were starting to get old. The wallpaper with a motif of red and green baubles was eye-catching. The thick, heavy curtains showed traces of dust. Frost preferred not to know the last time someone decided to swipe it out. Seeing the gray layer on the mantelpiece, he felt the urge to clean the room. Unfortunately, even if he wanted to kill time this way, he had no way to do it. The yeti probably took out the rest of the furniture. As always. Why were they doing this? Nobody knew that. When asked about this, the creatures grunted in their own language and continued doing their thing. For this reason, rearrangements in the quarters were frequent. Sometimes even the owner of the bed woke up in a different place than where he fell asleep.

Unfortunately, the tour did not kill the boredom. It was too short.

Jack sat behind the couch and started playing with his staff. He conjured two snow hares. He bet on who would reach the finish line first. He set his end point at the other end of the room. Later he started changing animal species. He wasn't having the best time but he couldn't think of anything else.

— Can you make buildings too? — [Reader]'s voice came from above.

She leaned out from the couch, looking at the frosty creations jumping, running, crawling, and swimming across the floor.

— Yes, of course. Any special requests? — He turned around.

It was a reflex. The Guardian of Fun did not refuse to give joy to others. Especially when it was within his capabilities. Only after a while did it occur to him that they were still quarreling, so maybe he shouldn't break away so eagerly.

— Could you make a hut?

Frost's first instinct was to create his family home but he suspected that wasn't the point.

— A little more sloping roof — added the girl — and an orchard on the left.”

The boy listened attentively, following the instructions. Soon, a snow model was created. The house was surrounded by a fence. Little cows and pigs were grazing nearby. They were also accompanied by a troop of hens led by a rooster. The Spirit of Winter had a slight problem with the flowers. He didn't know much and suspected that the garden turned out hopelessly. But he had trees in his little finger. Probably because he often jumped on them, playing with the wind.

— I guess that's all.

He didn't even notice when the Guardian of Love took a seat next to him on the hard boards. She stared as if enchanted at the image stretching before her. The smile that graced her face let him know that he had done a good job after all. There was a lot of melancholy in her look.

— It this your home? — he asked.

— Yeah... — She touched a small sheep in the middle of the pasture. — It was until... until I became... you know.

Dead. This word came to mind. Their friends would probably think about their jobs. They'd put it more like: Before I became a Guardian... They stopped being alive a long time ago. However, like him, she was relatively young. As young as you can be after several hundred years. She still remembered.

— I drowned. — He felt like his own voice sounded foreign.

Why exactly did he tell her that? After all, she didn't ask him anything.

However, he continued the story when he saw her break away from the model.

Jack still remembered the brown, worn-out skates. He rode them across the frozen lake. He was fourteen then. He was doing quite well. No one in the village could ride so nimbly. His younger sister was just studying. She took uncertain steps. She was getting better and better. After all, she was doing it under his supervision. And yet, that afternoon, it would all end. The crunch of ice that heralded disaster was still ringing in his ears. He tried to get Mary to jump aside. Just like in Hopscotch — a game he once invented. He failed and instinctively used the staff. It was enough to push her to safety. However, he landed underwater himself. The feeling of momentary relief was replaced by shock. He tried desperately to breathe. Jack couldn't find any support for his hands. The cold seeped into his bones. He was unable to get out of the icy water. The longer he fought, the faster he lost strength. Later, in a hazy memory, he still remembered going to the bottom. Jack was surrounded by darkness and piercing cold. He closed his eyes from exhaustion. The next time he opened his eyes, the Moon was above him. Then he was spared a second life. So much time had passed, and yet the memory was still fresh. Especially after he lost them to the Black and fought to get them back.

[Reader] wordlessly placed her hand on his own. She didn't say anything but he knew she understood. It wasn't easy to forget about your death. Nor come to terms with a lost life but watching the people he loved grow old and pass away seemed the cruelest thing to him.

— They sentenced me to beheading — she said in a quiet voice.

He didn't push. He had no right to do this. He was surprised when she continued.

The story began with an ordinary day in the countryside with her boyfriend. He was a serious candidate for a fiancé. He worked as a castle assistant. Frost began to wonder exactly how many years ago the Spirit of Valentine's Day had died. If she remembered such times, she must have been older than he had previously thought. Due to these thoughts, Jack lost the thread of the story until she started talking about the theft.

Thanks to his work, the boy easily stole a jewel from a rich lord's box. As luck would have it, the family brooch would attract the attention of every neighbour in the area. Lack of sufficient caution resulted in a denunciation. The devastated [Reader] didn't know what to do. Until he said he wanted to spend the money on a wedding. Something broke inside her. Ultimately, what tipped the scales was the fact that he had a family to support. She was just an orphan working on a farm. She decided to sacrifice herself. With a heavy heart, she went to the castle, where she confessed her guilt. No one asked how on earth she could do it, since no one would even let her into the salons. Yet the court seemed satisfied. No attention was even paid to the lies and ambiguities. They omitted the absurdities contained in them. Another head-to-head trial meant a quicker break.

From the whole story, one sentence stuck in Frost's mind: I will never love anyone like I love you. This is what the thief promised to the Spirit of Valentine's Day before she sacrificed herself for him. He sensed this would be important from the way she quoted it. As if she had engraved it in her memory, somewhere deep in her mind.

— Do you know what happened when I got a second life? — she sighed. — That I died just so he could marry another woman. He waited a week. Week. Apparently he was counting on my naivety and he succeeded. — She went back to playing with the snow model.

— I'm sorry. — He wasn't sure if a cliché could do any good.

Such sentences rarely brought relief. They were repeated out of habit. Probably because people had no words for certain situations.

— You don't have to be sorry. — She smiled slightly. — You gave me a lot of joy, as befits the Guardian of Fun. I was able to see the farm where I grew up once again.

— Have you been there?

— A few times. Today there are lots of apartment blocks there. It has changed over the years. — She shrugged and looked at him. — Do you know why I told you all this?

He thought she was trying to repay history for history. And yet this wasn't the answer she was counting on. So he fell silent.

— Because I see love differently than you. Over the course of four hundred and fifty-two years, I have encountered so many different shades of this feeling that you can't even imagine. I consoled those crying after the loss of loved ones. I have seen mothers sacrifice themselves for the sake of their children. How people die from diseases, away from their loved ones. And also how they spend their old age together and overcome problems together. That's why I think I'm a better Guardian of Love than the Spirit of Valentine's Day. I help people celebrate what is important every day. This one day of the year is not that special. So please don't interfere with my work anymore, she concluded. — I'll stay in my quarters on the 14th. This holiday will be fine without me, just like before.

— Let's say I agree, although I still think you should go out and see people having fun... — He noticed how much she wanted to interrupt him —...but I won't question the way you work anymore. Okay? — He held out his hand.

— Okay. Now let's go shout some more. Maybe they'll hear that it's time to let us go. There is absolutely nothing to do here.

***

— If this is some stupid joke, I swear you'll get an arrow up your ass… — [Reader] muttered.

Jack didn't blame her for complaining. She was blindfolded, so he led her by the hand. He didn't think this through. He should have handed it over only at the bottom of the stairs. So he had to deal with an uncomfortable situation for three floors. He even offered to let them fly with a staff but the Guardian of Love wouldn't hear of it.

— Almost there! — He removed the cloth, revealing the headquarters.

He was glad that the yetis had managed to repaint the decorations. The blue color would spoil the whole effect. Now they could admire the rows of red and pink hearts. They decorated every corner. Soft pillows in the same color were placed on the sofa and in front of it. They also managed to repair the TV. Although there was never any reception here, the player worked flawlessly. Tooth was sorting through a pile of old films. Bunny kept complaining that she only chose romantic comedies. He preferred to see a bloody horror movie. Sandy was almost asleep standing up, sending sand hearts up from time to time. Behind him, on the table, there were mixed chocolates. North was stuffing himself with them, so Frost kept the rest of his food supplies in his room. Otherwise, they might run out quickly and the fun was only just beginning.

— Why doesn't this surprise me? — The girl rubbed her temple.

— Just so we're clear, I'm not interfering with your work. — He rested his head on his staff. — I do my duty. I jumped at the chance and we're going to have a fun evening.

He gave her his trademark smile. He was surprised to see that she didn't yell at him after all. He was secretly pleased with it, although he hadn't counted on it. She also seemed to be having a good time with her friends.

Valentine's Day night passed quickly. Hardly anyone made it to the morning. After three movies, most Guardians were teary-eyed. Jack sat between the snoring Bunny and [Reader], who was sprawled on his shoulder. He was uncomfortable but he didn't move. He didn't want to wake anyone up. The movie was still playing. Frost didn't focus on the plot. Everything that was happening started to escape him a few scenes ago. He pulled a small heart out of his sweatshirt pocket. They handed out shiny pieces of paper to each other. Everyone had to write something nice about the other person. They promised not to read them until the next day but purely theoretically the new day had already lasted for several hours. So he smiled to himself, satisfied with this justification and opened all the Valentines one by one.

Thank you.

That one word let him know he had done a good job. Maybe next year he'll be able to take her out to celebrate with others.

PS Will you be my Valentine?

This sentence, in turn, sent a rush of heat through him. He was used to embarrassing others, not being embarassed. And certainly not like this. The matter was explained by the other side of the heart. Marked with marker:

YOU'VE BEEN FOOLED!

He promised himself that he would never admit that she was right. In the morning he will pretend that he saw it after all. This was the plan. However, somewhere in the corner of his mind there was the thought of what he would do if it wasn't a joke...

#jack frost x reader #rise of guardians x reader #bunnymund #tooth fairy #north #valentines #oneshot x reader

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linkemon · 10 days

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Mayhem (Noctis Lucis Caelum x Reader) [Soulmate AU]

Other oneshots can be found here.

"ꜱʜᴇ ᴡᴀꜱɴ'ᴛ ʜᴀᴘᴘʏ ᴡɪᴛʜ ᴛʜᴇ ꜱᴘᴀʀʀɪɴɢ ʀᴇꜱᴜʟᴛ ʙᴜᴛ ꜱʜᴇ ᴋᴇᴘᴛ ʜᴇʀ ᴘʀᴏᴍɪꜱᴇ. ꜱʜᴇ ʀᴏʟʟᴇᴅ ᴜᴘ ʜᴇʀ ꜱʟᴇᴇᴠᴇ, ʀᴇᴠᴇᴀʟɪɴɢ ᴛʜᴇ ᴛᴀᴛᴛᴏᴏ ᴏɴ ʜᴇʀ ꜰᴏʀᴇᴀʀᴍ. ᴛʜᴇ ʙʟᴀᴄᴋ ʟɪɴᴇ ꜰᴏʀᴍᴇᴅ ᴀɴ ᴏʀɴᴀᴛᴇʟʏ ᴡʀɪᴛᴛᴇɴ 'ꜰᴀʀᴇᴡᴇʟʟ'."

ɴᴏᴛᴇꜱ: ᴀᴅᴅɪᴛɪᴏɴᴀʟ ɪɴꜰᴏʀᴍᴀᴛɪᴏɴ:

ᴍᴀᴊᴏʀ ꜱᴘᴏɪʟᴇʀꜱ ʀᴇɢᴀʀᴅɪɴɢ ᴛʜᴇ ᴇᴠᴇɴᴛꜱ ᴀᴛ ᴛʜᴇ ʙᴇɢɪɴɴɪɴɢ ᴏꜰ ᴛʜᴇ ɢᴀᴍᴇ.

ᴛʜɪꜱ ɪꜱ ꜱᴏᴜʟᴍᴀᴛᴇ ᴀᴜ, ᴡʜᴇʀᴇ ᴍᴏꜱᴛ ᴘᴇᴏᴘʟᴇ (ᴛʜᴏᴜɢʜ ɴᴏᴛ ᴇᴠᴇʀʏᴏɴᴇ) ᴀʀᴇ ɢɪꜰᴛᴇᴅ ᴡɪᴛʜ ᴛʜᴇ ᴀʙɪʟɪᴛʏ ᴛᴏ ꜰɪɴᴅ ᴛʜᴇɪʀ ꜱᴏᴜʟᴍᴀᴛᴇ.

— You lost! Show it! — Gladio shouted right next to [Reader's] ear.

— You cheated — she gasped, clutching the wooden sword.

— All's fair in love and war!

— We're not at war, we're just doing training exercises — the little girl replied.

She wasn't happy with the sparring result but she kept her promise. She rolled up her sleeve, revealing the tattoo on her forearm. The black line formed an ornately written "Farewell"

— I was hoping for something better.

— Do not get smart up. You don't have the skill yourself yet.

— It won't be easy to find a soulmate with something like that. I hope my skill will be better.

The girl didn't want to admit it but she was thinking exactly the same thing. Many people were given simpler instructions. She has always dreamed of a timer or a red thread. They didn't require much attention. Meanwhile, she was given a word that anyone could have said to her.

— Maybe I'll hear my soulmate say goodbye to someone? Or will this be a slogan describing our entire relationship? You know... we'll be such a nice couple that we won't want to be apart?

***

[Reader] stared at the three friends who had come to the training ground. She was glad Noctis wasn't with them.

She thought no one would come here in the middle of the night. She had been able to avoid meetings over the past few days but it seemed like that wasn't the case this time.

— I don't want to talk to you.

She swung her sword, practicing the sequence.

— Listen, you can just sit here for me but he doesn't want to go anywhere without you...

Gladiolus didn't finish his sentence because Prompto kicked him in the ankle with all his might.

— How can you say such things to a girl? — Prompto was outraged. — Sorry, I have to send a text message quickly. — He took out his phone.

Ignis looked at the other two and sighed. He adjusted his glasses. He felt the need to do this whenever he got irritated.

— Why are you avoiding the prince?

— Damn it! We all know why. We are not making idiots of ourselves.

King's Shield was tired. He wanted to put the whole trip behind him. Altissia was far from Insomnia. They had a long journey ahead of them and he felt like he was babysitting Noctis instead of preparing for it.

The prince insisted that he wanted to see [Reader] at his wedding to Lunafreya. He proposed it to her and she awkwardly excused herself and they haven't seen each other since.

— Wait... so we know why she's avoiding him? — Prompto frowned in concentration.

It took him a few seconds to understand what Gladiolus was talking about.

— Aaah... That's what you mean... — He tapped his forehead lightly.

— Let's end this circus. You're coming with us. Even the king said it was a great idea.

— He didn't give me an order.

[Reader] knew she was arguing like a little child but she had a hard time hiding her reluctance.

— Stop being so selfish! — Gladio knocked the training sword out of her hand.

He did it easily. He surpassed her in terms of physical strength. Not to mention his skills were next level.

He froze the moment he saw her face. The moonlight helped him see tears in the corners of his eyes. She turned her head to wipe them gently.

He felt guilty.

They had been friends since childhood.

— Damn it! — He pinched the bridge of his nose. — I'm sorry, okay? I'm just... fed up with it.

Ignis didn't say anything. He looked at him reprimandingly and Gladio realized that he was in for a good sermon. Ignis took an embroidered handkerchief from his pocket and handed it to the girl. She accepted it gratefully.

— It's not your fault... none of you... Let's be honest, neither is it Noctis's fault. But so what? Should I be a bridesmaid at a wedding I don't want to see? Watch someone I've been in love with for so many years get married? Congratulate my rival with whom I never stood a chance? I want Noctis to be happy but... that doesn't mean I have to watch it all.

The girl felt all the emotions she had been carrying since the announcement of the engagement slipping away. Grief gripped her heart and the words stuck in her throat. Her fingers tightened around Ignis's handkerchief. There was a deafening silence, broken only by the night chirping of crickets.

The friends looked towards the entrance. She followed their gaze.

He stood there.

— We'll leave you two alone — Prompto suggested.

He hoped [Reader] wouldn't find out that he was the one who notified Noctis via text message. Otherwise he would be in big trouble.

— I think we need to talk — said the prince.

— You didn't overhear everything? — she asked bitterly.

Blue eyes stared at her intensely.

— I want you to tell me about it properly now.

— NO. — She sat down on the stone wall. — Do you know why? Because it doesn't make sense. I won't change anything.

— You know...

— I know! You are responsible for Lucis... And you will be king one day... And you love Lunafreya... And we need this marriage...

Noctis looked at the brightly shining moon above his head.

It was as if in its light he could no longer hide anything.

He felt he had failed as a friend.

He knew for a long time. He just never wanted to let that thought come to the fore. It was easier to push it to the bottom of his mind and tell himself it was just a delusion. He was afraid to face a feeling he didn't reciprocate.

— [Reader], if you had told me earlier...

She felt a pang in her chest. He had no soulmate skill. Fate didn't decide for him. He chose Luna of his own free will.

— I wouldn't change anything. You love each other and I want you to be happy but please — she took a deep breath — don't make me go there. My heart can't bear it.

In her imagination she saw a beautiful bride. Blond curls were tied up in a high bun and the white dress rustled with every step. The Oracle held a bouquet of her favorite blue flowers as she looked for her fiancé.

Her fingers gripped the stone tightly.

He could give an order if he wanted.

— Then stay... but promise me our friendship won't end like this.

The prince felt that the thread that had connected them for a long time was breaking. He wanted desperately to save it, even though he felt it was over. All the years they spent together were gone.

— I promise that I will come after the wedding, together with your father, when I get myself together a bit. — She headed towards the exit.

— Farewell — he said with a slight smile.

She glanced briefly at the tattoo that had been with her for many years.

She didn't answer him.

***

— What is it about? — Noctis asked.

Ignis entered the room with a newspaper in his hand.

— Read it.

The Fall of Insomnia , said the headline. Gladiolus read it aloud, feeling growing anxiety.

— Is this some joke?

The prince wanted to tear out the newspaper and make sure he had heard correctly.

— There was an attack. The Imperial army has occupied the capital — Gladio continued. — The Treaty Room flashed brightly. Explosions were also heard. When the smoke cleared, the king was found... dead. — Gladio looked up.

— No... But... Wedding... Altissia...

— I know. That was the plan but... all the headlines in town can't be wrong.

Ignis looked at Noctis with regret. There was no way there could be a mistake.

The boy felt his heart beating fast and a cold sweat break out on him.

— Liars! — he shouted. — We have to check that.

— Shall we turn back? — Prompto assured.

— Yes.

***

— Betrayal! Protect His Majesty!

[Reader] managed to kill three opponents before she fell to the ground. Lights flashed all around and a loud explosion deprived her of hearing.

She put her fingers to her chest in surprise. A red, sticky liquid flowed from the deep wound. She tried to make a sound but was interrupted by darkness.

***

— Maybe these will be the last words you hear from him? He'll see you and decide it's time to say goodbye or something — he laughed.

— Gladio, I'm going to kill you!

— I'd like to see you try — said the new, short, dark-haired boy.

He poked his head out from behind one of the pillars and curiously walked to the middle of the training ground.

— I think it's time for me to introduce you to the spoiled prince. Noctis Lucis Caelum and his titles that I don't feel like listing...

#noctis x reader #noctis x luna #oneshot x reader #ffxv x reader #final fantasy xv x reader #gladio x reader #prompto #ignis #unrequited love

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linkemon · 10 days

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Vivi (Baji Keisuke x Reader)

Other oneshots can be found here.

[ʀᴇᴀᴅᴇʀ] ᴄᴏᴍᴇꜱ ᴛᴏ ᴛʜᴇ ᴄᴏɴᴄʟᴜꜱɪᴏɴ ᴛʜᴀᴛ ꜱʜᴇ ꜰᴇʟʟ ɪɴ ʟᴏᴠᴇ ᴡɪᴛʜ ʙᴀᴊɪ ᴋᴇɪꜱᴜᴋᴇ. ꜱʜᴇ ʙᴇɢɪɴꜱ ᴛᴏ ꜱᴘᴇɴᴅ ᴍᴏʀᴇ ᴛɪᴍᴇ ᴡɪᴛʜ ʜɪᴍ, ᴏɴʟʏ ᴛᴏ ꜰɪɴᴀʟʟʏ ꜰɪɴᴅ ᴏᴜᴛ ᴛʜᴀᴛ ɴᴏᴛʜɪɴɢ ɪꜱ ᴀꜱ ꜱʜᴇ ᴛʜᴏᴜɢʜᴛ…

ᴀᴅᴅɪᴛɪᴏɴᴀʟ ɪɴꜰᴏʀᴍᴀᴛɪᴏɴ:

ᴏɴᴇꜱʜᴏᴛ ᴛᴀᴋᴇꜱ ᴘʟᴀᴄᴇ ɪɴ ᴛʜᴇ ꜰɪʀꜱᴛ ꜱᴇᴀꜱᴏɴ ᴀɴᴅ ᴛʜᴇʀᴇꜰᴏʀᴇ ᴄᴏɴᴛᴀɪɴꜱ ꜱᴘᴏɪʟᴇʀꜱ.

[Reader] looked around the library. Dust particles danced in the bright light streaming from the huge windows. Some students fought over access to computers. The teacher on duty tried to calm them down. Most people, however, sat quietly, with their noses in books. They were cramming for exams. Two people glanced her way quickly from time to time. That's why she always hid in that corner, away from watchful eyes. The rumors about meeting Baji outside of class didn't do her any good. No one close to her approved of this. They heard various things about him, often untrue. They were afraid and rightly so.

She looked at her notebook again that afternoon. She did all her homework. She also managed to study for all the tests. She had nothing left. She tapped her fingers impatiently on the table. She was dying of boredom. How long can you do one exercise? Keisuke has proven to her many times that there are people in the world who are not suitable for mathematics. No matter how much she tutored him, he was hopeless. Many times she wanted to give up but then she remembered his mother. Mrs. Baji fell into despair after her son had to repeat a grade. She didn't want it to happen again, so she actually begged her young neighbour to do something about his hopeless state of knowledge. She didn't have much money but she often cooked her favourite dishes and invited her to dinner. To this day, the girl still doesn't know how she managed to make up for all the gaps in the boy's education. The worst thing was that he really tried. She supervised him at every opportunity. Sometimes, late at night, she saw the lamp on in his room. And yet, he simply couldn't stick certain things in his mind forever.

— What strategy did you use? — [Reader] asked, wanting to break the silence. She couldn't sit like this forever.

— None — Keisuke coughed. — I don't know how to start this task.

— Why didn't you say anything?! — The girl ran her hand over her face resignedly.

— You seemed deep in thought — he replied calmly.

— Take off those glasses. Right now.

She couldn't look at the pair of glasses on his nose anymore. Not only did he not look like himself but his eyesight was also ruined. The guys in the gang told him that if he put them on, he would become smarter. It didn't really work. And certainly not when it comes to school.

— What for? — he asked.

She reached towards him. He had more beautiful hair than herself. She admitted it reluctantly. He wore his long black locks in a ponytail. She pulled the elastic band off, letting them fall freely. He looked very handsome. If he walked like this every day, many students would surely send him love letters. Maybe it was better that only she had the privilege of seeing him like this...

— Standard tactics don't work on you — she said. — When you're getting ready for a fight, you look like you do now. Imagine that these exercises are enemies and you're about to kick their ass.

— How do you know what I look like when I fight? — Baji grinned. — Someone is watching me...

— First of all, I'd be a fool not to look at you. — The boy's reaction was priceless. For a moment he was completely confused. He wasn't used to anyone responding to him like that. Certainly not apart from the people of Tokyo Manji. — And secondly, focus. — She pointed to the notebook.

He cracked his neck and clenched his fist. For a moment, he looked like he was really about to go and kick the young students a few shelves away. Eventually, however, he began to read the text eagerly. He used two large sheets of paper. He drew and scribbled furiously. After a few minutes of scribbling, he gave girl the exercise. It's true that he calculated the delta incorrectly but it was a start. Especially compared to what was before.

— If I do the next task, will you give me a kiss? — His low, gravelly voice sounded somewhere close to her ear.

She knew he was teasing her but it still felt nice. He didn't joke like that with everyone. Keisuke didn't allow women near him at all. Outside of her. And she was very flattered to be the exception.

— We both know you won't do it — She leaned towards him.

The academic level of difficulty was clearly marked with the exercise. While she would have had a chance against it, he would almost certainly have failed at the very start.

— I was hoping you'd care enough to help me. — He laughed. — It's time for me — he announced, getting up from the table.

Toman was probably going to the meeting again. He'll put on a black jacket, get on his bike and go give someone a good beating. It never really scared her. Yes, he could be brutal but he never attacked people who didn't know what they were getting into. She had seen him deal with guys who harassed girls at school more than once. He often saved his younger colleagues from being attacked by nasty bullies. He didn't brag about it at all. He did it after class. Usually, no one recognized him afterward anyway because he looked very different at school and outside of it.

It was no exaggeration to say that she had fallen in love with Baji. He showed her his other, softer side. Like when he held her hair to keep it from falling into the bowl of ramen. Or when he helped her get to class on time because she overslept. And he once even said that if he had to choose one girl and go on a date, it would be [Reader]. The latter was an overheard conversation between him and Chifuyu. Somehow it turned out that she was just returning to her apartment. The boys sometimes liked to sit on the playground near the estate. It was then that the truth dawned on her. It wasn't flirting anymore, it was something else. Some kind of bond that they will probably develop into something more soon. She enjoyed it.

She didn't even notice how much time she spent in the library.

— [Reader]-chan, have you been sitting here all afternoon? — Her friend touched her arm gently.

— Almost — the girl nodded.

Sashimi had been very worried about her lately. She insisted on walking her home. She also often asked them to go out together. She didn't mind, although the frequency with which they did it was starting to tire her a little. In the end, though, [Reader] let her be dragged and they had a good time.

— I thought you were just talking to someone... — Her friend looked worried.

She probably guessed she spent time with Baji. She didn't want to upset her because Sashimi never liked the boy. She had formed an opinion about him a long time ago. Gangs were bad, dangerous and that's it. She would go even crazier knowing that this famous legend goes to the same school.

— You must've misheard. — [Reader] waved her hand carelessly and put her things into her bag. — Let's go.

***

Something banged hard on the window. [Reader] took off her headphones, trying to figure out if she had misheard. The autumn wind sometimes blew a lot of garbage towards her house. Especially on days like this, where the sky looked like it was going to rain any moment.

And yet the sound repeated itself. So she went to the window. She didn't expect to see Keisuke on the other side of the glass at all. A fat black tomcat trotted next to him. He wagged his tail impatiently and mewed loudly. He certainly didn't like this weather.

— How did you get here, Baji-kun? — The girl glanced at him and then down.

She let him inside, feeling the cool breeze of the approaching storm.

— I climbed the tree. — He dusted the small brown leaves off his jacket.

— Where did you leave the motorbike? — She glanced out the window again. There was no sign of his beloved vehicle anywhere.

— One street away. Don't worry, I'm not that stupid. I know your folks don't like me.

She breathed a sigh of relief. Her parents didn't like the boy. They certainly wouldn't be happy to see him. Recently, they clearly reminded their daughter that it was not a good idea to associate with such people. She protested for a long time and eventually they reached a compromise. However, she decided to stay out of their sight for now when the two of them are together. A sudden meeting certainly wouldn't improve the situation now.

— You mentioned you weren't feeling well, so I came. — Keisuke sat down on the soft, plush carpet. He lazily stretched his legs and turned his head towards the ceiling.

[Reader] widened her eyes. She had indeed written him a message but the last time she checked, he had not read it or replied. She thought he wouldn't really care. After all, everyone can have a bad day sometimes. Meanwhile, he escaped from the meeting with the gang. In addition, he made this strange but impressive entrance. She felt stupid. She was wearing unsophisticated, crumpled clothes and funny, old-fashioned slippers. She furtively brushed her hair as he admired the photos in her room, just to look a little more put together.

— Cool slippies. Do you feel like a grandma already? — Her friend grinned.

He seemed genuinely amused by the concept of stuffed cats on her feet.

— Says the guy who wore glasses and thought they would make him smarter... — [Reader] showed him the middle finger.

She felt embarrassed. Not that she didn't like wearing those slippers but now her neighbour certainly wouldn't let her live. He definitely won't miss the opportunity to remind her about it during some tutoring.

— I thought if I brought him back it would make you feel better — Baji nodded at the animal hanging out in the middle of the room.

The fat cat put his head under the girl's hand. She took him onto her lap. She stroked the fluffy ball steadily. The black fur was extremely soft. Baji certainly brushed it. She knew that the boy dealt with stray cats. He devoted what little time he had left from the day to taking care of them. His mother complained about how much fur they left in his room. And also what part of the monthly budget they consume. But she could always be placated. All it took was the pleading looks of a few animals and the promise that her son would start studying. Everything had been going on this way for several years. There were no signs of change.

There was something nice about sitting here with Keisuke in the warmth when it was starting to rain outside. Talking about trivial matters brought peace of mind. Even if they didn't cover any specific topics. His mere presence helped cheer her up.

— Why exactly did you feel bad today? — Baji asked at one point. — Do I need to beat someone up?

She saw in his eyes that he was asking seriously. If someone actually hurt her, he would be ready to go and hit whoever she pointed out. He probably wouldn't even ask what, how or why.

— You don't have to hit anyone. She laughed. After a while, however, she sighed heavily. — I've just had a terrible headache lately and I'm not in a good mood. There is no specific reason.

The boy looked at her carefully, then put his hand to her forehead and immediately took it away.

— What are you doing? — [Reader] looked at him, amused.

— I'm checking for a fever — he said.

She put her hand to her mouth to stifle a giggle. Still, she snorted quietly. She couldn't help herself.

— You wouldn't be able to check anything by swatting your hand like that! Have you watched some kind of romantic movies?

His face confirmed that yes, he had watched the them. As silly as it was, it was also a bit romantic. Therefore, she spared him further suffering and changed the topic of conversation.

A black kitten was circling the room. At first he acted normal but then he became a bit uncomfortable. He walked around in circles, unable to find a place.

— What is it about? — The girl scratched him behind the ears.

— He probably misses me — Keisuke said.

As if on cue, the animal began to meow. A long wail echoed through the room.

— [Reader], is that a cat? I thought you were talking to someone. — Her mother's voice came from the living room.

She was probably watching TV and the sound only now reached her ears.

— It's just a new ringtone on your phone! — the daughter shouted. — I talked to Sashimi!

She looked pointedly at her guest. They should have been in bed long ago. Tomorrow was another day at school.

— I think it's time for me to go — Baji said, straightening his jacket.

She opened the window. The cat jumped out first, even though it was already starting to rain outside. He meowed goodbye and jumped straight into the tree. Keisuke followed him.

***

[Reader] was walking along a quiet street with Baji. The area was desolate. Few people were out this late in the evening. And certainly not in November. However, the starry sky encouraged them to continue walking. So she pulled her jacket tighter around her, trailing after the boy.

At one point, she saw a familiar, blond hair. It stood out in the grey-brown landscape. The light from the lamps reflected from it from a distance.

— Matsuno-kouhai! — she exclaimed.

The younger colleague turned towards her. Keiji gave her a scolding look. It was supposed to be just the two of them. And now they will have company.

— Good evening, [Reader]-san… — Chifuyu's face showed concern. He stood still for a moment, as if he didn't know what to say. — How do you feel?

He had always been formal with her but probably not that formal. She suspected that he had a crush on her some time ago. However, he felt respect for Baji and that was probably why he tried to suppress his feelings. Since she realized this, she saw him less often. She didn't want to break his heart even more.

— All right. Thanks for asking, although it's a rather strange question. — The older friend smiled slightly.

— You took it the worst of all of us and it seemed to me that… — The unfinished sentence hung in the air.

She noticed with horror that tears were dancing in the corners of kouhai's eyes. He lowered his head and quickly wiped them away.

— What are you talking about? — asked the girl. She felt like she was missing something. As if it was something she should know.

She looked at Keiji. However, he shrugged. Apparently he had no idea what was going on either.

— I don't think we understand what you're talking about.

— We don't? — The boy looked at her with surprise. He seemed genuinely shocked.

— Something's wrong? We have no idea. We were here all evening. — She gave him a worried look.

— [Reader]-senpai, what what kind of we are you talking about? — he asked with a serious expression.

— Me and Baji-kun. Who else do you see here?

Chifuyu's eyes widened for a moment. Like he really couldn't believe something. She didn't understand at all why he had this reaction. He grabbed her shoulders tightly and shook her.

— [Reader]-senpai, Baji-san is dead…

She felt as if someone had hit her. She grabbed her head. Excruciating pain ripped through her skull. As if something was trying to come to the surface. Everything inside her was turning over. She felt like vomiting.

— But... he's here...

She wanted to say that he was still here but when she looked back, she saw no one. Only an empty sidewalk and a few rustling leaves.

— He was here just a moment ago! — she shouted desperately, looking around.

She looked fat the boy in disbelief, feeling something bursting in her head. Some fragments of memories seemed to deform and blur. Was he in the library with her? Did he come to her room? Was she walking with him just now?

— He committed suicide. Less than a week ago. On Bloody Halloween — Chifuyu said in a quiet, pained voice. — You were with me at his funeral. You are standing in front of a cemetery. — Matsuno hugged her tightly.

She looked uncertainly to her right. He was right. Her legs brought her here. There was a gate in front of her. And beyond, there were rows of tombstones, decorated with flowers and incense sticks. Slowly everything came back to her. The sight of his cold, lifeless body. A gentle smile on his face as she said her final goodbyes to the corpse. His mother's despair as he was cremated. These senseless condolences from all my loved ones. As if they were going to bring him back to life.

— It's not true! — she protested.

She sobbed. His black jacket was darkened by the tears that dripped profusely down her face. She felt snotty. She sniffled again and again. The lights of the lamps were blurring more and more. The boy pulled her towards him. He held her very tightly and she knew he was crying too, although more quietly. She howled with shock and anger. To the world for being so damn unfair. At herself for not noticing anything. At Baji for leaving and not thinking about how she and his mother would feel. At Hanemiya because he was the one who pushed him to do this. And also on Tokyo Manji because they were shitty friends. Everyone was guilty. And now there was nothing that could be done about it because there was no way to turn back time.

She blinked hard. She thought she saw Keiji for a brief moment. With his cheeky smile, on a motorbike and a black cat next to him.

— Don't go — she sobbed.

***

[Reader] took out Peyoung Yakisoba from the bag and handed Chifuyu the chopsticks. They ate in silence. This became their ritual. Ever since their friend left, they kept their promise. They left him his favourite dish according to his last wish. They emptied the package halfway and then placed it on the monument. They hoped he would like it.

The woman extended her hand towards Matsuno. He grabbed her and squeezed it tightly. They didn't give up. Even though everyone around seemed to have come to terms with Baji's death. They were still working. With each passing day they were getting closer to getting rid of Kisaki. Revenge became, as it were, their driving force. And yet, somewhere in these negative feelings, there was also room for love.

For a long time, they wondered what Keiji would say if he saw their relationship. He would probably laugh and say he was jealous. But then he would wish them luck. She knew it. If it weren't for this feeling, they certainly wouldn't have decided to do all this.

She had support in the man walking by her side. He understood her better than anyone else.

— So where are we going for dinner today? — [Reader] asked.

— I have no idea. There will probably be a lot of food at the board meeting but I wouldn't want to eat at the same table with them. We'll figure something out when I get back. — Matsuno wrapped his arms around her waist and they moved towards the tall building towering over the entire city.

#baji keisuke x reader #tokyo revengers x reader #matsuno chifuyu x reader #oneshot x reader #vallhalla #angst #spoilers

13 notes · View notes

linkemon · 12 days

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Birds are singing to each other, how about we kill another? (Dazai Osamu x Reader)

Other oneshots can be found here.

ᴅᴀᴢᴀɪ ᴏꜱᴀᴍᴜ ᴀɴᴅ [ʀᴇᴀᴅᴇʀ] - ᴀɴ ᴜɴᴜꜱᴜᴀʟ ᴄᴏᴜᴘʟᴇ. ʜᴇ ɪꜱ ᴋɴᴏᴡɴ ꜰᴏʀ ʜɪꜱ ꜱᴜɪᴄɪᴅᴀʟ ᴛᴇɴᴅᴇɴᴄɪᴇꜱ, ꜱʜᴇ ꜰᴏʀ ʜᴇʀ ꜱᴛʀᴀɴɢᴇʟʏ ᴛᴡɪꜱᴛᴇᴅ ᴍᴏʀᴀʟɪᴛʏ, ᴡʜɪᴄʜ ᴍᴀᴋᴇꜱ ɪᴛ ɪᴍᴘᴏꜱꜱɪʙʟᴇ ᴛᴏ ᴀᴅᴠᴀɴᴄᴇ ɪɴ ᴛʜᴇ ᴘᴏʀᴛ ᴍᴀꜰɪᴀ. ᴀ ʟɪᴛᴛʟᴇ ᴀʙᴏᴜᴛ ꜰʀɪᴇɴᴅꜱʜɪᴘ, ᴀ ʟɪᴛᴛʟᴇ ᴀʙᴏᴜᴛ ʟᴏᴠᴇ ᴀɴᴅ ᴀ ʟᴏᴛ ᴀʙᴏᴜᴛ ʟᴏꜱꜱ. ɪɴ ꜱʜᴏʀᴛ, ᴛʜᴇ ꜱᴛᴏʀʏ ᴏꜰ ᴀ ᴘʀᴏᴍɪꜱᴇ ᴛʜᴀᴛ ʟᴇᴅ ᴛʜᴇ ꜱᴛʀᴏɴɢᴇꜱᴛ ᴍᴇᴍʙᴇʀ ᴏꜰ ᴛʜᴇ ᴀʀᴍᴇᴅ ᴅᴇᴛᴇᴄᴛɪᴠᴇ ᴀɢᴇɴᴄʏ ᴛᴏ ᴍᴇᴇᴛ ɴᴀᴋᴀᴊɪᴍᴀ ᴀᴛꜱᴜꜱʜɪ.

ᴀᴅᴅɪᴛɪᴏɴᴀʟ ɪɴꜰᴏʀᴍᴀᴛɪᴏɴ:

ᴏɴᴇꜱʜᴏᴛ ᴛʀɪᴇꜱ ᴛᴏ ʙᴇ ᴄᴀɴᴏɴ ʙᴜᴛ ᴛʜᴇʀᴇ ᴡɪʟʟ ᴀʟᴍᴏꜱᴛ ᴄᴇʀᴛᴀɪɴʟʏ ʙᴇ ɪɴᴀᴄᴄᴜʀᴀᴄɪᴇꜱ ʙᴇᴄᴀᴜꜱᴇ ɪ ʜᴀᴠᴇɴ'ᴛ ꜰɪɴɪꜱʜᴇᴅ ᴡᴀᴛᴄʜɪɴɢ ᴛʜᴇ ꜱᴇᴄᴏɴᴅ ꜱᴇᴀꜱᴏɴ ʏᴇᴛ.

ᴛʜᴇ ɴᴀᴍᴇꜱ, ꜱᴜʀɴᴀᴍᴇꜱ ᴀɴᴅ ꜱᴋɪʟʟꜱ ɪɴᴠᴇɴᴛᴇᴅ ꜰᴏʀ ᴛʜᴇ ꜱʜᴏᴛ ᴀʀᴇ ʀᴇꜰᴇʀᴇɴᴄᴇꜱ ᴛᴏ ʀᴇᴀʟ ᴘᴏᴇᴛꜱ ᴏʀ ᴛʜᴇɪʀ ᴡᴏʀᴋꜱ, ᴀꜱ ɪꜱ ᴛʀᴀᴅɪᴛɪᴏɴ ɪɴ ʙꜱᴅ.

ᴛʜɪꜱ ᴘɪᴇᴄᴇ ᴄᴏɴᴛᴀɪɴꜱ ᴍᴀɴʏ ᴛʜᴇᴍᴇꜱ ᴛʜᴀᴛ ᴍᴀʏ ᴛʀɪɢɢᴇʀ ʀᴇᴀᴅᴇʀꜱ, ɪɴᴄʟᴜɪᴅɪɴɢ ꜱᴜɪᴄɪᴅᴇ. ɪ ᴡᴏɴ'ᴛ ʟɪꜱᴛ ᴛʜᴇᴍ ᴀʟʟ ʙᴇᴄᴀᴜꜱᴇ ɪ ᴛʜɪɴᴋ ꜱᴘᴏɪʟᴇʀꜱ ꜱᴘᴏɪʟ ᴛʜᴇ ꜰᴜɴ, ʙᴜᴛ ɪꜰ ʏᴏᴜ'ʀᴇ ᴀ ꜱᴇɴꜱɪᴛɪᴠᴇ ᴘᴇʀꜱᴏɴ, ɪ ʀᴇᴀʟʟʏ ᴅᴏɴ'ᴛ ʀᴇᴄᴏᴍᴍᴇɴᴅ ʀᴇᴀᴅɪɴɢ ɪᴛ!

[Reader] set up her sniper rifle, waiting for any movement at a window several hundred meters away. Lying on the gray concrete roof of a skyscraper wasn't very pleasant but she had to survive somehow. In a few hours she would lie down in a comfortable bed in the Port Mafia's headquarters, away from the cold wind that bit her even through her thick black coat.

— Dazai-san — what are you doing?

— O-sa-muuu — her companion replied in a sing-song voice. — You can call me by my name, you know?

It felt strange to speak so formally to a boy her age. However, her boss ordered her to treat everyone in the organization this way. At least until she moved up in the hierarchy but since her temporary partner didn't mind, that made things a lot easier.

— So, O-sa-muuu — she mocked him — what the hell are you doing?

— I compare cars. I'm thinking which one would be best to fall under to kill myself — he said calmly.

She had already heard about his strange passion. She had to admit that it took hearing about it from him to make her realize that it wasn't just rumors.

He gazed carelessly at the view several floors below them, as far as the patch over one eye would allow. Brown hair obscured part of his face but chin on his shoulders showed boredom. She knew he was already officially accepted but he could at least be careful about what he was doing. After all, he had recently been in her shoes himself. Besides, in the Port Mafia no position was entirely certain for such novices.

— You can do it after hours. — The girl pulled his leg, causing his face to land on the concrete. — We're supposed to stay low. Focus.

She expected him to turn around with a sour face, after he almost broke his nose but he lifted the corner of his mouth and eventually joined her in slow waiting. Up close, she noticed his slightly purple and red chin. There will probably be a bruise there tomorrow. It wasn't her fault though. After all, he didn't care about his boss's instructions. He deserved it.

— I can't concentrate — Dazai whined after a few minutes of silence.

She didn't answer. She hoped that the lack of reaction would dissuade him from saying anything.

— Do we still have ten minutes? — Osamu asked.

— Yes. — The laconic answer didn't stop him from wanting to talk.

— Will you use your skill? — he continued.

— Yes.

— Will you go on a date with me?

— Yes... — [Reader] realized too late what the question was about. — You're insane — she concluded.

— I admit it. I'm insanely interested in you. — He put his hand over his heart.

She just shook her head. She had no idea what he saw in her. She didn't have low self-esteem. To look at it objectively, she had barely escaped from the orphanage, so she was penniless. He was also higher than her in the hierarchy. He had nothing to gain by hanging out with her outside of work. They had barely had a chance to talk until now, so it couldn't be about character either. Even her beauty was just average.

Why? She couldn't answer this question. But she had to admit that she was flattered by the invitation. So she allowed herself a few minutes of satisfaction with this state of affairs. She glanced to the side. He was handsome. She certainly couldn't deny him that. And from what was said in the organization, even though he was strange, at least he did his job well.

She stared into the binoculars. Matsuo Bashō entered the building. The boy must have noticed it too, because she saw him setting the timer on his watch. [Reader], as calculated, activated her ability. She activated Nothing twice, the first time the night she broke into a hostile company with one of the senior members. Now all that was left to do was to order the puppet imitation of the human to recite the previously prepared line. Quite a long monologue about a sensation in the city. Big and wild enough to confuse the boss. The real subordinate — Kawai Sora — has been kidnapped. She knew he was being held in one of the old warehouses. There was nothing to feel sorry for. She read the files. He had a lot of thefts on his account. Meanwhile, her main target was working in one of the most widely read newspapers in Yokohama and beyond, manipulating information for big money. Among other things, against the Port Mafia, so it was necessary to get rid of him as soon as possible.

She rose slightly and looked through the viewfinder. The head appeared inside the designated area. She slowly released the trigger.

— Get down! — Osamu pulled her onto the concrete.

She heard a shot. It was followed by several more shots, this time from her partner's weapon. The enemy fell dead. She stood back to back with Dazai. She pulled out a smaller weapon. She took out another man, hidden behind the chimney. She risked a quick glance towards Matsuo. She didn't need binoculars to know he was running towards the roof.

— Damn it! — Her illusion was shattered by No Longer Human. She could only dream of a clean shot. The target was able to stop the bullets for a short period of time and it was to avoid this that this elaborate plan was created.

— We're retreating! — Dazai ordered. His voice no longer carried any trace of its previous cheerfulness.

— We can't! I can't! — she protested.

— Are you in such a hurry to die?

What an ironic comment from someone who wanted to jump in front of a car.

— I didn't brag about it but I screwed up the last mission. This is my only chance. If I come back with nothing, I will be fired! — She reloaded her light gun, helplessly trying to aim it at the helicopter hatch. She knew it would be pointless.

Being fired was exactly like being dead. In the Mafia, instead of reducing employment, employees were quickly eliminated. It was safe and economical.

— Birds are singing to each other, how about we kill another? — The laughter in the boy's voice sounded mad. — Promise that you will commit double suicide with me someday and I will help you!

She didn't hesitate. After all, her life would be lost anyway.

— Deal! — She shouted over the wind.

— Good because I was going to help you either way! — With these words, Osamu moved to the roof of the neighbouring building.

Wasting no time, she moved into a stable position. She managed to shoot down several guards. Meanwhile, Dazai jumped down and rolled across the roof. The helicopter was already taking off. She bit her lip. The boy roughly grabbed Basho's shirt. They were already floating a few meters above the ground. She saw the glow of No Longer Human and fired. A spot of red covered target's chest. It worked the first time. He was dead. Osamu jumped out of the vehicle, joining her a moment later.

— Now it's really a time to retreat! — he shouted out of breath.

***

The dark room was hidden in the basement. [Reader] slowly made her way down, straining her eyes in the dim light. The smell of alcohol and freshly brewed coffee reached her nostrils. She also heard familiar laughter and was therefore sure that she was late. The bartender in the red vest politely nodded to her in greeting. She responded in kind. She stubbed out her cigarette in the ashtray, gaining his approval. She had to smoke at least one after every job. Unfortunately, the owner of the Lupin bar, disapproved of her addiction, so she politely disposed of her cigarette butts whenever she came here. She liked this old man. She had no intention of scaring him, although she could probably get herself an eternal exception to the ban with one move.

She jumped onto the barstool with gusto. The coattails fluttered black.

— I always knew Dazai was an asshole but I'm disappointed in you guys — she said, looking displeased.

— Nice to see you too [Reader] — Ango replied.

He immediately started rummaging through the briefcase. She knew he was a man of work but for once he could wait until they had a drink.

— I'm an asshole but I'm your asshole. — Osamu connected their lips in a short kiss. She murmured to let him know that she was still angry that he didn't wait for her.

— I ordered you the usual. — Sakunosuke pushed a glass of coloured liquid towards her.

— Now that's what I like — she nodded, sipping through the straw. — How's Osamu? Was he behaving today?

— He mentioned suicide three times. — Sakaguchi always had a good memory.

— I'm still here. Stop talking about me in the third person! — The beer in her lover's mug swirled as he turned dramatically on the bar stool, almost falling off it.

— You were supposed to cut down on the suicide talk. — [Reader] looked at him accusingly.

— What can I do about it, dearest? You promised me a double suicide long ago. I still don't lose hope.

— Files of the next case. — Ango interrupted him and pushed a thin stack of papers towards her.

She glanced over them cursorily. She will once again have to delve into an unfinished mission from the past. If everyone wasn't taken care of at once, there was always someone left to continue the business. Kawai Sora clearly didn't learn much after she took down his boss. He was imprisoned for quite a short time in the warehouses of the Port Mafia. And then a deal was made with him. He should be new head to the company and at the same time pay them a large tribute every month. A few years were enough for him to forget about fear. Despite the threats, he began to act on his own. He had to be gotten rid of.

— Will you take care of this yourself? — Ango asked.

— Yes. I'm not like Oda. — The statement sounded much more accusatory than she intended.

— It's my business how I act. — Her friend didn't look offended. He was aware of his differences in the organization. Not wanting to kill in this environment was a big obstacle. First of all, it closed path to promotion. — Besides, you also don't go for all of your cases. — He took a sip of coffee.

— She could have gone far if it weren't for that twisted conscience… — Dazai began.

— NO. — The word of refusal carried a hint of threat.

She had already explained to him why she didn't take on every task. Killing messed up people and killing normal people living their lives wasn't the same. He said that if it wasn't her, someone else would do it. And he was right. But as long as it wasn't her, she didn't feel guilty. She was twistedly good. At least she wanted to believe that. Osamu couldn't understand this, even though they had known each other for a long time.

— Trouble in paradise? — As always, the informant correctly sensed the tension between the couple.

She knew what her lover was about to do, and although she felt like she would forgive him, as always, sometimes she felt like he had too many flaws. This was one of them. He will bring what should be left between them out for others to see.

— I asked [Reader] to work for me...

— Under you… — the girl corrected him.

She was to become a subordinate and happily surrender her independence to his orders. That they would spend more time together. She may have been low in the hierarchy but she felt no pressure to climb up.

— You liked it last time. — The smirk on his face made her blood boil. He could at least have some decency with his friends. Not everyone had to know what they were doing after hours, even if rumors about their affair slowly began to circulate in corners of the organization.

In the blink of an eye, she pulled the handy pistol from her belt and aimed it at his crotch. Osamu smiled wider, lifting her hand along with the weapon and kissing her hand.

— I will never understand you. — Sakunosuke had long ago come to terms with the abnormality of their relationship. Their friends were crazy in different ways. I guess that's the only reason why this relationship could exist.

— Let's drink…

***

— This is a robbery!

[Reader] sighed in embarrassment and turned towards her attacker.

— Really, Osamu?" — She raised an eyebrow.

— This is a romantic kidnapping — he said smugly, shooting the gun from his fingers. — No more work for today.

He took her hand gently and led her outside. He loosened his tie, clearly relaxed after a long day of paperwork.

It was starting to rain outside. The first drops of a spring storm were falling on the courtyard of the Port Mafia headquarters. He had to admit he liked it here. A lone tree stood among low-trimmed bushes and grass. There were no flowers but there would be no one to take care of them. They would probably have to move at some point but for now they could at least pretend that their job was normal. He wondered what it would be like if they worked in a regular office. Once the door was closed, the work would end. The salary would probably be low. They would have to plan what they would eat for dinner at the store, but they would go home calm. In the evening they would be making plans for a vacation together, trying to save up for it, wandering between the mortgage loan and some dog sitting under their couch...

He glanced sideways. [Reader]. A woman who wore the same black coat as him and slept with a gun under her pillow. He smiled slightly. NO. This life didn't suit them. He simply couldn't imagine such a scenario. No matter how much he wanted it, they just met under such circumstances. There was no way out of the Port Mafia.

The woman obediently followed him into the courtyard. She quickly realized what he meant.

— Dancing in the rain?

— I'm trying to be romantic — he muttered.

It felt slightly strange and unnatural. And yet he found that it fit in with them. A gesture as abnormal as the two of them. Droplets dripped down their wet clothes as they moved to an undefined rhythm. Step forward, backward, turn and step on the foot. That last one brought a smile to her face. He was proud of it.

The gray world stopped for a moment on the head resting on his shoulder. On joined fingers. On a familiar scent. She smelled like home. Which was stupid because Dazai never had a home. So how was he supposed to know it was that scent?

— I'm proud of you — she whispered in his ear.

— It's rare. I'll put the date in my calendar. — He kissed her forehead, amused.

— You haven't mentioned suicide for several weeks. Honestly, I never thought you'd get over it. — She raised her head.

— It didn't go away... but I decided that a double suicide won't run away, so we could live together for a while...

— Awww. You sound almost as lovely as I did when I had my car accident...

His car. Although the car was mafia-owned, it nevertheless belonged to Osamu. He chose this model himself. He would probably blow it up sooner or later. Means of transport in this profession have never had a long life. But when your loved one hits it while parking after shopping, things are a bit different. Especially with false registrations and a police car investigating a crash. Executioners were not trained for such situations.

There was silence for some time. He saw several people leaving the buildings. Most disappeared under uniformly boring umbrellas. They gave them long glances and then left. Some lowered their hat brims. He knew that both of them were gossiped about. Quiet, behind their backs but still. Oda and Sakaguchi had known for a long time. Friends saw their relationship as a way to help them stay sane together. However, many people whispered in corners that in a job like this it's better not to get attached. That they are idiots. Those days had passed a few months ago but he still resented them. They were still here. Happy. Dancing in the rain.

— Osamu?

— Hmmm?

— I have to tell you something. — The tone became serious.

His mind immediately kicked into high speed.

— Is someone threatening you? — That would be logical. After all, it happened at their job often.

— NO…

— Are you sick? — He preferred not to add that it was fatal, although that was the first thing that came to his mind.

— NO…

She tried hard to interrupt him but he continued guessing.

— Well, there's only one thing left. You want to break up!

He was already planning in his head what he would say to stop her. After all, they had been together for so long. They had so many memories together. It's true that they've had a little less time for themselves lately but he'll try...

— Osamu! — she interrupted him, putting her finger to her lips. — None of these things. I'm pregnant!

She saw his pupil dilate in shock. He has never been speechless before. He always had something to say. Even if it was usually a silly comment made up on the spot. Meanwhile, she was met with silence. He took a deep breath as if he was going to say something but then changed his mind.

— You're pregnant? That's great — he added, blinking rapidly. Immediately after that, he fell flat on the grass.

At first she was really scared that something had happened to him but when she felt his breathing and his pulse, it became clear that he was fine.

— You always have to be dramatic — she sighed. — I'm pregnant and I have the right to faint! — she shouted at the entire building. — I definitely won't carry you! — Saying this, she took a large step over the inert body and trotted towards the first employee who had not left yet.

She happened to know Misuzu Kaneko. The woman wasn't ranked high, but she made up for it in skill. She jumped perfectly. She could soar many meters into the air and always landed safe and sound. She often used ropes to pick up mafia passengers or unfortunate people who needed to be kidnapped for some reason. After lifting them off the ground, she caught them in her arms and delivered them to designated places.

— One of the executioners fainted. Please take him to room fifty-three on the second floor. I'll be waiting there.

It looked like he wouldn't be leaving the office anytime soon after all...

***

Are you kicking now? You couldn't do it when I was in the apartment? — said [Reader] with slight reproach. She gently stroked her still flat stomach. This child will definitely inherit their physical skills. It rarely made itself felt but when it did, it was with full force.

She wrapped her coat tighter around herself. She wasn't going to get sick. Now she was no longer responsible only for herself. That doesn't mean she left her job. She reluctantly transferred to Osamu's unit. She had a little more freedom there. Over time, she also planned to take on fewer missions. Although there wasn't much to see from her for now, sooner or later she would have to let go a little.

She took a deep breath. One of her subordinates told her that the equipment had been deployed and the target was within range. She didn't need this fuss but Dazai asked her to do it at least every now and then. These were new recruits, not yet fully trained. They had to have something to do until they got bigger assignments.

She leaned forward and focused on the familiar viewfinder. She was not supposed to take this job. It didn't even fall under her department. However, after several heads rolled for treason recently, there have been gaps. And people like her had to fill them. The boss was clearly in a hurry to get things done. Kawai Sora's son, whom she once took down, was left alone for a while. However, a few months later, he joined the mafia with his mother. And it wasn't the Port Mafia but the same one to which some of [Reader's] associates who are now biting the dust went.

She looked around the room. Very nice living room. With a system of protective metal roller shutters. However, these had been turned off a minute ago when she activated her cleaning lady puppet. Nothing Twice entered the correct code, and now even the second layer of bulletproof glass on the windows has come down. The owner even prepared for such an escape route. However, he did not predict the extent of the opponents' contacts.

She strained her eyes. A woman flitted into view. She was the only one whom the complete information was delivered about to her desk a few days ago. Apparently she was a foreign language teacher. In the very center of the viewfinder, on the carpet, there was a child. [Reader] blinked a few times, wanting to make sure.

— Have you set everything up correctly? — she asked her subordinate, taking her eyes off the weapon.

— Yes, [Reader]-san.

— The target was supposed to be twenty-one years old. And this boy is like ten or so. — She looked at him menacingly.

— I received a copy of the documents and it was clear from them that, that he is still a child.

[Reader] felt her heart starting to beat faster. This couldn't be true. She studied these info herself a few days ago. He was accepted because of his ability at an early age. But not that early.

— Go back to your quarters. Then we'll talk.

— Ah...but...

The rookie seemed to shiver in the strong wind as he waited for her verdict. If he really messed up, anything could happen to him. From nothing to a painful death.

— Calm down. — She didn't know whether she was talking to herself or to him. — I'll arrange everything.

She dialed Osamu's phone number, checking the viewfinder over and over. Her hand shook slightly. She couldn't remember the last time something like this had happened to her at work. Holding the gun required some posture.

— You need to find the case file for me. It should be in the car — she said frantically.

— Just like that, without a greeting...

— Not now — she interrupted.

He must have realized that the situation was serious because he fell silent. He was supposed to pick her up after the mission was over. It was better to return in a different car than the novice for greater anonymity. She heard several street noises in her earpiece, including honking.

— Why do you need them now? — The rustle of papers reached her ears.

— Age. How old is Kawai? — She ignored his question.

Twenty-one… — he began. — No, it's eleven — he corrected quickly. — Someone must have blurred the numbers by accident when they gave us the data.

Her heart leapt into her throat. She didn't know if she was going to vomit because of the pregnancy or because of the whole situation. Maybe both? What she knew was that she had never killed a child in her life. What was the chance that he joined the mafia of his own free will? His mother probably talked him into it. He probably didn't know what he was really doing yet. The data showed that for now he was only helping with kidnappings. However, he didn't hurt anyone. The Port Mafia wanted to get him because of his connection to his father and the deadly nature of his abilities. If he were an adult, she would feel like he understood. That it was his choic but he was just a child after all. She saw herself in the distant image behind the glass. Young, scared and without a choice, joining the organization because it was the only place anyone wanted her.

— I won't do it — her voice was quiet at first. — I can't…

— [Reader], what are you talking about...

— It could've been our baby. — She subconsciously stroked her belly. — They can do exactly the same thing to us one day.

The thought that one day they might die and the mafia would take over their child filled her with terror. As long as she was alive, she didn't want to ever have to deal with this. Certainly not since a young age and because their parents lived like that. She even came up with a crazy plan to leave the organization some time ago but she hasn't talked to Osamu about it yet.

— I won't complete this mission! — She realized she was shouting into the phone.

— [Reader], calm down. This is not our child. If I had known, I wouldn't have given you this assignment but you know how important it is. — His tone was calm and matter-of-fact. — Mori won't forgive you. You have to do this.

He had already forgiven her insubordination once, years ago. She knew him well enough to know that such an act of mercy would not happen again. What she was doing now was dooming herself to escape from the organization. To being away from her loved one. To hiding herself and her child forever.

— If you won't do it, I will. — The sound of the door closing told her that Dazai had gotten out of the car. — I'm responsible for you two...

In the past, that would have been enough for her. Turning her head when someone else is doing a job that was too inconvenient for her. To remain morally pure in her opinion. But now that she was involved, when she locked eyes with this little child, she felt that if she pulled the trigger, she would only be fooling herself further. She didn't want to and couldn't murder him.

— Osamu, don't you dare… — she didn't finish. The only answer she received was deafening silence and a signal of the end of the conversation.

She stared blankly at the red receiver for a moment. Immediately afterwards, she started running down the stairs as fast as she could.

***

Dazai stood in a familiar hospital room. He'd stopped counting how many times he'd come here in the last few weeks. For a long time, everything played out almost the same way. It started with silence. Insightful and moving. [Reader] didn't speak to him. At first out of shock. Then of her own free will. Then came the second phase. Crying, screaming and reproaches. Once she even threw a vase of flowers at him. She missed but it must have sobered her up because she stopped when she saw the broken glass and spilled water right next to his legs.

Wasn't he fed up with this? Of course. He wanted nothing more than to turn back time. He wanted the hands of the clock to run backwards. Let it be like it used to be again. However, he had to continue living in the current situation.

He didn't regret what he did then. According to him, it was a sad necessity. Mori would never let her slip up again. So he did what he had to do for her. To protect her. Even if she didn't agree with it.

— [Reader]…

— I don't want to see you. — Her voice was muffled by the blanket she covered her head with.

— I know you don't want to but you can't avoid me forever.

She had been becoming calmer for several days. Doctors considered this a good sign. They slowly prepared the discharge letter. They couldn't keep her in the hospital forever. Even if they were bribed with a huge amount of money. There were certain limits that could not be crossed.

He didn't care much about the staff's opinion. They said she was healthy but it wasn't the same [Reader]. She had changed and he wasn't sure if she would ever be the same. Why couldn't they cure it?

— It's all our fault, Osamu! The gods have punished us! — The head suddenly emerged from under the piece of cloth.

There were dark circles under her eyes. He saw sleepless nights there. The nurses said she was often plagued by nightmares. He kept watch by her side several times but always without her knowing he was there.

She washed her hair for the first time in a long time. This was something new. Perhaps she has simply been told that she is being discharged. He decided to enjoy at least this.

— It's not your fault. It's a pure coincidence that… — Seeing her pale face, he decided not to finish the sentence. — If you want to blame someone, blame me.

Their baby was dead. They won't know what their laugh or cry will sound like. They won't see them grow up. Would they inherit any skills from them? They won't be able to do all the things they've been planning to do since they found out she was pregnant.

He was never a religious man. However, since [Reader] realized what had happened, she believed that the gods must have punished them for the murder of Sora's son. Deprive them of the chance to have a child. No matter how many times he tried to explain to her that the two were unrelated, she wouldn't accept it. Maybe it was easier for her that way. She could blame someone for her unfortunate fate. She repeated that if she had had time to run and stop Dazai, nothing bad would have happened.

He knew he would never forget the sight of the little bundle given to him after miscarriage. So small and fragile among the blood. It was seared into his memory. No amount of alcohol could wash it away, although that was how he dealt with everything he couldn't handle before. Maybe with time the image will go away but it will never leave completely.

— There's only one way to fix this — [Reader] said, staring intently out the window.

Outside, rows of cars slowly passed by. The sun was shining through the dirty windows. The singing of birds in the treetops cut through the noise of the hospital. He didn't dare ask a question. He remained in a long silence, waiting for her next words.

— Double suicide, Osamu. We'll fix this and the three of us will be together forever. — She grabbed his hand for the first time in a long time.

He sat on the edge of the bed, in the hospital sheets, and squeezed her cool hand tightly. He missed it more than he thought.

He knew how many people would say it was sick. Every doctor, psychologist or psychiatrist. All friends and acquaintances would advise against it. Passers-by on the street and people on internet forums. Everyone would say that suicide is not an option. That he needs help. That it's not worth it. However, Dazai Osamu had lived with the thought of taking his own life for as long as he could remember. So if it's time to do it, why not? After all, they promised to do it together.

He just nodded. He let her stroke his brown, curly locks tenderly. At least for a moment he could pretend that everything was the same.

***

It took them longer than they thought to wrap up their worldly affairs. They visited people they knew. There weren't that many of them. However, many of them were far away. They were on missions in different parts of the world and waiting for their return made everything much longer. They also gave away a lot of things to those in need. Mainly money. A lot. Most of them went to orphanages. They didn't even have to talk about it. Both Osamu and [Reader] ended up in the mafia because such places had no way of accepting them. Finally, they wrote wills and prepared letters. This last one took the longest. They created many sketches, turning them over and over at night to start over.

It took several months before they were ready for anything. And if someone looked from the side, they wouldn't notice that anything was happening. Even Sakunosuke and Ango seemed unsuspecting. They avoided the topic of death until [Reader] told them to stop. Being in the Port Mafia, it was impossible to talk about anything without something so basic. So the four of them drank at Lupin's as if nothing had happened. Only the bartender grabbed a woman before leaving one day and announced that she was his favourite customer. Then, with a sad smile, he walked away behind the counter to continue wiping the glasses. Maybe he had seen so many broken people that he knew how to tell when someone wanted to end their life.

[Reader] didn't care which way they did it, as long as it didn't hurt too much. That's why she left this matter to Dazai. After all, he had been interested in this topic for so long that she believed in his choice.

The tall building where they first carried out their mission together seemed appropriate to him. The lights twinkled brightly in the rapidly approaching night that had descended upon Yokohama. Street lamps, neon signs and advertisements illuminated the area with a greenish glow. The waters near the flowing river lazily moved towards the more populated part of the city.

[Reader] wore pearls and a white satin dress. He bought it for her once for her anniversary. He remembered her complaining that it was too simple, only to laugh and apologize to him for joking. He shook his head. It's already gone. He put on a black mafia coat. She did the same.

— Ready? — asked the woman, looking straight ahead.

— I was born ready to kill myself — Dazai laughed.

He felt fulfilled. They had a nice time together. And although it could have been longer, he did not regret it.

He grabbed her hand and together they jumped down into the dark night. He didn't know at what point during the flight he turned up. He always thought that what others said about time slowing down before death was a lie. But now he had to admit they were right. His life was not flashing before his eyes, as was often emphasized. All he saw there was a lit sky. The one he had looked at many times before.

A tug brought him out of this state. So fast he barely registered it. He kicked blindly. Before he knew it, he found himself on some kind of balcony. When he turned his head, he only had time to glimpse at [Reader]'s shocked and embittered face. Or maybe he just imagined it? A split second later she found herself at the bottom in a pool of blood.

He turned around. In front of him stood Misuzu Kaneko, dressed in several layers of clothes. She probably didn't want to accidentally activate his No Longer Human during the jump. His head was racing as she explained in laconic terms what she had just done:

— The boss found you too valuable, Dazai-san…

***

It wasn't that bad underwater. Confusedly. Not exactly beautiful but not entirely ugly either. Just in time to die — he said, feeling his oxygen supply slowly depleting. Drowning was less shocking than hanging. Kunikida should be grateful to him. He hoped that the people from the Armed Detective Agency would find him soon enough. He didn't want to add more work to them. They had enough.

Someone started to pull him up. The thought already appeared in his mind that he would not succeed this time. He will fail his suicide attempt again.

He didn't expect a boy much younger than himself. The clothes indicated an orphanage. Not very fitting and slightly torn. One of the first things he heard, apart from his panicked voice, was his stomach growling. He must have been hungry. He just sighed and pointed towards the nearest restaurant, not forgetting to explain along the way why he shouldn't have stopped the act of dying halfway through.

He looked at the sky. It was starting to get dark. He took a deep breath. It was that time. Even though [Reader] was gone, her effigy remained. Nothing Twice repeated at the same time twice every day:

— Why?

— I don't know — he replied. He always answered the same. Maybe one day he will find the answer.

— Did you say something, Dazai-san? — asked the boy, turning towards him.

— Nothing, Atsushi-kun. Nothing at all.

#dazai x reader #osamu dazai x reader #bungou stray dogs x reader #bsd x reader #oneshot x reader #ango sakaguchi #oda sakunosuke #mori ougai #atsushi nakajima

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linkemon · 12 days

Text

Asymptote (Axel/Lea x Reader)

Other oneshots can be found here.

ɪꜱ ᴀxᴇʟ ʟᴇᴀ ᴀɴᴅ ɪꜱ ʟᴇᴀ ᴀxᴇʟ? ɪɴ ᴛʜᴇᴏʀʏ, ʏᴇꜱ…

ᴀᴅᴅɪᴛɪᴏɴᴀʟ ɪɴꜰᴏʀᴍᴀᴛɪᴏɴ:

Asymptote - line that a graph approaches but does not intersect.

As soon as I had some time for myself, I decided to spend it at the top of the clock tower. I was definitely asking for melancholy.

The day was coming to an end and the sun was slowly disappearing below the horizon. I watched the traffic die down. Several children were just leaving their playmates and running to their homes. The image of young Isa flashed before my eyes but it quickly disappeared when I heard a voice from behind me:

— Lea, can we talk? — asked [Reader].

— Call me Axel. I think we've already established that. — I laughed.

[Reader] mounted with slight hesitation.

I had company, the only thing missing to complete the picture was blue ice cream.

The girl, as if guessing my thoughts, took two packages out of the bag.

The strange, salty-sweet taste brought back memories. I looked around for Roxas, as if he was going to appear next to me at any moment.

Sometimes there was another, unknown figure wandering around in my mind, which I tried with all my might to dig out from the recesses of my memory. So far, to no avail.

I looked away from the sunset to glance at [Reader]. She looked wonderful with her hair slightly flowing in the last rays of light. However, her eyes seemed to wander somewhere far away.

— What's with the long face? — I extended my hand to her, which she didn't take.

— How should I put this so that you understand me correctly... — She tightened her fingers on the stick.

— Just shoot, it's probably the easiest way. — I felt nervousness growing inside of me.

I saw her gathering courage. She took a deep breath. I had the impression that I wouldn't like what she was about to say at all.

— We won't be able to go back to what was before.

I was right.

A simple sentence but it sent panic into my recently regained heart.

In an instant, everything around me faded away. I stopped hearing the singing of birds and the wind around us. It was replaced by tinnitus. I stopped paying attention to what was happening below us. I just stared hypnotized at her face, trying to process the words again and again. My voice refused to listen to me when I tried to form any sentences.

I was only brought out of my trance by the melting salty ice cream that flowed freely between my fingers.

— I know this might not be the best time considering tomorrow, but...

The tone of her voice betrayed remorse but I couldn't listen to it.

— Why? We talked about it recently... — I couldn't finish the sentence.

I was surprised by the sound of my own voice. It seemed strangely weak and silent.

— I can't accept you like this, Lea. — That name again. — You are so similar and yet so different. I thought maybe it would work and with time I would get used to it. Now I'm sure it's impossible.

— I do not understand you. Are you saying he was better than me? — I shook my head, unable to organize my thoughts. — I was the first, he was just a part of me, my shadow.

— But it was this shadow that I fell in love with. Axel was everything to me!

Her eyes misted over, as they always did when she talked about him... about me.

— He's still here. Axel is Lea and Lea is me.

— You're wrong. For me, he left when he sacrificed himself for Sora and the others. I'm sorry I gave you false hope. I believe we will become good friends but nothing more.

It felt like my chest wanted to contract, even though I knew it couldn't. Apparently that's the beauty of being human — for every moment of happiness you pay with bitterness.

— Axel and I have one thing in common, [Reader]. We don't give up easily. That's why I'm going to fight for you. You know he would do it too.

— See you tomorrow. — She got up and left.

Just like that.

She expected me to forget everything.

But I've got it memorized.

#axel x reader #lea x reader #kingdom hearts x reader #oneshot x reader #kingdom hearts #roxas

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linkemon · 12 days

Text

It's gonna be alright (Keith Kogane x Reader)

Other oneshots can be found here.

ᴋᴇɪᴛʜ ᴛʀɪᴇꜱ ᴛᴏ ᴄᴏᴘᴇ ᴡɪᴛʜ ꜱʜɪʀᴏ'ꜱ ᴅɪꜱᴀᴘᴘᴇᴀʀᴀɴᴄᴇ. ɪᴛ ɪꜱ ᴄᴏᴍᴍᴏɴ ᴋɴᴏᴡʟᴇᴅɢᴇ ᴛʜᴀᴛ ᴄᴏᴏᴋɪᴇꜱ ʜᴇʟᴘ. ᴏʀ ᴀᴛ ʟᴇᴀꜱᴛ ᴛʜᴀᴛ'ꜱ ᴡʜᴀᴛ [ʀᴇᴀᴅᴇʀ] ꜱᴀʏꜱ…

ᴀᴅᴅɪᴛɪᴏɴᴀʟ ɪɴꜰᴏʀᴍᴀᴛɪᴏɴ:

ᴏɴᴇꜱʜᴏᴛ ᴄᴏɴᴛᴀɪɴꜱ ꜱᴘᴏɪʟᴇʀꜱ ꜰᴏʀ ᴇᴀʀʟʏ ꜱᴇᴀꜱᴏɴꜱ.

It was the final stretch.

I snuck out again. Doing it in the evening would mean that someone would probably catch me but at night it's much easier. If the rest of the team saw me now, I'd probably get scolded but I couldn't help myself. Hunk finally baked some edible cookies!

I grabbed a plate from the nearest shelf and helped myself to a generous amount, then rearranged the cookies that had fallen out of formation back into a pyramid. This way, no one noticed when one or two floors disappeared.

As a medical student, or rather a former student, because on Earth I've probably already been kicked out of school, I always tell my team to eat healthily. I am quite aware of the effects of overeating at night and too many sweets but everyone has smaller or larger deviations. Mine gradually started to increase after Hunk got a new recipe for blueberry cookies.

When we tasted them for the first time, I was skeptical because of their blue color. We chose Coran as the tester because no one else wanted to poison themselves. However, it turned out that we had avoided failure. They tasted like cocoa.

Since then, Hunk has been baking them almost all the time and I've been stealing them on the sly. It quickly turned out that paladins had a habit of getting up often in the middle of the night. At first I ate in the living room and almost got caught when Pidge walked by. However, I managed to find a solution. My place for a snack was the rather narrow roof, which was accessed through a window on the top floor of the castle. Perhaps someone would be able to spot me during the day but at night it was virtually impossible.

I headed there too, thinking only that in a moment I would inhale that cocoa scent again. I crossed the hall, opened the window, and then placed the plate on the tiny windowsill. I had both legs out and was just about to start eating when it turned out I wasn't alone.

Keith was now sitting in my usual seat with wide eyes. He looked ready to jump but visibly relaxed when he saw it was just me.

Well, great.

So I did the only right thing that could be done in such a situation.

— Cookie?

— Excuse me? — He asked.

— I asked if you wanted a cookie. — I sat down and offered him a plate. — Just don't betray to others because I won't have a life.

He ate it, then reached for another one.

We never got along very well, partly because we didn't know each other before I joined the team. It's true that I didn't argue with him like Lance but he had such a heavy personality that I preferred spending time with Hunk or Allura. He always seemed quite cold to me but I admired his skills and courage because he certainly had plenty of that.

The silence was quite uncomfortable, so I decided to break it.

— Nice sky.

No response from Mr. Silent.

It was beautiful. A shade of navy blue completely different than the one on Earth. Constellations unlike any I've seen. Everything was different here. The thought always brought a momentary feeling of nostalgia and longing for my family but I was used to it by now. It hasn't wanted to leave me since I got here.

— Sooo... you came to think? — I said with my mouth full.

— You could say that — he muttered.

What an elaborate statement.

— I came to eat without anyone noticing. I glanced at him. — But it didn't work out as you can see. — What are you thinking about?

I didn't receive any response.

Keith started to stand up but I grabbed his sleeve.

— It's a bit inelegant of you to leave me in the middle of a conversation now.

If this could even be called a conversation...

— Something will attack me here at night when it smells food if I stay alone. — I stuffed the cookie into myself with my free hand. — If you want, we can sit in silence — I added.

I saw his hesitation but he finally sat back down after the last sentence.

I wanted to keep my word, I really wanted to. The problem, however, was the talkativeness. Everyone around me knew perfectly well that I was loud and ubiquitous. I also had trouble keeping my mouth shut. Keith and I were basically opposites, which was one of the reasons we had limited contact.

In short, I could be irritating. No wonder I couldn't last more than a few minutes.

— If you don't want to say what you're thinking, don't say it — I started. — But if you change your mind, you know — I stabbed him in the arm — you can vent.

— Do I look like someone who wants to talk?

No, you look like an irritated bastard.

— No but you look like someone who needs it. You know, as a pseudo-doctor on this team, I also have to take care of your mental health. I think it's just as important as physical one.

His expression softened slightly. He was clearly wondering whether he should share with me what was on his mind.

The silence grew.

This is how my career as a psychologist dies prematurely.

I actually could have given up but I felt like I wanted to help. Kind of like when I was quite little and put plasters on literally all the kids in my neighbourhood who had bad knees. This feeling turned into a passion — the desire to professionally care for others. I didn't have the opportunity to graduate because I was in the middle of another galaxy but I did my best. I tried to use everything I had at hand to help those who were saving planets and races that we had never known about before.

— It's about my leadership — he began, so quietly that I could barely hear him. — I feel bad about it. Everyone is counting on me, they want me to give them orders but I have the impression that whatever I do, wherever I step, will be wrong. I'm not even sure how to get along with you. After I came back to the team, everyone looks at me differently. I'm not like Shiro. My only hope is to find him and bring him back but I don't even know where to start looking for him.

I'm out of cookies.

— It's obvious — I felt his eyes on me — that you're not Shiro. I'm sure we'll find him but it will take some time. You shouldn't try to replace him because each of you is different — I started. — It'll take you a while to get used to your new role but you're on the right track. Maybe try spending some time with the team? We haven't known each other for very long but I'm not blind. Some people really miss you, Keith. Don't run away from them, try to talk to them, eat some cookies and everything will be fine. — I stood up, took my plate and headed to the window.

It's gonna be alright — the cliché I may have tried to say to myself a lot too but what choice did I have? What else could I tell him?

— [Reader]?

— Hmmm? — I stuck my head out.

— Thank you.

— No problem but it was Hunk who baked them — I said, smiling to myself and then started walking down the dark corridor.

Keith will make a good leader but I might still make a good doctor when I get back to Earth. I should just cut down on the cookies...

#keith kogane x reader #voltron x reader #oneshot x reader #shirogane takashi #cookies #hunk #coran

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linkemon · 12 days

Text

Matryoshka (Childe x Reader)

Other oneshots can be found here.

ᴛꜱᴀʀɪᴛꜱᴀ ʜᴀꜱ ʀᴇɪɢɴᴇᴅ ꜱᴜᴘʀᴇᴍᴇ ɪɴ ꜱɴᴇᴢʜɴᴀʏᴀ ꜰᴏʀ ʏᴇᴀʀꜱ. ʜᴇʀ ᴅᴀᴜɢʜᴛᴇʀ - [ʀᴇᴀᴅᴇʀ] ᴡɪʟʟ ᴛʀʏ ᴛᴏ ᴄʜᴀɴɢᴇ ᴛʜɪꜱ ᴡɪᴛʜ ᴄʜɪʟᴅᴇ'ꜱ ʜᴇʟᴘ. ᴛʜɪꜱ ꜱᴛᴏʀʏ ɪꜱ ᴀ ᴄʀᴏꜱꜱ-ꜱᴇᴄᴛɪᴏɴ ᴏꜰ ᴠᴀʀɪᴏᴜꜱ ꜱᴛᴀɢᴇꜱ ᴏꜰ ᴛʜᴇɪʀ ʟɪᴠᴇꜱ, ᴇxᴘʟᴀɪɴɪɴɢ ᴡʜʏ ᴀᴊᴀx, ᴀʟᴛʜᴏᴜɢʜ ɪꜱ ᴀʟɪᴠᴇ, ɴᴏ ʟᴏɴɢᴇʀ ᴇxɪꜱᴛꜱ…

ᴀᴅᴅɪᴛɪᴏɴᴀʟ ɪɴꜰᴏʀᴍᴀᴛɪᴏɴ:

ᴏɴᴇꜱʜᴏᴛ ᴄᴏɴᴛᴀɪɴꜱ ꜱᴘᴏɪʟᴇʀꜱ ꜰᴏʀ ᴄʜɪʟᴅᴇ'ꜱ ʙᴀᴄᴋꜱᴛᴏʀʏ. ꜱɴᴇᴢʜɴᴀʏᴀ ʜᴀꜱ ɴᴏᴛ ᴀᴘᴘᴇᴀʀᴇᴅ ɪɴ ᴛʜᴇ ɢᴀᴍᴇ ʏᴇᴛ, ꜱᴏ ᴇᴠᴇʀʏᴛʜɪɴɢ ɪꜱ ʙᴀꜱᴇᴅ ᴏɴ ᴋɴᴏᴡɴ ɪɴꜰᴏʀᴍᴀᴛɪᴏɴ ᴀʙᴏᴜᴛ ɪᴛ ᴀɴᴅ ᴍᴀʏ ᴅɪꜰꜰᴇʀ ꜰʀᴏᴍ ꜰᴜᴛᴜʀᴇ ᴄᴀɴᴏɴ.

ɪ ᴀꜱꜱᴜᴍᴇᴅ ᴛʜᴀᴛ ᴀᴊᴀx ɪꜱ ᴀ ɴᴀᴍᴇ, ᴄʜɪʟᴅᴇ ɪꜱ ᴀ ᴄᴏᴅᴇɴᴀᴍᴇ ᴀɴᴅ ᴛᴀʀᴛᴀɢʟɪᴀ ɪꜱ ᴀ ᴛɪᴛʟᴇ ᴀᴍᴏɴɢ ᴛʜᴇ ꜰᴀᴛᴜɪ.

[Reader] looked around the area. She always tried to be careful. She covered up footprints left on forest paths, most often with dry branches but she knew that if her mother really wanted to find her, it wouldn't help her. No one could hide from Queen Tsaritsa, least of all in her kingdom. For now, however, she either didn't know where her daughter was going or she simply didn't care.

The girl was surrounded by expanses of pure, unsullied white. Only a small, gray fox wagged its tail and disappeared behind a withered bush. A mature figure emerged among the snowflakes swirling around. She breathed a sigh of relief at the sight of the familiar red head of hair. Ajax looked up and smiled broadly. He slowly got up from his makeshift straw bed. He went to meet her. He carefully placed his feet on the thick ice, looking for air bubbles. She knew he was putting on a good face for a bad game. The uncertainty in his blue eyes let her know that he wasn't used to coming here without his father.

— Follow me. — He grabbed her hand.

His hand felt unusually warm in the frosty, cold air. She squeezed it tightly. The dark depths under her feet terrified her. In the palace she saw only fountains or shallow ponds. Almost every one of them was frozen to the bottom. It was her first time around such a large lake. And she certainly never tried to walk on one.

— Look ahead. — She wasn't sure if the boy was saying it to her or to himself.

Ajax repeated to himself what his father had taught him. She wasn't entirely sold on this whole fishing idea. He dropped it in passing during the last conversation and then somehow it felt stupid to back out. Maybe it was because [Reader] seemed genuinely excited about the idea of something new. In theory, she could do whatever she wanted in the palace. In practice, it was usually the same, boring activities. She could choose between embroidery, painting, playing instruments and a number of other activities but nothing interested her. Her mother deliberately kept her away from planning war tactics or learning how to use weapons. Her daughter was never supposed to replace her. Once Tsaritsa achieves her goal of overthrowing all the gods, there will be no need for this.

Even simply going beyond the ice walls involved an escort and had to have some sensible purpose. It's no wonder that when Ajax made his offer, she immediately beamed. Any change brought her joy. He knew how much she loved her home. However, she dreamed of escaping this cold place. She wanted to visit the far reaches of Teyvat, where Archons other than her mother ruled. Where people didn't look at each other with suspicion at almost every step. Where no one reported anyone. Where no one signed documents condemning unfortunate people to death during breakfast. He didn't think she had it worse than his family. After all, it was people like him who were affected by all decisions coming from the court but he also felt that it couldn't be easy for someone like her to watch all this and be unable to do anything.

He also partially agreed to the trip because he was flattered by the fact that he could give her something she didn't have, despite her status. He had often wondered if there was any point in knowing her, given all their differences. However, he explained to himself that no one really had the right to impose anything on them. If they both liked each other, why couldn't they play together?

Before he knew it, they reached the ice hole. He reluctantly let go of his friend's hand. He handed her a flexible wooden fishing rod. It's time to put the bait on. The companion looked into the small box full of wriggling worms.

— Aughhh. — She grimaced, looking away from the largest individual.

— The fatty ones are the best — Ajax laughed when he saw her reaction. — I can do it for you — he added, taking the hook.

— NO! — [Reader] interrupted him, snatching the fishing rod away. — There's no fun in it if you do it for me — Besides… — she hesitated. — Someday I'll probably have to do a lot of worse things.

She grimaced for the last time. The pink-gray earthworm squirmed for a moment before being brutally impaled on the sharp end of the fishing rod. She looked at it with a strange determination. As if there was more to catching a fish than just having fun.

— Is this about your mother? — asked the boy.

It wasn't hard to guess when she was thinking about her. Queen Tsaritsa usually clouded her thoughts, making her face look sad or angry.

— One day — she lowered her voice — I will overthrow this entire system. — She closed her fingers tightly around the wooden handle. — And then no one in Morepesok or Snezhnaya will have to fish to avoid starvation!

Ajax opened his eyes in surprise. He didn't think she saw the poverty of ordinary people so deeply. For him it was everyday life. His father turned finding food into a game to make him more willing to help. In fact, he forgot about it a long time ago. Some things he had become accustomed to stopped bothering him over time.

— If you ever need someone to be... you know... general in charge of putting worms on fishing rods, I'm on it! — Saying this, he pulled a fish out of the lake. It was small, gray and uninviting to eat. As usual.

The girl laughed, her voice echoing in the silence. It wasn't any particular laugh at all. It was rather plain. Average. And yet, as he listened to it, his heart swelled and there was nothing he could do about it. And he knew he could clown like this for the rest of the day if she just looked at him the way she did now.

— I think I could use someone like you. You'll be my deputy, what do you say? — [Reader] asked.

He was about to answer when she grabbed his hand, interrupting him before he could say anything. She stared at the ice beneath her feet, weighing her words.

— I'm serious, Ajax. You don't have to answer if you don't want to, but if I ever had to... — The words didn't come out of her throat. — Will you help me?

Her friend felt that the question was downright crazy. The queen reigned supreme in Snezhnaya for several centuries. No one managed to overthrow her, because anyone who tried to confront the goddess died a cruel death. He had no desire to be next at all. On the other hand, in all the stories his father told him, heroes had to take risks. Why shouldn't he be the next one?

— I will help, I promise. — He nodded.

A cool wind blew, tugging at the red strands of his hair. He brushed them away from his forehead with an impatient movement. The blizzard was getting more and more intense. It was time to go back.

— Hold on. My subordinates can't freeze. — [Reader] extended her fur towards him.

He didn't think it was so obvious that he was freezing. He usually moved more or just stayed outside less on days like this. However, he didn't want the meeting to end too quickly. That's why he discreetly moved his stiff fingers, trying to warm them up. His clothes also left much to be desired.

— Come on, princess, I'm not that…

The girl stubbornly put the white cloth over his shoulders.

—...cold — he finished resignedly.

He had to admit that he immediately felt warmer. The fur warmed his frozen back. [Reader] grabbed his cool hand. It was as cold as his own but somehow he didn't want to let go of it. They slowly walked across the lake to the edge of the forest. Here their paths diverged.

— I almost forgot. — He reached into the leather bag. — It's for you.

There was a small doll resting on his hand. He made them every year for his entire family. Now he decided to make an additional one. Matryoshka had many little sisters inside her. He painted a different face on each one. Dressed in blue winter robes, they gleamed with fresh varnish.

— Is that a matryoshka doll? — she made sure of it by examining it closely.

He nodded.

— So you won't forget about me during the winter — he said quietly.

He knew that after the next blizzard they wouldn't see each other until spring. Only here the winters were so cruel. The snow will cover the paths and no one will be able to get to his village for a while, even if they wanted to.

He sincerely hoped that she would think of him when she looked at this gift.

— See you! — he said goodbye quickly and ran away.

***

[Reader] got out of the sleigh. She stopped for a few moments next to the gray horses. She stroked their faces gently. They snorted quietly, munching on the barely visible grass. She was always impressed by this only green area near the palace. One of the few places in all of Snezhnaya where the snow melted enough to see what was beneath it. Even her mother seemed to like this patch of land. Otherwise she would never want to come here. They came here every year. Even if the girl didn't know why. She was usually left alone and the Tsaritsa went away to archons know where.

— Childe, keep the princess company! — The guard commander left to enjoy the rare rays of sunlight.

He delegated the tedious task to the junior. Nothing could have pleased [Reader] more. She had been waiting for this moment. Her dream finally came true. She slowly walked along the well-trodden path. She desperately wanted to speed up. However, she had to be careful, so she gracefully grabbed the folds of her snow-white dress and took small steps towards the meeting.

She had to admit that the old Ajax had grown a lot since she last saw him. The closer she got, the more she felt her heart speed up. She only saw him from a distance when he was training in the barracks. She managed to slip away a few times but a quiet meeting was out of her reach. The soldiers respected the restrictions. Everyone was severely punished for insubordination. Tsaritsa did not tolerate lack of discipline among her subjects. So her daughter had to swallow her selfish desire to talk to her friend. Until this day.

She couldn't stand it in the end. She ran the last steps and threw herself at his neck. He didn't lose his balance as she expected. He stood firmly on his feet.

— I'm so glad you're okay — she said, pulling away enough to get a closer look at him.

His hair was cut short. Dressed in uniform, he carried a spear on his back. She had no doubt that he could use it. Pulcinella slowly spread his exploits to the court. He certainly had some great interest in this.

— I was worried — [Reader] admitted. — Just before the snowstorm, I realized you were gone. People in Morepesok said you disappeared. And then it covered up the pass.

It was one of the worst winters of her life. She had no idea what had happened to Ajax. She risked a lot by going to the village. The residents she interviewed said that the entire family had gone to look for the young boy. Apparently he didn't come back for three days. Given the prevailing weather conditions, they wrote him off. Most believed that he was long dead. Surviving one night in such frost was bordering on a miracle. Let alone three...

— As you can see — he pointed to himself dramatically — I'm doing better than ever.

When the first thaw came, she went out to check the situation. Upon arrival, it turned out, to her great relief, that Ajax had survived. Unfortunately, she didn't find him alone in the village. His father sent him to the army, which she didn't understand at all. She had never imagined him in a place like this. The neighbours mentioned something about it being meant to temper him. However, it didn't add up. After all, she knew him very well. All the stories about fights and troubles sticking to him didn't fit him at all. So she concluded that there must have been some deeper reason.

Then all she could do was watch from afar as she quickly climbed up the hierarchy. When she heard about his exploits, she almost didn't believe them. And yet now he stood here before her. Living proof of all he has done.

— What even happened? How on earth did you survive these three days? — she asked a question that had been bothering her for months.

— I'll tell you another time. — He looked away.

She saw a moment of hesitation in him. She decided not to push. He probably didn't want to remember these terrible events. She'll find out another time. Besides, it wasn't important right now.

— You still have it? — asked the boy, seeing the matryoshka doll hanging around her neck.

A thick strap held the weight of all the sisters. Only the outer layer was visible. It looked old and worn out. It must have worn out from frequent wear.

The girl's slightly confused reaction didn't escape him.

— She kept me company while you were away. — She touched the gift instinctively. — I missed you so much, Ajax. — She looked up.

He smiled in a way she had never seen from him before. Rakish. His eyes shone with determination. As if with some new depth and strength. It seemed familiar and unfamiliar at the same time.

— It's Childe now — he corrected her. She knew it would be difficult for her to get used to his new codename. — And… I'm really glad to see you again, [Reader] — he whispered directly into her ear.

Immediately afterwards, he kissed her unexpectedly on the cheek. If her heart wasn't beating fast enough before, it was certainly beating fast enough now. She felt like she was melting like snow in the sun.

— You can't do that… — she trailed off in frustration.

— Do what? — The boy must have had a great time at her expense.

— Kiss me — she said quietly.

— Can you repeat? Because I don't think I heard...

Her childhood friend had definitely become a lot more adventurous than before. He used to be afraid to simply talk to girls from the village. And now he was embarrassing her.

— You can't kiss me! — [Reader] protested.

— Ah yes? Then I won't do it anymore… — Childe crossed his arms over his chest.

— You know very well that's not what I meant. — The girl rubbed her temple.

— Just admit you like me too! — he said, seeing her leave.

— You can dream!

She didn't want to admit it to him. Not yet, when he had just reappeared in her life. She first had to see how much he had changed. How much of the old Ajax is still there and how much of the new Childe. However, this was an investigation she was definitely willing to undertake.

— We'll be seeing each other a lot more soon! — said the boy.

He was right. The rumors she heard outside must have reached her too. A promotion was coming. And not just any kind. Childe was to join Fatui as the next, eleventh member of the group. Pulcinella whispered a few words of approval to her mother. What worried her was the attention Tsaritsa showed in her friend. This rarely ended well. The missions they were sent on were everything [Reader] had wanted to fight her entire life. But there was nothing she could do about it. She was left to look for the bright side of the situation. Soon he will be officially allowed in the palace, so she will be able to meet him. And then she will find out...

***

— Are you sure this is a good idea? What if someone sees us? — [Reader] asked, tying her skates on her feet.

She was afraid that even here in Morepesok, someone might be watching them. And for some time she was responsible not only for herself. A whole group of people were counting on her. Any strange encounters or sneaking outs were grounds for snooping around her. She wanted to avoid this at all costs.

— When you were younger, you wanted to try everything. Are you scared now? — Childe definitely thought his idea was great.

She didn't answer because he was right. The older she got, the more she lost her childlike desire to learn new things. On the other hand, maybe this was what she needed. She was always busy and if she could spend some time with her lover this way, she should at least try. If she forgets about her duties for one night, nothing will probably happen.

— I'll hold your hand the whole time — he assured, pulling her upright.

— There is no need. I can do it myself — [Reader] muttered, making a few test slides forward. She felt her legs falling apart.

— Is that so? — Childe laughed.

The moonlight illuminated only part of his face but even without it she would have guessed he was smiling. He loved teasing her.

Before she knew it, he grabbed both of her hands. He started driving backwards without looking back. He pulled her along. She moved with him at dizzying speed. The cold wind whipped her face but there was something exciting about it all. Over time, she began to move her legs on her own. The metal skids glided smoothly across the surface. For a moment, she broke away from all the problems that were weighing on her. She looked at her lover. He was now gliding alone, right in front of her. In the past, Ajax was more afraid of this surface than she was. Dark water looming beneath. Places where the ice was thinner. He used to walk on it carefully. Like his father. But that has passed. Now he was no longer afraid of anyone or anything. He said he liked coming to this place. It allowed him to remember that. She loved it too but for a completely different reason. It reminded her of their first meetings.

At some point she felt that the burden on her neck that always accompanied her was lifted. The matryoshka broke from the strap and rolled across the lake. Before she could go back for it, a fox crossed her path. Silvery, in the night light, caught it in his mouth. He started running away with it towards the forest. She tried to catch up to him but in vain.

Suddenly she heard a whistle right next to her ear. The animal fell motionless. There was an arrow sticking out of his side. One but accurate. She glanced at Childe. She was angry, although she didn't really know why. She knelt down next to the fox and took the property.

— You didn't have to do that. — She couldn't hide the reproach in her voice.

— Would you rather have it ran away? — asked the surprised boy.

She didn't want to admit it out loud but she probably did. One more death before her eyes. Even if it was just an animal, she didn't want to see it.

— Since when have you been shooting a bow, anyway? — [Reader] saw him try a long time ago. He failed every time, so he quickly stopped.

— No weapon is a challenge for me anymore. I want to try with a bow because I'm the worst at it. Then my winnings will make sense. — He stroked his arm.

— You treat it all like a game, Childe. — These words sounded hollow in his ears.

Because that's what fighting means to me, he wanted to answer. Ultimately, however, he bit his tongue. She didn't like it when he mentioned it. He had no intention of ruining this night.

— Come on. — He brushed a strand of hair from her face. — Sorry. Next time I will ask whether to let the thief get away.

He was relieved to see her smiling slightly. The joke might have been stupid but as long as it made her laugh, it was worth it. Nothing has changed in this regard over the years.

He kissed her. She relaxed, pulling him closer to her. In moments like these, he felt like everything was simpler. Problems seemed to disappear and the world seemed to shrink to just the two of them. To the touch of her lips. To making her heart beat faster. To cheeks pink from frost. To the light dancing on her face. He wanted to remember this sight. Engrave it in his memory so that he could return to it on cold nights, when memories of the Abyss filled his sleepless hours.

— I have to ask you something, or it won't leave me alone — [Reader] began, breaking away from him. Do you remember when I was a child and I asked if you would help me if... if I wanted to overthrow my mother?

— I promised you this. — Childe nodded.

— I need to know if you still stand by that answer. — He knew this question was important.

She had seemed different for a few days. Nervous. He didn't think the others would notice. Even Tsaritsa. She didn't care enough about her daughter to get to know her well. But he knew. Over time, he learned to sense her moods. He saw through her better than everyone else and he was proud of it. He knew she trusted him. There was no one else who was this close in her life.

— I haven't changed my mind, [Reader]. — The boy squeezed her hand gently.

— Then I have a task for you. Maybe it won't be your dream position as a general in putting worms on fishing rods but...

— I'm all ears. — He smiled.

***

— I hereby find [Reader], my daughter, guilty of the crime and sentence her to death!

The girl looked into the eyes of the woman who had played her mother all her life. She was hopeless but she tried sometimes. Did she feel even a little sorry for her? If so, she didn't show it. Apparently the daughter reminded her too much of her past loss. Steel-gray irises stared intensely at their future victim. Cold, uncaring and proud, the goddess stood before her throne of ice. Her flawlessly fair, milky white skin touched the blade. She sharpened the sword with her own hands. A drop of blood dripped to the ground as soon as it touched the tip.

— What's the point of this whole show? — [Reader] asked.

She knew the answer to that question. She just wanted to stay in this world for a while. Even if the person who would extend this stay was to be the most hated in her entire life.

Laughter filled the air. Delicate as snow fluff and frosty as Snezhnaya. No one in the chamber dared to utter the slightest sound. Everyone froze.

— You know why, darling. — The words were so warm that she could almost imagine her as a kind mother. — To show what I do with traitors — she told the crowd.

Everyone who had any influence in the country gathered here, although none of them had the illusion that they had real power. They served their Tsaritsa. Only her. Until the end of their days, which were to come soon. When the queen's plan succeeds, there will be no one left in Teyvat.

She allowed herself to look towards Fatui. Ajax stood among them in a perfectly straight line. His red hair was disheveled. His face was covered with a mask as red as blood. He looked straight ahead. Not on her. She was happy about it. If he turned his gaze to her, she might not be able to bear it. And she had a duty to anyone who joined the rebellion. She had to die with dignity so that their spirit would not be broken. Otherwise, all her hard work will be in vain. She couldn't let this happen.

At least he was saved. He will survive until better times. He will have a chance to continue everything she started. Fight against all the injustice that happened to them.

Tsaritsa gracefully stepped down from the dais. With each step, [Reader] felt more and more cold. She couldn't stop her teeth from chattering. The shackles on her hands were covered with frost. Her fingers were fading at an alarming rate. The breath turned to steam. She no longer had the strength to be afraid. The fear evaporated as her entire body seemed to stiffen.

— She'll come here. You know about it. — The girl raised her head proudly. She knew that in a moment she wouldn't even be able to move it. She had watched her mother's executions too many times to have no idea what was coming. — Lumine was in Mondstadt, Liyue, Inazuma, Sumeru, Fontaine, and Natlan. Only you are left. I sent a letter. She will come for you. And then we will all be free…— Her mother touched her lips with her hand. She couldn't move it anymore. She knew she wouldn't say another word from then on. Never.

— You think you're smart. That your death makes sense, the queen said in a calm voice. — It's quite the opposite. You could have it all. Stay here with me. Watching the end of Teyvat. Watch me get rid of all the evil that consumes this world. Instead, you chose a fight that you lost from the very beginning. Do you know why you're not standing in my place right now? Because I don't trust anything or anyone. You made a basic mistake. — She slowly raised the sword above her head. It seemed to weigh nothing in her hands. — Tartaglia, come forward!

Her lover stepped forward.

— You owe your premature death to him. My loyal Eleventh. She smiled at him. — You are an example, [Reader]. If the traitors stay quiet, I will let them live to see the end of everything.

The condemned woman felt a tear gathering in the corner of her eye. But it didn't matter. It froze before it could run down her cheek.

What she wouldn't give to know his thoughts now. Why did he do it? Did he have no choice? Maybe he was protecting his family? He loved them so much. Tonia, Anthon, Teucer and his old, tired parents. Maybe it was just a bluff? The only way to protect people before help arrives? Her life in exchange for everyone who helped her. Maybe it was a price that had to be sacrificed…

Behind the mask, however, she saw the glow of eyes. The blue and strangely dead ones. So familiar, yet different, since he disappeared for three days one winter. As if there was something else lurking there. She knew he had fallen into the Abyss. He never told her about it. A few days ago, she came across ancient books and reports. She read them behind her mother's back. She didn't have time to ask about it. Now she will never know. But what if he did it of his own free will?

She didn't feel the moment the blade touched her skin. The cold killed her faster.

The head rolled a little and became still. The eyes froze, fixed on one point. Tsaritsa turned around. She threw the sword to the floor. She won't need it anymore. Soon everything she's always wanted will come true. The blood solidified immediately. She looked dissatisfied at the spots on her snow-white dress. She walked away towards the door. She didn't turn around once. Now she could only look ahead.

Everyone left the room in deathly silence. Everyone except Childe.

The boy knelt on the floor. There was a matryoshka doll lying on the ice surface. The same one he gave her years ago. He smiled, taking out the dolls one by one. Many faces. He put them all in his pocket and moved forward.

#childe x reader #tartaglia x reader #ajax x reader #genshin impact x reader #oneshot x reader #tsaritsa #teucer #pulcinella #fatui harbingers #friends to lovers

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linkemon · 13 days

Text

Anagapesis (Getō Suguru x Reader)

Other oneshots can be found here.

ᴀ ʟᴏᴏᴋ ᴀᴛ ꜱᴜɢᴜʀᴜ'ꜱ ᴛʜᴏᴜɢʜᴛꜱ ᴛʜʀᴏᴜɢʜᴏᴜᴛ ᴛʜᴇ ᴠᴀʀɪᴏᴜꜱ ꜱᴛᴀɢᴇꜱ ᴏꜰ ʜɪꜱ ᴛɪᴍᴇ ᴀᴛ ᴊᴜᴊᴜᴛꜱᴜ ʜɪɢʜ, ʜᴏᴡ ʜɪꜱ ᴡᴏʀʟᴅᴠɪᴇᴡ ᴄʜᴀɴɢᴇᴅ ᴀɴᴅ ᴡʜᴀᴛ ʟᴇᴅ ᴛᴏ ɪᴛ.

ɴᴏᴛᴇꜱ:

ᴀᴅᴅɪᴛɪᴏɴᴀʟ ɪɴꜰᴏʀᴍᴀᴛɪᴏɴ:

ᴏɴᴇꜱʜᴏᴛ ᴄᴏɴᴛᴀɪɴꜱ ꜱᴘᴏɪʟᴇʀꜱ ꜰʀᴏᴍ ᴛʜᴇ ꜱᴇᴄᴏɴᴅ ꜱᴇᴀꜱᴏɴ ᴀɴᴅ ᴍᴀɴɢᴀ ᴠᴏʟᴜᴍᴇꜱ ᴀʙᴏᴜᴛ ɢᴏᴊᴏ'ꜱ ʏᴏᴜᴛʜ.

ɢᴇᴛᴀ ᴀʀᴇ ᴛʀᴀᴅɪᴛɪᴏɴᴀʟ ᴡᴏᴏᴅᴇɴ ꜱʜᴏᴇꜱ ᴡᴏʀɴ ᴡɪᴛʜ ʏᴜᴋᴀᴛᴀ.

"Love is the most twisted curse of all."

Gojō Satoru

— Happy birthday, [Reader].

The girl turned around, tilting her head in a way that made it clear that she was surprised by his wishes.

Suguru looked around the open corridor. Silence, broken only by the chirping of crickets and the occasional song of night birds. Darkness, illuminated by the glow of the few lanterns permanently lit next to the most important buildings. The red of the columns reflected a familiar colour against its background. At this time of night, most of Jujutsu High was fast asleep. Although, who knows, maybe Gojō would be on his feet at this time. You never knew with him friend.

Today, Suguru was an exception among the dormant crowd. He had been gone a whole week since he went on a solo mission to get rid of one of the curses. He was lucky to catch the last bus at this ungodly hour. All this to be on time. For [Reader's] birthday.

— Thank you, Suguru. I had it on the calendar, but… — The unfinished sentence hung in the air.

— You have forgotten. — he finished.

The teenager nodded.

— Shōko and Satoru bought me a cake and some trinkets. Honestly, it could be anything. Not that I remember what present anyone gave me last time — she sighed. — I still have half a piece. — She pushed him a plate.

— Satoru didn't eat all of it? — he mocked.

— I managed to save some.

The boy accepted the cake. She had been giving him sweets in bulk ever since he told her about what he thought curses tasted like. His technique was to eat evil. It was hard to describe. It's a bit like eating a rag that someone scooped up vomit with, or like someone stuffed slime into his mouth. The mud seemed to want to flow out of him every time. But he always stubbornly swallowed them. He couldn't get used to it. No matter how many times he did it, there was always an aftertaste. A bitter, vomit-inducing stench that no one else could smell. It was impossible to get rid of it. The piece of cake he was eating now wouldn't be able to kill it. But it wasn't about its earthy sweet taste. It was more about who it came from. The mere fact that [Reader] won another piece for him from the voracious Gojō was nice. This act alone soothed the disgust of the curses he had to eat today, more so than the sweetness.

— I have something for you. — He pulled out a wrapped diary from behind his back. — I saw you were running out of space in your notebook, so I bought a new one.

— Thank you. — She smiled, tearing off the paper and flipping through the gift.

It was always a good choice. The amount of things she wrote down increased day by day. He wished she could at least put them in something that looked nice since she was running around with a notebook everywhere. He covered it with stickers and asked his friends to sign it. Let at least this one be different from the rest. A little livelier. More colourful. With happy sides.

— You're not happy — he stated.

— Don't get me wrong, Suguru. It's a very nice gift. I just... sometimes I wish I didn't need it at all. — There was a note of melancholy in her voice.

Recently she forgot all her previous birthdays along with the date. Her technique was powerful. However, with high power came a high price. The more important things in her life she forgot, the more cursed energy she had at her disposal.

Of course, she could still celebrate her birthday. She had its date at hand. She wrote down the previous events a long time ago so as not to forget. However, reading even your own thoughts and memories was a bit like listening to yourself trying to convince you that you are right even though you think otherwise. She once described it as like watching herself in photo from childhood. You have the idea that it's you but you still feel like it's a different person.

— I know you're sorry but you did what was right. You saved someone's life. I'm sure if these people knew how you helped them, they would be very grateful to you. — He grabbed her hand.

The hand was unusually warm. Especially in the cool night air.

This family will probably never know that they came close to one of the most cruel deaths. They probably saw something completely different. Like most ordinary people who rarely saw the true nature of curses.

It once occurred to Getō that if he were in her position, he might want to quit. However, the girl hotly denied it. There were so few jujutsu sorcerers. Everyone was worth their weight in gold. She believed she was born with this gift for a purpose. Especially since she didn't come from any of the big families. Someone had to help people who couldn't defend themselves.

— You're right. Thank you again for the gift. I'll definitely find it useful. It's time to make a new list because I'm almost at the end of the previous one. — She put her head on his shoulder.

[Reader] yawned long and closed her eyes. The glow of the lantern danced in her hair. He heard her steady breathing.

— Put me in — said the boy.

— Huh?! — The girl raised her head in surprise. — You know I would never do that, so I don't know why we're even talking about it.

— If you are ever in need — he saw she was about to interrupt him so he gently placed his finger on her lips, silencing her — I want to be on that list just in case.

He was important in her life. Or at least that's what he wanted to believe. Enough that sacrificing her memories of him could one day help her gain a huge amount of controlled cursed energy.

The list was kind of a preparation. A list of what a high school student could sacrifice if necessary while fighting curses. The piles of scratched paper in her dorm room were a testament to how she evaluated everything in her life. She had to constantly determine what knowledge or memories were important to her and whether she could devote herself to them. And after everything, she crossed them off the list, only to come back to them in the form of notes.

— This could save your life someday. And even if you forget me... I will always be there to remind you of myself. You won't get rid of me that easily — he laughed.

— You'll never be on that list, Suguru. She looked deep into his eyes. — There are many things I can sacrifice but not you.

He didn't answer. On one hand, it wasn't the declaration he wanted to hear but on the other, it evoked a nice feeling. He just squeezed her hand tighter, staring straight ahead. The sweet taste of the cake was still fresh in his mind, even though he had long since finished eating a piece.

Birthday

***

— This is not training! — [Reader] protested. — Yaga-sensei will murder us.

She laid between Getō's legs. She didn't seem dissatisfied with their current situation at all. The boy thought she was just complaining. She had to. As a matter of principle.

— What are we doing? — Suguru asked teasingly.

— Flying — the girl replied.

— On what?

— On the Rainbow Dragon… — she replied, still unsure of where this exchange was heading.

— So we're flying on a curse. We're training — Getō concluded, amused.

He had had enough fighting for today. The exchange of blows was exhausting. Especially since he couldn't use cursed energy. Otherwise, the opponent wouldn't get much out of it except a stay in the hospital. She had to save her memories for the missions. So, in high school, all she could do was learn hand-to-hand combat. No special techniques, just the simplest ones. For a long time, she had been practicing fighting curses only in the field.

— We'll come back if you want it so badly but you don't look unhappy — Suguru said.

The dragon gave him a quick glance. Bulging eyes stared in anticipation. The most powerful curse in his arsenal wasn't very intelligent but it could understand that much. It wanted to know if it should turn back. Its mustache fluttered in the cool air.

— I don't feel like it — [Reader] said. — Maybe I'll just blame it on you once we're down.

The corners of Getō's mouth twitched upwards. He only nodded. Let her have it. They always got up for training when it was still dark. They still had a little time before sunrise. Maybe Yaga-sensei won't come to check if they're actually practicing. After all, the forests surrounding the jujutsu high school were still surrounded by darkness. Shades of navy blue and gray danced around, making teachers not want to leave their comfortable beds.

— Hold on. It's a bribe — she said, handing him a lollipop.

It was one of those big, tacky looking ones. A huge red heart let him know that she must have bought it in her hometown. They loved such stall things there. It was a custom among sorcerers to bring souvenirs and sweets from distant places, where they often had to spend a lot of time.

He accepted the sweetness. The taste seemed to melt on the tongue. Or maybe he just convinced himself that. After all, could this actually wash the vomit and the smell of shit off his tongue? He knew it didn't but he could always pretend.

Exorcise and absorb. Exorcise and absorb. Exorcise and absorb… And so on. He had been doing this for so long that over time he stopped remembering times when he hadn't done it. Moments when there was no dirt.

— I had an argument with my grandparents. — [Reader]'s head turned slightly in his lap.

It was an unexpected change of topic. However, he felt that something had been wrong for several days. When she returned after the weekend off, she didn't look happy. She went to her hometown because of obon. All Souls' Days were usually a busy time for jujutsu sorcerers but students visited homes whenever possible. As long as they had them and this was no different.

— I thought you were getting along well. What was it about? Suguru asked.

— We were sitting at the table. The grandparents built an altar for the parents. You know how it is on obon. They became sentimental and started remembering old stories. I didn't expect this. Some time ago I read the notebook but not that deeply. They were angry that I didn't remember them. They said some unpleasant words. After dinner everything returned to normal. At least on the outside... but I guess it's still there inside me. Do you think I did the right thing?

Getō knew perfectly well what thinking was behind [Reader] sacrificing the memory of her parents. Of course they were important to her but it was difficult to find something valuable to sacrifice in exchange for using the technique in a very powerful form. The girl assumed that since a lot of time had passed since their death, she would not need these memories that much. When the choice was to die by the curse or live and forget, the second choice seemed better.

— It's not your fault. They will simply never understand us. I'm sure that if they knew that thanks to this you were saving other people's lives and your own, they would never say such a thing. Of course I'm not trying to justify them but we also have to try to look at it from a different perspective.

Suguru had never before considered how wide the gap was between their world and the world of ordinary people. Involuntarily he thought about his parents. He visited them very rarely. They also had no idea who he was. To them, he only went to one of the many high schools in Tokyo. If he tried to tell them the truth one day, would they understand? Of course, he knew perfectly well that this would never happen. No one up would allow this. They couldn't see the curses but this hypothetical question began to bother him. Would [Reader's] grandparents believe her? Would his mother and father think he was weird? Would they be able to understand the important work they do? Would they hear any words of thanks? He couldn't find the answer.

— You're probably right. Next time I will read more about my parents and there will be no problem...

Getō involuntarily started stroking her hair. There was something calming about it. Her closeness seemed to dispel the confusion that had formed in his mind. Why was he even thinking about such things? This world was set up like this a long time ago. There was no point in nitpicking any further.

Parents

***

Getō wasn't sure at first whether celebrating the summer festival in conjunction with the mission was a good idea. Until he saw the joy on [Reader's] face. Exorcising curses was never fun but this time it was especially tiring. The ones they encountered should have been of a much lower class. The initial interview did not predict everything. So when they finally finished, they were exhausted. Suguru's idea of rest was to sleep all day long but Shōko and Satoru dug out information about the festival together and that was it.

So now he stood outside one of the booths, watching the girl buy a supply of dango sticks. The voice of the seller praising sweets came to him as if from a distance. Could he blame himself anyway? Even though she was tired, she looked beautiful. Dressed in a flowing yukata, which Ieri helped her put on because, as she admitted, she had sacrificed this rarely useful knowledge some time ago. Getō sincerely hoped that she was dressed up like that mainly because of him. Maybe he didn't try to dress so formally but he brought a white, ironed shirt with him especially for this occasion. If only his other two friends would stop significantly nudging him about this, it would be wonderful.

— Hold on! — She pressed three sticks into his hand.

— The rest wanted too? — he asked, looking at the dango.

He hadn't seen Satoru and Shōko for some time. He suspected they hid somewhere to give them some privacy.

— NO. I bought them for you. - She took her portion furiously.

He smiled to himself. Yeah. It was her way of fighting his bitter taste of curses. Apparently she figured that if she increased the amount, she would somehow be able to kill the stench from today. He already knew that, as always, she was wrong and that it wouldn't help but he tried anyway.

He offered her his arm. Walking in geta required balance. Judging by the hard day, he felt that the girl wouldn't last long in them anyway. Together they went into the crowd of people in search of more booths and stands. The way was lit by colourful lanterns, casting a dull light on the faces of the guests passing them.

— One more time, Suguru. — She tugged on his shirt sleeve as they tried to catch fish with a paper pole for the third time.

Yeah. Good old sales techniques of not wanting to lose.

— Maybe that's enough? Do you want to go bankrupt? — He rubbed his temple.

Koi fish lazily bubbled beneath the surface of the small pool. As if mocking failure.

— I thought you were the one paying — [Reader] groaned, finally giving up on the fun.

However, she didn't seem concerned. It was time for the fireworks show. They wanted to get good seats. The hill still seemed relatively unpopulated. They had a view of the beautiful, clear night sky. The air smelled of summer.

— We have great friends, no questions... It was their idea and they ignored us — the girl complained, sitting on the grass.

The boy didn't comment on it. He felt that [Reader] knew why they did it after all.

— I'm exhausted…

— I told you to put on normal shoes — Getō sighed. — I'm not carrying you on a piggyback ride all the way back.

He would do it. He knew full well that he would be ready to carry her back to the hotel with her funny geta in his teeth if he had to.

— No... I'm exhausted from all this cursing today — the girl said.

— Have you ever wondered what would happen if you didn't have to? Suguru asked suddenly.

— What do you mean? — She glanced at him sideways.

— If you didn't have to save anyone and use your technique.

It had been on his mind for some time. Exactly since the day Riko died. She died for nothing. Toji got rid of her in front of him. One bullet to the head was enough and it was over. Why did it hit him so hard? He had only known her for a few days. Other than that, in the end, the barrier stayed in place. The next vessel was prepared a long time ago, so everything ended happily.

What exactly did they need all this for? What if their problems could be easily solved? Why would someone with more power subordinate his life to those who lived in careless ignorance? It seemed to him that everyone was sitting around and pretending to be stupid. There were so many solutions to get rid of the problem, which they kind of created themselves by hiding. Ordinary people were starting to look a bit like monkeys in his eyes. Locked in a cage of ignorance. Silly. Only suitable for certain activities. The primitive ones. When did his worldview change so much?

— Who would save ordinary people if I wasn't there? — [Reader] asked.

— What if they weren't there? — he continued.

— You mean if we were all jujutsu sorcerers or no one was able to wield cursed energy?

If average people didn't exist on this earth. If only the jujutsu sorcerers were left there. That's what he wanted to say. However, he could already see the lack of understanding in her eyes. No one shared his dilemma on this matter. She was the only one he had any hope of understanding. Because of her gift. Now he knew he was wrong.

— Never mind. I guess I'm tired. — He waved his hand dismissively.

— Hmmm...

— You better tell me what you forgot about today — he changed the topic, not wanting to think about it any longer.

Those were considerations for another time. Not until the fireworks were being prepared to go off and more and more people were gathering around.

— I won't sayyy...

— You always say that. What do I have to do to change your mind? — Getō looked at her curiously.

— You'll laugh — she said shortly.

— You wound me. — Suguru theatrically placed his hand over his heart. — Have I ever actually laughed?

— Should I count? — [Reader] raised an eyebrow.

Maybe he actually laughed a few times. However, it wasn't that often. Or so he thought...

— I promise I won't.

— I sacrificed my first kiss...

He didn't let her finish.

— Are you telling me that that curse was defeated by the power of your youthful love? — Getō could barely contain himself from laughing.

— That's why I didn't want to tell you! — I knew you'd make fun of me. — She hit him with a wooden geta. — He was a very nice boy from primary school. Unlike you!

Or at least that's what the notes in the notebook said. Not that she could ever recall in her mind exactly what it was like. The whole set of emotions associated with it were sort of buried when she obtained a huge ball of cursed energy to exorcise the curse.

— Why do you compare me to him? — Suguru tilted his head. — We haven't kissed yet.

These words caused exactly the reaction he expected. Maybe even a little better. Momentary surprise. Excitement. Desire. Twinkling sparks, which, as it turned out seconds later, were the reflection of colourful fireworks that rose into the air. Has the summer air always been this hot? He felt [Reader]'s breath the moment she grabbed him by the collar of his snow-white shirt, which he now silently thanked himself for. She pulled him towards her. Their noses collided but it didn't matter anymore. The loud noise of gunshots seemed to come from a distance. The only thing that mattered was soft lips. He took her face in his hands and deepened the kiss. She was sweet. Tasted dango.

They moved away from each other slightly. Thousands of lights were just flashing against the dark sky. Gold mixed with red and green. The subsequent explosions were larger than the previous ones.

— Does this mean I'm your new first kiss? — He smiled, straightening his shirt.

— You're insufferable, Suguru — [Reader] said.

But then she kissed him again.

First kiss

***

Suguru slid completely down the side of the building. With the last of his strength he held the stump of his right arm. Not that it matters. If he doesn't bleed out, Satoru will be done with him. He didn't know what was better for him. He told him everything he wanted. It wasn't much. He handed over his student's ID. It was the least he could do. No matter how you look at it, Okkotsu Yūta was a good jujutsu sorcerer. Regardless of the circumstances, he was glad that the youth was so strong. It's just a pity that he won't be able to take over Rika. With such a great curse on his side, he could fix society. Change the world. Get rid of the monkeys. It's a sad necessity but who else could do it but him? They could live in perfect harmony. If only he could...

The sun was setting below the horizon. The last of his strength seemed to hang over him. In red colour. Like the blood dripping helplessly onto his clothes. The darkness of the coming evening seemed to blur all shapes around. Or maybe his eyesight was just getting worse? He wasn't sure. Yet the shadow of [Reader] was clear. She stood over him. He finally wanted to go blind. To not see that look. Full of sadness. Filled with anger. And above all, betrayal.

— Back in the village... I thought it was a mistake. Suguru would never do that. That's what I kept telling myself… — she began.

She meant monkeys. The same ones that attacked Mimiko and Nanako. Just because they could do more than them. For skills beyond their perception. He felt no regrets. He did what had to be done. The two of them were worth more than the one hundred and twelve stupid creatures that tormented them. Even more important than his parents. Unaware of nothing like the rest. They were a sacrifice he was willing to make. There could be no exceptions.

— When Shōko and Satoru told me about your meeting, I didn't want to believe it was you either...

They saw each other in Shinjuku. When he revealed to them what he was going to do. In fact, now that he thought about it, he didn't know why he did it then. It did him no good. He partially revealed his plans. Maybe it's part of his mania for grandeur. Did he just want others around him to know that he was the one who would save the jujutsu sorcerers? NO. After all, he was doing it for all of them. He was just the one who did the dirty work.

— Even when we last saw each other, I thought I could turn you away from this path.

He actually knew why he told them his plans. Somewhere deep down he hoped. [Reader] seemed to think she can change him. And him, that he can convince her. Make his point. That she will see clearly and realize that he is right. That it is not worth sacrificing your life and memories to save ungrateful monkeys. They will never thank her because they don't understand the world they live in. One day she will die somewhere in a pool of blood, not remembering anyone or anything. And ordinary people will still produce curses for jujutsu sorcerers to fight against. In a senseless crusade. Without end. Because there was no one to put an end to it.

He failed. Everyone was so stubborn. They had the truth in front of them but they didn't want to see it.

— Back then… before… I really loved you, Suguru. — She looked at him with eyes full of tears.

— I love you too, [Reader]… — he said, his voice much quieter than he wanted.

What if everything had turned out differently? If Riko hadn't died that day. If he hadn't met Tsukumo. If he hadn't lost Haibara. He didn't save the girls. He didn't leave high school. He didn't try to get Rika... If he could turn back time, he would do it again. Even if in a different way. But maybe there was a life somewhere where he would stand next to her. Where he could avoid those tears. Clenched teeth. The taste of all those curses on your tongue.

With his bleeding hand, he took a candy from his coat pocket and put it into his mouth. He couldn't taste the sweet taste. Bitter mud rose above it. No wonder. After all the curses he had recently absorbed and released, it couldn't be otherwise. He didn't think anything could change him. How miserably he clung to his old habits. It was one of those things that lost him. And even now he couldn't shake it off.

— That night in high school… you said I could put you on the list. — I didn't think this day would ever come. — She smiled melancholy.

What he wouldn't give to take back his words. He wasn't ready to be forgotten. Not by her. He won't be here soon. He won't remind her who he is. He will be reduced to notes. Up to a few, maybe a dozen or so sheets of paper in old notebooks. To some photos. Assuming she didn't destroy anything. That his name wasn't crossed out and the ink in the photos won't be smudged by tears.

— [Reader]… — his breathing was getting shallower — curse me a little. — He smiled with the last of his strength.

Maybe he could stay here anyway. Satoru once told him that there is no curse in this world as twisted as love.

He saw the glow of her technique in her eyes. He couldn't forget it after all these years. When she opened eyes, they were still full of undried tears. She turned her head directly towards him. Immediately after, she read something on a small piece of paper in her hand. She probably needed to give herself instructions on what she should do with him. Had she even erased their current conversation from her mind? He still managed to notice that it was a page from the notebook he bought her for her birthday all those years ago. Colourful. Underlined many times. How ironic.

The man sighed for the last time. There was pure indifference in those eyes. He found that it hurt more than the cursed energy that shot through his body in that second. He still felt the bitter taste of curses on his tongue. Why wasn't the candy sweet when she crossed him off her list?

Getō Suguru

#suguru geto x reader #jujutsu kaisen x reader #jujutsu kaisen 0 #gojo satoru #shoko ieiri #spoilers #oneshot x reader #geto x reader

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linkemon · 13 days

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Imponderabilia (Ciel Phantomhive x Reader)

Other oneshots can be found here.

ᴀ ᴛʏᴘɪᴄᴀʟ ᴍᴏʀɴɪɴɢ ᴀᴛ ᴛʜᴇ ᴘʜᴀɴᴛᴏᴍʜɪᴠᴇ ᴍᴀɴᴏʀ. ɢʀᴜᴍᴘʏ ᴄɪᴇʟ, ᴅᴇꜱꜱᴇʀᴛ ʙᴇꜰᴏʀᴇ ᴅɪɴɴᴇʀ ᴀɴᴅ ɪʀʀᴇꜱᴘᴏɴꜱɪʙʟᴇ ᴇᴍᴘʟᴏʏᴇᴇꜱ. ᴀʟʟ ᴡᴀᴛᴇʀᴇᴅ ᴡɪᴛʜ ᴀ ᴘᴏᴛ ᴏꜰ ᴛᴇᴀ…

ɴᴏᴛᴇꜱ: ᴀᴅᴅɪᴛɪᴏɴᴀʟ ɪɴꜰᴏʀᴍᴀᴛɪᴏɴ:

— Good morning, my lord! — [Reader] opened the door.

The view was the same as almost every day. The young lord was sitting in a navy blue, plush armchair and looking through the morning newspaper. He didn't take his eyes off it. He knew she would come. She was punctual. The same couldn't be said about the rest of the residence's staff.

— How are we feeling in the morning?

— Fine — Ciel replied quietly.

For him, it was an extremely elaborate statement. If Sebastian asked him about it, he usually told him to mind his own business. And when the other inhabitants of the estate did this, he preferred not to say anything because they began to get so happy that they would not leave him in peace for the rest of the day.

The girl grabbed the porcelain teapot and started making tea. The amber liquid sparkled in the decorated cup. The girl placed the saucer on a small table.

Phantomhive waited a moment to hear the sound of the door closing but to his surprise he didn't hear it. He looked at the maid. She stood with her back to him, leaning over the silver tray. When she started to turn away, he hid his head behind the printed pages, pretending to be reading.

A plate appeared next to him. An elegant plate full of cookies.

— It's too early for dessert — he said.

— Nonsense! — [Reader] rolled her eyes. — Sebastian is the one who keeps saying things like that. However, I think there is nothing wrong with sweets before dinner. Occasionally.

Ciel looked at the dessert. The baked goods looked average. Crispy, with chocolate pieces. However, their scent tickled his nostrils pleasantly. He felt his mouth water at the thought of tasting them.

— Did you make them today? — The question hung in the air, even though he knew the answer.

— I got up a little earlier. The lord had a hard day yesterday so I thought it would cheer him up. — She smiled.

The boy felt strange for a moment. He knew how much she had to do every day. She woke up long before him to take care of his house. In addition, she also had to correct the mistakes of Baldroy, Mey-Lin and Finnian. Tanaka wasn't that harmful but then again he wasn't very helpful either. Sebastian could arrange everything but she didn't like asking him for help. They tended to stay out of each other's way. Especially since the demon has been getting other tasks lately. Someone finally had to investigate in the queen's name.

And yet the maid denied herself the sleep to make these cookies for him. He felt a tightness somewhere around his heart but he decided to dismiss the ridiculous thought. Nobody cared about him. She did it because it was her job.

— You can take them. — His words were cold. So contrasting to how he felt inside.

— The lord won't eat even one? — She raised an eyebrow.

He shook his head.

For a moment the room was filled with silence. She was interrupted by footsteps. Suddenly, the newspaper paragraph was replaced by a girl's hand and a plate.

— Let's play a game. — That caught his attention. He became even more angry with himself. She knew him that well. — Please, taste them, my lord. If you don't like it, I'll leave the residence. Otherwise, I'll bake them whenever I want and you will always have to eat them.

— How do you know I won't lie? — He reached for the cookie.

— I'll take the risk. — The corner of her mouth turned up.

Ciel took a bite. He expected something extraordinary. Sophisticated taste. Secret spice. Amazing texture. None of these things! They were normal. As average as they looked.

As he took another bite, he had an epiphany. He was tricked like a little child. It wasn't about confectionery skills at all. He lost because he expected to fight on a completely different front than the one on which it actually took place.

— They're virulent — he growled.

— I knew it'll be like this. — Her smugness seemed to light up the entire room. For a moment he thought that she looked really nice in the bright light. The glow reflected in her eyes, reminding him of the radiant sun just outside the window. What was he even thinking about?

— Really? — He gritted his teeth.

— You like me too much to throw me out — she said.

She hit the nail on the head.

He felt a blush rising to his pale cheeks. For the first time in a long time, he was lost for words. Ever since she started working here, she had done and said things that made his heart beat faster. She was annoying. At the same time, he didn't want her to stop. He was stuck in a vicious circle and somehow he was in no hurry to change the whole situation. Yet he could fire her at any time.

He couldn't stand her smug expression as she headed towards the exit. He hated losing.

— Play chess with me.

— Chess? — she asked.

— Yes. How many times do I have to repeat? — he sighed irritably.

He placed the pieces in the starting position. If she thought she could just leave after all this, she was sorely mistaken.

[Reader] sat down hesitantly in the chair in front of him. He was pleased to see her slight confusion. She didn't expect this.

The game was going his way. However, he had to admit that his opponent was quite a challenge. The girl thought logically much better than he expected. Once she even managed to trap him in a bad situation. It took him a few moves to realize the trap. However, he managed to recover and was on the way to victory.

Chess was much simpler than life. They had clear and explicit rules. They rewarded the better and punished the worse. Only those who deserved it felt the taste of defeat. Completely different than in reality. A place where nothing was black and white, only shades of gray. Just like their strange relationship.

He moved the knight.

— [Readerrr]! — The door to the room opened with a bang.

Mei-Lin ran through the doorway. Red hair flowed behind her as she crossed the distance between them. Her glasses fell off her nose. She hurriedly picked them up from the floor. Even the carpet couldn't save them. One glass cracked, creating an ugly spiderweb on the surface.

— Oh my, my, my!

— What is it this time? — You could hear the tiredness in [Reader's] voice. The head of the Phantomhive family had no doubt that she had been through this hundreds of times, just as he had before Sebastian showed up. — Garden? — She got a shake of her head. — Living room? — Same answer again. — So the kitchen… — [Reader] said. She didn't have to look at her co-worker to know she had nailed it. — It was very nice to play... — She was about to get up when the young master's hand gesture stopped her.

— We're not done yet — Ciel said.

— Ah, but... the kitchen! — Mei-Lin said.

— Find Sebastian. He will take care of it. — The lord moved his rook, thus indicating that he considered the conversation to be over.

— But I don't know where he is — the maid whined helplessly.

Phantomhive took a deep breath. Sometimes he really wondered why he kept all these people here. Maybe he should hire someone new? He exhaled slowly through his nose.

— You worked with him in the living room today, so start in the living room. And if it's not there, keep looking until you find it. Have I made myself clear?

— Y-yes, of course! — The woman ran out, stumbling.

Maybe he was doing something stupid. After all, the kitchen was on fire. He shook his head slightly. Everything in the mansion burned down at least once a week, so it didn't really matter. Besides, why did he have his one hell of butler?

Ciel looked around the board, studying his options. It was basically a formality now but he still waited for her next move. However, only soft snoring answered him. He looked up from the black and white board. [Reader] rested her head against the plush headrest of the chair. Closed eyes and a steadily rising chest could only mean one thing. She fell asleep. How did sleep overwhelm her so quickly? He had no idea. She must have been really tired. She had been helping him with his documents at night for the last week. However, he didn't think it would bother her so much.

He almost woke her up but then stopped himself. He brushed away a strand of hair that had escaped from her updo, then reached for the blanket lying on the backrest and covered the girl with it.

— Maybe I really like you too much...

He quietly moved towards the door and closed it.

#ciel phantomhive x reader #kuroshitsuji x reader #black butler x reader #oneshot x reader #ciel phantomhive #sebastian michaelis #mey rin

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linkemon · 13 days

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You're in the wind, I'm in the water (Dan Heng x Reader)

Other oneshots can be found here.

ᴅᴀɴ ꜰᴇɴɢ ᴡᴀꜱ ᴡᴀᴛᴇʀ, ᴅᴀɴ ʜᴇɴɢ ɪꜱ ᴡɪɴᴅ. ᴛʜᴇ ɢᴜꜱᴛ ᴏꜰ ᴡɪɴᴅ ꜱᴏᴍᴇᴛɪᴍᴇꜱ ᴛᴏᴜᴄʜᴇꜱ ᴛʜᴇ ʟᴀᴋᴇ ꜱᴜʀꜰᴀᴄᴇ, ʟᴏᴏᴋɪɴɢ ꜰᴏʀ ɪᴛꜱ ᴏᴡɴ ʀᴇꜰʟᴇᴄᴛɪᴏɴ. ᴊᴜꜱᴛ ʟɪᴋᴇ ᴅᴀɴ ʜᴇɴɢ ᴡʜᴏ ʀᴇᴀʟɪᴢᴇᴅ ᴛʜᴀᴛ ᴀʟᴛʜᴏᴜɢʜ ʜᴇ ᴡᴀɴᴛᴇᴅ ᴛᴏ ʀᴇᴊᴇᴄᴛ ʜɪꜱ ᴘʀᴇᴠɪᴏᴜꜱ ɪɴᴄᴀʀɴᴀᴛɪᴏɴ, ʜᴇ ʜᴀᴅ ꜱᴏᴍᴇᴛʜɪɴɢ ɪɴ ᴄᴏᴍᴍᴏɴ ᴡɪᴛʜ ʜɪᴍ. ᴛʜᴀᴛ ꜱᴏᴍᴇᴛʜɪɴɢ ᴡᴀꜱ [ʀᴇᴀᴅᴇʀ].

ᴀᴅᴅɪᴛɪᴏɴᴀʟ ɪɴꜰᴏʀᴍᴀᴛɪᴏɴ:

ᴏɴᴇꜱʜᴏᴛ ᴄᴏɴᴛᴀɪɴꜱ ꜱᴘᴏɪʟᴇʀꜱ ꜰᴏʀ ᴛʜᴇ ꜱᴛᴏʀʏ ᴇᴠᴇɴᴛꜱ ɪɴ xɪᴀɴᴢʜᴏᴜ ʟᴜᴏꜰᴜ.

Dan Heng felt as if the last few days had passed like a kaleidoscope. A colourful mirage of emotions he didn't want to feel. Events that took all his strength out of him. Memories that weren't his and yet they haunted him like the ghosts of the elders in the Scalegorge Waterscape.

Only now, sitting by one of the waterfalls, did he get the impression that he finally had a moment of peace, torn away by the clawed claws of an evil fate. The quiet sound of the water was nothing like the voices of the soldiers who had encountered the mara a few days ago.

It took him a long time to realize a simple fact — he chose a place where HE would come. A typical source of water from which he could draw strength. He smiled bitterly and turned his back. There was no point in running away from here. Even if the beauty surrounding him suddenly turned ugly, leaving an unpleasant aftertaste.

His stay in Xianzhou Luofu turned his life upside down. The past had long legs. He ran as hard as he could but in the end it was faster. It caught him in a place he didn't want to return to. He wished that the wind playing in the branches of the twisted trees would blow away all thoughts from his head. Especially the one he had doubts about.

[Reader]. She flooded his mind like a wave. He rejected his past. He drew a line between himself and Dan Feng. The title of Imbibitor Lunae was no longer his. He was sure Bailu would do just fine. She kept Luofu safe. He left all the residents in good hands. He told everyone his name was Dan Heng. Many still saw him as a previous incarnation. And even though it hurt like old wounds, he rejected their opinions. The express crew were his family and they didn't care about the sins of who he once was. Only their opinion mattered. At least that's what he thought.

Jing Yuan, although he wasn't like Blade, stuck to his previous name quite stubbornly. At least he was aware that the general was doing it out of habit, not out of pure hatred. Something he couldn't say about the old Yingxing. [Reader] was neither of them. She called him Dan Heng from the very beginning. Sometimes he wondered if they met after all of this, if she would still hold on to it. If she hadn't stood next to Sushang that day and met him first as an archivist, would she still have had reservations? Although he wasn't Dan Feng in her mouth, he was Dan Feng in her eyes. He had seen it in every conversation they had ever had since the truth came out and she managed to recognize him.

Her eyes traced the pointy ears and followed the emerald horns even when they weren't there. She involuntarily talked about the things that Dan Feng loved. She recalled the times when he was still next to her, becoming embarrassed rather quickly when she realized what she was doing. He would interrupt anyone else who was doing it. This double standard only existed with her and it was eating him from the inside.

Dan Heng bit his lip. He was like a gust that sometimes met the water. He rushed over the surface and saw his reflection but he was not a lake. What a strange feeling it was to be and not be loved at the same time. [Reader] loved his reflection. He could show it for a short while for her but no matter what he did, he couldn't become water because he was wind.

It wasn't that he wanted to become Dan Feng. He hated his previous incarnation. Who he was and what he did. His predecessor followed him step by step, reminding him of himself and not letting him be who he wanted. But why did [Reader] have to be in love with him? In that hidden part of himself that he never wanted to become.

This love was like a sea current. The swift current seemed to carry him away without any hope. And maybe because it resembled water, he wondered if it was his feelings, or maybe the remnants of the attachment of a former self that he had tried so hard to let go of. After all, they had known each other for such a short time, and he, as he deeply wanted to believe, was not a man who would give his feelings to anyone he came across. On the other hand, March immediately noticed that he was in love and said it was obvious. So maybe it was him after all?

Dan Heng from [Reader] didn't sound like Dan Feng. Even if it was hiding behind it. Maybe he could pretend to be like him? He turned back towards the waterfall and looked at his reflection. Ripples in the water obscured his vision.

He wouldn't. He didn't want to be him. Never. Even for her.

So maybe she could pretend? After all, he looked similar and had a fraction of his former power...

He shook his head. Not at this price. Neither of them would be happy.

At least he had memories. Even if they weren't his. Glimmers of light amidst the dark void of forgotten days. Sometimes they came back involuntarily. He hated the echo of Dan Feng's laughter, even though he felt like the joy was his own, but he loved [Reader's] laughter. Her silhouette looming somewhere under his eyelids. The same one that came back to him when they sat on the stairs after sunset after a hard day's work. The warmth of her lips, once so close, now within reach but at the same time eons away. How easy it was to lose himself in this old reality that was not his own. In that which interspersed his nightmares with sweet peace.

But these were stories of bygone days from several hundred years ago and he had to constantly remind himself that they did not belong to him.

The sound of familiar footsteps sounded on the path. The wind brought the sound of trampled leaves. He didn't need to turn around to know who was standing there. Of course she figured out where to look for him. This was the place HE would came to.

— Dan Feng.

This was the first time something like this had happened. Until now, she had always been careful not to use his pre-reincarnation name.

Maybe it was the sight of him surrounded by a familiar waterfall. Or one of the memories gnawed by the teeth of time, which now came to life in her eyes. He couldn't find it among the dark depths of his memory. If it existed, it belonged only to her. It was probably even better that way. This made "Dan Heng, not Dan Feng " easier to leave his mouth.

He wasn't ready for the regret that appeared on [Reader's] face. Nor for a tear that gathered in the corner of the eye, only to quickly disappear under a hard-blinking eyelid in confusion. However, he did not expect the feelings that spread around his heart even more. Jealousy, sadness and nostalgia of days gone by. He never found out if they really belonged to him. They were floating somewhere on the transparent surface of water, touched by the gust of wind.

#dan heng x reader #honkai star rail x reader #oneshot x reader #dan feng #vidyadhara #chemtrails over the country club #dan feng x reader #unrequited love #past lovers #lana del rey

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linkemon · 13 days

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Commissions

Hi guys!

I am officially starting up a page for some writing commissions because uni is tough and I could use some extra money.

I have been writing for a variety of different fandoms and platforms for over 5 years.

To see examples of my works check out my Masterlist.

—- pricing —-

You can order through my Ko-fi or send money to Pay Pal directly. It's up to you. If you're Polish, we can also work it out by Blik. Either way, shoot me a message so we can work out the details.

Payment is expected upfront after we sort out details, or when I am halfway through writing your comission (I will send you an update).

Set of headcanons

Starting from 300 words for 5$

Every next 100 words for additional 1$

Oneshots

Starting from 500 words for 8$

Every next 100 words for 1$

If I write more because I'll feel like it, I won't charge you more.

—- what i write —–

I am very flexible when it comes to writing commissions but there are times where I will refuse to accept a commission if I find myself unable to write for the content, whether due to a lack of knowledge or moral standing. I certainly don't write NSFW.

I can write both in Polish and English. Note that English is not my first language (I have TOEIC on C1 but I'm constantly learning) so it may not be exactly perfect.

I can write reader x character and OC x character based on your description.

I don't mind different AU's or you giving me details like fluff, angst etc.

I will certainly post my work on Tumblr, AO3 and Wattpad unless you really don't want to (let me know then because price will differ).

—- fandoms i write —–

You can see Anime, Manga or Webtoon I have watched/read listed on my Animelist.

Fandoms for which I've written before are also listed on Masterlist.

If you're not sure, just shoot me a message and I will let you know if I know the fandom.

Examples of fandoms for which I for sure write are:

Boku no Hero Academia

Genshin Impact

Haikyuu

Jojo's Bizzare Adventure

Jujutsu Kaisen

Twisted Wonderland

and many, many more as stated before. Just ask me to be sure!

#commission #writing #writers on tumblr #anime #manga #video games

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linkemon · 13 days

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Love is an open door (Neuvillette x Reader)

Other oneshots can be found here.

ʟᴏᴠᴇ ꜱʜᴏᴡᴇᴅ ᴜᴘ ᴀᴛ ɴᴇᴜᴠɪʟʟᴇᴛᴛᴇ'ꜱ ᴅᴏᴏʀꜱᴛᴇᴘ. ᴜɴꜰᴏʀᴛᴜɴᴀᴛᴇʟʏ, ᴛʜᴇ ᴄʜɪᴇꜰ ᴊᴜꜱᴛɪᴄᴇ ꜱᴛᴜʙʙᴏʀɴʟʏ ᴄʟᴏꜱᴇꜱ ᴛʜᴇ ᴅᴏᴏʀ. ꜰᴜʀɪɴᴀ ᴅᴇᴄɪᴅᴇꜱ ᴛᴏ ᴘʟᴀʏ ᴛʜᴇ ᴅᴏᴏʀᴍᴀɴ ᴀɴᴅ ʜᴇʟᴘ ʜɪᴍ ᴏᴘᴇɴ ɪᴛ ᴡɪᴅᴇ ꜱᴏ ᴛʜᴀᴛ [ʀᴇᴀᴅᴇʀ] ᴄᴀɴ ᴇɴᴛᴇʀ. ᴀɴᴅ ɪꜰ ᴛʜᴇʀᴇ ɪꜱ ɴᴏ ᴅᴏᴏʀ, ᴛʜᴇʀᴇ ɪꜱ ᴀʟᴡᴀʏꜱ ᴀ ᴡɪɴᴅᴏᴡ… ᴀᴅᴅɪᴛɪᴏɴᴀʟ ɪɴꜰᴏʀᴍᴀᴛɪᴏɴ:

ᴏɴᴇꜱʜᴏᴛ ᴄᴏɴᴛᴀɪɴꜱ ᴀ ᴅɪᴠᴇʀꜱᴇ ʟᴀɴɢᴜᴀɢᴇ ᴍɪx. ᴛʜᴇʀᴇ ᴀʀᴇ ꜰʀᴇɴᴄʜ ᴡᴏʀᴅꜱ ʙᴇᴄᴀᴜꜱᴇ ᴡᴇ ᴀʀᴇ ɪɴ ꜰᴏɴᴛᴀɪɴᴇ. ɪ ᴛʀɪᴇᴅ ᴛᴏ ᴍᴀᴋᴇ ꜱᴜʀᴇ ᴇᴠᴇʀʏᴏɴᴇ ᴋɴᴇᴡ ᴡʜᴀᴛ ɪ ᴡᴀꜱ ᴛᴀʟᴋɪɴɢ ᴀʙᴏᴜᴛ, ꜱᴏ ɪ ʟɪᴍɪᴛᴇᴅ ᴛᴏ ꜱɪᴍᴘʟᴇ ᴡᴏʀᴅꜱ.

ᴛʜᴇ ꜱʜᴏᴛ ᴛᴀᴋᴇꜱ ᴘʟᴀᴄᴇ ʙᴇꜰᴏʀᴇ ᴛʜᴇ ᴘʟᴏᴛ ᴏꜰ ᴛʜᴇ ᴀʀᴄʜᴏɴ ǫᴜᴇꜱᴛꜱ ᴀɴᴅ ʙᴀꜱɪᴄᴀʟʟʏ ᴅᴏᴇꜱ ɴᴏᴛ ꜱᴘᴏɪʟ ᴀɴʏᴛʜɪɴɢ ʙᴜᴛ ᴏɴʟʏ ʜɪɴᴛꜱ ɴᴇᴜᴠɪʟʟᴇᴛᴛᴇ'ꜱ ɪᴅᴇɴᴛɪᴛʏ, ꜱᴏ ᴇᴠᴇʀʏᴏɴᴇ ᴄᴀɴ ʀᴇᴀᴅ ɪᴛ.

Low-flying books never posed much of a threat to Fontaine. Or at least that's what the Palais Mermonia staff thought until last week.

— How long will it take? — whispered the young girl to herself, carrying a stack of documents.

She didn't have to wait long for an answer.

— Where's the next part?! — A dramatic voice came from behind the door and immediately after that the latest novel from Inazuma flew out the door.

The pages fluttered in the air. The older friend pulled the younger one back. They miraculously avoided a sudden encounter with literature. More specifically, the best-selling recent romance novel from the Nation of Eternity.

— Lady Furina, unfortunately that was the last part. We have contacted Yae Publishing House but Zhenyu has no plans to publish the next one yet because it is a new series. — The man behind the door explained patiently.

—Ah! You don't understand the seriousness of the situation... It was not an ordinary read but a feast for the imagination. A sensually stimulating treatise on momentous deeds. Two tragic lovers brought together by fate. Their emotions could not see the light of day. Now they suffer and they don't even know if fate will put them on a common path again! Without the next part, my life becomes BORING! Only ugly, naked and gray reality!

The Archon spread herself helplessly on the soft sofa. Her head hung down and her leg dangled steadily behind the backrest. Her outfit seemed to blend in with the blue upholstery. Thus, it created a sense of unity with the furniture. A very woefully dissatisfied unity.

— Yes, but there's nothing we can do about it...

—Toodaloo! — she suggestively asked the employee to leave the room.

Just as he was about to cross the doorstep with a sigh of relief, the archon's voice stopped him.

— STOP!

He just hoped he wouldn't have to look for another series. Lady Furina had probably read every possible drama and she didn't even want to hear about the bad ones.

— What is Mademoiselle [Reader] doing here again this week? — She narrowed her eyes as if that would help her find the answer.

Indeed, one of the main employees of the Opera Epiclese slipped through the door. Furina has performed on the stage of the opera many times. But she couldn't say she knew her particularly well. The woman did not deal with art but was a kind of a link between the palace and the court. In addition, she was usually up to her's ears in court documents. It was even more special that lately she had appeared here almost every time the archon threw another part of the series out thru the door.

— Mademoiselle [Reader] has been very busy lately. I think she's overwhelmed by it all. She was even sick recently. It seems to me that he has many matters to discuss with Monsieur Neuvillette and…

— I SEE! So that's how it is! — Furina jumped off the sofa as if she had gained new energy.

— What do you mean, my lady? — asked the confused man.

— Isn't it obvious?! It's just a cover. She must be in love with our dear Iudex! — she announced, snatching a plate with a piece of cake from the table. She stuffed the cake into her mouth. She looked extremely happy.

— I think it's just...

— Shhh. — She pressed a muffin into his hand. — You must not stand in the way of love. Its doors should be opened wider. And if I know our dear judge, he will close it right in her face. Luckily, I am me and I'll play the best doorman possible! — Saying this, she ran out the door.

— This can't end well. — The man rubbed his temple. Eventually, however, he ate the cupcake and the corner of his mouth twitched upwards.

***

— It should be around here somewhere… — [Reader] mused aloud.

— What are you looking for, mademoiselle [Reader]?

The calm, familiar tone could only belong to one person. Besides, hardly anyone stayed to work after hours at Palais Mermonia. Especially considering that no new trial has been announced yet.

— Good evening, Monsieur Neuvillette.

Indeed, she was not mistaken. Iudex of Fontaine emerged from behind the glass door. His step was as stately as ever. Even despite visible fatigue after a long day of work.

— I'm looking for my umbrella — she explained, casting a longing glance toward the empty umbrella stand.

There was a heavy downpour in Fontaine. The woman wouldn't say it was the worst rain she had ever seen. However, the thought of what she would encounter when she emerged from above the small roof did not fill her with optimism. She was sick recently. The vision of such a quick repetition of the entertainment was not in her plans. Sneezing on government documents didn't seem like a good idea.

— Was it long and black? — asked the man.

— Exactly! Have you seen it?

— I noticed it in my office before I left. I didn't know it belonged to you. I figured whoever the owner was they were probably already gone.

— Hmmm... Honestly... it's a bit weird. I don't remember taking it inside with me. I could have sworn I left it here before I left.

— If you wait here, I'll try to find whoever has the key today...

— Don't worry. Everyone left and went home a few minutes ago. I'll take it tomorrow.

[Reader] and Neuvillette stood in complete silence for a moment. The woman seemed to be fighting with herself. Thick, heavy drops continued to fall onto the sidewalk. Waiting wasn't an option but she could enjoy a few more seconds of dry clothes.

— Ahem — Neuvillette cleared his throat after a moment — you're going to get wet. Please at least accept my coat.

The material was thick, soft and warm. The woman hesitantly accepted the clothes.

— Then you'll get wet and I couldn't let that happen — she said. — Maybe we could share?

— We could share? — the man repeated unconsciously.

Was this what people did? He wasn't sure. He knew it was just a nice habit. On the other hand, in many years of his life he had never had the opportunity to give his clothes to anyone. And he certainly didn't try to share it.

— You once said that you liked the rain, monsieur, but it would be too much to let you go without anything in this downpour.

[Reader] threw half of the cloak over his head and covered herself with the other half. Each of them was only partially covered. It wasn't the best idea but at least it seemed fair. In this way, they moved briskly down the stairs.

Neuvillette didn't remember exactly when he told the woman that he didn't mind the rain. He didn't think anyone would remember that. And he tried not to give out too much information that could lead anyone to his true identity. It wasn't important anyway. It's not enough for anyone to say anything. Lost in his thoughts, he almost didn't notice [Reader] barely keeping up with him. After all, he was much taller than any resident of Fontaine.

One careless move was enough. [Reader] felt the concrete step slip away from under her feet. She tried to save the situation with her hands. The only thought in her mind was that she could have at least done it halfway and not almost at the bottom of the stairs like the worst klutz. She mentally prepared herself for the pain. However, it did not come. Monsieur Neuvillette caught her around the waist before her face hit the hard ground.

— Everything's all right? — he made sure, which was answered by a nod of the head.

They continued through the city streets. Few people were walking in this weather. Those who decided to do so, however, stared with interest at the couple hidden under the coat. Some recognized the judge. The woman glanced at her companion but as she suspected, he didn't seem affected by it. She just hoped there weren't any Steambird journalists among the passersby or they'd make the headlines tomorrow in the stupidest way possible.

A child flew past them. The blonde seemed to be about a dozen years old. A strange tin creature ran past him. If she wasn't mistaken, he looked like a penguin.

— Hydro dragon, hydro dragon… — he began quietly.

— …do not cry! — [Reader] concluded loudly.

He seemed scared that she was even paying attention to him. With his head down, he ran away in a direction known only to him.

— Oops, I think I scared him. — She looked at her companion.

It occurred to the man that maybe he wasn't the only one who didn't always know exactly what and how to say things.

— Does Mademoiselle believe in this legend? — he asked.

— I think dragons likes rain but sometimes I wondered if it is actually their tears. If one is still here, looking after Fontaine like Monsieur and Lady Furina, then I think it's natural to want to comfort him in his sadness.

It was the first time he had heard such an answer. Usually people just thought it was a magical incantation to stop the rain. Something that was supposed to drive away evil. The rain they didn't like. His feelings were an inconvenience to them. And keeping the sometimes unknown emotions in check was difficult. The mere fact that he often made parts of the city miserable due to the weather already put pressure on him. To keep everything under control and be calm at all costs.

— I think the dragon would appreciate your concern — with these words he left [Reader] at the door of the apartment and then continued through the wet streets of Fontaine.

***

— Welcome to Chioriya Boutique, how can I be of service? — the standard phrase echoed as soon as [Reader] crossed the threshold of the store.

She couldn't see the saleswoman. The shelves were filled to the brim with bales of material. Only in the next room, among the mannequins, lace, corsets and crinolines, did she find familiar faces. Interestingly, it wasn't just Eloffe she expected to meet.

— Mademoiselle [Reader]! — Sedene and Sigewinne greeted her in unison.

— Good morning. What kind of shopping is this? — asked the woman, leaning gently over her much shorter companions.

The melusines looked intently at the open drawer. Bows and ribbons were arranged in neat rows. [Reader] had no doubt that Eloffe had spent a lot of time getting them all looking right. The multitude of colors and shapes made it difficult to take your eyes off them.

— We're trying to find a gift. We can't decide which ribbon is the prettiest. Fortunately, we have today off, added Sedene.

Melusine straightened her uniform. It was a habit she picked up from the office, where she spent her days at the reception desk. Her clothes were wrinkled from sitting for a long time. She scratched behind her ear.

— Which one do you like? — she asked [Reader].

[Reader] looked ahead, going into nystagmus. She didn't know who the gift was supposed to be for. She assumed in advance that it was a different melusine. Perhaps from the village. It happened that friends who had adapted to life in the capital visited those who preferred peace and quiet in an underwater village.

— This one is quite nice.

A blue ribbon twisted into a bow was decorated with a single pink shell. It wasn't something that half of the fashionable society in Fontaine would wear but the woman knew perfectly well that melusines perceive the world in different, not always typical categories. Considering how closely they were connected with the sea, the choice seemed very good to her.

— We'll take it — Sigewinne said without hesitation. — Monsieur Neuvillette will be pleased.

If the jaw could actually drop to the ground like in the tiny comics printed on the back pages of the Steambird newspaper, [Reader] was sure that's how hers would be. She couldn't imagine Iudex of Fontaine wearing that hair ribbon. It suited the melusines, but him? She looked at her satisfied companions. She didn't have the heart to tell them that maybe it wasn't the best idea after all. They seemed very happy to finally make the difficult decision. Soon the tiny box was in little blue hands.

[Reader] had her work uniform repaired. To her surprise, there were still melusines standing in front of the store.

— Actually, I have a favour to ask of you, mademoiselle — Sigewinne began. — I have to get back to the Fortress and Sedene doesn't have time either.

— I don't? — The blue melusine blinked.

— We don't — her friend emphasized. — That's why I thought maybe you could bring a gift. Monsieur is waiting at the café Lutece. We will be very grateful. If I understand correctly, this is how human gratitude is defined…

— Didn't Sedene say by any chance that you had the day off... — [Reader] didn't finish the sentence because the box was thrust into her hands and the melusines disappeared around the corner with a loud farewell.

So she headed towards the café. The Chief Justice was hard to miss. He was sitting at a double table, looking out at the street.

— Monsieur Neuvillette.

— Mademoiselle [Reader] — The man seemed slightly surprised to see her and that wasn't often the case.

— I'm bringing you a gift. Sigewinne and Sedene really wanted to give it to you but unfortunately they couldn't make it.

The tiny bundle landed in his hand. It seemed to [Reader] that their fingers touched for much longer than was really necessary. However, this impression quickly passed.

— Did something happen?

— I don't think so, although they were acting strange. Sedene said something about a day off but Sigewinne suddenly said that they had to go back. I hope all is well at the Fortress of Meropide.

Melusines always remembered their duties. They were usually extremely dedicated to their work, no matter what profession it was.

Neuvillette just nodded. He guessed what exactly it was about but he couldn't say it out loud. Sigewinne did it on purpose. She had been pestering [Reader] as his replacement for some time now. She even arranged a lecture on cosmetics after [Reader] mentioned that she wanted to be better at applying makeup. Melusine tried to better understand who she was and what exactly was going on between her and Iudex of Fontaine. The truth was that too little was happening and too slowly for her liking. That's why she stubbornly tried to gently push the two of them in a common direction. Usually, however, with poor results.

— Wriothesley will certainly handle any problem should it arise. — Please, sit down — the man encouraged.

The woman looked around the table shaded by the umbrella and noticed a small piece of paper. Sedene's name was written in gold cursive. Apparently the reservation was intended just for her.

— I wouldn't like to disturb you.

— Mademoiselle could never disturb me. — Neuvillette looked her straight in the eyes, then had a short conversation with the waiter.

— To be honest, I received an invitation for two to a café and I wanted to invite you here but I saw that you had a document transfer scheduled for today, so I decided against it.

It was true. However, he left out the moment in the story where he simply hesitated to ask the question. After all, as a last resort, the woman could take time off to meet him if she really wanted to. The question was whether she really wanted to. He wasn't entirely sure he wanted to know the answer...

— Well... It so happens that the transfer has been postponed, so the trial will probably be delayed. Fortunately, I'm not the only Opera employee. Someone would do it for me if necessary. For example, if I was invited to a coffee shop…

Neuvillette didn't have time to answer. The waiter brought crystal glasses on a tray. [Reader] peered in curiously, assessing the contents.

— Is this a new type of Fonta? — she asked, sniffing.

— It's water. I like tasting water. You could say it's my hobby — he cleared his throat. — If you want, I'll order something else...

He didn't expect [Reader] to be present today. Therefore, he informed the waiter in advance that he and Sedene would drink water. This wouldn't be strange to a melusine, as they could sense subtle differences that humans usually couldn't. However, hardly anyone else reacted normally to his passion. He didn't find much understanding on this matter, so he usually kept it to himself.

— There's no need to! — she protested vehemently. — I mean... I'm not a connoisseur and I don't know how much I'll feel something but I'll try. And if it doesn't work out, I can just listen. — Saying this, she took a sip of water from one glass, then another.

She looked serious for a moment, as if weighing the flavors.

— It won't work, they taste the same to me. — She laughed quietly.

— Inazuma water has a deep, distinct flavour like no other. The one from Sumeru is a rich and complex bouquet. You have to drink it slowly and for a long time to understand it. Therefore, there is no point in giving up. Take a sip now and another one, in a moment.

The woman nodded. Neuvillette finally unpacked the small box. The ribbon looked different than the ones he usually got from melusines. The pink shell jingled softly. It reminded him of the call of the sea. For a moment he wanted to return to it.

— I hope you're not mad. I chose it. I didn't know who the gift was for, and Sigewinne and Sedene asked me for advice, and that's how it turned out.

— It's beautiful — he said.

But his eyes weren't on the ribbon at all. [Reader] noticed this and looked nervously to the side while tucking her hair behind her ear.

— Maybe I can help you put it on? — she suggested to break the silence.

She approached the table from the other side. She pulled off the old ribbon and carefully placed it back in the box. A cascade of long, silvery hair flowed gently in the wind. After a while, they were decorated with a pink shell. Neuvillette turned his head, probably thinking it was over. However, he didn't notice that [Reader] wanted to move something. His face met a pair of eyes shining with concentration. They were so close to each other that he could almost feel her breathing. He felt warmth rising to his cheeks. The distance was rapidly decreasing. Was this the state he had heard so often about but had not yet been able to understand? An inexplicable fascination that drew you closer and didn't let you escape?

— Can I help you with anything else? — He turned around abruptly at the sound of the waiter's words. If there was anything he regretted that day, it was that the employee showed up at that particular place at that time.

***

[Reader] looked around uncertainly. Lady Furina warmly assured her that Monsieur Neuvillette needed help and would certainly be in the area. She even offered to give hercompany because she had something to do nearby. Despite this walk, she never once mentioned what the help actually involved. Every time a question was about to be asked, she veered off topic. It would not be an exaggeration to say that the archon did not fall silent for even a second, without allowing her to say a word.

The woman hadn't been here for a very long time so she walked along the seashore to make sure she didn't get lost. The waves gently lapped the golden sand. The sun was pleasantly warm, reflecting the glow of the water. She would have been delighted with the view, if it weren't for the fact that she couldn't find a man and she was getting further and further away from the city. Tired, she sat down by one of the grayish rocks.

— Argh! — a loud sound came from behind her.

She turned around abruptly. As it turned out, she had company. Behind a small rock sat a large Blubberbeast. It flapped its fins on belly and tilted its head curiously. She probably would have left it alone if it weren't for what she found behind it. A tower was being built next to the animal. But not just any kind. The pile was getting bigger by the minute. It consisted mainly of oysters. There was also seaweed and shells among them but she also saw a few pearls in the sand. Every now and then a new animal emerged from the water, each carrying another sea treasure. The white otter nimbly jumped out of the sea and trotted as fast as its little legs could to add its weight. It looked at [Reader] and made a whistling sound. Immediately afterwards, Blubberbeast approached the woman. And then more emerged from the sea. A group of crabs joined in, clacking their claws. She felt cornered. She had never heard of such a phenomenon and was about to slowly start to back away when the otter grabbed her leg. It placed seaweed at her feet. A string of milky white pearls stuck out from between them. Interestingly, they were strung on a silver chain, which made her wonder where animals got it from.

— Is this for me? — she asked in disbelief.

Blubberbeast patted its stomach and its companions followed. She took this as confirmation and put the necklace on.

Suddenly she heard voices in the distance. The men looked suspicious. Their clothes did not suggest the inhabitants of the capital. Tattered shirts and trousers did not bode well, as she realized when she saw the weapons in their hands.

— Can you see that? — the tallest man asked. — We've got some loot, boys.

He looked like the leader of the group. There was a scar on his eye and a nasty smile on his face. He walked over to the pile of treasures, scooped up a few pearls and bit into them as if testing gold. The animals made warning sounds. It wouldn't take a zoologist from the Institute to guess that they didn't like it very much.

[Reader's] first thought was to escape. However, she didn't have time to make any move. The air became humid. She felt the intense smell of salty sea water. Its droplets seemed to float in the air for a moment. As if someone had stopped time. Immediately afterwards, all three attackers were knocked down in an instant by a stream of water. Behind it she saw a familiar face.

— Monsieur Neuvillette. — [Reader] breathed a sigh of relief.

— Mademoiselle [Reader], what are you doing here?

She couldn't tell him that Lady Furina had led her here. The archon clearly emphasized that this was not a good idea. This is a tragically hopeless idea, full of complexities that there is no time to explain, leading to unnecessary misunderstandings... Do you understand?

— It worked out that way… — she said sluggishly.

— I'm glad you're okay.

Neuvillette looked at her neck, then at the pile of treasures, then at the entire animal retinue.

— You got your gift a little earlier than I planned...

The woman instinctively grabbed her jewelry.

— How did you get them all to… Oh — she realized.

Bad weather after the trials. The fact that he was able to use hydro power without vision. The way he got along so well with the sea creatures and made the sea animals listen to him. Now everything made sense.

— We'll talk about it later but first I'd like to say something. — He looked her straight in the eyes. — You already know that I'm not human. That's why I can't always immediately understand the emotions that are associated with humanity. I waited because I wanted to make sure that what I said would truly reflect how I felt. I'm infatuated. I see you in places you're not and in things you don't touch. I walk through the streets of Fontaine thinking I'll meet you and then I wonder what I would say if we saw each other. And even when I have something in my head, I can't say it when we actually see each other. If there is a crime you should be convicted of, it would be stealing my heart but I know I wouldn't be able to pass the sentence. Therefore, judge me because only you can do it. — With these words, he knelt in front of her and took her hand.

[Reader] couldn't shake the feeling that Lady Furina must have dropped off the Inazuma romance novels on Neuvillette's desk somewhere among the papers. But she had no intention of complaining.

— I hereby declare you innocent. — She smiled gently. — First of all, we can go to...

***

— What is this even? Hopeless. A total tragedy. End of the world! How can you be so... ARGH... Ignorance is rampant in Fontaine and the great efforts of outstanding people who try to fight the gray, boring reality disappear into the darkness. This is a dimension of despair that few will understand...

Furina sat on the window sill, with a grimace of dissatisfaction. With an expression that spoke more than a thousand words, she complained about the lack of results from the grand marriage plan she had been plotting for the past weeks. In her hand lay a cupcake, as bitter and black as her soul at that moment, which she did not fail to emphasize loudly and clearly to her employees.

— I left her umbrella on the desk but he totally ignored hit and she didn't even bother to come to the office. I gave him the day off and a double invitation to the Lutece Cafe. Who did he invite? Melusine. I literally took her to the place where he had been sitting all morning, I stood there for so long and it didn't work because she decided to sit with the animals. — She stuffed a cupcake into her mouth. — Are they doomed to tragic love? Am I not the best archon? — she asked the guard who was just entering the room.

The man quickly understood the context of the situation. Not that he had anything else to gossip about at work lately. Archon Fontaine's schemes, try as they might, were not that secret. Half the people in Palais Mermonia must have seen her efforts and expected the results. At least the books weren't flying back and forth over their heads. And that was already a success in itself.

— You are the best archon, Lady Furina — as he said this, he placed a crystal bowl full of warm, dark brown cupcakes straight from the oven.

— Wait a minute... Wait a minute... — Furina abruptly pressed her nose against the glass.

Her eyes widened in disbelief. There were two people standing at the bottom. She would recognize them from a distance. [Reader] looked from side to side, as if searching for onlookers around her. Once she was sure no one was there, she placed a gentle kiss on the man's cheek. None other than Iudex of Fontaine, who looked back at her one last time with a tiny smile and entered the building.

— WHAT! — echoed around the room.

As if on cue, several guards standing guard in the corridor burst into the room.

— Everything is fine, my dears! Furina cleared her throat. — Well actually, the momentous moment has come because I helped love triumph. Like a mystical cupid sent from above to the little ones who do not want to accept this feeling. Remember, when the door is closed, this magical force will enter through the open window! Because there is nothing stronger than love!

The guards blinked in surprise and nodded, sheathing their weapons. Whenever they didn't understand the lady's poetic words, they simply agreed with her. They didn't always have to know what exactly they were about.

— Please contact Miss Charlotte and invite her to the palace immediately for a private audience. I expect that everyone at Palais Mermonia will receive an issue of Steambird tomorrow morning. Whoever handles this has to be in line outside the door at dawn, before the presses start rolling, understand?

— Yes, lady Furina! — they saluted in unison.

— And I'll play the doorman in the next musical! — she added.

#neuvillette x reader #genshin impact x reader #oneshot x reader #furina #neuvillette #melusines #charlotte #freminet #genshin impact #love is an open door

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