#[but i fear that another eden will have me by the throat because i want that new cetie so bad but its for money users sobs

[sentofight]

ooc. protect doggy cxs

#ooc.| faty speaks #tbd #[almost finished s1 icons weee #[onto s2 then will remake a couple of things #[uuuh i want to make the muses pages less crowded with info;;; #[especially ocs #[i want to try to write more wth my ocs i feel i am bad at promo them #[kupopopo!!!! #[but i fear that another eden will have me by the throat because i want that new cetie so bad but its for money users sobs #[maybe!!!! they will have him next banner using the gems?????????IW ANT THE NEW CETIEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!! #[i got cerius and rose!!!! #[I WANT THE NEW CETIEEE!!!!! #[i dont have hardy let me have the new cetie too sobs #[i got cetie both ceties but i want this third cetie mwehwhehwhehe #[clock and retro are so funny pls i want their interactions #[but so happy to have partitio running around with his little hat hold waaaa!!!! #[tch they could have given us tressa tsk #[grumbles grumbles...i want my mrgrgrgr merchant #[imagine we get bravely default next ;;u;;; #[PLEASE NEW SYMPHONY ANOTER EDEN PLEASEE!!! #[chrom and lucina when XDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDd #[i will kremet if they had a 3h collab instead.... bruh.......................................... #[i've been looking at the P5 collab since two years but...i will get to it. someday. #[THE MAIN STORY AND EXTRA CONTENT ARE GOOD LET ME GO #[give me cetie still #[idk if i even write his name correct lmao

[wowbright]

Fic: Proposal

Fandom/pairing: Glee, Kurt/Blaine

Event: December Klaine Fanworks Challenge 2023

Words: ~2200 words                                         

Rating: Explicit

Summary: Blaine proposes they try something new sexually. Somehow, that turns into a proposal of another kind.

Notes: This is part of my Mormon!Klaine universe. It takes place after Out of Eden, which I am still in the process of posting to AO3. It’s among the likely possibilities for their future.

* * *

They collapsed against the mattress, shades of pink and mauve blotching their skin. Wow. They were getting good at this. Really good. And it's not like they'd had that many opportunities to tune their skills, what with this party and that get-together and this church activity and that double-date with Tina and Mike—not to mention that Blaine's mother was always around and the cats were constantly vying for Blaine's attention.

But now here they were, together, no one in the house except for them (and the cats,who were asleep in the sunroom). They had so far used their time together very wisely, starting with kissing and proceeding with stripping and then a slow, langorous session of licking and sucking, tapering off back to kisses when either of them got too excited, and that was its own kind of paradise, just being able to hold Blaine and make him shiver with even Kurt’s more demure touches.

Their desire had ebbed and troughed, ebbed and troughed, until finally they surrendered to the ascent. Kurt took Blaine’s cock into his mouth as he moved inside Blaine’s, and Blaine made an eager sound, sucking harder on Kurt, and he let Kurt take more of him, and more, until Kurt’s nose almost touched the downy pubic hair on Blaine’s balls.

Mmmm, Blaine groaned, his tongue moving on Kurt’s dick like he was trying to say something, and then another, mmm-hmmm, but he didn’t pull away to give his praises clearer enunciation. He just curled his fingers into Kurt’s buttocks and drew him deeper into his mouth until the head of Kurt’s erection was nestled tightly between Blaine's tongue and the top of his throat, and  then it was Kurt’s turn to mmm-mmm-mmmmmm and he was glad he didn't even have the choice to use words, because what words could he possibly use to describe how good this felt, to be here with Blaine in sacred privacy, giving and receiving pleasure?

Blaine was on his back and his legs fell open, revealing the dimpled closure between his buttocks. He moved rhythmically, tilting his pelvis in tiny thrusts to better move his cock in Kurt's mouth, spreading his legs wider, lifting them up, up, up so that his knees were behind Kurt now and his feet were above Kurt's head, barely in his peripheral vision. The dimpled closure became less closed, its wrinkles smoothing out slightly, and Kurt suspected that Blaine was putting a show on for him, that he was exposing this vulnerable place because he wanted Kurt inside it.

The first time Kurt had fingered Blaine, it had been at Blaine’s lead, Blaine moaning as he pressed his own finger against his hole and said, “Kurt, let me show you how I need you.” And he had done exactly that: shown Kurt—not just with his finger but also with the way his shoulders flushed and his bottom lip quivered and he let out a delighted gasp as his finger pushed in. He had let Kurt watch him touch himself in this most intimate way, and Kurt had felt so beautifully overwhelmed by how hot Blaine was and the privilege of seeing him spread out like this, giving himself over to desire without shame. And then he became even more overwhelmed with want and love and goodness as Blaine took Kurt’s hand and guided him into that lubricated heat.

In that private moment between them, in the sharing of their hallowed lust, something inside Kurt melted—some bitter, jagged piece of him full of fear and shame—and washed out of him, never to return.

Kurt didn't need Blaine to guide him now. Even with their scant opportunities for intimate encounters, he was starting to understand the intricacies of Blaine’s body language during sex. And he knew by the way Blaine was exposing himself what Blaine needed: He needed Kurt to stretch him open and make him feel things he hadn't, until Kurt, known his body was capable of feeling.

Kurt slicked his fingers and pressed against Blaine’s closure until it gave slightly, transforming from closure into opening, and then gave more, letting Kurt's fingertip sink slowly in by degrees, and Blaine sighed with pleasure, and he clenched around Kurt's finger and relaxed and clenched again, and as Kurt moved in further he was no longer the one pushing—no, Kurt was being pulled, being dragged hungrily into Blaine’s body by the muscular strength of Blaine’s desire.

Kurt slid in and out, in and out, sometimes gently and sometimes roughly, keeping time with Blaine’s mouth on his cock, letting Blaine set the pace of their explorations, until Blaine's moans grew more and more desperate, his mouth gasping around Kurt’s hardness, sucking frantically and then going lax, too distracted by the things Kurt was doing to his ass to concentrate with the single-minded focus he usually approached blowjobs with—but Kurt didn’t mind, because Blaine was so hot when he got like this, wanton and needy, lost in the pleasure Kurt was giving him.

Oh Kurt, I need, I need, I need Blaine cried, and he took Kurt back into his mouth, its heat tighter and wetter than Kurt had yet experienced, and then Blaine was bobbing frantically over Kurt’s shaft, his fingers digging into Kurt's thighs, his ass clenching, and everything was moving in perfect time, they were moving together, their thrusts and moans coaxing each other into higher and higher states of pleasure, and Blaine was so lost in it he didn't whisper a warning or try to pull Kurt off when he was about to come—and that was hot, too, that Kurt was learning to detect the signs on his own now, to detect the unique way that Blaine's cock swelled and his ass clenched and he whimpered, yes whimpered, out of desperation and hope and abject need—and Kurt gave even more to his lover, encouraging him to let his body do what it wanted, because Blaine’s body was beautifully and rightly made and its desires were good, so so good, so lovely, and Blaine was lovely, and he became somehow even lovelier as he arched against the bed and came with a muffled cry—so overwhelming in his loveliness that Kurt vaulted into an orgasm that he’d forgotten he’d even wanted, so lost he’d been in experiencing Blaine unfold.

Kurt rolled onto his side as his breath began to slow and placed his hand on Blaine's chest. “This is perfect,” he said. “I needed this.” It was like being back in their little apartment in Germany, when they could pretend they were the only two people in the world. They had five whole hours to themselves, and their phones were on silent—with only Cooper's number set as privileged, so that if for some reason he and his mother were to return earlier than planned, they would get plenty of warning. That wasn't likely, though. Kurt's mind boggled at all the things they still might do today.

“Me too.” Blaine kissed Kurt’s forehead. “And just think, we've only used up one hour.”

“Mmmm,” Kurt hummed happily. “What would you like to do with the other four?”

“I really, really want—" Blaine said, with a heat that should have been impossible so soon after their shared orgasms “—I really want you to fuck me.”

This particular desire of Blaine's was no surprise—even without the fingering, it was something they had talked about a number of times—but the immediacy and earnestness in Blaine’s voice sent a rush like intoxication through Kurt’s body. He wondered if this was what it felt like to drink champagne. Before Blaine, he had never expected another man to want him this way. But here Blaine was, after all those years of Kurt pushing down his own desires, shaming himself over them—here Blaine was, once more telling him, The things you long to give are good, and I long to receive them from you.

And oh, how Kurt wanted to give this. He had spent many, many hours upon returning from his mission remembering the blinking heat he had only gotten brief glances of in their Ingolstadt apartment, fantasizing about being inside it, about Blaine's body clenching around his shaft, about them fucking in fields and hot tubs and mussed-up sheets; and he’d only had The Joy of Gay Sex for two months, but already he’d lost count of how many times he’d come while looking at the pictures of men fucking each other in different positions and imagining that it was him inside Blaine.

Kurt wanted it. But he also loved to tease Blaine. “Don't you think we should save something for marriage?” he laughed.

Blaine didn't laugh. He looked at Kurt thoughtfully. “Are you afraid? That it's going to far? Or too fast?”

“Oh,” said Kurt. “Not at all. I mean, maybe it’s faster than I expected, but it has been a long, long year. If you’re ready, Blaine, then I am.”

Blaine smiled at Kurt softly and gave him a peck on the cheek. “You're so sweet. The sweetest boyfriend ever. But maybe you're right. Maybe we should wait for marriage. I mean, I don't regret anything we've done, and I want to do so many more things, but … Maybe there is something to saving part of yourself for the wedding night. I guess we don't have to throw out the baby with the bathwater.”

Kurt felt his heart sink. Why had he made that stupid joke? He had no idea when they would ever have the chance to get married. It might be years, and depending on the state they settled in, and maybe not even then.

“So,” Blaine said, sitting up against the headboard and pulling Kurt up with him by the hands, clutching them eagerly, his face lit up like he’d just walked out of a bowtie factory. “I think we should get married. Now.”

“This afternoon? Is it legal in Arizona?”

“I don't mean this afternoon, I just mean—”

“It's not legal in Ohio or California, either,” Kurt said, trying to be patient, but feeling the joy of their solitude begin to fray. The realities of the world were infringing on the space they had made for themselves.

“Cooper said it’s legal now in Arizona. But I just keep thinking … ever since we talked about driving to Salt Lake to visit the temple after Cooper goes back to L.A. … I keep thinking, if we were any other returned missionary couple that's totally crazy for each other and can't wait to begin a life together—I mean, a straight one—we would probably try to get married while we were there. That's what I keep thinking about. How I want to be married to you, now and not later. And obviously we can't get sealed in the temple, but it would still mean something to me to get married while we’re there.”

Kurt didn't know what to say. He was blindsided. He was giddy and confused and trying to follow the logic of everything, but also he didn't need to follow the logic, because something about it made so much sense. He squeezed Blaine’s hands.

“I mean, ideally, I want to have a wedding with our friends and family there, but it’s going to take time until that can happen. And I know our situation isn't perfect now, either, and there are a lot of things we need to figure out about our living situation and my family and school and the church and everything else, but that doesn't matter to me—because after spending a year apart from you, the one thing I don't need to figure out is that I love you and want to be with you no matter what, and I want to do that as your husband.” Blaine swallowed heavily, and his eyes were glowing with unshed tears but they were smiling, and his whole face was bright with joy, and he was looking at Kurt as if just getting to share the same space as him was an incomparable blessing. “So, what do you think, Kurt? Will you marry me?”

Kurt was breathing rapidly and there were tears streaming out of his eyes and he had not expected to get proposed to today, and if he had known it was coming he would have been able to come up with a hundred and three objections for why now was not the right time. But Blaine was looking at him so earnestly, and he was right—their lives were a complete mess, but waiting wasn't going to make them any less messy—or, in any case, there would always be enough mess to justify it not being the right time or the right place. But Kurt loved Blaine. And he knew, in his heart of hearts, that they belonged together and made each other better people, and that God had brought them into each other's lives for that very reason. And sure, Kurt could delay, but he didn't want to delay. He was, for all intents and purposes, already married to Blaine in his heart.

“Yes. Yes!” Kurt said, gasping and crying and so, so happy. “I will, as soon as you want. I’ll marry you.”

#december klaine challenge 2023 #day 7: hall #mormon!klaine #wowbright writes fic #klaine fic #klaine fanfic #klaine fanfiction

[direwombat]

Wip music monday

Tagged by @inafieldofdaisies, @cassietrn, and @the-silver-chronicles for some musical wip-iness

Tagging @socially-awkward-skeleton, @adelaidedrubman, @miyabilicious, @g0dspeeed, @josephslittledeputy,@aceghosts, @madparadoxum, @voidika, @strangefable, @jillvalentinesday, @confidentandgood, @wrathfulrook, @trench-rot, and anyone else wanting to share some music that's been inspiring them!

while everyone was listening to hozier's new album this weekend i was also listening to hoziers new album, but i was also going INSANE about shayfer james and kate douglas' musical retelling of beowulf so that's where all these are from. under the cut because hhhhhhh longk sorry

first up is another werewolf au jacob pov song

I watch them through their windows And I stalk them in the street Oh, they don’t see me They satisfy my hunger I wait til they’re asleep Oh, they don’t see me I call this chaos order I call this carnage peace Oh, they don’t see me I’m gonna grab them by their fragile throats They cower at my feet As I start to feed I would rather be a monster than a fool I’m hungry, and I’ve come for you There’s a pile of bones in the corner that I call friends There’s a pile of bones in the corner that I call friends They built those brittle walls in vain They fear my face They know my name There’s a pile of bones in the corner that I call friends

here's a song that gives off big joseph vibes fitting for katc

DO LIES AND EMPTY PROMISES GIVE HOPELESS MEN RELIEF? THIS IGNORANCE, THEIR INNOCENCE WHILE THEY WALK THE WORLD ASLEEP I AM CUNNING, THEY’RE COMPLICIT I AM COMING, THEY DISMISS IT LET THEIR CREATURE COMFORTS BLIND THEM I HAVE COME HERE TO REMIND THEM I AM WAKEFUL I AM WATCHFUL I AM UNAFRAID TO FIGHT I WILL STIR YOU FROM SLUMBER I WILL NEVER SAY GOOD NIGHT I AM WAKEFUL I AM WATCHFUL I AM UNAFRAID TO FIGHT I WILL TEAR YOU FROM YOUR TREASURES I WILL NEVER SAY GOOD NIGHT WE’RE ALL GUILTY OF SOMETHING FOR EVERY GIFT THERE IS A SIN IT DEPENDS ON WHERE YOU’RE STANDING WHERE YOU ARE AND WHERE YOU’VE BEEN WE’RE ALL GUILTY OF SOMETHING CUTTING CORNERS, CASTING STONES WE ARE NONE OF US IMMORTAL WE ARE ALL OF US ALONE WE’RE ALL GUILTY OF SOMETHING FOR EVERY GIVE THERE IS A TAKE WE PRETEND TO LOVE THE VICTIMS OF THE CHOICES THAT WE MAKE WE’RE ALL GUILTY OF SOMETHING EITHER PAST OR PRESENT TENSE WHO WILL SAVE YOU FROM YOUR SHADOW? WHO WILL COME TO YOUR DEFENSE? WE’RE ALL GUILTY OF SOMETHING FOR EVERY WRONG THERE IS A RIGHT YOU’LL MAKE ANY LIE A LULLABY IF IT HELPS YOU SLEEP AT NIGHT WE’RE ALL GUILTY OF SOMETHING EVERY DAY THIS QUIET WAR I AM HERE TO WAKE YOU UP I AM OPENING THIS DOOR

and a bonus duet that has big joe preaching to his flock energy that is also inspiring katc

[THE FATHER] ANOTHER HEATHEN THEY’VE RECRUITED THIS ONE IS DIFFERENT THAN THE REST SHE COMES IN WAR, SHE COMES LIKE THUNDER WE’LL LOSE WHATEVER WE HAVE LEFT SO YOU MUST DO THIS FOR YOUR [FATHER] .... [THE FATHER AND EDEN'S GATE] THEY’RE HATEFUL, THEY’RE HEARTLESS THEY SAY WE’RE THE ENEMY I’M ALL THAT YOU’VE GOT WE ARE BLOOD, WE ARE FAMILY IF YOU DON’T STRIKE FIRST SHE’LL TAKE YOU AWAY FROM ME [THE FATHER] WHAT I LOVE ABOUT YOU SON YOU ALWAYS DO AS YOU SAY THEY MEAN TO TAKE IT ALL AWAY THEY WON’T TAKE IT ALL AWAY [EDEN'S GATE] [FATHER], I WILL KEEP YOU SAFE I’LL BE YOUR EYES AND YOUR PROTECTOR THEY HAVE NO BUSINESS IN THIS PLACE EXCEPT TO SATISFY OUR HUNGER [FATHER] I WILL KEEP YOU SAFE NO, I WILL NOT BE AFRAID I’LL RUIN ALL THAT THEY’VE CREATED I WILL TAKE IT ALL AWAY BOTH THEY’RE HATEFUL, THEY’RE HEARTLESS THEY SAY WE’RE THE ENEMY I’M ALL THAT YOU’VE GOT WE ARE BLOOD, WE ARE FAMILY [THE FATHER] IF YOU DON’T STRIKE FIRST SHE’LL TAKE YOU AWAY FROM ME NO ONE IS GOING TO TAKE YOU AWAY FROM ME

#Spotify #wip music monday #wip: kneeling at the crossroads #wip: the horror and the wild #i'm sorry these lyrical snippets are so long it's just that....the whole song...THE WHOLE SONG #THE WHOLE ALBUM TBH #AND THE PERFORMANCE OF IT IS ON YOUTUBE #i'm sorry i'm just. obsessed

[lovedabishiga]

DabiTenko (Angel Dabi x Demon Tenko)

Many times, Tenko was told that he isn’t ‘evil enough’ to be the future prince of hell.

He was either too soft or too lenient, shows genuine fondness on human beings instead of a short-lived amusement, and sometimes, which is now becoming often, feel remorse for one when they do finally fall into depravity and sin. This heavy sense of guilt that demons like him should have forgotten by now, as he watches his latest charge, Himiko Toga, give in to her compulsions and attack the boy who rejected her feelings. Her tears, hot and unshed, as bitter as the strange taste welling in the back of his mouth.

“So, she gave in? Typical, this is how humans are,” someone says. Perched on a lamppost, just as Tenko is, is an archangel. A familiar one, with wings torn and burnt by its fringes and a halo that looks like it’s about to slip at any moment, blue eyes glowing like the hottest stars across the night sky. The sight is more unnerving that the rumors surrounding how this archangel hunts other demons.

“Dabi,” Tenko whispers, feeling chills in his spine over calling the name that strikes fear in any demon’s heart.

 “It’s been almost a century, Tenko, and yet I see you here still getting sick over corrupting a little human. This, too, is sadly typical,” Dabi grins, sharp teeth flashing. “When will you truly act like a demon?”

Tenko frowns, and tries to stretch his wings as wide and domineering that he is taught to make them be. He can already feel the webs and tendons of his wings getting pulled to their limits. “Don’t test me, angel. I can destroy you from where you stand.”

Dabi laughs and raises two placating hands in the air. “Oh, you’ve gotten feisty. I like it, but still you are very soft,” Then he leaps from his perch and glides to where Tenko is, his battered wings shedding feathers left and right. “And merciful.”

Tenko hisses. “Demons don’t feel mercy.”

“And yet, you do,” Dabi says, careful to move the demon’s wings away without contact of their skin. “Otherwise, you should’ve finished me off, right when we first met. Wouldn’t you say, Oh savior of your mine?”

At those words, Tenko gives up on keeping his bravado and lets his wings snap back to their place. He hates reliving the memory of saving an angel that would later on kill half of his Master’s army and bring about the cursed reputation of this archangel as the demon killer. “…What do you want, Dabi?”

“I’m here to prevent you from losing yourself,” the angel says. “There’s rumors in heaven that you’re becoming weaker…Kinder.”

Tenko sighs. “That’s not true – ”

“And yet here you are, about to cry for a human,” Dabi says with a frown. “What’s so good about them? These useless bags of meat.”

Tenko raises an eyebrow at him. “Aren’t you supposed to like them – ”

“Angels are only supposed to oversee humans and fight Satan’s forces,” Dabi quickly says, as if he’s been asked this a thousand times before. “I have no obligation to be kind to a waste of space. Nor should you.”

Tenko squints, wishing to say more until he hears Himiko Toga wail, the guilt of her actions finally crashing down on her. His breath hitches and his foot moves forward –

“Don’t,” A blur of black and white blocks Tenko from his path. Dabi’s eyes, shining so bright that they rival a star, blazes like the fires in the depths of hell, scorching and unforgiving. “I am not going to let you ruin yourself just because you fancy a bunch of creatures that managed to walk on two legs and make a fire. They are not worth it. They are not worth you.”

Toga makes another cry, and Tenko’s throat starts to swell, his eyes becoming hotter and hotter by the second. “But I – ”

“If you cry for them, you will die,” Dabi snaps. By this light, by this position, he looks more like the demon that Tenko can ever be. The true prince of hell, cold and unmerciful; the symbol of fear for all creatures of the light and the Garden of Eden, one who detests humans to their core. “If you show love for them, you will burn, and not even your Master himself can find your ashes once you do.”

“I-I don’t…” And in this moment, he feels like an angel trapped underneath a demon’s claws, helpless as his human charge takes a step closer and closer to hell.

“Yes, you /don’t./ You don’t love them, you don’t care for them. And if you ever feel like you do,” A thumb draw closer to corner of Tenko’s eyes, wiping off a sizzling tear there. “I’ll fly them into off heaven, then drop them straight into hell mid-flight. I’m sure your Master would like that.”

Tenko’s blood freezes. His mind flits from his concern for Toga and her cries, to this angel who’s barely keeping his wings together. Just one wrong step into a fallen. “…You’re an angel.”

Dabi smiles. “And you a demon, but we’re not good at our roles, are we? No matter. I’ll keep reminding you and you’ll be there for me, just like when we first met,” He sighs, taking in one last breath before he back off, taking flight in his darkening wings and a halo that’s gone a little dimmer. “Be cruel,” he says as a goodbye.

“…And be kind,” Tenko says back, frazzled and confused but compelled by his own soft heart to do so.

#shigadabi #dabishiga #dabi #shigaraki tomura #shimura tenko #todoroki touya

[timptoe]

Chamomile with Honey

A little fluff with Cortez and Vega for Mass Effect’s fifteenth birthday. Because the world is cold and wet, and sometimes you just need some tea.

Honestly not sure if I think Cortez and Vega get together, so you can read this either as a gay man taking care of his friend, or two boyfriends sharing comfort after a bad day.

Either way, in a world filled with violence and fear, always remember that queer love is transformative.

Read it on Ao3.

----

James Vega is a terrible patient.

This is not particularly surprising. Steve’s listened to him boast enough times about how his “body’s a temple” to know just how important physical superiority—or at least the superiority of his physicality—is to James. The man who can bench press a krogan and outrun a turian, who does pull ups for fun and has an actual weight bench cluttering Steve’s cargo bay, prides himself on a body that does exactly what he wants, exactly when he needs.

But sometimes, you can’t win. Humanity has perfected genetic engineering, colonized planets across the galaxy, and yet still somehow hasn’t managed to cure the common cold.

It started as a sniffle on the shuttle ride back from Despoina. They were all cold, wet, shivering. Cortez, focused as he was on his flight console, figured the sniffling must’ve been Major Alenko, his relief at having his boyfriend back from the depths of the alien sea giving way to cathartic tears.

Except the sniffle got louder and closer, while Alenko and Shepard’s low voices stayed firmly ensconced back on the bench at the rear of the Kodiak. And then James poked his head into the cockpit, saying, “Mind if I sit co-pilot up here with you, Esteban? Kinda want to give those two a little privacy.”

“After the last two hours? I wouldn’t mind the company, Mr. Vega,” Steve had responded, turning to smile at the marine.

Who definitely had a sniffle.

It hadn’t gotten better once they’d returned to the Normandy. Kaidan had bustled Shepard off to the medbay so that Dr. Chakwas could “run a full panel on you to make sure that thing didn’t do anything to your brain down there like the beacon on Eden Prime, and also to make sure your temperature’s stabilized,” which Shepard had declared “horseshit” and “overbearing” and “Bryson needs to know what we found” and “I need to kit down” and “horseshit” again. But he didn’t let go of Kaidan’s hand as Kaidan led him patiently, and directly, onto the elevator.

Ah, young love. Young, ridiculous love.

James, on the other hand, remained down in the shuttle bay, stripping off his armor while Cortez started the long process of making sure whatever that thing did to the Kodiak hadn’t done lasting damage. The shuttle bay isn’t so big that he couldn’t hear the marine sneezing up a storm, though.

“Everything alright over there, Mr. Vega?” Cortez had called over.

“Never better, compadre,” Vega had called back, sneezing again.

So Steve is thoroughly unsurprised at what he sees when he walks into Port Observation later that night, tray in hand: James Vega, huddled under a blanket he must’ve stolen from the barracks, a ball of muscle and fabric shivering in the corner of the couch. He looks terrible.

“You look terrible,” Cortez says, unable to help himself.

James huddles deeper into the blanket. “No, please, don’t spare my feelings, pendejo,” he grumbles hoarsely. His broad shoulders shake with another shiver.

Cortez searches behind the couch and comes up with another blanket. Without a word, he draws it around his friend; James glares, but doesn’t protest. Cortez presses a hand to the back of his friend’s forehead.

“Yeah, that’s a fever alright,” he murmurs, a little concern leaking into his tone.

“‘m fine,” James responds, voice cracking a bit. “Doc gave me some meds for it.” He coughs and grimaces in pain. “Gave me something for my throat, too.”

“Mm,” Steve hums, taking his hand back. “Bet she didn’t give you this.”

He picks up the tray he’d brought in and takes it over to the bar, reaching under the counter for the hot water tap.

Vega perks up a little. “Is that what I think it is?” he says, scratchy voice laced with hope.

“Mm,” Steve hums again, failing to keep the grin off his face. “Depends on how much you’re going to apologize for calling me pendejojust now.”

He dunks the teabag in the hot water, lamenting that the loose leaf he’d rather have is both too expensive and too messy for ship life. Still, the sweet, floral scent that wafts out of the red clay teapot does its job, as James catches a whiff and inhales deeply.

“Tell me you’ve got—“ James stops as Steve lifts the little bear-shaped container off the tray and waggles it at him. He grins. “Mi cielito, te llamaré como quieras.”

Cortez laughs. “Just Esteban is fine,” he says, bringing the tray back over to the couch and sitting down next to Vega. He busies himself preparing the tea, James breathing laboriously next to him, and finishes by spooning a dollop of honey into James’s mug. He hands it over.

James takes a sip and closes his eyes, sighing. “Te manzanilla con miel,” he says softly. “I can’t believe you remembered.”

“Forget your grandmother’s fabled home remedy when you’re this sick? Perish the thought,” Steve responds.

James turns the mug in his hands, warming them up. “It’s been a long time, though.” He looks sidelong at Steve. “Where did you even find honey all the way out here?”

Cortez puffs out his chest in mock offense. “I’d be a pretty poor requisitions officer if I couldn’t procure those things essential to the health of the crew. Besides,” he says, mischief in his eyes, “who’s to say I haven’t been carrying that around since the last time you were sick?”

James chuckles, taking another sip. They fall into a companionable silence for a moment, James staring out into the starfield, Steve studying James’s form. The tea does seem to be warming him up, he notes with satisfaction; James hasn’t shivered once since that first sip.

“I remember one time, my uncle made this for me after I got caught in a rainstorm on my way home from school,” James says after a moment, voice deeper than usual—maybe from the cough, maybe from the emotion that comes with the memory. “It doesn’t rain a whole lot on the coast, and I took the long way home because…well.” His shoulders sink a little bit. “Anyway, I was a mess by the time I walked in the door. Tió Emilio whipped this up, though, and…” He trails off, and looks down. “Waiting in the rain sucks.”

He takes another sip, then turns and smiles at Cortez. “But there’s a lotta good memories with this tea. Thank you, Esteban. It means a lot.”

Steve smiles back and pats his arm. “I know much you hate being sick, and with everything going on…well, it’s the least I could do.” He stands up. “I’ll leave you to it, Mr. Vega.”

James frowns. “You’re not staying?”

Cortez cocks an eyebrow. “The only thing you hate more than being sick is other people seeing you be sick. That’s why you’re in here by yourself, instead of drinking the warm coffee that’s in the mess or huddled in your own bed in the barracks.” He gives James a small smile. “I know you pretty well.”

James huffs, breaking eye contact to look down at his mug again. He thoughtfully takes another sip of tea and then, without looking up, says, “Well I know there’s enough in that teapot for at least another mug, Esteban.” He looks up and fixes Steve with a look. “And after the day we’ve had? I wouldn’t mind the company.”

“Yeah?” Steve says.

“Yeah,” James answers. And then sneezes. And then shivers.

Steve chuckles, sitting back down to fill his own mug. He leans back against the couch, finding yet another blanket under the couch to pull around them both, and James settles into his side. The two sit with their memories for a long time, staring out into the stars, the quiet broken only by the occasional sip, or sneeze, or the quiet hum of a melody from time gone by.

#mass effect #mass effect 3 #steve cortez #james vega #kaidan alenko #mshepard #mshenko #this was originally just a drabble two sigma out from the longfic I'm working on #but after the news today I needed a little fluff #and thought that you might too #be brave enough to be kind #my writing

[aftgsucks]

NMFTG ch 18

Spooky Scary Seth Schemes

ao3: post ravens game party and Halloween

Neil had nothing to do with it. He’d been minding his business on Abby’s couch, watching the others drink after the Raven’s game. He’d been quiet. Unobtrusive. And yet, he was still getting dragged into the middle of everyone’s shit. 

It started with Seth doing three shots in a row and then staggering to his feet to go stand in front of Andrew. Each action more concerning than the last. 

“Bitch-ass-” Seth cleared his throat, shook his head. “Andrew, Minyard, what would it take for you to let us come to your club on Halloween?” 

Neil wondered if Seth had taken one too many exy balls to the head when no one was looking. 

Everyone started talking at once. 

“WHAT?!” Nicky yelled over everyone. “You know it’s a gay club right?” 

“WHATEVER IT TAKES!” Seth yelled back. “We need to beat those bird fucks into the ground and that means being a team!” 

“Exy,” Kevin said with a grand gesture of his hand. He turned to Andrew. “Exy?” He repeated. 

“Your lack of concern for the sport was your only redeeming quality,” Andrew said, he looked at his glass for a moment, considering. Everyone was silent. “You can all come,” he decided, shocked glee took up half the room. “If Neil agrees- costumes are required.” Andrew added. 

Everyone fell apart, Andrew drinking his whiskey without a care as the room devolved into complaints and frowns. Except for Aaron, who looked at Neil in fear. 

“Neil, Neil-” He started to beg. 

Neil wanted nothing to do with this. He wanted no part in halloween or in being an ultimatum. The cries and sad groans of the majority of the room knew that. Which was precisely why Andrew had pinned it all on him. He had bet on Neil loving nothing more than not doing things. 

Only Aaron knew. 

Only Aaron knew that there was one more thing Neil enjoyed far more than isolating himself and minding his own business. 

Annoying Aaron Minyard. 

“You know what?” Neil said, making direct eye contact with Aaron. “Just for you Aaron, I’ll agree to go.” 

Aaron started swearing as everyone else cheered. Andrew’s face twitched. 

Nicky and Matt both jumped and tackled Neil off the couch. “No, no, thank Aaron, this is on him.” Neil yelled from under his teammates. 

“I HATE YOU.”

Neil already knew that both Minyards were going to take issue, but he would stand by his decision. Besides there was a solid chance someone would kill him before Halloween anyways. And agreeing had increased the likelihood of it being Andrew or even Aaron maybe. 

Later, when the team stopped mauling Neil and went back to drinking and being obnoxious, Neil saw Andrew slip outside to smoke. Whatever Andrew’s response was, Neil wanted to get it out of the way, so he too slipped out of Abby’s house.

“Tell me, Neil, will you be dressing as one of your cartoon characters or another one of your identities?” 

“I’ll be a ghost, I think I have an extra white sheet back at the dorms.” 

“Torturing Aaron, cutting up bedsheets, I seem to recall you making promises to not cause problems?” 

“I would never say that, my existence is a problem, can I have a cigarette?” 

Andrew put his entire hand over Neil’s face to shove him away. “Go be a problem somewhere else, before I kill you.” 

Neil momentarily debated the merits of dying right then and there, but went inside anyways. 

The atmosphere was sky high considering they’d versed the Ravens and Neil didn’t know if it was because of the alcohol, because Kevin hadn’t been negative about anyone’s playing, or because Neil had agreed to go to Edens. 

Neil figured that if at any moment on Halloween he decided he regrets agreeing it would be easy to get Andrew to put him out of his misery. Or maybe even Aaron, considering how much he hated everyone. 

Neil decided to put it out of his mind and find a corner of Abby’s to pass out in until it was time to go back to the dorms. He sat himself down on a chair and shut his eyes.

Apparently everyone was staying the night. A fact Neil didn’t realize until he woke up the next morning still on Abby’s recliner. With a crick in his neck and the site of all the upperclassmen passed out around the room. 

Neil picked his way across the room, avoiding stepping on Matt, Dan, and Seth- as they had taken the floor. Allison and Renee sharing the couch. 

He found Abby in the kitchen drinking coffee and accepted a cup from her before heading out. She informed him that the cousins and Kevin were upstairs. The walk back was maybe half an hour, maybe an hour. Neil didn’t care, he was peopled out and fairly confident that a morning with all of the Foxes in one house would be one he’d regret. 

He’d go back to the dorms and catch up on the schoolwork that the Ravens had made impossible to focus on. 

And that’s what he did, powering through his various beloved math assignments before starting the trudge through an english assignment. Which proved less to be identifying metaphors in poetry and more a test of Neil’s patience.

The upperclassmen came back while he was still staring at the paper. Neil thinks someone might have asked him something, but he could not hear a word over his own grumbling as flipped back and forth between pages in the textbook. 

A steady, hard knock- completely unfamiliar and unrecognizable as any of his teammates- startled Neil out of his focus. 

His heart rate immediately jumped and Neil got up, opening the door, his entire body tense.  

The man who had knocked was a cop. He wasn’t in uniform, just jeans and a button up, but he stood like a cop. He also had those shiny cop shoes. And Neil wasn’t a complete moron. 

Neil immediately started the shut the door. The cop held up a hand and kept it from shutting. 

“Hey now, I’m just looking for Andrew Minyard.” 

“Don’t know him, have a nice day.” Neil tried to shut the door again. 

“Kid, I know the Exy team is on this floor,” the officer struggled to keep the door open and his voice even. “Just tell me where to find Andrew, I just wanna talk to him.” 

                                      “Wow, that’s great, good luck, good bye.” 

Dan opened the door across the hall, looking at the cop and Neil. 

“Hey, is everything okay out here?” She asked, her voice shifting in Captain mode. 

“Hi, good afternoon, I’m looking for Andrew Minyard?” Officer Fuckwad said. 

“And you are?” Dan asked. 

Officer Fuckface turned around and held out a hand. “Officer Higgins with Oakland PD, I just want to talk to him, if you could let me know where to find him that’d be great.”

Dan looked at Officer Higgins hand for a moment before shaking it, her smile strained. “Well, he’s out at the minute, but why don’t you give me your number and I’ll tell you when he’s back.” 

Neil wasn’t sure what was worse, a cop in the dorms or out loose on campus without supervision. He also had the sneaking suspicion that Dan wasn’t going to call Andrew to let him know about the cop. And that Neil would get the blame for this surprise somehow. 

Neil pulled out his phone with a scowl, it was on low battery but still operational. And jabbed at it until it was calling Andrew Minyard. 

Dan looked at him in concern and Neil gave her back a dead look. 

He picked up on the second ring, “meep, meep,” Andrew said. “You know, Casper, I didn’t think you knew how phones worked.” 

“Casper?” Neil asked. “Wait, nevermind, there’s a cop at the dorms looking for you.” 

“What?”

“His name’s Officer Higgins, don’t be surprised.” Neil hung up the phone. 

“I thought you didn’t know Andrew?” Officer Higgins asked. 

Neil debated whether or not the man would be willing to stand in the hall for however long it took Andrew to get back. But ultimately decided cops weren’t the patient type.

“Yeah, I just remembered,” Neil held open the door. “Oh, won’t you please come in Officer?” 

Higgins went into the dorm and Neil gestured to the couch. Watching him until he sat down on it. 

“Neil-” Dan started. 

“Cop stays where I can see him,” Neil told her, grabbing a textbook from his desk to prop open the door. 

“I guess, I’ll take that as a compliment,” Higgins said. 

“Take it however you want,” Neil shrugged. 

He leaned himself against his desk, not wanting to sit down or relax in the slightest while he waited for Andrew to come deal with his problem. 

Dan sighed heavily and shut the door to her dorm, coming into Neil’s and leaning next to him. 

“So, what are you doing out of California?” She asked in a light tone. 

“I’m on unofficial business, just need to talk to Andrew where he can’t hang up on me.” 

“Is he in some kind of trouble, Officer?” She asked. 

“No, not at all. Like I said, I just want to talk.” 

Neil thought South Carolina was an awfully long way to go from California for ‘just a talk,’ but he’d already involved himself enough. Especially considering the cop was from the state Neil had ‘unlawfully disposed of a body’ and all. 

So, Neil kept his mouth shut and his eyes on Higgins while Dan made small talk about sports and planes and shit. 

It only took Andrew fifteen minutes to come stomping down the hall. 

“Oh, Pig Higgins,” Andrew had a manic grin as he appeared in the open doorway. “You are a long, long way from home.” 

“Andrew,” Higgins said. “We need to talk.” Higgins stood up from the couch. Neil and Dan both stood up straight. Neil, ready to usher everyone out at the first opportunity. Dan, ready to interfere- probably- like the good team captain she is. 

“We talked, remember?” Andrew said. “I told you not to bother me.” 

“You said not to call you,” Higgins said. “Just give me a few minutes, won’t you, for old times’ sake? I came all the way out here to see you. Doesn’t that get me any sort of consideration?” 

Andrew shook his head with a laugh. Neil wondered when all of these people would get the fuck out of his dorm. He’d thought, surely, Andrew wouldn’t want to talk to the cop in front of him and Dan. But Andrew stayed in the doorway. 

“You didn’t come out here for me,” Andrew said. “You came on a witch hunt I already said I wouldn’t help you with. Give me one good reason to not cut your throat, would you?” 

Dan hissed under her breath, but Higgins looked completely unfazed by the threat. “I was wrong. I know that now. The investigation on him turned up nothing.” 

“I warned you,” Andrew said, unsympathetic. 

“We were looking at the wrong person, weren’t we? I think I’ve got it right this time, but I can’t do anything without a complaining witness. The other kids won’t speak up. They don’t trust me that much. You’re all I’ve got.” 

Regret, regret. Why did Neil bother? To get long conversations about things he didn’t understand and close proximity to cops. He should have shoved the cop into Dan’s dorm room and let the upperclassmen interrogate him. 

“Kids? Kids, plural. You only mentioned one last time, Pig. How many are you talking about? How many has she had?” Andrew asked. 

“You wouldn’t care about the number unless there really was something there for me to find,” Higgins detected, wow, what a cop. “Just yes or no, Andrew. That’s all I want. That’s all I need right now. I’ll give you a name, you give me an answer, and I promise I’ll go away.” 

“You promise. You’ll break that promise inside a week, Pig. Don’t pretend otherwise. Do I have to walk you out to make sure you leave or will you-”

“Drake,” Higgins interrupted. 

“How many kids, Pig?” Andrew asked after a long moment. 

“Six, since you,” Higgins said. 

Andrew turned and left, Higgins following after him. The stairwell door slamming behind them both. Neil looked out into the hallway and saw both Aaron and Nicky standing with baffled and worried expressions. 

Neil decided it wasn’t his business if Andrew killed a cop and went to sit back down at his desk. 

“You said this wasn’t going to be a problem,” Dan said to Nicky. 

“I said if it was, Andrew would handle it,” Nicky argued. 

“Out, out, do this away from me, it isn’t my problem.” Neil shooed Dan out of his dorm. 

“You involved yourself, I was gonna make Higgins wait at the coffee shop!” 

“Oh, great, a cop loose on campus looking for Andrew, that won’t cause problems.” Neil gently pushed Dan the rest of the way out the door. 

“What do you know about this, Josten?” Aaron asked, in a tight voice. 

“Nothing, and I’m keeping it that way.” Neil shut the door behind Dan, resolute in his mantra of minding his own terminal bullshit. 

After Neil decided his English assignment was as done as it was gonna get, he went out back to smoke in the grass. Andrew was already there. 

Neil sat down and lit his cigarette, taking one long inhale to get it going before just holding it in front of his face. 

“It’s your turn,” Andrew said after a while. 

Neil looked at him. Andrew was still on his pills, tapping his hands against his restless legs as he smoked. Andrew didn’t look at Neil, just kept looking out at the field. 

“Okay,” Neil looked away from Andrew. “Who’s Casper?” 

Andrew laughed. “A cartoon ghost.” 

That tracked. Neil wondered if Andrew would run out of nicknames before Neil died. 

“It's your turn.” Neil said. 

“You called me.” Andrew didn’t ask. 

But Neil decided to answer anyway. “If you kill me, I’d like to incite it on purpose. The cop knocked on my door first.” 

“What is your issue with phones?’ Andrew finally asked. 

Neil contemplated arguing about what constitutes a question. But decided to just let Andrew have an extra, considering earlier. “Phone calls have never been a good thing; I threw my last one into the ocean.” 

“And you call me dramatic.” 

“You are, you’re whole,” Neil gestured to the entirety of Andrew's person. “The all black clothes, the knives, that I’m sure you keep next to a thesaurus- considering how you talk. Dragging me out to your secret lair in Columbia-” Andrew shoved him. “Drama queen.” Neil told him. 

“Ask your question and stop being a nuisance.” 

“Why are you letting everyone come to Halloween?” 

“It won’t make a difference,” Andrew shook his head. “If the idiots want to try and fail at being a team they can do it where I get discounts on alcohol.” 

Neil figured that was fair enough. 

There were a few differences to Neil’s second trip to Columbia. For one, he was in the back of Allison’s car- with Allison, Renee, and Seth. And not sat between the Minyards as they tried to ineffectually kill him via elbow. He had all the room in the backseat, with an entire empty seat between Neil and Seth. 

The next difference was that apparently, someone had to call up Sweeties and reserve a table. Although with ten people that did make sense. They all squished thigh-to-thigh around the reserved table and made awkward conversation. 

Anytime anyone tried speaking to Aaron, he’d kick Neil under the table. Some sort of ‘you did this’ tax, Neil supposed. 

Andrew seemed to only be talking to his family and Renee. But he was still on his meds so he had the energy to spare answering direct questions from the others. 

Neil had carefully, thoughtfully, considered taking advantage of the sheet over his head and going to sleep. But decided to pay attention, due mostly to boredom and a post game adrenaline buzz still working through his system. 

Seth seemed fully set on making everyone talk to each other. He not only asked Andrew and Aaron direct questions, but also Nicky. Somehow listening attentively as Nicky talked about his major. 

“Neil, did you ever do Halloween as a kid?” Seth asked, when he decided it was time to ask Neil a question. 

Did watching actual real life murder and dismemberment count? “No,” Neil said. 

“Were your parents Mormon or something?” Allison asked. 

“No, they were not Mormon. I just wasn’t allowed outside- on my own.” He doesn’t know why he elaborates. He almost ends the sentence with allowed outside, some don’t alert a mandated reporter instinct kicking in to change the end at the last second like a good little mafia kid. 

“Neil, sweetie, with everything I hear about your parents,” Allison said. “They sound like joyless dirtbags. Even my useless parents let me go trick or treating.” 

“Allison,” Dan admonished. 

“I’m not arguing,” Neil shrugged. He definitely never saw either of them happy. “Trick or treating seems frivolous, but dirtbag is probably too nice of a word.” If the Foxes called Andrew a monster, he can’t imagine what they’d call his parents. 

“I- I can’t tell- Neil, please take off your costume. I can’t take the two eye holes seriously,” Nicky begged. 

“No, if I have to wear a costume, you all need to deal with me wearing it.” Neil thought his was better than everyone else’s anyways. His ghost costume was just a sheet with holes, yes, but it offered full coverage. And Neil had been under the impression costumes were supposed to disguise you. Everyone else was very clearly themselves but in silly outfits. 

Dan and Matt were dressed as greek gods. Allison and Seth as the couple from that musical Grease. Renee was a fairy. Nicky was a construction worker. Kevin was a roman warrior. Aaron a doctor- which really? He was basically just himself in a few years. And Andrew was a prison inmate, so- himself a few years ago. Neil had the only good costume.

Conversation somehow managed to flow. A stilted, meandering flow, as the Foxes dodged topics with all the grace of a car crash. But a flow nonetheless. 

Around dessert, Andrew slowed down considerably. Beginning his withdrawals. The upperclassmen, who Neil guessed only saw this at games and interrogations, all gave curious looks. But no one explained anything, a move Neil could respect. 

Kevin somewhat discreetly offered Andrew his pills, Andrew threatened to stab him. Andrew got a text, Nicky very undiscreetly asked who it was. It was “Bee,” the psychiatrist? 

Everyone started talking about the three adults in charge of the team. Yes, the psychiatrist. 

Neil wouldn’t expect Andrew to be so familiar with her. But that cop had known Andrew well enough to communicate with him semi-effectively. So clearly Andrew’s standards were different then Neil’s. A nickname alone meant nothing, Andrew was allergic to real names. But texts of halloween costumes, well that spoke to fondness. More than tolerating even. 

Neil knew, quite unwillingly, that Andrew had to see Dobson once a week as part of his probation. But now, Neil entertained briefly, over his half-eaten ice cream, that Andrew did so somewhat willingly? It seemed absurd. But so did Neil wearing a sheet over his head in fucking Columbia. So maybe Neil should stop expecting logic when it comes to the Foxes. 

They all got back into their respective cars to go to Eden’s Twilight. The bouncer raised an eyebrow at the number of people behind Andrew, but didn’t ask. The Foxes followed Andrew into the club and around as they searched for an empty table. 

Andrew gestured to one with two empty seats and then moved to go to the bar. Neil had the misfortune of being in his path and got dragged along by the sheet to help with drinks. 

Eden’s Twilight was still loud and obnoxious but the sheet that made up Neil’s shitty ghost costume acted as a decent barrier between him and the club. 

That guy that drugged Neil was still behind the bar, greeting Andrew with a grin. “All grown up and making friends?” he asked. “Never thought I’d see the day.” 

“I’ll tip you double if you never say such stupid things again.”

“Who’s in the sheet?” The bartender asked. 

“A ghost,” Andrew answered. 

The bartender started in on the drinks when Neil thought to ask. 

“No one’s getting drugged right?” 

“Not unwillingly,” Andrew answered. 

The bartender finished placing too many drinks on the troy and Andrew picked it up, nodding his head for Neil to lead the way back. 

They made it back to the table in one piece and Neil watched long enough to realize, unsurprisingly, that Andrew had told the truth and the drugs were in fact optional. Neil would have been more surprised back in September, but Andrew had kept his word on a lot since the last trip to Eden’s. Enough that Neil could admit that night was a poor example of him. 

Neil sipped at a soda and watched the crowds for the most part, the Foxes weren’t even really talking just working through the pile of drinks like it was their job. 

It was only after Andrew had taken off with Renee to get more drinks that Dan turned to Nicky to ask about Andrew being sober. At least that’s what Neil thought she asked, it was hard to hear anyone over the music.

“He’s not sober,” Nicky said. “Andrew hasn’t been sober in years.” 

Well Nicky said a lot more than that, as Nicky liked to do. But that was all Neil could make out from the edge of the group. 

Andrew and Renee came back with more drinks. 

Everyone but Renee and Neil drank. And everyone but Renee, Neil, Matt, and Seth took cracker dust. 

The table dispersed. Most of the Foxes going to dance, leaving behind Neil, Andrew, Renee, and Kevin. 

“Why don’t you drink?” Kevin asked, leaning in to make himself heard. 

“Alcohol has a time and a place,” is how Neil decided to answer. 

“And that isn’t the place and time it’s sold?’ Kevin asked, both Renee and Andrew paying attention to the conversation. 

“Not for me.”  

And again Neil wasn’t sure why he was answering, why he was wearing this stupid costume. 

But as Renee and Andrew started discussing some book they’ve both read, and Kevin sipped his drink. And Neil looked up at the crowd, picking out the other Foxes as they danced. Neil realized that he feels… content. 

Neil tapped his thumb against his soda can and thinks maybe he dreamed this. Freezing in Arizona on some quiet night, while his back ached with the lack of his mother. Or maybe he never made it out of Baltimore. And instead of showing him ten sad bloody years as he died, his brain invented this awful, beautiful thing. Because Neil isn’t just content, he’s happy. Or as close to it as he’s ever been. 

And that’s worse than loud music and too many people. It’s worse than dying. And Neil looked down at his glass but found his eyes searching out the Foxes again. And he doesn’t know what to do but he decides to blame Seth.

#nmftg #no more fucks to give #aftg #fanfiction #all for the game #fanfic

[crashstanding]

Well, I think it’s time for me to share my Volo playlist and have a giant thing under the cut of why each song is there

Playlist (Youtube):

And the Song list, complete with some lyrics and reasonings:

1) The Hell of It

This one is here because I think it’s both Volo at himself ( Nothing matters anyway, And that's the hell of it ) and also people who are pissed at him ( And though your music lingers on All of us are glad you're gone )

2) Kafuka

Who was it that opened this rift? Who was it that opened this wound? The god of all that is clean[2] speaks, ”You’re filthy. There’s no hope for you.”

3) Patchwork Eden

Destroy to start anew, destroy to start anew; dispose of the children unfavorable to us The dreams we dreamt, the kindled "ideals," they're given a seed - "Thank you kindly."

The sleepless city, the sorrowful rain; what do they wait for? A pseudomiracle The unending nights, the dazzling past; what do they seek? A pseudomiracle 

4) Arandano

Okay I probably have a better reason for this somewhere, but it’s here because I felt it in my jellies and also “Child who is tortured into murdering“ is Volo Core in my heart

“Keep playing all the way to the end“ A sprouting future Murder

5) Spider Thread Monopoly

This is another Jellies song, combined with the story the song is based on... Also Sasakure.uk is a Volo Artist. It sounds like him!!

Whoever you are, even if you are a helpless idiot, I had already collected ”love” akin to a die that was about to be torn into a thousand pieces I shouted, “This thread is my aim!” to the cloud(spider)’s treasonable intent (thread) that I rejected, ah —I could do nothing but to cling onto it

6) People Eater

My fave interpretation of Volo is “He’s always meant to use the Protag and yet felt bad because he started to care“ and this feels like it

I think there's something wrong with me Why can't I just live happily?

Why do you still believe in me? And I'm baffled why you choose to stay with me You're completely free, yet you refuse to leave

7) Toes

I'm a man, I'm a twisted fool My hands are twisted, too Five fingers, two black hooves

8) Praise

A song that’s praising a false life and happiness in death. This is my personal favorite translation

9) The Fallen

I think Volo deserves a little ferality, as a treat

So they say you're troubled, boy Just because you like to destroy All the things that bring the idiots joy Well, what's wrong with a little destruction?

10) Laplace’s Angel (Hurt People? Hurt People!)

Have you ever died in a nightmare? Woke up surprised you hadn’t earned your fate?

11) Mercy Down

Yea-ah, it’s getting biblical now You better pick your weapons up And throw your mercy down

12) Bloody Mary

Okay listen, this is mostly here because this song fucks most severely. But also “Turn the top of the food chain into the prey“ gives me some sort of “Volo’s the last of the Sinnoh people p much and wants to tear out the throats of the clans“

13) Lower One’s Eyes

This has similar vibes to the one above for why it’s here. But also the Lesbian Jesus/Judas fanfiction song really does suit Volo. Especially his vibes towards the Protag, Giratina, and Arceus

Curtain call, the final act, so say your prayers So long to you beloved traitor Innocence has died, Wilted by your lies "Let's break you from this cage", But you never came to set me free I'm whispering, still standing in the rain, Nothing will change, I'm praying the same thing every day I've lost my faith and myself all the same, It's too late to be saved

14) Silver Platters

I've seen this before As you try to mitigate your fear of being normal Just step through the portal No need to be cordial You could be immortal If you take the risk Could you take the risk?

15) Salt

Volo trans, next song

16) Credits Song for my Death (Orchestral Cover)

It’s about the vibes

17) Gira Gira

Volo redemption arc does live in my heart, even if it takes him a century. I think he deserves to love himself and the world

Give love, the flowers bloom in mud But not a soul is exactly  how they seem, never be, never see Ah, how pretty is the world I don’t belong But still I’m shining on

18) An Unaware Drunkard

Yeah, but before that redemption arc, he needs a flop arc

19) Envy Baby

Hi! I wanna people save. ...all right? Out of the way, love

20) Outer Science

Okay listen, Maniacal villain Volo is a fun idea sometimes, that’s what this is here for. He gets to go a little apeshit as a TREAT... he also gets to break the fourth wall :)

How pitiful to live and die

Time and again you all defy

Though it will end the same, you keep resetting the game

Remiss and pain all aflame

Crying, howling, ever writhing

21) Rebirth

Okay listen, this song is probably only ever going to make sense for Volo in my head and in the capacity of Lagtrain. But I think it works, self despairing and hatred, a little bit of hope...

A strangely pleasant feeling from cutting off connections and losing my own safety,    the next victim appears in a room that can't be unlocked and I open my heart of all melancholic words.    I wonder if I make sense of these feelings, could I understand the things of this world?    Once I'm able to make sense of this pain, will I understand what comes after?     It's better to let your tears dry,    and then will you travel on without wavering?    Or be reborn once again?    Then like that, you'll be happy    as you'll have done nothing wrong.    (Probably).

22) Mitsubachi

Also about the vibes

C’est l’esprit de la ruche (It’s the spirit of the hive) Let the flowers bloom Avec une puissance terrible (With tremendous power) Transforming the scenery with vivid colours Le goût du bonheur (The taste of happiness) But the world we live in Tu ne veux même pas y croire (You just won’t believe in it) Doesn’t even try to believe in us

#babbles #I have Mentol Ilenesses #AKA I think exclusively in music and I love doing this shit #Anyways here we go #And if you want more vibes for a specific thing #feel free to jump into my ask box

[bruhlsbees]

jackpot || dark!daniel x fem!reader

summary: after saving your life from a client, daniel takes you back to his trailer to treat your wounds

pairing: dark!daniel x fem!reader

word count: 5,417

warnings: violence (reader gets beat up and daniel beats up someone), gang violence (daniel sells guns and shit), s*x work (reader is a s*x worker), fluff smut (reader and daniel), 18+, minors dni, nsfw

a/n: hey everyone!! here's a short little thing i wrote up! as i said before, i'll be moving into my first apartment on may 20 so writings will be a bit scarce! if you're looking for chapter two of garden of eden, i'm hoping to have that up before i leave tomorrow morning!! :)

It was ironic for many who lived under The Highway - stuck in the same place while those above came and went so freely...that was the thing though, those above were free. Nobody came to The Highway willingly - and if they did, they were fucking morons. You either were born into the business or you somehow lost a bet and were working your losses back to be able to leave.

Even though it sounded bad, it wasn’t entirely bad. For many, The Highway became their home and those who worked there became family. Business could be bad at times - angry customers coming back heated and threatening to put workers in the ground, the occasional sweep from the cops, the winters when the wind iced your skin away - but you couldn’t expect perfection.

The Highway was the best some could get. The younger teenagers and kids painted murals on the walls and pillars to brighten the place up, those who sold the cars often times would save some speakers for there to be music played during the day and evening, and the older ladies who cooked would always make sure everyone went to bed with a full belly of food.

So, in a way, The Highway wasn’t any different from life above.

Security for The Highway sometimes fell through. There was no ‘leader’ of The Highway, but for Daniel, the people seemed to agree that he was fit for the role. So Daniel made sure that everything ran smoothly down under The Highway. He had men stationed on either side and some on top near the hills that would lead down to where they camped. It had been a bitch and a half to put together, but after three years, things finally were looking up.

He had just finished dealing with a client who failed to make payments. Daniel never liked dealing with people who couldn’t make payments on time, because it often meant ‘teaching them a lesson’ or ‘giving them a friendly reminder’...that lesson or reminder often meant Daniel returning to The Highway with bloody knuckles and a cut lip - because someone always tried to fight back.

This time was no different. He was pissed beyond pissed to be out almost two grand and the guy who owed money’s wife came out of nowhere with a knife and sliced him good across the cheek.

As he walked up to the washbasin that was at the end of the row of tents that belonged to some of the girls who worked at night, he couldn’t help but roll his eyes as he grabbed a rag that was hanging up on the clothesline, dipping it in the water before pressing the cool rag to his cheek, hissing in pain.

Daniel must have been muttering something under his breath because the girls that were around the fire out in front of their tents turned and smirked, whistling at him while he cleaned himself up.

“Ooh, someone got it good today.” One of the girls teased, giggling with the others. Shaking his head, Daniel smiled and walked around the basin, over to the girls before hovering over them.

“Dumb bitch got me good...came out of nowhere. I’m lucky I didn’t lose a fucking eye.” The girls were good at making men feel good, that’s what their job was after all, but he knew that the teasing and praises that were directed towards him weren’t fake, perhaps the most sincere the girls would ever act towards anyone.

“I would have been sad to see your pretty eye not there when you came back, Danny.” Another girl confessed, pouting as she looked up at him. He smiled and reached down, pinching her cheek before standing back up.

“Don’t worry about me doll, ain’t nobody taking my eyes.”

As he looked around the fire at the usual crowd, he noticed that you weren’t there in your usual spot. Frowning, he glanced around the camp to see if maybe you were somewhere else, his own thoughts drowning out the sound of the girls continuing to tease him.

“She’s off with a client. Been gone for a bit now. Looks like she had a bag, not sure what that all means, but I don’t think she will be coming back tonight.”

Turning around, Daniel looked at one of the older ladies who was seated in an old rocking chair near the washbasin, filling out a half-used crossword puzzle book, her glasses slipped down to the tip of her nose. Looking up, she took off her glasses and held them in her lap, continuing to rock slow in the chair while Daniel approached her.

“You said she had a bag? Who’d she go with? Is he a regular?” Daniel tried his best to not sound too worried, but it was you. He knew it was stupid to fall in love with one of the girls at camp, given how he had his own role in camp and you had your’s - but out of everyone in the camp, as cliche as it was, you were different. There was a twinkle about you that just brought life wherever you went. He’d be lying to himself if he said that you weren’t the reason he still stayed under The Highway.

So when the old lady shook her head, shrugging her shoulders, Daniel could only feel his worst fears coming true. “Like I said, hun, she had a bag and she’s been gone for a while now. I didn’t recognize him, but he was driving a green mustang. Ugliest thing I’ve ever seen. That much I could tell you.”

And that would be enough. Leaning down, Daniel kissed her cheek and smiled, “Thank you.” He turned around to head to his trailer to get some things before being stopped by the sound of the old lady.

“You’re probably the only one who can get through to her...you kids got a lot more to your lives that rottin’ away down here. You find her and you two run...run away from all this and don’t look back,” Her words were always honest and always made you think hard on your own choices. She was like the eyes of The Highway, always knowing what was going on and when it happened and with who. If she told you to do something out of the better interest for you, you’d best believe that it was the choice you needed to make.

“And for God’s sake, son, just tell her how you feel. Quit moping around like a beaten puppy everytime she goes off with someone.”

All Daniel could do was smile, even with his cheeks pink from being called out about his own feelings for you, he couldn’t be mad. Turning back towards his path, he quickly made strides to his trailer that was down the trail a ways near the creek.

⋆ ⋆ ⋆

You knew something was off the moment you got in his car. It was like a switch - the charming and sweet man who approached you at the camp suddenly was gone, in his place was something darker, more sinister. He had sped so quickly out of camp that you swore your stomach went to your throat. You clutched the strap of your duffle bag tightly, looking out the window with tears in your eyes as the creek’s current headed in the opposite way. The opposite way from where he was taking you - away from The Highway, away from your home, away from Daniel.

You closed your eyes tightly, letting the tears drip down your cheeks, your teeth clamped on your tongue to stifle your cries. You knew they didn’t like it when you cried, it only made you less pretty...made them feel uncomfortable because now they saw that you had more feelings than just flirty.

He must have heard you sniffle, or realized by your body language that something was off with you. He didn’t care though, he just rolled his eyes and scoffed, “You gonna make me pay you more to deal with your whiny ass? Come on, why don’t you give me a pretty smile, yeah? Like the one you gave me earlier? God, you girls are so pathetic aren’t you? Not a single thought runs through that head, does it?”

He hit the breaks suddenly, sending you forward until you stopped yourself with your hand pressed against the dashboard. Your chest heaved, panic settling in as he turned, wrapping one arm around you with his other hand still clenched around the wheel. “You ain’t gonna make this no fun for me tonight are ya? You’ve seen the way your friends come back if they don’t do what we pay you to do. Do you want that to happen to you?”

Shaking your head, you mumbled out a ‘no’, watching as his hand went from the steering wheel and to your face, carefully wiping away your tears. “No, you’re right. You don’t. So come on, put on a little smile and let’s have some fun, yeah?”

⋆ ⋆ ⋆

They never went far with clients. That was always the rule. They could go as far as when the creek splits, but nothing past that. Too many have they lost from guys taking advantage of them and driving off with them, only to find them days - sometimes weeks - later face down off in the woods. It was a sight that would never leave Daniel, and now it seemed the only face he saw on those bodies were of you.

With his gun in his left hand and a flashlight in the other, Daniel stormed throughout the woods, marching through the thicket to find the stupid green mustang that you’d be in. He already went down the trail and didn’t find the car near the creek, so if he couldn’t find it in the woods, well...he could only hope he did.

It was pitch black out by now, the moon was high up in the sky that gave enough light when not covered by the trees. Daniel had dealt with these types of guys plenty of times - the assholes who think that just because he paid for a service, meant he could do whatever he wanted. No, no that’s not how it worked.

By the time he reached the edge of the treeline, spotting the twinkling waves from the water, he felt his heart sink. This was it. He had searched the bare trail and in the woods and still you weren’t anywhere to be found. He’d lost you, he had let you down. Feeling the tears prick at his eyes, Daniel blinked them away, nostrils flared as he became angry now, pacing in his spot, gun clenched tight in his hand as his heart began to race.

“Fuck!”

He knew that he wasn’t thinking at this point, his boot stomping into the ground until he grew tired, the rage consuming him. Daniel didn’t want to give up, he couldn’t, but where else would he have gone? He didn’t have a damn clue. But then, by some stroke of God, he saw it - the fucking car.

Across the creek hidden in the bushes was the green mustang. From his spot on the other side he couldn’t see you in the car, but he knew you couldn’t have been far. Without giving it another thought, he took off down the path, cutting across the slanted hill that split the creek in two and crept towards the other side of the creek, landing in the tall grass before making his way closer to the car.

When he reached the edge of the tall grass, he knelt and looked into the car, eyes squinting to try and get a better look, but still, he couldn’t see you in there. Standing up, Daniel carefully made his way to the car, popping his head up to look through the window in the backseat. While he didn’t want to see someone balls deep inside of you, right now he almost wishes he did - at least then he’d know you were okay.

Rounding the back of the car, looking around to see if maybe you were outside, his steps came to a stop when he finally saw you, in a small clearing in the thick of the bushes, on your back with your hands above your face. Your shirt looked as though it had been torn off, in two pieces surrounding you.

“Please! Please, don’t! Stop! Stop, I promise I’ll-”

Daniel couldn’t watch when you got a kick to the side, flinching away at the sound of your cries as the client above you, shirt off, continued to humiliate you. “Shut up! You hear me! Shut up! God, I can’t stand it when you cry!”

Your hands dropped to your side, curling up in a ball to conceal yourself from him, a whimper escaping your throat as you closed your eyes tightly, not wanting to watch if he decided that you hadn’t had enough.

But Daniel did. And it would end there.

Not bothering to stay quiet, Daniel stood up from his spot in the bushes, the leaves rustling as he stormed out and towards the two of you - not giving the man a second to speak before Daniel connected the flashlight to his head, sending him down onto ass before climbing on top of him, grabbing him by his throat and squeezing his hand around him.

Daniel didn’t have to say anything - the look in his eyes saying enough. His eyes, even darker than normal, stared wide at the man, whose face was turning a plum color from how quickly he was losing oxygen. He was struggling to get out of Daniel’s grasp, and feeling him struggle only made Daniel tighten his grip.

You were trying not to watch, too in shock at how violent the scene unfolded in front of you. Your hands were now covering your face, although you were still peeking between your fingers. The only time you closed your eyes was when Daniel finally raised his gun, your body flinching at the sound of it going off and the ‘thud’ of the body hitting the dirt.

Even though you knew he was dead, you still couldn’t bear to look at what was in front of you, too scared to see if maybe you were wrong and it wasn’t the client who was dead, but by some twisted joke, Daniel. You were shaking in your spot in the dirt, hands squished over your face tightly, a yelp escaping you when you felt a hand on your shoulder.

“Shh, shh, it’s just me. It’s Daniel, hey, it’s okay. You’re safe now.”

Pulling your hands away slowly, you opened your eyes and looked up to see Daniel, crouched in front of you with a hand on your shoulder, a weak smile on his face. Your face contorted and a sob escaped you, your body falling into his as you hugged him tightly, face buried into his chest. Taken back by how scared you were, Daniel carefully wrapped his arms around you, holding you close until your sobs died down to a dull whimpering.

“Come on, let’s get you back home, okay?”

⋆ ⋆ ⋆

He carried you back to camp, his own jacket wrapped around you to conceal you with the lack of a shirt. When the two of you made it back, Daniel stopped at some of the men that were on patrol that night, explaining the situation down on the other side of the creek and for them to ‘take care of it’. You knew what it meant - dispose of the vehicle and any evidence that would point the blame back towards you all. You never liked to think about what they did, but this time, this time you did want to know.

Daniel carried you all the way to his trailer, inside until you reached his bathroom. He set you down and helped you walk in, letting you sit on the toilet while he sat across from you on the edge of the bathtub.

“Fuck, what were you even doin out there?”

You felt so naked in front of him - having him see you in such a broken state. You don’t know why, but you wanted to cry. No, you did know why, you were so pathetically humiliated and the wash of guilt was flooding over you.

“I- this hasn’t happened before,” You quipped back, a whimper escaping your throat, “He promised to take me away from it all, I thought I could trust hi-“

“Gimme a break, you ain’t no amateur. You’ve been out there longer than me and even I know not to trust anyone who makes promises,” He sat back on the edge of the tub, looking at you from your spot on the toilet, “You gotta be more careful. You hear me? I don’t need to be going out there and finding you face down on the side of the road.”

You dropped your head down, looking at your bloody knuckles. You could hear it in his voice how disappointed he was, how worried he was. yet you still went back, still went out on the street to meet with strangers at night.

But little did you know that he still looked at you in a way that beamed you as an angel. To him you were perfect - despite your job, your upbringing into The Highway, your own personal demons - he still saw you as something so pure and delicate it made his heart hurt every fucking time he saw you out there under The Highway…smoking a cigarette waiting for another customer.

“You can say it. I’m a fucking idiot.” You suddenly said, breaking the silence. Looking up and at Daniel, you frowned, cracked lips twitching as the heat from your black eye began to radiate. You knew it would be a long time before that healed.

You should’ve been dead with this last one. God did he get you good. You were lucky that Daniel found you when he did and pulled the guy off of you, otherwise, well - you wouldn’t be sitting here if he hadn’t.

Daniel smiled sadly your way and you didn’t notice it, but his own eyes began to glisten with tears. Shaking your head, you turned and looked away from him. “I’m sorry…” you choked out, your body soon breaking down as your hand came up to your face, shielding your tears from him, your other hand still on your knee.

You jumped slightly when you felt his warm hand on you, holding your hand that was on your knee. Hesitantly, you peeked through your fingers towards him, seeing him gently stroking your delicate hand with his fingers.

“The thought of losing you…it fucking kills me. You know that? I don’t…I don’t judge you for what you do, okay? Never, never. But you’re too nice, too naive. If I hadn’t got there when I did you would be-“

He was cut off by his own sobs, and you were surprised to say the least when you saw him break down, his gruff demeanor shattering. Your mouth fell open, unsure as to what to say. What could you say?

Moving carefully, you stood up and shakily took a step towards him, sitting on his leg while you took his face in your hands, tilting it up to look at you.

You didn’t have to say anything, your eyes saying enough. You smiled weakly at him and gently ran your fingers down his face, wiping away his tears. He closed his eyes and leaned into your touch, soon lulling his head forward to rest on your chest.

Your fingers moved from his face and to his hair, running through his long locks, your face nestled at the crown of his head, taking in his scent. You felt him wrap his arms around you, holding you close to him, tracing patterns in your back.

The two of you sat like that for several moments, neither of you rushing the moment. Eventually, though, you felt him pull back, his head moving up to look into your eyes. While his right hand still kept holding onto your waist, his left made its way up the side of your face, cupping your cheek and letting your head fall into his palm. For the first time in a long time, you felt safe.

When you opened your eyes, staring back at him, you couldn’t help but blush when he smiled back, feeling his right hand squeeze your waist - almost in a teasing manner. He only wanted to see you smile, cheer you up in any way that he could.

“Why do you stay around?” He asked suddenly, his voice quiet as he continued to hold you to him, stroking the side of your face and the side of your waist. Daniel noticed your smile fall as if you were preparing to admit something not good. His heart sank, worry washing over him.

He closed his eyes for a moment, feeling your thumbs caress his face, looking at him endearing, “Why do you stay around?” You pressed, wondering if maybe - just maybe - he thought the same as you. But you beat him to it, leaning forward slightly before your head jerked back slightly, catching yourself from getting too close. “Why would I leave you?”

And there it was - the confession that he had been praying for. Hearing you confirm that you felt the same way made the weight on his shoulders slip away. The laugh that escaped his mouth was more in shock than humorous. When you tilted your head, eyebrows furrowed, you suddenly became embarrassed - did he not think the same?

But then he kissed you, so deeply and sweet, a kiss you had never experienced before. You moaned from the suddenness of the kiss, melting into him as your hands slipped behind his head and around his neck, pulling yourself even closer onto his lap as the two of you continued to kiss.

Wrapping your legs around his waist, Daniel held you to him as he stood up, making his way out of the bathroom and down the hall into his bedroom, laying you carefully on the bed before pulling away. You couldn’t help but blush as he took you in, his eyes wandering over you.

“You’re so beautiful, you know that?” He whispered, his eyes finding yours again. He leaned forward to kiss you but felt your fingers on his lips, stopping him suddenly. Daniel felt his heart sink, was he being too pushy?

“Are you- are you sure you want to do this with me? I mean...since I, well…”

He knew where you were going with your comment and he could only frown, laying next to you on his side, propping himself up with his left elbow that sat next to your head, his right hand holding your face.

“Oh...no, no, why would you think that? Of course I want to do this with you,” He noticed you beginning to tear up and his expression fell, “Hey, hey...don’t cry, you’re okay.”

Pulling you close, he cradled your head under his chin, kissing your head as he let you cry it out. Stroking your temple with his thumb, he felt your body shake in his hold, your cries muffled by his shirt. He didn’t know what he could say to make you feel better, it was so fuckin heartbreaking to hear you talk the way you did about yourself.

“I can’t think of anyone else I would want to lay in bed with. I said I don’t judge you for what you do, and I meant that.”

Pushing away from him gently, you looked up at him, closing your eyes for a moment when he wiped away your tears. Unlike your client from earlier, Daniel was gentle, comforting you unlike the client who was torturing you. Perhaps you were scared to admit that you wanted to be intimate with Daniel, because deep down you only knew how sex worked when it came to your job - never for pure love.

“Do you want this? With me? You can tell me no and I won’t be mad, I promise you that. If you just want to lay here even, I’m okay with that. I just don’t ever want you out of my arms ever again. I want to know that you’re safe in my arms every night from this day on.”

At his confession, you could only smile, not sure what to say. Your brain was spinning so violently you were surprised that you were even able to stay focused on what he was saying. You went to scoot up but he stopped you, rolling over so you were slightly under him.

“Let me take care of you tonight for once, if you’d let me.” You smiled and finally nodded, a smile spreading across both of your faces before carefully the two of you leaned forward, lips meeting once again.

Slowly his fingers ran up and down the side of your body, moving closer to your breasts that were covered by your bra. Giving them a gentle squeeze, you moaned in his mouth and arched your back, pressing them into his hands more. Daniel smiled against your lips and reached around, unhooking your bra before pulling it off.

You watched as he slowly peppered kisses across your face, moving down your face and to your jawline, down your neck, across your chest, before finally reaching your breasts. He took one in his mouth, suckling until he heard you moaning before pulling away, moving to the other while his hands hooked onto the waistband of your skirt, pulling it down along with your panties.

Daniel pulled away from your breast and sat up, drinking in your naked form before taking your hands into his, squeezing them as he brought them to his lips, kissing over your bruised knuckles and teasingly nibbled on your fingers until he heard you laugh.

“So beautiful…” He murmured against your fingers, letting your hands drop down his chest before you hooked onto his shirt, pushing it up and with his help, pulling it off and onto the floor to join your clothes. With him still sitting up, your hands reached for his belt and swiftly pulled it off, undoing the button of his jeans before pushing them down with his jeans.

Before you could do anything else, Daniel coaxed you back into the bed, hovering over you with your legs spread apart, his hands rubbing up your inner thighs and squeezing them, his dick - now hard - rubbing against your entrance earning a sweet whine from you.

“You gonna take my whole cock baby? Do I finally get to make you mine after all these years?” He whispered, leaning forward and pressing his forehead to your own. Feeling you nod your head, you moaned and let your eyes roll back at the feeling of him teasingly pushing in you slowly before pulling out. “Yes...please, Daniel, please.”

He knew any other time he would press on with what you wanted, letting you beg longer before he finally gave you what you wanted and fucked you good. But this time, this night, he was going to make sure you were treated right.

“I got you, baby, just look at me, okay? I wanna see your pretty face when I fuck you.”

You nodded and looked into his eyes, smiling weakly when his mouth fell open, a faint ‘ahh’ escaping his lips, “There she is, my pretty girl.”

His endearing words sent you over the edge that night. Even with a black eye, cracked lips, and overall just a complete mess than what you normally looked like, he still made you feel like the prettiest girl in the room.

When he finally pushed into you, slowly bottoming out inside of you, the two of you moaned against one another’s lips, the vibration buzzing off each other. Daniel didn’t want this to be too much of a quickie - he would be honest and say he wouldn’t last as long as he would have liked - but he still wanted to take his time.

And that he did.

The pace he went was good for you, intoxicating even. With your legs and arms wrapped around him, you shifted up and down in the bed as he slowly fucked you, typically going in and out of you soft, but occasionally surprising you with a harder thrust. He enjoyed hearing your moans, especially the louder ones of surprise when he suddenly slapped his hips against yours.

His lips felt lonely and he leaned forward, capturing your lips into his with a deep kiss, his own teeth pulling at your lips gently before running his tongue along the bottom of your lip, pushing it in your mouth to mesh with your own.

You moaned against his mouth, your hands holding his face and you kissed him back, the scene almost sickening at how passionate the two of you were. It didn’t take long for you to pull away, your own climax beginning to rise. Letting out a whine, you pressed your forehead against the side of his face.

“Daniel, I- I don’t know how much longer I can last.”

The burning sensation that began to heat up in your core made your legs begin to shake. Gripping onto your thighs, Daniel picked up his pace a bit, his own climax rising too. “It’s okay, I got you. You’re doing so good.”

Daniel’s praises towards you did not help the sensation slow down, but you weren’t upset. Getting off to him- with him, made up for the entire evening. The sex wasn’t even bad, but given the circumstances of the night and how quick it went, you only could wish it lasted longer.

When the fireworks in your head finally went off, your body going slack, you tried to catch your breath as Daniel still continued to rut inside of you, grunting at the feeling of you tightening around him. His pace became even quicker, almost animalistic before he finally snapped his hips in you one more time, cumming deep inside of you.

Collapsing down on top of you, Daniel desperately tried to catch his breath, his head rested against your breasts, legs tangled in with yours. You both had your eyes closed, mouths open as you panted. You felt the softness of his beard against your chest and you smiled, the safe feeling coming back. Your fingers gently ran through his hair, pushing it back as you grew tired.

Before you could fall asleep, Daniel had gotten up and left for the bathroom, coming back with a rag to clean the two of you off before he tossed the rag with his dirty clothes, crawling into bed beside you and pulling you close, kissing the top of your head. It didn’t take long before the two of you finally fell asleep.

⋆ ⋆ ⋆

The warmth of the sun cast down on your face as you leaned your head out the window, resting against your arms as you smiled. The sky was still pink from the sunrise and the world around you was quiet - peaceful. The soft music that played from Daniel’s radio was the only voice you heard.

Glancing over to his right, Daniel smiled at the sight of how calm you were, enjoying the moment while he drove the two of you down the highway in his truck. With his left hand on the steering wheel, his right hand found your hand, bringing your hand up for a kiss before resting it back down beside you. He shifted to get comfortable and make you comfortable when he felt you shift and curl up into him, your head resting against his chest.

After you had fallen asleep, that same night Daniel decided that it was finally time for you two to get away - to start the life the two of you deserved. He packed up his trailer and shoved both of your belongings into the back of his truck, the trailer hitched to the back of his truck. It wasn’t a perfect home by any means, but it was your home and that’s what mattered most.

It didn’t matter where you went, so long as you had each other. And the first time in a long time, the two of you were finally free.

#daniel bruehl #daniel bruhl #daniel br��hl #dark!daniel #daniel bruhl imagine #daniel bruhl smut #daniel bruhl x reader #daniel bruhl x you #18+ #minors dni #blurbs

[vasiktomis]

Pomegranate, Chapter 17: Quiet Earth, Part I.

John Seed x Female Deputy

Rating: Explicit.

Read it on Ao3 here!

Notes: Thanks all who have been keeping up with this! I'm so consistently floored by the amount of content creators we have in this fandom corner and the sheer level of workmanship that exists here. This is the first chapter of Pom that I'll be posting to tumblr, and I'm hoping to draw up a little sketch with each update. If you have any suggestions, I'd love to hear them! Big thank you to @shallow-gravy and @consumedkings as always for dealing with my stupidity and being a pair of top-notch angels, and also just like, everybody who takes time out of their day to engage with this? Y'all really sticking with ultra slow burn and I swear after some wicked angst in the next couple of chapters I'll finally be able to throw some well-deserved smut at you. WARNINGS: Forced conversion, descriptions of dissociation and derealisation, explicit language, sexual content, depictions of violence, guns, blood and gore. Canon-typical debauchery.

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“Don’t touch him!”

Mary May lunged with enough force for John to feel the wake of air sweep through him, even with how quickly she was snatched up and yanked back to her place. The soles of her tennis shoes squeaked against the floor as she was dragged to the far side of the room, unable to be trusted with providing audience to Nick’s Atonement.

A shame, really. It was nicer as a shared experience.

The Baptist rolled his jaw, off-setting some of the tension arising from the shrieks that the blonde flung at the back of his head. He righted himself, taking the tattoo gun from one of his faithful with a gracious nod, and turned his attention down to the pilot currently pinned to the floor. Without a word, he sank to his knees, straddling the man, keeping silent as he could just to listen out for any change in his demeanour. Fear. Grief. Defeat. Acceptance. A sign to prove his readiness.

Nick didn't flinch, breathing hard through his nose and watching with hateful eyes. John hovered an indicating hand over the man’s bare chest, bruised from the fight he’d put up against his capture, mentally mapping out placement. Then, he came in with the needle, beginning with the stem of an ’E’, right in the centre of Nick's sternum.

The pilot snorted, masking discomfort with indifference, turning a wince into a scoff. “Figures you don’t use stencils. I ain’t got a hope in hell of this turning out good, do I.”

That casual old Nick attitude. He missed it.

If only he’d let him do this 5 years ago. He wouldn’t have had to miss it.

John feigned offense. “Oh I’m sorry, Nick. Did you want me to do the rest in cursive? Add a feather? Infinity symbol?”

“For fuck’s sake-”

“Talk about tonal dissonance. It’s not meant to be pretty.” He grumbled. “Might’ve gotten a little more practice if you’d-”

A yell from the rear entryway pulled John’s hand away from his canvas. More squeaking. More interruption. Jerome Jeffries getting hauled into the church, held under each arm by the pair of Chosen that John had sent looking for him.

The Baptist cast a look over his shoulder at them, content with the sight of Jerome adequately beaten and bloodied. “Ahh. Pastor. Try to run and hide? It’s no wonder your flock ran astray with a shepherd so quick to leave them to the wolves.”

Jerome ignored him. No reply. No eye contact. A crime John noted to make worthy of capital punishment in the New Eden. The Pastor was set down beside Mary May, who immediately began seeing to his injuries. Murmuring bubbled between them.

“Did you reach them?” The bartender asked. Must’ve been a negative, because the next thing she did was curse.

“The Deputy was calling when they caught me.”

And if she had half the spine to come and broker an agreement for her friends, she’d be inbound.

“Could you at least gag them? I’m trying to concentrate.” John ordered no one in particular, earning another scoff from Nick. “The faster we work, the less we’ll have to get through once she arrives. The quicker we can be out of this heinous town.”

“Stay away from her, shitbag.” The pilot ground out, this time unable to save face when John retaliated, pressing the gun just a little too hard, digging down through an extra few layers of skin.

“Nick Rye, you’re a married man.” John tutted playfully, resuming his work. “That sin of yours again. Take, take, take. Didn’t think the Deputy to be your type. Wouldn’t say you’re hers, either.”

Nick looked downright disgusted at the prospect. Less concerned for the state of his wife - which meant she'd been a likely getaway. “Always been so fuckin’ jealous.”

“Come again?”

“Think folks are stupid? Think I don’t know you?”

“You don't know me, period.” John bit back, skin on the back of his neck flushing between boiling and freezing.

“Anyone else givin’ you this much trouble’d be long dead by now. That shit on the radio? Reckon you’d be talkin’ like that if your family could hear you across the river?” Nick continued, averting his gaze when John shot him a particularly poisonous look. He didn’t, however, find it necessary to respond to such a veiled accusation.

At least until -

“Everybody knows you wanna stick it to her, John-”

As if he’d been awaiting the chance, John’s free hand shot to Nick’s jaw, aching in protest when he squeezed, not stopping until he could feel the man’s molars beneath his flesh. “That’s about enough from you.” He crooned.

John had his desires, yes. He’d accepted that much. Had he not been sworn to celibacy, he might have jumped at the opportunity to respond to Cora’s advances last night. That said, she was still an outsider, and while her Atonement made the prospect less dicey, he couldn’t consciously consider laying with the woman in real life.

No matter how torturous it had become to gear his thoughts toward anything else.

He could be content with just her company, without making any further advances on her. Last night had simply been a moment of weakness, and he’d prevailed by stepping away.

“If you’ll excuse me.” John switched off the little machine once he’d completed his piece and promptly stood to beckon for replacement parts. Mary May might have gotten away with an allergic reaction last time he’d attempted this, but considering he’d be slicing it out of her within the hour, he couldn’t see any reason for her to be complaining. The bartender had been a thorn in his side from the start. While Nick and his wife had once lent John their...whatever a sinner’s closest equivalent was to friendship, Mary May had always been trouble. Wore her heart on her sleeve and trusted no one she hadn’t grown up around. Bolshie. Almost fucking killed him, once.

John busied himself with needle transfers and a pleasant expression. He could feel the woman’s eyes on him.

Did she think what Nick proclaimed? That complete and utter lie?

How fucking crass. No, he did not want to ’stick it’ to Cora. At least, as far as anyone else was concerned. He was fond of her, and - while yes, he had encountered temptation - if one disregarded the cum-stained, stolen panties in his pocket, and the conjured fantasies, and the purely incidental erection he’d maintained after the Deputy stuck her tongue down his throat last night - there was simply no evidence to suggest to anyone else that he was even remotely tempted to break the rules.

Sex was the furthest thing from his mind. It was mere coincidence that today had just so happened to fall on a morning in which he’d needed to trim.

…

If, however, she were to decide that she wanted to continue what she’d attempted last night, then surely he couldn’t be to blame if he only failed to stop her. It wasn’t technically fornication if he didn’t initiate it. Nor was it considered intercourse if -

“Brother John.”

John jumped, heart stopping, whipping his head around to the Chosen standing at the door of the church.

“What?" He asked thickly.

“The Deputy’s arrived.”

Right on cue, the crackling of gunshots drifted in alongside the Chosen’s announcement.

“Tell everyone to hold their fire.” John ordered. “We have them outnumbered tenfold. The Deputy can’t be stupid enough to create a hostage situation. Direct her here, and peacefully.”

The Chosen’s throat bobbed, swallowing back outrage, and John squinted hard at him, trying to dispel the flicker of green light in the mist outside as it settled against the man’s temple.

“John, I don’t think-”

He never got a chance to act on that incoming insubordination.

Instead, he jerked, cut off by a sickening crack as a section of his skull blew out of his head. Red mist and liquified brain matter followed, splattering against the doorframe, and the Chosen slumped lifeless onto the front step.

John wasn’t so much shaken by the killing as he was irritated by everyone else’s apparent refusal to let today go according to plan. Maybe also the pile of brains and hair now sitting on his once-pristine red carpet. He’d made this easy for the woman: kill everyone he could round up, leave her with no one to claim duty to, and get this all over and done with. Have her home by mid-afternoon. Embark on a new chapter and achieve salvation. It was that simple.

Woe to him for trusting in her common sense.

“Fuck’s sake. Wrath begets more wrath.” He muttered, smoothing a hand over his chin. He didn’t have the patience for this any longer. “Fine. Sister -”

A woman stood from the pews as soon as John made eye contact, equally as unshaken by the scene mere feet away.

“Send out word: the Deputy wants to sacrifice her friends for the sake of a fight.” John punctuated the end of his sentence with a click as he returned his focus to jamming the needles into his tattoo gun. “Give her what she wants. Take her by force.”

━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━

The smokescreen was beginning to clear, but despite the weight it was taking off her lungs, Cora would’ve preferred it remain just a little longer. At least until they’d cleared out the town. Had they been quicker, it might have lasted longer. Covered their approach to Fall’s End. Given them more cover to sneak about unseen.

The streets, while still hazy, were visible now. It wasn’t a difficult task watching Peggie silhouettes run from building to building in search of her team. Resistance members and civilians were either in the process of being rounded up, or littered the road and pavement, dead. The Ryes, Mary May, and Pastor Jerome were yet to be seen amongst either group.

Same went for Boomer.

Aside from the barking of orders from Chosen and faithful, there was little sound. Knowing how much of a fuss her dog had put up the last time he’d been caught by the Project struck Cora’s nerves. He was his own alarm, and he would not go peacefully.

Not hearing him was an indication of the worst.

Some part of her brain argued against the idea. Vouching that John wouldn’t have hurt the creature. That was her dog. He had to be an exception to the massacre, no matter how vicious he behaved.

She had to find him, and creeping through the rear entry of the Spread Eagle was the first point of call.

Luckily enough, the back door had yet to be boarded up. Peggies who rushed past covered windows hardly stopped to peek inside the place for fear of being tainted by the presence of alcohol. Sneaking in was simple enough, too, at least once Jess had picked the lock.

“I’m going to pretend that door was open.” The Deputy murmured her equivalent to praise, passing into the building.

Grace headed straight in after her, taking a left to search for any sign of Mary May while she took a right toward the stairs.

“You pretend the Cook’s head was already gone when we found him?” Jess whispered.

“Freak accident. You all saw it.”

“First floor’s clear.” Grace announced from the serving hatch in the kitchen, clearly unhappy about it.

“Right.” Cora acknowledged, “I’ll check up top.”

The second story was as dead-quiet as the first. Furniture had been knocked over in the hallway and bedrooms had been raided. None of it indicated anything good, but she still had to know.

Cora pushed open the door to her room, and while she held no expectation of what she’d find, her heart sank anyway.

It was empty.

Boomer was gone.

Only his makeshift collar and a tattered bandana remained atop the rug he’d been snoozing on that morning.

Her dog.

John had either taken him or killed him, just like the rest. He’d do the same to the rest of her team. She should’ve taken the Baptist’s offer before the latter had even become a possibility.

“No sign?” Grace affirmed once the Deputy slipped back down to the first floor. “My guess is either they’re in hiding, or John’s giving them special treatment. If they were dead he’d be parading them.”

Sharky and Hurk exchanged a frown when Cora offered only a nod, notably more meek than usual.

“Was he in there, darlin’?” Adelaide asked, a little too gently not to invite a sting to her eyes.

Cora felt her jaw clench. It was a different breed of nausea, trying to keep her composure under the scrutiny of the rest of the team. She managed to shake her head, and Adelaide’s hand found her shoulder.

“Could still be with the others, yet.” The woman offered.

“So how do we find them?” Jess asked.

Find John Seed, of course.

“Finding them’s one thing. Getting to them might be the harder part.” Cora began. “The smokescreen’s only getting thinner and there’s Peggies everywhere. It's grasslands from here to the hills. No way we can herd everyone across a field on-foot, safely. We’ve got to make sure they stay freed, first.”

“And?” Jess huffed. “We’re gonna kill some Peggies, right?”

The blonde considered that.

“We split up. Search the buildings for anyone who hasn’t been caught yet. Round them up and plant explosives as we go. With enough chaos, maybe we can have a shot at turning the tide in the short term.”

Sharky was practically trembling. “Explosives, like, everywhere?”

“Everywhere. The more damage, the better.” Cora replied. “Adelaide, Xander, pair up. Sharky and Hurk, same with you.”

“And us on range?” Jess grinned, trading a look with Grace who maintained absolute stoicism. “I’m so into that.”

“No.”

…

“Say what?”

“No more ranged attacks. I need you and Grace to head back to the van -”

Jess was advancing on her before she’d even finished her sentence.

“You’re pulling me outta the fight? The fuck gives?” The huntress loomed over the Deputy, incredulous. Cora made an effort to stay put, but Jess’s insistence managed to outweigh her stubbornness, forcing the blonde to compromise by leaning as far back as she could without falling.

“We can’t keep running on short-term wins.” Cora insisted. “We have to put our foot down. No more small assaults. No more hoping John gets demoralised enough that he hands himself over.”

Sharky frowned. “What’re you saying?”

She met his gaze, puffing out her chest, retaking her space. “I’m saying the Henbane Bridge is unmanned right now. If we get word to the County Jail, there’s no roadblock to stop them from helping us win this. John Seed’s throwing everything he can at us. I say we try for the same. I say we end it for good. We’re gonna take back Holland Valley. Today.”

“...You really like that dog, huh.”

“That too.”

Jess looked unconvinced. “So the two of us are running errands while the rest of you are holding the fort? Fucking bullshit.”

“I told you. No more range.” Cora bit back, jabbing a thumb toward Hurk and Sharky. “You’d rather send Boshaws and Drubmans to convince Tracey to send us her best people? No offence.”

“None taken, bitch.” Adelaide grumbled.

Grace exhaled, throwing away momentary hesitation. “We’ll be fast.”

Cora traded a nod with the sniper before looking to Jess once more.

Still unconvinced.

“They have cars with guns on them, remember?”

The corner of Jess’s mouth ticked. Temptation.

Mission accomplished.

━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━

The tacky fucking carpet was the first thing she noticed, creeping along Main Street. Bliss petals had been sprinkled all over the road leading up to the church.

The carpet ended at the door. An invitation if she ever saw one. Boastful. Arrogant.

A pang of dread ached through Cora's bones, holding her in place while she drew her revolver. It could be an ambush. It probably was an ambush, but there was nothing she could feasibly do to avoid it. If the others were in there, then she couldn't wait around any longer.

She had to do this. At least hold out until Jess and Grace returned, with or without help.

She'd been running for long enough. All other options had been exhausted. At least John offered the least awful defeat.

Drawing close to the entrance, the Deputy pointedly avoided examining a dead crow that had been impaled upon the wall. She inhaled, holding the breath in her lungs, steadying her heart rate.

It was only freedom.

She opened the door, immediately training the gun out before her, following its guide into the room.

About a dozen Peggies dotted the space, leaning against walls, lining the pews - all angled at the pulpit, observing Nick on the floor. He stifled a cry while John sliced through the final remaining layers of skin binding the tattoo to his chest, peeling the word 'GREED' out of his flesh. Blood pooled on the floor around them, and the moment John had stepped away, the pilot was descended on with antiseptic and bandages.

The Deputy waited for nausea at the sight to take its course. It never did. She was all but numbed to the sight.

"Deputy, run!"

Mary May's voice cut through the silence, and the bartender lurched from her own spot on the ground. Guns raised all around the room, swinging around to aim for Cora.

”Hold!” John barked immediately, unconcerned when the Deputy shifted her aim to him. Instead, he busied himself with washing his sullied hands. “Hold your fire.”

His followers obeyed.

Cora, meanwhile, cocked the revolver in her grip. One foot edged into the room, and she glanced around for the Project’s captives before returning her gaze to John. All on the other side of the room. Pinned. Fuck.

“Hope County Sheriff’s Department.” She announced, staring the Baptist down, ignoring the grin that crept onto his face - like he found it fucking funny. “Weapons on the ground. Step away from the hostages.”

“Hostages?” John snorted. He gestured Pastor Jerome, Mary May, and Nick. “These are guests! This is their Atonement. This is your Atonement.”

“Drop the fucking weapons.”

John’s patience thinned. Quickly. “I’m not doing this with you.” He replied simply. “Not today.”

With his own look around the room, John inclined his head. An unspoken order to which everyone carrying a gun turned them on her allies.

“We both know you don’t have enough bullets for everyone. Nor do you have the time. So why don’t you put down my gun and surrender.”

“Don’t-” Mary May was cut off with the tap of steel against her temple. Warning.

John was right. She was outnumbered. There was no chance of getting any of them out with force alone.

She inhaled. Exhaled. Watched the fondness slip back onto John’s face like it had never left, and set the gun on the floor.

“That’s my girl.” John murmured. Then, he motioned. “Get her ready.”

Cora’s stomach dropped as two sets of arms coiled around hers, each pulling and pushing, prickling at her skin with unfamiliar, sickening touch. Biology told her to resist. Escape the sensation. The downward pulling.

“No, stop it.” Escaped her while she squirmed. “Get off. Stop touching me-”

“Her friends can’t be far. Find them.” The Baptist ordered, turning away toward the pulpit.

Cora’s knees hit the floor. There was no holding the repetition of protests, but even as she consciously elevated the volume of her voice, it grew quieter in her ears. Calculated attempts to jerk away and make an escape became automatic twitches.

One of John’s followers - a female - crept into view, fingers tugging at the top button on her uniform collar. John readied a tattoo gun over the woman’s shoulder, and the Deputy’s mind screamed alarm bells. Get out. Escape. Fight back. Regain control.

“I won’t hurt you, sister.”

This time, she sank, curling forward, angling herself away from the woman. Another attempt, and she wrenched away again, snarling. Then, the Peggies around her must have gotten tired of all the fuss, because the tear of cotton clawed at her ears. Ringing through her brain.

Her back felt cold all of a sudden.

Green material slipped down her arms, and at the sight of her own uniform pooling in shreds in her own lap, Cora ceased her thrashing. The shredded shirt was yanked from her belt and tossed aside, and she watched with growing resignation while John turned back around.

His gaze found hers. Then flickered downward, first to the compression bra, then a margin to the right. “Here I thought you’d be unmarked.” He commented, inspecting what was visible of the old ink on her lower ribs while he approached.

Hands pressed against Cora’s shoulders, and she drifted back until her shoulder blades hit the floor.

John continued to loom until he stood directly over her. He sank to his knees, expression softening with his descent until he was on all fours on top of her. He looked almost adoring, and she hated how it comforted her, just slightly. She hated how the hands had disappeared from her limbs, and yet she still made no further attempt to escape. He had every ounce of power now.

She didn’t know she’d started trembling until his free hand swept over her collarbones, mapping out her chest, calming the gooseflesh beading on her from the chill, or the fright, or perhaps just that this whole thing felt so humiliatingly exposing.

A blush swelled over John’s throat, maybe indicating some straying line of thought. He snapped out of it and settled to sit on her hips. “This looks familiar, doesn’t it?” He teased, hovering the tattoo gun right over the centre of her sternum.

“Dont.” Was all she could manage. Weak. Pleading. “I don’t want you to.”

“You have no idea how good you’re going to feel after this.” John cooed.

One of his fingers drifted along her jaw. An attempt at comforting her, but to no avail. He looked equal parts gentle and feral with excitement.

The machine buzzed, lowering pitch when the needles finally pressed into her flesh.

This was it.

She’d lost. There was no going back, anymore. No more normal, no more ridding herself of this family. They’d taken everything, and now they were claiming ownership over her, too.

The others were being hunted. It was only a matter of time. John was working too quickly. They’d be gone before the Cougars even crossed the river.

Cora’s nerves muted. Sound closed to just the rumble of blood in her ears. She receded into herself. Found a backseat in her mind, away from the sensory overload and the humiliation and her own failure while her body quietly continued: ”Dont, don’t, stop.”

She’d lost, and John wouldn’t stop. Not while he was branding the evidence of his victory into her flesh.

Defeat tasted worse than anticipated.

━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━

Bullets whizzed overhead while Sharky and Hurk took cover beneath the window, watching helplessly as the aisle of potato chips and bar nuts was torn to shreds by the onslaught. Dorito dust filled the shop like mustard gas.

“Cuz, I think they found us!” Hurk barked, snapping an arm over his head in defence when a stray round ricocheted off the front counter.

“What gives you that impression?” Sharky hit back, hurriedly setting down his shotgun and shrugging his backpack to the floor.

“How many are there?”

“How about you check?”

“How about you check?”

A moment of quiet occurred while the cousins glared at each other, leaving their standoff to a battle of no blinking. Then the Peggies outside must’ve finished re-loading, because the back wall of the shop was suddenly being shot into swiss cheese.

They were okay. Everything was cool. Addie and Xander had taken their share of explosives and gone the quiet route. Grace and Jess were gone. Shorty had disappeared into the church, and while he couldn't count the best, Sharky was pretty confident that John had caught her.

Could they have kept on looking for survivors and breaking out captives? Sure - but why do that when they could kill, like 40 birds with one stone and beeline for the gas station? It was conveniently across the road from the church, empty of any and all life barring the dormant tanks underground. An explosion that big was sure to fuck up like a good portion of Main Street. Not even the Chosen would be able to resist checking it out.

Disconnecting the safety switches had been easy. He’d been arrested for doing it like 5 times already. Cops, Peggies; it didn’t matter - Sharky knew what he was doing, and without the giant swinging dick of the law hanging over him, the man was on a mission. Cultists shooting at him was fine. He was used to that.

Threat of death or no, he wasn’t giving up the chance to see this place blow sky high.

“We’ll be outta here any second, Hurky.” Sharky assured. “Just gotta sprinkle a little C-4 around the place and we’ll be gone before it even goes off.”

Hurk was sweating. A lot. He was accustomed to being shot at, but normally, he had more than just Sharky to get him out of a tight spot. “Alright, bro. Gimme some. Many hands and what have you.”

“Fuck yeah. First step, toss some at the tanker outside. We wanna get the place as fiery as possible up here to wake up the big boys underground, and-”

Sharky stopped in his tracks, eyeing the backpack he’d just been in the process of unzipping.

“-uhh.”

“Uhh?”

“Hurky, can I be real with you?”

“Is now the best time for a deep and meaningful?” Hurk hissed, crawling toward him nonetheless.

The arsonist stuck his hand down the pack, rifling through fluff and mesh. “I, uh, I think I brought the wrong bag. And by think I mean know without a shadow of a doubt.”

Hurk watched as his cousin tugged the green, furry headpiece of a dragon out into the open.

“You brought-...”

“I brought my fursuit.”

“Not the C-4?”

“Not the C-4.”

“Okay, bro. That's fine. I'm not mad. Human error. Not even a little bit?”

Sharky checked again, just for good measure. “Nope...so, uhm...you got a match?”

Hurk ran a hank through his hair. “Not to poo poo your ideas, but that probably ain’t the best move.”

So just like that, they were fucked.

Jess and Grace still hadn’t come back. The others were nowhere to be seen. Shorty was holed up in that church, and he and Hurk were about to be rounded up by born-again virgins.

Shit, if that were the case -

“Well, if this is gonna be the last opportunity.” Sharky grunted, tugging the suit out and unzipping the back. “May as well enjoy our last minutes of freedom, huh?”

Hurk took the cue, creeping across the destroyed shop floor and reaching for a popped bag of pretzels. He sat back against the wall, leaning against the rocket launcher he’d propped up against the corner.

“Man.” The brunette sighed, staring at the floor. “If only we had some other kind of ranged, explosive device.”

“No shit.” Sharky agreed. “Some high velocity shit would fix this.”

They exchanged a sympathetic look once the arsonist had zipped himself up and crept over and sit beside his cousin, both leaning on either side of the RPG.

Hurk held out the bag.

“Pretzel?”

━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━

“Was that so bad?” John asked, placing the tattoo gun aside and framing the Deputy’s marked chest. ’WRATH', in true black, beading with blood. The skin surrounding the text was mottled and inflamed. Excess ink covered the area in patches, gathering in the dip of her cleavage, disappearing beneath her sports bra.

All that sin, already leaking out through the exit he’d made for her.

Gorgeous.

Cora didn’t respond. That was fine. Shock was normal. She’d thank him once this was all over. For now, she just trembled, lock jawed, dissociated gaze searching what John had thought was him until he sat up. No, instead she was watching the ceiling.

John flashed a smile, blocking out a tiny streak of dread at the sight of the woman so vacant. Sweeping a lock of stained hair over her shoulder, he smoothed his fingers past her neck, attempting to gently angle her focus back to him. “Hey. You can come back now. We’re all done.”

You're finally on the other side. React to it. React to me. Look at me-

The boom came first, hollow and deep, and John felt the floor beneath him rumble. Chandeliers and decorations wobbled from the disturbance. Several of his followers shot from their seats, immediately abandoning the Resistance leaders they’d guarded in favour of pacing back and forth, trying to get a look at whatever was happening outside.

“Is this it?”

“Is it the Collapse?”

“It’s time?”

“John, is it the Collapse?”

The panic escalated quickly, forcing the Baptist to break his attention away from the empty woman below him and rein in the flock.

“Calm down.” He exclaimed, “It’s not the Collapse. It’s probably just-”

Another boom. Almost deafeningly loud.

This time, the whole church shook. Windows shattered in their creaking panes and smashed to the floor while pews squealed heavily in protest.

Contrary to his assertion, John dove down, covering the Deputy with his body. Holy shit, was it the Collapse?

The tremor must have been enough to snap Cora out of her trance, because a muffled “Get your tits out of my face.” buzzed against John’s chest.

Tragically, however, the Baptist never got the opportunity to reply to her. Had it not been for the fucking tennis shoe colliding with the side of his skull, he imagined he’d have something very clever to say. Alas, pain shot through his head and he jerked to the side, fighting against the blow to stay put. A snarl from Mary May, his apparent attacker, sounded in retaliation. She dove into him, knee driving into his ribs, throwing him off of the Deputy.

His thoughts left him for the briefest moment, overtaken by ensuing gunshots and shouts and the shrieks of the bartender as she was clawed away from him. Her hand shot forward right as she was yanked up, intended as a punch. It didn’t land, and John couldn’t help but shoot her a smirk for her failure.

“Deputy, gun!”

Nevermind. It wasn’t a punch after all. Mary May had been pointing over his shoulder at the revolver that had been surrendered on the floor. His revolver. The same one Cora was now scrambling toward.

No.

John lurched, heart leaping into his throat.

Not now. Not after he’d won. Not when they were so close.

His hand found the leg of Cora’s pants, wrenching, pulling her away from the weapon, and she kicked against him. Her finger tips slid against the barrel of the revolver, tugging it into her palm.

God wouldn’t fucking undo his victory.

John snarled, catching the Deputy’s wrist when she tried to aim - at him no less. Without her own recovery time achieved, he was able to wrestle the weapon from her easily enough, flattening her struggling body beneath his just long enough to hook an arm around her waist. He twisted around, holding the woman’s back against his belly. Her squirming ceased with the press of the muzzle against her head, and the moment her allies had taken notice of the change, everything went still.

Finally.

A little civility.

Several of John’s followers lay on the floor, either dead or close to it. Only a half-dozen remained, though the pair of Chosen had survived and placed themselves closest to their leader.

Pastor Jerome had procured a handgun from within his own bible - something that pulled a breathless laugh out of John as he surveyed the others. Nick hadn’t been able to arm himself, but he’d still tackled one of the faithful to the ground. His knuckles were bloodied. A familiar sight. Mary May had wrestled a gun of her own away from the woman who’d seized her. She aimed it shakily at John.

Armed but outnumbered, outgunned, and now, they were in check.

They never learned, did they?

“The way you people behave, you’d think salvation was a bad thing.” John tittered. “Right. Now, let’s try this again. Atonement, or damnation.” To punctuate his meaning, he tapped the muzzle against Cora’s head. She grunted in protest, and he ignored her. Of course it was a bluff. No one else knew that but him, though. It was too risky a move for the Resistance to let him do away with the one person that banded their factions.

She was their leader. They couldn’t lose her.

John looked around the room once more, locking eyes with Jerome first - then Mary May. “Are we going to behave?”

The answer was immediate and clear: a gunshot cracking through the Baptist’s ears and the flash of a blast spilling from Mary May’s weapon. Cora’s elbow driving into his stomach and the reaction time of his Chosen snapping to attention, covering him, already hauling John out of the church and onto the street.

Fuck no, he wasn't leaving without his prize.

"GRAB HER!" John howled, struggling against the attempts to get him to safety. "Leave the rest!"

It was a reluctant effort, but the Deputy was yanked along as well, shoved into Johns arms on his repeated orders, with me, with me.

“Mary May, what the fuck!” The Deputy roared over her shoulder.

“Sorry Deputy! I missed!”

Missed?

“You sure about that? Jesus fucking Christ!”

More shots sounded, but only the noise pursued them from the building. It wasn’t until John had shoved Cora into the back of the waiting truck that he realised how warm his hand had gotten. Wet, too.

“Get to the ranch!” One of the Chosen snarled up front, casting a look back at the Baptist while the vehicle took off, watching as he peeled away from the blonde to inspect himself.

Blood.

He was bleeding. But where from? Barring the sting of his scabs and that kick to the head, nothing hurt. There were no wounds hiding under his sleeves or -

A hiss sounded from the Deputy beside him, curling in on herself.

Shit.

She hadn’t elbowed him.

“Cora-” John scrambled for her. "Cora, let me see."

“Told you not to call me that.” The Deputy grit out, kicking at him until she’d well and truly jammed herself into the corner of the seat and the car door. Her left hand gripped her right forearm, just below the elbow and to no avail. Crimson coated the skin on her side, encasing her arm completely and seeping through her fingertips.

She was bleeding. Not heavily, but steadily.

”Deputy.” John bit back, advancing. “You’re hurt. Let me help-”

Just like that, the kicking resumed. “Don’t touch me-DON’T FUCKING TOUCH ME-”

“For once in your fucking life, just relax!”

Only incomprehensible snarling came in response.

John rolled his jaw, brimming with as much irritation as he was adrenaline. The Resistance had made their choice. Regretful, but final. He’d gotten what he came for, and he wasn’t intending on losing her just because she was too stubborn to accept help.

He glanced at the revolver still in his grip. Then back at Cora, rotating the grip toward her. A threat. “Are you going to let me help, or am I going to have to calm you down?”

“Don’t you dare.” Her words came hoarse. She gave scowling a red hot go, but without the rationale to deny him, the Deputy lacked conviction. She exhaled. “Fuck it. We've done this enough already. You get ten minutes. Then you’re under arrest.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

Her cheek twitched. A weak chuckle. The slightest flash of acknowledgement as she let him press his weight over her forearm. Thankfully, the wound wasn’t pulsing; nor was there a puncture wound. A gouged strip had been carved into her flesh where the bullet had grazed, but nothing vital seemed to have been struck.

“That - you can keep saying.”

"You're a flirt when you're in shock, Deputy." Had John not been too busy regulating about a dozen other emotions, he might have flushed at her words. For a moment, he just sat there, basking in the borderline friendliness on her face. Then, it occurred to him that they were among watchful company, and he cleared his throat, returning to his task.

Minutes passed. No more words were exchanged. Not until they’d passed the Rye and Son’s sign.

The Chosen in the front passenger’s seat looked over his shoulder, dismissing another over the radio before regarding the Baptist. “The Resistance isn’t making ground. The faithful are still rounding up stragglers, and we’ve taken casualties, but numbers are looking strong. Medic will meet you at the ranch, John. We can deliver our newest sister to the Gate while you recover.”

John inclined his head. “Much obliged. We need this one to stay with us until she’s completed her vows. She can’t be trusted unsupervised, but I won’t put the responsibility of containing her back on our people again.” He looked to Cora, then. Her face had run pale and she’d gone clammy, but she remained upright. Just...woozy. Pacified, for now.

He’d got what he came for. Fuck the rest.

“I have something to say.” The blonde announced, swaying against John’s arm. “I know why Mary May shot me.”

“This another one of your jokes?” John deadpanned.

“This one’s funny, I swear.”

“...go on, then.”

“It’s because I never tip.”

For a moment, Cora looked very satisfied with herself. Then, she retched, slumping forward into the Baptist’s lap when he instinctually jolted out of the potential line of fire. He hurried to steady her, keeping tight hold over her wound, and grimaced while the noise escaped her a second time.

Thank God nothing came out; his shoes would’ve been the first to know about it.

The Deputy didn’t sit back up.

That was fine. So long as she wasn’t dead. So long as she wasn’t fighting back.

“It’s all the sin escaping you.” John explained, off-handed, when a complaining grunt sounded below. “Evil being expelled from your body. You’ll feel better soon.”

“Pretty sure it’s my blood pressure, actually. Soon as I’m good again, you’re history.”

When one disregarded the fact that she’d had a gun trained on him earlier - and the blood drying uncomfortably on his clothes - and the persistent pounding of a headache from Mary May’s heel, this was almost pleasant. The quiet roads. The Deputy, all but atoned with her head on his thigh. Not fighting back. Conceding defeat. Peaceful.

He got what he came for.

He’d won.

He was saved.

Passing his thumb over Cora’s ribs, John’s attention was pulled back to the old ink peeking out from beneath the band of her top. Text, blurred and flattened enough to be years old, and too obscured to decipher.

“Thought I’d be your first.” The brunette murmured.

“Jealous?”

Yes.

“Don’t be ridiculous. What’s it say?”

“‘The Mountains Are Calling’.”

A sickening wave of dread passed over the Baptist. The rock forming in his throat, icy and bitter and seizing him against any reply.

The mountains are calling.

Jacob. Joseph. The Trials. Atonement wasn’t the final step. Handing her over to his brothers was the final step.

He got what he came for, but the woman in his arms wasn’t the trophy intended for him.

He was saved. He’d redeemed himself. He’d completed his task and Joseph would permit him beyond the gates. That was all he was supposed to do. That was enough.

That had to be enough.

“‘And I Must Go’.” John completed quietly.

Cora tilted her head a little, not quite looking at him - almost like she was trying not to. “You know John Muir.”

“Not enough to warrant a photo on the bedside table.”

“Shut up.”

There was nothing convincing about the chuckle he offered. He was too busy observing her, studying the side of her face. Committing her to memory as if he hadn’t spent years acquainting himself with every spot and micro-expression.

“Maybe working for you will be bearable.” She murmured, and John’s heart only sank further. "If I don't manage to arrest you."

The mountains are calling.

She still had no idea that all the promises he’d made her had been fabricated. That she wouldn’t be staying. That he’d lied to her.

The mountains were calling. In a few days time, she’d know it. She’d despise him. She’d be taken off his hands and he’d assume his regular duties once again.

He’d saved both of them.

Cora’s thumb absently grazed back and forth on his knee. Ignorant. “Can I ask something?”

It took everything in him not to mirror the action against her skin.

“Of course.”

“Can I start next Monday?”

"What happened to you being such a workaholic?"

"To be honest with you, I'm really fucking tired."

She’d be incredible. Jacob would love her. Joseph would be proud. John had accomplished something near-impossible for his family, and even if the Deputy hated him - even if she forgot him entirely, he was content with the knowledge that he’d have brought her to salvation.

Even if they never saw each other again, he’d know that she’d passed through the gates. That she’d climb to the surface once the world had been scorched clean. She’d rebuild, and marry, and have children, and he’d do the same.

Hopeful anticipation and the agony of longing had never felt so similar before.

“Fine.” John smiled, giving in, sliding his fingers up her arm and coaxing a stray lock of hair out of her face. There were no promises he’d be able to do it again after this. “But on one condition.”

“What?”

“Spend those days with me.”

Cora stirred, angling to peer up at him out of the corner of her eye. She smiled crookedly.

“Deal.”

#far cry 5 #john seed #cora stammos #far cry 5 fanfic #far cry 5 oc #john seed x female deputy #all hail cora's big fucking muscles #no beta we die like men

[infernwetrust]

Eden’s Prodigal Son Part 4- Know No Better [Andy Dolan x Reader]

Part 1 Part 2 Part 3

Summary: You weren’t sure what kept you coming back to Andy Dolan. All you knew was that you kept coming back. And it only got worse before it got better.

Warnings: swearing, little bit o’ violence , drug use, fluff, angst, mentions of pregnancy

WC: 2.0k

A/N: Unlike the previous parts, the next couple of parts for Eden’s Prodigal Son will take place in the present with a few significant flashbacks. Thank you for reading!  -Juno

GIF by kissxmedeadly

It never rained much in Eden. But when it did, it poured. Andy sat on the edge of the bed in his home, suitcases packed for yet another few months in LA. Except this time, he would have nothing to look forward to upon his return. Why? Because you were completely done with Andy Dolan. And he knew that.

His ears were ringing, his heart left his chest and went back and forth between his throat and his stomach. How could he be so fucking stupid? His eyes continuously scanned over the last text message that you sent to him and it burned him every single time. How could he?

I hope you have fun with her.

How could he have fun with her? He didn't want her as much as he wanted you. Anyone with eyes could see how obsessed Andy was with you, but he was so fucking stupid. Fear of commitment maybe? Maybe that's what did it? What was suppose to be just a fling from time to time while he was in LA, turned into something more. Something he didn't want. And now he was stuck. And now he's going through the headlines that exposed him.

"Fuck!" He shouted, abruptly rising to his feet and throwing his phone against the wall with all his force. He watched as it shattered into tiny fragments and he was thankful that he reminded to back his phone up the night before. He needed a new phone anyways. For a few moments he finally felt at peace, not being able to impulse look at things.

"Everything alright, mate?" Ben questioned as he barged into the room upon hearing Andy's scream. He looked back and forth between Andy and his broken phone and he immediately knew.

"I need a few of those." Andy stated simply, referring to the bag of green pills that he had in his hand, specifically for Andy, by his request. Ben knew better to try and argue with him when he was in such a state. He obliged, opening the bag and pouring 2 onto Andy's hand. He'd never leave him with the whole bag. And like usual, this was how Andy coped. "Are we leaving now?"

"Yeah.. yeah."

*** "Are you sure you don't want to see-," Hedwig began, but you quickly gave her your answer. No. You did not want to see Andy Dolan one last time despite the intense history. You never thought that you could be this broken, but here you were. You clung to his hoodie that he had left at your place, like your life depended on it. Tears fell heavily from your eyes as you laid your head in Hedwig's lap, the two of you on the couch.

"You told me you fucking loved me!" You screamed at Andy, your fists pounding into his chest, tears steaming down your face, ruining your makeup.

"I do fucking love you, Y/N!" He grabbed your wrists in an attempt to slow you down, but you weren't having it. You managed to snatch one of your wrists from his relatively strong grip, returning a swift and sharp smack to his face.

"Love me enough to get someone else pregnant?!"

"I think I'm going to be sick." Your legs couldn't carry you to your bathroom fast enough. There were too many memories of him, everywhere. You kicked him out of your home so fast that night, he didn't have time to grab anything. You turned your sink, splashing your face with the cooling water. "Fuck. Fuck. Fuck."

"It was a fucking mistake!" That's all he could say. Because it was. One drunk and sloppy hookup turned into an unexpected pregnancy for both Andy and his party.

"A fucking huge mistake, Andy Dolan! You have a fucking one year old and we've been together for 6 months and I find out through a news article. For fuck sakes Andy, you didn't think this one out did you?"

"I was going to tell you.." He mumbled, knowing how bad he fucked up.

"Fucking tell me?! It's been a year, Andy!" You shoved him back, watching him stumble to stay on his feet. "I gave you everything."

The tears fell faster than you could catch them and decided that trying to wash them away was a waste of your time.

I hope you have fun with her.

The last text message that you sent to Andy a week ago. He texted you several times after that, almost every day for the next week until you had to put him on do not disturb. That's the thing about Andy. And the thing about you too. He was never able to leave you alone and you the same.

Y/N please talk to me. I miss you. I love you... please. It was a mistake. I fucked up. I know. I should of told you, but I was scared. I'm not even ready to be a fucking father. This was before we even got together and I know a lot of things were said and were done, but we're all human, yeah? Please just talk to me, Y/N. I don't want lose you over this. I know it's a pretty big deal, but I'm not hiding anything else. I promise. I'm sorry...

He tried to call you a few times as well, but God knows why he would try to do that. Eventually he just started calling to hear your voicemail, anything, that could keep him closer to you. You caught yourself going through your camera roll one too many times, reliving all the memories.

You should of known. Andy was way too popular, way too good-looking to just settle down. You should of known. Right? Maybe you should of just stayed friends, but like a fool you fell for it. And fell for it. And fell for it. And now it's killing you.

"Y/N..." Hedwig's soft voice spoke from behind the door as you walked out of your bathroom, a sobbing mess. "Can I come in?" God bless her, huh? What would you do without your dear Hedwig? She was always in the middle of you and Andy. She was there for every small moment, every big moment, every argument. She was your rock and you were hers. You opened the door for her, still not able to control all of your sobbing.

In the distance you could hear small chatter. You forgot that tonight you had invited every one over for yet another small get together. But, you didn't know that you would be like this when the time came.

"C' mere." She spoke, engulfing you into her arms, letting you cry it out.

"I love him." You sobbed. "So fucking much."

"I know." Hedwig held you tighter. "He'll regret it. Andy. He's... fuck.." She knew what she wanted to say and although it was true, she could never bad mouth another friend. Burying your face in the crook of her neck, you screamed, letting some amount of stress leave your body for the night.

"I'm so-,"

"No. You're not. You're in love. It's okay to be in love. This is your first heart break. And it won't be your last, especially dealing with Andy Dolan, but the two of you just need some serious time apart." Hedwig cupped both sides of your face in her hand, making you look at her. She pressed a gentle kiss to your forehead before pulling you back into a hug. "He'll realize how much of a gem he let slip through his fingers. But you have us. And I know we're no Andy, but we love you just as much."

"I love you."

"I love you too."

*** "Jesus Christ, mate." Ben growled, aggravated with Andy's intoxication as they traveled through airport security. "The no-fly list suits you well right about now, doesn't it?"

"Fuck off, yeah?" Andy chuckled, running his hands through his hair as he clumsily put his things in a bin to go through the scanner, nearly knocking the stack next to him over. Ben sighed, furrowing his eyebrows and he got his things together as well. This was the first time airport security scanned two people in the body scanner at once, Ben having to physically hold Andy in the position they requested. Embarrassed, they couldn't leave the area fast enough to start walking towards their gate.

"You fucking listen to me. And you listen to me good, aye." Ben spoke, abruptly dragging Andy into a nearby family bathroom, locking the door behind him. He slammed Andy up against the bathroom wall, spraying the water bottle he was carrying in his hand all over his face. "Wake the fuck up, okay?" He slapped him around a few times, Andy not sober enough to even attempt to fight back. And even if he wanted to, he deserved this. "Wake the fuck up, Andy Dolan." Andy choked slightly on the water that managed to get into his mouth, spitting it back up and coughing.

"Fu-,"

"Fuck off. I know, hm?" Ben opened another water bottle, spraying it on him as well. "You want to know the one thing you're good at? Driving people the fuck away.." Ben held Andy by his now soaking shirt, glaring into his eyes that screamed nothing but pain, regret, anger, and sadness. "Everything you have now, Dolan. I HELPED YOU GET. It's not just about you okay, dick head? As your agent this is MY life too and you are on track to fucking ruin it."

Andy was silent and in a daze. The bathroom was spinning and he swore he was looking at Ben 4 times, but all the words were registering. Ben was right for the most part. Andy was good at driving people away. People that weren't you, but now look, it is you. Tears were beginning to form in his eyes and he could feel his throat swell with sorrow.

"Your public image matters. Remember that. And for fuck sakes, mate. You don't fucking need her." Ben continued. "You're a fucking superstar. You can have any one you want. Mad at you because you got some irrelevant broad pregnant and the two of you weren't even together?"

"Stop.." Andy growled.

"No. I'm not going to fucking stop. She's done nothing, but distract you. That's all she has ever always done. I'm sure she's had her fair share while you were away. Did you ever think about that? She just got lucky to not get knocked up by the next bloke, huh? People make mistakes. You need to get over it. And she needs to get over it. You have a fucking full career ahead of you."

He let Andy go, rummaging through his bag for a new shirt for him to match the current style of his outfit. When he got re-dressed, his administered eye drops for the now teary-eyed man whose eyes were covered in red streaks. When the opportunity presented itself, they finally made their way to their gate, no conversation between the two of them until they would land in LA.

*** "We should get married y'know." You suggested to Andy, snatching his attention away from the joint that he was rolling.

"I'm sorry.." He chuckled. "But what? We should what? Y/N we're 16."

"Hear me out first, silly." You giggled at your idea.

"Okay, crazy. I'm listening."

"We only get married if we can't find the one. Someone has to be responsible for me when I die. And and. There are some pretty good benefits to being married." Andy glanced back and forth between you and his joint before he busted out laughing. "You're laughing, but it's such a good idea!"

"You really are crazy, you know that?"  He handed you the joint and the lighter, always letting you have the first pull now that the two of you started smoking together. "But of course, Y/N. As long as we don't find the one. I will marry you so that someone will be responsible for us when we die. And for the benefits."

"I knew you'd understand."

But you are the one.

Taglist: @jimmason @angelicmichael @9layerdevilfoodcake @ferndolan @dorklydefined @littledemondani @king-with-no-crovvn @chicaluna2410 @waitinvain

#andy dolan #andy dolan x reader #andy dolan imagine #eden #eden’s prodigal son #cody fern

[peaceoutofthepieces]

Tracing Time

This discusses the hate crime in s3 (and the homophobia plotline in sos).

Thursday, 02:26

Song: IAMX - Insomnia; Crywolf ft. EDEN - Stomach It

He’s going to break that clock.

It’s usually not something that bothers him. Sometimes he even finds it soothing, counts the ticks to help him sleep. Now it’s too loud, occupies too much space, and taunts him with how late it is and how much he’s going to regret this tomorrow. Even though it’s out of his control.

He stuffs his face further into his pillow and makes himself take a deep breath. When that doesn’t work, he takes another. Then one more. And another.

He gets up, climbs so that he’s standing on top of his bed, and takes the clock off the wall. He pulls out the batteries from the back, careful not to let them drop and roll away, and there. Peaceful, beautiful, blissful silence. This time his deep breath works, sending a wave of relaxation all the way through him before he climbs down again.

When he crawls back into bed, he’s got his phone in one hand and his key to Robbe’s in the other.

He doesn’t really do anything with either, just sets his phone next to him and lets his hand rest on it and rubs his thumb over the key in the habit he’s picked up. It’s most soothing, even as he feels apprehension and doubt swirl in his chest. Robbe had gone to sleep before Sander even went to bed, messaging him while Sander was still working on his assignment, trying to finish off just that one paragraph. He’d told himself that was enough to be satisfied with, that it would be more beneficial to sleep when he still has two days to work on it. He’d had to take his pills, anyway, and he’d hoped they’d pretty much knock him out, but he hardly even feels as sleepy as he usually does.

Now he just feels like he’s wasting his time. He’s not working or sleeping, and his brain has nowhere to go so it spins in circles.

He's thinking about his assignment, still. Worrying. He’s pretty sure he’ll get it done, but that doesn’t mean it won’t be a load of crap. He’s also thinking about Agathe, telling him he’s doing well. He’s thinking about the woman with the death stare from the cafe. He’s thinking about that talk with Jens, and moving on and doing better.

He rubs over the key too quickly and lets out a hiss as he scratches his thumb. Instead of putting it down, however, he holds it tight in his hand and picks up his phone.

He navigates to Robbe’s contact, first. He looks at their messages from earlier, the usual banter, the sweet goodnight, and he settles a little, allows it to warm him. He could text Robbe, but chances are that the boy is definitely asleep and Sander will wake him up. Robbe’s insomnia had returned with a weak sort of vengeance after the holidays as he stressed about his final ever semester, but he seems to have gotten it under control now. Sander will not disturb him.

He could go through and look at videos or photos or listen to voice notes, bring the remnants of Robbe close enough to feel his comfort. Or it might just strengthen the twinge in his heart.

He finds himself opening Instagram instead, maybe to bore him to sleep, and finds Lucas’s story waiting for him. He’s only shared a song, nothing unusual, but it was also only posted two minutes ago.

Sander’s calling him without even taking time to think about it, but Lucas picks up on the first ring.

“Hi,” he says, voice low and sleepy but curious, the concern thinly veiled. “Can’t sleep either?”

“No,” Sander whispers. “Hi.”

Lucas is silent for a moment, probably waiting for Sander to speak. Eventually, he gives up. “Everything okay?”

“Yeah.” Sander pauses. “No? I don’t know.”

“Okay,” Lucas says. “I’ll wait.”

Well.

It’s not Robbe, but it’s the next best thing, maybe. It’s the perfect thing to say, to do. Because Lucas won’t push, but he won’t leave. He’ll breathe in Sander’s ear and wait. Sander takes the time, because he knows, is sure, that it really is allowed, and without the incessant ticking it doesn’t feel as long, anyway. Even when he’s silent for what must be a few minutes, Lucas stays silent, too. Keeps waiting.

“Are you scared of Jens’s house?” Sander finally asks.

The silence on the other end becomes total, and Sander checks to make sure Lucas hasn’t hung up. But no; it’s just his breaths that have stopped. Sander worries for a brief moment before a sigh emits. “I know you spoke to him.”

Sander takes it for the non-answer it is and points it out as one. “That wasn’t my question.”

“I know.” Their breaths pass to each other silently again. Then Lucas just says, “Yes.”

“Yes?”

“Yeah, I’m afraid. Even now. It doesn’t matter that I know it’s stupid. It doesn’t matter when he’s not there.” He takes a louder breath. “I think I’m just always a little afraid, anyway, though.”

Sander absorbs this. After a while, he just says, softly, “Yeah.”

It’s not that he hadn’t been, even before. Merely meeting Robbe was scary for a multitude of reasons, and kissing him for the first time had his heart pounding, but it was worth it, so worth it. Then he’d had Robbe turn him down, had seen Robbe so hurt and upset by what he’d done, and he’d felt the fear and the horror and the disgust at himself before he realised it was all the same things that had made Robbe so harsh in the first place. It hadn’t mattered, when Robbe came back to him, because Sander had him then and that was all he wanted and he had always understood. Even if he had never struggled with himself quite the way Robbe had, it was still part of his understanding. He’d never really needed Robbe to explain himself to him.

Then Sander had taken Robbe on what he thought would be a perfect first date, and his understanding grew to a whole new level.

And with it comes the fear.

Even though he knows, he knows, that Robbe has only been strengthened, has only grown braver, because of their relationship. Even though he never wishes or feels the need to hide Robbe, never, no matter where and when they might be. It’s still there.

It’s a valid fear, and that understanding fills Sander with such a burning fury that of course he has to fight back against it.

He’s already spent too much of his life fearing too much about himself. He will not fear this, not when it is what allows him his biggest source of happiness.

“Is this about the bar?” Lucas asks quietly. “I know you talked to Jens.”

Sander huffs.

“I’m sorry, if you didn’t want him to pass anything on to me, but he needed to tell me you were the one knocking sense into him. I’ve been meaning to say thanks.”

“I didn’t do anything,” he mumbles.

Lucas hums. “You did. You understood.”

“So I was right?”

“Of course you were,” Lucas laughs, derisively. “You knew you were. I mean, you’re also shockingly wrong, but that’s a whole different point.”

Sander frowns, furrowing his brows, even though Lucas can’t see him. “What does that mean?”

There’s silence for a moment, and then Lucas sighs. “You know it’s not the same. With you guys...it’s not just about Robbe.” He pauses for a moment. “It’s not your fault.”

“It’s not yours either,” Sander says forcefully.

“That’s not what I meant. I know it’s not. I know enough about the guy to know he’s just a dick, and no matter what I did, that wouldn’t be any different. I don’t think you do.”

Sander has a denial ready, but it dies in his throat. He doesn’t have the energy to protest and argue, not with his medication finally feeling like it’s kicking in, and not when Lucas will just see right through him. “I know,” is all he manages to say, hoarsely.

“Do you?”

“I do. But don’t you also think...I don’t know. Maybe if I was thinking more clearly, I would have gotten us out of there sooner, or I could have fought them off—“

“But Robbe couldn’t?”

Sander swallows. This is precisely why he didn’t want to argue, because he knew Lucas would go for all his sense and logic and pick Sander’s points apart at the seams. Sander doesn’t have any retorts prepared.

“Sander, I get how you feel, but you know he wants to protect you too, right?” Lucas asks softly. He gets even quieter as he continues. “You know you were hurt, too.”

“This woman gave me a weird look today, when I was at the cafe with Robbe,” Sander tells him. “And I was just so relieved she didn’t actually say anything and he didn’t see.”

Lucas lets out another breath, and there’s a rustling of sheets. “I wouldn’t tell him, either.”

Sander lowers his voice to a whisper. “Why doesn’t it matter how long it’s been? Robbe and I go back to the bar all the time now, and it’s fine, it doesn’t bother us.”

“But you don’t have to be there to think about it, so it bothers you anyway, at the most random times.”

Sander closes his eyes.

“It’s okay, Sander,” Lucas murmurs.

“I told Robbe not to go to the police. That they’d never catch the guys, that shit just happens. Like it was nothing, like we just have to get over it.”

“I’m sure he knows that isn’t what you meant.”

“No, but he doesn’t know what I did mean. He doesn’t know that I didn’t want my dad to be taking our statement and know about another way that I fucked up. I didn’t want to have made another mistake, I didn’t want it to be my fault for finding trouble, I—“

“Sander, stop,” Lucas says sternly. “I can hear your voice cracking. You need to breathe, okay? Take a minute. It’s fine.”

Sander struggles to obey, abandoning his rant to take another deep breath, like he’d always been taught. Lucas doesn’t say anything, but his own breaths seem to get louder. The steady rhythm filters into Sander’s ears and eases its way towards his lungs. He closes his eyes, but his mind is still conjuring too many unpleasant images, so he opens them again and looks for something to focus on in the dim, moonlit room. He settles on the photographs framed on his nightstand. One from when he was a child, both his parents next to him, and the other much more recent. That first afternoon he’d spent in Robbe’s room, the two of them locked away in their bubble, talking about universes and films and thoughts. Well over a year ago, now, and he still remembers it so clearly. Robbe’s arms draped around his shoulders, kissing the top of Sander’s head while Sander pulls a stupid face. Robbe so caring, so indulgent, even then.

“That’s better,” Lucas speaks up again.

Sander lets out a shaky sigh. “Sorry.”

“You never talk to anyone about how much it affected you, do you? Aside from the first time you told me about it, you don’t let yourself be upset.”

“It’s Robbe,” Sander says, somewhat hopelessly, unsure that he’s making any sense at this point. “How could I not love him? What’s so bad about it?”

“Nothing,” Lucas says, sure and steady. “Nothing at all, Sander.”

A tear Sander hadn’t even noticed was building slips down his cheek, and he lets it, waits until it seeps into the pillow before wiping the dampness from his skin. They both stay quiet, but the simple presence of his friend is enough to be calming. He’s somewhat glad he hadn’t called Robbe, though he longs for nothing more than to go to him, and the key still tucked in his fist is enough permission. But he doesn’t want to talk to Robbe about this, not anymore, not again. Not when it could do harm rather than good, could bring sadness without any relief.

It’s a relief, to tell Lucas, who understands but won’t be hurt by it in the same way. Who knows Sander almost as well and has been in a similar position and who won’t cry just because he does.

“You never told your parents about it, did you?” Lucas asks. It’s not judgmental, but it’s clear he knows the answer already.

“Would you have, if you didn’t have to for Jens?”

He hears Lucas’s soft huff. “Probably not. But that doesn’t mean I’m not glad that they know.”

“It’s not the same, though. You didn’t lie to them about why you came home beat up. You didn’t have to.”

“No. I was lucky, I know that. But that could just mean I’m a lot more to blame for what happened to us than you are for such a random, hateful attack. I lied to my dad, too. He didn’t know Jens and I were together, and if I hadn’t been at his house, his dad would never have found out. Or at least, it might not have been as shockingly bad.”

“No,” Sander argues, again, but it’s difficult with Lucas using his own logic against him.

Lucas sighs; Sander can picture him shaking his head. “Maybe if I’d told dad earlier, Jens wouldn’t have had to run off, and I wouldn’t have felt so shitty. But I know even if I’d never brought it up, it would still feel like a relief to tell him today.”

Sander purses his lips, and doesn’t say anything.

“You can be upset, or angry, or hurt, or whatever you want. And you can talk about it. That’s how you move on, Sander.”

“Robbe and I have already talked about it so many times,” Sander sighs. Then he admits, “But never like this.���

Lucas hums. “He’ll understand, better than me. And he can handle it just as well. You know that. But thank you, for telling me. You always can.”

“I know,” Sander mumbles. Somewhere in the past couple of minutes, his eyelids have started drooping. “Thank you.”

“Did it help? At all?”

Sander presses into his pillow and lets out a breath. “Yeah. I actually think it did.” It hasn’t really changed anything, he knows, and it’ll come up again eventually no matter how much he tells himself it’s in the past and he’s moved on. The weight of the memory isn’t gone, but it feels lighter, somehow. Like admitting it’s not okay is starting to make it so.

“Good.” He can hear the smile in Lucas’s voice. “Are you falling asleep now?”

Sander can’t do much more than hum.

Lucas laughs quietly. “Okay. Get some rest, dumbass.”

“Are you okay?” Sander thinks to ask. “You were up, that’s why I called.”

“I’m going to sleep now, too,” Lucas promises. “I think you helped me as well.”

“Okay,” Sander sighs. “Night, Luc.”

“Bye, Sander.”

Sander waits a moment even after he hears the call run out, then lets his hand slip away from his ear slowly. He sets the phone aside, stretching his arm out to the nightstand, but keeps a hold of the key. He brings it closer to his chest and sucks a breath in, then lets it out, and finally relaxes. He doesn’t have to go to Robbe, he convinces himself. But he can—he really can, any time he wants to, and that’s more than enough.

He’s asleep in seconds.

~^~

previous/next

#wtfock #sobbe #sander driesen #lucas van der heijden #sander season #tracing time #idk if i like this clip so it’s being posted in the middle of the night 🤪

[atiny-dazzlinglight]

Red Strings of Fate - Chapter 3

Genre: Fantasy, Fluff, Angst, Slight Humor, Romance

Rating: PG-13

Au/Tropes: Supernatural AU, Demons AU, Monster AU

Pairing: No pairing, Eventual OT8

WC: 14.9K

Chapter Warnings: Symptoms of PTSD mentioned, Jealousy, Manipulation, Implied Smut (at the end but no graphic details)

Ao3 Link

Notes: As I said in the last chapter notes, we are back into Hongjoong’s pov and we are continuing from where we last left off. So please enjoy!

Taglist located at the bottom. Fill out this form if you want to be added.

Last Adventure☜︎☜︎ Next Adventure☞︎☞︎

Hongjoong eyes widened as he felt the other male bring his arms in front of him, stretching them both out in front of him.

He watched the prince’s hand touch the hilt of his sword and that’s when Hongjoong squirmed.

“ I asked a question. Your left hand or your right hand?” He drew his sword closer as he bent down.

“ Please! Don’t do this! I do anything else! Just don’t cut off either of my hands.” Hongjoong pleads, his heart beating fast and damn near in his throat. He hasn’t felt this type of fear since Liam and Elijah. His body started to feel numb as Seonghwa sat there as he decided which hand he wanted to cut.

Hongjoong squeezed his eyes shut as he tried to think of something other than the fact that he’ll be losing a hand. The advisor was holding his forearms firmly and out the way as his sword hovered before selecting his left hand.

Seonghwa nearly brought the sword down and through the flesh and bone of his wrist when he stopped. The faintness of aura seeped into the air and had his body hesitate. It was nothing great from the array of beings he dealt with before, but it’s more so the fact of that type of malicious aura coming from a human.

The prince used his free hand to lift Hongjoong’s chin, “ What are you?”

Hongjoong was confused as he looked up at is blue eyes, “ What?”

“ Don’t try to lie to me. I asked you what you are?” He watched his brows get furrow, clearly a tad annoyed from his first answer.

“ I’m a human.”

“ Don’t lie to me.” Seonghwa grit through his teeth as Hongjoong shook his head back and forth.

“ I swear! I’m just a human man who has human parents and average human strength. There is nothing else to me. A simple peasant boy and nothing more!” Hongjoong yelled at him, his voice firm as he felt his head get pushed down near the ground.

“ Watch your tone.” The man above him said as Hongjoong tried to shake his hand off of him.

Seonghwa had glanced at his advisor. Hongjoong watches them have a silent conversation through their eyes for a minute before Hongjoong gets pulled up off the ground and made to stand on his feet. The bag he stole snatched off his hip as he watched the prince hang it from his belt.

He walked past Hongjoong, and the shorter male watched him before he shoved him to follow. The brown-haired elf gave him a look when he turned around. Hongjoong huffed as he just followed him, knowing very well that he can’t outrun them again. His legs were still screaming at him due to their soreness.

Hongjoong walked through the less crowded area that he ran through just some moments ago. He looked around at the brick structures, covered with vines, a few flowers blooming that he didn’t notice before that he found pretty.

“Don’t even think about trying to escape from us again.” He heard the elf behind him say as he turned his head behind to look at him.

“ Can I have your name?” Hongjoong asked, and he can tell that he threw the wood elf off. His brows raised enough to give himself away.

“Why would you want to know?”

“Well, it’s annoying to try and talk to someone without addressing them with at least a name. I was raised better than that.” Hongjoong watched the man’s face before he slowly opened his mouth.

“It’s Yeosang.”

“Well, Yeosang, I would like to tell you that I have no plans to escape because my legs are still screaming at me even now as we walk, so no, I don’t plan on escaping,” Hongjoong spoke, watching him all the same as he noticed they made it back to the Main Street of where he first ran from them.

Hongjoong watched the prince head back to the stands, and when Hongjoong went to follow, his shoulder was gripped tightly and turned in the opposite direction.

“I thought we were following the prince,” Hongjoong asked as he forced him to go in the direction of a carriage, opening the door to move him inside. He watched the elf say something to the driver before getting in himself and shutting the door.

“ We will be staying here until the young prince comes back from finishing his errands he was supposed to do before you foolishly stole from him.” Yeosang spat out, obviously still passed that he had to bring him here.

“Again, I am sorry for what I did, but I truly needed the money.” Hongjoong watched as that only made the other man more upset.

“You don’t have to steal from people to gain money. There are always other options. It’s the lowest of lows to steal from others.” Yeosang criticized him, and it slowly started to make him irritated.

“You know I have been trying to get a regular job since I traveled here three years ago. I did everything I could for a job and was denied every second I tried. I was forced to be homeless for six months, and I still struggle to find a solid job, even after someone was kind enough to offer me a home. I wasn’t raised to steal by my parents, but when the people and the city are so unforgiving to me every chance they get, am I supposed to accept it?”

Yeosang wasn’t expecting him to speak to him like that, and he tried his best not to have that shred of pity for him show on his face, “ Everyone has a hard time at some point in their lives. You haven’t seen anyone steal here.”

Hongjoong scoffed, and it made Yeosang turn his attention back to him, “ Just because you don’t hear or see anything doesn’t mean it doesn’t happen. I’ve seen plenty of them because we can all recognize each other.”

“It’s not that many of them. There’s always a group of bad people in a sea of good.” Yeosang rebuked, but Hongjoong was quick to respond.

“The line between good and evil and what is right and wrong can be blurred, and if you work in that damn castle, then you should know that very well. Not all the people who steal are bad because they have to choose to steal to make ends meet simply. If stealing were such an issue, there would have been reports about such, yet they never make a fuss because what’s pocket change to you is a fortune for us. Our values and lifestyles are the opposite of each other, so just because you can’t fathom the idea doesn’t mean you are right.”

Hongjoong didn’t care how reckless his tongue was. He wasn’t going to let some uppity wood elf, who only knows how to kiss the ass of the rich that has gold endlessly, fall into their hands. He can royally fuck off.

He saw it in his face.

He saw that he wanted to argue back with him, and he was ready for him to, but then the door of the carriage opened to reveal the prince holding a few things. He looked between the two of them with a raised brow.

“ Was there something that I missed?” He asked, looking at Yeosang, waiting for a response.

Yeosang gave him another look before turning back to the prince, “ Everything is fine. Do you need any help?”

Seonghwa nodded, passing the flowers and bags of fruit to Yeosang, telling the driver to head back to the castle before climbing inside next to Yeosang. Hongjoong felt the carriage move as he huffed.

He should have just listened to Eden. He told him not to get too greedy, or he would deal with the consequences.

But what else was he supposed to do?

Eden stuck his neck out to help him instead of living on the street for the rest of his life. Eden started by stealing until he could have enough to open his tavern. Since then, he had a simple life, and even when following the proper protocols, the city takes most of his earnings and barely has enough for his expenses.

He even makes sure to feed him and make sure that he’s well-nourished and is clean.

All he wanted to do was give the man that helped him start a new life after being forced to start over again, and he couldn’t even do that.

Hongjoong didn’t want to look sad in the carriage with the two elves, but the shift in his demeanor and facial expressions didn’t go unnoticed by the prince that stayed silent.

Seonghwa couldn’t wrap his head around what gave off that malevolent energy from the supposedly human male. It didn’t look like he could use magic, and he gives off no type of physical distinctions of being nonhuman. So what could it be?

He couldn’t help his c,urious nature about it. He hasn't come across someone like him, and he just had to figure it out for himself before he disposed of him.

The carriage stopped and Yeosang was quick to open the door for the prince and Hongjoong tried his hardest not to roll his eyes at his eagerness. The Prince stepped out first, and Hongjoong followed after Yeosang retrieved the purchases they made in town.

Hongjoong eyes scanned the massive structure in front of him, eyes glancing at the fountain in front of the building, slowly walking along the perimeter, mouth slightly agape.

He has always seen the manor from the tavern, and it was always quite beautiful from there, but seeing it in person was something different.

It was elegant and refined. It was truthfully exquisite, curious and Hongjoong found himself angry that he would have dreamed of something like this.

“If you're done daydreaming, follow me,” Yeosang said, making the smaller man turned to him. They both started to walk inside, and Hongjoong rushed to follow behind them, ignoring the side glances that the guards had given him.

The walls were massive, ceilings high with the sun gleaming on the stained glass from the colorful windows above them. Paintings of other high elves mounted on the wall that Hongjoong admired before he nearly bumped into the back of Yeosang.

He watched Seonghwa walk away down the hall, hair flowing behind him as Hongjoong found him watching the prince's body get smaller before he was plucked in the center of his forehead. Looking up, he saw the wood elf scowl at him.

“ Follow me, and don’t you dare try any unnecessary crap.” He scolds, and he ticked Hongjoong off for how he acted towards him.

“ I’ll follow if you tell me where exactly we are going.”

“ I don’t have to tell you anything.”

“ Then I’ll stay right here in this hall.” Hongjoong moved to the wall before sitting down on the floor, enjoying the irritated look on his face.

“ By the Gods, why are you humans so damn difficult?” He berated and it made Hongjoong give a dry laugh.

“ By the Gods, why are wood elves so damn stuck up?” Hongjoong retorted with a smile as he watched him get angrier, “ I promise I can be such an easy guest here and for you, but if you continue to be such a prick to me, I’ll make everything worse for you.”

Yeosang walked over to him and reached for his arm, pulling him up, “ I promise that I’ll cut your tongue off with my sword if you keep running your mouth like this.”

“ If you or the prince wanted to do something, you two would have done that by now. But instead, you brought me here. I don’t know why you both had brought me here against my will, but I do know that if he didn’t tell you to do anything to me, then you can’t.” Hongjoong shook out of his grip as they both stared at each other, “ Now start treating me with some common decency and then this can be easier for us both.”

Yeosang looked at the man up and down, thinking over what he said before mumbling something that Hongjoong couldn’t hear and walking away from the human, “ Just follow me to the living quarters.”

Hongjoong taking his time to follow behind him, a few feet behind him as he stared into the back of the wood elf’s head, “ Why am I going to the living quarters?”

“ Would you prefer the dungeon instead? You living with the other servants of the family sounds too generous in my eyes.” Yeosang looked over and nearly laughed as Hongjoong quickly shook his head, “ So, as I said, that is where I am taking you for now.”

Hongjoong was confused. He tried to steal from the prince and he didn’t lose any limbs. The dungeon would be the most appropriate place for him to be, but he will stay around the other workers who also live in this massive estate. It didn’t make sense to him, and it made him a bit uneasy since he feels that there’s an ulterior motive for doing this.

Hongjoong was led far down the corridor, passing other workers that greeted them and waved at Yeosang or ask him for quick advice that he happily answered. He could tell that they all looked up to the elf and valued his input. Yeosang also looked genuinely happy and satisfied to help them. So maybe, just maybe, he wasn’t as bad as Hongjoong seemed.

Yet again, the harsh behavior could be due to his sticky fingers grabbing the heavy bag of gold and running away when they gave him a chance to return it with no issues.

“ This will be your room until the prince says otherwise.” Yeosang pushed a door open and stepped to the side to let Hongjoong step inside. Hongjoong quietly walked inside, mouth slightly open as he looked at the beautiful room. He walked around the bed, admiring its size as Yeosang watched him from the door. Hongjoong hand touched the sheets and was amazed by how soft they were.

Hongjoong felt like this room cost way more than his life and his next two lives too.

He’s never been in such a place before and he couldn’t help but be stunned by its elegance.

“ Thank you.” Hongjoong’s voice was low, but Yeosang heard him, a tad intrigued by his reactions.

“ If you plan to thank anyone, then thank the prince when he comes by the room. Stay in this room until he comes back and tells you what you can and cannot do. I have other tasks to take care of, so I will be leaving you here alone. However, that doesn’t mean that you can do anything stupid and try to escape. If you try to leave, I will personally come after you myself. Do I make myself clear?” Hongjoong nodded as Yeosang spoke to him.

Hongjoong watched Yeosang close the door and his footsteps leading down the hall before it got quiet.

Hongjoong let out a deep sigh as he took his boots off as he looked around the room, his toes wiggling in the plush carpet underneath his feet as he never felt something this soft. He wondered what animal the fur came from.

He pushed it all to his mind as he walked around the perimeter of the room, hands dragging across the wooden dressers.

He pulled open the drawers to find some clothes sitting inside. He wasn’t sure if he should touch them or not. He doesn't want to give the tawny-haired elf any type of motivation to yell at him. Not that he cared, but more so that he didn’t feel like dealing with that.

So Hongjoong silently walked back to the bed and hesitantly sat down on its expensive sheets. They were soft to his touch. Fingers gliding with ease as he somewhat became enthralled with the material that he never experienced before. It was then that he decided to lay down on the bed completely.

He felt his body slightly sink into it, almost welcoming him with such ease that he closed his eyes for a minute.

Maybe it’s because he doesn’t know how long he would be able to touch such luxury. He exhaled before inhaling the strong smell of fresh cotton from the bed, and Hongjoong felt his aching muscles from running sigh along with him.

He would do anything to be with Eden and laugh around with the patrons of his tavern because that’s his home, but he can’t help but wish to be entangled in this lifestyle just a bit longer.

The moment Hongjoong’s body started to quiet down and convince him to relax in this unfamiliar place, the door opened suddenly, and it made him open his eyes and immediately sit up in the bed.

He greeted him with the face of the prince, who happened to be alone this time. You couldn’t see Yeosang at all from where he sat, and he didn’t see him in the hall either before he shut the door behind him.

It was quiet.

Both of them were staring at each other. Hongjoong, not knowing what to expect from the prince, sat back near the headboard of the large bed. Seonghwa's eyes were piercing him as it felt like he was planning something that Hongjoong had no idea of.

“ It’s good to see that you got comfortable enough for a nap here, but now I have business to talk to you about.” His tone was harsh, and Hongjoong knew that he better pay attention to what he had to say. “First off, I’ll introduce myself. I am the first prince of Crescent Hill and next in line to the throne, Park Seonghwa. What is yours?”

Hongjoong swallowed before answering him, “K-Kim Hongjoong.”

“So Kim Hongjoong is the name of the man who was foolish enough to steal from me in broad daylight?” Seonghwa started as he walked away from the door and made his way to the center of the room. Hongjoong’s eyes following him the whole time he moved, “ But this is now besides that point of you being a petty thief.”

“Then what is this about?” Hongjoong asked him as he adjusted himself on the bed. Hongjoong admiring his side profile before he stopped his pacing and turned his head in his direction.

“ What did I ask you out in the alleyway?” Seonghwa hinted at and watched Hongjoong rake up his brain for the answer before looking back up at the high elf.

“ You had asked me what I was?”

“ And I still need an answer to the question.” Seonghwa turned his body to face him completely.

Hongjoong huffed, crossing his arms over his chest, “ I did give you an answer. Whether you find the answer I gave earlier efficient enough is a problem for you and not myself.”

It was then that Seonghwa crossed the room very quickly and had slammed his hand beside Hongjoong’s head on the headboard. It startled Hongjoong enough to jump and stare up at the prince with wide eyes. His blonde brows were furrowed and his eyes were sharp.

“ You may have human strength and some human agility, but your aura says differently. I know I’m not wrong in this.” Seonghwa argued and he saw the confusion in Hongjoong’s expression once more.

“ What is an aura?” He questioned, a slight tilt of his head as he waited for an answer from him.

“ Aura is this very distinctive atmosphere that surrounds and is generated by a person, place, and thing. Whether it is small or big, there’s some type of aura surrounding everything around us. So that also includes humans, but usually, it’s a tiny amount of aura that’s produced from them, and they are all generally the same.” He explains in great detail as Hongjoong listens.

“ So, what is the problem with my aura?” Hongjoong looked up at the elf, now curious in his reasonings.

“ Despite it being faint, I sensed such evil and tainted aura coming from you that wouldn’t be possible for a regular human to generate. As much as history knows, it’s completely unheard, yet here you are.” Seonghwa gritted through his teeth, and it made Hongjoong glance down.

None of this made any sense to him. He was strictly human and nothing less.

How could he be walking around with a ‘tainted’ aura like this?

It made his head spin as the back of his head rested against the headboard. Seonghwa pulled his face away but was still fairly close as he sat down on the bed. He was still staring at him when he looked up.

“ I seriously don’t know how to answer your assumptions about me. I was born by human parents and was surrounded by nothing but humans for the most part. I wouldn’t know how this could happen.” Hongjoong’s eyes were cast down, still lost in thought as Seonghwa tried to think of some possible explanation.

“ You said you were surrounded by humans ‘ for the most part.’ So I can assume that you are around other beings besides them. If that is true, then can you tell me what type of species you commonly stayed around.”

Hongjoong gave an empty laugh as he looked back up at the prince, a look of agitation in his eyes, “ My old home had a small number of nonhumans who lived there peacefully, but there was a pair of demons who decided to make my life a living hell because I stopped them from hurting someone.”

Hongjoong crossed over his chest as he chewed on his bottom lip as he thought about, “ It was always stupid things and nothing serious, but the last time, they crossed the line and hurt me real bad.”

His mind flashed to that brutal beating. He heard their morphed voices and laughter echoing in his head until it overlapped, and he wanted to leave his mind. He was hearing Ava screaming for them to stop and to leave him alone. He was feeling incapable of breathing since he got slammed down. Remembering how weak he felt, how tiny he truly felt, and how hopeless he felt.

Seonghwa watched the look of pain and terror rise to his face, and it took him by surprise. The smaller male was squeezing his arms so tightly that he could see his blunt nails slowly dig into his skin. He could see him holding his breath and never exhaling.

“ Kim Hongjoong?” He questioned, hesitantly reaching forward to tap his leg.

Hongjoong was so deep in the nightmare replaying in his head that when he felt something touch him, he jumped back. Panicked, he looked forward and realized who was in front of him.

Wasn’t he in the alley?

“ Are you okay?” Seonghwa grew concerned for him. He knows nothing of what those demons did to him, but for them to cause a reaction like this from just thinking back to it.

Hongjoong finally took a deep breath and released his hold on his arms as they fell to his sides. He couldn’t find the strength to look up at him after all of that. His hand reached up to wipe away the tears that almost threatened to fall in front of the prince. It made him angry with himself.

Hongjoong didn’t want to show this man his weaknesses, but I’m guessing he couldn’t control himself as his mind had spiraled out of control. But maybe it had brought some clarification to him.

He was a human, but his aura was ‘supposedly’ evil.

Hongjoong had finally looked up at Seonghwa, who was patiently waiting for him to respond to him, “ Could aura be transferred to another person?”

Seonghwa brought up his hand to rest his chin in, “ Most of the time, beings that can control their auras usually place them on valuables or their territories, so no one bothers them. I haven’t heard of them placing their auras on other people.”

Could that explain everything? It could be the reason why it is so faint and why most people wouldn’t notice it. But again, what if he is just trying to trick him into escaping? Seonghwa doesn't think that he is that much of a fool, but he did steal from him.

Seonghwa looked back up at the man, “ When did that situation happen?”

Hongjoong ran his fingers through his hair as he tried to calm himself down slowly, “ I was 18 when it happened, and I’m 21 now.”

“ That sounds more than just aura. Do you regularly hang around such demons?” Seonghwa questioned him, watching his body finally ease itself against the wooden bed frame.

“ Demons and nonhumans never really scared me before, even after that incident. I haven’t been around any of them since I was here, but then again, some kinds hide in plain sight, and I wouldn’t know. Does aura not stay attached for that long?” Hongjoong tilted his head, and it made him look more childlike to the prince.

“ It’s unheard of as far as my knowledge, but I’ll figure that out for myself,” Seonghwa stood up from the bed and walked back to the center of the room, “ Because of my need to learn and comprehend everything, I want to figure out the mystery of this dark aura that surrounds you. You’ll be under surveillance for as long as that takes. I won’t bind you to this room and you're allowed to walk throughout the premises and you will be fed and bathed. Try and escape and I will put you down and just examine your corpse if need be. Do you understand, Kim Hongjoong?”

“ B-but what about my life outside of here? I can’t just stay here!”

Hongjoong is grateful that they aren’t killing him or taking any limbs from him, but he would rather be back in the tavern with Eden and the rest of the tavern’s patrons.

“ You should have thought about that before you committed the deeds that you did. Try if you must, but it would only result in death.” Seonghwa gave him a stern look. He knew he was serious.

Hongjoong couldn’t just run like how he did in town. This was a heavily guarded place with trained guards. He was royally screwed.

“ Oh, before I forget,” Seonghwa watched the smaller man process his words as he walked back to the door before looking over his shoulder. A grin that gave no sense of calm to Hongjoong’s nerves

“ Welcome to the Park Estate, Kim Hongjoong. I do hope you enjoy your stay.”

THREE WEEKS LATER

Several days had passed since he was invited ( very much forced) to stay in the royal family’s estate who ruled over the town he lived in.

It was honestly better than what he had initially imagined. The staff was told that he was new help, so he simply joined in with some of their duties.

With him joining with the help, he traveled throughout the massive home and had a bit of an idea of where everything was.

The left side of the estate was where the King and his family, meaning Seonghwa, lived. Some higher-up employees, such as Yeosang and some generals in charge of warriors, stayed there as well. There were some standard rooms like the study, the library, and meeting halls, but he knows nothing as far as anything else.

The center of the estate is where the main hall room was located and the kitchen and a few other rooms that he didn't know about. He only passes some of these rooms because he has to go clean some of these areas.

The right side of the estate was where he and the other staff members lived. Everyone had a bedroom, storage, and bathrooms, while some shared a common area. It was shocking to see so many staff there that were genuinely eager, let alone happy, to work for the prince and the family. Even though Hongjoong says that he can’t blame them when he bears witness to how well they are treated.

While Hongjoong truly wants to be back home with Eden, he did make friends with some of the other staff that managed to keep him hopeful and happy.

One of the friends he made was a young man named Subin. He’s been working there for a little over a year. Even though his main job is cleaning-related, he never voices any compliments and is usually in a good mood whenever he speaks. It’s always nice talking to him, and he gives him a good laugh when he needs one.

Hongjoong pretty much did a little bit of everything, even though he wasn’t supposed to. He was usually just supposed to clean a particular area that he was assigned for the day, but he would always end up helping the staff in the kitchen or tending the vast gardens. He even helped some of the warriors polish their weapons after battle and sparring.

Neither Yeosang nor Seonghwa predicted how fast Hongjoong would become well-liked at the estate, but that was just Hongjoong’s personality and friendly nature.

It was just another day Hongjoong had finished his tasks for the day and bored out of his mind. He was walking by the stained windows as he gazed outside into the town, wondering if he could see the tavern again before he heard loud giggles echoing the halls along with fast pitter-pattering of feet.

Hongjoong turned his head in the sound direction before he felt something bump into his legs and let out an ‘oof. Looking down, he saw two children, one on the floor and the other one catching up the other.

“I told you to be more careful!” The taller one yelled as the other one rubbed her nose.

Hongjoong squatted down to be her height as he tried to make sure she had no wounds or marks on her body, “ Hey, are you okay?”

The tiny child looked up at him and nodded, “ My nose hurts, but I’m okay!” She rubbed her nose before looking up at Hongjoong.

Hongjoong gave her a soft smile and also offered his hand to help her stand. The bigger child had watched Hongjoong help her up, “ Are you new?”

Hongjoong nodded as he looked at her, noticing how the younger of the two stared up at his face, “ I’m Hongjoong. What’s your name?” Hongjoong kept his tone light and friendly as the little girl smiled at him.

“ Elva!” She yelled, and it made Hongjoong giggle.

“ What a pretty name,” He looked up at the other child, “ And yours is?”

“ I’m Estel. She’s my little sister.” Estel watched her younger sister reach for him; arms stretched that had Hongjoong shocked himself. She watched him hesitantly lift the girl, and she smiled the moment that he did. Hongjoong had her body resting on her forearm.

“ Can you take us to the kitchen, please? We were on our way to get us some snacks.” Elva giggled as she waited for him to answer.

“ Well, you asked so sweetly, so how could I say no to you?” Hongjoong said as he started to turn his body before looking at the older of the two, “ Will you still be joining us?”

Estel shook her shock as she nodded as Hongjoong started to head for the stairs, Estel looping her arm when he walked. Estel watched her sister talk the man’s head off, still shocked that she trusted and got comfortable with the random man so fast in so little time.

Estel knew her sister was usually wary of any new person for a while, whether she met them or not. But this was the first time either of them had seen the man Hongjoong, yet there she was in the kind man’s arms.

Hongjoong didn’t notice the other sister’s stare as the younger talked his head off about the different foods she liked to eat, nor did he notice how some of the staff glanced at him to see the sister’s so close to him when he was barely in the castle for a month.

But they continued to walk down the stairs and made their way to the kitchen. Hongjoong used his shoulder to push the door open and peek inside, seeing a familiar face. The man turned his head after hearing the door, and he watched the man sigh.

“ What do you want now, Hongjoong?” He put down the knife he was using and stared at him.

“ Well, I missed you too Jin, but I wanted to get some snacks for myself and these two,” showing both sisters, and it made Jin widen his eyes.

“ Didn’t I give you two snacks earlier? Why are you back here, and you brought him back too.” Jin pinched the bridge of his nose as Hongjoong put Elva down.

“ Can’t we have a bit more Mr. Jin? Please?~” Elva ran over and clung to his leg.

“ If I keep giving you sweets and you fatten up, your mother and the prince will have my head!” Jin exclaimed as he rubbed his throat, and it only made her giggle.

“ We would never let him hurt you” Estel smiled as she eyed the desserts on the table that Hongjoong’s eyes also caught as he moved closer to the tray.

“ Jin, what type of dessert is this? I haven’t seen those before.” Hongjoong tore his eyes away for a split second to look at Jin with a childlike gaze.

Before Jin could speak, one of his assistants, Jaemin, came inside with an empty tray, “ Those are peach puffs.”

“They look fluffy and soft and look delicious~” Estel added as she and Hongjoong stared at each other and looked back at the tray. Elva was heading back to them, asking for Hongjoong to pick her back up, and he did.

Hongjoong knew the look that she had. It was the very same look he gave when he decided to steal from the prince.

Without a second thought, Estel snatched two puffs in her tiny hands, “ Grab one for Elva!” Estel yelled as Jin tried to run over to them.

Hongjoong hesitated for a split second before taking a puff as well and rushing out the door, hearing Jaemin’s laughter and Jin’s nagging.

“I make it up to you tonight, Mr. Jin!~” Hongjoong shouted as he followed behind the girl with her giggling as they ran. He knew Jin wasn’t going to chase him and just smack his hands when he sees him again.

They slowed down and sat down in the hall by the steps on the floor. He gave Elva her puff before placing her in his lap, smiling when she started munching on it. Estel handed Hongjoong his own, and you all ate the puffs quietly in the halls.

There was a sort of peace as you three ate the stolen food on the floor enjoying the silence as they enjoyed the sweet treat. The peaches were fresh, and the cream was fluffy. Hongjoong was enjoying his time with the sisters as his eyes were closed.

“Ddeonghwa!”

Hongjoong’s eyes opened as he watched Elva scurry out of his lap and run towards the blonde prince; his blue eyes were staring at Hongjoong, a stoic look on his face until Elva drew closer and he gave her a sweet smile.

A smile that Hongjoong didn’t know the man could take.

“ Now, what are you doing out here? Are you and Estel causing trouble? ” The prince’s voice was soft, maybe even delicate as he crouched down, opening his arms as she ran right into them.

“ We ate some peach puffs with Hongjoong!” She yells as she goes to feed the last bit of puff she had to Seonghwa, who chuckled and opened his mouth.

“ It does taste delicious.” Seonghwa smiled as Hongjoong watched with wide eyes.

Estel had gotten up as well, a big smile gracing her face as she ran over to hug him as well, “ Are you busy with duties for the rest of the day?”

“ No, I just came back from finishing my tasks for the day.” Seonghwa tucked her dark hair behind her ear as he spoke.

“ Can we go to the gardens then?” Elva asked with big doe eyes, hoping that the man would say yes.

“ Of course we can go. Would you like to go now?” Seonghwa tilted his head as she jumped up and down with excitement, a clear yes by her actions.

“ Oh! Can we bring Hongjoong with us too?” Estel asked and both Hongjoong and Seonghwa weren't expecting her to ask that. They both had looked at each other, not initially knowing how to answer it.

Hongjoong tried to help the prince as he’s stood up, “ Maybe I shouldn’t go with you all-”

“ Nooooo,” Elva runs over to him, clinging onto his leg, “ Please come with us, so can I show you the flowers there pleaseeeee.” She begged and Hongjoong felt like he couldn’t tell her no.

“ Join us, Kim Hongjoong. It’s quite hard to tell the little one no.” Seonghwa spoke, looking at him with eyes that were unreadable as Hongjoong eventually agreed.

The sisters eventually pulled both of them out towards the gardens, Seonghwa sitting on one of the benches as the sisters pulled Hongjoong around to the flowers that they found were pretty. Hongjoong stared at the white camellias and pink roses that Hongjoong found himself getting so enthralled in them as he reached out to touch them all.

Seonghwa watched from where he sat, watching Hongjoong’s movements as he noticed the childlike gaze he had just for the flowers, and Seonghwa found his face softening a bit.

They were just flowers. They weren’t too memorable or unique, but here was the tiny human being memorized by some vibrant flowers.

Seonghwa immediately found it foolish and childish in his mind, but something in the back of his mind found his reactions adorable, and the moment that it crossed his mind, he froze and shook his head back and forth to get rid of the thought.

He looked back up and realized that the sisters were pulling the man before, having him sit right beside him. He smiled at them as they told them they would get them both a surprise and ran away before either of them could say anything.

The moment the girls were far enough away from them, Seonghwa’s smile dropped, and he turned to face the shorter man, “ What ulterior motives do you have, Kim Hongjoong?”

Hongjoong giggled, his legs crossed as he leaned back onto the bench before turning to look him in the eyes, “ I was waiting for you to say something to me. I wasn’t expecting you to do it so soon, though.”

“ Answer my question.”

Seonghwa watched him roll his eyes before looking back at him, “ There’s no motive or planning. I like my life very much. Those lovely children ran into me in the halls after I finished my duties for the day. Elva asked for me to come with them to the kitchen.”

Seonghwa stared at him, nowhere near satisfied with his answer, “They don’t usually warm up to any new faces so fast. Perhaps, you used some type of magic on them.”

“ Wouldn’t such a high-ranked elf like you would have noticed any magic traces on them as you did with the tiny amount of dark energy on me?” Hongjoong raised his brow and it took everything in him not to laugh at the look on the prince's face.

It was a mix of shock and maybe a pinch of flustered as he watched him scramble to try and respond to him, his mouth opening and closing, not knowing what to say.

Hongjoong found that face more fitting on him than the stoic one he walks around with.

It makes him look younger. It made him look youthful.

It made him look cuter.

Huh?

“ I guess you're right….” The prince mumbled, not looking at him anymore

Hongjoong, being lost in his thoughts, nearly missed what he said, “ Did you just say I was right?”

“ I did,” Seonghwa answered, feeling Hongjoong lean closer to him.

“ Say it again.”

“ What?”

“ Say that I was right again.” Hongjoong pushed, moving closer to the elf, feeling their thighs touch.

“ No,” Seonghwa turned to the side. He felt the man close the distance between them again, and he was ready to yell at him when he turned his head around, but his voice died down when he noticed how close their faces were.

Hongjoong wasn’t expecting him to turn around either, and he knew the prince could see him visibly swallow as he also took note of their closeness. The last time he had his face this close to his face was when they were in his room, and he was threatening him with the sword.

But now, there were no weapons in sight. It was just the two of them, up close and personal. Hongjoong couldn’t stop his eyes from looking over the handsome face. He found himself admiring his cheekbones, the shape of his nose, and daringly eyeing his lips.

They looked pretty and soft before his eyes glanced back up to catch the pair of bright lapis staring back at him.

He was waiting for the man to yell for his staring and the lack of personal space, but it never came. He just kept eye contact with him, and Hongjoong wasn’t sure what he should do. He knew that he could see the faintest of blush coat his cheeks, and he was going to lose it.

By the gods, he was lucky to be broken from the trance as he heard the sisters yell for them as they got remotely closer to them.

Hongjoong was quick to move back to where there was a reasonable amount of distance between them, and he heard Seonghwa clear his throat and turned his head back away from him.

Hongjoong smacked his cheeks a bit before quickly putting on a smile as Elva ran over to him, her hands dirty from the soil as Estel came over with some flowers in her hands. Hongjoong picked the younger sister up and sat her on his lap, and Estel sat in between him and Seonghwa, which he was grateful for. “ What were you two up to for you both to have such dirty fingers?”

Hongjoong’s tone was light and bubbly as he took out a cloth from his pants pocket and gently took her tiny hands to clean them.

“ We found some pretty flowers and we pulled two up for you both!” She squeals as Estel hands them both a flower. It was a red Gardenia and Hongjoong brought it to his nose to smell, smiling when he did.

“ This is a beautiful flower. Thank you.” He gave them a big smile that they quickly returned, not catching Seonghwa looking at him once more with a smile that went unnoticed by the party as the children talked both of their ears off, but they didn’t mind as they sat in the gardens with them.

They both stayed there with them, idly talking and playing with the children, as they were watched from the window, their earlier interaction not going unnoticed as a brow twitched before walking away.

ONE MONTH LATER

It’s been about six weeks since Hongjoong was made to stay there in the castle, and the time he was having there was completely different from that initial week.

Especially when it came between him and the prince of the estate.

He found his eyes lingering on the prince whenever he walked past him, or he caught him after a lesson or meeting. Sometimes, he would see the prince meeting his gaze, and it would immediately make his face flash and have him quickly walk away.

He didn't know why he started to get so nervous around the elf prince, but he did. Ever since their trip to the gardens with the children, he hasn’t been able to look at him calmly.

Speaking of the sisters, Estel and Elva always tried to steal him away while he was doing his tasks for the day. Whether it was bringing in shipments from other cities to him having to clean the floors and windows thoroughly, they tried their best to steal him away.

The other workers found it amusing, never really minding if they stayed out, not as they worked since they never really caused anyone trouble, but they did find it odd how much they went to strictly Hongjoong and no one else.

Hongjoong had just managed to avoid the sisters, both feeling mischievous as they were messing with Subin before quickly asking where the small brown-haired man was.

It wasn’t that he didn’t love their company, but he just didn’t have the energy to play with them. Sadly, they didn’t give up that easily, and they were chasing him.

Hongjoong had some reasonable distance between these girls, them both giggling and smiling as they were trying to catch up. “ Hongjoong, where are you going?” Estel giggles and it took everything in him not to laugh.

He glanced around the halls, spotting a wooden door and quickly opening and shutting it silently as he pressed his ear against the door. Hongjoong heard the girls go past the door, quickly stopping when they couldn’t hear his steps or see him since it was a long hallway.

“ Where did he go?” Elva asked, confused as Hongjoong backed away from the door. He knew their hearing was better than his, so he tried his best not to make any sounds. His eyes never leaving the door until he bumped into something and a hand quickly covered over his mouth.

Hongjoong’s heart jumped into his throat as he tried to turn around and was greeted by those same hypnotizing blue eyes as he leaned to his ear, “ Say calm if you want the girls to leave.”

His voice was low and it sent a shiver down his spine, but he stayed still and quiet. He could still hear the girls talking right outside the door.

“ You think he went into here,” Elva asked, pointing to the door that indeed had Hongjoong right behind it.

“ I don’t think he did. No one is allowed in there and that includes Hongjoong,” Estel thought for a bit before the two heard a sigh. “ We lost him, Estel, so let’s go and get some snacks from Mr.Jin!”

Hongjoong heard Elva make this happy noise as she started to run off to the kitchen, Estel right on her tail as the footsteps and laughter slowly went away, and Hongjoong let out a sigh, unconsciously resting his head against his body and Seonghwa stiffened a bit.

Seonghwa stared to the top of his head, staying completely still and not knowing what to do for a minute.

Hongjoong, unknowing of him stiffening behind him, turned around to face him for a split second before looking past him, “What room is this?”

Seonghwa snapped out of it for a split second before turning around to look in his direction, “This is the castor room. This is where I study and learn new magic.”

Hongjoong walked deeper into the room, eyeing the tree and wood decor in the room, his eyes trailing to the colored glass that brought in the light that illuminated the room. Hongjoong eyes landed on the book that must have been where Seonghwa was sitting.

“So you plan on staying here, even though the young ones left you alone already?” Seonghwa walked past him as he sat back in the chair that Hongjoong was eyeing. He turned in his seat, leaning back to look at him and wait for his answer.

“ I won’t touch anything. I just want to watch you work. I finished my task for the day and I have never seen magic before, so I’m a bit curious.” Hongjoong admitted as he eyed the chair that was next to him.

Seonghwa thought it over, tempted to send him off so he could enjoy his time alone like he usually does. But glancing at the look on his face and eyes made him sigh and turned back around. “ Sit in the chair and don’t touch anything.”

Hongjoong sat in a chair, far away from Seonghwa and his work. Hongjoong eyes scanned the table and saw the books and vials that were over most of the table. His eyes were trailing up to look at the elf prince, who was focused on the text in the book.

His blonde hair pulled back this time in a ponytail, a few loose hairs as his eyes scanned over the text. His hand reached for the feather and dipped it in ink before writing some notes on his own, him noting how pretty his handwriting was as well before looking back up to his face.

Hongjoong doesn’t know how he found himself staring at his profile as he worked, despite wanting to bother him just a bit. He was just enamored with how the gods decided to sculpt such a beautiful-looking man.

He had to be honest. He found Seonghwa attractive. Yeah, he tried to kill him and take his fingers from him, but he was still hot.

Hongjoong chuckled to himself and the sound drew in Seonghwa’s attention, “ What’s so amusing over there?” He asked as he got up, grabbed some materials from a shelf, and brought them back to the table.

“ Would you prefer that I be honest?” Hongjoong asked.

“ I don’t like being lied to, so yes.”

“ I was sitting here thinking about how handsome you are.”

He almost dropped the materials in his hands.

“ Pardon?”

“ You told me to be honest and I said I was sitting here thinking about how handsome you were. Do you not know that you are handsome?” Hongjoong tilted his head, eyes glancing back at the other vials, his fingers tempted to reach out and touch them.

“It’s not that I don’t know that I have good looks, but that’s not what I was expecting to hear. But why would that have made you laugh?”

“ I thought that despite you threatening to take off any type of limbs, I couldn’t lie and say you aren’t attractive. I don’t think I can be good-looking anymore if I lose an arm.” Hongjoong smiled as he dragged his fingertips over the vials, despite being told not to touch anything.

“ A missing limb wouldn’t make you less attractive,” Seonghwa said bluntly, and Hongjoong wasn’t expecting that type of response. It made him stare at the icy blonde prince.

“ I’m sorry, what was that?”

“ I know you heard me loud and clear, but maybe those human ears of yours aren’t too good, so listen closely,” Seonghwa grabbed his collar, making Hongjoong yelp as Seonghwa ghosted his lips by the shell of Hongjoong’s ear, “ I said a missing limb wouldn’t make you less attractive, Kim Hongjoong.”

Hongjoong felt the blush cover his cheeks and a shiver run down his spine from having his voice and breath so close to him. His voice sounded more profound than usual, or was that just his mind playing with him? But this man. This prince had called him attractive and he didn't know how to react to that.

Seonghwa enjoyed the silence from the man as he let go of his collar and went back to focusing on the magic in front of him. He watched from the corner of his eye at how Hongjoong adjusted himself before getting comfortable and watching him work once more.

He enjoyed the sort of “ peace” that befell them both. It was comfortable and relaxing as the only thing Seonghwa could hear was him mixing the elixirs and potions and the glasses occasionally clinking together. But then his ear picked up on a sound that made him look over again.

He saw the tiny man with his head resting in his arms, lightly snoring. He watched his shoulders rise slowly with every breath, and tossed his hair slightly to the side.

Seonghwa marked where he was at last and closed his book before turning to face him fully. He slowly reached over and moved his hair out of his eyes. He pulled his hand back when Hongjoong moved before going still again.

Seonghwa found himself gradually leaning closer, basking in the scent that was rolling off of him. He couldn’t put his finger on it. He never had the chance to figure out what his smell was when he got close the last few times.

Seonghwa didn’t even realize how close he had gotten to Hongjoong’s sleeping face. His nose was almost brushing against him, and he didn’t fully grasp the idea that he wanted to kiss his forehead. But that sounds….wrong.

He shouldn’t desire to do such a thing, especially someone who should just be treated like a common thief. Everything in Seonghwa’s mind told him not to do it, and he knew his lips were inches away. All he had to do was inch a tiny bit forward and he would do it.

Just a tad bit closer and that’s it. Just that simple. But it still felt wrong.

It took a few seconds, but Seonghwa relaxed and looked back at the sleeping man before backing up in his seat. He knew better and he wouldn’t. Whatever urge he had will be swallowed and locked away since he knows it was wrong.

But at the very least, he petted his head and couldn’t stop the small smile as he leaned into his hand a bit.

Seonghwa enjoyed the feeling before he heard a quick knock on the door before it swung open. Seonghwa pulled his hand away fast and went back to grab his book, almost doing it in such a calm and collected manner as if he wasn’t petting the sleeping man.

Yeosang turned around and brought Seonghwa his tea with a smile before he stopped, his eyes immediately locking on the Hongjoong.

Yeosang did his best not to have his face falter as he walked over to the table, sitting the tray of fruits and tea down on a nearby table, “ I brought you some fruits and tea. I didn’t know you would have a guest, or else I would have brought another cup of tea.”

“ This wasn’t planned, but there is no need for that,” Seonghwa reached over and grabbed a strawberry and took a bite from it, letting out a tiny hum as it touched his tongue, “ But I appreciate the snacks. I was a bit famished.”

“ Then you should be eating something more filling.” Yeosang quipped, boldly stealing a grape for himself and popping it into his mouth as he saw the prince smile.

“Then do you know what is being prepared for lunch, Yeosang?.”

“ I can find out if you’d like.”

“ There’s no need for that,” Seonghwa stood up and went for another book on the shelf, “ You do enough for me as it is.”

Yeosang looked back at Hongjoong, sending the sleeping man a look that Seonghwa couldn’t see before fixing it as the prince turned around. Yeosang watched the head back to the table, seemingly comfortable with having Hongjoong stay beside him like that.

“ Yeosang, do you know what the rest of my day looks like? I didn’t meet with the King recently.” Seonghwa asked, eyes glued to the new book in his hands.

Yeosang stepped forward, on the opposite side of the table from Hongjoong, “ As far as today, you have to spar with the general and Lady Nora before dinner. Your schedule is quite free beside the event the King had planned that needs your actual attendance.”

Yeosang watched the man tsk as he looked at him, “ It is coming up, isn’t it? I don’t want to be there.”

“ I don't either, but you know we have no say for this one. You already have some attire being made; the seamstress is almost finished with that. You have the fitting tomorrow, and then the event is two days from now.” Yeosang explained as he heard another deep sigh from Seonghwa.

“ I don’t want to be in the faces of so many nobilities, especially with most of them being fools and not wanting to listen. You ask how to improve things, I tell them, and they don't listen or just resort to saying I’m a spoil and know-it-all brat that understands nothing. But if that's the case, why ask me for my input to begin with? This happens all night long, and you know this.” Seonghwa allowed himself to slip into his chair just a bit and Yeosang gave a small smile at the action.

“I’ll assist you the best way I can.” Yeosang bows slightly and Seonghwa gives a smile of his own before his head turns around when he hears a groan coming from his left. He watched Hongjoong stretch and sat up from where he was, yawning and stretching his arms. Hongjoong turned and looked over at Seonghwa before his eyes turned to look at Yeosang.

“ I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to fall asleep here.” Hongjoong rubbed his eyes a bit and the prince thought it made him more childlike as he watched him.

“ I would have woken you up if it was a nuisance for me.” Seonghwa pointed out a comment that didn’t go unnoticed by the advisor, “ Also, while I’m thinking of it, there is an event that will be happening in two days, and you will also have to attend.

“Why?” He wasn’t expecting both Hongjoong and Yeosang to say it at the same time.

“ Only you and I know the real reason why Kim Hongjoong is in this castle, but to others, he is a mere worker. Just like the rest of them, he will be working and most likely be a server to the guests.” Seonghwa pointed out and Yeosang got quiet. Choose to say no.

Hongjoong knew he was right, and he didn't have a choice to say no in this type of situation. “I’ll do my best during this event.”

“ I expect you to.”

TWO DAYS LATER

“Never knew you could clean up so well, Hongjoong. Almost didn’t recognize you.” Subin teased, adjusting his clothes as he smiled at him.

The two of you had spent the day together getting everything ready for the event that’s happening tonight. You expected not to see the Prince and his advisor until the evening, and so far, you’ve been correct. After all the necessary preparations, the workers were all told to change and hurry back before the guest arrived.

Hongjoong eyed himself in the large mirror, admiring his appearance. He never dressed in something like this before, primarily to him not being able to afford something like this. He was dressed in white. A long-sleeved flint-colored top that was buttoned as that top before split down the center passed his belly button and stopped at his knees with delicate gold details that could go unnoticed. White pants that were a bit scrunched at the ankle due to his height, but nothing too bad to where he would walk on them. A high necked vested jacket latched at the top before flowing down and stopping at his thighs. The latch was gold, the edges of the material, and some white and gold shoes to match.

It was pretty simple in appearance, but it indeed was the fanciest thing he had worn. Subin was wearing the same color scheme but was designed differently. “ So funny, now let’s hurry up because we have to go back.”

“ Do you remember how to get there?”

“ No, not at all, so hurry up so you can show me how to get there.” Hongjoong laughed with Subin as they walked out of the room, following other staff that had to work.

If Hongjoong was honest with himself, he didn’t want to help any rich and stuck-up assholes tonight, but he knows he can’t say that out loud. Luckily, Subin would be there with him to brighten the mood.

Jin told them to station a table on the end, and you two were happy to be stuck together.

You both watched how quickly the hall filled up, countless demons, monsters, and humans all dressed in the finest of silks and fabrics to impress each other, and it took everything in Hongjoong to not roll his eyes. He believes that they might get stuck in his head if he did so.

But he did what he was told along with Subin, serving any and everyone that approached their tables. He was a bit shocked when some thanked them but wasn’t surprised by the judging looks he did receive.

Hongjoong found himself getting tired fast, having Subin kick his shin once in and while to keep him up. But soon enough, that kick felt like nothing.

“ Hongjoong, wake up! The prince has arrived!” Subin whispered yell as they both turned towards the more oversized doors.

Hongjoong straightened up and had his eyes glued as he finally got his first look at the King and Queen, Seonghwa’s parents. His father gave off a regal aura; His hair flowed down to his mid-back. He was dressed in black, white, and gold. Hongjoong could see some of the finest jewels adorning his neck apart from his attire.

His eyes went to Seonghwa’s mother and she must have been the most elegant woman he has ever seen, dressed in layers of silk and expensive fabrics that flowed around her beautifully. Her beautiful headdress and intricate hairstyle made her shine like an actual jewel.

But then his eyes landed on the prince, and it felt like his breath got caught in his throat. He was adorned in all black, a great contrast to his pale skin and blonde hair. His attire was flowy as well, similar to his mother’s. As he saw them walk past, he noticed embroidery of dragons on the sleeves and along the collar and hem of his clothes.

His eyes followed him as he walked behind his parents, having Subin smack his arm once more to gain his attention once he noticed some guests walk to their table. But no matter how many times Subin had to slap his arm, he found his eyes going back to Seonghwa.

Maybe it’s because admiring the prince’s beauty made him focus enough to stay up now after seeing countless forgettable faces. But then it became something more familiar when he noticed Yeosang heading to the table.

His pants were plain and straightforward and just white in color. He was dressed in this black vest with a high collar. The seams are traced in white trim, and wearing black and gold cuffs on his wrists. This other piece was a fabric matching his shirt and had a white border and some gold.

“ Mr.Kang, I wasn’t expecting you to come by,” Subin said with a smile, and Hongjoong watched the corners of Yeosang’s lips curve upwards.

“ It’s good to see you as well, Subin.” Yeosang turned his head to look at Hongjoong, and he noticed a slight change in his gaze, “ Nice to see you too, Hongjoong.”

“Anything that you would like?” Hongjoong asked him as Yeosang’s eyes scanned over the array of foods, leaning over to look at it all before standing up once more.

“ I’ll come back later since I’m not quite hungry yet. I plan on seeing you two later then, so make sure you two enjoy yourselves later on.” Yeosang told them before heading off just as quickly as he arrived.

Subin was distracted for a split second when another guest missed the quick change in Yeosang’s face. His eyes narrowed, a frown on his lips before turning his head once more to head back to Seonghwa.

Hongjoong found it odd. He knew the advisor wasn’t fond of him and would prefer if he was dead, but the look in his eyes this time seemed more intense than before.

He just pushed it to the back of his head before he felt Subin smack his arm once more, this time to get his attention as Jin arrived. “

“ You both are done for now. Eat and relax. Just don’t cause any trouble for me, or I’ll have your head. “ He threatened before pushing both of them away, Hongjoong laughing a bit.

“ Now you know you would mourn my death. I’m quite fun to be around.” Hongjoong joked as Jin kicked his ankle as they both stumbled away laughing.

Hongjoong and Subin had made their way to some of the other workers that were switched out to eat. It was away from the more high-status guests, but Hongjoong preferred that.

He has fun and enjoys his time with them. Maybe it’s because this was something that he wished he could have back in his hometown with Ava. Perhaps he’ll get some money and get her to visit.

He knows that’s not a realistic plan, but he could dream.

“ Did he zone out? Oi Hongjoong!”

Hongjoong looked up and realized that Eric, one of the other coworkers that he has made friends with, was calling him. “Hm? What is it?”

“Did you hear anything that I just said?” The younger asked and Hongjoong gave a sheepish laugh before saying no. The boy rolled his eyes before giving him a look.

“ I said that soon with have to go from table to table and collect and dishes and trash from them,” Eric explained, and Hongjoong couldn’t stop the look that appeared on his face.

“ Why can’t they get rid of their trash?” The words flew from his lips quicker than necessary.

“ Look, it's a party for the rich and they are all guests of the family. They aren’t supposed to lift a finger for anything as trivial as cleaning up after themselves.” Eric says sarcastically, a grin on his face as he ate more food, “ You knew what you were getting into when hired here, Hongjoong, so don’t get stupid now.”

“ Aren’t I older than you? Who are you calling stupid?” Hongjoong brow raised and gave him a look that Eric wasn’t fazed by.

“ If you know you aren’t stupid, don’t get offended by it. But seriously, Jin or someone higher up will have your head if you're disrespectful to them. So even if they do something, bite your tongue.” Eric gives him an honest look and Hongjoong huffed.

Subin pats his shoulder, “ It should be fast since most of us are doing that, so don’t worry too much. Okay.” Subin gave a dimpled smile and Hongjoong let out a small smile of his own.

He enjoys this. Bickering and smiling with each other felt very on end and it’s a bit bittersweet that it’s with people that he just met and not his parents. Well, with his mother, yes, but it would be nice if his father were included in that as well.

Before he knew it, they were all splitting up which tables they were going to and grabbed some carts before heading off.

Hongjoong took a deep breath before putting on a fake smile and approached the first table. His greeting was friendly and respectful as he asked if anyone was done with their plates. Some raised their hands and he came over and collected everything that they were finished with. He made sure not to make eye contact with them despite a few leering into the side of his head.

Hongjoong was quick to bow before leaving and dropping his smile the moment he was gone. He nearly mumbled something under his breath before remembering that no humans were sitting at these tables.

So Hongjoong continued this pattern with a fake smile, cleaning and leaving until he reached this last table. He could tell that he was an elf by the pointed ears, and the man was sitting there all alone.

“Excuse me, sir, but are you finished with your food? I'm here to collect your dirty dishes if so.”

The man tilted his head up and gave a light smile, “ Don’t your cheeks hurt from smiling like that? I gave you no reason to smile and neither did those other snot-nosed nobles. Relax and treat me like normal.”

“ I’m sorry, but I-”

“ I may be a royal, but I'm nobody to them. I would rather be treated regularly than a noble,” He turned in his seat before putting his dirty plate on himself as Hongjoong just stared at him, “ I didn’t catch your name. What is it?”

He shook his head as he looked at him, “ my name is Hongjoong.”

“ Hongjoong. That’s a different name, but I like it. I’m Prince Gerold, but I don’t need any formalities. Gerold is just fine.”

“ How could you tell that my smile was fake?” Hongjoong asked, stepping a bit closer to the man.

“ Cause you gave the same type of smiles that I do.” He rested his head in his hand as he glanced back to Hongjoong, “ Please sit, or you can’t waste any time chit-chatting with me?”

“ Well, I’m not supposed to do anything that would upset the ‘royals,’ but since I’m not upsetting you, it should be fine.” Hongjoong watched the smile grow a bit bigger on his face.

“ Well, then let’s sit and chat only for a little while. Maybe this event won’t be as boring as anticipated.”

༄༄༄

Seonghwa was tired.

He was ready to call it a night the moment he stepped into the grand room. But of course, being the son of the current king kept him occupied and busy.

He had to answer to some neighboring townships as well, as they praised him with cheers about what a great king he’ll be, and by the gods, was Seonghwa tired of the repetition.

There were questions on what he would do once his father steps down and how many children of his own he plans to have or if he has selected a queen.

Soon to Seonghwa ear’s, their voices became inaudible and would only pick up a few words that would remind him of what the bloody hell they were talking about.

While some of the guests started to talk to themselves, Seonghwa’s eyes swelled across the crowd as he was quick to stop once he saw a familiar brown hair at a table.

He watched him talk to one of the nobles. It didn’t seem like it was anything terrible because Hongjoong looked utterly relaxed.

But the more he stared, the more he realized that he looked a tad bit too relaxed.

He was able to see how close they were to each other as they talked about whatever. He could see the other person putting his arm on the back of Hongjoong’s chair and give a grin.

He couldn’t read their lips, but he did know that something had made Hongjoong laugh, and the smile was genuine. It made his heart jump a tad bit before remembering that it wasn’t directed towards him. It was someone that he just met and made him smile big like that.

Fascinating.

“ Prince Seonghwa?”

Seonghwa turned back to look at the guests in front of him, “ Yes, what is it?”

They pointed to the glass in his hand, and his eyes followed suit and noticed how tight his grip was on the glass. It caught him off guard cause he never saw his grip tightening. He placed the tall glass down on the table.

“ Are you okay, Prince Seonghwa? Did we say something to upset you?” Seonghwa could see the concern on their face and he snapped out of the slight haze he was in.

“No, it wasn’t you. However, I do have some business that I need to handle. Please enjoy this event to the fullest.” The prince gave a slight bow and smiled before quickly heading off, his feet with a mind of his own.

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Maybe nobles weren’t all too bad.

Hongjoong knew he was supposed to be working, but he couldn’t find himself getting up and ending this conversation. Prince Gerold had a charm about him that just made him stay. Maybe it’s because he was somewhat of an outcast among the nobles and he just seems a bit more humble in a sense.

He found himself smiling and laughing as they talked, not noticing how close the man had gotten or how friendly they would look to any guests. He was just hoping that he wouldn’t get into too much trouble.

“ Hongjoong, can I asked you something?” Prince Gerold tilted his head as he looked at him.

“ Of course. What is it?”

“ Would you like to leave this party? It’s not quite as interesting as you.” Prince Gerold grinned.

Hongjoong wasn’t expecting him to ask such a question. He wouldn’t mind being with him a bit longer, but he knows very well that if he leaves after all this, he might get killed by Jin. or even worse. Get killed by Yeosang.

“ Oh, I don’t think I can. I’m supposed to be working right now, to begin with, so if I leave, I’ll get in tro-” Hongjoong breath hitched when he was pulled a bit closer to him by his chair, catching him off guard.

“ Come on~ We could walk through the city or the gardens and just have a good time. You don’t wanna spend that time with me?” Prince Gerold’s smile was sweet, but maybe it felt a little too sweet that made Hongjoong want to leave, but he couldn’t. It felt like his legs were made of steel.

“ B-but I have to-”

“ I thought we were having fun together. Just for a little bit. I promise to bring you back before this shit of a party is.” Prince Gerold grabbed his hand gently, a complete opposite from the tone, despite being laced with sweet words. His thumb rubbed over his knuckles before bringing his hand to his mouth. He placed tender kisses on each one. Hongjoong wanted to pull his arm away, walk away and deal with all forms of scolding from Subin and Jin, then stay here. Even though he thought that he couldn’t move. Was it fear? Was he scared again? He just wanted to leave.

“Let’s go. I’ll sneak you out to avoid any trouble.”

“Well, it’s a bit too late for that now, is it?” Hongjoong watched how quickly his eyes looked up and passed him, and despite still not being able to move, he knew who was behind him. He knew that voice well enough.

“Ah, Prince Seonghwa. A great party you have here. Not my cup of tea, though, so I planned to leave here with this lovely muse, so if you don’t mind.” Prince Gerold stood up, still holding Hongjoong’s hand. He wasn’t expecting to stand up with such ease when he struggled to do it with his willpower. Hongjoong finally glanced over at Seonghwa as Prince Gerold tries to walk past him.

Hongjoong felt his shoulder get gripped on, and it felt like lightning struck him the moment the elf prince touched him. It made his ears ring, then his spine tingled, and his toes curl before he was finally able to pull his arm away. He faced Seonghwa in shock, but his gaze was rigid set on the other prince in front of him.

“ You went out of your way to compel him? You lured him in with such a fake smile and tried to snatch him off somewhere else. Truly pathetic.” Seonghwa's voice was cold, and he enjoyed the way his lip twitched as he spoke to him, “ You have some nerve bothering my workers.”

“ Now you're saying that as if you care about all of your workers.” He smirks as he crossed his arms.

“ Why wouldn’t I? Their hard work made this event as successful as it is. I owe them all some proper gratitude for their efforts, and it’s just a shame that they still have to deal with something as rotten as you.” Seonghwa stepped forward, right in front of Hongjoong and gave him such a cold glare that made the smirk fall from his face and replaced with a scowl.

“ You watch who you're talking to!” He growled out and Seonghwa laughed in his face.

“ Oh, and what would you do? Did you forget that part of the land that your father owns was a gracious gift from us? Did you forget how much we helped you and your father get to where you are? We hand-fed you everything, and it would be just as easy to make you starve. Be foolish enough to doubt my bluff, and I will personally ruin you. You need us. We don’t need you.” Seonghwa’s aura crackled, and it made the other Prince step back even more from them.

“All of this fuss and threats over one of the hundreds of workers?!”

“ For your information, I hand-picked this one, so yes. Now I suggest you leave like previously intended,” Seonghwa grabbed Hongjoong’s rest and started to walk away. Hongjoong turned around to at him before Seonghwa’s voice cut through the air, “ Don’t look at him.”

Seonghwa walked fast and scouted the area before stepping up to Subin and tapping his shoulder. Subin turned around and nearly dropped the plates he had in his hands. “ Prince Seonghwa! W-what can I do for you?”

“ Take care of the rest of Hongjoong’s work if you don’t mind. I need him for something else more important.” It was then that Subin noticed Hongjoong behind him, and it looked like Subin was trying to get a sense from him about what happened, but Hongjoong sheepishly looked away.

“ Of course! I’ll get right on it.” Subin bows before heading past them and Seonghwa continues to pull Hongjoong out and out the doors, not going unnoticed by the prince’s advisors as he gives a sharp gaze with furrowed brows.

Once Hongjoong believes that they were far enough from anyone, he spoke up, “ Seonghwa, where are we going?….”

“ Just wait. We're almost there.” Seonghwa gave a short response as he guided them through halls that Hongjoong had never been down before; he opened a door and pulled them both inside before shutting the door. That’s when Seonghwa finally let go of his wrist and slumped against the door.

Hongjoong watched how the prince’s back and shoulders slouched before looking up at him. “ Are you okay?”

Seonghwa made a small smile, “ I should be asking you that. A nonhuman just compelled you. The longer you stayed there, the more control he would have had on you.”

Hongjoong looked at his hands and legs, moving them slightly, “ I thought it was fear again. I thought I was that scared and couldn’t move. Not because of magic.”

Hongjoong missed the soft look he gave him as he stayed by the door, “ No. It was magic that a good variety of nonhumans know. If you can use magic or have any items to help you comply, it is quite easy to do. Humans usually fall prey to it naturally. Folks of magic sense other magic, so it would never have worked.”

Hongjoong gave a tiny smile, “ That’s good to know, but that just reminds me of how much weaker I am to everything.”

Seonghwa pushed himself off the door and stood in front of him, “Humans can learn magic too if they practice hard enough. The only way you can stop being weak is if you put the time and effort into being strong. You don’t just need to be physically stronger to beat someone. There are other ways, and I'm sure you would be capable of it.”

Hongjoong looked up at his eyes and let out a laugh, “ Who would have thought that your words would give me some comfort,” Hongjoong rubbed the back up his neck and stared at the ground, “ Thank you.”

“ There’s no need to thank me.”

“ Yes, there is. I found myself in some trouble and I was lucky enough that you were there to help me. I’m sorry for causing trouble and making you leave the party. I’ll—I’ll take whatever lecture or punishment for everything.” Hongjoong stared at his hands.

It could have gone a completely different way and Hongjoong didn’t even want to think what would happen if no one came over to stop him.

“ I was forced to attend this party. I’m the next in line to the throne, so of course, I had to be there. I would have rather hid than talked the same nonsense with all of those guests. And did you think I dragged you all the way here just to lecture you?” Seonghwa raised a brow as he gave him an amused look.

Hongjoong looked back with a confused look, “ Then why did you drag me here? Was it just a chance for you to get away from this event?”

Seonghwa walked past him and headed towards the window, the moon illuminating his skin in hair and almost making him glow, “ Maybe you do have some magic because I don’t know why, but you have been compelling me all on your own.”

Hongjoong slowly walked towards him but kept some distance, “ What does that even mean? Whatever you have to say, just say it.”

Seonghwa never turned around, “ I’ve developed some feelings for you.”

It was silent. No sound was made as they both stood in the same spot. Seonghwa expected this type of reaction and silence, so it took the silence to elaborate more.

“ I don’t know when it started, but I can be honest enough to say that I have developed some type of feelings for you. Maybe it started when I watched how caring and nurturing you were with Estal and Elva and how much they genuinely adored you. I was worried about you manipulating them, but they seem smitten with you. Most people don’t like them because of their mother, but they’re innocent in that matter.”

Hongjoong quietly walked over as Seonghwa continued to talk, just listening to the words that came out of his mouth.

“ Then I started to notice the little reactions and thoughts I would have about you. I didn’t think I could do it after stopping the last time I had feelings for someone. But then you came along, stealing from me in broad daylight and slowly stealing away my heart before I even knew it.” Seonghwa turned slightly to see Hongjoong just a couple of inches behind him.

The prince turned to face him, “ I came over there not because I knew you were in danger. I originally came over there cause my heart couldn’t stand the image of you smiling at someone else. I nearly shattered a glass when it ran through my mind. Like I couldn’t allow it and that’s out of character for me.”

Seonghwa could sense it. His honesty was overwhelming Hongjoong and that’s not what he wanted at all. He could feel and see how tense he was as he stood there.

“ I’m not asking you to recuperate my feelings. I threatened you into staying here and I can’t blame you for hating me. I…I just wanted to get these words off my chest. Don’t feel inclined to return them. You have my word on that.”

Hongjoong finally looked up at him, “ I don’t hate you.”

“ You don’t?”

“ I don’t. Everything you did was logical, especially after what I’ve done. I just don’t know how to take someone saying they ‘care’ for me.” Hongjoong walked towards the window, looking out at the moon-casted town as Seonghwa watched him.

“ Did you not come from a loving home?” Seonghwa asked as he saw Hongjoong frowned at first before giving a smile.

Hongjoong pressed his hand to the glass, “ In the end, my mother cared the most about just one other person and me. So in a sense, yes, I did. But I’ve never had someone admit having feelings for me. I just don’t know how to respond.”

“You don’t have to. That’s what I’m trying to tell you.” Seonghwa gently placed a hand on his shoulder and was happy that he didn’t tense up from it.

“ You sure?”

“ I swear on it.”

Hongjoong turned around to face him. They both stared down at each other, but Seonghwa’s eyes glanced down to his lips before forcing himself to look away, “ What is it?”

Seonghwa shook his head, “ I don’t want to ask that of you. I can’t ask that from you.” He was speaking more to himself and was about to ramble until Hongjoong gripped his chin and made him look back at him.

“ What did you want to ask me?” Hongjoong’s voice was as firm as it could be as he looked up into those ocean eyes of his.

Seonghwa stares for a while longer before letting out a sigh, “ Can I kiss you?”

Hongjoong was hesitant as he twiddled with his thumbs, “ I haven’t kissed anyone before...”

“ Then maybe you shouldn’t waste that on me. I just wanted to ask.” Seonghwa turned around and started heading towards the door, “ You can stay here until the party ends. I must head back to-”

“ It wouldn’t be a waste….” Hongjoong shifted on his heels

Seonghwa stopped, “ That’s not a yes. I’m no creep. I won’t do anything to you unless you give me a solid yes.”

“ That’s embarrassing for me to say!”

“ Embarrassing to want consent?” Seonghwa raised a blonde brow and Hongjoong grew quiet. He took the silence as an answer and as his hand reached the doorknob.

“Please!”

Seonghwa looked back at the man and noticed the faint blush on his face.

“ You...you can kiss me.”

Hongjoong listens to Seonghwa’s footsteps as he walked towards him again. “ Look at me.” He heard Seonghwa’s voice as he slowly looked up at him. “ Are you sure about this?”

Hongjoong hasn’t felt this nervous before. He wasn’t being pressured into anything. He had complete and utter control of this situation, and as much as he was worried about this, he found himself wanting it as well. “ I am, but you might have to guide me.”

Seonghwa gently tilts his face up and Hongjoong’s eyes looked up at him, “ You can tell me to stop at any time.”

Hongjoong nodded as Seonghwa slowly closed the distance between them. His eyes fluttered close when he felt his breath against his lips. He knew he could probably hear his heart pound. Seonghwa stroked his cheek with his thumb as his lips pressed to his.

His lips were soft against his. Hongjoong felt himself relax as Seonghwa pulled back slightly, opening his own eyes, and found Seonghwa staring back at him. They were quiet as they looked back at each other before Hongjoong leaned forward and Seonghwa leaned back in to kiss him again.

Seonghwa moved his lips slowly, so Hongjoong could learn how to kiss. Hongjoong tried his best to follow him, steadily getting better as Seonghwa cupped his face. Hongjoong found himself slowly reaching up to grip his shoulders. He relaxed more as he started to kiss him with a bit more force, catching Seonghwa off guard a bit.

He pulled away to look at Hongjoong, panting a bit as before speaking, “ Maybe...that’s enough for now.”

“ B-but…”

“ I’m afraid that I’ll do something more if we keep going, so let’s not continue this.” Seonghwa put some more space in between the two.

“ I want to keep going, though.” Hongjoong found a small amount of confidence as he looked at him and Seonghwa gave him an unreadable look.

“ Don’t say something like that to me. I’m trying to have some self-control. Don’t do this because of me admitting my feelings. What you're doing is more than enough. Don’t feel pressured to do anything with me.” Seonghwa's voice was harsh sounding, but Hongjoong wasn’t offended by it.

“ I’m not asking you to have self-control. I want more too. I’m not pressured. I feel comfortable and relaxed right now. I have the confidence right now to say this out loud, so don’t let it go to waste.” Hongjoong stared at him with flushed cheeks before slowly walking to the bed and sitting on it, “ I’ll tell you to stop if I have to. Just make sure your self-control is as good as you say it is.”

Seonghwa gave him a look before walking to him, standing in front of him, slowly pushing his body down on the bed and hovering above. Seonghwa could see how relaxed he was and could sense how confident he was in his choices right now. He feels hesitant, despite Hongjoong giving him all the consent he would need. His fingers flexed beside his head, and now he felt his heart pound. It was only when Hongjoong gently grabbed his wrist, forcing him to look at him.

“ It’s alright. I told you it’s okay. Don’t chicken out on me now, or I’ll feel silly about all this.” Hongjoong gave him an awkward chuckle as he reached to cup his face and brings him closer to him.

Seonghwa closed his eyes for a split second before looking back at him with a soft smile, “ Don’t go regretting this in the morning, Kim Hongjoong.”

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Tagging: @atiny-piratequeen @gettin-a-lil-hanse @queen-of-himbos @jacksons-goddess-gaia @kimnamshiks

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©atiny-dazzlinglight 2021. do not repost, translate, or use my works without permission

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[gloryofluv]

Traditionally Obscure Chapter 6

I promise, it gets heavy, but we haven't even gotten to his father yet *Squeals!!!*

Previous Chapter

Elsa and Sasha were speaking to each other while talking about the pictures Rosa showed them of Stellis. Rosa had found a lovely summer dress with a muted lavender and changed while the young princesses were scrolling through her photos. She had nothing to hide.

Elsa glanced up at her mother and shouted. Ester scowled and walked over before giggling. “My, he looks quite content, yes?” she asked.

Rosa finished her hair and paced over. “Whom?”

Sasha giggled and pointed to her phone. “Villy, he’s covered in flour.”

Oh, shoot! Rosa felt her cheeks darken. “Oh, actually, you’re not supposed to know I have that picture. He doesn’t know about that one.”

“He looks so happy here,” Elsa declared and touched the screen. “Mor, do you say he’s happy?”

Ester smiled and rocked her head. “Vilhelm and Rosa are companions.”

Rosa shifted and gestured to the princesses. “Forgive me for overstepping if I do, but you speak as if you don’t know how your cousin is doing in Stellis.”

Sasha exhaled and hung her head slightly. “Vil never wants to disappoint us. He only sends us pictures over holidays.”

Elsa rocked her head. “Yes, he is, how you say, private?”

Rosa agreed. “He is quite conservative.”

Ester walked up to Rosa and touched her arm. “You look like a proper woman of Svart, Rosa.”

“Thank you for your assistance,” Rosa bowed her head. “I would hate to approach the king with improper attire.”

Ester laughed and shook her head. “Come, one more thing. Every woman needs one,” she declared while leading her to the vanity.

Rosa glanced at her updo in the mirror and the light makeup on her face. The queen’s assistants were wonderful. She didn’t notice that Ester slipped a necklace with a bright golden topaz around her neck until it glinted in her eyes.

“Oh, I couldn’t,” Rosa rushed out.

“Nonsense, you can and will. Vilhelm is quite enamored with your loyalty to him. It is deserving,” Ester explained and touched the stone surrounded in gold. “Love and loyalty are hard to distinguish, but with it is a noble cause, comes an honor,” she finished in a softer voice.

Rosa glanced up at her as her cheeks tinted. “Thank you; I’m privileged to have such a compliment and gift.”

Ester beamed and exhaled. “I believe Vilhelm is waiting for us, and then we shall meet Ruthgar and Ragnar for tea.”

“Mor, mor, can we please has her for tonight?” Sasha huffed as she walked over.

“Not tonight, Sasha. Vilhelm and Rosa need to meet a friend for dinner at their hotel,” Ester declared as they moved to the door.

Sasha handed over her phone to Rosa. She spoke with a scowl and gestured to her several times. It was clear she was trying to convince her mother.

“She says it makes no sense for both of you to stay at a hotel when Vilhelm stayed with us over the summer holidays,” Ester explained before turning to her daughter. She spoke calmly to Sasha, pointed to Rosa, and then said Vyn’s name a few times. “I just told her that not everyone is comfortable with our traditions. Mainly that Vilhelm may not want to expose you to our traditions too soon.”

“What traditions?” Rosa asked.

Sasha gasped and flailed her hand in the air. “The garden strolls! The beautiful evening teas. We pray before bed and wish for dear blessings.”

Rosa beamed and took Sasha’s hand. “Whatever Vyn wants, I told him I would comply with.”

Sasha gasped and rushed something out in her native tongue, summoning over Elsa. The princesses were nearly squealing and gestured to Rosa, saying her name and Vyn’s. They took her left hand and scowled before speaking to their mother.

“They assumed you were engaged,” Ester declared and shook her head. “No.”

Rosa’s cheeks were dark as she shook her head. “We’re not,” she stopped and licked her lips. “We’re companions.”

“Friendships work differently in Svart,” Ester explained and moved to the door. “Daughters, I will return after delivering Rosa to Vilhelm. We will talk about your gossiping,” her voice held a warning.

Rosa noted that Ester seemed to have the same edge to her voice as Vyn when he’s frustrated. Maybe Ester did assist in raising him. There was the theory of that after the conversation, but it seemed there was more to it. Rosa wasn’t planning on deconstructing what little she knew about Vyn’s past when she came, but it was starting to add on. Maybe that was where his resistance came from?

Ester led them up another staircase and breathed. “Be gentle with him?” she whispered.

“The king?” Rosa asked.

The queen shook her head. “With my Vilhelm. After tonight I fear it is only going to be more difficult for him. I’m so relieved he has you here, Rosa.”

They rounded a corner, and Vyn was standing in the hallway next to two guards. Rosa’s fingertips grew chilled at the daunting task ahead. Gathering all this evidence… Edmar was a supporter of Vyn’s his entire life. Vyn glanced over and smiled as he straightened his blue turtleneck. His eyes met Rosa’s form, and his relaxed smile faded as his eyes grew in the slightest.

He cleared his throat while blinking and bowed toward the queen. “Your majesty,” he said.

She beamed and touched his cheek after releasing Rosa’s arm. “Vilhelm, be soft and strong. We shepherd the flock and care for the weak,” she sighed and pressed her thumb to his forehead, and drew a cross over his person.

“Of course,” he nodded.

Ester touched Rosa’s cheek and beamed before speaking in her native tongue. After she finished, she pressed her thumb to her forehead before drawing a cross over her person and turning to leave. Rosa tilted her head and watched the queen leave down the corridor.

“She told you, ‘The blessing of wise words leaves his throat and speaks of divinity.’ It’s a verse that is a statement of someone’s kindness and wisdom given to others,” Vyn explained.

Rosa smiled up at him and rocked her head. “I do adore your aunt and cousins. They were very kind in helping me change.”

Vyn breathed and straightened his jacket. “Rosa, thank you.”

“You don’t have to keep thanking me, Dr. Richter. I wanted to come for you. That’s unconditional,” she replied.

“Why?” He scowled.

She took his hand and beamed. “Because that’s what it means to have loyalty and admiration for someone.”

His cheeks glowed as he pulled his hand away and touched his chest. Vyn breathed and bowed at her before smiling. “You truly are deserving of mine, Rosa.”

He offered his arm, and she gripped him with ease before they approached the guards. One of them opened the door with a nod, and the pair stepped through. The lighting in the quarters was dim, and light classical music was playing.

Vyn breathed and patted her hand before gesturing toward the chair near the door. Rosa rocked her head and sat down before he paced further into the room. “Farbor?”

“Vilhelm? Min Bronson,” A crackly voice came from the other room followed by gurgly coughing.

“Ja, Farbor,” Vyn declared and disappeared into the room to the right.

The voices were calm and exchanged with very joyous tones. There was plenty of coughing, but the king sounded happy to see Vyn. Rosa ran her fingers over her dress. Had she ever seen someone dying? No, not in this manner. The conversation held laughter and gentle textures as it flowed from the other room before a pause.

Vyn reappeared and smiled as he gestured for her. “Rosa, he wants to speak to you now.”

She stood up and inhaled while approaching him with a smile. Vyn offered his arm, and she took it before he led her into a bedroom. It held medical supplies everywhere and an oxygen machine. The man in the bed had wispy white hair and bright golden eyes that examined her.

He spoke in his native tongue, and Vyn replied with a nod. “Rosa, this is my uncle, the King of Svart.”

“You’re prettier than he said,” Edmar huffed and waved his hand. “Come, come. Let me look at you.”

Rosa raised her eyebrows, but Vyn released her arm, and she stepped forward. He was frail-looking, not necessarily old, but dying to be definitive. He smiled and wagged his finger. Rosa stood at the side of the bed, and his lips stretched. “You are gorgeous. My eyes don’t deceive me as the halo around your hair illuminates the room.”

Rosa’s cheeks darkened, and she bowed her head. “Thank you, your highness.”

“Please,” he coughed while covering his mouth with a handkerchief and waving his free hand. “We are all equals in the eyes of the father when we’re dying. Tell me, Rose of Eden,” he paused and stared up at her. “Do you love my nephew?”

“Farbor,” Vyn sighed.

Rosa beamed and rocked her head. “As a human being to another, yes.”

Edmar smiled and reached for his water, but his hand shook. Rosa grabbed the glass and brought it to his lips, allowing him to drink. “Thank you,” he nodded and stared at her face. “I appreciate your answer. If we cannot love someone for them being human, we cannot appreciate their flaws in nature.”

“No, we can’t,” Rosa smiled and set the glass down.

Edmar patted the open space on his bed. “Sit, please. You’re a lady. It seems my wife has found you favor. That beautiful stone on your neck is a jewel from one of her crowns that needed to be smelted down.”

Rosa touched it and beamed. “She wouldn’t allow me to say no.”

“She’s very good at that,” Edmar laughed and covered a cough. “Vilhelm, this dying business is difficult. Would you get me some ice from the bin over there,” he winced and directed his hand across the room.

Vyn rocked his head and maneuvered across the room.

“I’m apologetic we are meeting under these circumstances,” Edmar sighed and touched Rosa’s hand. “I would have enjoyed seeing you both married.”

“Farbor,” Vyn cleared his throat and offered a glass of ice.

“He believes I don’t know you forced him to allow you to come,” Edmar squeezed out a laugh and breathed deep. “But our blood is stubborn and reliant on logic. We need a woman to remain steadfast with her heart.”

“It was a bit of an issue, but he relented in the end,” Rosa smiled.

“He will for you, no one else. He’s royalty. Vilhelm may not be my son by blood, but we share the same fire,” Edmar puffed and grimaced.

Rosa glanced up at Vyn, who was standing in a straightened pose. Likely something very traditional. Her eyes met the king, and she rocked her head. “His fire is what I enjoy. It’s neither fierce and destructive nor soft like a sparked ember. It’s contained behind a screen, and very few are allowed to view it.”

Edmar exhaled and glanced up at Vyn, speaking in his native tongue. It was direct and not as eased as when he spoke with her. Vyn soon dug in a drawer and handed Edmar a box and an envelope.

“It is fated for you to be here, Rosa. You are my witness. It is always needed for more than familiar eyes for moments such as these,” he nodded and retrieved the pen off the night table. Opening the large folded pages, he eyed the sheet.

Rosa glanced up at Vyn, who had no expression to go off of regarding this event. Whatever was happening, he either was keeping to himself or hadn’t an idea either. Edmar scratched at the pages and spoke in his native tongue. He mentioned Vyn’s name and continued. Vyn dropped his pose as his eyes widened and color breached his cheeks.

“You may do what you will with this, Vilhelm, but this is my gift to you,” Edmar finished and held out both items.

Vyn sank to a kneel and ducked his head. “Your majesty, I am undeserving.”

That was something Rosa never expected to hear. What was going on? There was clear confusion drawn across her face.

“Vilhelm, am I not anointed as King until death?” Edmar questioned.

“Yes, your majesty,” Vyn replied.

“Then please rise. Take this as a man deserving of a kingdom’s love.”

Vyn stood and cleared his throat with a nod. “It’s my honor.”

“It’s been my privilege to see you grow auspiciously into this being. You have the foundation of a leader, Vilhelm. I only wish you would accept more than this,” Edmar huffed and turned to Rosa.

Rosa ran her fingers over her dress and debated whether to speak. Whatever just happened, she wasn’t positive what it meant. However, it was a big deal, and she didn’t know the traditions enough to understand what it could mean fully.

“The sign of a grand leader and monarch is understanding the blunders of man,” Edmar declared and gestured to Rosa. “You are a brilliant and capable woman. Would you do a king a dying wish and take care of my Vilhelm?”

“Always,” Rosa smiled and touched his hand.

Edmar rocked his head and shut his eyes while inhaling. “Then I shall greet death like an old friend. My business concludes with his heart safe and tended to. Thank you,” he finished and smiled at her with his golden eyes shimmering in the light.

Vyn cleared his throat. “Rosa, might I have a moment alone with my uncle?”

Rosa smiled and rocked her head. Edmar took her hand in his and beamed while struggling to breathe. “It was my pleasure to have met you, Rose of Eden. Take care of my nephew, and he will protect you with his life. Love rarely comes for beasts such as us. We are of logic and compassion, but we hold the world away from our tenderness.”

She squeezed his fingers and nodded. “No one talks about how men have to choose to have dignity when facing death. I will speak about yours for the rest of my life. Thank you for this profound lesson, King Edmar.”

He chuckled and released her fingers before wagging them to beckon her. “Come now, let me tell you the secret.”

Rosa glanced at Vyn, who nodded. She stood up and bent toward the king, allowing her ear to be close to his face. Edmar cupped his hand and smiled. “It’s knowing that love gives you wings toward the heavens. Someone who holds your joy for you when there is darkness. Hold his joy, Rosa,” he breathed and kissed her cheek.

Rosa pulled away enough and beamed before kissing his brow. “I promise,” she murmured.

He reached for his handkerchief, and Rosa stood up. When she turned, her hand caressed Vyn’s arm before her feet carried her to the quarters' entrance. She glanced back and heard the murmuring and smiled, but she left, giving Vyn the room to say goodbye to someone who deeply loved him.

#tears of themis #tears of themis fanfic #tot fanfic #tot #tears of themis vyn #vyn richter #tears of themis mc #tot fluff #tot angst #tot vyn #tot mc #tot romance #royal society #death mention #heavy scene

[jordanstrophe]

Going Once, Going Twice, part 10

Prison party, part 2/?

Masterlist

CW: Pet whumpees, whump party, abuse, collars, restraints, manhandling, shock collar, public torture, panic attack, anxiety, creepy whumpers, 

Robert held Peter close in his arms, not daring letting him an inch apart in fear someone would just rip him from his arms. This was a bad idea... This was a terrible stupid bad idea, his gut feeling was going haywire, but they were there now. Might as well get it over with as soon as possible. 

There were people all standing around, the room filled with chattering and laughing, drowning the sobbing coming from some of the Pets that were either standing by their owners cowering, or quietly kneeling at their feet. You could tell a lot about that person based on how they were treating their Pets and how they were behaving, limping, black eyes or tight collars. 

Robert scanned the crowd trying to find Nina, before walking to the main room. It was a dining room, a long massive table in the center, slowly being filled with expensive exotic foods for dinner. Some people were already claiming their seat early, as close to the ends as possible hoping to be seated by someone important. 

“My my, what a sweet thing you have there.” A deep charming voice said from behind. Peter went stiff, as Robert glanced behind him. There was the Barron, standing well dressed in a suit and bow tie, a Pet kneeling at his feet with a chain attracted to his bound wrists, like a leash. 

“He’s... Clean.” The man tilted his head to get a better look at Peter’s face, noting the lack of damage. He had plenty of scars, sure, but you would have to really look to find them. “Can I help you?” Robert muttered. The man let out a loud jolly laugh, throwing his head back. The battered bruised Pet at his feet cringed fearfully. 

Peter’s heart pounded in his chest, both from fear and guilt. He couldn’t tear his eyes away from the broken Pet at his feet, cowering, terrified.

That was supposed to be him... Wasn’t it.

“This must be your first time here, call me Nicholas Grimm. You must be Robert McAllen, right? I don’t recognize you entirely, it was pretty dark at the auction. But I do recognize him.” They pointed. Peter flinched when he moved his arm, as if he had been shot. “I sincerely apologize, but I’m looking for someone, if you don’t mind.” Robert tried to keep his voice as polite as he could, backing away. “Come now! I’m an important man, sit with me at dinner, there’s something I must discuss with you.” He smiled, extending his hand to the dinner table. “Oh, I wasn’t planning on staying for dinner, I’m really in a hurry.” He muttered, trying to make it clear he was walking off. 

“You’re.. Not staying for dinner?” He was clearly trying not to break down laughing again, biting on his lower lip. “No sir!” He called, hoping he was inched far away enough it was appropriate to walk away. 

The Barron shook his head with a large satisfied smile. “What an absolute fool... He has no idea.” He giggled to himself. He glanced down at the Pet at his feet, giving him a swift hard kick against his leg. ‘’Isn’t that right?” He hissed harshly down at the boy. “Yes sir!” He immediately shouted in response. “No stutter... Good job. That’s one less punishment for tonight. Keep it up.” He growled.

“Are you okay?” Robert whispered down as Peter. “I’m fine...” He muttered with a shaky voice. “I’m sorry... I didn’t know he would be here.” He admitted with guilt. He felt a weight being torn from his arm, as he gasped and whirled around. A tall woman had a grasp on Peter’s arm, wrenching it up as she pulled him close. Peter let out a cry as her long sharp nails dug into his arm. “Oh how adorable! I’ve never seen such a clean empty canvas before.” She smiled wildly, grabbing his chin and tilting it to the side. “Hey! Get yours hands off!” Robert yelled, grabbing Peter in one hand, shoving her hand off with the other. “You dare?... You don’t have to be so rude about it! I was just looking!” The woman snapped, crossing her arms. She wore a hat with long white feathers flowing from it. “Then look with your eyes...” Robert cursed under his breath. She raised an eyebrow. “I want to borrow him. How much?” She asked. “He’s not up for grabs, please don’t touch him.” Robert snapped. Peter immediately latched onto his shirt trying to hide himself underneath his coat. 

Robert shook his head in disgust at the woman as he slid through the crowd as for away from the women as he could. He found somewhat of a clear corner as he sat down on a couch and setting Peter next to him. “Are you okay? Let me see your wrist...” He muttered, gently taking his arm and pulling his sleeve up. “I’m okay.” He muttered, his voice was obviously shaking as he trembled. “Honey...” Robert sighed. “That’s it... We’re going home, I can’t believe I actually brought you here. I never imagined it was like this.” He muttered. “But, you didn’t get what you came for!” He tried to argue back. “It doesn’t matter! You’re not safe here. I don’t even see Nina. It was just a stupid letter, you’re more important then that.” He said.

Peter let off a small sad smile. “I’m sorry, I should never have made such a scene... Urrg.. I’m so stupid!” He cried out, digging his nails in his hair. Robert immediately snatched his hands up in his. “Young man, none of that. We’ll talk in the car.” He said, standing him up and walking straight for the door. He kept his head down as he pushed his way through the crowd, but when he reached for the handle, the door didn’t budge. “What the....” He muttered, jostling the door back and forth. 

“Well well... Would you look at that. Speak of the devil.” A creeping voice sang. Robert shut his eyes in disturbance, slowly turning around to face Nina. “Hey cousin...” He muttered, nodding in acknowledgme- “DON’T YOU DARE CALL ME THAT!” She hissed with a shrieking voice. The room quickly went into deathly silence, as she chuckled, cleaning her throat. “Ehem... Excuse me. I never dreamed in a thousand years that I would see you, here of all places. And what’s this you have here?” She smirked, bending down with her hands resting on her knees. “You, Rob, have a Pet. My Robert McAllen, has a Pet.” She laughed. “Honestly, I wanted to put you on a ban list of every occasion I threw, but I didn’t bother with this one because, well, I figured you were too much of a poster boy to get one. Where'd you get him at, second hand thrift store for five dollars? Hah!” She laughed at her own joke.

“Five million at an auction.” He gave a sweet yet smug smile.

“F-f-f-five... Million.” She muttered, eyes going wide, almost dropping the glass she held in her hand that went slack. “You paid five m-million, of MY money, on a little Pet?!” She hollered. She tried to get a good look at Peter’s face, who was pressing his body against Robert’s back. 

“Awww... He’s is pretty cute.” She cooed, her mood instantly shifting as she gave him a small smile and wave. He only had one eye poking out from behind him, wide and fearful. 

“I was here for you, actually. I wanted to talk to you about a letter that was left for me. A letter from my mother.” He explained. 

“A letter, hmm? Not familiar with it.” She shrugged. “I think you are, and I’m willing to pay for it.” He said. She gave him a curious look, before a smirk spread across her face. Sit next to me at dinner, at my left hand.” She smiled, turning to walk away. “Wait! I need to take him home. Can you unlock the door?” He called. 

She broke down laughing, she laughed and laughed as it echoed throughout the walls. “Oh darling!” She laughed. “You really didn’t do your research. At five the doors close and lock, no one in, no one out until midnight. That’s the rules.” She shrugged. ‘'What? What kind of a rule is that? Just let us out!” He hollered. “It’s our only rule, you should have checked, it was on the front page where the party was advertised. Chill out now, have a drink, join us for dinner, show off your preciouses boy you got there. You’re here now, might as well enjoy it.” She waved, slithering off into the crowd.

Robert sighed, trying the door one last time as if it might magically become unlocked. “M-master...” Peter muttered, tugging his coat. “I’ll be okay, I can do this, I have you.” He gave him a nervous smile. Robert placed a hand on his head. “I’m so sorry hon... I’ll keep you safe, I promise.” He muttered back. 

He joined the dinner table, Nina sat at the head, of course, with the spot she promised left open for him. She was happily chatting away as a guest standing next to her, her eyes immediately caught his, as she waved him over. 

Robert glanced at the single chair, then back at her. “Just put him on the floor, you can feed him scraps if that’s what you choose.” She sighed, rolling her eyes. “I’d rather just hold him.” He glared. “Hold him-? Whatever.” She waved her hand, annoyed. 

Robert Pulled Peter onto his lap who immediately latched onto his shoulder, hiding his face in the crook of his neck. Nina waved the man away who was trying to talk to her, as she stared at Peter intensely. 

“My eyes are up here.” Robert grumbled. She spat out a laugh, before turning attention to the person who just sat at her right hand. “There’s the man of the hour.” She smiled. “Hello my dear.” The Barron smiled gleefully, shoving his Pet to the floor at his feet. Robert knew at that moment something was going on. He wasn’t sure what, but she was up to something. 

‘’Nina, the letter...” Robert tried. Before he could get anymore out, the lights began to dim. “Sssh! We’ll talk after the show. Barron wants to talk to you too.” She smiled before turning her attention to a stage, as red curtains that took up the entire wall slowly lifted.

A man in a top hat was standing over another who was heavily restrained, with his head down silently.

“Good day to the ladies and gentlemen. I hope each and everyone enjoys tonight's show! This here is Eden, he’s going to be demonstrating his marvelous obedience and respect.” The man smiled. “But if he doesn’t perform flawlessly, he gets a slight punishment...” The man winked, holding up a trigger, mercilessly hitting the button. The man let out a holler, chest slamming onto the floor, as a buzzing sound could be heard. The man let go of the button, grabbing his hair and forcing his head up to show off the shock collar around his neck, the crowd laughing and cheering.

“Master!” Peter whispered as loudly as he dared. “I can’t see this! Please don’t let me watch this, I’m begging you!” He panicked, clutching onto his coat desperately. He was on the verge of hyperventilating, as Robert let him off his lap. “Go in the front room sweetie, I’ll come get you in a minute.” He whispered. “Thank you!” He cried, bolting off while covering his ears. 

Robert knew Peter had some built up trauma, he couldn’t quite watch this either, but he couldn’t do all of this only to miss his one window with Nina. 

The Barron shot a glance back, noticing Peter slipping off into the other room. He smirked, before turning his attention back to the stage with a wide evil grin.

Nina McAllen

Tag list: @just-a-whumping-racoon-with-wifi @moose-teeth @ill-eat-you-if-you-cross-me @yet-another-heathen @sillypizzazineoperator @freefallingup13 @alien-octopus @unicornscotty @whumpzone  @penny-for-your-whump @girlwithnoballons242 @whumpingredroses  @rippedjeansandfadeddreams  @cupcakes-and-pain @thinkingofausername

(ﾉ◕ヮ◕)ﾉ*:･ﾟ✧ Thank you for reading!

#whump #pet whump #whump party #whumper #caretaker #whumper gathering

[floatinginwords]

Saved by the Devil (8/?) - Tommy Shelby

Summary: you go missing and a lot of people get worried

Paring: Tommy Shelby x fem!reader (Not romantic..yet)

A/n: I actually wasn't gonna post today but this chapter fell out of me. Its funny how some days are tougher to write and others its like riding a wave. I hope everyone has a wonderful day :)

The man with the busy eyebrows and mustache called himself Inspector Campbell. A fucking police officer. When you came too you found yourself tied to a chair, ropes around your wrist and legs, tight against the skin cutting off blood circulation. He didn’t ask questions first. No first, was the punching against your ribs and stomach. Then your face. He didn’t give you no breaks, not like he would give you any.

 “I think me and you have gotten fairly acquainted with.” The inspector say his foul breath reaching up your nostrils. Blood dribbled down your chin and nose. It was you could taste.

His men have left the room, on his orders of course. He leans on his cane as he stares at you from above. A evil smirk on his face as if he was some god looking down at his pitiful creations. You spit blood at his shoe.

 He grabs your face harshly, you face scrunching up like a fish. “Tell me what you were doing with Thomas Shelby. Or I can make this night a whole lot painful for you.”  He throws you back and all you do is glare at the man. Not saying a word. Not even huffing a sound.

 The inspector laughs. And walks out the door. You see him point to you with his cane as he talks to the other men that were abusing you moments ago.  You brace yourself for the inevitable. The torture last for hours.

 ******************************************************************************************

 No ones seen you for three days. Ada, the first night you didn’t comeback, called Trinity. but she hadn’t seen you since the morning. The next day Ada and James went out looking through the streets at your usual spots. You didn’t have any Ada just wanted to feel as though she was doing something. You didn’t have any family or any other friends. Except one other person who may know your whereabouts. So on the third day of no trace of you, with a little nagging and encouragement from James and Trinity, Ada decided to make a call.

 *******************************************************************************************

 Over at May Careltons mansion, Thomas Shelby listens half heartedly to the woman discussing the progress on his horse. He could care less at the moment. He’s just thinking of ways that he could stay the night. He wasn’t a fool, he knew of Mays attraction to him. It benefited him in more ways than one.

 “Excuse me, Mr. Shelby,” A maid interrupts May in the middle of whatever it was that she was saying, “You have a phone call.”

 “I’m sure they can leave a message.” His eyes not leaving Mays

 “Its your sister, she sounds urgent.” The maid says.

 With that thought in mind, Tommy excuses himself from May.

 “Ada this better be important.”

 “Where the fuck are you,” Ada screeches over the phone, “Ive been trying to contact you everywhere and Polly tells me your-“

 “What is it-“

 “(Y/n) is missing.”

 Tommy swallows hard. “I’m sure she’s around somewhere ada. How long its been?”

 “Three days. No ones seen her. Tommy please, Im worried.”

 Three days ago was when he last saw you. When you agreed to go to dinner with Alfie and Arthur You had left the car without another word. He wanted to follow you but decided against it. He was regretting it now.

 “Ada, just calm down. Ill ask some boys to go look for her okay?” He reassures his sister over the phone promising to find you.

He hangs up.

 “Is everything alright?” May asks from behind him. Her eyes were hopeful looking at him. She too was hoping he would stay though that was something she would never admit out loud.

“I have to go, family emergency.” He says. Turning his back on her without another thought.

***************************************************************

He didn’t have to leave. He knew that. He could have stayed with May have her fill that hole within his heart that Grace had left about a year ago. He owed nothing to you. He kept telling himself this over and over as he drove back, pushing the speed way past its limit. He begins to reminisce about your first meeting. You were nothing but a chess piece to him at the time but you surprised him a lot in that first meeting. Especially when you didn’t take that money he offered. He was confused to say the least. Everyone took free money. You didn’t. He remembers seeing you again at the Eden club. He though he would never see again. But there you were. He couldn’t not talk to you. He just had to. He knew he hurt you with his words. He didn’t apologize. He never apologizes. He remembers finding out Ada had a roommate. Imagine the surprise on his face when he realized it was you. Of course Thomas Shelby was always in control of his emotions so it never really showed. He was distrustful of you as he always is with people. But you showed something since your first introduction that most people didn’t show their entire lives; Honesty. And he liked that about you. He believed you when you said you didn’t work for Sabini anymore. (Of course he had his people look into it after to be 100% sure) He trusted you to go to meet his brothers, be in the same car as them, come to an auction. He remembers seeing you bloody and a mess. Guilt and rage had filled him up. He couldn’t hold himself back from shooting the guy. When he stitched you up, he liked that you tried to make conversation. You knew when to back up, you never pried. He didn’t know if that was fear of him or if that was just you. He hoped the latter. He liked the way you said Mr. Shelby, though he often wondered how his first name would sound falling off your lips. Thomas Shelby pushes these feeling aside as he drives. He tells himself he just doing this as favor to his sister and because you can be very valuable. But as he drives into the city, a piece of his mind whispers that that just might not be the only case.

 *****************************************************************************************

 Three fucking days. You couldn’t believe that that’s how long it lasted. The torture, the beatings. They released you on the thought that you really didn’t know anything. You never said a word. They drove you out to the fucking country side and dropped you off like you were trash. You were never more humiliated in your life. You walked, each step bring you pain and anguish. But you kept going.

 ‘Its Friday’ You think to yourself. You never got to call to confirm if you were going on that dinner. You laugh at yourself. Out of all things to worry about.

 You find a little pond as you were walking and attempt to wash your face off all the dirt and blood. You looked half decent.

 It took you till sundown to get back into London. People in the streets gawked at your face. You knew you were bruised pretty bad. Worse than before thanks to the inspector. The stitches on the right side of your body were now leaking. You can see the blood drip slowly through your hand. You sigh. Its always one problem after the next.

Once in front of the house, you see all the lights on. Something you knew Ada hated. You see multiple people moving about and you curse underneath your breath. The last thing you wanted was to interact with people. Someone looks through the window, a young boy you didn’t recognize.

 “Is that her Ada?” You hear the boy loudly say not keeping his eyes off of you.

 As soon as the boy says that, a multitude of people rush out to the window to look out followed by a rushing to the door. Ada being the first to run into you, bear hugging you.

 “Where the hell have you been?” She cries out.

 You stay silent, your arms limp across your sides. No energy left to pick them up or say anything. You wished at that moment to escape into eternal darkness forever. You see a bunch of people behind her mostly men. All in black caps and coats.

 ‘Peaky blinders.” You think. You step back from Adas hug and move up the stairs toward the house. The men spread apart not wanting you to push through them. You walk up the rest of the stairs to your room slowly. You can feel all their eyes burn into your back.

 Once you reach your bedroom, you sit on your bed and stare at the empty wall. You couldn’t get the inspector eyes out of your head. It was like he enjoyed watching the life get beaten out of you. He talked a lot.  You replay the last three days in your head trying to piece together what that crazy old man was talking about as he was ‘interrogating’ you

 ***************************************************************************************

 As tommy walks through Adas door the first thing he realizes is that it seems that everyone is fucking here instead of doing their jobs. He watches them lounge about, eating and drinking away his sister’s stuff. He’s about to yell at them when Ada puts a hand on his shoulder.

 “Tommy She came home.” She says, he notices a lack of smile on her face.

 He raises an eyebrow.

 “She looks like she’s been beaten all over. I mean I only saw her face but the way she was walking…” Ada trails off biting her lip.

 “Im gonna talk to her.”

 “Tommy I don’t think-“

 Hes already at the top of the stairs before she finishes her sentence. Its not hard to figure out which room is yours. For reason being your room is the only one open. He sees your figure sitting up just staring at nothing in the dark. He clears his throat, not wanting to scare you with his unknown presence. You don’t turn around. He takes slow steps around to sit next to you on the bed. You both face the wall.

 “Its Friday,” you break the silence, “I apologize for not calling about dinner.”

 Right, he almost forgot that Alfie and Arthur were meeting right now.

 “Never mind that,” You suddenly get up as he talking, limping around the room, “what are you doing?”

 You light a candle on the other side of the room. He sees how bad your bruised face is in the light. And the blood trail your leaving with your freshly open hand.

 “(y/n), you should go see a doctor.” Thomas says standing up.

 “I’ve been through worse, Mr.Shelby.”

 “Who did this to you?” You notice the look of controlled anger on his face.

“Inspector campbell. Know him,” You ask sarcastically,” cause he really doesn’t like you.”

 You laugh and wince, the action hurting your ribs immensely, ”oh and he sure talked a lot. Kept mentioning a general, if I knew him, if I seen him, if you told me his name,” you pause, “what are you planning to do with a general?”

 He doesn’t answer you. The clocks in your brain keep turning. “Cause there’s only one thought that comes to my head.”

 “Why did he question you?”

 “Cause you took me to the fuckers house. And your being followed by the way.” A pain strikes through your head the more frustrated you become.

 “You should lie down.”

 “What did you get yourself into?”

 “it doesn’t concern you.”

 “Look at me, how does it not?”

He stares at you and though to you he looks emotionless, inside the feeling of guilt and fear are swirling. You on the other hand cant decipher anything that going on behind those eyes.

‘maybe this what he looks like when he is lost.’ You think. You know you could lend a hand through this, whatever it is. You assume an assassination. One the police are having a hand in themselves. When inspector Campbell was ‘questioning’ you, you noticed how it didn’t seem like he cared for the generals life but feared of who got a whiff of the info. It seemed that Mr. Shelby was getting something from it, maybe with you helping so can you. A ticket out of here perhaps.

 “what do you want?” He says shrugging.

  “I want to help.”

read pt.9

Tags

@captivatedbycillianmurphy @evelyn-4034 @enamouravecleslivresetlechocolat

#tommy shelby x you #tommy shelby x reader #tommy shelby #peaky blinder fanfic #peaky blinders #Fanfic

[whosnickydude]

A soft dusk

okay so a while ago a posted this Kandreil drabble on ao3 but never really kept writing a 2nd part? but now that’s summer i have more time on my hands and i started writing again, so i guess i’m posting the 1st part here as well?? idk enjoy

CW: panic attack, Kevin has some really sad and harmful thoughts. please take care of yourselves lovies!

Kevin was spiraling. He felt as if his chest was about to explode from the pressure of not getting air through, and he couldn’t get a hold of his feelings.

Six months had passed since Riko’s death. Since the press lurking around every corner, demanding answers, fighting for a statement. None of them were sensible about it. Kevin practically couldn’t go anywhere alone the first month, or he would probably end up being stalked. One time it actually got close to physical assault.

All the while, he was mourning Riko. And he was the only one, it seemed. He felt immensely guilty, for an overbearing amount of reasons. He felt guilty for letting his brother become the sadistic monster he turned into. He felt guilty for not being able to change him. He felt guilty for leaving him. But most of all, he felt guilty for mourning him. It wasn’t fair, not with all that he did to Kevin. The sleepless nights, the feeling of always being a prey, always the second, always with a leash around his neck. He broke his hand because he was having a fucking tantrum, for God’s sake. It was not fair that Kevin still had to feel like shit because of him dying.

He started drinking, after that. More than he did before. It was the only way he knew to numb the pain. The other foxes let him. None of them understood why he felt so sad about his abuser’s death, so none of them knew how to —or wanted to— comfort him. They would throw him a pitying glance and try to do so, but after some times he shoved them off, they started to leave him to himself. So they let him drink. It wasn’t as if they ignored him completely. When everyone went to Eden’s Matt, or Dan, or Allison asked him to go dancing with them. Sometimes he got so drunk that he actually did. Most of the time, though, he stayed on the table while everyone gradually went to the dance floor. They never left him completely alone. Almost every time, Neil and Andrew stayed on the other side of the table, speaking in languages he didn’t know. Probably flirting shamelessly right on his face. However, the only one who stopped him from getting alcohol down his throat was Andrew, and only when he saw that another one would end up with Kevin passing out.

Five months had passed since Thea left him by now. And through text, at that. Apparently, he was making a fool of himself in public every day and it was bad for both of their careers. She didn’t want anything to do with him nor with Edgar Allen. The hypocrite. Kevin was the only one that was always mindful of his surroundings. The only one that acted perfect, that pushed every feeling inside so as to not attract too much undesired attention from the public. But she had it as she wanted it, and Kevin put no resistance against it. They didn’t even see each other and barely even texted or spoke on the phone.

The drinking got worse. The mighty Queen of Exy had fallen, but the only ones who saw it happening were the Foxes. And people who knew nothing about Exy in the darkness of a nightclub in full swing.

Four months had passed since on a Wednesday at 6 A.M., in the middle of his morning run, Neil had found Kevin, alone, near to unconsciousness in the middle of the road to Fox Tower. He had his body on the street and his head on the sidewalk. His face was pressed to the pavement as he sobbed, a half-empty bottle of vodka in his right hand.

Four months had passed since the last time he drank alcohol: he was four months sober now.

It had taken fights, screams, and comforting talks with Abby, but Kevin finally accepted to go to A.A. Neither Wymack nor Andrew would let him alone enough time for him to get near any type of alcoholic beverage. It took a while, but he got to the point that he spent a whole day not thinking about it.

Right now, he would kill for a drink. His mind seemed to have caught up on everything that had happened in the past few months. It was the beginning of term, so everyone wasn’t as free anymore to look out for him. Andrew and Neil had gone out a while ago, probably to the roof, since it was almost dawn. Kevin was left alone for more time than he could manage. The prospect of having to deal with still mourning the death of his worst nightmare, his own mental health, his addiction, and the school year, was simply too much. It was looming over him. He felt as if he was dying.

Maybe it was because he found himself with so few distractions that he started overthinking. Maybe he just opened the wrong Pandora’s box from the rotten depths of his mind. Either way, he was panicking. The rush of adrenaline and utter fear he felt —he remembered— from his time in the Nest was a live wire around his throat. How could he let all those things happen to him? Riko’s abuse, Tetsuji’s beating, the terror, the exposure. Being so vulnerable and ignored while also being right in the spotlight. “Always a commodity, never a human being...”

And then, what? He went running to his father, who didn’t even know he was his father. And he didn’t say anything about it until he was forced to do so. He was a coward. He was a coward, a fucking coward.

He couldn’t breathe. His head felt heavy, his shoulders felt heavy, his whole body felt heavy. Living felt heavy. Maybe he could just lay down where he was sitting on the couch and let himself go. But he couldn’t bring himself to move. His vision started blurring and everything around him was out of focus. Suddenly, there was a warm pressure on the back of his neck, and then another on his right cheek. The world started solidifying back, spinning around him, and he was gasping for air. He was letting out ragged, desperate gasps, his neglected lungs screaming for oxygen.

A face started coming to focus in front of him, but as soon as it materialized it blurred again. Tears were running down his face and he curled his arms around him. The pressure on the back of his neck —a hand, he realized— tightened, and the one on his cheek went up to pull at his hair.

“Kevin, look at me,” he heard someone say. The voice sounded familiar. “Kevin, I need you to breathe.”

The hand behind him stretched up and tangled between his hair as well, pushing his head slightly down.

“Come down, Kevin. You’re safe.”

The voices felt oddly comforting, and his hands flew up to grasp the other two. He was still crying and gasping, but it wasn’t as desperate. Maybe he wouldn’t die today.

At some point during the episode he had shut his eyes tightly, and now he tried to blink slowly, with narrowed eyes. The first thing that he saw was red hair, scarred skin, and blue eyes. Neil was in front of him, looking worried in his own way. His brow was furrowed, and he was chewing on his lip, but his expression didn’t seem quite compassionate.

“Breathe in through your nose and out through your mouth, Kevin,” he said. He showed the motion, exaggerating his breaths for Kevin to copy. And Kevin could only look him in the eyes and comply. Some time passed —maybe minutes, maybe hours— and the panic ebbed. The tears wouldn’t stop falling and his breath was shaky, but he wasn’t hyperventilating anymore.

He was still holding both hands, and he felt the one at the back of his head slip away from his grasp. He looked back and saw Andrew staring at him, sitting on the arm of the couch. Neil was sitting on the coffee table in front of it.

“I’m... I’m sorry, I just...” he started, but couldn’t finish.

Andrew didn’t look away from him. His face didn’t demonstrate any emotion, but he still wasn’t looking away. “What happened, Kevin?”

“I...” He sighed. “I started overthinking, and I really wanted a drink, and I... I guess it just went down from there.”

His voice was small and he hated it. He felt stupid, he couldn’t be left alone with his thoughts for two fucking seconds because he started falling to pieces.

“I’m sorry,” he said again.

“Well, don’t be,” Neil said. “It’s only natural for these things to happen.”

Kevin wasn’t really sure what he meant by that, but he didn’t have much time to think about it because then Neil was standing up and going to the kitchen. Kevin looked back towards Andrew and saw him lighting up a cigarette and walking to the desk next to the window.

“Go change your clothes, Kevin,” he said, looking out towards the campus. “You’ll be itchy until you do, and you probably drenched all that in sweat anyway.”

He was probably right, Kevin thought, but still glared in his direction. Only because it was in his nature and he felt better already; Andrew wasn’t looking at him. Though he probably knew Kevin would glare at him. Giving no response to the blonde, he stood up and went to the bedroom to change into his pajamas. Andrew was right: the sweatpants felt like heaven on his skin. He closed his eyes and brought his hands up to rub them. He was feeling sleepy all of a sudden. The panic attack had drained all the energy from him, and his muscles hurt everywhere.

He went back out to the living room, yawning, and found Neil sprawled on one end of the couch with his laptop on his lap and a cup of coffee on hand. Andrew had one too where he was still sitting on the desk, and there was another one on the coffee table.

“Is that for me?” Kevin asked, sitting down on the other end of the couch. Neil looked up at him from his laptop and raised an unimpressed eyebrow.

“No, Day, I felt like having two cups of coffee,” he said. They fixed their eyes on each other until Kevin decided to take the cup. Neil seemed satisfied with that and looked back to where he was browsing something. A few seconds later he clicked on something with a flourish and put his laptop on the coffee table. It was a Trojan’s game they had already seen many times.

Kevin stared at Neil, but the boy just kept watching the beginning of the game. He saw Andrew moving to stub his finished cigarette on the window sill and light up another one. The last rays of sunshine and the street lights drew shadows all over his face. He breathed out the smoke and Kevin saw it disappearing in the wind. He looked back to the game playing on the laptop and brought his knees to his chest. He sipped on his coffee, and it was sugary sweet. But he could allow himself that, at least for today.

#aftg #kandreil #kandriel #andreil #kevneil #kandrew #wip #i just love them #this is entirely self indulgent #so yeah don't expect much #panic attacks #hurt/comfort #a soft dusk