#also so glad the fold is gone so i never have to colour it again

[mcleodharboe45]

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[ogravensimp]

She is a Constantine

The one day this shitty hotel decided to have an out of order elevator', Zed cursed as she looked up to only see a beige trenchcoat coat fluttering like a flag as it raced up the far too many flights this overpriced building had installed.

"John! Aren't you just being paranoid?" Zed shouted after the man in front of her as she attempted to keep up with him, as well, also trying to get answers out of him—which is a hard enough task as it is when she actually has his attention.

They were supposed to focus on purging some low-level demons set loose when a couple of civilians somehow managed to dig up the original copy of the highly dangerous, "Grimorium Verum". Well, they managed to get the book, but they also attracted the attention of John's good ol' friend, Papa Midnite; who has been giving them quite a hard time but John managed to knock him out.

Zed believed that they did quite well against him but somehow he said something before he fell that set John running without a word back to the hotel room they rented.

"John!", she called out once again as they finally reached the floor they were staying on, but she only saw the tail of his trenchcoat as he took a sharp turn around the corner, "seriously, you are being very-"

She cut herself off when she also reached the room they were staying in, only to find the door thrown off the hinges,"-...paranoid."

John was already inside, his back to her as he worryingly looked around at the ransacked room that had been perfectly fine when they left. Zed knew it wasn't the mess that had him anxious, it was the lack of a certain half-demon whom they had left watching some pony cartoon on the now overturned couch. The show was even still playing, but not even a tuft of the girl's purplish hair to be found.

"I should have known he'd just trace the magic back here, how could I just live her alone with the one thing Papa Midnite will kill for!" While it seemed John was talking to her, Zed knew he was actually berating himself, "Fuck, if he touched even a hair on her head I swear-"

"John," Zed softly approached him, wanting to calm the magician before he jumps so far to a conclusion that she or common sense won't be able to reach him anymore, "Papa hates your guts, yes but you and I know he'll never kill a child."

"What about his goons? Midnite distracted us and sent them here and I'm sure his goons would do anything not to fail him. ", John retorted as he began to scratch his hair with enough force it's as if he actually wanted to rip it out.

"She might still be here."

John finally turned to face her and Zed could now fully see the panic on his face. To a normal person, John looked irritated at most but Zed has been around him long enough to start to see the cracks in his poker face of sarcasm, "Look around Zed! If she was here, I'd fucking sense her!"

Zed felt a bit offended at his outburst, she didn't even know John had left the grimoire here! She thought the whole reason Papa was hexing them to next week was to get it off John but this seemed to be another of Constantine's genius plans gone wrong.

Putting her hands on her hips, she stood her ground, "And who's fault is that John? How could you just leave one of the most sacred dark-magic books with a child who thinks a show on the magic of friendship is the pique of entertainment?!"

John was never one to admit he was too blame chose to fight back, "I didn't know! I'm not fucking omnipresent! That's why I put up the bloody wards!"

"And look what good those did," Zed huffed as she folded her hands, "now they have the grimoire and have done god knows what with Raven."

"um..."

"Think I don't know that Zed because newsflash, I do!"

"Well, how do you plan to fix it!"

"...actually..."

John moved towards what was left of his books on the table and picked up a piece of chalk, "I don't know, fuck, I can try to trace her magic. She has a naturally high amount of it, it'll be easy to find."

Zed followed after him, her anger now replaced with worry, "Maybe if I'm near something of her's I can get a vision, where's that teddy of her's that she's always with? The one that Nun made?"

A small pair of hands held out the purple bear in question, "here you go Zed."

Zed accepted it gratefully, "Thank you, Raven."

And then there was silence in the room.

Zed looked at the doll in her hand and then at the small face looking up at her and then back at the doll, then back at the face and this charade continued for a while till she shouted, "Raven!", causing the little girl in question to giggle.

This sound alerted John who looked up from the symbols he had already begun drawing on the floor. Before Zed could even move, John had rushed past her in a beige coloured blur and had the half-demon up in his arms in a well-deserved hugged.

"Oh my sweet blackbird, I'm so glad your ok,", John yelled while he spun Raven around and pressed warm kisses to her small cheek causing more giggles to escape Raven's throat.

This was an odd scene for Zed who was quite used to the silent little girl who hexes old ladies that try to pinch her cheek or pat her head.

In fact, the first time Raven allowed physical contact with Zed was when she held her hand in a crowded street one time, and while Zed knew it was only so the tiny demon wouldn't get lost in the much taller crowd, she still felt like some chosen saviour.

So Zed just really couldn't help the tinge of jealousy she felt knowing that John is an exception to this 'no-touch' rule whenever he pleases while she can only relish in the crumbs.

Raven must have sensed her feelings cause she turned to her and smiled— an expression Zed felt fit her angelic features more than the usual deadpan expression.

Giving a soft smile back herself, she placed a hand on the girl's soft face(which fortunately went unhexed), in a tender gesture and asked, "Rae you gave us a heart attack, where were you?"

The dark-haired girl just tilted her in confusion before replying with a simple, "the closet." and pointed in the direction of said object.

Both Zed and John looked at the small cabinet that she was implying and couldn't help but be entertained as it was such a childish yet genius choice of hiding.

But the entertainment didn't last long as they realized something would have had to cause her to go into hiding.

Setting her down on the table, John and Zed immediately began to check her pallid skin for any injuries and to their relief, there was nothing major. The only damage to her delicate skin was a bruise on her knee but that was enough for John to demand a full breakdown of what exactly happened so he can know how many bones of Midnite he needs to break.

After 10 minutes, Zed and John had the full story of what happened while Raven nibbled on a chocolate bar she rightfully earned.

"So let me get this straight, you sensed about four guys approaching here and before they arrive, you grabbed Mr Teddy here, ran into the cabinet and stayed there till you heard us arguing, and you only bruised your knee cause you bumped yourself when crawling in?" John confirmed.

"Yep."

"You should've grabbed a phone and called us or something,", Zed muttered as she rubbed a chocolate stain off the girl's chubby cheek, "what if they saw you? Next time teleport to me and John immediately, got it."

Looking down, Raven softly replied, "Yes Zed."

"Oi, lay off her," John joked as he placed a big hand on her head, lightly messing up her dark-purple locks much to Zed's annoyance cause she is the one that combs her hair out every morning but before she can complain, John sighs, "Shit, Midnite still has the Grimoire, just great."

Zed was going to sigh with him when Raven let out a sheepish, "well...", reaching for the toy that Zed had been holding onto, she wrapped her hands around it and after some muttering, a ray of purple surrounded its form and it transformed into the exact tome that John and Zed had worked so hard to find and keep safe, "...I had been practising glamour spells before the guys arrived and thought this would be a great time to test it and I guess it worked."

Her wide violet eyes looked up at them as if looking for praise and they really did want to give it to her but they were just so shocked by her to speak.

John was the first to react and a wide grin broke out on his face, "You are a Constantine!"

He relaunched his attack of hugs and kisses to Raven's temple, this time Raven acted annoyed and tried to push him away but her blooming blush and the sound of a few lamps exploding betrayed her and showed her real emotions.

Zed still only looked at the book in her hand, remembering how it had felt and weighed the exact same you'd expect a knit teddy bear too. She just couldn't wrap her head around how such a young girl was already so talented with magic that it would put some adults to shame but before she could stay on the topic the sounds of Raven's voice brought her back.

"Ew, let go of me!" She whined as she used her small hand to try and push John's face away but that would not deter him and instead, he laid a lick to her palm which only infuriated her more as the window near them cracked, "GROSS!"

Zed couldn't help the laugh that escaped her. Those two were really something. Dropping the book on the table, she went to go save her little Raven away by pulling her away before she ends up blasting John through a room— so maybe she's actually saving John.

As for her previous question, the answer was simple:

She's a Constantine.

____________________________________

"Now, what's the meaning of this?" Papa Midnite's voice was deep and loud to achieve its purpose in causing shivers to run down his lackey's spine as he held up a purple, knitted bear with different sized buttons for eyes.

One of them managed to gain some confidence and he dropped to the floor at Midnite's feet to plead for himself and his brethren, "Papa, I swear, it was definitely the book you asked for, we don't know what happened!"

Papa growled, "I know that, I'm wondering how all you managed to get tricked. Not even by Constantine himself but by a child!"

"But there was no kid there we checked everywhere, honest Papa!"

Midnite just sighed as he fell back onto his seta, rubbing the bridge between his nose as he contemplated whether to get better men or if he simply was the only one capable of doing things right around here.

As he grumbled, the purple toy in his hands caught his eyes.

He thought it was just the supernatural world being bored when he heard that the John Constantine adopted a little girl but this doll proved the rumours through.

If this child was also as terrifying as the rumours say, it was best Papa met her soon before another card to Constatine's deck is added in which he cannot compete with.

part 2 soon? probably but only cause I wanna right midnite & raven interaction

#raven fanfiction #raven dc #raven teen titans #teen titans #john constantine #zed martin #papa midnite #dad!constantine #john x zed #constantine & raven #hellblazer #damirae

[solohux]

Hi!!! I was just wondering what you think about Kylo being pregnant during TFA? Just a month or two along so he's not showing, and, thus, no one knows (aside from his mate, Hux. Obviously😁) So, Kylo gets shot by Chewie and starts freaking out a little bc he doesn't know if his baby(babies? IDK, I love kylux twins-triplets) survived or not. He goes after Chewie but runs into Finn and Rey. They fight, plot continues as normal. Kylo's one regret as he lays dieing in the snow is that he couldn't give Hux the family he wanted. Then, later, Kylo wakes up in the medbay and sees hux sleeping in a visitors chair and has a breakdown because he promised Hux that they wouldn't be like their parents but now they won't even be able to even have kids to love. Hux wakes up to his mate in distress and has to calm him down. He tells Kylo that he didn't loose the baby(babies?) and that everyone in their little family is fine (including Millicent). Happiness and cuddles ensue! Could be ABO, or not; that's just how I think of it. Feel free to write something, don't have to though! I love your blog, you are easily one of the best Kylux blogs out there!! Thank you!!

That's so kind of you to say, darling! Thank you so much!! I hope you enjoy this little fic!

The last thing Kylo remembers is the chilling feeling of regret consuming him. Colder than the freezing snow underneath him, icy tendrils of sodden misery wrap around every nerve in his body and squeeze to make him gasp in between the omega’s desperate sobs. Using one arm as a pillow to give some protection against the cold ground beneath him, his other arm is draped around the tiny curve of his belly, his palm flat against it and rubbing. He doesn’t care about the pain caused by the bowcaster shot, pain that is radiating through him like a spreading wildfire, only the damage that it has caused to his unborn child.

He’s failed.

He may have only been two months gone in his pregnancy but the happiness that it brought to him and his mate was beautiful. They had already picked out the colour scheme for the nursery, began discussing names and whether or not they should move planetside to raise their family. Hux had been so happy whilst deep in the planning for their baby’s arrival; it was the happiest that Kylo had ever seen him.

And now, it’s over. Kylo is lost amongst the shadowy trees of the collapsing Starkiller Base, their child killed by a blaster wound and Hux, an alpha widower.

He can see Hux as clear as day in front of him as memories of their final moment together plays like a holofilm in Kylo’s mind, radiant and proud, giving Kylo a deep and longing kiss to the claim mark on his neck just before he left his side to try to find Han Solo’s whereabouts on the base.

“I’m sorry,” Kylo whispers, darkness seeping in. His hand grasps at the ruined robes around his belly just as he begins to fade from consciousness, numb all over.

Just before he passes out, his eyes tell him one final lie and he sees Hux kneeling in front of him, apologising too.

- - - X - - -

The afterlife looks a lot like medbay on the Finalizer. It smells like it too, that familiar and clinical scent of bacta that reminds him of his visits to Snoke’s ship. The Force around him feels familiarly distant too, like he’s on a lot of pain medication and its presence is difficult to reach as a result of his dampened senses but there’s a gloriously loud mind in close proximity to his own and it’s reaching out to him as though subconsciously searching for him.

Hux. Hux is nearby. The alpha’s scent is potent in the air.

Beneath the fresh bedsheets, Kylo shifts, testing his body and trying not to jostle himself too much against the aches that seem to be in every part of him but he must find his mate. He’s lost so much within the last few hours that his heart cries out for the one thing he has left. Forcing his eyes open, he squints against the light as he desperately looks around for his beloved, whining like a lost pup at the need to be in Hux’s arms but also at the discomfort of the healing wound that now bisects his face.

His mind isn’t playing tricks on him; he is in the Finalizer’s medbay and he can tell by the feel of his body that he’s fresh out of a bacta tank. The room is only small but it’s private and there seems to be lots of commotion outside with officers and troopers needing medical care from the disastrous battle of Starkiller Base but Kylo manages to drown out their sounds by focussing on the presence of his mate.

In an uncomfortable-looking chair beside Kylo’s bed, there’s Hux. He’s sleeping, arms folded across his chest and legs stretched out in front of him, head resting back against the chair. He looks unhealthily pale, exhaustion etched in the lines on his sleeping face. There’s no telling what Hux has gone through in the last few hours whilst Kylo has been unconscious but just imagining it is enough to bring Kylo to tears.

Seeing Hux in the flesh makes the reality of Kylo’s failure so much worse. Beneath the sheets, Kylo’s hand finds his soft tummy, wincing as he momentarily forgets about the bowcaster wound and his fingers press against the bandaged part of his abdomen but he endures; his errors have cost them their baby, their future together. There’s no doubt that such horrific damaged caused by the bowcaster shot has stifled Kylo’s ability to carry children, and who would want a damaged omega? Their future was so bright and Kylo has ruined it all.

“Ren. Breathe, my love. I’m here.”

Kylo hadn’t realised that his distressed sobbing had taken his breath away until Hux’s hands are on his cheeks, their foreheads pressed together and their bond pulsating like a beating heart.

“H-Hux?”

The alpha places a kiss on Kylo’s forehead, “Hush, my omega. It’s alright.”

“I-it’s not,” Kylo shakes his head, reaching up to take hold of Hux’s hands upon his cheeks. “I’ve lost everything. I’m sorry, Hux. I’m sorry.”

“Kylo.” Hux sits down on the bed, taking his trembling mate into his arms and rocking him. “You haven’t lost anything. I thought that I’d lost you.”

“Hux. I’m sorry. The baby—”

“They’re fine, Ren. I promise. Everything is fine.”

Kylo pouts, sniffling. He pulls away from the embrace, rubbing his eyes. “They?”

“Twins, my darling. It’s twins. And they’re both fine and healthy. Just as you will be in a few days once your wounds have healed.”

“Two…babies.”

Kylo starts to cry again but they’re happy tears this time, overwhelmed by the revelation. He thought that he’d lost their baby but now they have two?

“I’m so glad you’re okay, Ren,” Hux says, sniffling too. The two move a little until they’re lying down on the bed with Kylo nestled against his alpha’s chest, slotting perfectly in Hux’s arms. “When I found you lying in the snow, I thought you…were gone.”

“I thought I was going to die,” Kylo says, one hand on his belly, feeling sentimentally attached to the little bump again. “I was thinking about how I failed you.”

“Ren. You could never. Never.”

“I love you, Armitage.”

“My omega. I love you. And our twins.”

Through the small crack in the door, a little orange figure slips in, padding gently across the floor before hopping on the bed, meowing softly. The little bell on her collar may give away her presence but it doesn’t disturb the cuddling pair of mates on the medbay bed.

#kylux #omega kylo #alpha hux #mpreg #pregnant kylo #tw mentions of miscarriage

[peralta-guaranteed]

Oohh please do some HCs about Amy and Karen and their relationship!!

this became long. I love Mom Karen a lot, even though she doesn't show up much in canon, and I think she and Jake and Amy have a great relationship ❤️

- Amy still wants to impress her so bad in the beginning, she always thinks she's meeting with a proper 'grown-up' and needs to act accordingly, especially since that grown-up is her boyfriend's mom! The awkward possibilities!

- She knows how much Jake loves his mom, what if she tells him to break up with her because she picked the wrong dish to bring to her brunch invitation, oh no, Jake, we need to turn around, I need to buy like 50 bagels from that deli you said she likes-

- (Ames my mom loves you almost as much as I do, you do not need to bribe her with bagels anymore. But are you SURE she likes egg salad- YES and even if she doesn't I will eat it all before she can complain okay now please calm down)

- she does calm down after a while, especially when she and Jake settle into their relationship and she begins to feel like this is definitely it, and Karen seems to agree. She treats Amy like part of her tiny family already, always includes her in holiday cards and gift exchanges and event invitations, and Amy begins to see all the weird little eccentricities in her as something she also knows from Jake, and wonders who's influenced who more. Especially when he complains about another 'crazy' thing his mom read online and immediately followed, all she can do is laugh and ask him how that 'amazing never ending chocolate trick' ended for him last month.

- when Jake has to go to Florida, Amy asks to be the one to deliver the news to Karen - although there's not much news she can give, considering no one is allowed to really know anything about the situation. It basically boils down to "He had to leave for his own protection because of a criminal", and Karen understands very well what that means, and maybe she cries a bit while they hug, and maybe Amy does too, thinking about how she at least got to say goodbye to him. He asked her to take care of his mom, (he asked her to take care of a lot, but she knows the rankings of importance without him needing to explain), and that's what she's gonna do. So she visits a lot, once a week at least, for tea or dinner or just to spend some time with her.

- "I'm glad he's not alone", Karen says on one of those dates, "at least he's got Captain Dad with him." And Amy laughs and nods.

- "Wherever he is", she says another time, "he's thinking of you, Amy. A mom knows these things. He's thinking of you and waiting to be with you again." "I'm waiting too, Karen. I would never do anything else."

- And, during one of the days where it hits them the worst and they cry together again: "He's coming back. He always- I know it's not the same, but- he dissappeared a lot when he was younger. When he felt uncomfortable or angry or- but he always came back. And he's coming back this time, too."

- the look on Karen's face as she opens to the door to Jake and not Amy for their next dinner date, with Amy a few feet behind him, is one she'll probably never forget

- Dinner once a week at Mama Peralta's is a given, after that. Sometimes Amy goes over earlier, too, to learn the dishes Jake likes the most, but also just to chat with Karen alone.

- the meetings turn into a sadder note again when Jake goes to prison. Actually, the first week after he's gone, Amy breaks down crying after dinner because she can't drive home alone, she can't sleep in that empty bed for one more night or she'll go mad. So Karen sets up her guestroom for her, and Amy spends an entire week there, being cared for by a mom as if she's 5 again. It's the only time during Jake's prison sentence that she feels at all safe.

- She takes Karen along for a visiting day too, once, and it's the only one where she's willing to share the hugging/touching time allowed. Karen makes a joke about his awful beard and Jake laughs the fake laugh he gives Charles as well. Amy's glad they don't have to plan another trip to visit, because Jake gets home after that.

- Karen is the first one to receive that engagement photo from Jake's phone, because she's also the one who gave him that ring from his Nana in the first place - long before he went to prison. She immediately calls Amy and not him to congratulate them, and Jake is only a little bit put out by the fact that his mom actually seems to prefer his fiancée by now.

- they'd agreed not to tell anyone they were trying for a baby, especially not when it became so tense and stressful, but Jake admits after a while that he's told his mom. She's his sounding board apart from Amy, and he can't keep that kind of secret from her anyway. Amy's just glad Karen decided to keep her distance about it, and not send her info about some herbal 'help' or whatever her own mom is constantly clogging her instagram messages with, without even knowing they're trying.

- they come over for Mama Peralta Dinner with the sonogram folded into Jake's pocket, but he can't help himself and makes a joke about having to rename it to Grandma Peralta Dinner soon before they can show it, and Karen just about screams before jumping into Jake's arms and then hugging Amy much more carefully

- (she does share a lot of remedies and tips during her pregnancy, just like Camila does, and half of them actually help)

- after things have finally settled in the hospital where they brought Amy and Mac after the blackout, Jake calls his mom and greets her with 'Heyy, grandma' and she's never rushed to any hospital this fast, not even when Jake was 5 and broke his wrist

- Karen turns babysitter no 1 immediately, and absolutely sticks to the ground rules Jake+Amy have put down. She might ask for a little leeway when it comes to the creative side of her grandson, and Mac gets to colour and craft things at her place he'd never be allowed to do at home, but that's okay.

#b99 #brooklyn 99 #jake peralta #amy santiago #peraltiago #headcanons #mac peralta #maya peralta

[paper-n-ashes]

The Late Shift

Characters: Paul Sevier x Female Reader

Words: 2k

Warnings/Tags: There’s actually none (I hope). I know. I’m surprised too.

Authors Note: This is so dumb. I’m aware. Look, I’ve been dealing with a horrendous writers block and shattered confidence and I made Paul Sevier gifs to ease my pain. It turned into this. I just wanted to try something a little cute and fluffy to get back into the swing of things. So... here it is.

*

It was going to be a long night.

Stuck on the Wednesday evening shift for the third time this month, you mindlessly fiddled with the pen in your hand. Twirling it between your fingers, your mind drifted away from the present moment, wondering why your boss seemed to dislike you so much to keep you here past 6pm in the middle of the week. He’d always been adamant this was prime selling time for this boutique suit store, with corporate clients needing to do their shopping outside of normal business hours.

You, however, knew keeping this place open was senseless, barely seeing more than a few unenthusiastic customers in these agonizingly slow stretches. Working on commission also made you all the more bitter about being paid minimum wage to stand behind a counter and doodle sketches of imaginary clients dressed in the outfits you personally tailored. This isn’t where you thought a Bachelor of Arts in Fashion Design would take you, that’s for sure.

“H-hello,” you heard a deep voice quietly greet you, startling you into focus. “Are you busy? I… think I need a little help.”

Eyes flickering up from the notepad, you were sure your pupils blew wide at the sight of the man in front of you. Standing at an imposingly large height, his hair a severely murky shade of black, with honeyed irises shining brightly behind delicate spectacles.

A human personification of tall, dark and handsome. Well, except for the clothes.

The stranger wore the layered combination of a grey tweed jacket and argyle patterned sweater, arranged over a particularly heinous, mustard-coloured button up. While the ensemble made you internally cringe, it gave him an air of intelligence, like the kind that hangs around stuffy, old college professors who have more academic accolades than you have fingers and toes.

“Me?” you coughed out, knowing full well you were the only other person in this tiny little shop. “Uh, yeah. I mean- No, no I’m not busy. What is it you need help with?” Even when you stood, the man towered above you, making you silently begin to calculate the high-numbered measurements you’d need to fit him in something.

“I have an important meeting scheduled for Friday. You know, the type you need to wear a suit to?” Evidently the thought of it made him nervous, as you noticed his cheek twitch slightly, his eyes scanning momentarily at the garments filling the space. “I’m… uh… not so great with clothes.”

Clearly, you chuckled inside your head, holding the word from your tongue. “You want me to pick out something for you?”

He took a defeated breath, his mouth twisting into an awkward yet wonderfully endearing smile. “Would you mind? Only if it’s not too much trouble.”

“No trouble!” you burst, maybe a little too excitedly. “It’s my job!” Bounding out from behind the counter you’d been imprisoned by, you moved directly to the section of classic navy business suits. Slim line. Something to accentuate his well-built frame, rather than hide it away. You had to pause, swivelling back around to the dumbfounded man. “Is price an issue… uh…?”

“Paul,” he answered for you, slowly moving to where you stood. “And… I suppose not. Probably should spend the money on something that will last. If you think it’s a good idea.”

Oh thank god, you mused without showing the relief on your face. He’s not some rich asshole trying to flash his cash. “A good suit can last you five years, if you treat it right.” Your hand reached over to graze one of the deepened blue sleeves of a jacket at your left. “And a classic colour will never go out of style.”

Paul let out an embarrassed chuckle. “I think you’ve already noticed how lacking in style I am…” He glanced to your nametag, murmuring your name with a goofy smirk curling his lips. You’d never seen a grown man, especially not one of this stature, appear so adorable. It was horribly distracting.

“I’m sure you have expertise in other areas,” you stumbled, realizing only when the words came out how offensive they might seem. Yet Paul conceded to your comment, his rumbling laugh making your chest feel tight.

“Debatable,” he shrugged. “I’m just glad I found some qualified personnel to help me in this instance.”

Oh boy. Humble and charming? You were in so much trouble. Surely someone as sweet as this had another waiting for them at home. “I’m sure your partner could help you pick out something nice too.”

“Not an option in my case.”

Shit. Single too. You were truly fucked.

You turned, trying to calm your erratic heartbeat by focusing on finding an outfit that would contain his longer limbs. Plucking out a matching jacket and trouser set, with an ivory, collared button-up, you offered them to Paul, his features having melted into a sweetened look of intrigue. “Go and try these on. There’s a changeroom just behind the counter. See how they feel, and we can go from there.”

He nodded, taking the pieces with both of his large hands and shuffling away to where you’d pointed to. No sooner than the latch had locked were you dashing to where your phone was sitting at the register, flitting out a rushed text message to your favourite co-worker.

There was rustling you heard emanating from the changeroom stall, doing your best to ignore the urge of picturing Paul, a man you’d met only minutes ago, gradually slipping off his clothes to reveal the toned muscles underneath. You grimaced at yourself, shaking your head to banish the imaginations. God this was unprofessional.

Finally, a response lit up on your phone screen.

You laughed softly through your nose, about to type a reply when you heard the lock click open again. The breath in your lungs was stuck as Paul made his way out, the expensive textiles draping over his burly frame in a way that made your whole body tense.

He rustled a hand through his hair, looking up to you while fidgeting with the starchy material stretched over his chest. “Does it look okay?”

After all these years working this job, the enticing novelty of attractive men in well-fitted suits had slowly worn off, especially when most of them treated you with about as much respect as the used gum they spit out onto the sidewalk. Suddenly, all those preconceived notions were gone. On Paul, this ensemble instantly became the most captivating thing in the entire universe.

The inside of your mouth flooded with saliva, having to swallow hard before speaking again. “Great… it looks… great.” You did your best to conceal a settling exhale. “What do you think? How does it feel?”

Paul shifted to look at his reflection in the mirror, pupils trailing up and down, flexing his limbs in an attempt to get a proper impression of the new apparel. “It feels really good. Makes me look… sophisticated.” He turned to you, his expression unsure. “Right?”

Your smile was sparkling, nodding to his question. There was a small amount of work to do, noting how in your effort to make sure everything complemented his physique, you’d oversized him. The waistline of the jacket needed to be taken in, the shoulder lines sitting slightly off, and the trouser length needing to be taken up slightly. “A couple of adjustments and it’ll be perfect.”

“You mean taking it to be tailored?”

“No need.” You pulled out the wheel of berry pins from your pocket, kneeling down on the floor next to Paul’s feet. “All our tailoring is included in the price. Done completely in house.” You began to fold the bottom edge of his pants, pinning it to an adequate length. “I can have it ready for you tomorrow, all ready for your Friday meeting.”

“You do all the tailoring yourself?” Paul asked as you slinked another pin through the fabric.

“Sure do,” you chirped, moving onto the other leg. “3 years at a design school taught me a few things about cutting and sewing.” With the hemlines in place, you straightened in front of him, plucking out a roll of measuring tape from your other pocket. “I just… need to take a few measurements to properly alter the jacket.”

His cheek twitched, the line of his jaw seeming somewhat strained. “Sure. F-fine. Do what you gotta do."

You went with determining his arm length first, feeling out the boney point of his shoulder and striping the lined tape all the way down to his wrist. Then, after taking a deep inhale, you curled your arms around his hips, focusing hard on the little black numbers to ignore the fact Paul’s breath had started to skate over your skin with this close proximity. It was when you were lining up the thickened stripes indicating his chest circumference that you made the mistake of peering up, finding his alluring stare fully concentrated on you.

There was a moment. A spark to waiting kindling. Where impulse could have led you to do a dangerous thing. You’d never been the hasty type, never acted without considerable thought. Usually so shy and composed, never making the first move. Although right now, you could scarcely hold yourself back, desperate to know the sensation of Paul’s lips, how they’d move over yours, what they tasted like.

No. This was so inappropriate.

The compulsion was about to wither away when you felt a hand skim up your waist, the lightened touch shooting a thrill over your skin.

“Excuse me,” a gruff voice called from your side. “How much are these dress socks?”

You immediately stepped back, smacked into reality again. “$12.99. Exactly what it says on the box.”

The older gentlemen scrutinized the packaging, lids narrowed until he finally saw the numbers plastered at the border. “Oh, right. Eh, a little expensive for my taste. Thanks anyway.”

Flustered, you began to coil the measuring tape into its resting spiral, forcefully glaring at the floor. “I’m all done. You can get dressed into your own clothes now.”

In your periphery you saw Paul regarding you with a gentle nod, walking back into the changeroom without another word. Every part of you wanted to sink beneath the wooden floorboards, so horrendously embarrassed you could feel a smoldering heat prickle at your cheeks. Only to relieve some of the nervous energy, you ran to your phone.

Again, Paul was exiting out of the stall just as you were going to submit your reply, placing the neatly arranged garments over the counter. It was difficult to look directly at him, having to summon all remaining shards of your courage to drift your eyes up to his face. “Was there anything else you needed?”

His mouth parted, only to quickly snap shut, scratching at his hairline in the seconds it took for him to give you a response. “No. Nothing else. Unless there’s something more you think I need.”

You shook your head, wishing you could give another answer just to keep him here. “You’re all set.” The full price of his items flashed on the monitor in front of you, spouting it to him as your fingers flicked across the keyboard to finalize the purchase, with a personal discount that wouldn’t show on the receipt.

“When should I come by to pick it up?” he queried, passing you his credit card. “Oh, but there’s no pressure. Whenever you have the time is just fine.”

An idea flared. “If you give me your number, I can text you when it’s ready.”

“That works for me.”

Erasing all evidence of the conversation you’d been having, you brought up the number pad, handing your phone over. Paul swiftly typed in his details before placing it back in your palm. ‘Paul the Suit Guy’ the contact read, unable to stifle your laugh.  

“So I’ll see you tomorrow?” His eager expression made your heart quiver through a beat.

“Y-yeah,” you stammered. “I’ll see you then.”

Paul waved his hand in an awkward flourish to signal his goodbye, eventually moving far enough from your vision for you to finally take a full, relaxed breath. In a dazed hurry, you keyed in your returning message to your co-worker.

It was the precise moment your thumb had pressed into the ‘Send’ button that you realised your recipient wasn’t the one you’d intended.

You’d sent this message straight to Paul.

Fuck. Oh fuck. This was bad.

While you were scrambling to formulate a believable excuse, a new message popped up onto the screen.

Tags for my lovelies who might tolerate this nonsense: @tlcwrites @roanniom @princessxkenobi @hopeamarsu @blowthatpieceofjunk @mariesackler @leatherboundriot @foxilayde @modernpaw @cornmousequeen @direnightshade @safarigirlsp @blackberries45 @mylifeisactuallyamess @caillea @jynzandtonic @beskarbabs​

#paul sevier #paul sevier x reader #paul sevier x female reader #midnight special #adcu #adcu fanfiction

[meltwonu]

| 🎃 𝕸𝖔𝖓𝖘𝖙𝖊𝖗 𝕸𝖆𝖘𝖍 🎃 |

↪ ✦ baby ✦

this chapter pairing; yandere!the8 x reader

genre&warnings; yandere!au, softdom!minghao, ice play, wax play, blindfolds, shibari, sex toys, minghao taking ~pictures~, uh murder ☠️.

✖ That being said, I do NOT condone yandere-like/obsessive/possessive behaviour in real life. this is a work of fiction therefore I will indulge in it. If you do NOT like this kind of content, please just ignore it.

notes; the way yandere minghao would be fucking ✨pristine✨ when he's taking care of 😳business😳 if ykwim,,, WHEW the mind, she reels. also no I didn't make anyone suffer in this chap by killing off anyone important 😩😩 I know that hurts too much khjfkdjfh I've spared you all for the last yandere chapter LOL 💕💕 One more chapter to go!! Thank you, as always, for your kind comments and support 🥺 I love u 💕💕 See you tomorrow for our last Monster Mash chapter!! 🎃💕👻 

word count; ~2000

chapters; 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5 - 6 - 7 - 8 - 9 - 10 - 11 - 12 - x

checking locks;

turning knobs

i’ve been circling for block;

and i’ll never stop.

like a moth to the flame;

when you’re calling out my name

and i’m on my way.

A tear slips from your eye and immediately soaks into the blindfold over your eyes.

Where was Minghao? You think.

Your thighs tremble, soft cries spilling from your lips when you tug at the ropes that keep you only slightly suspended above the bed. The hitachi he’d placed against your clit had gotten you to cum twice now and your body was quickly reaching your limit as you tried to shy away from the vibrations of the toy.

Minghao had said he was going to take care of something and that he’d be right back, but it had surely been at least 30 minutes since then and the only thing you’d heard was the creaking of the rope suspensions and the sound of the hitachi vibrating against your swollen clit.

He’d really been gone for far too long.

You’re about to tug at your restraints a few minutes later when you hear the doorknob starting to rattle. Oh, thank god.

“Have you been good, sweetheart?”

Minghao’s sweet voice feels like home and you’re quick to reply; glad that he’d come back sooner than later. “A-ah, y-yes but, mmh, the--the toy…”

“Ah, is it too much?”

You nod, squirming slightly as you sway in the rope suspension. “I---I already c-came tw--twice, ‘Hao…”

He smiles at you, even if you can’t see. “Only? You’ve cum more than that before, when I’ve left you like this.” You can hear him laugh lightly and soon his fingertips run across your skin and the intricately tied ropes around your limbs and torso.

Minghao takes pity, turning off the Hitachi when he hears your soft whines. “I’m sorry I took so long, sweetheart. I didn’t intend for it to take so long.” Your body goes slack as soon as the toy turns off and you feel him tugging at some of the ropes as they loosen around you.

“Let’s get you into a more comfortable position, hmm?”

When Minghao moves to undo some of the ropes and lowers you down onto the bed gently, he also takes a moment to take pictures on his film camera of your body covered in the indents from where the rope had dug into your skin.

It’s for my collection, he says. Just a personal one.

You always agree and he always lets you see the finished product as the two of you admire the way he captures you in his camera lens.

When you’d met Minghao through mutual friends, he wasn’t very talkative, admittedly. It’d taken a while for him to open up to you and you to him, but once the two of you had found common interests, you had found that he was quite the talkative person with a wide array of interests and skills.

He was incredibly meticulous and preferred to be in control whether it came to his craft or in bed, which you didn’t mind at all.

Minghao knew what he was doing.

“What’s your colour right now, sweetheart?” “Mmh.. G--green, Minghao…”

The blindfold is still firmly placed over your eyes even when he redoes the ropes into a more comfortable position; and this time, your head rests against the pillows with only one of your legs bent and tied and your arms tied neatly in front of you.

“Always so pretty for me.” Minghao coos. “I want to try something new, okay? Just tell me if it’s too much.”

“Okay...” 

You hear the clinking of a glass nearby and soon the chill of an ice cube meets your warm skin as you mewl. It makes goosebumps rise as he drags the ice slowly until he places it directly against your clit and your fingertips try to reach for his hands as you gasp.

“Oh, M--Minghao!” You writhe under him as he smiles adoringly back at you. He runs the ice cube through your folds, letting it melt slightly as he holds it to your soaking entrance.

“Is it too cold, sweetheart? Would you prefer something warmer?”

You shake your head yes, hoping he meant his fingers instead. “Please…” You feel the bed shift slightly and hear the clicking of a lighter and realize it's definitely not what you were hoping for.

“Colour?”

“Um… y-yellow…?” You answer; a little unsure. The lighter clicks stop. “Yellow? Tell me what’s wrong, sweetheart.” His voice is soft and gentle and you feel his fingers massaging your skin a moment later.

“I--I’m okay with it, just---it’s, um, it’s not going to b-burn, right?”

“Of course not, sweetheart. I would never do anything that hurts you. Would you like some water? Or do you want to take a break?” You bite the inside of your cheek, blushing underneath your blindfold that hid your pink cheeks and ears.

“M-maybe some w-water?”

Minghao helps you tilt your head enough for you to take some gulps of water, kind fingertips wiping at your lips and helping you ease back against the pillows when you’re satisfied. “Thank you, Minghao…” You whisper.

“Of course, baby. Everything okay, now? Still yellow?”

“Mm… ‘m green now~”

He gives it a second as his hands roam your skin, massaging your thighs and your bound arms before he positions himself back between your legs.

You hear the lighter clicking again, body tensing at the heat that you knew was coming.

Minghao tilts the small candle over your bound thigh, letting the wax fall over parts of your skin and the ropes as he licks his lips. “Baby, you’re so so good for me.”

You’re a little shocked that the wax wasn’t as hot as you initially thought it’d be; only a mild sting before it eased into a nice warmth and dried cold onto your skin.

He lets it drip a little more on your thigh before he moves it up; a trail of wax dripping from your thigh to your hip bone as you whine. “Ngh, ‘Hao it--it feels really g-good…”

“Do you prefer the ice or this, hmm? Which one feels better?”

It takes you a second to think; in all honesty, they both felt good in their own ways.

“Um, ah, I l-liked them both…” You pause, “They’re d-different…”

He hums in response, letting the wax drip onto your inner thighs as you tremble underneath him.

Minghao repeats this pattern a few times; moving from your thighs to your hip bones and even letting a little drip onto your arms before he blows the candle out and sets it onto the tray he’d brought onto the bed. He takes a moment to admire his own work, fingertips itching for his camera.

“Hold still, okay?”

“Okay, ‘Hao~”

You hear the camera shutter going off a few times as you lay still for him, waiting with anticipation if he was going to play with anything new after he’d taken his pictures.

“I can’t wait to show you these pictures, baby. You look incredible.” He mutters; too focused on getting the right angles.

“I can’t wait to see them too!” Smiling, you wished that Minghao would take the blindfold off of you, but you also knew to let him do his thing as he wanted it.

It needs to be perfect, he’d say. There’s only so many free spaces on film.

“Sweetheart?”

“A-ah, yes?”

This time, you jolt when you feel his thumb on your clit and you easily let out a choked moan as you slightly tug the binds. “You’ve been so good for me, baby. I think you deserve to cum one more time.”

You nod shakily, lips parted. “Pl--please… ‘m so sensitive a-already…”

Minghao doesn’t respond, instead, he rubs your clit harder; relishing in the way you squirm and buck your hips up to meet his hand. You clench around emptiness as you chase your high, simultaneously wishing he fucked you instead. 

“Ngh, Minghao...”

“You can cum, baby. Whenever you want.” 

You imagine Minghao fucking you, cock grazing against your g-spot. And it was a feeling you knew well; toes curling as you let your imagination run wild. You imagine him between your legs, tongue teasing your clit and your soaking entrance as you tangled your hands into his hair and his hands wrapped prettily around your throat when he made you feel fuzzy and lightheaded.

“O-oh, I’m---I’m cumming!” 

Your body tenses up one last time, back bowing off of the sheets as he continues to rub your clit; working you through your orgasm as his name rolls off of your tongue. 

Another tear soaks into the blindfold as you ride out your high and your entire body buzzes with electricity and mild overstimulation when Minghao doesn’t let up. 

“M--Minghao, I--I can’t...” You cry, thighs shaking uncontrollably. 

You hear him chuckle and he immediately takes his thumb off of your clit as you catch your breath. 

“I’m going to take the blindfold off now, okay, baby?” Nodding tiredly, you raise your head to the best of your ability as he reaches behind you to undo the knot and slip the silk material from around your head. 

You’re thankful the room was already dim as your teary eyes start to focus on Minghao. 

There’s still bits and pieces of wax on your skin and soaked into the ropes when you look down at your body. “Hi...” You whisper, cheeks hot. 

“Hi, baby. How about we get you undone from these ropes and into a nice warm bath, huh?” 

Confusion crosses your features, “What about you though?” He smiles gently, eyes twinkling with warmth. 

“Let me worry about you, baby.”

Minghao makes sure the water is warm and to your liking before he helps you ease into the tub; bubbles spilling over and onto the floor. 

“I’ll be right back. Don’t fall asleep, okay? I’m just going to grab you some water.” 

You nod in return, resting your head against the porcelain. 

Minghao was so sweet.

Minghao clenches his jaw once he steps back into the bedroom. Eyes scanning the dimmed space to make sure he hadn’t tracked in any unnecessary dirt or grime.

There was still so much he needed to clean before anyone found the body. 

And it was really foolish of your boss to try and fire you, honestly. And to send you home crying? Just unacceptable. 

Minghao wouldn’t let anyone get away with such actions. Not towards you.

Although, maybe it was a little foolish of Minghao to make such a damn mess in his fit of rage. 

Ah, well. 

He’d wait for you to sleep before he’d slink out of bed to finish what he’d started. 

After all, Minghao was very meticulous with his work. 

#yandere!the8 #yandere!minghao #the8 smut #seventeen smut #svt smut #minghao smut #yandere!svt #yandere!seventeen #the8 scenarios #the8 imagines #minghao imagines #minghao scenarios #seventeen scenarios #seventeen imagines #svt imagines #svt scenarios #the8 #minghao #monstermash!svt

[alicanta77]

Finale: All or Nothing

Pairing: y/n x Haechan

Themes: angst, fluff, suspense(?)

Warnings: swearing, zombies, blood, violence, death, virus, illness, anxiety, mentions of abusive family, needles (one injection)

Words: 12.4k

Chapter 1 - Chapter 2 - Chapter 3 - Chapter 4 - Finale

——————————————————————————

The inspiration for this story came from my amazing friend @2-cute-4-school and her story called ‘Evanescent’. Her work is so brilliant and she is such an under-appreciated writer. I can’t recommend or praise her enough. Thank you to the ends of the earth for letting me use it as a starting point.

I just want to say a massive thank you to everyone who has read post mortem. This is my first series and it so special to me so it means so much to receive likes, comments and tags saying that you enjoyed it. It has brought me brilliant friends such as @in-my-neofeelings and @honei-n and I couldn’t be more thankful for that. It’s been a wild ride so far and I hope you enjoy the finale!

Felix xox

——————————————————————————

Jeno walked swiftly down the hallway. He had holding a single piece of paper, folded in half to hide what was on it and his feet were almost silent as he made his way to your room. He turned a quick corner, knocking on your door three times, pausing for a second, then knocking again twice, before letting himself in.

He closed the door behind him, twisting the lock so that it clicked, before turning around and facing the rest of you. He held up the paper in his hands.

‘I’ve mapped out the blueprint of the army base.’

I.N. spoke next, running a hand through his hair to hide the fact that it was shaking slightly.

‘I’ve figured out how to override the system.’

Wooyoung joined in, swallowing before talking.

‘I’ve sorted our weapons.’

You spoke last. 

‘I’ve planned our route.’

The four of you looked around at each other, your obvious nerves making the tension levels rise.

I.N. took a deep breath.

‘Ok, so we’re all set for going back into the simulation.’

You nodded, determination taking over your mind as you shared a look with the boys in front of you.

‘Let’s blow this thing up.’

It hadn’t been easy to get organised. Especially not without drawing any attention to yourselves. Jeno had managed to draw up a map of the army base, marking the easiest route to the kill switch. He still remembered the ins and outs of that place from his summer camp, therefore was nominated the best person for the job. I.N. had spent his few days in the tech lab. He worked alongside a few other technicians, supporting people in the simulation. He quickly realised however, that they weren’t supporting them, but instead were directing packs of zombies towards them, trying to get as many people as possible to turn. It was in mindless conversations with these people that I.N. managed to ask a few questions about the system and get a vague understanding of how it worked. Wooyoung had been the one to realise that you would need weapons. Once the people here figured out that you had gone, they were going to come after you with everything they had. You knew too much. You were going to have to protect yourself, and Wooyoung managed to figure out how. And your job was to plan the way to the army base. You were hoping that I.N. could find a way to place you at the army base but, just in case, you had planned seven other routes. You had also spoken to Donghyuck’s sister, begging her to stay safe and keep her head down for the time you were away. You didn’t tell her much, only that you were going to get Donghyuck. She seemed to understand a lot more than you thought she did, as she gently held on to you while you hugged goodbye, taking the chance to whisper “do what you have to” in your ear. You had no idea if she had figured out what was really going on, but you knew you would never underestimate the girl again.

Tomorrow was the big day. Tomorrow was when it mattered. Tomorrow you went back into the simulation.

---

You were lying in bed that night, Jeno next to you as you chatted with each other about random things, trying to ease your nerves. You were glad that he hadn’t left you alone, instead claiming that he would wait for you to fall asleep before heading back to his own room.

‘What do you think will happen to us in there?’ He asked, changing the subject from whether starfish have feelings to the task ahead of you.

‘I don’t know.’ You answered honestly. ‘Probably what happened before, except harder. There are more zombies and we have to be careful not to get bitten. I mean, we always were careful but... everything relies on us now.’

‘As long as one of us makes it we’ll be okay.’ He reasoned, keeping his eyes on the ceiling above him. ‘We’re gonna get to see everyone again too.’

‘Yeah.’ You breathed out, your mind filled with the memories of Hyuck and you couldn’t begin to imagine what it would feel like to see him again. ‘It feels like it’s been a lifetime since I saw them last.’

‘I know.’ Jeno replied. And he really did. Since you both got your real memories back, your friendship had gone right back to normal. It was such a relief to have someone who understood the situation you were both put in, especially as it was so hard to explain.

A silence fell over the two of you for a second.

‘Are you thinking about Hyuck?’ He asked, turning his head to look at you.

‘Yeah.’ You said honestly, keeping your eyes on the ceiling and blinking back the tears that were gathering. ‘I miss him.’

‘I know you do... I also know that he misses you too, if not more. I still can’t quite wrap my mind around the fact that they actually think that we’re dead.’ Jeno looked back at the ceiling, blinking back tears of his own before you saw them. ‘Do you think they’ll believe us when we tell them about the simulation?’

‘I mean, we’ll be alive. Surely that must be proof enough?’ You wondered. ‘Although, it almost doesn’t matter whether they believe us or not. We actually don’t need them to, we just need to hit that button.’

Jeno nodded.

‘You’re right. We need to focus on shutting it down and we can properly reunite and explain everything to them once we’ve woken up again.’

You hummed in agreement, your eyes shutting slightly as tiredness began to take over you.

---

Tomorrow had arrived.

You woke up to an empty room, Jeno fulfilling his promise and heading back to his once you had fallen asleep. You looked over at the alarm clock on your bedside table, the red numbers staring back at you. 

9:37am

You were meeting the boys in Wooyoung’s room at 10am, as per I.N.’s request, meaning you had 20 minutes. You lay in bed for a short while, the thought of what you were preparing to do occupying your mind, before climbing out and heading towards the shower.

After a quick shower, you dried off and pulled on some more clothes. All the clothes supplied here were the same, tracksuit bottoms and a t shirt, the colours just varied every day. Today you had white bottoms and a white t shirt as well. You pulled them on before walking towards your door. You opened it, stepped into the hallway and began making your way to Wooyoung’s room.

---

By the time you arrived, the other boys were already there. There was a heavy silence in the air, it was clear that they’d been discussing something before you’d arrived.

‘What wrong?’ You asked, afraid of what they were about to tell you.

‘Dr Kim is in the pod room. He booked it last night and apparently won’t be leaving for the rest of the week.’ Jeno explained.

Your brows furrowed slightly in confusion.

‘Ok, that’s not good, not at all. Is Dr Kim-’

‘The one you overheard with Jeno? Yes.’ I.N. cut you off. ‘Look, we can’t waste any time. I say that, as soon as he leaves the room, we go in, lock the door, and get into that simulation.’

The three of you nodded in agreement.

‘I.N’s right.’ Wooyoung said. ‘We don’t have time to wait for an opening, we’re gonna need to create one. We can hear the door opening from here so, as long as we are near, we can make sure to take that gap.’

‘There’s something else.’ I.N. abruptly mentioned. You and the two other boys turning to look at him quizzically. ‘The three of you are going in alone.’

‘What? I.N. wait-’

‘No, let me explain.’ I.N. interrupted Wooyoung’s protest. You didn’t know how to feel, you had been prepared for all of you going in, you weren’t sure how you were going to leave him behind. ‘The three of you are going in alone because you have to. Firstly, in order to get into the simulation, someone else has to “authorise” it, for lack of a better word. You are going to be lying in a pod, and I’m going to “authorise” you going in. No matter what we try and do, one of us would always have to stay behind. And it has to be me. The three of you are much more suited for the challenge ahead, I’m just the brains of the operation. Plus, I’ve got to make sure that no one can follow you in or pull you out, therefore I need to stay here. Besides, from out here I can throw them off your scent, hack into the camera system to make sure that the cameras don’t follow you, and other things like that.’

He looked around at you, easily telling from your faces that you clearly weren’t okay with this development.

‘I.N. we need all four of us. We can do this if we’re together.’ Jeno pleaded, but I.N. simply shook his head.

‘You can do this alone.’

‘No I.N. we need you. Like you said you’re the brains of this and what if we come across a problem that you know how to solve but we don’t? You have to come with us.’ You begged him, but he didn’t change his opinion.

‘You have to trust me on this. You need to leave me behind.’

Wooyoung was the only one who hadn’t said anything, just staring at his friend sadly.

‘You know they’ll punish you for us going in right? You’re going to pay for the consequences of our actions.’ Wooyoung whispered, obviously scared for what would happen once you leave.

‘I know.’ I.N. replied, his voice quiet but surprisingly calm. ‘But that should buy you guys some time. And you’re going to need all the time you can get.’

The three of you nodded, finally understanding that, even if I.N. wanted to, he couldn’t join you in the simulation. He needed to protect you from the outside.

‘Just... promise me one favour?’ I.N. asked.

‘Anything.’ Wooyoung guaranteed.

‘Let them know that I’m okay. Especially Chan... please just make sure he’s not blaming himself.’ He whispered.

You felt yourself nodding. You couldn’t help but let your mind drift off to the boys who were in there, waiting for you. You thought of how Renjun had argued with you not to become a raider in the first place, claiming that he just wanted you to be safe. You thought of how Jaemin had only ever asked one thing of you, and that was for you to stay alive. You thought of how desperate San had been to stay with you when you had told him to leave you behind. And you thought of how Donghyuck had looked when you told him you were going on that final run. You thought of how you could see every part of him want to tell you “no”. You thought of how many times he had pulled you in for a hug and begged to stay with him. And you thought of how he had looked when he sat by your grave. They needed to know that you were okay. They needed to know that you didn’t blame them. They needed to know that you loved them.

The sound of a door opening and harsh footsteps treading down the hallway next to you interrupted your thoughts. The four of you froze, listening to the muttering voice of Dr Kim disappearing down the corridor as he muttered about being interrupted.

‘The room’s empty.’ I.N. stated.

Jeno stood up, quietly opening the door and checking that it was clear before turning back to the rest of you.

‘Let’s go.’

---

‘This better be important.’ Dr Kim stormed into his office. ‘I have other business to attend to.’

‘Sir, you’re going to want to see this.’

The head doctor, Dr Kim, turned his head towards the voice of his assistant. On their computer screen was a video, a video of your conversation from last night. Dr Kim leaned on the desk in front of him as he listened to the four of you talk.

‘Ok, so we’re all set for going back into the simulation.’

‘Yes. Let’s blow this thing up.’ 

Dr Kim took a deep breath as he tried to make sense of this development. 

‘How did they find out?’ He asked, his voice quiet but the anger clear.

‘We don’t know.’ His assistant replied. ‘But they’re planning to head back into the simulation and shut it down. They’ve... they’ve found the kill switch.’

Dr Kim’s eyes shot to his assistant, who once again shrugged, answering the question he hadn’t yet asked.

‘Then the answer is simple. We need to stop them. Shut down the pod room, no one goes in and I want to be alerted if there is any attempt to override the system. And you-’ Dr Kim clicked at the bodyguard on his right side. ‘Let’s go pay our little heroes a visit. I think they’re in need of a few new memories, don’t you?’

---

You watched as I.N. shut the door tight behind him, making sure to twist the lock. He stopped briefly, taking a quick look around before beginning his instructions.

‘Ok, Wooyoung, go into that cupboard and grab the solution that’s there, y/n, find me a syringe and Jeno, go and open three of those pods.’

You all nodded, quickly scrambling to fulfil your orders. You were pulling open random drawers, desperately looking for a syringe for I.N. to use. You were on your seventh when you finally found it. You turned around triumphantly, holding it out for I.N. to take when the lights surrounding the door went red and a low electronic groan echoed out.

‘What was that?’ Jeno asked to no one in particular.

‘We don’t have time to wait around and find out.’ I.N. grabbed the syringe out of you hand while uttering those words. The tension was unbearable, all of you knowing that you had a very short amount of time before you were caught.

What none of you knew was that, you had already run out of time.

---

Dr Kim threw open Wooyoung’s door, a shout of frustration leaving his mouth as he found it empty. He had been to all of your rooms in an attempt to find you. He stormed into the corridor again, his eyes drifting to the pod room down the hall. He walked up towards the door, pressed his ear against the wood, and listened.

His guard behind him had a hand on his gun as he watched Dr Kim’s face transform into an expression of absolute rage.

‘They’re in there.’ He forced through gritted teeth. He turned around and looked at his guard before shouting. ‘Get this door open!’

The guard moved forwards immediately, putting the gun back in its holster and attempting to kick down the door. After a few tries he turned around.

‘It won’t budge. It needs to be opened from the control room.’ He informed the doctor in front of him.

Dr Kim let out a strangled scream and lunged forward to grab the radio off the guard’s waist. He lifted it up to his mouth and spoke into it, shouting instructions at the people in the control room.

‘I want the door to the pod room open right now!’

‘But Dr Kim, if that-’ A static voice came through from the other side, giving him some excuse as to why he needed to wait.

‘I don’t care! Open the door now!’ Dr Kim threw the radio back at the guard in front of him and watched as the lights around the door changed from a red to white, signalling that it was unlocked.

He threw the door open and burst into the room.

---

‘Get this door open!’

Dr Kim’s voice travelled through the door separating you and the four of you inside looked at each other in fear.

‘Jeno, quick! Come here.’ I.N. instructed, moving the syringe so that it was close to his neck. He had already given you and Wooyoung injections, only Jeno’s was left. He pulled the syringe out, ready to send you back into the simulation. ‘Go and lie in a pod and close the door on top of you.’

His voice was sharp and clear, not a single trace of fear in it, the only thing betraying him were his slightly shaking hands. You could hear a loud bang come from the door as you ran towards the closest pod. You turned back towards I.N. as a thought crossed your mind.

‘I.N.!’ You called out, only getting a hum in response. ‘Can you do me a favour?’

I.N. looked up at you for a split second, his expression conveying all he needed to say.

Now is not the time to ask questions but yes, what do you need?

‘Please, look after Hyuck’s sister for me? Make sure that she’s okay.’

I.N. nodded.

‘I promise.’

You felt a small amount of relief flow through you. You were leaving without speaking to her so you were glad to know that she would be protected. You quickly lay down in your open pod, pulled the door down over you, and, as the door clicked shut, you were encased in a pale blue light.

A few seconds passed before I.N’s voice came through.

‘Ok, I can’t seem to put you straight into the army base for some reason, the location is locked on here and I don’t have time to figure out how to hack it, but I’m going to drop you as close as I can. It’s in the nearby city and looks like it’s just under half a day’s walk away.’

You took a deep breath as you mentally pictured the maps you had drawn up. You knew you had planned some routes that went through nearby cities, you just weren’t sure which on you were going to be dropped in.

‘If I remember correctly from when we went in, you’re going to get very drowsy in a minute, just relax into it. Let the simulation take you okay? Don’t panic.’

He paused for a minute, leaving you in silence, your own breathing being the only thing you could hear. You could feel your eyes begin to relax and the tiredness swept through your veins. You could feel your heart rate begin to rise, all the memories from the simulation flooding back through your mind. Your father’s death, Jeno’s death, Donghyuck’s sister’s death, the first girl you killed. But you forced those pictures out of your mind. This time wasn’t going to be like that. You were prepared. You weren’t going in there to just fight for your life, you were going in there to save everyone. I.N.’s voice came back over the speakers, just as you lost consciousness completely.

‘Good luck.’

---

You opened your eyes.

You were surprised to find yourself standing up. You were stood in the middle of a road, clearly on an abandoned high street. The shops up and down the pavement were empty, some even having been looted. You turned to look around you, spotting Wooyoung and Jeno a little further down.

You took an experimental step, relieved when you didn’t go crashing to the ground, and took off in a jog. Both of the boys saw you moving towards them and came forwards to meet you halfway.

You came to a halt when you reached them, the three of you standing in silence.

‘Well...’ Wooyoung spoke, his eyes constantly darting around your surroundings. ‘We made it.’

‘Yeah, I guess we did.’ You mumbled, your eyes looking down at the ground. It was only when you did this, did you realise the clothes that you were wearing. ‘Oh my god! I’m in the clothes I died in.’ You realised, both Jeno and Wooyoung’s eyes darting to their bodies as well.

You recognised Jeno’s outfit from the final day at Mark, the sight of him running through the infested house on the monitors was not one that you would easily forget, and judging from Wooyoung’s shocked face, he was also wearing what he had been killed in.

‘Wow. Yeah, thankfully the clothes from just before we died. Cause, you know, there wouldn’t be much left of mine otherwise.’ Jeno’s shot a smile at the two of you. 

You stared at him in disbelief, a laugh leaving you despite the circumstances.

‘Only you could joke about blowing yourself up like that.’ You chuckled.

But Wooyoung whirled around to stare at Jeno.

‘You blew yourself up?’ He asked, as Jeno nodded in confirmation.

‘Yeah, just pulled the pin on a grenade and ran into a group of zombies.’ He shrugged like it was no big deal, causing Wooyoung to stare at you.

‘It’s true.’ You informed him. ‘We were in the floor above. The blast knocked us off our feet.’ Your voice got quieter towards the end. Even though Jeno was very much alive, listening to the blast and coming down to the wreckage of Mark’s kitchen wasn’t an easy thing to forget.

Jeno placed a hand on your shoulder, sending you a comforting smile. You sent one back before turning to Wooyoung again.

‘But what about you? San told me all about your heroics, sacrificing yourself so that they could get into the army base.’ You grinned at him, watching as Wooyoung blushed slightly.

‘I’m not the only one though, who sacrificed myself for San am I?’ He asked, looking you directly in the eye.

Your smile shrunk slightly, leaving only a sad one on your lips.

‘We weren’t both making it out of that alive.’

You all fell into silence after you spoke those words, all replaying the scenes of your own deaths in your minds. It wasn’t something you ever expected to be haunted with, but here you were, stumbling back through this wasted version of the world, being stalked by your own ghost.

‘Let’s just get our weapons and move on?’ You suggested, breaking the tension as both boys nodded in agreement.

‘If I remember correctly...’ Wooyoung muttered, mainly to himself as he walked through a broken shop window. He disappeared for a while, making yours and Jeno’s hearts race in fear. You had forgotten the terror that came along with losing sight of someone for a few seconds in this climate. 

His head popped up again, a childish smile on his face. 

‘Found it.’ He informed you, even though neither you nor Jeno had any clue as to what “it” was.

‘You know,’ Wooyoung continued. ‘I.N. actually couldn’t have dropped us in a better place, I grew up around here and I know that the owner of this store was very paranoid about people stealing his things. So he had a secret compartment put in, and filled it with these.’

Wooyoung appeared over the top again, this time holding a gun in each hand. They were large guns, similar to the kind that you had used at Mark’s. He handed one to each of you and then grabbed one more for himself. He also pulled a box out that was filled with cases of spare bullets.

‘I thought we might need these too.’ He said as he unzipped a backpack on the floor, emptying the contents and filling it again with the cases of bullets and a few spare pistols. He also made sure to hand both you and Jeno a handgun. 

‘How do you know all of this?’ Jeno asked, his eyes wide at the sight in front of him.

‘Hmmm? Oh I worked here part time. It paid quite well actually. He only ever took on three students a year so it was really competitive.’ Wooyoung replied.

‘So he told all his employees about this? How come no one else took these?’ You wondered aloud.

‘Oh no. He didn’t tell all of his employees. Only me.’ Wooyoung corrected you.

‘Well, please don’t take this the wrong way, but why you?’

Wooyoung looked up at Jeno’s question, diverting his eyes from the gun in front of him.

‘Simple. He liked me.’

Another large smile broke out across the boy’s face, one that made you smile with him, without realising it. Wooyoung was such a happy virus, someone who could make people happy or brighten their day without even trying. Your mind drifted to Donghyuck. The only boy who could make you smile even in the worst of circumstances. You missed him. You missed him so much that it physically hurt. It sometimes felt like he was the only thing keeping you going.

‘Right.’ Wooyoung’s voice cut through your train of thought. ‘Shall we go?’

You opened your mouth to answer but before you got a chance to, a low groan sounded through the high street. It was a noise that you hadn’t heard for a while, but nevertheless, still managed to send a chill of terror down your spine.

You turned slowly and made eye contact with the zombie staring at you through the broken store window.

---

‘Where are they?’ The Dr Kim bellowed as he burst into the camera room. ‘I want eyes on the three of them right now!’

All he got in response were frantic nods from the staff as they combed through every camera that they possibly could to find the four of you.

‘Doctor! I found them.’ A voice from the far left called out.

‘Put them up on the screen.’ Dr Kim instructed, watching as the main screen on the wall lit up with a picture of you all walking through the empty high street.

‘That street... I know that street.’ Dr Kim mused. He turned to the guard on his left and barked an instruction. ‘You, go to y/n’s room and grab the papers on her bed.’

The guard left immediately, running down the corridor.

‘Send a zombie their way.’

The staff nodded in response to his request and watched as you turned to look at the zombie now watching you through the window. Dr Kim focused as Wooyoung pulled the gun up and shot it through the head immediately, not wasting a second.

‘They’re not afraid to kill anymore. They know that they’ll only wake the person up. I want them out of there as soon as possible.’

‘Do you want us to organise for them to die? Or to pull their pods out?’ One of the crew asked.

‘No.’ Dr Kim muttered. ‘They know too much, and there’s no guarantee that they won’t figure it out again. Fake memories are hard to create and even harder to make last, our best chance was putting the two of them into a relationship. If that didn’t work before it’s not worth wasting the time and resources to try and do it again.’

‘So, what should we do doctor?’ The same person questioned.

‘There’s only one answer really, they can’t leave. We have to make sure they turn. Push forwards the mutation of the virus. What stage are we at currently?’

‘Stage 3 out of 5.’ Another voice appeared from somewhere in the room, Dr Kim didn’t know and didn’t care where.

‘Mutate it. I want stage 5. Enable the virus to be transmitted through insects. If they get bitten by an infected mosquito, I want them infected, if they eat a vegetable grown near infected bugs in the soil, I want the disease to travel to the food, if they smell a flower pollinated by a bee, I want that bee to be infected and I want the virus to transmit to them. Understand?’

He looked around at the staff behind him, all of them shouting agreement with his plan and turning towards their computers to put it into action. 

The guard appeared again,  holding out the papers towards Dr Kim. The doctor practically ripped them out of his hands, rolling them out on the table in front of him. He pointed to one drawing in particular.

‘Look, they’ve planned their route.’ He could now see exactly the journey you were planning to take to reach the army base. He checked the screen and saw the mutated virus already starting to have effects. He smiled and turned to the staff in front of him. ‘What do you say we send a few old friends to break up the party?’

---

Wooyoung reacted before either you or Jeno could, pulling the gun into position and shooting a bullet straight into the zombie’s forehead. You watched as its body hit the ground with a dull thud.

‘Jesus.’ Wooyoung breathed. ‘I forgot how terrifying seeing one of those was.’

Jeno turned around where he was and sent Wooyoung a nod.

‘Yeah me too, thanks.’

Wooyoung shrugged it off.

‘Probably better for them right? I mean, they’re gonna wake up now.’

‘Yeah, you’re right’ You piped up. ‘We can’t be afraid to pull the trigger anymore. We know nothing bad is going to happen so just, aim for the head so that it’s quick and doesn’t leave them in pain.’

Jeno and Wooyoung nodded slowly. As well as the three of you knew what was waiting for you on the outside of the simulation, and that dying here was nothing to be afraid of, it was still difficult to pull that trigger.

‘We seriously need to move, we don’t want to stop if we can help it.’ Wooyoung said, hoisting the bag over his shoulder.

Jeno turned to you expectantly, waiting to see what direction you were going in.

‘Ok, from the routes I created, we need to head West from here. Luckily for us, there’s an almost direct path from where we are now, to the army base.’

You pointed in the direction you needed to head as you spoke, Wooyoung nodding in agreement. Having someone around who knew these areas would be incredibly useful.

The three of you set off, your hands firmly on your weapons as you began your trek to the army base. You walked all the way down the high street, crossing the empty roads to take other paths. You ensured that you always took the largest street possible, not wanting to meet a group of zombies in a tight alleyway.

All the minutes seemed to blur into one as you walked. Your mind began to wander and you thought of I.N. You wondered if he had gotten into trouble when they had found him alone in the pod room. You were scared that they were going to wipe his memories again, but you were even more afraid that they were going to hurt him. You hoped that he had stayed true to his word and that he was looking after Donghyuck’s sister. You were praying that she would be okay.

The tall buildings gradually began to shrink as you left the centre of the town you were dropped in. Jeno was a few steps ahead of the rest of you and Wooyoung, naturally walking at a faster pace. The silence between the three of you was getting louder with every step when suddenly, the low groan that you had not missed in the slightest, cut through. Your heart sank, out of annoyance rather than fear.

That annoyance quickly evolved into fear when you recognised the zombie leading the silent pack walking towards you.

It was Hongjoon.

Someone who had run the army base when you were there. He had offered you support before and after every run, he had been there to listen anytime you needed to talk. You knew he was someone who could be trusted.

But here he was. In front of you, stumbling forward as though he had no idea who you were.

Wooyoung didn’t move, his voice shaking slightly as he tried to talk.

‘Hyung?’

Hongjoon’s eyes shot towards his younger friend, opening slightly wider for a second, as if in recognition, before they turned back to you, narrowed, and he shot forwards. He moved like lightening, you only had a second to shout out before you were on the ground, underneath Hongjoon who was biting at you with everything he had.

Wooyoung pulled his gun into position and aimed at his friend’s head. He could hear your shouts as you pushed against the infected boy with all your might, yet he didn’t pull the trigger.

‘Wooyoung, shoot!’ You screamed. ‘It’s not real! Shoot!’

A shot rang out and Hongjoon collapsed on top of you. You rolled him off you and on to the ground and looked up. It wasn’t Wooyoung who had fired, it was Jeno. Jeno grabbed you by the hand and pulled you up. He turned to shoot an accusing look at Wooyoung, preparing to say something, but he was interrupted by the rest of the crowd of zombies breaking out into a run behind you. 

The three of you took off. You tried leading the boys on your planned route to the army base but more zombies just appeared from that direction.

‘How are there so many all of a sudden?’ Jeno asked in between breaths.

‘I don’t know!’ You said, frustration bubbling up inside you. ‘It’s almost as if they’re spawning here.’ Then a sudden realisation dawned on you. ‘The lab must have found our plans. They know our route, we have to find another way.’

Jeno’s eyes widened in desperation, the both of you wracking your brains in an attempt to think of an escape plan. You hadn’t noticed that in an attempt to escape the undead hoard chasing you, you had circled back and were heading back into the main city. 

Suddenly, Wooyoung’s voice rang out.

‘I know a way. Follow me.’

He sped up as he ran back into the streets of the city he knew. You and Jeno both followed, piling on the extra speed in order to keep up. You turned a sharp corner a few seconds after Wooyoung and found him attempting to open a manhole cover. Jeno crouched down next to him to help and, together, they lifted the metal cover off. It was on hinges so it should be easy to close after you.

‘You’ve gotta be kidding me.’ You groaned.

‘It’s either down here with a few rats, or out there with them.’ Wooyoung nodded in the direction of the zombies. Their footsteps getting dangerously loud.

You sighed, nodding in agreement. Wooyoung climbed in first and then Jeno held out a hand to offer you help.

‘No.’ You bluntly refused.

‘No? y/n I thought you said you were ok going in? We don’t have-’

‘Not that kind of no.’ You cut him off. ‘I’m going in, I’m just going in last.’

You could see Jeno was confused so you explained hurriedly, trying to keep your voice as steady and as hard as possible. But you didn’t quite manage to stop it form shaking.

‘The last time you offered to go last was at Mark’s and the next think I knew, I was watching you die. I don’t care if this is a simulation, I’m not risking it again.’

Jeno’s expression completely changed. He looked like he wanted to say something but Wooyoung voice travelled up from below before he could.

‘What the hell is taking you two so long? Don’t worry, I know these tunnels.’

Jeno swung his legs into the manhole, climbing down the ladder quickly. You waited until he was a few rungs down before lower yourself in too. You had just got your lower body in and you were reaching for the lid when the first zombie skidded around the corner. It let out a sort of yell, almost in triumph, and you slamming the cover shut over you. You bent yourself in half slightly, not being far enough down the ladder to close the top and stand up straight.

You thought that would be okay but the lid started to move up again and you got a glimpse of the zombie trying to open it.

‘Wooyoung! How do I shut this?’ You screamed down.

‘The wheel on the inside. Turn it!’ Wooyoung yelled back, the panic clear in his voice.

If you didn’t get this wheel locked it would be game over.

You tried to step down slightly, not being able to pull the door down with force at the angle you were standing. However, it was incredibly difficult as you had both your hands on the wheel above you. You placed another foot down, but this time you misjudged where the step was and slipped. You went down about two rungs, a yelp escaping you as you did so.

‘Y/n!’ Wooyoung screamed from the floor.

You felt a strong hand come up and grab the back of your thigh, steadying you.

‘You’re okay. Now, close it.’ Jeno’s words brought you right back down to earth and filled you with the strength you needed.

You gave the cover a powerful tug, yanking the wheel to the right as you did so. You kept both hands there, turning the wheel until you couldn’t physically turn it anymore. Eventually you stilled, your hands stopping their frantic movements.

You stood where you were, pausing just to catch your breath.

‘We’ve gotta keep moving.’ Wooyoung’s voice echoed up through the tunnel and you nodded.

You released the metal wheel above you, instead grabbing the ladder and lowering yourself down onto the floor.

‘Let’s go. I know a path into the woods, I’m pretty sure that it has an exit close to the army base.’

Wooyoung made to move off but Jeno’s hand shot out, grabbing him by the shoulder, stilling his movements.

‘Not so fast kiddo.’ He said, staring the shorter male down.

‘I’m older than you.’ Wooyoung muttered, his eyes facing the floor. Despite the fact that Wooyoung was older, it was obvious who had the power in this verbal exchange.

‘You didn’t take the shot.’ Jeno said, watching as Wooyoung swallowed. ‘You had a clear shot, you wouldn’t have hit y/n, but you didn’t take the shot. Instead you put her in danger, and in turn, endangering everything that we’re trying to do here. You know it’s not going harm them. Why didn’t you take the shot?’

‘I tried to. But he was still my friend. I was staring at the face of my friend. I know that he’s going to wake up, and that he’s probably better off dead than as one of those, but... I just didn’t think it would be that hard to pull the trigger. I’ve done it plenty of times. Hell, I even did it earlier today, but when I was looking into the eyes of someone I knew... I couldn’t do it.’

Jeno sighed deeply. You could tell that he understood where Wooyoung was coming from.

‘Ok.’ He said, Wooyoung looking up in shock at how fast Jeno moved on from it. ‘No one got hurt, and hopefully by taking this route we shouldn’t have to see anyone else.’

Wooyoung smiled thankfully, turning around and pointing down the tunnel.

‘It’s this way.’

And once again, you set off.

---

Your throat was dry, your legs ached and you were tired. You had been walking for hours and you were worried that it was going to be dark when you left the safety of these tunnels. Wooyoung wasn’t lying when he said that he knew them well, from the easy way he was guiding you through them, he had clearly spent a lot of time in them when he was younger. You had to admit that Wooyoung had made himself an invaluable member of your team. You really had no idea how you could have gotten this far without him.

As thankful as you were to everything Wooyoung had done so far, you had never loved him more than when he told you that you could stop walking. He approached the ladder in front of him, gently placing his hands on either side and whispering.

‘This is it.’

He climbed first, turning the wheel to unlock it at the top and wincing as it creaked loudly as he pushed it open. Wooyoung paused with it open slightly, listening for the tell tale noises of the undead, and then continued to open it completely.

You climbed out of the top, savouring the fresh air, pausing to listen for a guttural groan or ominous footsteps but, instead, you were greeted with a blissful silence. 

Well, almost blissful.

‘Careful!’

A voice echoed through woods, a voice strangely familiar that caused both yours and Jeno’s head shoot up.

‘That sounded like Renjun.’ You whispered breathlessly, the thought of seeing your longest friend after what had felt like an eternity was almost alien to you.

‘I know. But it can’t have been him, he’s at the base.’ Jeno reasoned.

‘Jaemin, you ridiculously stupid moron.’ The voice appeared again, causing you and Jeno to share a smile.

‘No.’ Jeno’s eyes curved up into crescents. ‘That’s Renjun.’

‘Renjun!’ You shouted out, starting to jog towards where you had heard him before.

You didn’t get a reply, causing to you panic as an indescribable feeling of sadness took over you. 

‘Renjun, it’s the grief. It can cause you to hear people when they’re not there.’

‘I’m not an idiot, San. I know my best friend’s voice.’

Your heart sped up again, warmth spreading throughout your entire body as you called out.

‘Renjun?’

This time you got a reply.

‘Y/n?’ You heard footsteps speed up, getting louder as they got closer to you. ‘Oh please be real, please be real, please be-’

Renjun turned into your line of vision, his words and movements stopping suddenly as he laid eyes on you. You smiled at him, tears starting to blur your vision.

‘Hi.’ You said.

That was all it took. Renjun threw himself forwards, pulling you in for the tightest hug you had ever felt in your life. You wrapped your arms around his shoulders and hugged him back, feeling his tears begin to wet your neck.

‘You’re real. I knew it, you’re real.’

His words got lost in a haze of disbelief and shock at the sight of you standing in front of him, alive.

He pulled away, cupping your hands with his face, wiping away the tears that had fallen. He just stared at you, utter amazement gracing his features. Then, finally, a smile broke out. The largest smile you had ever seen. He wrapped his arms back around your waist, pulling you around in a circle as he screamed happily into the air.

‘I was right!’

It was at this moment that Jeno, Jaemin and San also found their way to where you were. You pulled away from Renjun, staring at the two boys behind him as Renjun’s eyes locked on to Jeno. You stroked Renjun’s face one last time as you moved away. Renjun hit Jeno at full force, hugging him tight and bursting into tears again. You didn’t move, looking only at Jaemin. He was staring back at you, clearly not knowing what to say.

So you smiled.

‘Miss me?’ You asked, watching as Jaemin’s face broke out into a smile matching yours and he laughed with glee as he ran towards you. He picked you up in a hug, his laughter never stopping. You couldn’t help but laugh back. He put you down, finally managing to get some words out.

‘Oh god I missed you so much. You’re alive!’

You nodded, the smile on your face was starting to hurt but you couldn’t make it smaller even if you wanted to. You pulled away from him after a short while, allowing him to greet Jeno and you were left facing San.

San didn’t meet your eyes, instead choosing to stare at his feet.

‘San?’ You asked, hoping that he would at least look at you.

You could see the boy blinking rapidly, chewing on his bottom lip at the same time. Eventually you couldn’t take it anymore. You walked towards him and pulled him in for a hug. The second your hand made contact with his shoulder, San broke down, hugging you as tight as the others and whispering about how sorry he was.

‘Shhhhh, it wasn’t your fault. You did exactly what you should have done.’ You comforted him.

You pulled away sooner than you wanted to, but you knew he had to see Wooyoung.

‘I have a surprise for you.’ You said, smiling at him.

San sent you a teary but confused smile back, and you wordlessly grabbed his hand and turned him around.

Upon seeing Wooyoung, San moved faster than you had ever seen him move before. He shot towards the boy, Wooyoung moving forwards too as they reunited. Renjun appeared back at your shoulder, keeping an arm around you, as if to remind himself that you were really there.

‘I’m so happy you’re okay, but I have to ask, how?’

You shared a look with Jeno and called out to Wooyoung and San.

‘We’ll tell you on the way. It’s not an easy story.’

‘On the way? Wait where are you going?’ Jaemin asked, placing a hand on your chest to stop you moving.

‘Back to the army base.’ Jeno explained. ‘There’s something there that we need to do.’

Renjun and Jaemin shared a nervous look.

‘What’s happened?’ You asked, your hope diminishing by the second.

‘We’ve lost the army base.’ Renjun said bluntly. ‘People started turning from the inside, with no scratch, bite, or even contact with a zombie. It was as if it was in the air. Anyone who could abandoned the building immediately. Within under two hours it wasn’t safe anymore.’

‘Are you three the only ones who made it out?’ Wooyoung voiced the question you were too afraid to ask.

‘We don’t know.’ San chimed in. ‘The three of us left within a few seconds of each other. All we know is that we were the first out. If anyone got out after us, they can’t be far away.’

‘This isn’t part of the plan.’ You whispered, bringing your hand up to your head to rub your forehead.

‘What plan?’ Renjun asked, his eyes flickering between you and Jeno.

‘The plan. The plan that’s going to save us, to end this all.’ You rambled, not even fully sure of what you were saying.

‘End this all? Wait do you know how to stop the apocalypse?’ Jaemin asked.

‘There is no apocalypse!’ You exploded. ‘None of this is fucking real! It’s a damn simulation.’

‘A simulation...’ Renjun repeated.

‘Yes, a simulation. Aren’t the three of us proof enough that this can’t be real life. Jaemin, you shot me. In the head. How the fuck would I recover from that?’

Jaemin flinched at the reminder of your death. Jeno, noticing how your distressed state was unsettling others, tried to calm you down.

‘y/n, just breath for a minute ok?’

You whirled around.

‘No! Not okay. I’m so fucking done with this. How much hell have we been put through. I have killed people, and watched them been killed. I have lost friends, lost memories, left people behind, fought for my life and it still isn’t enough. When is this shit going to end? What more can they put me through?’

You turned towards the sky and screamed.

‘Fuck you! You hear that Dr Kim? Fuck you and your little experiment. I’m still finding a way to shut you down. Because you know what? I’m getting that happy ending. Cause after all the shit you’ve put me through, I fucking deserve it!’

You sat down, trying to catch your breath after your meltdown. You stared at the grass in front of you, ignoring the five sets of eyes watching your every move.

‘You went through something pretty rough on the outside didn’t you?’ Jaemin asked, assuming there was something more to your anger than what you had just learnt.

‘Yeah. It wasn’t easy.’ Jeno clarified. You were glad he didn’t go into more detail and even more glad that the boys didn’t ask for more.

You stood up, pulling your gun around to your front and took off.

‘Uhhh, y/n? Where are you going?’ Renjun asked.

‘To the army base.’ You declared. ‘I’m still shutting this thing down. Even if I had to do it alone.’

‘Who the hell said you were going to be doing it alone?’ Jeno’s words caused you to stop and turn around.

‘You’re coming with me?’

Jaemin shrugged, grabbing the pistol that Jeno offered him and beginning to walk towards you, the other boys all following.

‘Well, we started this together. Might as well end it that way to.’

---

The doors to the army base were open when you arrived. The wide gates were oddly unnerving, open gates were normally a symbol of welcoming, but this only reminded you of the gates to hell.

‘Remember, just get to the button and press it. That’s all we need to do so just focus on that.’ Jeno reminded you all. His voice was clear and steady, not a hint of fear in it. It was the voice of a true leader.

You stepped forward, ready to face whatever came at you.

---

You don’t know where it went so wrong.

Only you and Jeno were left alive and unbitten. The rest of you had been picked off one by one. They appeared out of nowhere, moved quickly and silently and were almost impossible to find. You had no idea what had made the zombies so dangerous all of a sudden. They had lost the slow paces of the previous kind, the fast bursts only maintained for a few seconds, and now had the agility of 20 year olds. It was as if they had retained the characteristics of the people they used to be. It was even harder to know that it was you friends picking you off just predators pick off the weakest member of the herd.

The two of you moved silently, aware of the moving shadows that signified the walking ghosts of your friends. You had only seen a few faces yet. You’d seen Chan, Changbin and Jongho as well as Mark and Chenle. It was seeing Mark and Chenle that was the most difficult, and in that minute you understood better than ever before, why Wooyoung couldn’t pull the trigger on Hongjoon. 

A scream came from your left and you turned and blindly fired. You missed and watched as a figure you recognised to be Jaemin’s slunk back down the corridor.

You were only a few minutes away from the button, but at the pace you were moving, it would take you ages. You had to speed up. There was a door up ahead, one that was already open, as if it was awaiting the two of you. It only took one short shared look for the plan to be formed. You counted to three under your breath.

One

Two

Three

You threw yourself forwards, sprinting towards the open door as fast as you could, Jeno doing the same. Jeno reached the doorway before you did, and, as you cleared the distance, he slammed the door shut behind you.

You whirled around as you heard another loud bang on the door and saw Jeno pushing himself up against it to hold it in place. All of a sudden it made perfect sense as to why the door had been open.

It had no hinges.

The zombified bodies of your friends were pushing against it, clawing desperately to try and reach Jeno.

‘y/n, you have to go! Run now and find that button.’ Jeno’s voce was strained, all his energy being used to keep the door in place.

‘No, Jeno you have to go. You know the base better than I do.’ You reasoned.

‘Do you think I can go anywhere right now?’ He asked, pushing back on the door again as it began to budge. ‘Don’t be an idiot y/n, just go! I’ll hold them off for as long as I can.’

So you ran, you turned on your tail and sprinted down the hallway. You were pretty sure that you only had to get down this hallway, one set of stairs and one last door before you were at the button.

You were so close. Surely nothing could stop you now. All the zombies were upstairs, you had a free run.

You had just turned the second last corner of the corridor when you felt two hands grab your arm tightly and teeth quickly sank into the skin.

You let out a scream in pain, the zombie releasing your arm and stepping back from you, its work now done. You spun around and came face to face with the zombie who bit you.

Donghyuck.

Your heart stopped as you looked at the boy you loved. He stared back at you with no recognition, his eyes dull and his skin coloured with a sickening grey tine. You didn’t have time to mourn him. Your only hope was now getting to that button before you turned and forgot who you were. If you turned, all hope was lost and this would all have been for nothing. You knew from the last time you were bitten that you only had a few minutes, probably less if the doctors at the lab had mutated the virus. The pain in your upper arm was excruciating.

You stumbled forward, trying desperately to remember Jeno’s drawing of the army base layout. You turned a corner and came across a set of stairs, taking you down into the basement.

You took the first one, you vision starting to disappear as dark spots danced across the scene in front of you.

You took the fourth one. Focusing only on that button you had to do something with.

You landed at the bottom.

You stood there, not moving, confused beyond belief as to what you were doing. Why were you here? You had no reason to be at this level. You should be upstairs so that you could leave the base soon. 

You turned around, away from the door in front of you. You looked up the stairs and saw Jeno. His eyes a cloudy white colour, and the veins across his arms and neck running black. Your eyes focused on a small black object behind him, however, something that was built into the wall, you had never noticed it before.

A camera.

You swung yourself around so that you were facing towards the door again. You knew what you were doing. You knew who you were. You knew what was behind that door.

You turned the handle, throwing yourself against it when it didn’t open. You banged the door with your shoulder, screaming in frustration when it refused to open.

You took a step back and lifted your foot. You kicked the door with all your force, relief flooding your system when it swung open. However, the momentum of the kick carried you through and you didn’t have the balance to keep yourself upright. You landed on your back, a sickening crack echoing off the walls as your head came in contact with the concrete floor.

You groaned in pain, recognising how your voice was sounding more and more like the undead’s. You summoned every bit of strength that you had and pulled yourself up so that you were on all fours.

You tucked your legs under you and pushed yourself up from the floor.

This was the room that Jeno was talking about. You vaguely registered a tunnel to the left, one that you assumed led out into the forest. And in front of you, only a few steps away, was an almost empty control panel with only one small button on it.

The entire room was spinning and your vision was getting darker by the second. You didn’t know if you had any strength left to continue forwards, holding on to the door to keep yourself upright. You head was pounding, your arm was throbbing and your heart was aching.

Your body was screaming at you with everything it had for you to stop, to give up, to rest. But you couldn’t. You couldn’t give up now. Not when you were so close.

You stepped forwards. You thought of Renjun. The boy who had never left your side since the day he met you. He was fiercely loyal, always prepared to do everything he could to protect the ones he loved. To protect you.

You stepped again. You thought of Jaemin. The boy who had saved your life more times than you cared to admit. He had diligently watched over you, cared for you and loved you when you couldn’t do it yourself. He wouldn’t hesitate to keep going. To rescue you.

You stepped once more, collapsing on the counter in front of you, the button in sight. You thought of Jeno. The boy who had been through exactly what you had and was the only one to know the true pain of it. He had protected you from more than you knew and you knew he would never stop protecting you. To shield you.

You pulled yourself up, the button within your reach. You thought of Donghyuck. The boy who you loved more than anything else in this world. The boy who you would do anything for. He was sunshine personified, always finding any way he could to make you happy and always ready to fight anything that had made you sad. There wasn’t a thing that he would not do for you. He would volunteer to go through hell and back a million times without even thinking about it. To save you.

You threw yourself forwards, the last thing you saw being the button spinning with the room as your vision disappeared completely. You brought your hand down in a final attempt to hit the kill switch, your brain only managing to register one final sound as your legs gave out completely and you blacked out.

Click.

---

The dull pain at the back of your head was the first thing you noticed. You tried opening your eyes, but your eyelids felt so heavy it was impossible. You gave up, trying instead to listen to the movement around you. You managed to register a woman’s voice somewhere in the haze.

You tried again to open your eyes, this time succeeding slightly. This prompted the woman watching over you to call for a nurse. You couldn’t see the nurse through the blurred slit of vision you had, but she had a soothing voice, one that radiated comfort.

‘Don’t overwork yourself y/n. You’ve been through quite an ordeal. Just take your time and you’ll be able to wake up.’

You took a deep breath, relaxing your eyelids so that they were fully shut, and tried again. Finally, you managed to open them all the way. The room gradually came into focus, and you saw that you were lying on your bed in your room at the lab. You saw the nurse next to you and your eyes widened.

‘This place- it’s not safe. It’s not what you think. We need to-’

The nurse put a hand on your shoulder, pushing your body back into the bed.

‘Calm down y/n, it’s okay. We know. A Yang Jeong-In called and explained the situation to us. At first, we were skeptical, but we sent an investigation over anyway. We owe you a great deal y/n. You’ve saved a lot of people.’

She smiled at you as you fell back into the pillows.

‘I didn’t do it alone.’ You insisted. ‘Wait, how long have I been asleep? How long was I in the simulation for.’

The nurse chuckled.

‘Don’t worry sweetheart. You haven’t lost a year of your life. In fact, it’s only just been around 30 hours since you went back in. You saved us in a day.’

‘Wait... it worked? We did it?’ You whispered, not quite believing that it was finally over.

‘You did it y/n. You’re safe now. In fact, your friends are also all awake. When you’re ready, you can come and see them.’

The nurse smile at you as you nodded. You began to sit up, but fell back immediately when the pain in your head flared up again. The nurse grabbed a pill and some water from your bedside table and handed them to you.

‘Here, take this. You took a nasty fall in the simulation and your body is convinced that it has concussion. Now since it didn’t really happen, you don’t, but it may hurt for a short while. This should help.’

You nodded absentmindedly as she spoke, purely obsessed with the thought of seeing your friends again.

You attempted to sit up again, this time with much more ease.

‘Wow, that worked fast.’ You commented, causing a light laugh from the nurse at your side.

She gave you a supporting hand as you climbed out of bed and stood up. You walked shakily over to the door, leaning on the frame slightly for support as the nurse opened it.

You headed outside, amazed by what you were greeted with. There were police, detectives and special investigators all over the scene. Dr Kim was sat in the lobby when you passed, in handcuffs and being read his rights. He looked up as you walked by, and if looks could kill, you would have been a pile of ash on the floor. But they couldn’t. So instead, you paused, held eye contact for a second and smiled before moving on.

You were finished with that.

Your nurse led you to the room that you recognised as the test centre. It was where all your skills had been testing once you left the simulation the first time.

‘The room has been cleared out and turned into a relaxing space. At the moment, we’re just using if for your group. We thought that since you saved all of us you deserved your own area.’

The genuine smile on the nurse’s face made you laugh in happiness. She turned the handle and pushed the door open.

‘I’ll leave you be.’ She whispered from behind, pulling it shut gently as you walked it.

The sight in front of you brought tears to your eyes. Jeno and Jaemin were collapsed next to each other of a sofa, looking at something on a phone in front of them, Chenle and Jisung were attempting to teach Renjun a sort of clapping game, Chan and I.N. were standing in the far corner chatting with Mark and a few others and San and Wooyoung were laughing at something over a box of pizza.

But the best sight of all, was right in front of you.

There, sat on the floor, his little sister curled up in his lap as he peppered little kisses all over her face, was Donghyuck. Alive and happy. He held he close, treasuring the fact that he got to have her back. He laughed at something she said, the sound reaching your heart immediately and you realised just how much you had missed him.

Renjun noticed you first. He had given up on learning whatever game Chenle and Jisung were trying to teach him and turned around, coming face to face with your smiling figure. 

‘Look who it is!’ He announced, easily gaining the attention of the rest of the room. They all turned around to look at you, smiles breaking across all of their faces as they did so. ‘Our saving grace.’

‘Lets hear it for our hero!’ Jeno called out, causing the room to erupt in cheers, screams and claps as you stood there slightly awkwardly. 

You looked at Hyuck again, this time finding him staring right back at you. His sister moved off his lap, allowing him to stand. The entire room was watching as he made his way towards you. He didn’t break stride, instead choosing to pull you in towards him for a hug. His arms wrapped tightly around your waist as he pressed you against his chest. Your arms moved up by themselves, finding their place behind his neck and holding on for dear life.

The hug got tighter and more desperate the longer it went on, Donghyuck holding onto you as if you slip away if he let go. Little did he know, you weren’t going anywhere. He mumbled out a few words, you only just managing to catch them because of how his face was buried into your neck.

‘I missed you.’

‘I missed you too.’ You whispered back, relieved to finally be back with him.

‘Don’t you guys think that you two are slightly beyond hugging?’ Renjun’s voice interrupted your moment, causing you both to turn and stare at him incredulously. ‘Come on! If this experience has taught us anything, surely it’s that time is precious and we shouldn’t waste it dancing around our feelings.’

As much as you loved Renjun, you had never wanted to hit him more than you did at that moment. You wanted to talk to Hyuck about your feelings but not in front of everyone and, now that the reality of that conversation was dawning on you, you were nervous for it.

Hyuck, on the other hand, seemed to ponder Renjun words before turning back to you.

‘You know, he has a point.’ He mused a cheeky smile on his face.

‘Hmmm?’ You hummed, not sure where he was going with this.

Donghyuck simply took a small breath before pulling you in again. He used his hands, that were still resting on your waist, you pull you in closer, and then moved on up to cup your face as he leaned it. You had about half a second to understand what was happening before his lips were on yours.

Donghyuck kissed you.

Finally, after all these years and struggles, you finally got to kiss the boy you loved. You kissed him back, shyly at first but, as with the hug, the emotions grew. Before you knew it you were pouring all the love you had for the boy into your kiss, praying that he would be able to feel it.

When you finally pulled away you stared into his eyes. You ignored the cheers and shouts of “finally” coming from your friends, only focusing on the boy in front of you. He gently tilted his head forwards, so that his forehead was pressed to yours.

‘I love you.’ He whispered.

‘I love you too.’ You replied, your voice as quiet as his, but your words just as powerful.

---

After a couple of hours, you and Hyuck eventually excused yourself from the rest of your friends, choosing to instead go back to your room and spend some time alone together. Hyuck’s sister had headed back to her room earlier, leaving just the two of you wandering the halls side by side.

‘You know.’ Hyuck grabbed your hand, lacing your fingers with his as he talked. ‘i always knew that, if any of us was gonna save the world, it would be you.’

You blushed.

‘I didn’t save the world... Besides, I don’t know why I’m getting all the credit! Without everyone in that room, we wouldn’t have done it.’

‘I know.’ Hyuck giggled. ‘But you’re still the one who pressed that button. And according to Jeno, you’re the one who figured out the truth as well. Let me just compliment you! I like being able to say that my girlfriend saved the world.’

You looked at him out of the corner of your eye, unable to stop the smile from spreading across your face.

‘Girlfriend?’ You questioned, watching as Hyuck began to get flustered.

‘Uhhh- I mean... we haven’t really had a chance to talk about it yet but... hopefully?’ He questioned, looking shyly at you.

‘Sounds perfect.’ You grinned, squeezing his hand that was in yours.

And for a minute, all was right with the world. Until two words cause Donghyuck to freeze where he was, terror consuming him.

‘You bastard!’ Donghyuck’s father came storming up to the two of you. ‘What gives you the right to act that way? Thinking you can treat me like that? I don’t care if it was in a simulation, you’re going to pay for that.’

Donghyuck’s father lifted up a fist, in an attempt to hit him, but Hyuck was faster. He pushed on the opposite shoulder on his father’s body and stepped back, watching as the momentum of his father’s punch threw his body around in a full circle. Donghyuck pushed you behind him slightly, wanting to protect you.

This action did not go unnoticed by his father, who tilted his head to the side, observing how you gripped his arm and how Donghyuck was shielding you.

‘Ohhhh.’ He realised, a wicked smile taking over his features. ‘So the two of you fell in love.’ The smile dropped off him completely. ‘How sweet. Maybe, if Donghyuck refuses to face the consequences of his actions, someone else could take the punishment for him.’

‘Back off!’ Donghyuck barked, moving you properly behind him. ‘You don’t touch her.’

‘Protective are we?’ His father teased but Hyuck didn’t reply. ‘What would you do to protect her? How far would you go? Would you shout at me? Would you threaten me? Would you hit me?’

His father had been circling Donghyuck all this time, trying to find the right moment to pounce. Only when you arm appeared around Donghyuck’s waist did he make his move. He lashed out with a harsh punch to Donghyuck’s shoulder, causing the boy to fall to the floor, and grabbed you holding you by the wrist with one hand and around the neck with the other.

‘I’ll kill you!’ Donghyuck screamed, losing his mind at the thought of his father hurting yet another person he loved. He stood up, preparing to charge at his father.

‘Take one step closer and I’ll cut off her air supply.’ His dad’s voice was quiet, no more theatrics or teases, just a pure, cold-blooded threat. Then his voice changed again, back into the taunting manner it was previously. ‘Or maybe I’ll just do it now.’ He began to push down slightly, making you swallow out of discomfort. He gradually pushed down more, making it increasingly difficult for you to breathe. ‘Maybe that will finally get you to throw a punch.’

Down the end of the corridor you recognised the police uniform, meaning that Donghyuck’s father had run out of time. You swung your foot underneath you, taking him by surprise and effectively ruining his balance. Hyuck took his chance while his father was out of it and pulled you back into the safety on his arms. He stroked the hair out of your face.

‘Are you okay?’ He asked, concern and guilt prominent on his features.

‘I’m okay.’ You reassured, falling back into his embrace.

‘You bitch!’ Donghyuck’s father roared and he prepared to throw himself at the two of you again. But this time he was met with the police. One officer tackled him immediately, forcing him to the ground as another secured his arms behind his back with a pair of handcuffs around his wrists.

You and Hyuck watched as he was arrested on suspicion of the murder of Donghyuck’s mother and multiple account of domestic, physical and verbal abuse. Just as he was being pulled up he look at Donghyuck one last time.

‘When will you be a man and learn how to throw a punch.’ He spat.

Hyuck stood up calmly, pulling you with him and keeping an arm around you at all times, but he never took his eyes off his father.

‘Being a man isn’t about being able to throw a punch. It’s about what you would take a punch for. I will never throw a punch, because I will never be like you. Goodbye father.’

You watched as Donghyuck’s father was dragged away in handcuffs. Only once he had disappeared around the corner did you turn to Hyuck.

‘I’m proud of you.’ You smiled slightly.

‘Thank you.’ Hyuck whispered, smiling back and placing a kiss on your forehead. ‘I have one favour to ask you though.’

‘Yeah?’ You looked up at him.

‘Can we go to bed? I’m exhausted.’ He said, watching as you burst into laughter at his mundane request.

‘Sure we can.’ You agreed, your body starting to agree with Hyuck.

---

You lay in your bed, your head on Donghyuck’s chest, his arms around you and your legs entwined. You’d been mindlessly chatting for the last few minutes but the conversation had since then drifted off into a comfortable silence.

‘I figured it out you know.’ Donghyuck informed you suddenly, causing you to look up at him from where you were laying.

‘What did you figure out?’ You asked, entertaining his antics.

‘That it wasn’t a real virus and that there were higher powers responsible for it. I figured it out first.’ His slightly smug yet still teasing voice brought a smile to your lips.

‘How did you do that?’ You were genuinely curious as to how he had come to this conclusion.

‘Remember? At the beginning, as soon as the virus broke out, I told you it was government created.’ Now the smugness was really coming through on his voice, showing how he was clearly enjoying this.

‘Go to sleep Hyuck.’ You chuckled.

‘I’m just saying.’ He whined, pulling his arms around you tighter.

You didn’t reply to that one, choosing instead to smile. You nuzzled further into Hyuck’s chest, relishing in the fact that you finally get to be close to him. 

And that’s how you spent your first night of freedom. Curled up next to the boy you loved, with him whispering sweet nothings into your ear, all thoughts and dangers of the simulation far behind you.

Turns out you finally did get your happy ever after.

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[whatdoesshedotothem]

Tuesday 4 September 1838

4

9 ¾

so bit last night that this and the loss of my cloak prevented sleep – got up at 12 ¾, and, on examining my bed killed a louse – enough – sat up the rest of the night, slumbering when I could as I leaned back in my chair – I had luckily brought away nearly 2 whole tallow candles from Bagnères de L- this morning as a separate charge (unusual) was made for them, and one of these with the one we got here made out for the night – aroused at 4 – chocolate at 5 – determined to return the same way we came to look for my cloak – off (from Bosost [Bossòst] at 5 ½ - at the little chapel of St. Antoine in ½ hour at 6 – at the top of the Portillon at 6 35 – had looked and inquired all along in vain for my poor cloak – had thought of sending Charles to the village to Lys to seek my cloak but had hardly uttered all the way till 7 35 when I said I was determined to have it found if possible conte qu’il conte – Charles rather in a pet said qu’il ne l’avait pas enlevé..... this led to some words, and I blamed him for the careless, and was annoyed – however before we had gone ½ hour father he thought better of it and seemed so ashamed and sorry and made so very sufficient an apology (poor fellow! he was in tears – said I was very just – he had been with me so long etc. etc. never did wrong willingly......) that I promised to say and think no more of it and all was right again – for at 7 35 when I had told Charles to go to Lys, seeing that he was for leaving the mule and going on foot, I thought this would not do, and sent Jean who promised to be back as soon as possible and was sure he could get the cloak back if it had been lost thereabouts - .:. at 7 35 Jean set off by our route of yesterday and we returned by the direct road – by and by passed a douanier who asked Charles if we came from Spain – Charles came to tell me that he had said no! we had only been making a petite promenade and all was settled without another word – begged if I was asked I would give the same answer – no! said I, I shall certainly tell the truth if I am applied to – Charles said, he was very glad we had got off so well; for if he had said we had been in Spain, I should have had a fine of 60/. a horse to pay – Arrived à l’hotel du commerce B. de L- at 8 25 – comfortable enough double bedded room à rez de chaussée – very well for merely breakfasting in – breakfast at 9 – boiled milk and pears and peaches – no coffee and gateau de riz at A-‘s desire – Charles got the ‘manteau rouge publié’ cried by the drum-man – the crier goes about with a drum not a bell as in England – at 11 the botaniste guide – (Joachine Martre, Rue de la poste aux Lettres, à Bagnères de Luchon)  and we went with him home to see his collection of Pyrenees plants – the very pretty little pink flower, we saw on the Piméné (vide Tuesday 24 July) and in several other places Coumelie [Coumély]? Begonz? Saongué? (but not the little pink flower of the Piméné the whole plant not more than an inch high) turns out to be Azalea procumbens a little low plant, 5 or 6 in, high with little woody stems – very pretty – my great inquiry was for a specimen of Vératre – he did not know the plant by this name but knew it by the name of Hellébore.

SH:7/ML/E/22/0011

but he had to seek a long before he found a specimen of this plant – his specimen about a foot long – could not judge how much longer the whole plant might have been – he said the colour of the flower was yellow – a person not understanding the difference of the petals (h meant to say the pistils etc. classical distinction as established by Linnaeus) might mistake it for the aconite – How said I the aconite flower is blue and the leaves quite different – yes! but he meant the A. Anthora – is the flower of the A. Anthora yellow? he said the hellébore was plentiful in the Près de St. Jean (near Paillole) –

le Vératre, la plus haute plante des montagnes. Chaussenque [Chausenque] i. 196

les Vératres, l’ellébore des anciens, croissent à hauteur d’homme somewhere sur un plateau herbeux near above la butte de Sers. i. 202.

l’aconit anthora, quoiqu’ vénéneux lui-même, passe pour le contrepoison de la renoucule thora, petite plante – n’a qu’une feuille et une fleur jaune – used by les peuples de nord pour empoisonner leurs flèches. i. 198

while Matre looked for the Vératre, he gave me a letter to read from our late M.P. Mr. James Stuart Wortley from which it appeared M- had been his guide in the valle de Lys, valle d’Arran [Aran?], etc. and desiring to send some pine cones of 2 or 3 different sorts named and the plants according to order, and giving M- an order for the sum due upon W-‘s banker at Bordeaux the parcel to be sent from Bordeaux to England – M- shewed me also a letter from an Angalise Mrs. Martin who had ordered of him a collection of Pyrenees plants – he furnishes specimens at 25/. per centaine – what I paid in Switzerland – but when I said I had paid 20/. per 100 at Chamouni [Chamonix] he said he would furnish me specimens at that price I had asked him the price of guides here, he said 3/. a day per man and 3/. a day per horse and nourriture, but when a man was not mounted and had long courses, he deserved something more – He shewed me also a little work which he praised much, written by a Mr. Bentham the son (he said) of an English general who was with the d. of Wellington in the peninsular war –

Catalogue des plantes ingidènes des Pyrénées et du Bas Languedoc. Par George Bentham à Paris chez Madame Huzard imprimer-libraire Rue de l’Epéron – St. André n°7 1826. and Toulouse chez Vieusseux. and Montpellier, chez Gabon and cie. and Sévalle libraire

Martres’ specimen of Vératre too long for me to bring away – took nothing but gave him a 5/. piece and my name ‘Madame Lister’ begging him to set down the receipt towards anything I might order hereafter – Jean came here to be paid 12/. for man and horse the 2 days, and gave him 10/. with which to pay the man at Lys who had found the manteau rouge (as he said) not far from the cottage where we had fed the horses – satisfied to have my poor cloak back again – it went with me to the top of Mt. Perdu in 1830, and has been my companion too long to be unvalued tho’ now worn into holes round the bottom – Pierre too (Dalgarotte) came here to wish me goodbye and recommended himself and his son for future employment – but Martre would be the man for me another time – A- not having been much amused had probably been proportionally impatient of delay – walked back to the Inn – and off from here – off from Bagnères de Luchon at 12 10 – had we had time Jean had greatly vaunted an excursion to Montné (should it be Mouné?) from the top of which a very fine view of all the mountains around and we should have returned upon Arreau by a new line all the way – I think he said it would only have taken us 7 hours this way to Arreau – we had doubted between this and the valle d’Oo and lake of Seculejo in one road as we passed by our former route – it was now too late for the lake – but we might have done the other – However, I thought not of it at the moment, and we jogged on the old way – at St. Aventin at 1 10 good church and village – Casauz [Cazaux -Fréchet-Anéran-Camors] at 1 ½ just skirt along the top of the village, and close by and under the church – at 1 50 pass thro’ Garrey and just out of the village good view of the glacier of Mt. d’Oo on our left – at the top of the Port (de Peyresourde) at 2 50 and I alighted then and A- afterwards at 3 25 – passed thro’ Loudervielle at 2 50 – A- rather tired and sat down on a wall to rest at 4, for 5 minutes when both mounted – crossed the bridge over the gave and in the highroad in ¼ hour at 4 20 and here we came up with the 2 Spaniards and Bagnères de Luchon guide on foot carrying a largeish deal box on his back, who had passed us ¼ hour before, and they turned left to pass the port de Plan to Vielle [Vielle-Aure] (3 heures) in the valle d’Aure (on account of the Doane [douane] being there) to go tomorrow to Balbastro -  at 4 50 pass thro’ the pretty village of Avvaiyorn (as pronounced by Charles) – A- tired of riding and poorlyish – very picturesque wooded hedgy, corny, well-villaged, fine valle (valle de Louron) – A- very much tired – walked 10 minutes till 5 ½ and I from 5 20 to 5 ¾ thro’ the village of Bordères (vide Chaussenque [Chausenque] i.357) in a nice green bassin – at the hotel du commerce chez Clavière à Arreau at 6 35 – very fine day and evening – Arreau beautifully situated, neat, good, very pretty picturesque little town – delighted to be as it were, at home again with these good people – out in the court and about while A- lay down – dinner at 7 ¼ in ¾ hour – A- sick and poorly – la fille came to ask me in a whisper that the mistress takes all that is given for la fille, and gives her very little of it, and gives her 55fr. a year – begged me to give her herself ½ what I gave before and give the other ½ to the mistress without saying anything – shook and folded all my things and had a thorough wash, all which took me till 9 ¾ - A- better

[undergrounddweller89]

(look you don't have to like this, I'm not expecting anyone to, I just needed to write and if there's the possibility that even one person was hoping I'd write more and enjoys it then that's cool, just don't be a dick about it, it's more house mate au stuff, don't hope for continuity by that I mean it's just all over the place and nothing makes sense , just expect what ever came to my head at the time lol)

Walter was sat at his work table, fiddling with one of his new devices working on to perfect it, no I can't think of anything specific so I'll let you fill in that with your imagination.

The day had been long, his lab assistant Timothy Lawrence (Yea that Timothy if you know him because reasons) had been pretty quiet but done as told so at least that made it easier.

He was tired as the day had gone on his mood had sunk, what was he doing teasing Killian like that, honestly spanking him with the hair brush, he knew some of the things Killian had been up to.

But it was more likely a sign of marking territory or just because he had needs right and it was exciting to do things where you shouldn't.

The blade he was handling slipped and ran across the pad of his index finger, he hissed in pain, seeing the blood smear under the blue latex, pooling to drip, focusing on the red colour he hadn't even noticed Timothy running to fetch the first aid kit.

Pulling his gloves off he discarded them and popped open the box that had been set on the table.

"Thanks Timmy."

Walter smiled a little as he tended to his finger, he hated how the skin felt parting every time he flexed his finger.

Cleaning up and applying what was needed, thankful it wouldn't need stitches.

He wondered what Killian was up to, watching TV, reading maybe, did he eat, did he have enough to drink, was he in a depressive mood, was he mad that hed spanked him, he really should send a message.

Pulling his phone from his lab pocket he texted him.

'Hope you're day has been good, hope you're well, sorry if I upset you this morning.'

He shifted and rubbed a shoulder, he didn't realise how stiff his back had gone, being in charge of a division meant he'd somewhat lost track of self care making sure to do his stretches.

Timothy stood here watching his boss, lot better than the last one, this one was kind and genuine, always looking out for people, honestly Beckett made him feel safe and relaxed, he wasn't looking for anything serious but even he could see that furrowed bow and the lean that spelt hey I'm exhausted let me die.

Walking around and behind him he slowly massaged his shoulders, they were small and rather petite for someone Walter's age but it was more lean muscle and just body build, he just hadn't seen many men like Walter where he'd come from, he was rather pretty.

Walter had considered telling him to stop but when his fingers pressed into that one perfect spot in his shoulder blades he melted, ooooh that just felt so damn good and shit when was the last time he'd had contact, had someone be closer to him...he liked Killian...wondered if they could be more, but he didn't believe for one second that they could be lovers or bed fellows for one moment...not that he wouldn't be interested in finding out but Killian had been there a month, like he wasn't going to make him uncomfortable and feel like that the only way he could stay was if he dated him.

(I keep forgetting times or how many days set shrugs just don't expect like decent continuity, I write these because I need to just write things and moments)

Walter leaned forward arms folded and face buried in them

"Sorry sir, am I doing that badly?"

Timothy's enquired nervously, his hands going still.

"No, please don't stop, I literally didn't realise how stiff I was, you have good hands, I'm just so tired Timothy, I could really use it if you don't mind that is."

"Not at all sir."

Tim smiled happy to know he was helping, yes much nicer than his last boss, Walter was smart but he was also fragile, like him he loved his mother and when he'd heard Walters mother had died when he was small he wanted to scoop him up and just hug him.

A talk with Lance at one point and he'd learned that was a natural reaction for anyone with a heart around Walter who didn't have their head up their ass.

Which had practically been the last tech department Beckett had worked in, that totally wasn't cool that they'd done that to such a brilliant mind, it was so much fun working on items that didn't kill people and actually helped them!

Walter was imagining the fingers loosening the knots in his back were Killian, wondered what that would feel like with those pretty metal claws, but he never forgot it was Timothy, after all Timothy deserved more respect than that.

Looking over his shoulder at him, auburn hair flopping off to one side, Tim's hands on his waist he noticed the subtle blush.

"You wanna go grab some dinner or something in a minute there's a corner café I know, makes steak sandwiches and baked potatoes with a perfect crispy skin, a warm meal sounds pretty nice don't you think?"

Tim in the angle he was in was trying not to think about how suggestive this looked, he would absolutely lean down and kiss Walter if he thought it was an option, it really was a casual thing he felt, but Walter just looked so pretty and like he needed someone to carry him right now.

Continuing to rub his back Timothy nodded

"Yeah that sounds pretty nice actually."

---

At home Killian had found plenty to do, he'd read, watched tv, all in Walters bed of course, just to feel close to him as he could, he did wonder after handling himself, if Walter could see him as anything more than a friend, someone more than a few passing jokes between the other...turning his head and taking in his scent as he buried his face into a pillow again, looking forward to seeing those blue eyes...he should really get out of Walter's bed and get the covers washed.

Beckett brought comfort to his mind after his years of suffering, the sunrise after the storm.

He'd talked to Lovey, wondering if she could understand him, she was surprisingly responsive to his rambling as he worked on his arm, updating the tech and keeping up with maintenence.

Living here with Walter and slowly working past things with Lance and seeing he had genuinely started changes of his own, it made it easier with how Walter talked about him on the job, that he considered all options before violence and discussed the situations with him...it was good to know Beckett had helped Lance to.

He was glad to know Walter's field partner was a good one, though his lab partner, this Timothy Lawrence seemed to be pretty chummy didn't he, he'd seen a picture, thick brown hair, heterochromia eyes, blue and green to be exact and a chiseled jaw, in other words a damn pretty boy and he didn't want him around Walter.

He huffed folding his arms, yes he was jealous he was going to be pouty, before his injury he had thick black hair and had been known to be a very handsome man, now he looked like he'd been put through a grinder when he took off his holo mask and this Timothy Lawrence just had to be Walter's lab partner, he'd be around him alot and-

His phone buzzed, it'd been put on the side table and he read the text that'd come through and there was another one.

'Going out to dinner with Timothy, don't know what time I'll be back, have fun you probably need a break from me anyway lol 😂'

Killian's eye twitched, he nearly threw the damn phone, but how would he explain that, honestly he couldn't, Tristan sighed, shoulders drooping a little and answered his questions

'It's been a relaxing day, did work on the arm, Lovey' s surprisingly easy to talk to, watched a little television but perhaps you could suggest something to watch, it's rather hard deciding with all these options and no Walter you didn't upset me, though you left in a hurry, you do not need to avoid me. You're not a bother. Are you alright?'

'I'm so happy you're warming up to her! That's awesome! Also it's good you have time to relax, ten years of hectic stress you're more than overdue! I...well I was more embarrassed than anything, I reacted on instinct, last boyfriend liked that well that's probably more than you needed to know, but yeah I'll help you pick something to watch see you later!'

Last boyfriend? Spanking, Walter had, he had...Killian shifted well the blankets were starting to tent, the idea of being put over Walters petite lap and being told he was a very bad man came to mind.

He liked it.

A lot.

He looked at his phone as it pinged again.

'And god damn it, make sure you eat something for dinner, don't just go picking out the cupboard!'

Killian snickered and replied

'Yes Daddy, I'll make sure to eat something.'

After sending the text he realised what he'd written and wished he could take back that text, wincing as he managed to look at the response

'Behave, eat dinner or I'll put you over my knee young man.'

Killian stared and stared at that answer, he knew Walter was just teasing but, his cheeks were warm and he was...was he blushing.

----

"You all set to go Timothy?"

Walter smiled, his back was feeling a hundred times better after Timothy had dug into the knots, it wasn't a surprise that he was good with his hands, you had to have nimble ones to work with the tech they used here.

"Yeah, just coming boss!"

He pulled his satchel over his shoulder after pulling on his old brown leather jacket

"Please Timothy don't call me that, call me daddy."

Walter laughed at how silly that sounded

"I'm sorry, pfffft don't call me that god please, no, Walter's just fine."

Tim had paused a moment a slight fear he might have a streak like his last boss after all but that laugh was too warm and giggly and just shook his head with a smile

"Wouldn't dream of it Walter, you're more of a kitten anyway."

Timmy felt his insides tighten a little and there was that hint of Jack Dna surfacing.

"So shall we go?"

Beckett enquired looking up at him, huh he kinda looked like Killian, just a little.

"Ready when you are."

And with that they were off.

(Alright end of this ramble, Timothy has been thrown in because I needed the gasp drama of prolongation and shit and didn't have the energy to create an oc and honestly I'll mash anything from anywhere if it's convenient bleh)

#Spies in disguise #Au #walter beckett #Killian #Timothy lawrence #I don't even know anymore #Sometimes I just write and bs comes out #I'm tired

[cakejots]

cataclysmic creations

What happens when Marinette gets overly attached to a gift from him but also not really from him? Chaos.

Rating: T, Words: 2482, Chapters: 1/1

Read on AO3

“I suppose this should do, Plagg.” Adrien held up his handiwork with sore arms, beaming with pride. But anyone looking at him would think that he’s in pain.

“That’s not a very exquisite design, is it?” Plagg snickered.

“Shut it. Her birthday’s tomorrow and I just don’t have the skills for it, alright? Guidance from videos can only go so far.” He cringed at the unevenness of the fabric, some sections were woven tighter than others, and some looser. The number of tiny holes that peep at him from the looser areas was just embarrassing. Adrien deflated a little bit and lowered his arms slightly. “I just hope she likes it.”

Plagg went behind the textile and shoved his tiny butt through one of the bigger holes just to spike him. Adrien growled and tried to kick his Kwami but Plagg was already on his way to the computer table. “Though I have to say, these look so much better!”

Adrien was relieved that at the very least, the red paper roses he crafted were met with approval. He didn’t want to think about the number of failed attempts it took to get to where he was now, and the amount of time spent watching videos on it. He’s just glad that they looked real enough to fool people at first glance.

“Still, why stop at two roses when you could’ve gone for a bouquet? You think this is gonna compare with that?”

“I don’t have time, Plagg.”

“Then why not just buy one?”

“Marinette’s not one for physical items, but I feel she’ll appreciate it even more if she knew time and effort were spent on them.”

Ashamed as he might be about the quality of his creations, Adrien was glad that he could spoil her with gifts. But she doesn’t need to know about that.

Marinette had told him not to sweat about giving her anything for her birthday as his company with her is a gift itself. But knowing her, she was probably afraid that doing so would risk his identity. So being the good boyfriend that he is, he would go against her wishes (or not) and surprise her with what he has been known to give: roses, but with a twist.

He’d present her with not just one, but two roses to show his love and affection for her. Not that he needs to do that to convey his feelings, both are aware of where they stand in their relationship. But he’s a romantic at heart, can’t blame him for wanting to do more.

Marinette deserves the constant reminder of how special she is to him after all. And with the twist being that the roses were handcrafted, to proclaim his undying love for her.

And of course, Adrien being Adrien, that alone wasn’t enough. Oh no no no. See, Adrien is Chat Noir and Chat Noir being Marinette’s boyfriend meant that he would give her birthday presents regardless of her wishes. The only restriction he had was that he can’t be original in his gifts.

But Adrien didn’t have that restriction. And since Adrien wasn’t Chat Noir, at least to everyone else, he was free to be as creative as he can be with presents. So he had decided to crochet a blanket for her as Adrien’s birthday gift to Marinette.

Why a blanket? Well, he wanted Marinette to have something that reminds her of him, and what better way to do that than to have her see and feel his gift the first and last thing of the day? Call him cringy, clingy, or whatever, he doesn’t care. This is their relationship, not anyone else’s. Sue him.

The crocheted cloth was just a simple blanket with nothing but a uniform colour of blue. It wasn’t the prettiest, but he wanted her to hold onto a piece of him, even if she doesn’t know it.

And luckily for him, Marinette loved both gifts, a lot. But since the blanket was more practical than the decorative roses, she had spent more time with it.

He just didn’t expect her to hold onto it all the time.

The first couple of times he visited her, he was overjoyed that she had taken special care of his gifts. The paper roses were placed in an elegant glass vase right next to her desktop, and he always caught her staring at them with a lovesick smile whenever she was waiting for his arrival. With the blanket draped over her shoulders of course.

And the blanket, oh gosh the blanket! Despite his belief that it belonged to recycling bins, she had refused to leave that disaster of a blanket alone. The slightly smaller blanket size had enabled her to always carry it around wherever she went within the room. That sight itself had warmth bursting forth within his chest.

Yes, she loves it that much.

Their time spent together stayed the same, with the addition of the blanket wrapped around herself. Or if it’s too hot, she’d fold it into a bolster and hug it. Or if they were relaxing on the floor, she would lie on top of them. And whenever he visited without her knowledge, he’d see her resting her head on top of a blue pillow while reading fashion magazines. Sometimes, he would even spot his alter-ego in them. It was endearing to see her attachment to his cataclysmic creation.

As the cooler months approached, that meant endless cuddles with Marinette for Chat Noir. Well, nothing wrong with expecting more cuddles from her, right? They had their occasional cuddles during the warmer months. And his Lady had always cuddled with him during cooler months, so it was safe to assume Marinette would do the same.

Right?

But that wasn’t what happened.

Oh no.

That was not what happened at all.

She had cuddled with her blanket far more than she did with him. It was to the point that he received way fewer cuddles from her than he did during the warmer months.

Was it because of the materials he had used for the fabric? It traps heat much better than he can provide, of course she wasn’t going to cuddle with him. What if he pushes her away during their sleep together? Is that why she would prefer being enveloped by the blanket? It’ll never push her away like he did. Or maybe blankets are better and softer to hold onto than his body. Whatever it was, he just knew that this can’t continue.

“You don’t want to cuddle with me anymore?” Kitten eyes fixated themselves on hers, begging for her attention.

Her eyebrow twitched. “Chat no, that’s never the case! It’s just… This gift’s really precious to me.” Does she need anyone else to validate her feelings? Probably not. It was a gift from Adrien, the first person she had ever given her heart to. Even though she had agreed to move on, it still held sentimental value to her regardless.

Chat eyed her and pouted. From the sound of it, Marinette seemed to know that she’s cuddling with that blanket more than with him, and he didn’t know if he should be happy or mad about it. One thing’s for sure though, he was definitely not jealous. Nope, not jealous at all. Jealousy? Don’t know her.

“We can still cuddle! Come here, you big kitty!” She enticed with open arms, and the blanket tossed away from her. Chat lit up and he plopped himself into her arms, pleased that she was now cuddling with him instead of that blanket. The warmth that was now present allured him to sleep with his arms around her waist.

Early next morning, Chat awoke to the constant shaking of his body. The heat source he had from last night was gone. He looked to his side and right there in plain sight, Marinette was snuggling with that unsightly thing. She even had that wrapped around herself and not the two of them.

That audacity.

Chat wasn’t amused at all. Nothing about this was endearing nor adorable anymore. Not when her attention was on that thing and not him.

Plagg was also being an unhelpful ball of chaos when Adrien opened up his heart to him, voicing his genuine concerns and asking for help over the issue regarding his girlfriend’s overt attachment to that thing.

“You brought this upon yourself,” he sneered.

He was actually enjoying his misery.

Little shit.

“You love that blanket more than me.”

It wasn’t even a question like before. It was a god damn statement, just straight up facts about how he felt. This was getting ridiculous. He was jealous, there he admitted it, of the gift he made for her. A gift that technically has his essence. A gift from him. A gift from Adrien-him. He was jealous of himself. An inanimate object from him to be specific. What even?

“That’s not true.”

How dare she deny it.

“Then leave that thing alone and come lie on me while you work on your sketches, like always.” He spoke through gritted teeth.

Marinette couldn't do that. She was currently lying on top of her folded blanket with her upper body elevated from the floor, doodling. It was way too comfortable to move.

“Make me.”

Chat stood so abruptly that Marinette jumped at the movement, and suddenly she was rolling away from her blanket pile. She quickly snatched the other end of the blanket before Chat could do whatever the hell he wanted to do with her blanket.

A tug of war ensued.

“Chat, stop! You’ll rip it apart! Just let go!” Marinette yelled as his claws started digging into her precious fabric.

“No, I had enough. You let go! Come and cuddle with me again!” He demanded.

Chat didn’t know what was going on. Marinette has yet to topple over despite this being an unfair tug of war, hero versus civilian. He should be ashamed of himself for allowing this to happen, but he’s not. He needed to get rid of that piece of junk ASAP.

He could always kiss her injuries goodbye later.

Marinette really had no intentions of letting up anytime soon, that was clear from her face, grip, and stance. Chat decided that Adrien would stop giving her birthday gifts if they were to hold more value to her than he does.

The thought itself led him to unconsciously dig his claws further, creating hideous holes on the already-ugly blanket. He was ripping his own creation. His own blood, sweat, and tears, and honestly, he should stop. But he doesn’t.

“I’ll cuddle with you! Just please let go!”

Normally, Marinette’s pleading was enough for him to give in, but not this time. He wasn’t going to budge. “No! That thing stays away this time, it has already taken up the privileges it doesn't even have in the first place for far too long!”

“Chaaaaaaat!”

“Marineeeeeeette!”

And they both landed on their butts.

Marinette gazed at what remained in her hands and started bawling.

Chat didn’t think they’ll be able to rip it apart, he was expecting her to give up and let go just how strong is she?. Now he felt bad, but before he could walk over to her, she tackled him, arms tightening around his waist.

She was hugging him and crying and not even hitting him or scolding him and he has no idea what’s happening anymore.

“Princess, I’m sorry, please stop crying.”

“No.” He winced. “I’m sorry, Chat. If I had just let go and cuddled with you, this wouldn’t have happened.” Marinette held him tighter and wept.

“No, Marinette... Please, I’m so sorry, I can fix this. Just please stop crying,” he begged.

“How, Chat? You’re not even Adrien,” she wept.

Chat was silent while running his fingers through her hair to soothe her.

“I can,” and he muttered his de-transformation phrase.

Marinette closed her eyes from the sudden brightness and she was gaping at Adrien now. It didn’t register to her that he had de-transformed until then.

Adrien rubbed the back of his neck and looked away. “I can, so don’t worry about it anymore. I’m so sorry for revealing who I am. I just— I don’t know what else to do and I hate it when you cry.” He sneaked a peek at her.

Marinette’s wailing had stopped and she was just looking at him with those wide sapphire orbs. Emotions ran through them and he’s not sure if he picked them all up.

“Please say something.”

After a few beats, “Adrien.”

“Hi.”

“Where did Chat Noir go?”

Did— did she really just ask that question?

He just de-transformed in front of her! Did she not see that?

“I’m Chat Noir!”

“And I’m Ladybug.”

“Wait, wha—”

In a pink flash, Ladybug was lying on his lap, arms circled lazily around his waist.

His eyes widened. “M-My lady?”

“Hey, Chaton,” she smiled.

“Oh my god! Why did you reveal yourself?” Disbelief splashed across his face.

“Why did you reveal yourself?” She threw the question right back at him.

He grabbed her face, shaking it by the beat of his words. “I didn’t know what to do!”

“And, I was trying to salvage the situation! But seeing how chaotic it has gotten, Plagg would be so proud.”

A burst of hysterical laughter could be heard by Adrien’s side, and that chaotic black hole came into view. “You bet I am, Pigtails.”

Adrien looked like he’s losing his mind. “You just revealed you’re Ladybug! How do you salvage that?”

“Chaton, you don’t get it, do you?”

Her head was still in his hands, and he shook her head again, his urgency visible through his actions. “No! Of course I don’t! How?”

“You like both Ladybug and Marinette, don’t you?”

“What? I love both Ladybug and Marinette, thank you very much.” Then it suddenly hit him. He just admitted that he was still in love with Ladybug and should get slapped for two-timing. But more importantly, the two people that have been wreaking havoc in his heart, albeit unknowingly, were both the same person. In his lap.

“Oh.”

Adrien’s eyes bulged out. “Oh my god!”

“There you go,” she smirked. “Couldn’t deprive you of that feeling.”

He didn’t really know if this feeling was one he welcomed now. To be outed as a cheater, but also not really one. This was too much to wrap his head around. How did she get over it so fast?

“You better fix that blanket!” She removed herself from his hands and pushed her face into his stomach. Ladybug embraced him tighter, finally glad that she didn't have to strain her neck any longer.

“Of course, my lady. And you better start cuddling with me again,” he ran his hands through her hair once again.

“Of course, mon Chaton,” she laughed. “I’ll cuddle with both of you.”

“No!”

#marichat #mesfics #miraculous ladybug #fanfic #mlb fanfic #chat noir #marinette dupain cheng #crack #cataclysmic creations

[misssophiachase]

All You Never Say - Pt 2

Hey! I’m so glad you all liked the first part (thanks to the anon who prompted me), you can read it HERE on Tumblr or follow it on AO3 HERE for future updates. Shout out to @sekretny13 because I totally did that shirtless Klaus thing we discussed. 

Synopsis: One wedding and a confused maid of honour and best man with years of pent up feelings and unresolved tension.

Dr Grayson and Mrs Miranda Pierce and Mr Mikael and Mrs Esther Mikaelson cordially invite you to a garden party

To celebrate the upcoming nuptials of their children 

Dr Katherine Pierce and the Right Honourable Elijah Mikaelson 

At The River House on June twentieth, twenty twenty one at 1700h in Ely Cambridgeshire

Dress: Cocktail

All I'll never know is if you want me oh

3 days before the nuptials - Ely River House, Cambridgeshire - 6:53pm

“You’re the bride, the least you could have done was revoked his plus one,” Rebekah muttered.

“He’s also the best man and brother of the groom,” Katherine shot back tersely then remembered where she was and sent a dazzling smile in the direction of her soon-to-be Aunt Penelope. “Trust me, if I could have uninvited the she-wolf I would have.”

“How can someone that pretty be so ugly in the personality department?” Bonnie asked. “She knows my name but has taken to calling me Belinda anyway.” 

Caroline could relate given her new name was apparently Carly.

“She told me my wedding festivities were folksy and quaint,” Kat growled. “I have a mind to stick my folksy wedding up her…”

“Unfortunately, my brother has the worst taste in women but I suppose that isn’t anything new but this time he isn’t the only one interested.”

“Yes, I noticed your parents fawning all over her,” Bonnie noted. “I’m imagining it’s more about her being the heir to an oil fortune rather than the person herself.”

“You’ve got that right,” Rebekah replied. “Although, they seem to be the only ones. Usually Nik just gets bored with them and moves on and this one seems to be staying around much longer than expected which is so strange.”

Caroline was standing near enough to hear her friend’s conversation but far away so she wasn’t tempted to comment on his date. She had no intention of ever letting her friends know the annoying feelings she harboured for Klaus. 

The parents of the bride had insisted upon hosting the welcome party as a thank you to the Mikaelsons for hosting the reception. Esther, of course, had seen to it that even though the celebration wasn’t being held in their name she still made sure her signature touches were on display, much to the chagrin of Miranda Pierce. 

They’d chosen the Ely River House for the occasion. A beautiful and contemporary venue on the water that showcased the best the town had to offer, including the cathedral they were to be married in as part of the backdrop. 

Caroline, ever the dutiful maid of honour,  had been busily working alongside Miranda to help make this event perfect. She knew how overrun the Pierce family had felt by the Mikaelsons during the planning stages and wanted to help them make this cocktail party the best it could be. 

Obviously her motives weren’t completely selfless and helping out meant she didn’t need to focus on him. 

With her. 

She looked beautiful in a red, strapless gown but given her profession there were no surprises there. Caroline then made the mistake of glancing over and noticing how his hand teased the small of her back as they laughed and chatted with family. It was familiar and affectionate. She looked away but it was too late because it hurt.   

“Refill?’ She asked Rebekah, taking her glass before she could even respond. Weaving her way through the guests Caroline decided she needed a time-out and the sooner the better. 

Given the weather most of the party goers were outside and so the staff were handing out drinks on trays. The bar inside was empty at the moment and Caroline decided to put herself to good use by replenishing Rebekah’s drink.

She made her way behind the bar and found a bottle of champagne deciding that she could open it herself. I mean how hard could it be? 

Difficult as she found out. Why did it always seem so effortless when they did it on TV and in movies? However this one wasn’t going to budge, that much she knew. She tried again, pulling as hard as she could.

“Don’t shoot!” She looked up into his familiar, blue eyes. Why did he have to look so good in an open collar shirt and jacket?

“Funny,” she shot back. 

“Need my help with anything, love?” 

“Well, not with playing poker obviously.”

“Ouch, way to punch a guy where it hurts,” he groaned, pretending to be in pain. 

“Well, that oversized and overinflated ego of yours could do with some wounding, Mikaelson. I’m just upset it has taken me so long to finally land that perfect blow.” 

He didn’t respond immediately, just gazed at her, his expression a mixture of curiosity and something else she couldn’t quite put her finger on.  

“Well, how kind of you. So, given all of your generous humility, how about I give you a hand? Don’t want to knock anyone’s eyes out, do we sweetheart?” 

She noticed his eyes blazing now, was that anger or something else entirely? Caroline decided it was best not to wonder. 

“Or you could leave in case such an impending disaster were to befall you?” He looked at her, clearly unmoved. “You know I’m not some damsel in distress that needs your assistance, I am perfectly capable of opening this bottle myself,” she huffed, feeling her composure slipping away. 

Bastard.

“By all means,” he smiled, taking a seat on the nearest barstool and watching her in anticipation.

“You can’t just sit there and watch me.”

“Oh no? Last time I checked this was a free country and I have every right to sit anywhere I want. As the lawyer in the room, I’m sure you can back me up on that argument.”

“You are so…”

“Handsome, charming and brilliant?”

“I was going to say arrogant, childish and smug,” she bit back. “And, as the lawyer in the room, if this cork does happen to hit you I’ll testify that you refused to leave the scene after considerable warning on my part.”

“I’ll take those chances,” he smirked, taking her by surprise and fluidly moving behind the bar. “And I’ll even offer my assistance, if not just so these people can drink sometime this century.”

What she wasn’t expecting was for him to slip in behind her, his hands connecting with hers and running them enticingly up and down the chilled, champagne bottle. She shivered involuntarily hoping he hadn’t felt it in the process. 

“What exactly do you think you’re doing, Mikaelson?” She asked, trying to contain the unwanted tremble in her voice. 

“Exactly what I said. Helping,” he murmured, his lips grazing the shell of her ear as his hands covered hers. “Now, what you need to do is place your thumb right here and caress the cork gently until you feel it disengage.”

Why did she automatically think of untoward things when he uttered the words ‘caress’ and ‘disengage’? 

It didn’t help that her back was moulding perfectly against his toned chest either and there was something else she could feel.

Was that? 

Was he?

Before she could wonder anymore, the cork popped, flying across the room and sending a huge spray of bubbling liquid shooting out all over the bar. Caroline jumped in surprise, accidentally turning the bottle around and drenching them in the process. 

Before too long they were both in fits of laughter unable to control it. He wound his arms around her waist attempting to rub the excess champagne on her while she squirmed in his warm grasp attempting to get away. 

Well, sort of. If Caroline was being honest it felt good. 

Too good. 

Their laughter died down, almost as if they realised just how intimate their proximity and position was. After over a decade of knowing each other they’d never been this close, well except for that night two years earlier.  

“I’m just glad I never asked you two to be waiters today,” a voice interrupted. Caroline turned her head, noticing Miranda Pierce staring at them both amusingly with her hands folded across her chest. Caroline moved away, albeit reluctantly. “How about you two clean yourselves up and get back to the party, speeches will be in fifteen minutes.”

She was gone before either could reply. Then it hit her. 

“Speeches in fifteen minutes? I can’t make a speech looking like this,” she squeaked, looking down at her champagne soaked dress which was fast becoming a see through garment. “Why the hell did I decide that wearing white was a good idea? Should have gone with red or something.”

It slipped out before she could stop it. Why did she have to mention the exact colour Hayley was wearing? The last thing she wanted was to seem jealous or insecure over his girlfriend. 

“I much prefer the white,” he murmured. Caroline not sure if he was just being kind or it was something to do with its new, transparent features but given the way his eyes were trained on hers and not the dress she wasn’t quite sure. “As for the speech, you’re Caroline Elizabeth Forbes, you’ve got this.”

He remembered her middle name? Yes, they’d known each other a while but it seemed like something Klaus Mikaelson wouldn’t do. Or so she’d thought. 

“I look more like the maid of dishonour who’s been bathing in half of the liquor tab,” she hissed. “I can’t go out there like this.”

“Yes, you can,” he said, placing his hands on her shoulders. It had an immediate calming effect, something she wasn’t accustomed to. “Go to the bathroom, use the hand dryer. I’ll send in Bonnie because, well we all know she’s the most practical in an emergency, and I’ll try out my best man jokes during my speech. I’ve always had this dream of becoming a stand-up comedian.”

“Who are you?”

“Wouldn’t you like to know, love,” he teased, curving those crimson lips into an enticing smile. “Now, go on.”

She did leave, but all Caroline wanted to do was turn around to see if he was still watching. 

She was in big trouble and not because of her dress and that impending speech.

2 days before the nuptials - Kensington-Foster Atelier, Ely Cambridgeshire - 10:29am

“Tails are so uncomfortable and so last season, brother,” Kol complained, inspecting himself in the large mirror. 

The groomsmen were having their final fitting before the big day. Klaus had long since blocked out Kol’s incessant whining and was distractedly playing with the hemming pins on the nearby table.

He thought being home would make him feel more comfortable and at ease but it was just the opposite. Klaus hadn’t planned on a surprise champagne incident followed by the maid of honour firmly ensconced in his embrace. If he had his way, he’d have never let her go. 

Klaus told himself that after the poker match he’d keep his distance from Caroline. She’d been stirring up feelings this week that he’d worked hard for years to contain. He had no intention of letting one night from two years ago betray his feelings. 

Also, as disingenuous as it might sound, Klaus had a girlfriend and would not betray her either.  Although, it didn’t help that Hayley was wearing on his last nerve. Ever since she’d arrived nothing seemed to be quite good enough. Given these were his family and friends that didn’t sit well with Klaus.  

“Last time I checked tails never go out of style, especially when the dress code is white tie,” Elijah responded tartly, breaking Klaus from his thoughts. 

“I do look devilishly handsome, so I suppose it will do the job.”

“Trying to impress anyone in particular or just planning to pester the entire female guest list?” Enzo asked. 

“Well, usually at these things a groomsman can rely on picking up a bridesmaid or two but I seem to have lucked out in that department.”

“I hope so given one is your own sister,” he chuckled. 

“I’ll let you have her,” he smiled deviously. Klaus looked over noticing just how pink his best friend’s face had turned at that unexpected comment. 

“How very kind of you, but you know Beks and I are more about the fighting than the loving.” Enzo replied dismissively, finally finding his words. Klaus couldn’t help but think just how delusional his future brother-in-law was but he figured he’d get it eventually. They both would. “I suppose there’s always Bonnie for you then, Kol,” he pressed on, clearly an attempt to get some form of payback. 

This time it was Kol’s turn to blush.

“To be honest, I always thought you two would find your way back together,” Elijah said straightening his tie, making them all look at him curiously. “What? I have opinions, is that so difficult to believe?”

“You’re a politician, so when it comes to the affairs of state, no,” Klaus offered bluntly. “But why does it sound like you’re channeling Katherine Pierce right now?”

“I do have a mind of my own.”

“Sure you do,” the three responded in unison then broke into laughter. 

“You’re all hilarious.”   

“Anyway, Bonnie and I are ancient history,” Kol explained after a few minutes, almost as if he’d been thinking about it all that time. “I suppose maybe sweet Caroline might...”

“Over my dead body,” Klaus blurted out. Three sets of brown eyes clapped on him. This wasn’t how Klaus saw things going in his head. So much for being discreet and containing his feelings. 

“Bloody finally,” Enzo grinned. “We’ve only been waiting for that confession since boarding school.” 

They were? Klaus couldn’t recall what he’d done during that time given he and Caroline barely got along, fought incessantly and he’d also dated half the girls in her class. Was there something between them back then he’d been too ignorant to see? Given his current feelings, maybe so. 

“Yes, you always were rather transparent when it came to Caroline, Niklaus,” Elijah agreed. 

“I was not,” he shot back childishly, thinking denial would have been a much better counter attack. Clearly he wasn’t in his right mind. 

“Even Kol knew about it and we all know what that means, Nik,” Enzo offered.  

“If that is your way of insulting me then you need to try harder,” he growled. “While this confession has been a long time coming is everyone forgetting that Niklaus has a girlfriend? You know brunette, beautiful but extremely bossy?”

“I’ve not admitted anything,” Klaus baulked, feeling increasingly guilty. “And even if I had, Kol is right.”

“Finally someone gives me the credit I deserve,” he joked. “But if you’re experiencing a dilemma we could swap, even if yours is a bit on the high maintenance side.”

“I didn’t realise Caroline was yours to swap, Kol,” he murmured, again regretting that choice of response. Then he added what he probably should have said first. “And that’s no way to speak about Hayley, I mean she is bossy but…”

“Mother and father love her because all they can see are oil fields and dollar signs in their future,” Kol mused. “If anything that would be a sign to end things immediately.”

“Mother and father like Katherine,” Elijah commented, clearly perplexed. “And I wouldn’t dream of ending anything.”

“Chill, Elijah,” Kol answered. “You two have found the perfect balance but Niklaus here doesn’t like his girlfriend anywhere near as much as you love your fiance.”

“Why is Kol suddenly the expert on love and relationships, have we entered the twilight zone?” Enzo asked, humming the theme tune for added effect. 

“Laugh all you like, Lorenzo, but you know I’m right.” 

Klaus hated to admit it but his brother had a point, not that he’d tell anyone that. But what was he supposed to do? Caroline hadn’t given him any reason to think she liked him the same way. 

Later that night, Mikaelson Manor - Ely, Cambridgeshire - 11:59pm

“This is not happening, this is so not happening,” Caroline said, repeating it like a mantra and hoping that somehow it would calm her and solve her most pressing issue. 

She’d ventured into the manor’s vast gardens on a mission. Yes, it was pitch black and her torch was barely doing its job. It was also midnight and she was seriously rethinking her attire of shorts and a tank top, even if it was summer. 

Caroline decided to blame her unpreparedness on Kol and the story he’d told after dinner about their ancestor Sir Henry Stirling who apparently lost his head for treason and walked the grounds in search of it every night.  

It wouldn’t be so scary if she were tucked up in bed in her room but here she was trying to find something extremely important in the grand scheme of the wedding and marriage as a whole which she’d stupidly lost earlier in the afternoon. 

Some Maid of Honour she was. 

She’d been too busy thinking about a certain guy who decided to tease her then rub up against her and then distract the crowd with jokes so she could make herself speech-ready. To say she was confused was an understatement.

He also had a girlfriend so that added to the mess. 

The girls had picnicked on the grounds that afternoon. The sun was shining brightly and they’d decided to forget the wedding plans for once and just enjoy themselves. It wasn’t difficult given their beautiful surroundings and the abundance of wine. Caroline couldn’t believe this was her best friend’s life and would be lying if she wasn’t slightly jealous. 

Of the four of them, Caroline was the only one who was truly unattached. If you asked Rebekah and Bonnie they were too but everyone knew that they would end up with Enzo and Kol, as they should. They were meant for each other and it was only a matter of time in her opinion. 

But she was the odd one out and in Caroline’s mind she always had been. She liked being different but at the same time it had its drawbacks. Weeks like this only amplified it. 

She heard a noise behind her, like a rustling in the bushes. Caroline pointed her torch at the noise hoping Sir Henry wasn’t going to take her head as a substitute. “I don’t have your head, sir, I promise.”

Okay, not the most suave thing she could have said at that moment. 

“I can’t believe you of all people would believe Kol,” the voice was unexpected but familiar. In fact it caused some of the chills she’d been experiencing to defrost. She moved her torch to the left catching him in the light. 

And what a sight it was.

Klaus Mikaelson. 

Shirtless. 

Caroline felt the torch wavering in her hand and only just managed to maintain control before it dropped to the ground. Clearly she wasn’t the only one poorly dressed for the occasion. 

“What are you doing here?” She hissed. 

“I believe I should be asking the same question of you, love,” he murmured, the sleep in his voice evident. “I heard noise outside my window and saw the torch light so came out to investigate.”

“Naked?” Okay, it came out before she could stop it. At least he couldn’t see her blush in the dark. 

“Yes, because I would definitely waste all my time throwing on clothes if I saw someone attempting to break into my house,” he said, his voice thick with sarcasm. “Although, you seemed to have underdressed for the occasion too if my eyes aren’t deceiving me.”

“No need to be so snarky, Mikaelson.” Caroline decided not to address her outfit as it would just complicate the situation. 

“Says the girl who woke me up,” he shot back. “Please tell me there is a perfectly reasonable reason for you to be skulking around the property at this time of night?”

“I’m not skulking.” Okay maybe she was skulking but it was all for a good cause. His prolonged silence was telling her he was impatient for an explanation. “Fine, I might have lost the wedding ring and I’m trying to find it before anyone else notices.”

“Please tell me I can put this in my speech.”

“That’s seriously your take back from this whole scenario? Your maturity astounds me. Just shut up and help me find it you idiot.”

“Not until you tell me how exactly this happened in the first place, love. You have my full attention.”

A/N Stay tuned for the midnight wedding ring search, the rehearsal dinner and so much more.

#klaroline fanfiction #klaroline fanfic #klaroline #misssophiachase #all you never say #part 2 #stay tuned

[mimssides]

Never Met You

Chapter 7: Peace

To fight for peace they need to lay down their weapons. To know peace, they need to recognize their enemies’ humanity. 

The throne room was deadly quiet. No one spoke, some almost didn’t dare to breath, as Logan Rayne and George Seymore stared at each other. The arrival of the king had been deadly quiet, the words exchanged cuttingly polite and superficial. Rarely Logan’s lips were pressed together so tensely in a smile. Rarely people could see King George force a grin for such a long time.

The formalities had taken up a good forty minutes at this point and Logan was glad that they had finally had moved on into the conference hall, where they would discuss the possible truce offerings. Janus was setting up the presentation of the current events at the shared boarder together with Jean Seymore, the older brother of the king who was acting as his right hand since he refused the throne years ago. The man was slick, sleazy and ruthless and Janus had expressed his dislike for him at least fifteen times a day since he had started working everything out with him.

Janus begins the presentation by giving a detailed account of the last few attacks and breaches that had happened at the north-eastern boarders in the last weeks and recounted all the reports of stolen and destroyed goods, the injured soldiers and the few hurt commoners who had been attacked by the forces.

Jean thanked him when he finished and began to add reports and sightings from the Raganian side of the conflict. Immediately he began to defend their people by putting the blame on the Theanan soldiers, who supposedly had irritated and mocked their soldiers until they simply had to react. It cost Janus all the nerves he had to not scratch his own eyes out because of the vibrant and ostentatious colours Jean’s lies produced.

“And thus, I thank the Theanan court for their attention and conclude my reports of the current events. I shall give the word back to His Majesty, the King of Theana,” Jean said with a slimy bow and stood down.

Logan had listened to all of it with a neutral smile. He had expected the outcome and had prepared for the situation. And now the time had come for him to answer and bowed his head as Jean retreated and directed his attention towards George who was sitting on the other side of the table.

He looked stiff, wearing a deep violet coat with furred rims. His coal dark eyes were pulsating with power and anger which was barely veiled behind his expression. Logan needed to be careful with what he was going to say and especially how he was going to say it.

Calm but not without vigour in his voice Logan began to speak: “Thank you so much for your intel, Advisor Seymore. I apologize for the inappropriate behaviour my soldiers displayed and will them have investigated and put into place as we see fit. I hope that could be an acceptable first step to overcome our differences.”

George raised an eyebrow. Logan kept his expression straight and continued.

“As for the claim of Vallée du Tournesol; as far as the reports go the people there do not wish to be part of Ragan, but I will of course allow you to question them yourself to make sure that my claims are right.”

“And if these claims are right, you will keep the valley?” George countered coldly. “There is no economic use of the lands for you. It's on the other side of the Blue Mountain range, hard to access and cultivate. What I am offering you is a relief of those barren lands. And we both know that the people of Vallée du Tournesol are culturally closer to my kingdom than yours. They have always been. It will be easier for me to deal with them than it has ever been for you.”

“I don’t disagree with those claims, Your Majesty. Yet I will listen to what my people wish for. Even if their wish to stay with Theana were a burden for the kingdom, we can and will carry it, as long that is so desired.”

King Georges jaw was tense. Logan kept on smiling calmly.

“But I have an offer to make to you,” Logan said and waved one his advisors from the side who came with a scroll and displayed it in front of the gathered court. “Since you are right with your claim that the Vallée du Tournesol is very closely linked to the Raganian culture, I have drafted a new arrangement on the duty system on the boarders, which shall allow both neighbouring regions to cross the boarders without fees and waiting lists. Like that your concerns would be addressed and it also would allow our kingdoms to have a more prolific exchange between our cultures.”

Logan paused and folded his hands on top of the table. He had thought a long time about this next offer and hoped that it would be worth the risk he was taking right now.

“Also, I wish to enter an alliance with Ragan. It would entail the help in food, water as well as epidemic crisis and the support of our army in times of war. This arrangement can be exclusive if you wish so and we would be willing to stop our talks with Sictes and Kainen immediately if you are considering this offer.”

There was mumbling among King George’s council. Logan didn’t watch them. Jean broke off the rest of the council and walked up to George. He whispered something in his ear. Logan did not watch him.

Logan only watched his fellow king’s reaction. His chest ached when he saw the cold expression turning to ice.

“Where is His Royal Highness?”

Logan sighed and looked to the side where Green stood. He was still under the command to look after Roman but had been allowed to attend to this meeting. At Logan’s look he bowed his head and stepped forward.  Keeping his head low but turning slightly towards the foreign king the Raganian council laid eyes on him.

“His Royal Highness, Prince Roman,” Green stated evenly, “was excused from this meeting by the Court Physician as was stated in the greeting formalities. He is not in the state to attend.”

This was a lie. Janus had fabricated this excuse for Roman to stay out of this because Logan, Roman and he knew that it wouldn’t take much for Roman to become angry and unreasonable in King George’s presence. And yet he wished in this moment that Roman would have been here, as George clicked his tongue dismissively and waved Green to stand down.

“There is no talking sense with a guileless commoner playing king like you, Rayne. This talk is over,” King George announced and stood up.

The urge to scream and shout rippled through Logan’s body. Instead, he just stood. Smiled. Thanked the king for his visit and let them be accompanied outside of the castle.

***

 Old men were talking over each other and fighting about what would be best for Theana. Why had █████ ever thought that would be any different after he would be officially been crowned ████?

 With a subtle sigh he blended their shouting out and looked around the room. This was his first meeting with the military leaders and advisors since the coronation and the first meeting without Royal Advisor Jove. █████ had let him retire as he became ████ so Janus was now taking over almost all of the tasks Jove had still been doing for him. The military meetings were the only exceptions, which Janus would not attend and █████ felt a bit forlorn in all of this without his Royal Advisor by his side. At least like that he would have someone to joke with or make funny faces at when no one was looking.

 Now he had to settle with staring at Logan Rayne. The young advisor was sitting close to General La Cour, who was being rather quiet as usual. By now █████ knew that Logan had gone to the Mercier Acadamy and was a commoner who had with the help of scholarships and a brilliant mind worked his way up to the position he was now upholding. He had faced many obstacles and █████ was admittedly even more impressed by him after each new fact he learnt.

 The meeting was reaching its end and █████ was listening to several of the military men fighting about how the boundaries towards Ragan had to be secured more fiercely, as he noticed Logan lightly clenching his jaw and fists. A spark of curiosity got enlightened in █████’s eyes and with a simple motion of his hand he stopped the discussion. Immediately all men looked at him but he did not pay them any attention. He was completely focused on Logan.

 “Advisor Rayne,” █████ said and motioned towards him, “you seem to have something to say. Please correct me if I assumed wrong but otherwise, I would like to hear what you think about the proposition to raise the security measures by our boundaries towards Ragan.”

 All eyes were on Logan now who for once did not look as neutral and well put together as he usually did. █████ talking directly to him in favour of listening to all the others who had been talking was not the diplomatic thing to do and Logan felt a few unflattering stares thrown into his direction.

 “Advisor Rayne? Would you enlighten me?”

 Logan snapped out of it and bowed his head towards █████ before he explained: “I do not think that upping the security at the north-eastern boundaries will be useful.”

 Commander Tama was about to interrupt Logan right there but stopped as █████ held up his hand again and said: “I want you to let him speak. He at least knows how to be straight forward with his opinions.”

 And that was all the push Logan needed.

 Confidently, he continued: “After the coronation we have had a calmer and more idle relationship with Ragan than we had in many years. To return to the tense atmosphere from before would be inefficient as we can trade many goods with them and profit from the cultural exchange. This is our chance to strengthen our relationships with them and offer them to lessen the duty fees as a first step. I also could see an exchange program between our academies and universities, since their education and research systems are developed quite well and we could learn a lot from each other.”

 █████’s ears rang. This man-

 “This has nothing to do with military strategy,” Commander Zhao said.

 █████ wanted to speak up but Logan came before him and retorted coldly: “The military strategies you are thinking of belong to war times. I do not wish to think of or reach war times under any circumstances. My concern is to the people of this country and not to its army or the warfare industries. The ████ has made a point to focus on the education system, infrastructure and health services, which serve the people of Theana as well. Why not use these new resources instead of outdated and inefficient strategies that will lead to unnecessary conflicts and the potential losses of lives? We have good people who can and want to protect our country. They should be put to use helping within our boarders instead of protecting us from a non-existent threat from the outside. What you are talking about will not help our people nor do I think is it what our ████ wants for his country. Or am I mistaken, ████ ███████?”

 With his legs crossed and his hand resting thoughtfully on his chin █████ watched Logan intently. Then he pulled his hand away and revealed a wide smirk to the surprise and horror of the council. Except for Logan, who had not yet seen what this smirk could mean and was utterly clueless to what was to happen next.

 “You are not mistaken, Advisor Rayne. Your proposals and ideas are more than welcome and I will have them discussed at the next meeting. You may present all those points to me and the rest of the council. Of course, you may gather whoever you need for a committee and tell me which people you need to realize your projects. Is this acceptable to you, Advisor Rayne?”

 Logan’s heart was almost standing still. Or maybe it was beating too fast for him to feel it beat anymore. He couldn’t be sure as he simply agreed with █████’s conditions and stood up as the ████ announced that the meeting was to end now. But Logan did not go outside. He stood still as the others left besides █████ who was looking at him with a coy smile. As finally all had left █████ walked towards him and Logan’s brain decided to function again.

 “I am honoured that you gave me this opportunity, ████ ███████,” Logan said quickly and lowered his gaze.

 █████ wanted to tease him that he had been able to look at him before but let it be as a moment went by and instead decided give him a little space by looking towards the door of the conference hall.

 “I am sure you will do a wonderful job,” █████ said gently and saw how Logan raised his eyes a little from the corner of his eyes.

 There was a bit more movement and Janus was looking inside the hall, as he had waited for █████ to come out, when Logan began to speak: “I do not want to be ungrateful for what you give me but why did you want me to speak? I had not said a single thing before.”

 █████ turned his head back to Logan. Their eyes met and something intense was laying in the air.

 With a smile everything shifted.

 “Who do you serve?”

 Logan blinked.

 “Theana’s people and you, ████ ███████.”

 █████ snickered and squeezed Logan’s upper arm who looked at him with big eyes. Playfully, █████ tilted his head and pulled him to his side. He began walking towards Janus, who had a hard time to not start groaning at his ████’s behaviour.

 “You put the people before me, Rayne,” █████ said as Logan’s mind was still short-circuiting, “which makes you a truly great advisor. One I would love to work with you a bit closer, if you were open to that?”

 At that Logan halted in his step and sputtered in a high-pitched voice: “Pardon me?”

 █████ threw him a confused look until he noticed the deep flush over his nose and began to right out laugh to Janus’s dismay and amusement.

 “Oh, not like that!” █████ cackled with a suggestive eye wiggle and let go of Logan’s arm. “I meant that I wanted to give you a position as my personal military advisor, since Royal Advisor J- Celer doesn’t fill that role. If you would be interested in that, of course.”

 Logan looked up, still with a brightly flushed face but a little less tension in his shoulders and replied: “Oh, I will consider it, as it is quite a big responsibility I were to carry if I agree to this offer. Nevertheless, I am very honoured by your trust. I promise I will do anything in my power to not disappoint your trust in me, ████ ███████.”

 As Logan bowed █████ looked over his shoulder to Janus, who simply shook his head. Why did █████ always have to choose the hard and unconventional path in life, Janus thought as he watched █████ look fondly back to Logan and let himself smile a little.

 At least his job would never get boring.

***

Logan was pulled into a follow up meeting. They were talking about the entry of the soldiers, the first locations which would be put under attack and if they were to wait for the Raganian court to officially declare a first date for an upcoming battle at the frontier or if they should do so themselves.

To Logan most of it was a blur. His head was spinning and his mind fighting with the realization that had failed to keep the conflict form escalating. Theana’s people would suffer because he had not been able to mediate successfully and so many innocent people might die because of it. So much would be lost.

After two hours of sitting with his council, Logan excused himself. Green was again stationed with Roman and Janus was overseeing the current military meeting, which left Logan unsupervised for the first time in weeks. Quickly, he walked through the halls, avoiding all the well populated areas and eventually ended up in a storage room in the proximity of the kitchen. He slammed the door behind him and paced around flour sacks and dried meats while panting and pulling at his hair.

Once more Logan began to feel faint and he hoisted himself on a chest. He didn’t understand and he felt the nausea come up again. Since weeks this had messed with his head and health and he did no longer know what to do. He had managed to keep Janus’s question away but he didn’t dare to go to the Court Physician now. Not when the conflict with Ragan was escalating. They couldn’t have a weak king. They couldn’t have a king who was about to cry in a storage room, because his head was dizzy, his heart ached and his lungs burned.

Yet before a tear could fall from his eyes, the noise from something falling off the shelf yanked Logan back into reality and he stood up immediately. He ignored the dizzy feeling and cleared his throat.

“Who is here?” Logan boomed through the small room.

The sound of a tiny whimper dissolved any spark of anger Logan had felt in the moment. Quickly he stepped around the shelves, looking for the source of the little cries. And soon he found what he was looking for. Behind a shelf full of jars of jams, between two potato sacks he found a little boy who he had seen once before.

Through curly brown locks little Patton glimpsed up to him, several food items pressed fearfully against his chest. Had it been anyone else who had hidden in this storage room with Logan, he had asked them how they got here, what they intended to do and then called for the guards. But it was Patton who was sitting there on the floor and Logan would not ask him those things or send him away. Instead, he slowly crouched down a little ways away from the boy. He made sure there was enough space for Patton to get past him if he wished to do so.

“That was a little loud, wasn’t it?” Logan said gently and watched Patton immediately relax. “I meant to ask who is here but it seems like I have found my answer between the potatoes.”

Patton giggled a little and carefully came out of hiding between the potato sacks. He wiped his nose with his arm and walked towards Logan. A bit clumsily, Logan sat down and Pat knelt down in front of him. Silently Logan watched as Patton put down five apples in a neat line. Next, he put a tissue on the floor and looked up to Logan with big eyes.

“I know I should not take things from the castle. It is forbidden and bad. But I was going to share with some other kids in the orphanage and these looked really, really, really good,” Patten explained bashfully and put two muffins and a cupcake on the tissue.

Logan was about to reassure Patton that he was not in trouble for taking two muffins and a cupcake from the kitchen when a growl cut him off. With a flushed face Logan pressed his hands over his stomach which growled again with hunger.

“You should not skip lunch, Sir Will Suffice!” Patton said decidedly and shot Logan an impressively scolding look for a five-year-old.

Taken aback and still embarrassed Logan replied sheepishly: “I didn’t skip lunch. I don’t know why I am hungry again.”

But maybe that explained why he was feeling a little dizzy and nauseous. His blood sugar might be too low.

“Maybe you’re growing!” Patton pulled him out of his thoughts. “That’s what Ms Anouilh always says when I am super hungry! It’s because my body needs food to grow and make me taller and stronger. Did you know that, Sir Will Suffice?”

Logan could not help himself and smile.

“I actually did know that. Yet I don’t believe that would be the case for me, as I have stopped growing a few years ago. But did you know that the body does not only need food to grow but also to have energy and function adequately?”

“So, you mean that you might be hungry because you already used all your energy? For the big meeting with King George?” Patton said with a concentrated frown.

Logan blinked. The public did know of the meeting but it was a little odd that a five-year-old would know of it. He was about to ask when Patton stood up and stretched his hand out for him. With big eyes he pointed to the side where Logan had come from and said: “If you are tired you should probably sit more comfortably! Come let’s go to your box! Mr Green would want that for you!”

Logan let out a brief laugh and got up with a grunt. He kept holding Patton’s hand and let the boy lead him around the shelves back to the chest he had been sitting on. As Patton wished, he sat back down and watched as Patton went forth and back between the shelves to gather his food and bring it over to Logan. Lastly, he brought the muffins and the cupcake and looked at them intensely for a moment before he eventually held one muffin out to Logan.

“I can share with you. We have enough food in the orphanage and I am sure I can come on another day to get some treats,” Patton explained and put the muffin in Logan’s hand as he didn’t reach for it.

Perplexed Logan looked down at the muffin and then back up to Patton. The boy smiled and took the other one in his hand and climbed next to him. Happily, he let his legs dangle down and held his muffin up as if he was toasting Logan.

“Bon appétit!” Patton said and Logan finally toasted back with his muffin and took a bite.

Before Logan knew it the muffin was gone and he realized that he had really been hungry and still could eat some more. As if Patton had read his mind, he looked at the cupcake and simply handed I over to him. There was more hesitance in the gesture than before and Logan took out the knife he usually hid in his boot. With a handkerchief he wiped over the blade and then cut the cupcake in half. With a grin he pushed one half towards Patton and took the other one for himself.

It didn’t take the two of them a minute to eat their halfs and Patton soon asked Logan to cut the apples into slices. Logan obliged and Patton watched fascinatedly how he was handling the blade. Logan took the opportunity to ask what had been on his mind.

“Did Mr Green tell you of the meeting of today, or was there another reason for you to be aware of it?”

“Mr Green told me!” Patton answered and took an apple slice. “I was with him last night and he explained to me that today was a very important talk between you and King George. It decides over the fate of this kingdom he said and that is pretty scary. I don’t know if I would want to have talks that decide over the fate of a kingdom. That’s really scary.”

Logan hummed and dried his blade from the apple remains. Quietly, he put the knife back in his boot and took a slice for himself.

“It is quite scary indeed. But it is my duty as king to face it nevertheless.”

Patton nodded and they ate in silence for a few minutes.

“Is there going to be a war?”

Logan gulped. He glimpsed over to Patton. He looked at him with big watery eyes and concern that should never be visible in a child’s face. Logan had failed. Failed protecting his kingdom and this child.

“I am afraid so, yes.”

Patton did not start crying. Instead, he dug his fingers into the fabric of his pants and balled his fists forcefully. Logan slid closer to him and put his hand on his back. Slowly, Patton leaned against his side and Logan just drew circles on his back. It was all he could do right now.

“Will Green have to fight in it?”

Tears began to drop from Patton’s cheeks and Logan gently lifted his face and wiped them away. His guard had gotten close to Patton over the past month. Green had mentioned Patton ever so often, always joy and fondness in his words when he spoke. Janus and Virgil, both had told him that the kid frequently visited him and how they played together close to the stables.

“I understand that Green is very important to you?” Logan asked softly and Patton nodded. “I do not plan on sending him to the front. He will stay with me but that will be dangerous as well, I’m afraid. But I will frequently remind him that he needs to be careful so that he can come back to you. Do you think that would help?”

Instead of an answer Patton shot forward and hugged Logan ferociously as a wave of whimpers and tears shook through him. Logan held him close. He could barely imagine the pain Patton was going through. Finally, this orphan had found the first real parental figure in his life only for him to lose him right away in a senseless war. How was this fair? How was this real? Logan didn’t know and pulled Patton on his lap to hug him properly. Patton didn’t resist and let his king hold and cradle him fiercely as he slowly calmed down.

Eventually, Patton was quiet but for a few sniffles. His head was laying against Logan’s chest and he listened to his heartbeat and a few grumbly noises Logan’s stomach made. Patton blinked and wiped his eyes dry. No more crying he decided and opened the little satchel he had been carrying with him. Inside he had Green’s surprise from yesterday evening. He checked if it was still there and then cautiously put the satchel down next to him and slipped from Logan’s lap.

There had been jam on the shelves and the whole kingdom knew that their king really liked jam. Quickly, he walked around and found the shelf with the jam in question and carefully took one jar out of it. He looked on the label but couldn’t quite make out if it was a picture of a strawberry or a raspberry. Both were good enough he decided and walked back to the chest and his king.

“Could you take out the spoon I have in my satchel Mr Will Suffice?” Patton asked and Logan opened it with a frown.

He seemed surprised when he actually found a wooden spoon amongst the clutter in the little bag as well as something wrapped in several napkins. Yet before Logan could ask Patton took the satchel back. He gave Logan the jar and then fished the thing in the napkin out of his bag. Very carefully he began to unwrap it and finally Logan could see what was hidden under it.

“Sugar cookies?” Logan asked incredulously.

Patton grinned and nodded. Quickly he motioned for Logan to open the jar and explained in the meantime: “Green made them for me yesterday! He said it was a gift because I have been so nice to him but I know that he just likes giving me things. He knows I don’t have a lot of stuff and I am very excited about anything that he can give me. So that is pretty cool. And because your tummy is still making noises, I thought we could share some! Did I bring raspberry or strawberry jam? I can’t see it on the label.”

Logan needed a moment to catch himself. He didn’t know why but his head somehow got stuck on the first sentence.

“Green bakes?” Logan asked with a flushed face and opened the jar with a pop.

Patton shot him a strange look and then took the jam out of Logan’s hand and began to scoop some of it on the cookies.

“Mhm, but he just started! He says he isn’t that good yet but I like it a lot! I know he tries very hard.  He has also told me to share things if I can. He says that it’s annoying but it’s more fun to share,” Patton explained and handed Logan a cookie with jam on it.

A bit of the jam got stuck on Logan fingers but he could not bring himself to mind. Instead, his mind clung on the picture of Green sitting in front of the stove, waiting for his cookies to bake and tapping his fingers on his knee as his patience ran out. But eventually, Logan managed to focus again and looked at the cookie in his hands. Just smelling the jam made his mouth water a little and he knew he could not resist the temptation much longer.

“You can eat it! I still don’t know if it’s strawberry or raspberry though,” Patton said and Logan glimpsed down to the jar between the two.

A fairly big picture of a raspberry was on the label and he told Patton as much. The boy took the jar and held it closely in front of his face. Logan did not comment on it but knew that he would have his optician visit the orphanage and pay for the glasses these children most likely needed.

When Patton had put the jar back down and took his own cookie, Logan toasted to him gently: “Thank you for sharing with me. I am sure it will be berry good.”

The joyous giggling from the little boy almost made him stop cringing at his own bad pun. When Patton had quieted down again, they began to eat their dangerously sweet sugar cookies and Logan felt himself being thrown into heaven. He definitely needed Green to hand the recipe to his cook so he could have more of those. He really wanted more of those.

As Logan took his third one, making sure to not take more than Patton, Patton said: “I think Green will be very happy that you like his baking. He talks about you a lot.”

Logan almost choked but managed to keep himself from doing so and asked: “Is that so?”

“Mhm. He says you are a very good king. Very kind and forgiving. I think he really believes in you. I think he missed you a little when he had to guard Prince Roman. He talked more about you then.”

Logan listened closely and stopped chewing when Patton gave him a very firm look.

“I think he likes likes you.”

Logan almost spit out his food, which Patton ignored and mercilessly continued: “And I think you should like like him back. He is very good at hugging and he knows the best way of how to clean pans now. I showed him!”

“Really?” Logan coughed with a squeaky voice. “That’s great, Patton.”

“Yah! And also, also you like to have him around too, right? That’s why you want him to stay with you for the big fighting! Because you don’t want anything to happen to him!”

A few moments with some more coughing from Logan passed. Then there was quiet. Logan sighed and slid from the chest down on the floor. He knelt down to look Patton directly in the eyes and cupped his cheek with one hand.

“Such things require time and devotion, Patton. Love of any kind needs to be cultivated and cherished. And to do that all parties involved need to devote time and effort for the others. And as king, especially in this situation, I have to be fully devoted to my kingdom. I have to be devoted to you. I have to be devoted to him to and make sure I will do my very best to lead us all through this crisis. I cannot simply choose to give all my time to him, Patton. I cannot be selfish in this position. Not when so many lives are at stake.”

The look in Patton’s face was heart-breaking. But Logan usually went with the truth and he would not make an exception here. Especially not with Patton who seemed to be far smarter and wiser than many kids his age. Or maybe Logan simply didn’t know that many kids his age.

“It is very admirable of you to wish him and me a happy ending, Patton,” Logan tried to soften his approach. “I am thankful that you care for us, but that is not your job. You are still a kid and should have nothing to worry about but your friends and what you want to play next, okay?”

Patton nodded. He didn’t seem convinced but apparently had accepted his explanation. Logan let his hand sink from Patton’s cheek and rested both of his hands on his shoulders. Patton’s eyes seemed so heavy and Logan felt himself almost cooing at the sleepy expression.

“Can you hold me? Your hugs are pretty nice too,” Patton said and stretched his arms out for Logan.

With a little chuckle Logan scooped Patton up and got on his feet. Like a koala Patton clung to Logan and began to drift off the second Logan began to walk around. Softly, Logan kept swaying Patton in his arms and felt him growing heavier and heavier in his arms. He walked back to the chest and sat down with is kid in his arms. Gently he adjusted his weight and Patton nuzzled against his chest.

“When the war ’s over, can you ask him?” Patton mumbled.

“Ask who what?”

“If Green wants cuddling, you silly!” Patton sleepily giggled and closed his eyes. “I think Green would love being held like this.”

Logan didn't think it was fair for Patton to be able to fall asleep after saying that and leaving him a blushing mess with a little kid in his arms. The image of Green in his arms, head on his chest and his hands tangled in his long hair felt almost like a memory instead of a vivid daydream and Logan had a hard time to ban the picture out of his mind again.

It helped that Patton snored tiny whistle snores and took Logan’s mind of thoughts and feelings for Green which he would not name at this point in time. He just kept focusing on the Patton in his arms and felt himself slowly feel heavier too.

Today had been a terrible day. He had a war at his hands, his people, his friend and family would be forced to fight for no reason but the stubbornness of a man who did not wish to listen to reason. So many children like Patton must be worried for their parents and trusted guardians who were going to fight for their kingdom. He had never wished for this to happen.

Enveloped in his thoughts Logan had lost track of time. He didn’t think of the fact that there was a meeting which he had walked out of, that there was Janus who worried about him constantly these days. He didn’t think of the fact that Janus could have started looking for him already and had told Green and Virgil to do the same as he had no idea where the king could be.

Logan didn’t hear the door opening as he watched Patton’s sleeping face. He almost didn’t hear the steps that were approaching. But suddenly he registered them and looked up. He had not expected Green to be standing there with his mouth wide agape and staring at Patton on his lap.

“Is he asleep?” Green whispered.

Logan found himself simply nodding and stood up. He noticed how Green looked him over and realized that he might look a little messy from his own agitated hair pulling and the snacking with Patton. He opened his mouth to excuse himself but the words died on his tongue when he saw the smile bloom on Green’s face as he looked closer at Patton.

So, Logan walked up to him and gently gave him the boy, quickly fixed his own hair and made sure that nothing was sticking to his face anymore. Green was preoccupied swaying Patton and waited until his king stood by his side before he took Patton’s little satchel and left the room with Logan by his side.

“How long have I been away? I had no indication of time in the storage room,” Logan said keeping his voice low.

“Close to an hour by now. The Royal Advisor got antsy,” Green explained and shot a look to Logan. “I don’t mean to intrude, so ignore that I even asked if I am out of line, but is there a reason why you were eating jam with Pat in there?”

For a moment Logan said nothing and Green expected that his question had been too intrusive.

“My blood sugar seemed to have dropped a bit during today’s events. Patton advised that I ate something.”

Laugher. Bright and loud laugher echoed from the wall and Logan stood still as he watched Green’s face light up. Something clenched in his chest but it didn’t hurt. It felt familiar and he wanted it to stay.

“He can get quite bossy, this little one! I hope he didn’t pressure you too much, Your Majesty.”

Logan shook his head and smiled at Green. He didn’t get to say more as Janus and Virgil appeared around the corner and asked what had happened. Logan didn’t go into detail and only vaguely hinted at Patton. He asked Green to bring him back to the orphanage and question him later on how he got into the castle undetected. Green agreed and Logan went back with Janus for his meeting.

The day kept on going with preparations and scheduling the next few days. Logan didn’t find time to do much but agree and listen to his advisors until it was already late and he headed back to his chamber. But there was still one thing left to do and he turned away around and got to Janus’s quarters.

He walked by his room, voices quietly talking from the inside and he rolled his eyes and headed to his office. As expected the light was on and with one knock Logan entered.

“Virgil I’m com-” Janus stopped as he turned around in his seat to see Logan stand there.

Before Janus could say anything else, Logan stepped inside and closed the door. He smiled at him and raised his eyebrows.

“I won’t keep you long. They must be awaiting you in your room,” Logan said and walked closer to his desk.

Janus shifted a bit in his seat but kept his face blank. It didn’t do anything to hide his embarrassment, not from Logan at least, but Logan was not going to point it out. Not when he had a favour to ask.

Janus crossed his legs as he waited and realized after a few moments that no request would come. Curiously he watched his king. His friend. Right now, Logan seemed not to wear the burden of the crown but the burden of a man and Janus wanted to know what that was.

“What can I do for you, Logan?”

Logan leaned against the desk and intertwined his hand in front of him. He almost looked sheepish.

“Do you think Roman still needs Green as a guard? Or could I have him back with me?”

Logan met Janus’s eyes as he asked but lowered his gaze when Janus didn’t say anything. He sighed and walked away from the desk. Maybe he was being foolish. Maybe he shouldn’t have asked.

“Why are you asking for my opinion? You are the king, Logan. You can have whoever you want as your guard,” Janus said.

He headed towards the door and looked over his shoulder to Janus. Why did he ask for Janus’s opinion? For his permission?

“Of course,” Logan said and opened the door to leave, “don’t stay up too long. They’ll be worried.”

Somehow that phrase didn’t sound like it had been meant for Janus.

___

Link for AO3, Taglist, Masterlist, and next Chapters are in my first reblog!

#intrulogical #platonic logicality #logan sanders #patton sanders #remus sanders #janus sanders #roman sanders #virgil sanders #talk of war #war #sanders sides #food tw #rood #fantasy au #Never Met You #eir writes #please reblog

[pocket-luv101]

Summary: Mahiru is a wishing star who grants wishes. He is guarded by the twelve zodiacs and he has never left the starry sky before. One day, Kuro asks Mahiru if he has a wish. He only wants to be a simple star for a day. (KuroMahi, Fantasy AU)

Water pooled around Mahiru’s waist as he knelt in the center of the Wishing Fountain. He had his hands folded together as he gathered his magic in front of him. The world was reflected in the pool and Mahiru could hear the wishes of thousands of humans. He filtered through the different requests and used his magic to grant the wishes with pure intentions.

A cool breeze passed over him and the water made it feel colder. Mahiru shivered and he created a ray of sunlight above him to warm himself. While he was cold, he couldn’t leave. The Wishing Fountain was his main tool to peer into the human realm and grant people’s wishes. He touched the image of people laughing around a bonfire and he felt a little envious. As the North Star, Mahiru could never visit Earth like other deities. He needed to stay in the starry sky to grant wishes and guide ships through the night.

Mahiru was pulled out of his thoughts when he felt something warm fall over his shoulders. He touched the jacket and he recognized it quickly. The thought of the person it belonged warmed him better than wearing the jacket could. He slipped his hands through the sleeves and said: “Thank you, Kuro. Did I lose track of time again? You and Hyde switch guard duties at midnight.”

“You’re immortal but you should take better care of yourself, Mahiru.” Kuro warned him. The cold couldn’t kill him but he still felt the need to protect him. He brushed his wet bangs from his forehead and he caught a few droplets that clung to his skin. He was glad that he was the only one permitted to enter Mahiru’s garden while he was granting wishes. His other guards would stand outside the gate.

“Humans have interesting wishes. I get distracted while listening to them. I didn’t realize it was so late.” They lived among the stars and it was easy to lose track of time. The Milky Way didn’t have a sunrise or sunset and it was a constant twilight instead. Mahiru glanced to the clock tower in the distance and he was confused to see that there were a few hours until midnight. “It’s not your shift to guard me yet. Are you here with a message from my uncle? I hope nothing happened.”

Mahiru couldn’t hide his worry as he rushed to his feet. Many people would target his family of wishing stars for their powerful magic. His mother had died when he was young and his uncle raised him. Their duty to grant simply wishes was also important to maintain humans’ faith in the gods. Kuro and the other zodiacs were assigned to protect his family.

“Nothing happened.” He quickly assured him and he placed his hands on his shoulders before he could out of the private garden. Mahiru let out a breath of relief and he placed his hand over his facing heart. He noticed Kuro’s face suddenly redden and he didn’t know why. Then, Kuro pulled his jacket tighter around Mahiru and he blushed as well. His white shirt was soaked through. “I’ll grab a towel for you.”

“I can use my magic to dry myself.” He told him but Kuro still turned around for the sake of his modesty. He had always been respectful and considerate to him. Mahiru had other guards but there no one he trusted more than him.

They had been together for centuries and Mahiru considered them close friends. A part of him would like to be more but he didn’t know if he should act on his feelings. Kuro was his guard and he didn’t know whether he was only with him out of a sense of duty. He feared that he would make Kuro feel awkward if he confessed to him and he didn’t return his feelings.

“You never told me why you’re here so early, Kuro.” Mahiru said as he dried his clothes. “I’m happy to spend more time with you but I know you find guarding people exhausting. You’re Leo, the strongest of the twelve zodiacs, and many deities requests that you guard them. You don’t have time to yourself or rest. It must be troublesome for you.”

“I don’t think you’re troublesome.” His words caused Mahiru to smile and the simple curve of his smile was surprisingly welcoming. The other gods and deities he guarded were haughty but Mahiru was different from them. He enjoyed spending time with him and he looked forward to their moonlit meetings. Kuro found himself asking to take over his siblings’ shift to protect Mahiru.

Kuro glanced at the Wishing Fountain and he thought of the reason he came. They were the only ones in the garden but he softened his voice into a whisper so no one could hear him. “You once told me that you would like to see a sunset in person. Do you want me to take you to Earth to see it? It’s your birthday tomorrow so this can be my early birthday gift to you.”

“Leave the heavens and go down to Earth?” Mahiru whispered the possibility to himself. He had dreamed of doing so but there were a thousand reasons he couldn’t. “I wish we could go. It’s impossible though. If I stop granting wishes for a night, the gods will know that I left my post and they’ll punish both of us. I don’t want to get you in trouble. Someone might attack us on Earth too.”

“I talked with the other zodiacs and they want to help you see that sunset. Hyde will stand outside to stop anything from entering. You can also grant wishes on Earth so the gods won’t suspect that you’re gone.” Kuro said and gently took Mahiru’s hands into his. Mahiru looked into his red eyes and his heart fluttered. “The sunset will start in a few hours so we won’t be on Earth long. You don’t have to worry about someone attacking you. No matter what, I’ll protect you.”

“I trust you, Kuro.” He squeezed his hands back.

Mahiru sat behind Kuro on a winged horse and he looked over his broad shoulder to the Earth below. His stomach held a mixture of excitement and nervousness. No matter how the day ended, he knew the sunset would be a happy memory for him. He could finally see the sunset as more than a mere reflection in his Wishing Fountain. Furthermore, he would share the moment with Kuro. They sat close on the horse and his body was pressed against his back. Mahiru wondered if he was able to hear his heart racing.

They landed on a beach that was a fair distance from a rural town. They agreed that it would be best to land on the beach because there would be fewer people. Kuro dismounted the Pegasus first and then he helped Mahiru off the horse. The sand shifted beneath their feet but Kuro’s hand on his waist kept him balanced. Once he was on the ground, Mahiru grinned up at him.

“Thank you, Kuro. The sunset will start soon but there’s a lot of things I want to do while we wait to see it.” Mahiru wore his jacket with the hood pulled over his head so the other deities wouldn’t recognize him. The hood shadowed his eyes and Mahiru adjusted the fur lining to see Kuro better. “My birthday falls on a human festival. I would like to try the games and food they have.”

He hugged Kuro’s arm and dragged him towards the town in the distance. His excitement was contagious and he ran alongside Mahiru. He could hear people’s wishes in the distance and the voices were clearer on Earth. They reached the end of the road and Mahiru saw people preparing stalls for the upcoming festival. Rows of colourful paper hanged over the streets and he instinctively knew they were wishes.

Mahiru noticed a little girl struggling to hang a slip of paper on a bamboo tree. He slipped his hand from Kuro’s and then went to help the child. He knelt next to her and spoke in a kind voice. “Would you like me to help you? I’ll hang that for you.”

“Can you put this on the highest branch? I want the gods to see it!” She asked and pointed to the tip of the tree. Mahiru couldn’t help but smile at the irony of her request. He wondered how she would react if she knew that he was a wishing star. He stood and then stretched onto his toes to place the wish onto the tallest branch. His fingers only barely brushed the branch and he considered using his magic.

Mahiru felt heat blanket his back as Kuro moved to stand behind him. He slipped the wish from his hand and placed it on the branch from his. They were so close that he could feel his breath brush over his ear. “You shouldn’t use your powers for small things like this. Someone might notice and suspect that we’re not human.”

He had to question if Kuro was able to read his mind to know that he intended to use his magic. On the other hand, they had been together long enough that they could predict the other’s actions. He leaned back into his chest and whispered back to him. “Granting wishes is the purpose of my magic. Don’t worry, I’ll be careful so no one knows.”

He straightened and then he discretely snapped his fingers. Following his command, a puppy bounded down the street and crashed into the child’s leg. Mahiru patted the dog’s head and said, “It looks like this poor boy is alone. Do you think you can let it be a part of your family? I’m sure your mother will allow you to keep him if you tell her it’s a smart guard dog.”

“I wanted a puppy! The gods must have seen my wish and sent him to me.” She cheered and hugged the puppy close to his chest. She thanked Mahiru before she left. Mahiru liked to make others happy by granting wishes yet he was rarely able to interact with humans. He tilted his head back to stare at the wishes above him and he hoped he could make them happy as well.

Kuro watched him work and his warm magic filled the space around them. He swayed slightly after he used his power to grant many wishes at once. He gently placed his hand on the small of Mahiru’s back so he wouldn’t collapse on the ground. Mahiru leaned against his arm and Kuro touched his cheek lightly. He appeared a little pale so he led him to a stall selling food.

“What do you want to try? I’ll pay.” Kuro offered. Mahiru looked over the different treats on display and Kuro loved watching his expression change. He wore his feelings openly on his face. “The sunset will start soon. I know a good place where we can watch it.”

Kuro and Mahiru sat on the ledge of a tall cliff and ate the crepe that he bought for them. He had suggested he try the simply vanilla flavour and he couldn’t have chosen better for him. Mahiru smiled to himself as he took another bite. From their seat on the mountain, he could see the town and the beach beyond it. “This is the perfect spot to see the sunset. How did you find this view?”

“I was guarding Dionysus. He got drunk and almost fell off the cliff.” Kuro remembered the first time he saw the sunset. He wanted to share the sight with Mahiru. “To see a sunset is a simple wish. Is there anything else you would like for your birthday? You’re always granting wishes for others. You should have your own granted for once.”

“I know this sounds like a simple wish but it means a lot to me. It’s beautiful how the sunset can change the world. Thank you for bringing me here. I would never have the courage to travel to the Human Realm on my own.” Mahiru finished his crepe and wiped his hands. His gaze fell onto Kuro’s hand between them and he thought of another wish he couldn’t have.

Then, he looked forward to the sunset in front of them. Mahiru held his breath as he shifted closer to Kuro. Then, he slowly placed his head on his shoulder and he waited to see his reaction. He didn’t pull away and Mahiru sighed softly in relief. Without a word, their hands naturally came together and their fingers became entangled.

“There is something else I wish for.” He told him. “I hope you have the same wish as I do.”

He felt Kuro’s hand on his cheek and it drew his gaze to him. Even before he spoke, his red eyes told Mahiru that he also felt the same. He tilted his head back to meet his soft kiss, washed in sunset.

#servamp #kuromahi #sloth pair #servamp kuro #mahiru shirota #fanfiction

[kinkyacademia]

Bless you Mod Pastafor opening the ask box when if its just for a day!! If possible could I get something, anything honestly, with fatgum?? I'm in a desperate need for some fatgum angst and NSFW!! Please and thank you so very much!!

Pleasant Distractions

I can’t stop smiling, this was so bittersweet and soft and aahhhh….I used a female reader because it wasn’t specified, I hope that was okay. Also I LITERALLY just formed my blankets into a human body to try and figure out the anatomy of this whole thing.

-Mod Pasta🍜🍝 

You hadn’t known all of Fatgum’s friends, but a few of them were dear to his heart. Some of them were fellow heroes that he worked with so much that they were comfortable having a beer together, others were just casual friends from his previous days in police work. These ones, however, were fellow heroes.

Two to be exact. Snatch and Sir Nighteye. Fatgum hadn’t spoken to Snatch in a while, but he had worked with him before. They both cared deeply about their work as heroes, and both had an emotional side. Sir sometimes had to bring Taishiro back down to earth, and although he never thanked him for it, he was grateful to have a friend who could remind him to stay focused.

They had both died in Taishiro’s recent mission. You knew by the look on his face when he came home that night after so much paperwork and interviews that they must have lost someone. But two friends? Taishiro was broken. He cared for everyone around him so much, even if he hadn’t talked to them for a while up until this meeting.

He walked through the front door in his civilian attire in his low-fat form, still bandaged up from the hospital. You looked up from the snack you had, pausing the movie, “Ah, Tai, you lost w-”

“(F/N),” The look of utter despair in his eyes caught you off guard. You had only seen it once before when he had lost another hero friend. You jerked forward, putting your snack and the remote down. But you didn’t want to scare him, so you paused and slowly got up, “H-Hey…”

“Taishiro,” You cooed, walking around the couch and putting your arms out, “Hey, shh, it’s okay, come here,” He took a hesitant step forward, tears already welling in his eyes. He took a shaky breath, then nodded and leaned down to hug you. He immediately began to sob, and you rubbed his back, feeling his surge of emotions and struggling not to cry yourself. You loved him so much, and seeing him this destroyed was hard. He was always the light in the relationship, but sometimes he needed a stronger light to hold onto, and you would be that for him.

“Higawara an-an um… You know uh, Sir Nighteye? Sasaki?” You nodded, holding the man that was shaking like he was about to fall to the ground, “They just… They were so good, and they’re gone (F/N),” He held onto you with his good arm that wasn’t fractured, digging his fingers into your shirt, “Why… I know nobody knows the answer, but why does-does the world take the nicest ones away?”

“I’m sorry, Tai, I’m so sorry,” You whispered, squeezing him. He sniffled, pulling back a little. You glanced at the fridge, “Do you want me to reheat dinner?” He nodded quickly, wiping his tears away. They began to stain his wrappings, and you knew you would have to replace those before bed. You grabbed his good hand and led him around the pass-through so he could sit down, grabbing the food from the fridge and throwing it into microwave. While it heated up, you went behind him and wrapped your arms around his neck, hoping the contact was enough to calm the man down a little bit, “I’m so glad you’re alive, though, Tai. If it was that intense, you could have died…”

“If I could-” He paused, then shook his head, taking a deep, shaky breath, “No, I don’t want to leave you… Gosh, just please don’ mention that,” He swallowed hard, “I’m already so worried about my interns, they’re real beat up.”

“I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have said that in the first place,” You quickly backtracked. He just shook his head again and looked down at his lap, his cheeks squishing against your arms. You rested your own on his fluffy blond hair and waited for his food to ding. Once it did, you brought it over with a fork and he thanked you with a nod. You sat next to him while he ate, getting him a napkin to wipe the tears off his face. He never stopped crying while he ate, but he did thank you a few times over for cooking for him. Even if he ate ten times a day, your cooking was his favourite, and at this point it was a comfort to him. He definitely needed comfort right now. You offered to make more food, but he hesitantly declined, saying he didn’t know how much he could keep down.

 This worried you even more. He never denied food. Alas, you got him up and to the bathroom so you could look over his wounds. While you did, he mumbled, “I… I gotta get my uh… Fat back, so I can,” He looked away from you while you inspected his broken collarbone, replacing a couple layers of bandages that had already become soiled, “So I can wear the suit to the funerals.”

“Don’t push yourself, you’re allowed to be sad,” You reminded him, and he smiled for a second with a small nod, wiping his tears away again with his bandaged hand, “Aw, Tai, don’t do that. You’re messing them up,” You gently grabbed his hand. He winced, pressing his lips together with a nod.You had to replace a couple layers of the binding while he tried to compose himself. You kissed the bandages after doing them, and he whimpered with a small smile. 

You pulled him in for another hug, and he cried a little bit more before you headed to the bedroom. Apparently he had taken a shower at the hospital since he had to be there all day, so you both got pyjamas on. You struggled to find a good way for him to sleep, but on his back seemed to be the best. You curled up next to him, looking up at the large man. He was looking at the ceiling, breathing heavily. He was probably reliving memories of the two heroes, and you nuzzled into his neck, reminding him that he was right here. He chuckled, leaning into you. You smiled, wrapping an arm around his waist, “Hey.”

“Hey…”

“Anything I can do for you?” You pulled back to look at him. He looked surprised, then narrowed his eyes. That was the look he gave when he was thinking things over. You gave him all the time he needed, and when he nodded, he gave you a softer smile with his cheeks flushing.

“Maybe a small… distraction would be nice,” He pressed his lips together, looking away from you. You took a second to process what he meant, but when it went through, you couldn’t hold back a bashful smile.

“Of course,” Your arm that was wrapped over his chest helped you pull yourself on top of him, straddling his waist. His pupils immediately blew out as he let an expression of pleasant surprise take over his face.

“Oh,” The larger man couldn’t hold back a smile. You were usually on top because he was afraid of hurting you, and he was just such an easy person to fluster, but you leaned down seductively to his ear, placing your hands on his chest that was covered by a thin sleeping shirt.

“You know… You don’t have to hold back when you’re like this,” You rolled your hips against him, and he made a delicious choking noise. You chuckled at his cuteness, then yelped when he suddenly leaned up. You pulled back, still straddling his lap as he looked at you with embarrassed determination, “You- uh…”

“You’re right, I don’ usually get opportunities like this,” He grinned, and you felt a childish rush of adrenaline. You pressed your lips to his, and his arms wrapped around your back, cradling the back of your head in his huge hands like he was scared of letting you go. You wrapped your arms around his neck, taking in all of him - his fear, his loss, his need. Your lips danced together, parting momentarily for your shirts to come off. His fingers were too wide to even try to get your bra off, so you had to help him there. His cheeks were a fiery red, and the delicious colour traveled all the way down his neck and to his now-defined collarbones.

“Pants, Tai, pants,” You whispered in between heated kisses, and he nodded lazily, too caught in the moment to even think. One of his hands was trailing up your side, leaving goosebumps in its wake. He shifted to your breasts, feeling and gently rubbing them, causing you to gasp and roll your hips against him again. His breath caught for a second, and you were beginning to feel his growing erection against you.

“Taishiro,” You moaned, having to pull back from the ravenous making out, both of your lips bright pink, “Please,” You dropped a hand down to his pyjama pants, tugging lightly at them. His eyes widened for a second, and his blush darkened impossibly more so. He nodded as if he had forgotten all about what was coming next, and you climbed off of him, taking your own pyjama bottoms off. In a pile next to each other, you could visibly see the size difference between you and the quirk-enhanced body of your lover.

He was always embarrassed and flustered when it came to sex, but that was not to say that he didn’t love it, and he even sometimes took the reigns himself. Once you were both stripped down, you weren’t off his lap for long, “D-Do you uh… wanna lay down, or sit, or-” He muttered, avoiding eye contact. Your legs were already feeling raw as you rubbed them together uncomfortably - you needed him, and he obviously needed you. You giggled, glancing between the gentle giant and your pillow. He was rubbing his neck, cross-legged and as naked as the day he was borne.

“I can lay down,” His bright smile and nod was just too adorable to handle, and as the back of your head hit the pillow, he climbed over top of you, glancing down at your folds before quickly looking back up like he saw something he wasn’t supposed to see.

“Maybe ah… do you wan’t some uh… preparation?” His voice practically raised an octave, and you thought for a second. You really just wanted him inside of you, but you craved this side of him, so nodded with a small smile. He literally gave you a thumbs up, then quickly realized how dumb he looked and scooted back so he was only partially over you. One of his hands trailed down from your stomach to your naval, then he pushed his pointer finger inside of you.

The feel of his rough, time-beaten hands inside of your wet folds brought a gasp from your lips. As if a switch had gone off inside his head, he chuckled, amused by your response. Knelt between your legs, he began to slowly pump his finger, his other hand finding your breasts and going back to squishing them. He always had an affinity for squishy things, and your body was no different. He was thoroughly enjoying himself, you could tell by his smirk.

You wanted him to forget about the day’s worries, even for just a little bit, and he seemed absolutely rapt with you. He pushed his other finger in, surprising you and coaxing a moan out. Your eyes traveled down his chest to his abs that rarely got to see the light of day, then to his length that was standing painfully at attention. He was right to prepare you - being such a large man, accommodating for him was sometimes a struggle. You pressed a delicate hand to his chest, rolling your hips into his hand, “Tai… C’mon, please,” You whined, wanting more.

His eyes that had previously been glued to your chest moved up to your own, and his smirk only widened as he pulled his fingers out, bringing them up to his lips. He licked them, something that always set your hormones on fire. His entire career was practically based around food, and sometimes it felt like you were defiling government property when he tasted you. Your cheeks finally matching the redness of his own, he cleaned his fingers off before climbing over you, his hands on either side of your head, “I love you, (F/N).”

“I love you too Taishiro,” You whispered with a giggle, reaching down to his dick and grabbing it, causing his eyes to widen, “But please fuck me.”

“Yeah, of course,” He spluttered out with furious nods, his huge dorky smile contagious. You aligned him with your entrance, and he pushed inside of you, apologizing softly for the tight fit. You shook your head, absolutely head over heels for his kind ass.

“Wait, your arm,” You realized his bandaged arm was holding him up. He shook his head, rolling his eyes. You whined, placing a gentle hand on it, “Be careful, okay sweetie?” He nodded with a closed mouth smile, excited to get to the main course.

He lowered his body by getting on his elbows, but he still wouldn’t press his entire body against you, probably still in the mindset that he would crush you. You didn’t mind: You leaned up to plant a caste kiss on his lips, and the goofy smirk returned as he leaned down to capture your lips, pulling his hips back before rocking them back into you, plunging deeper. You moaned into the kiss, wrapping an arm around his back to hold on. His pace started slow, but when you started to roll back into him, he knew he needed to amp it up. He was always so gentle with you, sometimes he forgot that you could take him.

He grunted as he slammed his member into you, the sound of skin against skin filling the room. You were both panting, lips mesh against each other except for the much needed breaths you would take. Your nails dug into his back, but he wasn’t complaining. He had enough battle scars to write the marks off. Before his mind could travel to anymore battle-related events that day, you said something that made him feel light-headed, “Bite me, Taishiro, god… Please…”

“Fuck yes,” he whispered, leaning down and finding the crook of your neck. His huge mouth wrapped around your skin, and when he sunk his teeth in, your loud moan made his insides turn. You loved the feeling of this giant’s teeth against you, his lips sucking and pulling at the skin while his hips crashed into you and you made mincemeat of his shoulder blade.

Your body was heating up as it prepared to snap for an intense orgasm. You gasped, your back arching, “Tai, Taishiro, oh my… Oh God…” You whined as your walls tightened for a second, and he could feel your fluids around his member, coating it with a thick layer. His bad arm was starting to give out, however, so he wrapped it around your head, gentling pulling it to the side to look for fresh skin to mark. You were bound to look like you had been beat up after this. He still held his body up with one arm, but he almost wavered when he couldn’t hold back, the pleasure becoming too much. Still having control over himself, he pulled out, coating your stomach and his own with his seed.

Still warm, you were both panting. He pulled back to look at the blooming marks he made, a little embarrassed that he had let himself go and draw a spot of blood on one. He went to apologize, but you pulled him back down for an intense, light-headed kiss. Once you were both in your right mind, or at least close to it, he spoke first, “We should take ‘nother shower…”

“Yeah,” You nodded, “Please,” You laughed, and he chuckled, looking away from you.

“Oh don’t go sayin’ that again,” You giggled, giving him an Eskimo kiss.

“Please Taishiro,” You whispered, “Take a shower with me,” You pushed against his chest, and he groaned, pulling himself off of you.

“Don’ push too hard, I cracked a rib,” He laughed while you gasped, apologizing. You both took a long, hot shower, relishing each other’s presence and his lifted spirits.

#fatgum #toyomitsu taishiro #taishiro toyomitsu #fatgum x reader #reader x fatgum #taishiro x reader #reader x taishirou #toyomitsu x reader #bnha #mha #boku no hero academia #my hero academia #bnha scenarios #mha scenarios #my hero academia imagines #my hero academia scenarios #boku no hero academia imagines #boku no hero academia scenarios #boku no hero academia imagine #fluff #comfort #angst #my hero academia angst #fatgum angst #mod pasta

[jungshookz]

Say if there was an alternative universe where L*** actually got together with Ceo!Yoongi, how would Ceo!OC deal with it? Genuinely curious & no offense to miss OC! We luv u! 🥺

➺ pairing; min yoongi x reader

➺ genre; alternate ceo!yoongiverse, uh oh uh oh it’s angst!!!!!! angst in ur pangst 

➺ wordcount: 1.7k

➺ what to expect; “how do you know when you’ve found the one?” 

➺ note; first of all l*** made me chuckle and second of all buckle up!!! it’s time to travel to an alternate ceo!universe where yoongi and y/n don’t end up together :’(( my heart is sad :’(( this was a baby drabble that went off the rails a little whoOps

➺ ♪;  serendipity (music box edition) okay serendipity is such a beautiful song already but the music box edition.,,. it’s so.,,. it makes a single tear roll down my cheek and i thought it was so fitting for this alternate storyline :-(

                                  ➽───────────────❥

it’s about 10:15 when you hear the faint ding of the elevator

!!!

yoongi’s back!!!!!!

you pull the sleeve of your blouse up to check the time on your watch

jesus

he’s been gone for like four hours

do dates normally last that long???

you haven’t been on one in forever and the last date you went on only lasted for like an hour and a half 

(it wasn’t a super great date)

(he took u to a burger king drive thru and u had to pay because he ‘left his wallet in his other jacket’) 

you perk up immediately when yoongi’s footsteps begin echoing down the hallway and you get up from your chair before smoothing your skirt down

your legs are a little numb considering you’ve just been sitting here tapping away at your monitor for the past four hours 

and your ass is a little sore too 

the things you do for this man!! 

“how’d the date go, boss?” you keep your hands folded in front of you and try your hardest not to twiddle your thumbs

you notice the dopey grin on yoongi’s face as he approaches your desk and... 

you’re not a love guru or anything, but that seems like an indicator that the date must’ve gone pretty well

the faint lipstick smudge on the corner of his mouth is also a pretty big giveaway

“it went so much better than i expected!” yoongi laughs lightly as he heads into his office with his suit jacket flung over his shoulder

he’s practically floating on a cloud 

you can see the little pink hearts bouncing around his head!! 

“i’m so happy to hear that, sir.” you trail behind him obediently and swallow thickly as you feel your heart clench in your chest, “i’m glad it went well!”

you don’t want to make yourself sound like an awful human being or anything but you’d be lying to yourself if you said a teensy little part of you didn’t want his date with lisa to crash and burn

you just... 

you thought that maybe... 

god 

what were you thinking?

did you actually think you had a chance with yoongi?

did you think that just because the two of you have spent a considerable amount of time together that something would happen? 

that he would slowly fall in love with you the way you’ve slowly fallen in love with him?

do you even hear yourself right now??

you’re IN LOVE with min yoongi!! 

and you thought he’d love you right back!!

you sound ridiculous!

you feel pathetic! 

how could you be so delusional?

“lisa was so wonderful… so kind and sweet and funny… she took me to this frozen yogurt place for dessert! i love frozen yogurt!” yoongi sighs as he plops down on his chair, “can i ask you something personal, y/n?”

“that depends, sir. what is it?”

“how do you know when you’ve found the one?” 

oh  

your heart thrums painfully in your chest and you swallow the growing lump in your throat 

“that’s a good question. you’ll just know when you’ve found the one, i think.” you clear your throat, “when they smile, so will you. one of your favourite sounds in the entire world will be the sound of their laugh. they’re the first thing you think about when you wake up and the last thing you think about before you fall asleep. they’ll make your heart glow golden in your chest... at least, that’s what i think.”

the corner of your mouth lifts in a fond smile when you notice yoongi gazing up at the ceiling with a dreamy look in his eyes  

you feel a kind of warmth grow in your chest when he lets out a cute little sigh 

you’re not particularly sure what kind of answer he’s looking for but obviously he wasn’t really listening because he’s starting to blab again, “how long should i wait until texting her?? god, i feel old-“

“i’m sorry, sir, you have some… you have some lipstick on your mouth.” you smile sheepishly as you cut him off

you don’t know how much more of this you can take

“oh, lord. that’s a little embarrassing.” yoongi reaches up and wipes at the opposite side of where the smudge is, “there?”  

“no, it’s just-” you point to the corner of his lip, “it’s just right there...” 

yoongi reaches up again and just misses the spot and you can’t help but snort 

“can you just help me so i don’t keep making a fool of myself?” yoongi leans back against his chair and you smile before nodding 

you make your way to the other side of his desk and yank a tissue out from the tissue box  

yoongi rolls his chair towards you and you bend over slightly to get down to his eye level  

“if it makes you feel any better…” you tuck a finger under yoongi’s chin before raising his head a little, “cherry red is definitely your colour.”

“you out of all people should know that burgundy makes my eyes pop.” yoongi murmurs quietly and you let out a light giggle as you wipe the smudge away gently

the two of you lock gazes for a brief second and you feel your heart skip a beat

oh boy

you’re in too deep 

how the hell are you going to get yourself out of this?

(and just to sprinkle a little more salt into the wound-)

“speak now or forever hold your peace.”

your fingers dig into the flesh of your palm as sooN as the priest utters that stupid phrase

you would curse but you feel like god is going to send you straight to hell if you have a dirty mouth under his roof

“hey, you okay?” jimin reaches over to take your hand and he gives you a reassuring squeeze when he notices your eyes starting to glaze over, “y/n…”

“it’s okay, i’m okay.” you press your lips together and nod, “sorry. you know weddings make me weepy.”

jimin’s shoulders droop slightly and he turns back to face the front as he chews on his bottom lip anxiously

you’ve told him time and time again noT to feel bad for you but he can’t help it!!!

he can’t help but feel awful when he sees how sad your eyes are!!!

he can’t help but feel awful when he sees the way you look at yoongi

you look at him with so much love in your eyes and it’s so clear that you’d pluck all the stars in the sky for him if he asked you to 

and jimin hates that he can’t do anything to help you!!!

you’ve been hopelessly in love with yoongi for nearly two and a half years now and jimin can tell you’re dying on the inside having to watch the man you love marry someone else

he’s tried to help you move on but it’s apparent that your heart just can’t let go 

every time you try to move on you end up bouncing back twice as hard 

he still remembers the day you found out yoongi had proposed to lisa 

the two of you were meeting up for lunch as per usual but for some reason when you stepped off the elevator to greet him you looked as pale as a sheet of paper 

“just know that this is coming from a place of love, but i feel like you might need to get a tan or something because-“ 

“she said yes.” you whisper so softly that jimin can barely make out what you’re saying 

she said yes? 

she said yes. 

yoongi’s getting married? 

he’s getting married... to lisa. 

“i feel so stupid.” your voice wavers as you let out a chuckle of disbelief 

a ghost of a smile appears on your face briefly and jimin’s eyes widen when your eyes begin to water and your cheeks begin to redden 

oh, no… 

“c’mon, there’s an empty room around the corner.” 

the memory of you collapsing to the floor and bursting into gutwrenching sobs as soon as you stepped into the room never fails to send a pang straighT into jimin’s heart 

also

weddings dO make people weepy but it should be a happy weepy!!! 

not a sad weepy!!!!!!

“you may now kiss the bride!”

the crowd immediately bursts into thunderous cheers when yoongi sweEPs lisa off her feet before giving her a loving kiss

she giggles against his mouth as she reaches up to cup either sides of his face 

time slows down as you rise from your seat and begin to clap

the sound of applause rings in your ears and you begin to feel lightheaded when the realization hits you:

it’s too late. 

jimin is able to pinpoint the exact moment your heart shatters in your chest and he feels his own heart ache for you

you look so defeated.

you force a bright smile when yoongi and lisa begin to make their way down the aisle

he looks so happy

so in love 

and that’s what’s most important here, right?

as long as yoongi is happy, you’re happy!  

“don’t.” tears tremble at your waterline and you shake your head furiously when you see jimin’s lips part to say something

you don’t want to hear whatever it is he has to say because you are currently in a veRY fragile state and you feel like you could burst into tears and completely break down at any given moment

“hey crybaby, see you at the afterparty??” yoongi reaches out to grab onto your hand as he walks past your row

“i wouldn’t miss it for the world, boss!” you chirp in response and yoongi gives your hand a squeeze 

your heart sinks in your chest when you feel his hand slip away from yours

it’s too late.

help me help you make your wishes come tru (aka send me a request)

requested drabbles masterlist

#requested drabbles #yoongi drabbles #ceo!yoongi #ceo!yoongi drabbles #min yoongi #yoongi fics #yoongi fic recs #yoongi writing #yoongi fluff recs #yoongi fluff #yoongi smut #yoongi smut recs #bts #bts fic recs #bts fics #bts drabbles #bts fluff #bts smut #bts fluff recs #bts smut recs #bts yoongi #yoongi cute #yoongi angst drabbles #yoongi angst #bts angst fics #yoongi angst fics #yoongi angst fic recs #bts angst fic recs #bts writer recs #bts author recs

[watch-glass]

Fictober - Regency Era edition

https://archiveofourown.org/works/34202902/chapters/85210993

Day three (3/10/21)

Prompt “I’ve waited for this.”

This was it. 

Jonah had won. 

He stood in his Panopticon and looked out on the world that he had worked so hard to achieve and he smiled. He smiled more than he had in years. Two hundred years of hard work had finally paid off for him. This is what he had wanted for so long and finally, he was given what he rightfully deserved. 

Power.

That’s what Jonah wanted. What he needed. It was the thing that had helped keep him going for all of these years. His pride and ambition were there as well, in full bloom now that he had achieved all of this. Oh how he wished that his old acquaintances could see him now. He knew that a few of them would most likely look at him with shame, hurt, and disappointment, but that did not bother him. Their opinions did not matter now. They are all also long gone. Lost to the flowing river of time. 

Jonah missed those men sometimes. After all, they had been who he chose to acquaint himself with. He wasn’t ashamed to be shown by their side. They were all people with respectable lives and fair amounts of wealth; Jonah had taken advantage of that quite a lot. None of them were truly supportive of his ambitions though. They always said that he was “thinking too big.” How wrong they were. 

The man who stood in the Panopticon was not the same man that had lived so many years ago. He had changed. Both in appearance and in sense of self. It had been a change for the better, of course. He was so much more confident of himself now. He always had been, but in his earlier days, doubt had been a constant thing that would swirl around his mind. Not anymore though. He was sure of himself and his status in this world that he had worked to create. 

He couldn’t take all of the credit though, after all, his Archivist had been the one to read the incantations. He had been the one who went through all the Fears. But at the end of the day, Jonah had been the one who dedicated multiple lifetimes to his cause. And he wanted to be in The Eye’s favour. He had done so much for it and it had given him all the knowledge that he could ever want. 

Jonah was so lost in his own thoughts that he didn’t notice a light blue figure flicker in and out of view. It was almost like a hologram. But how could such a thing be here? A few moments passed and it made what had happened seem like a strange anomaly, but eventually, it appeared again. It was clearer this time and you could make out the shape of a person. The blue was a light, misty colour that was slightly translucent. 

As the figure stood there, it began to stretch and move different limbs. It was like it had put all its energy in trying to get here and now it needed to stretch all the effort out. Jonah saw the glow of the figure out of the corner of his eye and turned to face it. He immediately recognised who it was. The slightly disheveled curls on its head; the way it wore its corset slightly higher up than any regular person would; the gentle curve of its face. He knew all these features well.

The figure that stood before him was the figure of Barnabas Bennett. The first man he had loved...and the first man that he had betrayed for his ambitions. A gentle sadness could be seen on the man’s face and Jonah couldn’t help but feel a pang of guilt in his chest. The feeling caught him off guard as he had moved on from Barnabas so long ago. But he knew that he was not mistaken about what the feeling was. The ghostly man was looking around, seemingly trying to avoid making eye contact with Jonah, but he inevitably did. There was a rage in his eyes that Jonah had never seen before and he almost felt scared. Neither of them had said a word in the few minutes that passed and it was apparent that they were both waiting for the other to talk. 

Jonah didn’t even know if the ghost could talk. Was the ghost even there? Or was he just hallucinating? No. No he was definitely there. He had been moving around. And Jonah had a sound state of mind; he could not be going crazy. 

“Why are you here?”

Jonah could not hide the quiver in his voice as he spoke. It was very apparent and the ghost seemed to notice it. 

“I do not really know why I am here.”

His voice.

It really was his voice.

Jonah had not heard that gentle voice for so long and he wanted to hear it more. He had not realised how much he had missed it. Barnabas had always been a man with a gentle voice. Words came easy to the man whenever he set his mind to thinking about what he was going to say. Jonah remembered that he had always been one for poetry. That was why he was good with words. However, when it came to regular conversation, especially with people that he wasn’t familiar with, he stumbled with his words often. He would stutter and struggle to figure out what he wanted to say. Jonah had always found that particularly attractive in Barnabas. He could be like two different people sometimes. 

The silence that had filled the room while Jonah reminisced was deafening. The ghost had folded its arms and was waiting for the other man to say something else in response to him. Jonah tried to move past his thoughts so he could focus on the conversation at hand.

“Did you choose to come here?”

Jonah figured that that would be an appropriate question to ask. He wanted to figure out if his ex-lover had been forced here or if he had chosen to come here of his own free will. Well, whatever free will you have when you are dead.

“I...I think that I chose to come here. Everything that came before this is quite vague.”

There was one of Jonah’s questions answered. It was as vague as an answer could get, but at least it was a start.

“Were you really that desperate to see me again, angel?”

“Do not call me that.” Barnabas’s answer came quickly. He didn’t even seem to think about that. He just answered. Jonah felt a stab of pain in his chest. It wasn’t physical pain. It was emotional. He knew that Barnabas had loved being called that and to see him reject the name upset him. 

“Why ever not?”

“We are not together anymore, Jonah.” Another remark. Another stab of pain for Jonah. Barnabas had been so devout to him all those years ago. He was like a dog. He never left Jonah’s side and would fawn over him at any chance he could get. To hear that he didn’t want to be with him anymore shocked him in a way.

“Who said that we are not together anymore? You chose to come to me. Clearly you could not resist the chance to see me again.” “Do not be so full of yourself. I came to tell you that I do not love you.”

Jonah had to stop himself from immediately trying to yell at Barnabas in protest. Why would he still love him? Jonah had left him to die. But he had been so head over heels for him. He hated to feel so confused but he would not let the ghost know that he was getting to him.

“Oh Barnabas, you aren’t still caught up in what happened so many years ago, are you?”

“Of course I am! You left me to die after I begged for your help, Jonah!” “I would have helped you if I could have.” “I know you could have helped me! So do not try and lie to me!”

Barnabas shouting was not something that Jonah was accustomed to. He didn’t think that he had actually heard Barnabas yell before. It was something that he wished he could have continued to go on without hearing. His voice was wracked with pain and hurt and it threatened to break as he yelled.

“I am not lying to you, dear. I am simply trying to make you understand that I had other things that I needed to achieve and I could not help you.” “Are you saying that letting me die was something to- to help further your research?”

“I am.” Jonah tried his hardest to keep his voice calm and smooth as he spoke. He knew that this would probably just anger Barnabas more but he was not going to let his true emotions show. The look of pain that was plastered on Barnabas’s face was as clear as day and Jonah hated to see him like that. But he knew that nothing that he could say would change what he had done, so he may as well be as truthful as he wants.

“You- You bastard! I hope you rot!”

“Come now, love. You do not mean that.”

“Yes I do! I mean that more than anything I have ever meant before! I cannot believe that I loved you! You are the worst man to have ever set foot on this earth!” Barnabas’s figure had begun to flicker again. It was clear that he didn’t have long left here and Jonah was glad about that in a way. Barnabas deserved to rest. Free of all the troubles that were clearly making him so angry. But Jonah also wanted the man to stay. He had wanted to see him again for so long and to see him on the verge of having to leave again crushed him.

He knew that nothing lasts forever though.

“And all of this...how do you feel about this, Jonah?” Jonah took a moment to think about how to phrase his answer and spoke again once he had figured it out.

“I have waited for this for a long time, Barnabas.”

That was all he could say in response. By the time he had finished speaking, the ghost of his lover was gone. Jonah did not try to hide the tear that ran down his cheek at this. But there was no point in being sad. Barnabas was simply a memory. He was another thing that had helped Jonah get to where he was now.

And Jonah appreciated that.

He turned back to look at the world below his tower and smiled again. It was beautiful. 

He just wished that Barnabas could have seen its beauty with him.

#the magnus archives #jonah magnus #barnabas bennett #tma