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chaoticpuff17 · 3 years

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Suga, We’re Going Down

part 13

masterlist

hello, my darlings! I have another update for ya’ll! the moment you have all been waiting for! *laughs evilly and slinks back into my cave*--- chaotic puff

Eun Jae was either more upset by the incident than she had realized, or more likely, he had picked up on how shaken she was. The little boy had been glued to her side since she’d gotten off the phone with Yoongi. All he wanted was cuddles, and she wasn’t quite sure if it was for his sake or hers.

They’d both turned in for an early evening, after an afternoon of Pororo, coloring, cuddles, and bath time for the toddler.

The next day found the pair in much the same position. Y/N hadn’t even bothered getting them out of comfy clothes. What was the point when it was just going to be a lazy day with her favorite little guy? It was a normal day for them for the most part, until there was a knock on the door.

A quick glance told her that Eun Jae was thoroughly invested in the opening of Finding Nemo with his favorite stuffed dinosaur firmly clutched in his little arms, and she went to the door, expecting to find Nina on the other side.

She opened the door, shocked to see Yoongi standing on the other side. Hadn’t they agreed that her home was a private space? What was he doing here? Why hadn’t he called first?

“Yoongi?”

“Y/N.” he greeted, eyes darting over her figure. “Are you feeling better?”

“I’m fine.” she stuttered eyes wide with shock.

He sighed in relief, a slight smile spreading across his features only to fall away as a little figure poked its head out from behind her legs. She hadn’t even noticed Eun Jae following after her?

“Who’s that, Eomma?” the little voice called, staring up at Yoongi with wide dark eyes.

She pasted on a smile of her own, placing a hand on the little boy’s head reassuringly. “He’s a friend of Eomma’s.” he tugged on her leg, frowning in disbelief, and she responded immediately by lifting him up and resting him on her hip in a move that was so easy, so natural, that Yoongi knew she had to do it often.

“Like the weird man?” he asked, curling his fingers into the neckline of her shirt.

“Not quite, baby.”

“Bad man?” he asked, eyes wide and worried.

“No, baby. He’s not a bad man.” the last thing she needed was for Eun Jae to be more stressed after yesterday’s events.

A million thoughts were racing through Yoongi’s head.

An eomma? Why hadn’t any of his research shown this? She had a child. There he was staring back at him trying to figure him out just as much as he was, both of them confused by the current situation.

He had to admit that there was something of Y/N in the child’s face, but how could there be a child? She’d been a virgin up until fairly recently. There was no way that the child was hers. He couldn’t be, and yet he looked so much like her and someone else though Yoongi couldn’t quite put his finger on who it was yet.

There was a sister. Wasn’t there? And if he remembered correctly, there might have been a vague mention of a pregnancy, but he couldn't recall exactly what the circumstances were. He hadn't really been focused on the sister, especially since the woman didn’t seem to be in her life. But what was the child doing here? And why was he calling her eomma?

The child gave him one last distrustful look before burying his head in Y/N’s neck.

“What are you doing here?” she asked swaying gently on her feet, a calming motion for both her and the little one.

“I came to see if you were alright. You said you were sick.” he answered still a little stunned by the sight of the child.

“My home is off limits.” she reminded him, voice strained.

“I can see why.” he huffed, eyes still glued to the little boy.

She stiffened, her grip tightening around the child. “You should go.”

“Eomma!” the little one called out, still hiding his face in her neck. “Nemo?”

“Sure, baby.” she smiled, setting the kid down and moving further into the little apartment.

The child paused, staring up at Yoongi for a moment before he seemed to come to a conclusion.

He reached up a little hand and grabbed Yoongi’s tugging him into the apartment.

The apartment was small but cozy. It bore the evidence of both Y/N and the child’s residency. There were textbooks next to coloring pages on the table, and toys scattered across the floor, not to mention Finding Nemo playing on the TV. Y/N herself looked more comfortable, almost disheveled, more so than he had ever seen her before. She looked far more like a mom than the cellist he had first set eyes on.

Her hair was pulled up in a messy bun, with her glasses perched on the end of her nose. She was dressed in a baggy pink sweater and a pair of leggings. Clearly she hadn’t been expecting guests, but Yoongi couldn’t bring himself to care about that right now. There was a child.

The little boy plopped back down letting go of his hand and picking up a dinosaur plushie turning his attention back to the children’s movie. When he noticed that Yoongi hadn’t joined him on the floor, he looked up almost offended. There was a quick tug on his pant leg, and Yoongi sat down without a second thought.

Both boys noticed that Y/N wasn’t with them though. She was staring from a few feet away, stiff and frightened. Eun Jae wasn’t having that though.

“Eomma!” he called, reaching out to her with the hand that wasn’t clutching onto the dinosaur.

She responded immediately, coming to stand beside them. “Do you want to sit on the couch or is it floor time?” she asked, waiting for a response before she sat down.

“Floor.” the little boy chirped, sending his mother a wide, scrunchy grin that wrinkled his little nose.

“Okay, Jae Jae.” she smiled fondly, sitting down next to him on the side opposite Yoongi.

“Jae Jae?” he asked, still trying to figure things out.

“Eun Jae.” the little boy piped up. “This is Bambam.” he grinned holding out his dinosaur.

“I’m Yoongi.” he introduced himself awkwardly, not sure what to do with this revelation. He wasn’t used to children, and he certainly wasn’t expecting his angel to have one. “That’s a nice dinosaur.”

Eun Jae’s face scrunched up in thought again before he thrust the plushie into Yoongi’s hands. “You can cuddle Bambam. I’ll cuddle Eomma.” Without further ado, he flopped into his mother’s side, making himself comfortable there, and Y/N’s hand immediately went to his head, gently combing through his hair as they all settled in to watch Nemo and his classmates go off on their first day of school.

Neither adult said anything. Y/N wasn’t sure what to say, and Yoongi was still trying to make sense of it all. By the time that the fish had made it to the dentist’s office, Eun Jae had become restless, as toddler’s are prone to do, and moved over to the coffee table to start coloring again.

After a few minutes of that, Eun Jae looked back at Yoongi holding out a crayon to him in a silent invitation to color, one that Yoongi knew better than to refuse. If this was her kid, he needed to be on his good side. If the kid was willing to reach out, he was going to take full advantage of it.

“Can you draw a shark?” the little boy asked him, tilting his head to the side.

“I can try?” he offered reaching for a black crayon, only for the little boy to stop him with a frown.

“No! A purple shark.” he demanded.

Yoongi didn’t quite understand why the shark had to be purple, but he wasn’t going to argue with the kid about it.

After a while of silent coloring, he presented his finished purple shark to the kid. “That’s a bad shark.” the kid deadpanned, earning a laugh from his mother and a scandalized look from Yoongi. “It’s okay.” he patted Yoongi’s arm sympathetically. “Eomma can’t draw good. You’re better.”

“Hey!” Y/N called offended. “See if I ever draw a dinosaur for you again.”

“Can we have snacks?” he asked, looking at her innocently.

“You insult my drawing skill and now you want snacks?”

“Yes pwease!”

“What do you want to eat, buddy?” she asked, rolling her eyes at her son.

“Jajangmyeon!” he called.

“That’s not a snack buddy.”

“But, eomma!” he whined, lips trembling as he pleaded.

“How about we have it for dinner instead?” Yoongi suggested, shocking both himself and Y/N.

The little boy thought for a moment, brow scrunched up as he contemplated the offer. “Okay. Promise?” offering his pinky to the man.

“Promise.” Yoongi agreed, sealing the pinky promise.

“How about gamjajeon for a snack?” she asked, still a little startled by how well her toddler was getting along with a complete stranger. He didn’t usually like strangers. There was also the fact that Yoongi had basically invited himself for dinner as well, but that was a problem for a different moment.

“Okay, eomma!” he smiled. “Can Yoongi have gamjajeon too?”

“Sure, buddy. Yoongi can hav gamjajeon too.” she stood up, giving her son a kiss on the head before moving over to the kitchen to whip up the snack.

The little boy ignored her, having already gotten his request for a snack approved, turning his attention to Yoongi instead. “Can you draw a whale? Sharkie needs a friend.”

“Sure, kid.” he nodded. “Purple whale?” he asked, earning an enthusiastic nod and a scrunchy smile from the kid.

After a while, Y/N came back with two small plates of the fried potato pancakes setting them both down in front of the boys.

“Eomma, look!” Eun Jae held out the picture Yoongi had drawn for him. “Sharkie has a friend now!”

“Wow!” she cheered, her awe a little over exaggerated, but that’s what you did with kids. “That’s so good, buddy!”

“Yoongi drew them!”

“Did you tell Yoongi thank you?”

“Thank you, Yoongi!” he cheered diving into his arms to give him a big hug. As quickly as the hug came, it was gone, leaving Yoongi reeling. “Juice, eomma?”

She nodded, already headed back to the small kitchen. “Would you like anything to drink? We have tea, juice, water, banana milk. I think I still have some coffee left. It’s not as fancy as your coffee, but it’s coffee?”

“Tea would be great.”

She nodded, moving into the kitchen to prepare drinks for everyone while Eun Jae demanded that Yoongi draw jellyfish for him.

Snacks eaten and several more demands for various sea creature drawings later, Eun Jae began to nod off, unsurprising given that it was reaching that point in the afternoon. But if she mentioned naptime while Eun Jae had his new ‘friend’ there, she was bound to get a tantrum, and she didn’t really want to deal with that. So she settled herself on the sofa with a blanket, and Eun Jae made his way over to bury himself in her lap, draggin Yoongi over to the sofa as well. Soon enough, the toddler had drifted off to sleep, leaving the apartment silent except for the last dramatic moments of Finding Nemo.

She would have been a fool not to notice the tension in the air. Yoongi had been great with Eun Jae, taking it all in stride and not demanding answers in front of the child, but the child was asleep now, and there was nothing stopping him from demanding those answers anymore, but she could delay it for a few more minutes.

Making sure that Eun Jae was really out, she scooped up the little boy and moved him to the bed, tucking him in for his nap. The only problem was, now there was nothing left to do.

“I think we need to have a talk, angel.”

part 14

#bts #bts fic #yandere bts #bts suga #bts yoongi #min yoongi #bts fanfic #yandere yoongi #rapper yoongi #yoongi x reader #suga we're going down #suga #yandere suga #suga x reader #agust d #dark romance #sugar daddy au #yandere #soft yandere

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mudhornchronicles · 3 years

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brick | din djarin

pairing: din djarin x f!reader

warnings: making out, season two spoilers, fluff, so much sweetness - willy wonka is jealous

a/n: this is part three of maroon. i’d like to thank @remmysbounty for the request and idea for part 3! i also got inspiration from this post!

also: a scene was inspired by this post

reds: maroon | sanguine | brick

masterlist

“Din Djarin - if you don’t give me that cape this instant, I promise you that this next stop will be your last.”

You stomped your foot and let out an exasperated huff. Your husband stands in front of you, clad in his armor minus the helmet, teasingly waving his tattered cape in front of you. You lunge for the shabby and discolored piece of fabric and nearly trip as he pulls back his precious cape.

“Cyar’ika, I don’t need a new cape. This one works perfectly well. See?” He wraps the material around his broad shoulders and tucks it into his chest plate - making sure it stays intact. “It does its job. All I need it to do is hide body heat from snipers.”

You let out a loud sigh with a dramatized eye roll. “Riduur, please. I didn’t say to get a new cape. I just asked to fix it. So Din, just let me sew the holes at the bottom of the kriffing cape!”

You walk over to him and place your hands on his chest. You trace the ridges of the beskar chest plate and look up at him through your lashes. “Besides… doesn’t the Mand’alor always have to look his best?” You smirk and raise your eyebrows up and down.

He shakes his head no and places his arms around your frame. “The only person I care about looking good for is you. I didn’t ask to be Mand’alor.”

You wrap your arms around his neck to give him a peck on the lips, but he wanted more. He held you tighter and deepened the kiss. Your hands unwrapped from around his neck and cupped his face - one hand on either cheek. His tongue peeked out and licked your bottom lip. A sign you knew meant his tongue asking for permission to join the party. You smiled and invited your tongue to meet his.

You loved kissing your husband. Not because he’s your forever partner, but because kissing him is a dance of sorts. His mouth moves perfectly with yours while your tongues waltz. His big hands on you - one against your lower back and the other bringing you closer to him by your hip. You can kiss him forever and you’d never get tired of it. His facial hair doesn’t get in the way of kissing him, but it can get long enough that it covers his upper lip and that bothers you. You love seeing his lips - especially in the morning as they’re swollen and full from sleep. He tends to groom himself whenever he notices you staring at his lower half of his face.

The pair of you are torn away from your trance when Din hears the navigation device beep indicating that the ship is approaching its destination. Din gives you one last kiss and runs up to the cockpit of the ship Greef Karga let him borrow. You walk up into the cockpit and look out the dashboard and see you are approaching an ocean planet - curious, you thought.

“What’s this planet called, riduur?”

“Ahch-To.”

“Do you have a bounty here? It’s beautiful.”

“No, something even better.”

You look over to him as he turns on a small commlink. When the light glows green, you watch your husband speak into it. “Am I landing across the island?”

You look back out the dashboard in confusion. Who could you husband be speaking to? You wait a few seconds and the commlink comes back alive - a young man’s voice comes through.

“Yes, Mandalorian. Land your craft on the east side of the island. I will send a landspeeder for you. He’d be very upset with me if I had you walk across an island.”

“Copy. Landing on the island’s east.” With that, your husband turns off the commlink and puts it back into his belt pouch.

He lands the ship on the east side of the island, as instructed, and leads you back into the hull. You walk to your shared sleeping quarters and grab his helmet. You walk back and place a chaste kiss on Din’s shaking lips before latching his helmet back into place. He grabs a bag from the floor near the ramp and places it around his shoulder. He grabs your hand into his gloved one and opens the ramp.

You walk off the ship and sure enough, a rusted landspeeder awaits you with an eager R2 unit set up in the back. You walk over to the beeping machine and pet his round top. “Why hello R2 unit, do you have a class number?” The white and blue beeps excitedly and starts to shake. You let out a giggle and continue to pet him. “It’s very nice to meet you, R2-D2. Will you be taking us to whoever my husband is here to see?”

R2-D2 beeps once more and you nod in satisfaction. “Very well, R2. Thank you for picking us up.” You hear a scoff to your left and you turn to see your husband shaking his head in disbelief - all while laughing and putting the final bag in the landspeeder. You put your hands on your hips and lean on one leg.

“Is there an issue, riduur?”

“No,” he puts his hands up in surrender. “Not at all. I just forgot how much you liked to talk to droids. How can you even understand them? They just... beep.” He helps you into the landspeeder and settles himself in. You tell R2-D2 that you are ready to go and the landspeeder begin to move with a beep from R2.

“Every beep is like morse code. Just like sign language has specific angles and motions, droids have specific tones and lengths. My dad had me spend a lot of time with our protocol droid back on Naboo who taught me quite a lot.” Your husband nods in an understanding manner and leans back into his seat. He places an arm around you and you think he may have slept throughout the ride.

When R2-D2 notifies you of your arrival, you and Din jump off the speeder. You collect your things and thank R2-D2 for the ride. He beeps back and asks you to wait as he rides away. You assume he went to park the landspeeder.

You walk into a cottage on the ledge of a cliff that R2 had led you to and are met with colors painting the walls. A child’s drawings plastered on every surface. You leave your things in the spare room R2 told you about and are led to a flat area atop a hill not far from the cottage. You see a young man in a black robe and a small green child sitting in front of each other and you saw… floating rocks? Is this what Din meant when he said you’d see “weird” things?

You were pulled out from your thoughts by a child’s shriek and blabbering. You focus on the scene in front of you as you see the blubbering mess of the green child running towards your husband. You watch in shock as your husband removes his helmet, tosses it to the side and falls to his knees. He catches the youngling in his arms and places a kiss to his wrinkled little head. Din stands and hugs the child tight.

“Hello ad’ika. I’ve missed you so much.”

You can’t help, but smile at the thought that Din brought you here to meet Grogu, his foundling.

“He’s very happy to see you, Mandalorian. When I informed him about your upcoming visit, Grogu couldn’t wipe that smile off his face.”

Din looks over at the young man and nods. He looks back at you and introduces you to the man you now know as Luke Skywalker.

“Grogu.” The child looks up at his father and holds his cheeks in his little claws. Din turns to you and has Grog look at you as he introduces you by name. “This is my riduur - my wife.”

Grogu hides in Din’s neck and shyly waves his claw at you. You thought it would be best to not overcrowd the child, so you wave back at him while keeping your distance.

“Hello, Grogu. It’s very nice to meet you. Your father could not stop talking about you. He loves you very much.”

Grogu coos at you and snuggles into his father’s neck once more. You smile at the baby and look at Din. He’s looking down at his son with the eyes you know to be filled with love.

“How about we go back to the cottage. We can have some food and I can update you on Grogu’s training.”

When you make it back to the cottage, Grogu immediately takes Din into his room in the cottage. You hear Din say phrases such as “good job, kid!” and “is that supposed to be my helmet?” and finally “that’s really good, buddy.” Your heart melts away as you imagine him saying things like that to your biological children. Instead of going into Grogu’s room and making him shy away again, you decide to help Luke prepare dinner as he tells you what Grogu’s training entails. Grogu drags Din to the table set up in the living room - well the middle of the cottage really - and sits him down and hands Din a crayon. He grabs a cookie from the jar on the table and breaks his cookie in half, handing a side to Din. You know Din’s heart is about to explode when you see Grogu clap at Din’s drawing of Grogu’s silver ball.

As you all sit and eat dinner, Luke tells Din about how advanced Grogu is in his training and the kind of power he predicts Grogu will have. Grogu was the first to finish and asked Luke to be excused from the table. When Luke gives him permission, Grogu runs to the table in the middle of the room and continues to draw - his favorite pastime you learn.

As you listen to Luke and Din talk about Grogu for what feels like ages, you feel a tug on your tunic. You look down to see Grogu lifting his arms to you with a paper in one hand and a red crayon in the other. You ask him if he’d like to be picked up by you and he nods. You place the baby on your lap as he places his paper and crayon on the table. You look down and you feel tears forming in your eyes.

His drawing consisted of three people.

One figure was drawn in an obsidian black crayon with a helmet adorning its head - Din.

Another figure was much smaller than the other two and was drawn in a forest green crayon - Grogu.

The third and final figure was drawn in ocean blue crayon. You looked down at your tunic and saw it was blue. He drew you.

He asks you for his red crayon that rolled too far from him to reach. You grab it and read the crayon’s color - brick.

He begins to scribble on the paper above the figures. You assumed he was writing his name or simply scribbling, but when he cooed at you to look, you couldn’t help but give him a gentle squeeze.

Above the figures in Grogu’s scratchy handwriting was the word ALIIT in blocked brick-red letters.

Din looks over to you when he hears you sniffling and is in awe when he spots the drawing. He gives Grogu a loving head rub. Grogu asks for his blue cookies that are placed near Luke. Luke obliges and tells Grogu he can have them. Grogu summons them and mentally drags them until they are in front of him. He grabs one and breaks it in half, offering you one half of his cookie as he eats the other half.

As you bond with your husband’s foundling, you overhear Luke tell Din that Grogu’s training is complete. Grogu had informed him that he did not want to walk the path of the Jedi - he just wanted Din.

“Mandalorian,” Luke warns, “If your Grogu refuses to train as a Jedi, I cannot stop him. His attachment to you is too strong to break. If he is forced to stay, his emotions will get the best of him and the pull towards the darkside will become stronger than ever.”

“Then he goes with us. If he doesn’t need anymore training to control his powers then he can go right?”

Luke simply nods. He then looks at Grogu and as if he told him the plan, Grogu springs in excitement and jumps in your lap. He babbles and looks up at you as if saying “do I really get to go with you guys?”

As yourself and Din pack up Grogu’s possessions before going back to the ship, Grogu makes it clear that he wants every drawing of his neatly packed as well.

With Grogu’s two bags and a box full of drawings, you make it back to the ship. Grogu gives Luke a big hug and places his forehead onto Luke’s. They stay like this for a while and Luke finally says, “no, thank you, Grogu. It’s your turn to take care of your family just as your father took care of you.”

You bid your thank you’s and goodbyes to Jedi Master Luke Skywalker and R2-D2 and promise him that Grogu will come back to see him again. As the ship takes off, you and Grogu look out the dashboard and wave goodbye. You keep waving until Luke and R2D2 look like specks and your view is clouded by oceans.

“What’s next, riduur?”

Din looks over to you and removes his helmet. He looks down at his son and takes Grogu’s claw into his fingers.

“I think it’s time that we formally adopt Grogu.”

You smile and place a kiss on top of Grogu’s head. “Din, have you not vowed him as yours yet?”

Din shakes his head and laughs. “I never had the chance to. I was either getting shot at or he was getting kidnapped.”

You playfully shove him. “Then what are we waiting for? Does the Mand’alor want to start or should I?”

“I found him first so I get to start.”

You roll your eyes and gesture him to continue. You take Grogu’s other hand in yours.

“Ad’ika,” Din clears his throat and begins, “ni k-kyr'tayl gai sa'a. I know your name as my child, Grogu.” Din places a quick kiss on Grogu’s forehead and Grogu smiles brightly.

It’s your turn now. “Grogu, ni kyr'tayl gai sa'a. I know your name as my child, if you’ll have me.”

Grogu seemed to understand what this saying was. He stood onto your lap and hugged you, little claws on your jaw and then launched himself into Din’s arms.

You knew you wanted to start a family with Din ever since you first met the shy little foundling in maroon armor back on Mandalore. You also knew you wanted to have foundlings join your clan, but you didn’t know that the foundling would turn out to be a green baby with jedi powers. Though you don’t fully understand Grogu’s powers, you wouldn’t wish for a different little kid.

As you’re putting Grogu to bed, you hear Din come into the ship’s hull trying his hardest to be quiet. Din may be covered with beskar with head to toe, but he can sneak up behind you like nobody’s business. You put your hand out to motion him over behind you. He looks over you to see Grogu sleeping peacefully with Din’s cape wrapped around him with a corner of the fabric in his mouth.

“Cyar’ika, do you think - you think we can finally build a home and settle down? I just want Grogu to be able to be a kid.”

You lean back until his torso hits your back. “That sure sounds nice, Din.”

“How does Endor sound? Maybe even Naboo? I know you may not like Naboo because of your mother, but as your husband, I want to give you new memories. I think our kids would like the lakes there. Endor is also a beautiful planet and I’ve heard Ewoks are nice when you offer them food. They’re little teddy bears so our kids would enjoy befriending those little creatures. They’re small, but highly intelligent.”

“What about being the Mand’alor? You have to take back Mandalore for your people. Wouldn’t we have to be on the planet you want to take back?”

“I’ll take back Mandalore, no doubt about that. But that doesn’t mean I can’t start a life with you elsewhere first. I want to make up for the time we were forced apart. I still haven’t given you little warriors.”

“No, Djarin. You haven’t. I think it’s time for you to put in some work and give me a baby. Well, aside from our little green son.”

“I’d jump into a lava river if you’d ask me to.”

“Nah, I just want to raise our four or five babies with you by my side.”

“Four or five babies?”

“Yes. Two biological babies, Grogu, and other foundlings. There are so many children with no one to love them and we both have plenty of love to give. We just need stability.

“That can be arranged, my queen.”

mando’a translations:

cyar’ika = sweetheart

riduur = spouse

mand’alor = leader of Mandalore

ad’ika = little one

gai bal manda = adoption ceremony

Ni kyr'tayl gai sa'ad = I know your name as my child

taglist: @theocatkov @remmysbounty

#din djarin #din djarin x reader #the mandalorian #the mandalorian x reader #mandalorian #mandalorian x reader #pedro pascal #pedro pascal characters #star wars

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joshuas · 3 years

Text

sue me

♫ pairing: han jisung x gender neutral reader

♫ genre: college/university student!au, slice-of-life, crack, fluff, best friends to lovers

♫ word count: 3.9k

♫ warnings: nil of note!

♫ summary: just chaos and lawsuits?

♫ tagging: @fluffyskzclub

♫ a/n: the seventh addition to my christmas drabbles! i don’t really know what i’m doing anymore ;-;

♫ skz christmas drabbles: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8

The door jingled as three figures huddled through the store together,

“It’s so cold!” One of them — Jeongin, exclaimed, bringing your attention to them from your organising,

“Lucky it’s warm in here. Hey, guys!” You waved as they approached, looking at the display of records and CDs behind you.

“Y/N!” Jisung approached you first, pulling you in for your signature handshake.

The taller boy, Seungmin, scoffed, looking down on the two of you,

“I can’t believe the two of you still do that elaborate greeting.”

“You’re just salty that you haven’t been friends with someone since childhood and had the awesomeness to come up with something like this.” Jisung defended.

Bitterness bubbled in your stomach,

Right. Friends.

The two of you had established your friendship way back in daycare when you lent Jisung your crayons... reluctantly, at that. But you were kind of desperate to make friends, so you accepted his request. What you had underestimated though, were his motives. Jisung had no intention on actually giving your crayons back. Long story short, hair was pulled, paper was thrown, including scissors at one point, all resulting in Jisung eating your crayons so that you would never get them back. You had never been more shocked in your entire life... well you were two-years-old, so there wasn’t much that you had experienced. However, your parents, after hearing of this fight, insisted on taking you to visit Jisung in the hospital (he had just digested crayons, it’d be concerning if he didn’t at least get it checked out), giving him a CD of your favourite songs for him to listen to. How a two-year-old was supposed to appreciate that was beyond you, but when he came back to daycare with a set of colour pencils and drew pictures beside you, the two of you were inseparable since.

However, once you had gotten into university, the two of you had exchanged more than friendly comments, making you reconsider his place as your best friend after all. I mean, did he make your heart flutter? Yes. Did you miss him whenever he wasn’t around, even when he was being a pain? Yes. Was he incredibly talented, handsome and amazing that you couldn’t help but fall for him?... Yes! You had been trying to figure out ways to hint to him what you really thought of him, but he was about as clueless as Cher in the movie Clueless. And seeing as New Years was round the corner, you had resolved to yourself that you’d confess to him as one of your New Years resolutions... It was now just a question of how...

As Jisung pulled you in for the final part - a hug, you inhaled his familiar scent, interrupting your internal monologue, your mind calming from its racing, seconds before.

“How may I help you guys today?” You brushed your clothes, trying to maintain an air of professionalism.

“Jisung dragged us all the way here to get some of your famous ramen.” Jeongin explained, sighing.

“You came all the way to a music store... to try my ramen?” You asked confusedly.

“I don’t understand the logic behind it as well. But we did come all this way, in the snow as well.” Seungmin looked at you pointedly.

“...okay. Wait here, I’ll make it.”

“Oh my god, I love you Y/N,” Jisung called out as you went to the staff room, your heart skipping a beat at his comment.

Sighing, you turned on the kettle,

Why is he like this? How does crayon eating boy have this much power over me?

“Be careful, it’s hot!” You passed the steaming bowls of ramen and chopsticks to each of the boys, as the four of you sat around the till.

Bowl dangerously balanced on his elevated leg as he tried to pull apart the wooden chopsticks, Jisung flashed you a grateful smile,

“You know, Y/N, one day you’re going to make someone extremely happy with—“ He yelped as he jolted from the force of taking the wooden chopsticks apart, the bowl tipping off his leg and onto the carpeted floor. The red ramen soup soaking into the light carpet, staining it.

“Oh no! Y/N, I’m so sorry!” Jisung exclaimed, frantically grabbing at tissues from the counter, dabbing them on the ground.

You bit back a smile,

Of course, it was Jisung. But ugh it’s going to be a pain to get that dry cleaned...

“I might just have to sue you for that!” You said sarcastically.

Jisung looked at you wide-eyed,

“Oh! I— isn’t there anything else I can do? I can help out at the store for the rest of the break!” Jisung said frantically.

“Ohhh, no I’ll have to have sue you. Company policy.” You hid a smile, deciding to tease him further.

“Oh. Um, okay.” He blinked, unaware, “Let me just get a lawyer to represent me— Seungmin! You’re a lawyer, right? You need to represent me for this case.” Jisung grabbed Seungmin’s arm, looking at him pleadingly,

“I’ve literally only had one class and isn’t this a jo—“ Seungmin broke off as you stared him down, imploring him to partake in the practical joke you were playing on the other boy.

You sighed, “Okay. Seems like it’s sorted. We’ll meet up in two weeks. Hopefully, you’ll have your money ready, because I’m going to win this.”

“It’s Opposite Day. So you won’t, and I will, okay?” Jisung gave you a quick smile, dragging Seungmin towards the door.

“But, my ramen!” Seungmin complained.

“No time, we need to win.” Jisung dragged Seungmin out of the store.

You shared a glance with Jeongin,

This is going to be interesting...

“You aren’t a parent, nor a teacher, what are you doing here?” Jeongin warily watched you approach, narrowly avoiding the little kids running through your path.

“I need your help.” You said solemnly.

“How did you know I was doing work experience at the daycare?” Jeongin raised an eyebrow sceptically.

“Believe it or not, Seungmin can be extremely candid and direct when Jisung is harassing him on the other side of a phone call. Also, you’re working towards your teaching degree. It doesn’t seem too weird that you’re working at a daycare.” You noted, taking in your surroundings.

“Oh, alright. What can I help you with?” Jeongin said reluctantly.

“I need you to dress up like an old businessman and pretend to be my lawyer.” You said quickly, thrusting a back-rubbing cane into his hands before getting ready to bolt.

“Wait! Why?” Jeongin looked at you sceptically yet again.

You sighed,

“Look, I need Jisung to think it’s the real deal, otherwise...” You stopped, squinting at the two figures attempting to act casual outside the daycare.

“Oh my god, are they spying on us?”

“It was most definitely Jisung’s idea.” Jeongin joined you, staring as Jisung attempted to casually lean against a car, trying to converse with a stony-faced Seungmin, not long before setting off the car alarm and yelling at Seungmin to run.

You watched the two of them take off,

“Looks like we’ll need to up our game, Mr Yang. Or should I say... Prosecutor Yang?” You smiled pleadingly at him.

“Fine...”

“Let me get this straight, we’re spying on them now even though this whole lawsuit thing isn’t actually going to happen?” Jeongin asked, bringing his jacket closer to him as he entered the University café.

“Well, it’s not like we can’t put any effort in because then we’d be admitting defeat to this... joke? Regardless, we need to win.” You pushed your cap further down after nodding at Chan in acknowledgment.

You sat down in a secluded area of the café, Chan approaching to greet you,

“Why is it always that chaos is brought to this café by this friendship group?” Chan looked pointedly at Jeongin as he shrugged.

“How do you know that shenanigans are to take place? Can’t we just enjoy our coffee in a secluded area of the cafe in our spy clothes without suspicion?” You asked, slightly defensive.

“...no. Anyway, what can I get for your spy mission?” Chan asked, eyes glinting with amusement.

“I’ll have an iced americano.” Jeongin.

“And I’ll have a—“ you broke off as Chan interrupted you,

“New York Cheesecake? I know. Jisung and you come here to get some like every Friday. Speaking of Jisung, why are you sitting over here instead of with them over there?” He pointed to the two boys huddled at the table, Seungmin slightly bored, checking his phone regularly, and Jisung talking animatedly to him. Jisung, noticing Seungmin’s disinterest, grabbed his phone, getting up and placing it in the trash can before heading back to a very much annoyed Seungmin.

“It’s... a long story. Very chaotic! You probably wouldn’t want to hear it.” You ushered Chan away, Jeongin looked at you smugly,

“You and Jisung, huh? It’s almost as if you were... soulmates. Now I think I know why you need my help.”

You scoffed,

“I don’t need your help.”

“Oh really? Then I guess I’ll get going—“ You pulled him back into his seat, the chair scraping as it was pulled erratically from both directions. The commotion caused Jisung and Seungmin to pause, looking at you two, eyes widening in recognition.

You looked at Jeongin, panicked, before throwing the money at a stunned Chan and rushing out of the cafe.

“Don’t give my cheesecake to Jisung! We both know that he’ll eat it instead of giving it to me.”

[09:38] (Jeongin) Hey, make sure you come on time.

[09:40] (You) Why do we have to go to the shops for this?

[09:41] (Jeongin) sadly the courts were all booked out with proper criminal cases, so the shops will have to do to resolve this fake lawsuit. just get ready and come quickly!

[09:43] (You) fine, fine. I’ll get my finest attire on. See you soon.

You placed your phone on your bed before dressing up to the best of your ability, steeling yourself as you looked in the mirror,

I will tell him how I feel... no matter how complicated this lawsuit thing becomes.

“Look who finally decided to show.” Jisung drawled, sipping at his soft drink. You looked him up and down appraisingly, ignoring your beating heart... he cleaned up more than nicely.

“Okay, shall we get started?” You clapped your hands, sitting opposite Seungmin and Jisung... and next to a very poorly disguised Jeongin.

“Interesting outfit choice, Jeongin.” Seungmin noted.

“What’s even more interesting is that Y/N selected Jeongin as her representative. He’s not even a lawyer!” Jisung looked at you triumphantly.

“Neither am—“ Seungmin interrupted, Jisung shushing him before he could complete his sentence.

“I thought you were going to dress up like a business man! Not some young mobster. This isn’t a fanfic. You’re not the main character.” You hissed under your breath, leaning slightly towards Jeongin so he could hear.

“And what? You are?” He scoffed, before smiling widely at the two in front of him.

“Right, so Jeongin and I have discussed the case beforehand.” Seungmin nodded at Jeongin.

“We’ve decided that we’ll put together a bunch of trials, and whoever wins those will win this lawsuit.” Seungmin proposed.

“I... feel like this isn’t how lawsuits work.” Jisung said doubtfully.

“This is what I was taught in law school!” Seungmin defended.

“Gotta trust the guy who attended law school.” You pointed out.

“What do you mean attended? He’s still at law—“ Jisung broke off as Seungmin cleared his throat, pointedly.

“The first challenge being, who can make the two of us the best milkshake.”

“Ready to lose, Y/N?” Jisung raised an eyebrow competitively at you.

“You wish, Han Jisung!” You sprinted to the other side of the food court, lining up as Jisung hurried after you, ending up directly behind you.

[20 minutes later]

You sighed loudly,

This is taking too long.

You politely pushed in front of people to the front of the line,

“Hey, are you guys right or do you need help? Because I can help out if you want. It’ll help you get through this queue a lot faster.” You asked the worker at the register.

“I can too!” Jisung sidled up beside you as you narrowed your eyes at him.

The worker looked at you sceptically before sighing in defeat,

“You know what, you may as well help because we’re so swamped. Grab some gloves and a hairnet and get started.” The worker let you through.

That was easy enough.

This is not easy.

“Chocolate ice cream thick shake for Sara!” You called out, frantically pushing the lid on the shake before handing it to the customer. Jisung rushed beside you,

“No-fat, non-skim, skinny latte with soy milk, one and a half sugars and a drizzle of vanilla for Jacques?” Jisung called out,

“Actually, can I change my—“ Jacques started.

“No.” Jisung deadpanned.

“Ready to admit defeat?” You smirked.

“Never. We’re yet to make the best milkshakes for Seungmin and Jeongin.” Jisung ran to the blender, chucking in as many ingredients as possible.

“Two can play at that game.” You said resolutely, approaching another blender, using as many ingredients as possible.

This is either going to be a disaster or a five star Michelin dish in the making.

“Stop. Stealing. The. Caramel. Sauce.” You gave Jisung a death glare as you wrestled the sauce bottle, the manager of the store glaring at the both of you,

“Alright, that’s enough. The two of you need to leave. You basically ditched serving the customers and did this. I don’t even know what this is but you need to stop using our resources for it.”

“Wait but it’s the finishing touch!” Jisung pleaded as the manager shook his head resolutely.

You scoffed,

“Whatever. It’s not like we’re getting paid for this or anything. Which we should! In fact, I have a lawyer friend that could help me sue you. He’s very good and wins about... 100% of his clients’ cases.” You threatened.

The manager pinched the bridge of his nose,

“Half of the orders that you served came back with complaints so you really did nothing.”

“The people really don’t appreciate our talents.” Jisung gasped, offended.

“If you guys think you’re talents are in milkshake making, you really should reevaluate your...um...life choices.” The manager said sheepishly.

“Whatever, be prepared for a lawsuit! Let’s leave, Jisung.” You grabbed your milkshakes, grabbing Jisung’s arm and dragging him out of the store.

“100% track rate, you say? Have you admitted defeat already?” Jisung raised an eyebrow.

“Oh, shut up, Jisung. I was obviously talking about Jeongin.”

“Right...”

“Um. What is this?” Seungmin scrunched his face in disgust, looking at the... mess of two drinks in front of him and Jeongin.

“Milkshakes!” Jisung said excitedly.

“I know that. But why did it take so long to make... you didn’t poison it, did you?” Seungmin looked at the two of you skeptically.

“Just drink it and tell us who wins.” You sighed as they picked up their drinks, tentatively sipping and then tasting the other,

“We need time to confer, so we’re going to give you the next challenge. You’re going to have to... pick out the best present for each other, and we’ll judge that once we see it.” Jeongin shooed the two of you away, winking at you as Jisung took the lead, striding towards a craft store.

As you browsed around the store, closely following Jisung, you stopped at the crayons section, exhaling a small laugh.

Jisung turned around, confused, eyes wide, settling on the packet of crayons,

“I dibs getting that for you.”

“You can’t dibs getting a present for someone.” You said incredulously.

“Um, well if it’s a competition, yes I can.” Jisung retorted, hands on hips.

“So you’re telling me, that the best present you could ever get me is crayons? You wouldn’t get that for me normally?” You rolled your eyes, exasperated.

“Why should I?” Jisung said, confused.

“Let me remind you. Twenty or so years ago, a young Jisung eats my crayons in retaliation for getting told to give them back. Young Y/N visits young Jisung in hospital, giving him a free record as a gift. And Jisung never reimburses Y/N with another set of crayons. You know, with your track record, it’s not even accidental. It’s serial. Like serial killing but serial property damage. Honestly, I could extend that to this lawsuit, as well.” You defended.

“Okay one, it’s too late to do that... isn’t it? I don’t have enough money for both! And two, is all you’re saying that your ideal gift is a pack of crayons?!”

“Are you admitting defeat already?” You smirked.

“Pfft no! Give me— that—“ He grabbed the pack of crayons from you, heading to the counter to pay as you grabbed another pack, lining up behind him.

“You both bought each other the same gift?” Seungmin raised an eyebrow at the two of you.

“Not intentionally! Please don’t disqualify us.” Jisung defended, apologetic.

“You literally went to the same store.” Jeongin deadpanned.

“That’s—“

“Whatever, I don’t have time for this. I need to go to the hospital in a bit. Okay, here’s what you can do. Explain to us why you bought the gift for said person, and we’ll judge based on your response.” Seungmin checked his watch, leaning back in his chair.

“Jisung, you go first.” Jeongin gestured for Jisung to start.

“Okay, well the short story is that Y/N told me that it was their ideal gift. The long story is that Y/N called me a serial property damager, and I really can’t afford that being added to my list of offences and be sued further.” Jisung said a matter-of-factly.

“Oookay... anyway, Y/N! What’s your reasoning?” Seungmin turned to you.

“Hmm... okay well when I was a child, Jisung stole my crayons and ate them, somehow we became friends, and he never bought me crayons to reimburse me, so I decided to be the bigger person and buy him crayons to share. Honestly, you’d think he’d know how to by now.” You tutted as a soft pink colouring flooded Jisung’s cheeks.

“...what?” Jeongin blurted out.

“It doesn’t matter! Jisung and Y/N are both... odd personalities. I mean, no wonder they’re best friends.” Seungmin dismissed.

There was that “f” word again...

“Anyway, I don’t have time for this. We’ll deliberate again as you do another challenge. You’re going to have to race each other around the entire shopping centre. Whoever comes first, wins... that round. Obviously. Otherwise, there would’ve been no point to these other challenges.” Seungmin dismissed the two of you, getting you to start at the same time.

Is this what my life has come to? Racing the literal love of my life to show that I’m serious about a fake lawsuit?... I really need to reconsider my lifestyle choices... and friends.

You and Jisung were neck and neck, you huffed as you sprinted next to him,

“Why are you so caught up on this whole lawsuit thing? You and I both know that it’s fake.”

Jisung glanced at you through the corner of his eye, “Hff— I— hff— know that but fake lawsuit or not, it was one of my New Years resolutions to win it.”

You stopped,

“You can’t be serious.”

“Dead serious.” He stopped in front of you.

“Well— I... who am I to stop you from achieving your goals? I forfeit.” You stepped back, relieved to be out of it.

“You can’t be serious,” Jisung said, slightly shocked,

“I need you to finish this! I can’t just win by default. That defeats the whole purpose. Actually try.” He challenged.

“This is so stupid, though.” You grumbled.

“You’re the one that proposed it. Why did you, if you don’t want to do it?” Jisung raised an eyebrow expectantly.

“I— ugh. To be honest, it started out as a joke but then I saw how serious you got about it! So, I decided to play along so I wouldn’t let you down.” You sighed.

“You’re right, I paid Seungmin $100 to represent me.” He sighed in sync with you.

“...you really need to stop doing that. First Minho, now Seungmin? Are you going to pay the entirety of your friendship group for being your friend?” You looked at him disappointedly.

He rolled his eyes, “Speaking of friends... why did you play along?” He asked, curious.

You inhaled sharply,

Now or never. No more friend-zoning.

“Do you know what my New Years resolution was?” You asked.

He shook his head, clueless,

“It was to confess my feelings for you. I’m not as great with words as you are, but Han Jisung, I like you. A lot. Even if you do crazy things like eating my crayons.” You closed your eyes, unwilling to view his reaction... only for a slight pressure to meet your lips.

Your eyes fluttered open, only to meet Jisung’s as he kissed you softly.

He pulled back, bringing you into a hug,

“You’re always going to hold that against me, aren’t you?” He chuckled, whispering that to you.

“We just kissed and that’s what you’re concerned about?” You lightly smacked his chest.

“Well, what else am I supposed to say? I kissed you. I don’t think that best friends do that. Do I need to say it explicitly? Okay then, I like you too!” He said, confused.

You rolled your eyes,

“Whatever. We better get going if we want to finish this race, and help you achieve your life goals!”

“Oh my gosh, Y/N. You’re such a supportive... lover? We’ll figure it out.” He held out your hand, dodging past people as you both sprinted down the mall.

You slowed as you approached Seungmin and Jeongin, dropping your hand from his grasp. Jisung turned back to you, confused.

You ushered him forward, smiling encouragingly,

“Go! Finish first. Achieve your goals.”

He paused, before taking your hand again, dragging you over to Seungmin and Jeongin, they looked up, equally as confused as you.

“We both forfeit.” He said, in between catching his breath.

“What? Why?” Jeongin started, as Seungmin groaned,

“You’re telling me, that I spent the time that I could’ve been sleeping, only for you to forfeit. You know what? It’s fine. Neither of you won anyway because drinking your milkshakes was the worst thing we had to suffer through since the time you both made us cake!”

You reeled back in mock offence, Seungmin sighed,

“I’m sorry if that was harsh. I’m working nights at the hospital.”

“Wait. What does a lawyer have to do at a hospital?” Jisung questioned, confused.

“Do— do you guys even listen to the things I say? I quit law school after one lesson and went back to medical school.” Seungmin said, exasperated.

“And no! You can’t have your money back. We’re leaving now anyway, so bye!” He grabbed Jeongin, running away from the two of you as fast as possible.

“You know, I lied about my New Years resolution.” Jisung spun you around to face him, your hand meeting his bicep.

“Oh no! How could I ever trust you again?” You sighed dramatically.

“Y/N— I was trying to be sentimental and tell you that our resolutions were the same but you ruined the moment!” He pouted, annoyed.

You laughed, grabbing his cheeks (jeekies ahhhhhhhhh they’re so cute right—),

“I’ll sue you if you don’t stop being so cute!”

“Ha! I’d like to see you try.”

➳ part eight? | masterlist!

109 notes · View notes

btxtreads · 4 years

Text

today is the day | yeonjun

➳ Today is the day your best friend drags you to 25 years in the future. For fun.

↳ Pairing: Choi Yeonjun x Reader

↳ word count: 3.1k

↳ genre: fluff, mentions of sexual activities but eh, time travel

↳prompt: Y/N and Yeonjun use a time machine to go to the future, and they meet a kid that immediately recognizes them as their parents. Cue the awkwardness.

↳a/n: found this on a prompt generator while looking for something to trigger my ~brain juice~ and thought it sounded cute. Enjoy >v<

“This is it,” Yeonjun gasped as he marvelled at the sight in front of him. “the next big invention,”

“Yes,” Y/N answered skeptically, narrowing her eyes at the machine. “A giant metal donut,”

“No!” Yeonjun pouted at the girl, glaring at her. “This is a time machine!”

“Are you sure it’s not like,” Y/N started, doubtful eyes glancing around the lab. “a ghostly portal or something?”

“Sure, it’s a portal,” Yeonjun smiled, wiggling his eyebrows. “to the future,”

He giggled as he ran over to the control panel next to the machine, leaving Y/N in front of the metal ring.

Y/N bit her lip, tilting her head at the machine.

“I don’t know, Junie,” she muttered, her eyes trailing over to the blonde happily gazing at the controls. “Are you sure about this?”

Yeonjun stopped, smiling softly at the girl.

“Do you trust me?”

Y/N’s heart stuttered in its wake.

Choi Yeonjun was a brilliant child, the son of two of the most greatest scientists and engineers of the century.

He was also very lonely, until he met Y/N in elementary.

She wasn’t anyone special. Y/N’s parents weren’t too rich or too famous, just wealthy enough to score her a place at a good school where she met him. Y/N’s parents didn’t know who Choi Sunwoo or Choi Hanbin, the world famous scientists, were. So, they didn’t really tell her to befriend anyone in particular—so she didn’t really interest herself in sucking up to Yeonjun. This is what drew him to her.

All those years leading up to this point, Y/N and Yeonjun’s friendship started because she treated him like Yeonjun—not Sunwoo or Hanbin’s son.

Sure, he met a couple more friends along the way. He’s got Soobin, Beomgyu, Taehyun and Hueningkai.

However, no one compared to Y/N. She was the best friend. No one else.

Throughout their friendship, Y/N has been pulled every which way by Yeonjun into pranks and trying out different scientific experiments by his parents—and none of them has ever worked bad for either of them. It’s been like that since they met until now, in their senior year of high school.

Sure, maybe what the both of them did was dangerous, but she was with her best friend. It will always be safe with him.

It also helps that she was completely and utterly in love with his cute face that always scrunches up when he’s confused or excited, his lips that pout when he’s whining or eating, his hair that always seemed to—

“Y/N?”

Y/N flinched and blinked over at Yeonjun, whose hand was outstretched at her and the other on the control panel.

He scrunched his face in confusion.

“D-Do you not trust me?”

“Of course, I do,” Y/N gasped, intertwining her hand with his outstretched one and moving closer to him. “I always will,”

Yeonjun smiled as he typed certain dates into the machine with a grin, his grip tight on her hand.

Y/N pulled him closer.

“I guess I’m just scared,”

Yeonjun froze, his finger close to the gigantic red button labelled LAUNCH.

He turned to her.

“What do you mean?”

Y/N frowned, pressing closer to the boy and running her hand through his freshly cut and dyed blonde hair.

She gazed into his eyes.

“I’m scared of what we’ll find when we get there,” She read the dates Yeonjun typed in.

His birthday in twenty-five years. September 13, 2045.

“What if I’m not there in your future in 25 years, Yeonjun?”

“Hey,” Yeonjun sighed, his hand landing on her face. “No, stop it. Chances are we’ll land in there and the first thing I’ll see is you eating my birthday cake,”

Y/N frowned as Yeonjun tucked her hair behind her ear.

“If I’m not there—“

“Then we’re changing the future to make sure you are,” Yeonjun stated firmly.

Y/N glanced up at him, to which he responded with a kiss on her forehead. “I’m not losing my best friend, you hear me?”

“Okay,” Y/N weakly nodded, to which he replied with another kiss on the forehead.

“You ready?”

“We’re travelling through time, on a machine we’re not even sure works properly,” Y/N mumbled, pressing herself to Yeonjun’s side. “How much ready can you get?”

Yeonjun giggled and pulled his hand from her grip, circling his arm her waist and pressing her closer to him.

“Here we go,”

He clicked the LAUNCH button.

Y/N yelped as she shot out of the wall after Yeonjun, who limply lied at the floor where he landed, gazing up at the ceiling and grunting loudly when Y/N landed on him.

She gasped, sitting up and looking down at Yeonjun, who slowly smiled and grasped her hips.

“Well, hello there,” Yeonjun chuckled.

“Junie, stop,” Y/N chastised, burning red once she realized she was straddling him.

What a precarious position to be in.

“Whose bedroom is this?” Y/N asked, clambering off of Yeonjun and nearing a bed situated nearby. “Where exactly are we? When are we?”

“I have a rough guess,” Yeonjun mumbled, pointing behind him to a gigantic calendar.

On the calendar, September 13 circled in red crayon and surrounded by multiple glitter stickers and hearts around it.

The gigantic design above it stated the year, 2045.

“We made it,” Y/N gasped. “We’re here,”

“We are,” Yeonjun gasped excitedly, going over to a desk and picking up a frame. “And look!”

The photo showed Yeonjun and Y/N, both wearing graduation caps in front of—

“Harvard University,” Y/N gasped.

“Surprise,” Yeonjun said, vibrating. “I actually know I got in and found out your results,”

“How?” Y/N gasped, hitting his arm.

“Ow,” Yeonjun pouted. “I found your acceptance letter on your kitchen counter this morning, stop hitting me,”

Y/N rolled her eyes.

“Hey, if we graduated together, I’m gonna guess that we stayed best friends after all these years, huh?” Yeonjun wiggled his eyebrows.

“We would have graduated at 2024—it’s 2045. This proves nothing,” Y/N argued, waving the photo around.

While arguing, the door to the room slowly opened.

Yeonjun turned around, eyes locking with eyes.

By the door was a young girl—maybe 3 or 4, peeking in.

“Oh, hello,” Yeonjun muttered, furrowing his eyebrows. “What are you doing at our house?”

“Technically,” Y/N pointed out. “We’re not sure. What if you moved out?”

“Our photo is literally in your hands, Y/N.”

“Yoori, what are you looking at?” A voice of a young boy asked.

“Daddy,” the girl muttered, slowly bringing her hand up to point over at Yeonjun.

“What?” Y/N asked in surprise, whipping her head over at the girl.

Come to think of it—The kid did have his eyes.

A young boy, maybe around 8 or 10, pushed the door wide open with a pout on his face.

He had dark brown hair that fell over his face and the pout was exactly the same as Yeonjun’s when he whined at her.

The kid looked exactly the same as Yeonjun did when he met Y/N.

“Daddy is at work!” The boy declared, his eyes landing on Yeonjun and Y/N. “Oh,”

“Hi,” Y/N greeted with a smile, walking over and crouching down.

Yeonjun followed suit with a confused expression, his eyes glancing back and forth between the two children.

“These are my—“

“Mommy, Daddy, you’re home!” The boy cheered suddenly, jumping on both teens.

“Mommy?” Y/N asked, surprised as she reached over to pat the boy’s back.

Yeonjun blinked. “Did you just call her mommy?”

“Daddy!” The young girl pouted, waddling over to Yeonjun. “Up!”

“Mommy,” The boy gasped, pulling away and tugging at her shirt. “You promised you were gonna bake cookies for me when you get home!”

“I did?”

The boy pouted, turning to Yeonjun and pointing angrily at Y/N.

“Daddy! Mommy forgot her promise again!”

Y/N burned red as she glanced over the small girl.

Oh God, she did look like a mini-Y/N.

The boy suddenly pulled on Y/N’s hand, dragging her out the door.

“Hey, wait—“ Yeonjun gasped as the young girl pulled him after her. “Guys—“

“Sure, sure,” Y/N groaned as the boy brought her to the kitchen. “Fine, fine. I’ll make cookies,”

“You’re the best, mommy!” The boy cheered.

“Right, Kai! She is the best mommy in the world! Right, daddy?” Yoori questioned Yeonjun, who sat at the kitchen stool red-faced.

“R-Right?”

“Your name is Kai?” Y/N asked the young boy in confusion, who nodded vigorously.

Y/N shot Yeonjun a weirded out look.

“I can’t believe we named our son after Hueningkai,” Y/N muttered under her breath.

Yeonjun turned even more red at the mention of our son.

As Y/N slowly pulled the mixing bowl out of the cabinet, Yoori piped up.

“Hey mommy, since when did Daddy have yellow hair?”

Kai and Yoori sat side by side at the couch, slurping happily at the juice boxes Y/N gave them.

Yeonjun and Y/N were silent as he and Y/N washed the dishes side-by-side.

There was a knock on the door, which both Kai and Yoori promptly ignored.

“I should, um,” Yeonjun blushed, muttering over to Y/N and sneaking quick glances at her. “get the door,”

“Our kids are in the living room,” Y/N cleared her throat, shyly lowering her head. “Go check who that is,”

“Right,” Yeonjun awkwardly squeaked, standing awkwardly beside her. “Um,”

“Go,”

“Right,” he nodded vigorously, looking like a gigantic Kai as he wandered out of the kitchen.

He reached the living room, ruffling heads of both kids at the couch

“Dad, stop” Kai whined, fixing his hair as Yoori giggled.

Yeonjun cracked a tiny smile and opened the door to be met with a woman in a doctor’s coat, a stethoscope slung around her neck and a birthday cake in her hands.

His eyes danced over her face, familiarization dawning over him as his eyes landed on the bracelet on her wrist.

The birthday gift he gave to Y/N last year—or 2019. Whatever.

“Y-You’re…”

Adult Y/N cracked a tiny smile, checking her wristwatch.

“Right on time, Junie,” Y/N said, passing by and laying a kiss on both Kai and Yoori’s heads. “I’m in the kitchen, right?”

“Yes?” Yeonjun squeaked as teenage Y/N poked her head out of the kitchen, releasing a similar squeak as she saw her adult self.

Suddenly, a tall man entered the door with a pout in his face.

“Y/N, I said I wanted a kiss.” The man whined, ruffling his blue hair with a pout. “Why did you leave?”

The adult Y/N only rolled her eyes, setting the cake down on the table.

Teenage Y/N slowly made her way over to teenage Yeonjun, settling herself behind him.

“Oh, it’s today,” Adult Yeonjun gasped, looking at himself. “Damn, I look good. I can see why you fell in love with me, babe,”

Teenage Y/N’s eyes widened as teenage Yeonjun blinked.

Adult Y/N groaned and slammed a hand at the back of older Yeonjun’s head, making him whine.

“Ow! Babe!” Adult Yeonjun whined again, pouting as he rubbed the spot Y/N hit. “I love you, too,”

The teenage Y/N and Yeonjun blushed a bright red.

“Any more comments, Yeonjun, and they’re both going to combust,” Adult Y/N pointed out, gesturing over to the two.

“You guys know what you’re, or we’re whatever, going to do to make those,” Adult Yeonjun commented, pointing his thumb over to the unsuspecting kids at the sofa. “This is just I love yous. You’ll say it everyday. Get used to it,”

Teenage Y/N buried her head on teenage Yeonjun’s back, making him clear his throat.

“Uh, Yeonjun. Me. Sir,” Yeonjun started. “Did we—are we—“

“Married,” Adult Yeonjun said, smiling smugly over at the teenagers.

The said man turned over to his wife and wiggled his eyebrows suggestively.

“Choi Yeonjun,” Adult Y/N reprimanded, making him shrug apologetically. “Yes, both of you are in the future. Yes, we knew you were coming because we experienced this 25 years ago,”

“You know, I never forget to pat myself in the back for suggesting we time travel,” Adult Yeonjun chuckled.

“Yeonjun, literally shut up,” Adult Y/N sighed.

“I made some cookies for Kai, he said you promised,” Teenage Y/N explained.

“Thank you,” Adult Y/N said delicately. “I actually forgot about that,”

“So, time travel? It actually works?” Teenage Yeonjun asked, making the older him nod.

“Yeah, this is a success,” Adult Yeonjun hummed, watching Adult Y/N fondly as she took a birthday cake out of the box, the diamond in her wedding ring glinting as it hit the light. “Mom and Dad finds out what you two did, but they won’t release it,”

“Why not?”

“Because it’s dangerous,” Adult Y/N said, smiling over at the two teens. “You two went here, to find what happens. It’s innocent, sure. You finding us didn’t ruin the timeline because we know about this so we’re not dying of shock at finding out, also you didn’t exactly do anything out of the ordinary except taking care of our kids—“

“Thanks for that, by the way,” Adult Yeonjun said, his mouth full of cookies. “And Y/N, your cookies are amazing—I’m saying this so Yeonjun doesn’t have to hide it in the next 25 years,”

The teenage Y/N blushed.

“Eat to your heart’s content,” Adult Yeonjun hummed as he picked up another cookie.

Adult Y/N rolled her eyes.

“Anyways, you guys didn’t ruin anything, but whose to say others won’t?” Y/N explained, finishing her set up of the cake. “You guys should go back now, sorry about not inviting you to Yeonjun’s birthday,”

“It’s no big deal,” Teenage Yeonjun muttered, his hands intertwining with Teenage Y/N’s. “We’ll celebrate it together in 25 years, anyways,”

“Right,” Yeonjun said. “So, I’ll bring you guys back, the machine’s this way,”

“Thank God,” Adult Y/N sighed. “Destroy it after they leave, babe. Kai and Yoori might try to play with it if—“

“I know, I know,” Adult Yeonjun rolled his eyes, kissing Adult Y/N’s cheek.

“Okay, just making sure. Love you,”

“Love you too,” Adult Yeonjun hummed, urging Teenage Yeonjun to follow him to the basement.

“Now, both of you tell mom and dad what happens when they ask. They’ll find out in like, three days,” Adult Yeonjun instructed as they found their way to the basement—in front of a familiar looking metal ring. “That’s about enough time for you two to talk about your relationship. Please do, because I’d like to be married to Y/N in all possible timelines,”

Y/N burned red as teenage Yeonjun nodded.

Adult Yeonjun nodded back and pressed the LAUNCH button.

“Takes you back to ten minutes after you left,” he gestured to the portal. “Hurry in because I’m destroying everything in 30 minutes—you know, whatever the wife says goes,”

Y/N blushed red again as Yeonjun silently nodded, seemingly forgetting how to act around his adult self.

As the two teens positioned themselves to travel back, Adult Yeonjun patted his young self’s shoulder.

“Oh, and dye your hair blue,” he grinned. “Trust me, Y/N likes it a lot. Why do you think I have blue hair now?”

Y/N’s eyes widened as she looked over at teenage Yeonjun who gaped.

“Um—“

“I think I did the blue hair maybe two years after we travelled back, you can do it as soon as you get back. I don’t think it’ll ruin anything,” Adult Yeonjun shrugged, tapping his chin in thought. “She really liked it, I think we had sex all night the first time she saw me with blue hair—“

“Okay, goodbye!” Y/N squeaked, tugging Yeonjun with her through the portal.

Adult Yeonjun’s amused laughter was the last thing they heard before they everything went black.

Similar to how they got in the future, Yeonjun fell on the floor—Y/N on top of him.

With a yelp, Y/N rolled off of Yeonjun with a blush.

Yeonjun laughed awkwardly as he sat up, training his eyes on the wall.

“Uh,” Y/N cleared her throat, standing up. “I think I should get home—“

Yeonjun’s hand shot out and grasped hers.

Y/N blushed again, looking back down.

“I’m in love with you,” Yeonjun declared, looking over at her from where he sat on the floor.

Y/N gaped as Yeonjun pushed himself off the floor.

“He told me to tell you as soon as we got back,” Yeonjun muttered, scratching the back of his neck. “So, I am,”

“S-Since when?” Y/N asked. “Are you just saying this because you saw me married to you—“

“I always have been,” Yeonjun sighed. “Since 5 years ago,”

“So,” Y/N scrunched her eyebrows. “We—“

“Maybe you don’t feel the same way now,” Yeonjun started, closing his eyes tightly as if afraid. “But I just wanted to come out and say it. If you don’t want me we can just forget this ever happened and—“

“I don’t want to forget,” Y/N muttered softly, lowering her head and tucking a lock of hair behind her ear.

“Oh,” Yeonjun said, surprised.

“Yeah,” Y/N laughed nervously, her eyes shifting.

“Well then,” Yeonjun nodded to himself before swooping down and crashing his lips on hers in a very awkward, but welcomed first kiss.

He pulled away with a red face.

“That did not go as planned,”

Y/N laughed, running her hand on the hair behind his neck.

“Come here,” she giggled, pushing him down to meet her and closing her eyes as his lips crashed on hers in perfect sync.

The perfect first kiss with Yeonjun she always dreamed of.

Yeonjun smiled as he pulled away, nudging her nose with his happily as he leaned his forehead on hers.

“Babe. Babe? Babe,” He tested, making Y/N giggle. “Hi,”

Y/N melted in his grip, giggling back.

“Hi,”

“So, will you come with me to the hair salon?” He asked, running a hand through her hair.

Y/N raised her eyebrows at the abrupt change in topic.

“Why?”

“Well, I now know what blue hair will get me,” Yeonjun wiggled his eyebrows mischievously. “And I can’t say I don’t want that so—“

Y/N rolled her eyes and slammed her palm at the back of his head.

“Ow!”

“Let’s go, we’ve got a couple of hours until the salon closes,”

25 years later

“Hey, babe?”

“Hm?”

“The blue hair worked again!” Yeonjun sing-songed, nosing the back of her head.

His hands tightly gripped on her naked waist as she scoffed.

“I really hate you,” Y/N whined.

“Oh, that’s not what you said last night. And every other night since 25 years ago,” Yeonjun pointed out, making her roll her eyes.

Y/N turned in her spot, climbing over Yeonjun with a smile as he marvelled over the way the sunlight streamed through the window and shined on her.

“Hi,”

“Hi,” Yeonjun hummed, running his hand through her hair.

“Good morning,” Y/N sing-songed, kissing his nose.

“You look great today,” Yeonjun commented, smiling as the door shook loudly with knocks. “Damn, I was hoping for another round,”

“You’ll get another tonight,” Y/N giggled, pecking Yeonjun’s lips and moving to wear her bathrobe.

“I won’t forget that!” Yeonjun said from the bed as Y/N opened the door.

“Hi,” Y/N smiled, picking the little girl up in her arms and ruffling the boys’ hair. “What do you say to daddy?”

“Happy birthday!”

Y/N smiled knowingly over at Yeonjun, who laughed in amusement.

She glanced at the gigantic calendar by the wall, her eyes trailing to the September 13 encircled in red and surrounded in glitter stickers and hearts.

Today’s the day.

now i shall watch the latest TO DO X TXT episode and indulge in Beomgyu’s forehead content before making chapter 23-epilogue of drama <33333

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loudsuitlover · 3 years

Note

Would you write a blurb about their honeymoon or just about a day with their kids ?🥰

A/N: I chose the second one, hoped you like it! xx

Toddlers make everything look huge because they are so tiny so their little hands would hold apples and have them look like melons. Dylan wasn’t as tiny anymore, he was five years old, three months from turning six but in Blue’s eyes, he was still a tiny piece of cotton to hold and protect.

He was colouring on the table while his daddy set the new stereo he had gotten for their movie nights and he was very focused on not colouring out of the lines because at school he had noticed, his colourings got better marking when he didn’t colour out of the lines, and even though this time the lines he had drew them himself, he still wanted to respect every single one of them.

Mummy was doing laundry minding baby Annie and Hughie was down for a nap. It was a Sunday, so Nana was having dinner with them, but mummy and daddy were in homeware and Dylan didn’t knew, but he loved this moments because these were the moments were mummy and daddy were just mummy and daddy, and they weren’t anybody’s doctor and he didn’t have to share.

“Daddy”

His dad didn’t look at him because he knew his son wasn’t looking at him either. He would do that quite a lot, when he was colouring or when he was building with Lego; he would just start a conversation while being in his own head and Harry felt lucky that his son would let him have a glance at his little, magic mind. He shared a lot with Blue- he shared everything with Blue- but then again, Harry had been a mummy’s boy himself, so he couldn’t get any hard feelings with his own son for that. If he were a boy, he would choose Blue over him too.

“Yes, honey?”

“I was very scared.”

In that moment he turned around and his green eyes searched for his kid’s but he wasn’t yet looking at him. It surprised him then, how calmed he looked- how much he looked like Blue- and how he was focused on his drawing and his little nut nose wasn’t wrinkled and his frown wasn’t troubled.

He knew he meant three nights ago, when Hughie had had a seizure because of the fever because their two older babies had gotten a cold. They always got sick together. He sighed.

Blue had heard their interaction, not because she meant to eavesdropped, but because she had put Anie down and she had found a lego Dylan had lost under her cot and she wanted to bring it back to him for she knew it would make him happy but she hadn’t want to interrupt the father-son moment.

She also knew, Harry was a lot better with words than she was- he was also a lot better at cuddles, she figured- but she loved to hear him talk to their kids for she loved the way he was trying to raise them. It was mostly on love, they had both agreed that- that they would always wrapped their children in love and that was the only thing that could never ever be missing for food could miss if they struggled, even a roof could miss but love? Love will always be there for their children to feel. And she admired the way Harry thought, she had always admired that, but the way he tried to guide his kids... She was at awe with that and that’s why she felt so at ease, because if anything were to happen to her; she would leave her babies with the best person in the world.

“You were?”

Dylan hummed and a smirk found its way on Blue’s hidden face for she found it a very adult-like hum and she felt her heart beating hard with pride. Harry always said Dylan was a male mini-Blue, that he thought like her and talked like her and even walked like her so she always felt a weird pride with every little thing he did.

It’s not that he was her favourite child. There was not such thing. She could never choose, because Dylan was so much like her, but Hughie was so much like Harry and she loved Harry... Hughie was dorky and funny, a people’s person, a real showman. He was a little distracted, sometimes even a little rough- just as his father was too straightforward sometimes- but he had the kindest little soul, and he would care and protect those he loved like a lion. And baby Anie... What was there not to love? They didn’t really know her yet because she was just a baby but they knew she liked Elvis and daddy and spending time with the boys.

“And how did you know you were scared?” Harry asked him.

That had him thinking. He stopped colouring then and his little hand held the colour crayon as he frowned and thought back of that night. How had he known he was scared? What was it that give the feeling away? He swallowed.

“My heart was beating faster” He decided “but I didn’t like it.”

“Was that the first time you had been scared?”

“No.” He shook his head. “But I had never been scared for Hugh.”

Harry nodded then. Hughie was tougher than Dylan. Harry had seen them playing on the park with other kids and he had seen Hughie protecting his older brother sometimes so he understood what he meant.

“Well, honey, there’s nothing wrong with being scared. Fear really is just self-protection, you know? We get scared because we think something is going to happen that’s going to hurt us or the ones we love and that’s good because sometimes it’s true and we can prevent it from happening, you know? Most times, however, fear is just in our heads so”

Harry got down from the stool he had been stading to reach the stereo better and took a seat next to his son on the table. The boy looked at his dad once before he got back to his colouring. Green eyes set on the piece of paper and they travel across the figure of a woman in white that kneels on the bed of a boy dressed in a superhero costume. He notices the sharks under her legs too and the blue birds surrounding her but how neither of them, nor the bad sharks nor the inocent birds, seem to mind her.

“Is that mummy?”

Dylan nodded and Harry smirked.

“She wasn’t scared.” Dylan noted. “She saved him and then she made chocolate milk for the two of us and cuddled me.”

Blue felt her heart swoon and her eyes getting teary. She probably should have explained better, even though she did explain to Dylan what had happened and what she had done, but the little boy still thought she had saved his brother, and she didn’t really feel worth it of that word.

“Mummy’s really brave, isn’t she?” Harry asked.

And Dylan nodded.

“She’s braver than me.”

“She’s braver than me too.” Harry chuckled and his son looked up at him with a frown.

Was he being serious or was he messing with him? Daddy knew everything too and Mummy was very brave but Daddy was the most brave and Mummy always waited for him to go to bed because she slept better when Daddy was home. She always said that... And Mummy curled up to Daddy when there was thunder outside like they did to her and Daddy held Mummy when she cried so Daddy must be the most brave of them five.

“But you know, Mummy’s scared sometimes too.”

“Do you think so?” His son challenged.

“I know so.” Harry shrugged. “She was really scared once when you were younger because you had hit your head at uncle’s Rio’s house and she didn’t know how it had exactly happened so she was very scared that you had hurt yourself really bad.”

“But I didn’t?”

Harry chuckled.

“No, you didn’t.”

“So she was scared for me, like I was scared for Hugh.”

“That’s right.” His dad nodded. “I reckon that’s the only thing that can really scare Mummy, something happening to us four or Uncle Rio or Aunty Coco or Aunty Gemma or Nana or Abuela, you know.”

“You too, daddy?”

“What do you mean?”

“Mummy is scared for you too?”

His son’s question took him off guard. What was he doubting here?

“Well, yeah.” He chuckled. “Mummy loves me quite a bit too, you know? It’s not just you, little chipmunks.”

Dylan giggled at his daddy’s tickles but he already knew that. What had surprised him was that his mummy would be protective of Daddy too because Daddy was who protected them all and he had never been afraid of anything happening to Daddy so it surprised him that Mummy would be. Mummy seemed rather smart...

“But the important thing, Dy, is that you know when you’re scared and that’s great, you know why?”

“Because if I know what’s wrong, I can change it.” The little boy repeated his daddy’s teaching and the man smiled, as proud as amazed at his intelligence.

“Exactly, and because you helped Hughie too, you know? You got scared so you called for Mummy and then Mummy could help him. If you hadn’t called Mummy, then maybe Mummy wouldn’t know.” Harry shrugged. “So see? Fear was a good thing then, wasn’t it?”

Dylan seemed to consider it. He hadn’t felt good that night. He cried and he felt a heavy weight on his chest and his belly turning upside down and his pulse on his wrists and he didn’t like that. But he supposed... Maybe Daddy was right. Mummy did came to help Hughie.

“And you know why Mummy wasn’t scared and you were?” Dylan shook his head. “Not because Mummy was bravest but because Mummy knew what was happening, because Mummy is a doctor, and you didn’t. That’s why.”

Dylan nodded. That made sense. Daddy always made sense, except when he watched the Packers.

“So next time you’re scared, you need to ask yourself- wait, why am I scared? And then you do what you have to do, okay?”

Dylan nodded.

“Okay.”

In a second he got on his knees on his chair and wrapped his small arms around his daddy’s neck.

“Thank you, daddy.”

“No problem, baby.”

“And daddy, is that going to happen to Hugh again?”

“I don’t know, it might. But that’s okay, we know what to do.”

“But... Hughie is okay... right?”

“Sure, love, he’ll be fine. He just got the cold worse than you did. But he’ll be alright. Don’t worry.”

“Okay.”

“Now, shall we see if Daddy figure to connect the right wires for the stereo?”

With that he got up from the table and turned back around so he could turn the stereo on and a few seconds later, after Blue had picked her heart up from the floor and had set it back on her ribcage, she thought it was a good time to give Dylan his lego construction.

She set it on the table in front of him before either of them noticed her presence and the little boy jumped in his seat in excitement.

“Yeah, baby!” He celebrated, making both his parents laugh. “You found it! Mummy, you’re the best!”

“Thank you, lovely.”

“Mummy, look! It’s for Hugh but this is you. See? I painted her lips pink like you like.”

“Oh, thank you, love! This is such a great drawning! Look at these birds! They’re so gorgeous, and these sharks, baby, they’re very scary! You’re such a good drawer, Dy! And you didn’t colour out of the lines at all! Hughie is going to love it.”

“Is he up?”

His hazel eyes looked up at her with hope and will but she shook her head and kissed his hairline when softly The Crystals started playing from the stereo.

“Oh, well, you did it!” She celebrated.

Her husband gave her a cheeky grin over his shoulder and having their child on her hands, she still felt her heart skipping a beat at that spark of his, like from the fifties and she wanted to laugh at herself.

“What? Did you come here to dance? Just when the stereo is playing, she appears out the door...” He teased her, making her giggle stupidly.

“Well, I didn’t originally. But I’d never say no to dancing with my favourite man on Earth so... Can I have this dance, Dy?”

Harry smirked but brought a hand to his heart and pretended to have been shot and Dylan giggled at his mummy’s antics as she picked him up from the chair and danced with him before they all heard baby Anie calling.

“Oh, that’s my call, like Cinderella.” She giggled and set the boy back in the table, pressing another kiss to his head before she rushed outside.

“Don’t forget your slipper, princess.” Her husband called after her making her giggle again.

He still chuckled after she had disappeared and his boy, still at the table, was gathering his crayons and keeping them on his pencil case.

“Daddy,” He spoke again “do you like Mummy?”

He had to laugh. He turned his body to the side so he was facing his kid and the little boy challenged him with the sterness of his mother’s hazel eyes.

“What do you mean if I like Mummy? I love Mummy. I’m married to her.”

He shrugged.

“I just thought you liked Mummy because Mrs Mars said when people like someone, they might make jokes but they always treat that person especially good.”

“That is true.” Harry nodded.

“So I thought you liked Mummy because you called her princess and that was a joke but you always make her breakfast and you hug her and you always let her have the new blanket and you say nice things to her too like how good she smells or how pretty she is.”

Harry smirked at his son’s appreciations. He didn’t know he had been watching him but he found it endearing. And he did always let Blue have the new blanket, because she was always colder than he was, and he liked hugging her, that was true.

“Well, you caught me. I do like Mummy. A lot.” He played.

Dylan nodded with an eyebrow cocked as if saying, you’re telling me... And Harry tried his best not to laugh as he watched his little smarty pants keeping his pencils in his red pencil-case.

“Don’t worry, Daddy. Mummy likes you too.”

“You reckon she does?” He grinned.

“I think yes. She always serves your plate before she serves hers and the other day she bought you a sweater because she heard you say you were cold at work so she doesn’t want you to be cold and she always laugh at your jokes and he says you’re very handsome all the time.”

“She laughs at my jokes because my jokes are good.” He defended.

“Aunty Gemma says they aren’t.” He confessed. His hazel eyes found his daddy’s. “Daddy, I told her I think they are but I lied.”

And he was apologizing for it, Harry wasn’t sure whether he was sorry for having lied or if he was sorry that he didn’t really find them funny but he couldn’t help himself when he squeezed his son against his chest in endless love and admiration.

“I love you so much, Dy.” Harry chuckled.

“I love you too, Daddy.” Then his little hands cup Harry’s cheeks and he held his dad’s face close to his. “Daddy, your jokes are good.”

And he laughed again until someone ringed the bell.

“Nana!” Dylan’s eyes opened as he jumped off his dad’s embrace and ran to the door.

And as he made his way to the door himself, he stopped you on the corridor with a firm grip on your hips with both hands and you smiled at him with baby Anie on your waist.

“Hey, Blue, our son thinks we like each other.”

She frowned amused but she thought she knew where that came from because she had picked him from school on friday and he had told her about what Mrs Mars had said about liking someone when a girl from class had told another that Bryce pulled from her piggy tails because he liked her.

“Maybe I should take you on a date or something...” He joked.

“Maybe you should.” She smiled. “Because, yeah, I do like you.”

He captured her lips with his on an amused kiss.

“Yeah, I kinda like you too.”

#doctor harry blurb #harry styles blurb #harry styles fluff #harry styles dad #daddy harry #dad harry #harry styles one shot #harry styles imagine #doctor harry dylan #dylan styles

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mythicamagic · 3 years

Text

The Colour of Love: Sesskag oneshot

This oneshot is dedicated to @chierafied as thanks for all her hard work and organisation in the sesskag community, particularly on tumblr for sesskag week and monthly prompts. She's also a wonderful sesskag author and always offers advice or a kind word ^^

Rated T

Summary: Shippo puts a spell on Kagome that allows her to see emotions in colour. It's fun to test out on her friends, but why is she seeing an awful lot of magenta around Sesshoumaru whenever she comes near? Sesskag oneshot

The Colour of Love

"I just need to test it on someone. You'll help, won't you?"

Kagome eyed the ominous glowing beverage in the fox's hands dubiously. She winced and picked up a basket, walking away with every intention of weaselling out of the conversation.

"Shippo, no offence, but the last time you tested something on me for class, horns sprouted out of my head and green pimples covered my face for an entire week. I'm not super keen on being your guinea pig this time, buddy."

His tail twitched and lowered, but her words did little to deter Shippo. He followed the miko as she attended to her chores; freeing swaying sheets from where they'd been hanging out to dry and folding them neatly into a basket.

"Oh pleeassee, Kagome! Sensei oversaw my casting process this time- there's no danger, honest! It's not even that cool of a spell."

Kagome arched a brow, lifting off another sheet and smoothing the cool creases. That was odd, Shippo always preferred the flashier spells. "What does it do?"

"It would let you see everyone's emotions in colour."

She tilted her head, "in colour? How would that work?"

Shippo grinned mischievously, holding up his cup and shaking it gently. "Wouldn't you like to find out?"

Giggling, she thought for a moment, biting her bottom lip. "I guess it sounds pretty harmless. And this is for a grade?"

"Yes!" he nodded rapidly, eyes widening as his tone became pleading. "Sensei already graded all the other kids! I'm the only one who hasn't passed yet, and everyone else in the village refuses to help me! I'd owe you big time, Kagome. Please?"

Giving a large, put-upon sigh and folding the last of the sheets, Kagome squatted down before him. "Alright, alright. I just have to drink it?"

Green eyes brightened, and he handed the cup over eagerly, the contents nearly spilling. "Mhm! The effects should only last for a few days~!"

The glowing blue shimmer within her cup didn't exactly fill Kagome with confidence, but she didn't want to stifle his progress. It was wonderful that Shippo could advance in his magic at a kitsune school. Secretly, she felt somewhat guilty about the subject. She hadn't been able to witness his growth for three years after being stuck in the future.

Steeling herself and deciding to support him, Kagome downed the foul-tasting concoction. Coughing and blinking away thick tears that stung her lashes, her tongue roved around in her mouth as though trying to escape the taste of sour candy mixed with spices and mint leaves. What an odd combination. Shaking herself and noticing Shippo watching her worriedly, blue eyes widened as a faint shade of grey coiled and moved around the outline of his body like a shining aura.

"I-I think I see it?" Kagome gasped, reaching out and trying to touch the thing, though it had no solid form.

"Really?" Shippo lit up, the colour immediately becoming a tentative yellow, which only shone brighter into a canary hue when she nodded.

Giving a happy cheer, Shippo asked her about any side effects, which were none as far as she could tell.

They then decided to walk around Kaede's village together, Kagome noting any people they passed by and the colour of their current emotions. Shippo hurriedly took notes.

"There's Miroku meditating-" Kagome pointed to the quiet meadow they passed where the monk sat calmly, having gained two pupils to teach. Monks in training. Inuyasha had voiced his doubts that it would last long once the monks witnessed Miroku's less than savoury habits.

"His aura thingy is lavender and seems controlled," she observed in a hushed tone.

The little kitsune made a noise of affirmation, writing that down on a trailing scroll. "I think purple must be linked with spirituality then? This is great info!"

Giggling, she nodded, noticing how faint the pupil's auras were. She wondered if her own focus on spirituality would be strong or weak.

Moving on, noticed Sango outside her hut, who seemed absorbed in rocking her infant son while he dozed. Her twins were playing with some spinning tops that Shippo had given them.

"What do ya see, Kagome?" he tugged at her pant leg.

She hummed, gaze gentling. "Sango is radiating a kind of baby pink glow. The twins are like yours earlier- yellow and excited."

"So I guess love is pink," Shippo nodded.

Noticing something, Kagome waved a hand slightly. "Hold on-"

"Hm?"

Kaede and Rin were walking towards them, engaged in conversation. The little girl chirped on about something or other, while Kaede nodded indulgently.

"Kaede and Rin have pink auras too, but it's different. It's a pale pink, more like a pearl."

Shippo tapped his small chin with a pen Kagome had lent him. "Hmm…"

"I guess it makes sense since there are different types of love, don't you think?" gently prodding him, she smiled.

"Oh! So like they're feeling something kinda similar to Sango, but different."

"Right," Kagome grinned wider, proud of him. "Familial love for Sango, and platonic, friendly love for Kaede and Rin."

The old miko and her charge stopped to greet them on the path. "What are ye both up to today?" Kaede's single eye slid down to the scroll questioningly.

Kagome waved it off. "Just some schooling."

"Yeah, but it's fun! We're testing magic!"

Rin gaped at Shippo, aura turning green. "Aww, can I help them?" she turned to Kaede with a pout, clasping both hands and making big brown eyes even wider.

"Ye have your own training to attend to, Rin. Come along," the old woman kept walking with a dusty chuckle.

Whining good-naturedly with a now agitated orange glow about her, Rin trudged after her guardian, giving a despondent farewell to Shippo.

At that moment, foul cursing filled the air. The loud, booming swear caused nesting birds to take flight from their trees near the village.

The miko and kit shared a dry look.

"Inuyasha," they sighed in unison.

Needless to say, their former travelling companion's emotions glowed a vibrant red- outshining even the robe of the fire rat. He held his sore thumb, having accidentally hammered it while fixing a neighbour's chicken coop. Kagome wisely hid her laughter, feeling a plume of affection for him, since he'd taken it upon himself to help a neighbour.

I wonder what colour surrounds me when I look at Inuyasha, she wondered, fishing out a small mirror. Unfortunately, she couldn't see the colour. Though they'd broken up after a couple of weeks of dating, that candle of first love between them wouldn't be snuffed out completely. Since she couldn't coax that flame any higher than a tiny, nostalgic flame, she wagered it to be a kind of pastel pink colour.

After a few hours, Shippo looked down at the list of emotions they'd observed. "I think I got most of em' for now. We did great today, Kagome! Thanks so much!"

She giggled and ruffled his hair. "Don't sweat it, kiddo. I need to collect some herbs now, so if I see some new ones while I'm out, I'll let you know," Kagome grinned, leaning a basket against her hip. "I'll be able to see these emotions for a few more days, so no sense in turning in your test results early."

Shippo gave her a brief hug, before racing off to go organise his notes. Beaming with pride, Kagome walked out of the village and up a hill towards Inuyasha Forest with a small skip in her step. She'd helped! And luckily there'd been no side effects or worries of any kind.

Maybe I should help him out more often, she mused, noticing a certain Daiyoukai step out from beneath the shade of trees, powder blue shifting around his aura calmly. Smiling amiably, Kagome lifted a hand in greeting as their gazes met- before freezing.

Sesshoumaru's expression didn't change from its usual combo of placid, haughty and stoic. However, the energy surrounding him immediately dyed a deep, vibrant colour.

Kagome's breath hitched, eyes widening.

It plunged into a bold magenta hue, becoming a solid outline that coiled and thrummed.

She did not understand what it meant, but that she could elicit a change in emotion from him at all felt startling.

He stared at her, unblinking. As he drew closer and closer, Kagome tried to make sense of what he could be feeling, but his guarded eyes refused to risk any secrets being revealed.

"Miko," he acknowledged in his usual crisp, silky baritone. His way of a greeting.

"Sesshoumaru," she said, muscles tensing as he passed by, the silk of his billowing sleeve brushing the hypersensitive skin of her arm. Kagome blinked rapidly, reeling.

Shifting to watch him leave surreptitiously, she watched the magenta remain long after they'd parted ways, spying him duck into Kaede's hut to pay Rin a visit.

What the heck was that about?

Maybe it wasn't anything worth noting. Surely, just like anyone else, the Daiyouki had various emotions linked to things. People elicited different feelings from him; that was perfectly normal. But his mood had changed so swiftly upon seeing her that Kagome couldn't help but feel curious. What did magenta mean? Had she offended him? Did he always feel that specific emotion around her, or was it a one-off?

Turning on her heel, Kagome dismissed her task of fetching herbs in favour of seeking Shippo out again.

---

"What does magenta mean to you?"

"To me?"

Kagome nodded seriously.

Thinking for a moment, Shippo hummed and nommed on a lollipop, leaning back on the log he'd perched upon outside. "I dunno, it's a pretty colour but not a favourite. Can't get much use outta it with my crayons."

"No, I mean like - surely there has to be some demon opinion of magenta? Is it associated with a powerful emotion or something?"

Shippo shook his head, consulting the forgotten scroll. "My guess is- since purple is spiritual stuff, Sesshoumaru feels uh...like you remind him of holy things?"

Huffing out a sigh, she flopped down beside him, placing her chin in her hands. "Doubt that. He didn't seem calm," she mumbled, remembering the vivid intensity of his unblinking stare. "Hm, maybe since red- which is anger- and darker blue- which is sadness- has to mix to make the right shade of magenta, that means Sesshoumaru is both angry and sad when he looks at me." Kagome's stomach dropped. "Oh God, do I make him smad?"

Shippo snorted and tossed his lollipop aside to shake her arm, noticing the dazed look of worry glazing her eyes. "You don't make him smad."

Kagome remained unconvinced. The kit groaned, hopping up and grabbing her hand. "You don't! I'm sure it was just a coincidence he was feeling magenta around you. Let's go see!"

The miko stumbled after the exuberant fox, not fully realising where he intended to go until it clicked they were heading toward Kaede's hut. Kagome's heels abruptly dug into the earth, dragging. "Shippo!" she hissed. "He's visiting Rin- I don't want to interrupt."

"You won't be, it looks like they're saying goodbye already."

Blue eyes widened and her attention snapped up from the fox to land on some distant figures up ahead. Even from far away, Kagome could see the pearl pink aura coiling around Sesshoumaru as he lay a gentle hand upon Rin's head of brown hair. The girl beamed, giving off her own warm shine.

Kagome bit the inside of her cheek, heedless of her own approach now. She realized then just how personal and vulnerable the emotion spell could be- how rare and revealing it was to witness Sesshoumaru experiencing such a wholesome bond, free from violence. Enemies could potentially use it on each other to find out secret information easily.

The Daiyoukai seemed to inhale- abruptly stiffening and lifting his hand away from Rin as claws twitched, curling into his palm. Kagome witnessed the moment his aura bled darker, slipping from innocent pink into the strong shade of magenta- just as he turned his head in their direction. Golden eyes pinned her in place. Sesshoumaru seemed to grow tense and watchful, showing none of his previous warmth.

Shippo paused when they weren't too far away, glancing up and noticing Kagome's pale expression. "Uh... has it happened again?"

"It's even worse than before," Kagome whispered.

"Kagome, Shippo!" Rin called over to them, waving. "Are you still playing with magic?"

This seemed to catch Sesshoumaru's attention, ripping his heavy gaze away to land on his ward. "Magic?"

"Mhm! They're doing some kitsune homework with a spell," she smiled, seeming to gain a devious expression and hurrying over to grab Kagome's freehand, pulling her the rest of the way towards her lord. "Kagome! You should take a quick break and sit with Lord Sesshoumaru. Share some tea together!"

Horror churned fierce and fast through Kagome's system. She didn't want to make him uncomfortable, and prolonged exposure to her would no doubt suck for him if magenta was an irritated colour.

"That is unnecessary, Rin," Sesshoumaru uttered, confirming Kagome's suspicions. She winced a little anyway, wondering why it stung. "This one was just passing through, I will leave now."

Making a noise of complaint, the girl's grip tightened. "Well then, she should accompany you! W-we need medicinal herbs and you didn't gather any earlier, did you Kagome?"

She willed the earth to swallow her whole. "N-no…"

"Then it's decided! She can walk you to the forest since she's heading that way." Rin poked and prodded them to get moving. In all the confusion, Shippo slipped away to make some notes, giving Kagome a thumbs up- which she returned with a death glare.

Wondering what had come over Rin but being trapped by politeness to refuse, Kagome grimly started walking alongside Sesshoumaru, picking up a basket from Kaede's hut.

I shouldn't feel guilty or weird around him, she thought, trying to ease her worry. If he's getting bent out of shape just from seeing me, that's his problem. I'm pretty confident I haven't insulted him recently.

Kagome nodded silently to herself, endeavouring not to let Sesshoumaru's secret magenta emotion matter so much-

"You appear well."

Jumping, Kagome whipped her head up to the regal demon. "Huh?" she blinked, heat touching her cheeks. "Oh! Thanks!" the magenta outline grew bolder, much to her chagrin. "You look nice too. Aha-! I mean not nice- well, you look handsome- but in a good health way! Not a 'compliment on your looks' way. That's totally what I meant. "

Open mouth, insert foot.

His aura only seemed to fluctuate more, and Sesshoumaru's lips thinned. Kagome inwardly groaned. No doubt he hated her even more now!

She decided an attempt to smooth over everything was in order. "Sesshoumaru," she said, taking a breath. "I know we might not be what you'd consider close, but I'd be totally fine with talking about anything that might be bothering you. Even allies can talk about that stuff."

Sesshoumaru blinked languidly, looking as though she'd blurted out a foreign language. He then faced forward, features becoming tightly controlled. "Nothing unsettles me, miko. It is a foolish, human sentiment that I should be 'bothered' by anything."

Kagome rolled her eyes, mouth twitching. Proud, stubborn guy. She didn't know why she found it kind of endearing.

"Why are you so certain I am troubled?"

Her steps faltered before she strode on, biting her bottom lip. "I have a knack for feeling out these things. A woman's intuition," she grinned, noticing his stare rove lower, south from her eyes.

"Hn," golden eyes lingered. Kagome wondered if she'd gotten something stuck in her teeth. "Your intuition is certainly lacking if you are only just noticing something amiss."

A victorious noise escaped her and she immediately swooped in on the slip-up. Sesshoumaru seemed to wince. "Aha! So something IS wrong!"

"Miko-"

"It's just that you've been dealing with it for such a long time that it's become almost normal to you. That about right?" she grinned.

Kagome took his moody silence as a 'yes.'

"I'm sorry I didn't pick up on it earlier. Shippo's um...spell...has made me extra sensitive to how others are feeling," she revealed a half-truth. "I just can't work out how you're feeling. Heh, you're mysterious even when I've got magic to help me understand you."

"You wish to understand me?"

"Well, yes? You're our ally. As established; I'd like to be your friend too."

"I see."

"Sooo...?" Kagome hedged as they arrived at the border of the trees. The Daiyoukai stopped and turned to her once they were beneath the branches, having stepped under cool shade. Kagome quieted, wondering at the assessing, guarded look he pinned her with. Why should the mighty Lord Sesshoumaru guard himself against her of all people?

Pale lips quirked, and he hummed, giving a haughty, arrogant smirk. "Figure it out yourself."

Her mouth fell open. Ire immediately simmered real and hot beneath her skin. "That's not helpful, Sesshoumaru! The whole point of having friends is to share stuff! You can't expect people to know how you're feeling without you telling them, I'm not a mind reader."

He moved in slightly closer then, leaning down. Kagome swallowed but tensed her legs to keep from bending back, holding her ground and straightening her spine. It proved difficult. Sesshoumaru's cold features had a way of unnerving even the most hardened warriors. It was the lack of empathy or emotion in his animalistic gaze; the terrifying sense that something was missing; humanity.

But...

Kagome's eyes strayed to the magenta aura that only blazed thicker and larger, practically drowning her. The spell revealed, albeit without his consent; that Sesshoumaru was a man of feeling. In fact, whatever emotion plagued him, it roared stronger than any other persons she'd seen that day. Besides all that, she'd witnessed his care of others before. Been on the receiving end of it when he'd saved her a few times.

In the shade's hush, he tipped his head slightly, silver hair falling free from behind a pointed ear. "I am not a being that 'tells' other's information freely. Demons can glean enough from my body language, scent and actions enough to understand my feelings."

"And I appreciate that," Kagome said in a softer tone. "But I'm not a demon."

"Rin-"

"Is a child who has spent a lot of one-on-one time with you. I'd also wager that while she understands a lot of your intentions...she doesn't always understand you either."

Sesshoumaru begrudged her point, though seemed ever unwilling to let his mask slip to reveal anything.

Searching his gaze, she wet her dry lips. "What does the colour magenta mean to you?"

His aura flared, and Sesshoumaru surprised her by leaning back and stepping away. His features became a mix of things, the colours changing for the first time around him- grey, yellow, black, fluctuating on magenta and orange before settling on a particular shade of red that made her squeak.

No way- is he embarrassed?

"Why ask that?" he asked in a removed, steady tone. If she focused though, Kagome could pick up on the faint slip in his voice.

Kagome for once couldn't answer, heart hammering in her ribcage. She wasn't sure what to interpret from his reaction, but the colour obviously meant something to him. Shaking her head, Kagome waved it off.

"Never mind. I'll take your advice and work it out for myself."

He blinked and arched a brow, seeming to recover from his surprise. "Oh?"

Kagome made a noise of affirmation, turning on her heel and taking a few steps away. Pausing, she flashed him a smile over her shoulder. "And if I guess correctly, you agree to start telling me the important stuff. Deal?"

Sesshoumaru's face flashed with intrigue. Slowly, thin lips curved. His expression transformed into something quietly eager, the colour aura deepening into blazing magenta once more.

"Hn."

---

After asking near everyone she could think of for their input or ideas, Kagome ran into a brick wall, utterly stumped. That was- until she heard a certain irritatingly high, grating voice.

"But WHERE did Lord Sesshoumaru go?"

"I don't know, he said he was just passing through."

Jaken.

If anyone had insight into Sesshoumaru, it would be the little green imp. Kagome hurried in the direction of the helium sounding voice.

Finding Rin and Jaken by the village well, and struggling to pull a bucketful up together- Kagome quickly lent a hand, hefting the bucket up onto the side. The little girl grinned and thanked her, while Kagome crouched before Jaken, causing him to squeak.

"W-what is it? What do you want?!"

"I need to talk to you," Kagome said seriously. Resting her hands over her knees and leaning forward intently. "Magenta. Tell me your thoughts on that colour."

Bulbous yellow eyes widened. "Hah? Have you lost your senses, strange girl?"

Rin pouted and lifted the heavy bucket down, spilling some water. "Just do it, Master Jaken. If Kagome is asking, it must be important."

Kagome smiled a little, before schooling her features back into complete seriousness.

The imp sighed and squinted, before thinking for a moment. "Hmm, well. I would of course associate it with the most illustrious Lord Sesshoumaru!"

"H-huh? Why?"

"His cheek and wrist stripes are that exact shade! Don't you pay attention to anything?"

Kagome realised he was entirely correct. They matched up perfectly. Excitement built in her chest, feeling like she was FINALLY getting somewhere with the big mystery. "So it's linked with him… I see. What do you think the colour represents?"

"Haven't the faintest idea," he tilted his head back with a haughty sniff. "But since they adorn Lord Sesshoumaru, I can only conclude that it must be a royal, prideful colour."

Her elation fizzled out. Kagome wilted, sighing and standing once more. That didn't fit at all. No way would Sesshoumaru feel pride while looking at her.

Stepping away with the dismal thought that she was back at square one, she paused upon noticing a tugging on her sleeve. Rin clutched the trailing end of it, looking up at her in quiet earnest. She bit her lip and seemed to struggle with something. "I-I'm sure the answer is there if you just try asking more questions, Kagome."

The miko softened and petted her wild hair, smoothing the locks back from her face. "You really think so, kiddo? Because I'm kind of stumped right now."

"Mhm! I don't know what homework you're helping Shippo with, but if its causing you to take an interest in Lord Sesshoumaru, I encourage you to dig deeper!"

Kagome wasn't sure why she felt so strongly about the subject, her smile becoming a little confused. Nonetheless, she decided to take the advice and try again.

The right question…

Grabbing the back of Jaken's robes and tugging him back before he could walk off, Kagome knelt down. She decided to shift her focus. "Those markings on Sesshoumaru's face and wrists- I was wondering if they mean anything."

"Bah! Such things have a multitude of uses! Ahem!" he lifted up a tiny green claw. "Firstly, they are to show that he is poisonous."

Kagome stifled a giggle behind her hand, smiling with her eyes at Rin. "So he's like a flower."

"No! Nothing like a flower! He is deadly!"

"Poisonous flowers exist- but never mind that," she waved off. "What else?"

"Second, the positioning of the markings represents various things. The ones on mi lord's cheeks represent superior jaws, the wrists and ankles represent superior strength in his arms and legs, while the hips represent that he will produce superior offspring."

Kagome turned steadily red, wondering how low those stripes hooked down his hips. She hadn't even known he possessed hip stripes and was now picturing him half-naked. Kagome quickly shook the fantasy away. Rin didn't seem to understand that last part but thankfully remained quiet.

Jaken continued on, bolstered by such a captive audience and happy to talk about his favourite subject. "Lastly, they are to catch the interest of a mate."

"They... are?"

The imp nodded with vigour. "If you were the slightest bit observant, you'd notice that the vibrancy of his markings has emboldened recently. This means he is displaying for a female."

She had noticed that, actually, but Kagome hadn't thought anything of it. She felt close to a conclusion then, so achingly near to the truth. Swallowing to moisten her suddenly dry mouth, Kagome soldiered on.

"I saw that the ones on his cheeks had become bolder. What about his crescent moon?"

Jaken waved a tiny hand, "the moon is just to show which clan he belongs to. In relation to your original question, it is the magenta markings that are paramount. They are intrinsically linked with all that I noted; intimidation signals and mating."

Kagome nodded, inwardly reeling. She mulled this over and thanked him for the valuable insight. Magenta obviously meant more to Sesshoumaru than she'd ever thought.

In light of Jaken's words, Kagome found herself having to observe a certain set of emotions. Since mating was on the list, she reluctantly wandered in search of a known pervert.

Sweat beaded on her forehead as she took Miroku to one side. After explaining the situation in a succinct manner, she took a breath.

"I need you to get horny for your wife."

Miroku stared. He then pushed back his sleeves, clearing his throat and righting his collar. "My time has come."

Kagome's eyes widened and she held up her hands, "wait- I'm not asking to be weird or anything. M-maybe I should explain more."

He lay a comforting hand on her shoulder, patting. "No further explanation necessary, Lady Kagome. If this is in service of deeper understanding between allies, I am more than happy to help. Observe."

Miroku breezily walked away, gravitating towards Sango who had set down their son, attention on the crawling toddler. Kagome groaned and buried her face in her hands- shifting some fingers aside to witness the moment Miroku's calm blue aura darkened.

For a moment, panic leapt down her windpipe as it deepened into purple, hovering over magenta- before the aura settled on a lush hot pink.

The sound of a slap sounded out, Sango moving away from Miroku's groping hand. "I've told you before; not in front of the children!" she hissed.

Her husband laughed airly, stroking his cheek and giving her a fond smile. Kagome's heart warmed slightly, witnessing the hot pink glow into a warm pinkish red.

I think that must be the colour of love.

This, unfortunately, didn't answer any of her questions.

The possible things Sesshoumaru could be feeling toward her made the miko's stomach twist into knots. She went over what to say in her head a dozen or so times- and then a dozen more. It was no easy feat to wait on pins and needles for the demons' return. Inevitably though, word of his return reached her a few days later.

---

Sesshoumaru had been spotted by the trees bordering Inuyasha Forest so she'd set off alone immediately.

Since the sun beat down mercilessly, Kagome was unsurprised to find him by water. Elevated temperatures were likely brutal on those who regularly wore armour- evidenced by the fact that she walked in on him very much without it. Sesshoumaru knelt by a river, eyes closed and hankimono parted- exposing a thin sliver of firm, pale muscle. His head slightly dipped forward, hair held over one shoulder as one hand cupped cool water and splashed it over the back of his neck. Droplets ran down the length of his throat to dip around his collarbone- some sliding down his back. Sesshoumaru massaged the base of his skull, before cupping more water and repeating the process, long fingers running over the back of his glistening neck.

Kagome stared. She'd suddenly never been so thirsty in her life.

His lashes fluttered open to glance at her. His continued silence prompted her to clear her throat and murmur; "I'm not sure if I've got it right."

"Explain."

Kagome felt a blush rise to her cheeks and panic erupted in her chest. She suddenly wasn't ready. She wasn't nearly as ready for this as she needed to be. Approaching the Daiyoukai dressed in a white tank top and dungarees had not been the plan but she'd impulsively sought him out without thinking about it.

His voice turned softer, almost coaxing. "What conclusion did you reach?"

Kagome bit her lip and felt the need to explain her process of elimination. "First off; I feel like I should be honest with you. I can see the colours of people's emotions around them due to a spell Shippo used on me. That's why I was asking about magenta. It's...it's the emotion you keep feeling whenever you see me- I just had no idea what it meant."

Golden eyes cracked a fraction wider, exposing the liquid honey swimming inside, glinting in the afternoon sunlight with interest.

"I asked Jaken about the colour since he has an insight into you more sound than other people. He told me that magenta was linked to your markings- which can represent intimidation signals and m-mating interest."

He arched a brow, something unnamed flickering over his expression. Kagome began pacing back and forth before him. "So! The first thing I did was follow Inuyasha into a fight. There was a weasel youkai bothering a farmer. I noticed Inuyasha's aura turned a brownish, orangey-red during the fight and concluded that was likely aggression! So I figured you weren't feeling defensive around me," she gave a nervous giggle. Why was the sun so damn bright? The humidity only elevated the spike of nerves pricking the back of her neck.

"Next came the... other thing," her voice dimmed and Kagome evaded eye contact. "I noticed Miroku feeling uh...frisky around his wife. His aura turned hot pink- so it wasn't magenta- not that I thought you could ever feel that way about...me," she babbled. "Hell, I've consulted Shippo's scroll a thousand times. I've run through all the emotions we could find and- gah! I couldn't find anything that explained magenta. I guess I failed in figuring out what's bothering you," her shoulders slumped in defeat.

"You went to all that trouble?"

Kagome lifted her gaze to his, loosely holding her arms. "Well, yeah. I kind of realised that I wasn't being fair to you the other day. You shouldn't be expected to verbalise your problems if you're not comfortable doing so. It's a different method than what I'm used to in order to communicate- but if you're happy doing that I won't push you to open up to me."

Since she'd failed to work out his problems, however, Kagome grimly figured there was no hope of them being friends. The thought somewhat bothered her. Sesshoumaru was a solid, assuring presence to have around. It would've been nice to have a deeper insight into the inner mechanisms of his cerebral mind.

Maybe priestesses and demons just can't understand each other.

A shadow fell over her, bathing Kagome in shade. She looked up, finding his curious, burning gaze bearing down on her.

As usual, magenta coiled and expanded around him. So large and encompassing.

Sesshoumaru tilted his head slightly. "Some actions do not require words in order to understand them."

Kagome could only blink, face heating as he hooked a finger beneath her chin and tilted it up- before her heart burst into overdrive in time with lips pressing against hers.

Her squeak came out muffled, hands scrambling uselessly and finding his shoulders, quickly lurching away from the firm muscle to hover uselessly in the air. Sesshoumaru grabbed one of her hands and forced it to his broad shoulder, holding it there as he explored her open mouth.

The miko reeled, dazed eyes picking up the shining magenta aura before her lashes slid shut. Kagome let out a breathy noise as his tongue slid over hers, reciprocating for a moment before her mind caught up with the situation and- WHAT THE HELL WAS SHE DOING?

Kagome's palm pushed against his broad shoulder, ripping her mouth away from his and panting. Sesshoumaru remained close, breath shuddering slightly, gaze hooded.

"That-" she started, having to lick her lips. "That requires MANY words, buster. So many words are needed to explain what the hell just happened."

The Daiyoukai managed to look put out, eyes turning flat. "It seems your ignorance requires a lack of subtlety, but I do not mind. If it is necessary to have you- I will adapt and explain myself."

"To... have me?" Kagome's breath hitched. Somehow magenta was all she could see- his cheek markings so bold and bright.

Sesshoumaru's jaw ticked, eyes squinting and attention shifting away as he seemed to gather his thoughts and construct them onto his tongue.

"Magenta is the colour of love to inuyoukai."

He said it so easily. After all that confusion and so much second-guessing, Kagome was almost angry with him. Almost. The rest of her brain was too focused on processing the unthinkable thing he'd just said and the implications behind it.

"But...your markings…" she croaked.

"Have little to do with it- though Jaken's explanation was not incorrect."

Kagome shook her head, searching his face. "I just...I'm struggling to understand h-how? I mean, you can't feel that way about me."

"Why not?"

"B-because!" she squeaked, cheeks blazing red. "Isn't love a bit of a leap? You barely know me."

Sesshoumaru huffed, placid features shifting to become slightly guarded. He didn't know when it had started happening for he was in the middle before he even knew he had begun, but more and more, he sought her opinions and company. She spoke well and intelligently after all- had destroyed Naraku and the jewel with such power and finesse that had made his instincts stir. "I know enough. This is not something recent. I have watched... and wondered for some time."

"Wondered... what?"

"If it was possible to bridge the gap between us. Perhaps it was foolish to think we could be compatible."

He had a point. Even a spell hadn't helped her understand him any easier. But when Sesshoumaru slowly stepped back, quiet disappointment simmering behind his blank mask yet clear in his eyes- something like panic possessed her. Kagome grabbed his sleeve, blushing harder.

She wasn't sure why alarm had shot through her- but the idea of losing their soft, hopeful flickering flame before they'd even coaxed it brighter to see what heights it could reach felt like something she'd regret forever if she let him go.

Kagome stepped closer. "Not foolish. This is just really unexpected for me."

Golden eyes roved over her face questioningly.

"The colour of love is different for humans, so it never even crossed my mind that THAT was what you've been struggling with. Jaken mentioned you were displaying for a female but- wow," she murmured, gentling. "Thank you... for telling me. No one's ever said that to me before."

Sesshoumaru's expression warmed, just a touch. He inclined his head slightly and Kagome felt an odd flutter in her belly.

"I'm not in the same place as you emotionally but- if- if you'd want to try this human thing called 'dating' we could give it a shot and get to know each other better."

"Hn," Sesshoumaru gave her a considering look, and she almost thought he might decline before the ghost of a smile tilted up his lips. "What is 'dating?'"

Kagome's face burst into a grin, and she took his clawed hand. "You're gonna love it. It involves a lot of talking."

He gave a mock groan, aura glowing brighter.

Naturally, Shippo passed his test with flying colours. His sensei was particularly impressed by his observation of both human and inuyoukai emotions in particular.

He decided to use the spell on himself several months later, laughing and chasing Rin around the village, happy to see the yellow aura dancing around her. Something of note he noticed when rushing by was a certain miko and demon lord practising archery together in a field. As Kagome corrected his large stance, hand guiding his elbow down slightly as he aimed, the warm colours of pinkish red and magenta entwined, lacing like long, seeking fingers gently interlocking.

End

#sesskag #Sesshoumaru x Kagome #Sesshoumaru #Kagome Higurashi #sesskag fanfiction

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project-rosewood-476 · 3 years

Text

Every Rose Has Its Thorns Chapter 4

After months of planning and organizing, I am done with this chapter. I am on a roll today

TW: Homicide, mentions of blood

Summary: This is the aftermath of what happened to Tabby at the end of chapter 3 when she killed those parents. Tabby struggles to come to terms with what she did, her emotions, and what she has done in her past. Will she overcome her inner demons and rise above to make peace and amends? Or will she continue to make mistakes that will send her spiraling down the rabbit hole of despair?

After a while, Tabby just stopped and stood up. She calmed down enough to scratch her ears as they were rashy from anger. She just stood there in shock, unblinking. She couldn’t believe what she’s done. She had blood splatters everywhere on her. At least with her jacket, they blended in. If she just zipped up, she could hide her white shirt, clean her glasses and pass off the bloodstains as something else on her pants and shoes.

Masky and Hoodie had grabbed the kids while Tabby was stabbing their father. The little boy was shrieking and struggling against Hoodie, who was being forceful and was in the process of tying up his hands. Masky took a gentler approach with the little girl. He had covered her eyes so she didn't see the scene, and he was in the process of leading her outside. The girl didn't struggle, probably out of shock and fear. Masky was talking to her quietly. Toby heard his assurances that they weren't going to hurt them and that he wouldn't tie her wrists if she just cooperated. In Toby's opinion, the little girl was acting in a much more intelligent fashion. He held the shy-looking baby in his arms. She was pretty cute and had settled down. She was looking up at him, reaching for his goggles curiously. He saw the baby had her name embroidered on her little onesie. The baby's name was Stephanie. Toby glanced around for clues about the kids’ names, and his eyes fell on a crayon drawing of the family. Two stick figures are called Mommy and Daddy. A slightly taller one called Ty. That must be the boy—a stick figure called "Me" and then a circle that was probably the baby. Audrey, age 4, had signed the little kid’s drawing. The little girl probably drew when she was younger. He then remembered that he needed to find the files.

Tabby just still stood there in shock. Her wide eyes were unblinking, and you could tell she wasn't there mentally anymore.

Toby went and tapped her shoulder while holding the baby in one arm.

"Tabby...".

Tabby wobbled her head over at him.

"Yes?..." she stated slowly and emptily. Her eyes were vacant, showing that she retreated further back into her head.

"Let me find the files, and we'll go, okay?" Toby stated calmly. The baby made a slight bubbling noise in his arms.

"Okay..." she stated in the same slow empty voice.

Toby soon found the files and took them. They weren't hidden very well, which made his blood boil. She followed him around, but she still kept that vacant look. She blinked now and then, but it was still unsettling to those who knew Tabby well. Toby was sure she'd be okay later. He just wanted to get this mission done first. It should be fast. Masky was probably contacting their boss so that he could make a temporary portal for them. Usually, Tabby would say something to ease the situation or complain, but this made her deathly quiet. Almost like a broken quiet. She just stared blankly straight ahead.

Toby went outside. It was pretty dark out now. Hoodie was still holding onto Ty, who looked very uncomfortable in his binds. Audrey was sitting by a tree and shaking, almost as if she knew she couldn't escape. Masky was seated nearby. They looked as though they were waiting for the portal to open. It was pretty dark out now. Toby knew that he would snap her out of it later; he tapped her shoulder to get her attention.

"Tabby...It's time to go, okay? Are you alright?"

Tabby nodded her head slowly in acknowledgment that it was time to go.

She wobbled her head towards him again, looking at him with unblinking eyes.

"....fine..." She started slowly in that same empty voice. She continued to walk towards the rest of the group.

Masky had the girl by the hand. Hoodie had tied up the boy and draped him over his shoulder. Toby held the baby and the files. Tabby stayed silent. She was strangely obedient, which was out of character for her. She waited for the next move. Masky turned and began to lead them back through the woods. Hoodie was glad that Tabby was quiet now. Toby was keeping the baby entertained. Tabby continued to move through the woods on autopilot. She just stared ahead, blinking occasionally. She wondered what the kids thought of her or what they'll think of her later on once they processed the whole situation. Once again, her stepdad’s words came back to her.

"All you ever do is ruin people's lives. All you ever do is hurt those around you. You're a monster and bad influence everyone is better off without you being around".

Those were constant thoughts that ran through the chaotic warfare that was her head. On top of the main idea of " how does it feel to know that he was right about you all along?"

She just let the ideas overcome her as she had that blank look of defeat to her.

Toby walked near her. They had to walk for a long while until they could get to the boss. The kids were quiet, thankfully. The baby in his arms made small noises up at him and Tabby.

Tabby was slowly coming to; at least she was more aware of her surroundings and blinking more. She didn't have that blank unsettling look to her anymore. But it was evident that she looked and felt like shit. She still had a glimpse of defeat and was more of a broken quiet.

Toby could tell she wasn't doing well. He figured she probably remembered something. He wondered if there was a way to cheer her up. She looked over at Toby and gave him a small reassuring smile, but it was fake. She then looked away since she's a horrible liar. She would try to explain it to him later.

Toby understood. The kids were surprisingly quiet. Masky was even being kind to the little girl and just talking about where they were going.

Tabby was a broken kind of quiet, but she was looking around at her surroundings more and more. She looked over at Masky being nice to the girl. Although he did try to kill her twice, and she wouldn't forget that. He sort of reminded her of a loose guiding father figure that she didn't have. She then looked at Hoodie, who was in front of them with the boy. However, she hated him and also tried to kill her twice. She sighed. She knew that they were never going to see eye to eye, and there were probably more arguments to come that she didn't know if she would win or not.

However new she was in this line of work, she understood how a team is supposed to work. Whether she liked it or not, she was part of a new team now. And their team can't work if they're constantly arguing and going at each other's throats always. Sooner or later, they were going to have to reach some sort of compromise. She just didn't know precisely how to go about that. She looked back at Toby with the baby in his arms. It was a pretty sight. She sincerely hopes that the baby would be alright. In a way, she was kind of reminded of how a tiny family would be with Toby as the father and her as the mother and the baby as their kid. She shook her head and looked away and scolded herself for having such thoughts about a happy long-term future. She took this second chance for one thing and one thing and one thing only. To get her revenge and avenge her friends. Nothing more and nothing less. As far as she was concerned, they were all just a means to an end, and she didn't care how much she had to kill to achieve her goal, and no one was going to get in her way.

Still...

The walk was short but felt much longer. They seemed to have passed through some sort of barrier. The proxies were okay, but the human children began coughing, shaking, and slightly seizing. The baby started to wail. Tabby looked dazed and confused as they passed through the barrier but was quickly able to snap out of it somewhat. Tim had to pick up the girl. Soon they recovered from this affliction, however, and they approached a large mansion. It was beautiful but had an eerie aura. Tabby felt terrible for the kids and had to restrain herself from helping them having older siblings and mother instincts herself. But she couldn't afford to show any signs of vulnerability. She was still in shock but not as bad as before. She put her hood up, kept her head down and her hands in her pockets.

The two older men ignored her, but Toby scanned her body language to see if she needed help. Tabby was grateful that she wasn't called out on her shit. She knew that she would have to explain herself later when they were more alone, and everything calmed down. Masky was talking to the girl he was holding in a comforting way. Toby was a little unnerved by it, as that was how he spoke to the children that he would kill. One thing Toby liked about Masky was that he always went a little softer on the kids. But he would still kill them. Hoodie simply told the boy who was whimpering to shut up. The mansion loomed as they approached. Someone was on the porch. He recognized the maid garb that his boss used and identified the figure as a maid. One of the dishonored proxies is working their way back into the boss' favor. Tabby saw the person cleaning furiously. She made the logical conclusion that the person was a maid of some sort. She prayed silently that the kids would be alright for the most part and that she did a good enough job so she wouldn't talk too much. Her anxiety was back up, and she was fidgeting with the bottom of her shirt again.

As soon as they entered the mansion, the two older proxies stopped and froze. Almost as if they had entered a trance. When they snapped out of it, they turned to Tabby and Toby.

"Follow us." They said in unison.

Tabby nodded and looked down. She was still quiet, but she mostly snapped out of her shock. Toby was used to this type of stuff. It just meant the boss had been talking to them. They got like that. Masky and Hoodie led Tabby and Toby down a large marble hallway. Many portraits were hung on the walls of different people in different periods. There were a lot of them. Toby stared. This was essentially Slenderman's wall of fame, of proxies who served him exceptionally well. Masky had told him that the being would paint these himself. The hallway was long and filled with these portraits. Toby knew Masky was up there. He wanted to be up there, too, someday.

Tabby nodded and looked down. She was still quiet, but she mostly snapped out of her shock. Tabby looked up at the wall of portraits. They were impressively well done. This was some artistic skill that not even Autumn could achieve. They made her take her mind off of her anxiety for a few brief minutes. Soon they came to a large, heavy wooden door. Masky had to set the child down to open it. He paused, seeming to listen before he turned to Hoodie.

"The boss would like to speak with you in private, but for now, stay out here with the children."

Hoodie nodded, his emotions undetectable during his mask. He set the boy down rather roughly on the marble floors and ordered the girl to sit next to him, which she did fearfully. Hoodie took the baby from Toby, then moved to let the pair follow Masky into the room. Tabby kept her neutral expression. There was no room for emotions or vulnerability here. She straightened out her shirt. She held her head up to maintain eye contact and stood up straight as she walked resolutely into the room. She just hoped that she wouldn't get talked to too much as she didn't trust how her voice would sound. Toby walked with her into the office. Tabby entered cautiously as she did so when entering any room. It was dark and spacious. A fire roared in a fireplace. Pictures of various scenes from history and nature were on the walls, painted as well.

A strange, ancient-looking black tubular object was bolted to the wall in the corner. A low hum came from it, but it was not the hum of machinery. It was some sinister machination. She noticed the machinery and snuck a few curious glances as curiosity was one of her downfalls. She strained her ears to listen to the hum as she was used to dark, sinister energy since she went to Rosewood. Masky didn't look at it, and Toby felt too uncomfortable to do so. The boss was sitting in an armchair behind a desk, his hands folded in plain view. His gaze seemed to pierce the group as they entered. She quickly disciplined herself to focus her gaze back to the situation at hand and kneeling. Toby and Masky kneeled too. Tabby gave yet another silent prayer that the kids would be alright and that she would be too.

"I see you all have completed your mission." The being spoke. His voice echoed through all of their ears.

Masky still knelt.

"Yes, Operator. The children are in the hallway like you asked." He spoke.

The Slenderman hummed softly.

"Have Hoodie bring in the baby when you all leave. The two groups that have agreed to take the human children are in the mansion. You should have no issues sensing them, Masky. And Toby, you have the files?"

Toby nodded and held them out to his boss, who took them.

"Excellent."

The being hummed. He turned to Tabby.

"And you made sure the humans were dead?".

Tabby looked up when she was spoken to, but she said swift.

"Yes, sir, they were most certainly dead," as you could tell by her dirtied bandaged hand that was covered in dirt and dried blood. On top of some on her cheek and splattered across her red plaid jacket and white shirt.

She looked back down. The being nodded slowly.

"Very well. You all may go. Bring the two older children to their groups and send Hoodie in with the baby." He waved his tentacles to dismiss them.

"Yes, sir"

She quickly walked out of the room with Masky and Toby trailing behind. Masky sent Hoodie into the room with the baby and untied the boy to walk on his own. He helped the two kids up. Tabby looked everywhere but the kids. She knew that she would have cast them a pitying look, and there was no place for that here. To her, it's best if they learned now and fast that they would have to save themselves from surviving. She had to push down her parental/older sibling instincts.

She looked down with a guilty look. Wasn't that what she was teaching her little brother? When she left him. That to survive, you have to save yourself? Tabby justified it as a form of tough love. And she had to take care of herself first to provide for him. One of the reasons she took this second chance was to provide Adam the best life he could have when he gets old enough to do so. She would gladly kill without a second thought if that meant avenging her friends and providing and keep her little brother safe. Hell, she'll kill anyone else that gets in her way. She wasn't going to be around forever; he would have to learn how to fend for himself eventually, and she was a firm believer that it's best to teach them young while they're still able to learn quickly.

Still, she couldn't help but feel guilty for what she did.

Toby didn’t want to look at the kids because he didn't know if they were crying or not. He hated crying. Especially kid crying. They soon got to another set of doors, which Tim opened. Three proxies were lounging on a sofa and laughing, but they turned when they saw the door open.

"Oh, hey, Masky! You brought the boy?" The leader of the group asked.

Masky nodded and said with a chipper note in his voice.

"Sure did! Here he is."

He gently nudged the boy to the group. His little sister let out a whimper, which Toby quickly shushed. Tabby continued to look down and say nothing.

"Pay no mind to the kids, pay no mind to the kids, pay no mind to the kids,” she chanted over and over again. She hoped that this would be over soon and hoped that she would continue to be ignored and not have too much social interaction. The boy was welcomed into the group with open arms. Usually, new groupmates would get new proxy names, basically as a sort of initiation. It was the group giving them a new identity. Already the new group began discussing new names for the kid. One of the members, a woman, moved so he could sit next to her.

"Hey, little buddy- no no, don't cry, don't cry, we're not going to hurt you. We're your new team. We're going to train you."

Masky took this as his cue to leave and lead the others out of the room. He closed the door behind them all. The little girl was trembling again, so Masky picked her up.

Tabby looked back at the group with a look of nostalgia and sadness. They reminded her of when she was first accepted into her friend group at Rosewood. They welcomed her and took her for what she was with open arms. She never had that before then. The group that would become her family. The group that she became the leader of. The group that taught her what love, happiness, home, understanding, and acceptance were. She looked away and ran to catch up with the other two. Now it was just her. The sole survivor. She knew that she would never get all of that again unless she made a home for herself, and she knew damn well that she didn't belong in this new group or this world. Well, she didn't belong anywhere, really but especially not here. She was lucky enough to have all of that once. She firmly believes that it will never happen again. They soon walked through the silent hallway to another room, where an all-female group was waiting. Masky set the child down in front of them. One of them, a pretty woman with long red hair, scooped the little girl up gently. The girl looked at the woman with soft eyes. She reminded the child of her mother. One of the team members scoffed at the softness.

"Aurelia, the child needs to begin her training instantly if she is to ever be of use-"

"Shut up, Laura." The woman snapped at the short girl with the blonde pixie cut.

"Not tonight. We can start training tomorrow. Right now, she needs rest and comfort. For now, she can have it."

Tabby looked at the red-haired woman like she was about to cry. She reminded her of an older, more adult version of Autumn if she were to have lived that long. Tabby remembered crying and being comforted by Autumn when she first met her outside of Rosewoods gates. Laura reminded her of herself when a newcomer was welcomed into her group. Autumn ensured that she would take it easy on the new kid before drilling them about surviving Rosewood. She looked down to control her tears. Thank god she was able to hold them back. Aurelia wrapped her arms around the young girl and held her to her chest.

"We're going to take you to your new home, okay, sweetheart? You're going to be okay. We'll take care of you. Come on; you have your room."

Masky moved so the group could leave. The little girl clung to Aurelia like she was a lifesaver. Tabby looked back at the group and then at Masky to study him a little. She was a leader once, and her group did well. Maybe once she got herself established and a home, perhaps she'll have a group of her own again, and maybe she could go back to the way she once was; she shook her head and looked away and chastised herself for thinking such hopeful thoughts. She took this life for one main reason to fulfill her promises. That was her only mission, and she'll kill whomever she has to to get one step closer to her end goal. After that, she was planning on dying. She'll have someone else kill her. She didn't plan on being here for long. She believed that this was a one-way mission and that there was no promising future for her. Good things don't happen to people like her.

Masky watched the other group leave. He sighed, then readjusted his mask.

"Well, now that that's done, are you all hungry? Want something to eat or something? We have a lot of walking to do later, so we might as well fuel up while we can."

They also needed to wait for Hoodie anyways before they could meet up with EJ. The boss always had little "chats" with Hoodie alone, and he wouldn't even tell Masky what they were about. Tabby shook her head no. She didn't trust herself to keep any food down for right now.

"I'm not hungry, right, but I could use another coffee" she rubbed her face. You could tell that she was dead exhausted.

Masky shrugged. That worked for him.

"Great. I'll tell EJ to meet us at the cafe nearby." He stated. They had sandwiches there that the rest of them could eat.

Tabby nodded

"Cool," she stood there awkwardly, not knowing what to say or do next. She avoided eye contact with everyone else.

Masky stepped out to contact EJ. They were still waiting for Hoodie to return. Toby glanced at Tabby. They were alone together for a bit.

"Hey...Tabby..."

Tabby snapped her head up, and when she did, her neck made a loud crack. She winced at the sudden pain that faded away quickly.

"Yeah?"

Toby smiled gently at her.

"Uh...just wanted to make sure you have no questions or anything."

"No. I'm good." She stated quickly, giving him a reassuring smile.

She paused for a minute.

"Do...you have any questions for me?"

"Oh...er, maybe." Toby smiled slightly. "Mainly just...how are you feeling?"

"I feel fine, I guess. Mainly tired, but that's due to insomnia and narcolepsy. Anything else?"

"No, no, that's it," Toby said with a bit of a smile.

Tabby raised an eyebrow.

"You sure?"

Toby paused for a minute. No, he wasn’t sure. He had so many questions for her, such as what the hell happened back there? She just went all ballistic and then just blacked out. Not to mention her shocked state was just creepy and unsettling as fuck. He also took notice of her trying to restrain herself from helping the kids. Did she naturally have that instinct? Did she have any younger siblings that made her like that? Or for all he knows, maybe her own child that she left behind? He knew that Tabby was lying when she said that she was fine. She wasn’t fine; obviously, something happened to her in her past that made her so bothered about this. However, he knew that this wasn’t the best place or time to confront her about all of that. He would have to wait until the time was right.

"Yeah, I'm sure," Toby said.

Masky soon came back into the room, and they were quick, joined by Hoodie. Tabby became quiet and looked back down, avoiding eye contact with any of them. Masky nodded.

"It's time to go. We'll meet EJ at the coffee shop." He stated calmly.

Hoodie was silent. Toby wondered if he was okay. Tabby nodded and followed the rest. She kept her head down, hands in her pocket, and prayed that others wouldn't speak to her. Masky and Hoodie had no intention of talking to her. Hoodie was still a little annoyed with her. Masky didn't want to start anything. Tabby kept to herself. God, she was so tired. Usually, she'd take this week and go into a coma. But this was one of those times where she couldn't just sleep the week away. But she had a backup plan for that. Normally she'd just run on coffee and monster energy, and then she'd fall asleep wherever when she had the free time. All that caffeine isn't good for her anxiety or paranoia, but it keeps her awake long enough to take care of what she needs to for the day, and it beats collapsing where you are and being vulnerable. The walk to the coffee shop was short and uneventful. It was right next to a portal into the human world. Toby was a little excited. They entered the shop and got accosted by the smell of roasted coffee beans and warm air. It was pleasant. The girl behind the bar was a monster/human hybrid. She just had that look about her. Still. Very nice-looking. Masky looked at Toby and chuckled. He knew that Toby used to have a thing for her. Maybe it still did. Tabby looked at the girl, then at Masky, then at Toby. Whatever it was about, she didn't like it. Then again, she doesn't like anybody or anything. She waited to be seated. Toby was smiling at the girl.

"Hey, Leona!" He said to the girl behind the counter. She was beautiful. Short, with long curly brown hair and a peachy complexion. One eye was bright blue. The other side of her face was warped, along with that side of her body. That all added just a bit of charm to her.

"Hiya Tobes! Your usual caramel chocolate mocha?" Leona asked.

He nodded. Masky ordered an espresso and a sandwich. Hoodie got a black coffee and a croissant egg sandwich. Tabby ordered a regular coffee with lots of cream and sugar. Almost enough to make it diabetic. Leona smiled at her.

"Gotcha!" She chirped.

She turned to help make the coffee. Her coworker is a shy-looking girl with a dark complexion and vines growing on her legs and arms. She had twists in her hair, which she braided flowers into.

"Nalia, can you help me with the last two?" It wasn't busy at all.

Tabby kept her bandaged hand hidden in her sleeve to avoid blatant staring and people asking questions. She looked down and kept quiet. It was probably best that she'd only speak when spoken to. She would have gotten something to eat, but she didn't trust that she would keep anything down. Right now, she just needed something to stay awake. Leona handed Toby his coffee with a bright smile. Toby flushed a little. Nalia chuckled to herself and gave Tabby her coffee.

"There you are."

"Thank you," she said curtly but gave a small smile.

Her mom always taught her to be nice to the servers. Tabby sipped on her coffee. A serene smile appeared as she closed her eyes for a brief minute.

Toby was still chatting with Leona. Masky soon got his drink and was sitting it. Hoodie was waiting for his still. Tabby kept quiet, getting lost in her coffee. Tabby really couldn't complain much. If she miraculously saw one of her old friends again, she would do the same thing too. After all, Toby had just met her three days ago. He has had an entire life without her and she without him. In reality, neither of them was special to each other. Still, she didn’t understand or know why or what she was feeling. The best way she could explain it was that she didn’t like seeing him talking to other girls, it made her angry, and her stomach hurt for some unknown reason. She just brushed it off and tried to ignore it. Toby and Leona chatted for a while before Toby went to go sit down by Tabby. Hoodie got his coffee and was sipping it. Tim had finished his and was talking with the other barista. Tabby finished her coffee and was slightly upset that it was gone as she couldn't have any more caffeine since that would send her into an anxiety attack, and if that were left unchecked, it would send her into a paranoid episode.

Soon Hoodie and Masky joined them at the table. They could stay here for a bit before meeting EJ and doing the long walk to get to where they needed to be. Tabby was resting her cheek in her good hand as she struggled to keep awake despite the coffee. But she was determined not to fall asleep as she didn't want to be vulnerable as she was surrounded by three men who could potentially kill her at any minute. Hoodie and Masky talked amongst themselves. Toby glanced at Tabby.

"You good?".

"Well, aside from losing everything I knew in one fell swoop, losing my hand, spending my entire life trying to prove my stepdad that he was wrong only to prove him right today and the fact that It’s narcolepsy week for me and I can't sleep. Yeah, I'm good" she gave a small smile. She figured that she owed him at least a little bit of honesty for right now until they were more alone, and then she would try to explain everything.

"Well, you should get some time to sleep for a few days because we need to get the paperwork done and new identities for that school," Toby stated.

"Normally, I'd go into a coma for the week and then go back to my insomniac self. Or if I were at Rosewood, I'd just sleep my way through classes."

"Well, I mean, you can definitely sleep in the classes. We don't need to pass or anything. Just blend in.".

Tabby gave him a smirk.

"I was a straight-A student at Rosewood. I think I'm too smart for their classes. Benefits of being a teacher’s pet."

"Well, this is a different school, so let's see if you can keep that up." Toby joked a little.

Tabby snorted.

"Please compared to Rosewood where the material was harder, and you got punished for anything lower than a C. On top of my stepdad drilling the lessons into me until I learned them and got punished at where I used to live if I didn't. Greengrove will be a child’s play".

"Well, we'll see." Toby chuckled.

Masky soon turned to them.

"We have to go now."

Tabby nodded and got up and waited for the rest. The rest of them got up and began to head to the door. Toby waved at Leona as they left. Once they met up with EJ in the human realm, they could drive to the house. Tabby followed them, keeping quiet. They walked outside into the chilly air. Toby was quiet. Masky was eating his sandwich. Tabby grumbled and pulled her jacket together tighter around her. The walk, thankfully, was going to be a short one. EJ was waiting for them in the human world with a van. The portal was very close. Tabby kept her head down and prayed that everyone would keep ignoring her. Tabby's anxiety was slightly raised as four strangers surrounded her could potentially kill her at any time, so it was an unfair fight of 4 against 1. EJ paid no mind to Tabby as the group arrived. To him, she wasn't all that beneficial yet. She would probably only work with him once anyways. Masky greeted EJ like an old friend as they loaded up into the car.Tabby took the passenger seat to her left. She buckled up and pulled her knees up to her chest and rested her cheek on her knees as she looked out the window. She wrapped her arms around her legs. EJ couldn't drive for, well, obvious reasons. Masky took his seat at the wheel, and Brian, Toby, and EJ took their places in the backseat. Toby couldn't technically drive, so he wasn't allowed to drive in human territory. Tabby's anxiety was picking up. To her, it was four against 1. You could tell that she was silently running scenarios through her head and coming up with the best escape plans for each. Just in case shit hit the fan. She was fidgeting with the bottom of her jacket to keep her from spiraling into an anxiety attack. Or worse, into a paranoia episode which they didn't need to see. Masky didn't notice and didn't even pay her any attention. He switched on the radio and turned it up. It was an upbeat country song. Hoodie scoffed from the back. Ugh. Toby yawned in the back. EJ was sorting things in a pack.

Tabby gave a slight smile and a stifled giggled. They honestly reminded her of herself and Autumn when they would both play the music they didn't like but put up with for each other. She also knew the song too. It was an older upbeat song. It brought back a memory of one summer's night when she was younger, driving around with her grandfather after a long day of fishing and her falling asleep in the backseat. Both memories and the slightly familiar situation brought a sense of comfort to her. She stopped fidgeting less. Masky jokingly crooned along to part of the song, making Hoodie groan. EJ smiled to himself. It was a pretty peaceful drive as well. Masky was a decent driver. Usually. He was speeding slightly but not much. The road was straight and long as well as nearly empty. Tabby finally broke character at Masky jokingly crooning along, and Hoodie groaning at him and gave out a laugh. It was a weird sound as she hasn't done it in a long time. She cleared her throat and quickly returned to being her dark, angsty, stoic self, almost embarrassed. Masky smiled, seeing that she found that amusing. He turned to Hoodie.

"She's on my side, see?"

"God, Tim, you are so childish sometimes."

"Kinda have to be with this job. Don't want to be a mopey grouch like you, Brian."

"Shut up." Hoodie retorted.

Toby chuckled at the conversation. Tabby was a little bit more relaxed. She still didn't trust any of them. But her anxiety was less, and she was a little more smiley after that. They honestly reminded her of her and her friends. That thought was comforting. For a brief moment, she forgot all about her past, rosewood, Horatio, that awful fight she got into, her friends being dead. She almost forgot that her life was turned upside down and the fact that she was a killer now and that she was in a car full of them. She gave a quick look to Masky. Maybe toby was right; perhaps she was a little short to judge and deserved a second chance. Maybe they all did. But then reality came and hit her like a ton of bricks. Her smile vanished, and she scolded herself for letting down her guard. She can't get too comfortable with them. They are killers; they could quickly kill her right here and now if they wanted to. They shouldn't be trusted. Besides, she didn't plan on being here for long. This was only temporary until she got what she wanted. She couldn't forget about her motivation and keeping her eye on the prize. Her past is all she has left. She remembered that she didn't have friends anymore. They're all dead, and these guys would never be them. But you could tell that she was more hurt than anything., Masky reminded her of what her stepdad used to be before he left and then came back and then turned into what he is now. It just made her think about what could have been and knowing that she can never get that back. She went back to being her regular hurt self.

The men didn't seem to see her change in mood. Masky glanced in the rearview mirror.

"You excited to be in a school setting again?" He asked the grouchy proxy.

"Oh god, don't tell me I'm supposed to be going back too. I do not pass for some kid-"

"Nooo, we're not. Uh..." Masky looked like he was debating what he was about to say.

"Our aliases are technically married, so we get to pretend like we're Toby and Tabby's parents."

"Oooh, my FUCKING god. Was that Jeff's idea? I'm going to knock his fucking teeth in."

"No, it was BEN's."

"That piece of shit," Hoodie muttered under his breath.

Toby laughed. "I mean...that's kind of what you both are-"

"Shut the fuck up, Rodgers." Hoodie snapped.

Masky stopped any potential fights from erupting by turning to look at the two.

"Knock it off, you guys. Seriously."

Tabby muttered under her breath,

"Y'all not my parents don't tell me what to do."

Masky overheard her and busted out laughing. Hoodie just looked annoyed and looked out the window. Toby chuckled as well. EJ was ignoring the commotion and sorting some things in a bag. He was so quiet it would be easy to forget he was in there.

Tabby looked at Masky defensively and narrowed her eyes. She sat more in a defensive, protective position.

"What's so funny?"

She looked almost offended.

"You," Masky said. He continued driving. "You sound juuust like Hoodie does. He's rubbing off on you."

Hoodie and Tabby looked at each other pissed off and horrified, “WE DON’T SOUND ALIKE!”

"Theeen, stop acting like each other," Masky said, utterly unbothered by them acting like a child.

He continued driving. Toby sighed and picked up a magazine to read. EJ finally looked up at the rest of them.

“Jesus, I haven’t been in a public school in eight years,” said Tabby to herself in realization

“Still, it would be nice to be back in familiar territory again,” she said quietly more to herself.

Tabby got a little more excited as they reached town. Tabby bolted up, sitting straight and looking out the window, happy to be back in familiar territory. She looked at all the shops and houses at restaurants. They even passed by her old workplace at the This or That restaurant. It wasn't a bad town. Yes, there were bad parts, but the only places she hated were Rosewood prep and her old apartment. And now that she wasn't under her stepdad’s thumb. She didn't have to sneak out to do usual teenage shit, and she could go out whenever she wanted to. The thought of all that newfound freedom was making her buzz with excitement. The only thing that sucked was that she didn't have anyone to share that with.

The town was an array of stuff. Up north in the town of Holy Ann was more of a rural area and where the only bus stop was. It was where Tabby's grandparents lived up on the hill in their birch-colored house. Tabby used to spend her summers up there when her mom wanted a break from her. We have the main Town of Maplehood Creek. Uptown was where the poor and bad areas were; Tabby lived in their gray and yellow apartment complex. Downtown was where the businesses were, rich people and Rosewood Prep was. The best place to trick r treating was downtown. And in the back roads was more of a quiet place to live, and that's where her uncle mark lived. Tabby knows the town inside out. She can use the backroads and the underground catacombs under the town and Rosewood Prep. She thought it would be nice to have someone to share that knowledge with.

The town was relatively quiet. Other cars were passing by, and you could hear the sound of children playing and people talking. It was a brisk November afternoon, but Tabby didn't mind the cold air. The streets varied with houses and apartments and neat little shops and restaurants. Very few of the trees still had their leaves on. Honestly, it would be a good and quiet town to settle down and live in if it wasn't for the slums and Rosewood Prep and the odd killings and disappearances that happened in town.

They passed Maplehood Creek cemetery. Tabby's mood drastically changed from happy and excited to quiet and sad and dead on the inside. She looked away, not wanting to remember that the only form of family was buried there. And the fact that near the cemetery there was a sign saying ROSEWOOD PREPARATORY SCHOOL MASSACRE SECTION TO YOUR LEFT AND CIRCLED IN THE ENCLOSURE did not help at all.

Hoodie was looking over a map from the back. Masky was looking for the house that they had attained. It should have been close to the school they were infiltrating. Hoodie was giving him directions from the back. EJ just sat still in deep thought. Eventually, they pulled up to a cozy blue house. Masky could see the Operator symbol posted in the window. That was their signal. He pulled into the driveway. It was a lovely house and comfortable. Had four rooms, but Masky and Hoodie could share. EJ had already claimed the room in the basement, so the others chose the upstairs rooms.

Tabby gave out a small whistle.

"This is so much nicer than my old apartment. It’s an actual house. I never lived in an actual house before. Then again, we're in the middle-class part of Maplehood, so that's why."

Masky chuckled.

"Yeah, we had some strings pulled, so we got a place that had multiple rooms and whatnot. Seeing as SOME of us-" He glanced in the rearview mirror at EJ. "need our space every waking moment of the day."

Tabby nodded

“I relate. I like being alone. I don't blame him. I hate any involuntary social interaction. Actually no. I just hate socializing in general.”

"Good thing you get your room too. We couldn't get individual rooms for everyone, so Hoods and I will share."

"I figured you wouldn’t want to watch me eat," EJ stated.

"Yeah, I'm SURE that was the only reason." Masky teased back, making Toby giggle.

Masky parked the car. He could see that no one was out and about. He unbuckled his seatbelt and went to get out. Shuffling from the back revealed that the others were moving to get out as well. Tabby bolted out and went to the door before smacking into it by accident and realizing that its locked. Hoodie chuckled a little unkindly. Masky sighed and shook his head. EJ stepped over her with the key in his hand and unlocked the door. Without a word, he went inside. Tabby glared at Hoodie, ready to attempt to beat his ass but decided against it, considering that she wasn't the one to make the first move in a fight. She walked in after EJ taking in her surroundings. The house was a nice, spacious place with a wood floor and white walls. It was a clear shot from the living room to the kitchen, which was clean: a rug and sitting area with a television and a coffee table and a double-sided fireplace. Off to the left, stairs were leading up, and next to them was a door that presumably led down the stairs. An open door off to the side led to a laundry room and then a bathroom. It was a rather lovely place. The only hint as to what happened to previous residents was a tiny speckle of blood on one of the rugs.

"This...is nice… it’s much more spacious than my run-down three-bedroom apartment that had paper-thin walls and constant drug busts next door.”

Tabby nodded thoughtfully and left it at that before running up the stairs excitedly, almost tripping over herself to go check out the rooms.

The others brought in their items. EJ, along with his somewhat mysterious and odd-smelling bag, came out to help with the rest. Hoodie looked more interested in settling in than exploring. It was unclear how Masky felt. EJ was mainly trying to get everything inside.

Tabby went to explore the rooms. There were four rooms upstairs, two next to each other and one at each end of the hall on top of two bathrooms. Tabby took the one that was smack in the middle and took a look around. It was spacious.

EJ entered the basement and closed the door behind him. Toby took one off to the side, and Hoodie and Masky took the enormous bedroom. It fitted, as they worked very closely together and were secretive little shits. Toby didn't have much to set up.

Tabby was speedy in unpacking as she didn't have much either she put her clothes and necessities away and hung up her pictures and Autumn’s sketches. She stood back to admire her work. Toby spent time going over his background and starting his research into some of the students they may encounter. He wanted to be able to cement his alibi by making friends. She wrote down a set of rules as she didn't like or trust any of them. And didn't want to interact with them more than she had to. That and she was antisocial as fuck.

1) only come to me if there’s an emergency

2) only come to me if you want something cleared up

3) don't talk to me unless its about food

4) don't talk to me unless you have essential information to share about the group or mission as a whole

Tabby taped it up on her front door where everyone can see and know what to expect. She then decided to go over her alibi too. She was good at remembering shit. She chuckled at her new name. "Karma," it read. She wondered if it was a coincidence or did someone that put this together knew her and her legacy at Rosewood. It didn't matter anyway. She began to do some research on her own.

Some of the kids were more public online. Some were not. Toby noted a few who seemed to be easy to get along with. He figured he could find some. He could see some pretty clear friend groups, but he didn't see that many cliques, unlike most schools. That was good. Those were obnoxious. He still wasn't sure what the mission was, exactly. He knew that it was a mission to capture someone, but he didn't know who or why.

Tabby decided that it was best to stick to what she was good at. Being a teacher’s pet, fighting and spying. She would rather avoid any unnecessary socialization if possible.

Toby knew he didn't have that option. As much as he didn't like socializing with people, he had to do it to coax out any information he needed. He wasn't afraid to break a few bones, of course, but he would prefer not to.

Tabby planned to stay in her room at all times unless someone was making dinner because she would have to watch. Or unless it was important information about the mission or if she was physically forced to socialize with the rest of the boys.

Toby glanced out of the window. The sun was high in the sky. It was hot out. Or at least it looked it. He could hear Masky and Hoodie unpacking in another room and EJ shuffling around downstairs. He could see a few people outside. It seemed just normal.

Tabby didn't realize how lonely she was. Everything was so different now that she lost all of her friends. It was evident that Masky and Hoodie were thick as thieves despite how strained their relationship was like her and Autumn. Toby could fit in with just anyone and EJ...well...she was pretty sure that he could make his way around if he had to. Tabby knew that she was an outsider, nor did she belong. Hell, she never belonged anywhere growing up. But this was the first time that it sunk in. She let out a quiet whimper before shaking her head and standing up straight. What was she thinking? She knew that she wouldn’t have friends here with them of all people. She couldn't. It was her against them. 4 against 1. She knew that she didn't belong and that she never will. That's not what she was there for. She was there for one thing and one thing only. To take out Horatio once and for all. Tabby sat on her bed, finally being allowed the quietness to process just everything that happened to her so far. Now that Tabby took this second chance at life, she had genuine freedom, more or less.

This was the most freedom that she's ever been given in my entire life. She always had to sneak around just to get what she wanted and act like an average teenager. Well, as normal as a problematic Rosewood child can get. Now she didn't have to do that anymore. With everything that has happened so far and her crippling loneliness, she was so overwhelmed that she began to cry silently. Goddamn it. She hated herself for being weak, especially around these people. She didn't have the luxury to be vulnerable. She was paranoid that they could smell weakness on her, which just made her cry silently harder.

Toby soon overheard Hoodie and Masky having some sort of conversation. He heard the words "tour" and "school" in the same sentence and groaned. They had probably been signed up to go on one of those stupid school tours to see the campus before they went there. He sighed. This was going to suck. He already hated the idea of going back to school. He wondered what Tabby was doing. Probably unpacking and didn't want to be bothered.

Tabby just cried more, letting out gut-wrenching sobs into her pillow as she curled up in a ball, praying that no one can hear her. No one could. Except for one. Footsteps in front of her door. Three knocks, but no announcement of who it was.

Tabby bolted up with dear in the headlights look. She gave a loud hiccup before announcing, "I'll be there in a minute!"

She turned the water on hot in the bathroom connected to her room and splashed the water on her face. Yes, it burned, but it would explain why her face is wet, cheeks red, and eyes puffy. She ran to the door as fast as she could and opened it. She sounded like her usual mature, tough girl self.

"Yes? What do you want? I have rules on socializing with me posted on the door, you know."

"I can't read. I don't care." The voice responded coldly.

Tabby groaned.

“Figures…”

EJ stood at her door, quite a bit taller than her. He seemed to look down at her, but it was unclear what he could see and what he couldn't. His face was hidden behind his mask.

"Be glad I even knocked." He was a blunt man. Socially not the best.

She took on a harsher and sarcastic approached.

“Oh, I am so grateful for your consideration.”

"I heard you crying." It was stated in a very matter-of-fact way.

She stood up tall, attempting to stand her ground almost in a fighting stance.

“First of all, I wasn't crying. I don't know what you heard. I was washing up, and the water happened to be too hot, and I accidentally burned myself; that’s why my face is red and my eyes puffy. Besides, even if I was, what's it to you? I appreciate cold genuine hatred then someone pretending to give two shits about me when they don't!”

You could see her almost bristling like a cat would be defensive. She couldn't tell if he was just polite or if he cared for some ungodly reason. She wasn't exactly good at being social either.

"No, that's ridiculous. You were crying. I can smell the salt and snot." He couldn't see, but he could sense that she was very defensive and that he was unwelcomed.

`Tabby hissed at him

"Well, I'm a naturally salty person. Besides, what's it to you? If you want me to be quiet, I'll just cry silently.”

"No. I want you to shut up. You crying is ridiculous. Very much so. You will have to keep a better handle on your emotions, or you may be killed or be viewed as too sensitive. Especially as a proxy."

"Yeah yeah, I hear you. I honestly don't care at this point. I'm only going to say this once. I lost everything I knew in one fell swoop. I’m struggling with the fact that the person I hate the most was right about me, I’m more alone than ever, and I'm in a household full of males. It’s four against one here. So forgive me for letting out a few salty streaks when I'm alone and away from all of you who I despise very much."

She gave a sarcastic, bitter, sickly sweet smile.

"Have a nice night" she slammed the door in his face.

"Get over it," EJ responds from behind the door.

"No, because getting over it means moving on, and moving on means forgetting. And I will never forget" she punched the door with her right hand.

Footsteps as he soon leaves her be. He doesn't care. He's looking out for her, in a sick sadistic way, true, but still nonetheless. He wasn't going to try to damage her reputation. Being that vulnerable would get her killed. And that would be annoying for him.

She heard him walk away.

"If I do forget all of my hatred, there would be nothing of me left," she added, still loud enough for him to hear.

"You are just a weak child," EJ responds through the door. "Nothing more, nothing less. Get. Over. It. Or I'll kill you myself."

"I hope the fuck you do."

She said it more softly, but she did mean it.

EJ stopped in his tracks as he heard the last of what Tabby said. He looked over his shoulder back at her door. He didn’t know how to respond to that. It sounded like she almost meant it like she wanted it to happen. He wasn’t used to being called upon his threats. He meant to use it as a scare tactic to attempt to keep her alive. If she didn’t want to be alive, he couldn’t use the value of her own life to keep her in line when she didn’t value it at all. I daresay this time he bit off more than he could chew. He also wasn’t used to being stood up to and called out on his threats. What a .strange human she was. He also wondered if she didn’t want to be alive, then why did she take this life, to begin with? What was keeping her here in the land of the living? He shook his head and made his way back into the basement. Oh well, he’ll figure something else out to help keep her in line and forcefully stay alive. Right now, she’s too intriguing to let herself get killed; maybe she’ll end up being useful too. He knew that he’d get his answers sooner than later.

After she was sure he was gone, she slid down the door with her knees up to her chest and put her face in her hands. She went back to crying silently. Great, just great. She really fucked up. She could have had a potential ally, but she just had to go and be spiteful. After a few minutes of being on the uncomfortable hardwood floor, she staggered over to her bed and flopped face-first onto it. Maybe if she stayed there long enough, she would suffocate to death in her blankets.

Oh yeah, this was going to be a long six months.

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entracteofevil · 3 years

Text

Round Table Discussion with the Cover Illustrators

Entr’acte of Evil, page 142-145

--First, everyone please introduce yourselves.

Ichika: I’ve been responsible for the first cover and the illustrations for the series. My name is Ichika.

Suzunosuke: I am Suzunosuke. I normally just draw what I want to. I was able to make the cover for the second book.

You: I am You, and I was charged with the cover for this book. I’m really nervous, but I look forward to being able to do this interview with you.

--When did you all first start making illustrations?

Ichika: Since I could first remember. I don’t recall it all that clearly, but by the time I was in first year I was already drawing.

Suzunosuke: I think it was about middleschool. Apparently when I was a kid my parents were consulted by my teachers on the fact that I couldn’t actually draw pictures.

--You couldn’t draw pictures?

Suzunosuke: Even when I was made to stay behind by myself in kindergarten, the only things I drew were like little pictures of flowers on my drawing paper. It wasn’t that I was sick or anything like that, I was just a normal kid who couldn’t draw.

--I see, that’s very unexpected. What about you, You-san?

You: I don’t clearly remember when I first started drawing as a hobby, but my first picture was when I was three years old, and was a portrait of my caregiver in nursery. Back then I always wanted to use every color of crayon I had, and I guess the fact that I’m still always using rainbow colors even now just goes to show that what you learn in the cradle you carry to the grave.

Suzunosuke: I think that’s cool.

--Incidentally, when did you start making pictures related to VOCALOID?

Ichika: I think around 2007…maybe? I remember the first time I drew Miku was after listening to Yuuyu-P’s “White Season”.

Suzunosuke: I don’t remember how many years ago it was, but I feel like the first thing I drew was Kurousa-P’s “Cantarella”.

You: I listened to VOCALOID the first time in the winter of 2007, so I think it was probably around that time.

--So then, when was the first time you encountered AkunoP’s work?

Ichika: It was right after “Daughter of Evil” was posted on Piapro. I had just finished up making a PV, and when I was looking for new content on Piapro I got drawn in by the title and started listening to it.

Suzunosuke: The “Servant of Evil” was on NicoNico Douga’s rankings, and when I opened up the PV it had a tag saying to watch it after “Daughter of Evil”, so I watched them in order of “Daughter of Evil” and “Servant of Evil” for the first time.

You: Like Suzunosuke-san, probably in the autumn of 2008. The “Daughter of Evil” had a lot of buzz when it was first uploaded! I saw it in so many places with Ichika-san’s illustrations~ It feels so strange to see it having taken this form so many years later.

--Suzunosuke-san and You-san, this was the first time you’d seen a song that used Ichika-san’s illustrations, wasn’t it?

Ichika: I’m sorry for being alive…

Suzunosuke: Sorry, haha

You: Hey, hahaha

Ichika: I’m honestly really shaking here, haha

Suzunosuke: Maybe we should reply with “You’re a very wonderful person” ha ha.

-(Laughs) So what was everyone’s thoughts on the work when they saw “Daughter of Evil” and “Servant of Evil”?

Ichika: I think the imagery in it was really easy to get emotional about. I also thought it was a really interesting concept that although “Daughter of Evil” and “Servant of Evil” had a really different feel to them, they still felt like part of the same story.

Suzunosuke: All else aside I thought it was really sad, and I kept getting stuck on the fact that Allen couldn’t be saved. Still, it was because it was such a sad story that I was captivated by it. It also really made me feel the potential of the VOCALOID genre. It’s a derivative work, but also original content.

You: At the time I had thought it was really interesting and unusual to make a work with such dark fantasy elements using VOCALOID. I also really liked how catchy the tune was. It was also really impressive with all the derivative songs and fanart that got uploaded as things went on. I think it’s a work that shouldered a main pillar of the VOCALOID community in its heyday. And it’s really cool that it’s continuing to spread around the world even now.

--What image do you get of its creator, AkunoP?

Suzunosuke: Given he’s got “Akuno” (of evil) in his name, I thought he might be a scary person.

Ichika: Generally the people who do DTM have a kind of science-y image, so there’s that. And when we actually met, I remember he was a lot like that image. Though he was a bit thinner than I had imagined. Maybe if Akuno-san had shown up to our first meeting with his sunglasses look I’d answer that his image was different, haha.

You: Before I met him offline…He made a lot of romantic-type works, so I actually wondered if maybe he was a woman. When we actually met, it was apparently right after he’d changed his look, so I was a little amused to see him wearing a leather jacket and sunglasses.

--Have you all met AkunoP-san wearing sunglasses?

Suzunosuke: I actually just brushed him off because I didn’t know who he was for a second. As a fan the way he is now is probably close to his image as AkunoP, I would think.

Ichika: I also brushed him off.

You: Everybody brushed him off!

--Well that was an unexpected outcome, haha. Next, do you have a favorite AkunoP work?

Ichika: I actually really like “Clockwork Lullaby”. I prefer the quietly compelling melody and lyrics. Aside from that, I remember when I listened to “Daughter of Evil” I was really drawn to it, wondering what other kind of work he’d done, so that left a significant impression.

Suzunosuke: I think that might be “Re_Birthday”. The flow of sin and rebirth is so painfully beautiful, and I always get misty-eyed no matter how many times I listen to it.

You: Like Suzunosuke-san, I like “Re_Birthday”. I really love the music, and as for the story of it I think it’s really great it has that theme of salvation.

--I see. I had thought that Suzunosuke-san might say “Lunacy of Duke Venomania”, so that was surprising.

Suzunosuke: I could also say “Lunacy of Duke Venomania”, but I don’t want people to think I’m someone who likes erotic content, haha. But that’s also another song that I really like.

About the Novel Illustrations

--How did you feel when you heard about the “Daughter of Evil” becoming a novel?

Ichika: I was simply surprised.

Suzunosuke: I thought it was awesome.

You: I thought it was awesome for Akuno-san. I thought there must have been so many fan’s voices there, and that kind of invisible strength was deeply moving.

--Ichika-san, in the first book you did the cover illustration as well as the ones in the book itself—What was something that was hard about that?

Ichika: I’d have to say highlights.

--Highlights…! Certainly you had to do quite the interaction there… Honestly, was there any point where you were like, “I hope these editors step in dog crap”? haha

Ichika: Nah, ‘cause ever since I’ve become able to put in highlights more seriously, so I’d say it was good practice, haha.

--Suzunosuke-san, you were asked to do the cover for the second book; how was it when they approached you for that?

Suzunosuke: I had thought for sure that they were going to have me just do a pinup on the inside of the book, so then I was kind of like, “Now what?” The others who’ve been involved in it are such amazing illustrators, so I wondered if I’d be good enough for it.

--Was there anything you had trouble with?

Suzunosuke: Drawing the two of them to be just adorable was a little hard.

--I understand you had a bit of revision going on…?

Suzunosuke: Oh no, I saw that as being good training in a lot of ways, so even now it’s a good memory for me.

--You-san, you’ve been asked to do a lot of color illustrations each time, and in this guidebook you were entrusted with the cover illustration. How did you feel after finishing your work?

You: I really like doing the pinups, and I’ll generally paint them as I like, but I dealt with the cover with some different feelings in mind. As a fan I thought that Ichika-san would be given preference for sure. And I’ve refined on my composition a bit looking over past work. I wanted to emulate the flow of things up to now, so like Suzunosuke-san’s work I made it very horizontal.

--Who are some characters that were fun for you to draw in this novel series?

Ichika: All the characters are fun to draw, but if you’re gonna make me choose I’d say Elluka…I had this sense of security while drawing her, like it wasn’t an issue if I made her look a little bit like a villain.

Suzunosuke: I’ve only drawn two characters, so that would be the harmonius Clarith and Michaela. That pair so really cute, so I like them a lot.

--Suzunosuke-san, are there any characters that you would like to draw?

Suzunosuke: I love old man figures, so I’m a bit intrigued by Leonhart. Though I know that’s probably not what you were looking for, haha.

Ichika: (after half a second) It is!

Suzunosuke: Yay, haha

--You-san, you’ve probably drawn all of the main characters at this point; are there any that you’re fond of?

You: Everyone’s fun with how cute they are. I think Riliane-chan is really precious with how her hair is done up. And then there’s the princely Kyle-san—for some reason I’m always grinning when I draw him.

--Please tell us the impressions you were left with as the story has developed.

Ichika: I wasn’t expecting the romantic love between Michaela and Clarith, so that surprised me a bit.

Suzunosuke: I was actually really surprised that the base for Michaela and Gumillia’s appearances were those characters in those other songs.

You: I was also surprised at Michaela and Clarith. I felt the books complemented the content that wasn’t expanded on in the songs, which made them have a lot of interesting points. I think it’s also pretty great that I can now listen to the songs with a fresh perspective.

--Conclusively, how do you think the story will develop in the third book?

Ichika: I think Kyle’s mom is gonna be the final boss.

Suzunosuke: Hmm, I think all of the countries might get wrapped up in the fires of war. All the preliminary announcements have a pretty foreboding feeling to them.

You: All will go according to the will of god (AkunoP).

--Please let us know any final thoughts you have.

Ichika: Thanks for having me here. I don’t know yet how the third book is going to go, but I look forward to being able to go through the novels again with you.

Suzunosuke: I’d be really happy if I could be with you on the sidelines. This interview has been great!

You: I’m really happy to be linked to this series and involved in the work in this way. Thank you very much!

--Thank you very much for joining us everyone!