#and even when he hears that maybe the guy did it to protect something precious (wink wink Hubert wink wink) he doesn't give a shit

[wintaerbaer]

things we don’t say: part 4 (kth)

banner credit: @itaeewon

summary: Three years after graduating college, everything seems to be falling into place for you: stable job, cozy apartment, and a long-term boyfriend with a ring box hidden in his desk drawer. But when a mutual friend makes a remark that your best friend of nearly two decades is clearly in love with you, you realize that life may not be as simple as it seems.

pairing: Taehyung x Reader (with some VERY brief Seokjin x Reader and Yoongi x Reader)

rating: 18+ (minors dni)

genres: best friends to lovers, idiots to lovers, slooooow burn, angst, fluff

word count: 11.5k

chapter warnings: swearing as usual, jin is sad and precious, alcohol consumption, one (1) instance of mild violence, suspension of disbelief as to the legal consequences of said violence, jungkook still has zero filter, feelings and bed sharing

a/n: this was a fun one >:) shout out to everyone who brainstormed, sprinted, or otherwise shouted about this fic with me and gave me the motivation to power through this (y’all know who you are, and i love each and every one of you <3)! and a massive shoutout to @jeonqkooks for the beautiful new banner!!

PREVIOUS // SERIES MASTERLIST // MASTERLIST

Read on ao3

“And Tae encouraged you to do this?”

“Yeah. Kind of made up my mind for me actually.”

You toss down a few potential dresses on Maya’s bed after spending the past several minutes raiding her closet. With the bulk of your wardrobe still at your old apartment, she’d invited you to borrow something of hers for your date with Seokjin.

You may also be sharing a couple glasses of wine to calm your nerves.

“Hm.”

“What?”

“I didn’t say anything.”

“No, but I can see you thinking.”

“It’s nothing.” She holds a sparkling gold number up to your shoulders, then frowns and throws it back down. “Or at least nothing you want to hear, anyway.”

“Don’t tell me you’re on about Tae and I again.”

She shrugs. “I think you’d be great together. Sue me.”

“I could say the same about you and Kook.”

A snort rasps from the back of her throat as she coughs on her wine. “You’ve gotta be fucking kidding me.”

“The two of you are more alike than you think,” you say. “And I don’t think you give him enough credit. He’s a good guy.”

She purses her lips, watching clouds go by out the window. “He’s…frustrating.” Her eyelids drop, coming together in a slow blink as her focus turns back to you razor-sharp. “And weren’t you against us together in the first place?”

“Yeah, because it was just sex.”

“It is just sex.”

“Well, I changed my mind.” You take a sip of your drink, let the acidic taste roll around and coat your tongue before it slides down your throat. “If there’s a possibility you two can make each other happy, then you should have that. I think maybe love is rarer than it seems.”

“He and I are far from love.”

“For now,” you say. “But maybe someday?”

She only grimaces like she’s swallowed a bitter pill, giving the tiniest shake of her head before rushing to change the subject. “Tell me about this Seokjin guy.”

“Not much to tell,” you explain. “Joon knows him from the hospital. He’s been very pleasant when we’ve texted. Polite. I’m definitely not getting creep vibes from him.”

“Always a plus. But still, text me the address of the restaurant and a physical description once you’re there.” She pauses, tapping a finger against her chin. “Also, I have some condoms if you want to take a couple.”

“Um, no?”

“Why not? Best way to get over someone is to get under someone else.”

“See, that sounds like something Jungkook would say.”

“Well a dumbass clock is right twice a day, or whatever the saying is.”

“I don’t think that’s quite right.”

“Close enough in his case.” Her voice lowers suddenly—delicately—as if to share something confidential even though you’re the only two in the room. “But speaking of protection, did you hear back from the clinic?”

Maya had delicately suggested a couple weeks ago that you should probably get tested for STDs given that you don’t really know how many women Jace had been with and if they were being safe. It was a fair point, as humiliating as it was to consider that he may have found yet another way to rip apart your life, and so you’d gone for an appointment last week, trying not to cry as you provided the necessary samples.

“Negative,” you murmur, feeling embarrassed even though you know you shouldn’t be and that your friend would never judge you. But the fact that you even have to have this conversation at all gnaws at your own sense of self-doubt. “I’m clean.”

She presses her mouth into a line, an acknowledgment of the misfortune of the situation, while simultaneously tilting her chin in approval. “Good.”

You pick at a loose thread hanging off the hem of the dress you’re holding, a dog barking somewhere outside the window as you grasp for literally anything else to talk about. “So where are you guys heading tonight?”

“Who knows?” Maya says with a sigh, leaning back on the bed. “You know it’s like herding cats with them sometimes. I’m supposed to go over there after this, and we’re going to wing it then.”

“So one of our usual clubs?”

“I’d bet my left tit on it.”

You let out a soft laugh, feeling that maybe you’d rather be spending time with your friends tonight instead of going on a half-hearted date. But Seokjin seems nice, and you’ve already committed so you’re stuck. “Could you please just try to make sure Tae has some fun?” You chew at your bottom lip. “He’s been so focused on cheering me up, I want to be sure he still has time for himself.”

“Worry not. I’ll help him pick someone up,” Maya says nonchalantly.

“That’s not what I meant.”

Her entire body perks up, eager that you’ve taken the bait. “Why, does that bother you?”

“Also not what I meant,” you say, crushing down the tiny flip in your stomach at the thought of Taehyung taking someone home as Maya pouts. “I just want him to enjoy himself. I don’t think he’s been doing enough of that lately.”

“Without his other half there with him?” Maya mumbles. “Fat chance.”

You ignore it, knowing she’s baiting you yet again.

But your heart warms all the same.

Seokjin is the embodiment of a perfect gentleman.

He’s handsome—you can’t help but notice as he stands at your approach, introducing himself and coming around the table to pull out your chair for you with a slight bow. When the waiter appears to take your drink order, Seokjin (or “Jin,” as he says to call him) offers to let you pick the wine, so you go with a nice-looking pinot grigio (you haven’t even been able to look at reds since that night). Typical first date conversation flows as you browse the menu, order, and wait for your food, and you find that Jin is soft-spoken without being shy, confident without being arrogant. He tells you about his job as a physical therapist and how he likes to spend his weekends fishing with his brother on his parents’ boat. As you likewise share anecdotes about your publishing job and college shenanigans, Jin listens attentively with kind eyes, asks thoughtful questions, and chuckles at all the right bits.

He’s nice.

But there’s no spark.

You can sense it in his posture, too. His eyes are kind, but there’s pain behind them. He asks questions, but there’s an uncertainty lingering under the surface. He laughs at your jokes but subtly deflates each time like he’s guilty of something.

By the time your meals arrive, you’re ready to chalk it up as a loss.

“Jin,” you begin, tone aiming for the gentleness of “it’s not you, it’s me” proportions. “You seem like a wonderful guy, but for the sake of honesty, it doesn’t feel like either of us sees this going further, does it?”

Jin’s shoulders sag, the mask of obligatory cheerfulness falling away in defeat. “I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be!” you say quickly, not wanting him to feel bad when he was clearly trying his best to have a good time with you. “I think we both knew going into this that we were each coming to the table with…baggage.”

Jin nods, his eyes now tinged red as he murmurs, “It’s been tough.”

“Do you want to talk about it?”

“Ah.” He smiles sadly. “We’ve only just met, and you’re clearly a very sweet woman. I’d feel bad dumping it all out on you when I’ve already wasted your time.”

“Maybe it would be good for both of us?” you suggest. “Obviously we’re both not feeling this from a date standpoint, but maybe what we need is just a friend who understands.”

A slow tip of his chin downwards as he considers. “I think I can do that.”

“And you’re not wasting my time, for the record. I just appreciate the company.”

Jin visibly relaxes at that, his posture easing with the pressure of the date now gone.

“So Namjoon told me you also just got out of a long-term relationship?” you ask, poking at your ravioli.

His chin dips in acknowledgment, voice rough as he states, “Aera.”

“How long were the two of you together?”

“Since high school.” He twists the fabric of his napkin in his hands. “She was my first…everything. Truly. I’ve never loved anyone or anything like her.” A stray thread absentmindedly twines around his finger, the blood darkening under the skin. “We made it all the way through college and my physical therapy schooling doing long distance. Spent the past couple years finally living together. We were happy.” The thread snaps, and he shakes his head. “At least I thought we were.”

You’d swear you can feel your heart literally ache with how forlorn he looks across the table as you gently ask, “I’m guessing she left?”

“I proposed, and she said no.” A strand of dark hair falls in front of his eyes, and he rakes a hand across his head one, two, three times in frustration. “She told me she thinks she’s missing out. That she already lost most of her youth to me, waiting to finish school, when she could’ve been enjoying herself and seeing what else is out there.” He slumps forward, leaning his forearms on the table and lacing his fingers together. “But I can’t understand. I spent just as much time with her, and I never doubted it. To me, she was always the one.”

A quiet settles at the table, the conversational white noise of your fellow diners taking over for the moment as you soak in the sudden sense of kinship with the man in front of you—both blindsided by the partners you thought you’d spend the rest of your lives with.

“I get it,” you tell him, feeling the need to give something in return after he opened his heart to a stranger. “My ex—I thought we were about to get engaged too. I was making all of these plans in my head only to find out that we definitely weren’t on the same page.”

Gentle eyes appraise your face. “He broke up with you?”

“He cheated.”

The words taste bitter as they drop from your lips.

“I’m so sorry,” Jin says, and you can tell by his tone and the look on his face that he genuinely means it.

You chew the inside of your cheek until a canine catches the soft corner of your lip and you taste blood. “I found a ring in his desk and then found him in bed with someone else two weeks later.”

“Wow, Y/N.” He bends in as if he’s going to take your hand before seeming to think better of it and sighing. “I can’t even imagine if I had…” A shake of his head like he’s trying to clear an intrusive thought. “Puts my situation into perspective. I feel awful even comparing the two.”

“Oh, please don’t,” you quickly say. “Your hurt is just as valid as mine. But I can tell that you’re a really great guy, Jin. And if Aera can’t see it, I’m sure there’s someone out there who will cherish that.” You smile to yourself, remembering a night not too long ago with tanned skin and old photographs. “That’s the advice Taehyung gave me, at least.”

“Taehyung?”

“Oh, sorry, he’s my best friend.”

There’s an agreeable hiss as Jin sucks his teeth with a nod. “Well, he sounds like a smart man.”

“He’s my favorite person in the whole world.”

“He must be pretty great, then.”

You can’t help but to nod your head eagerly, words rushing out of you. “He cares so deeply. And he’s so, so talented, but he has a tendency to underestimate himself sometimes,” you gush. “But he’s incredible at everything he does. And just…so resilient. I’ve seen him go through things that no person should ever have to endure, and he’s never let it make him resentful. He could be having the worst day of his life, and he’d still give you the shirt off his back. I admire him more than anyone I’ve ever met.”

“You’ve known each other a while then?”

“Since we were kids,” you explain. “It was lonely growing up in my house—my parents weren’t around a lot—so we’d hang out every day. He always knew how to cheer me up, how to make me smile, even by simply being there. Some days, we’d literally sit in my room doing homework silently for hours, and it just felt nice to share space with somebody else. I don’t know what I would’ve done if I didn’t have him.”

Jin watches you closely. It reminds you of Namjoon’s typical evaluative expression, and you can instantly understand why they’re friends. Heat rises to your cheeks as you realize you’ve been jabbering on, though Jin doesn’t look too bothered, asking, “And the two of you have never…?”

You sheepishly poke at your food again, red as a tomato now based on how hot your cheeks feel. “No, he doesn’t feel that way about me.”

“But you feel that way about him?”

Something strange churns low in your belly. You’re not sure why your usual denials catch on the back of your throat, but they stick there, holding your tongue hostage. It should come easily, the words, “No, just friends” a habit by now.

Why do they suddenly feel like a lie?

Thankfully, you’re saved as your phone flashes in the low light of the restaurant with an incoming call, Jimin’s face appearing on the screen.

You furrow your eyebrows at the smiling photo, Jin still watching you curiously. Jimin knows you’re on a date right now, and he’s supposed to be out clubbing with Taehyung, Maya, and Jungkook. Why would he be calling you? Could it be a case of butt dialing? Then again, maybe he’s just drunk.

Or maybe something is wrong.

Your anxiety wins out, and you make a quick apology to Jin, who kindly waves you off, before swiping to accept the call.

“What’s up? I’m on a date.”

“I know, Y/N, and I’m so sorry, but I think we need you at the apartment. Something’s happened.” Jimin’s voice is frazzled on the other end of the line, the discomfort in your stomach slipping straight to full-on nausea as your fingers tighten around the phone, skin stretching taut around your knuckles when he speaks again.

“It’s Tae.”

The club is loud, music pounding an earthquake into the walls and floors as a tangle of sweaty bodies surges around the dance floor. Jimin thinks to himself that maybe, just maybe, he's starting to get a little too old for this when the image of the writhing mob does more to set off feelings of claustrophobia than set him at ease. Still, once he and the others have made camp at a more secluded table in the back of the room, drinks in hand, he's still appreciative of the time out with his friends—even with Jungkook immediately scurrying off with a glint in his eye, target already in his sights.

"Ugh, look at him," Maya sneers, watching him chat up a blonde woman at the bar. "Shameless. Absolutely shameless."

Jimin can't resist a smirk. "Careful there, Maya, you sound jealous."

"Oh, fuck no!" she shrieks, punctuating this with a sip of her drink. "On the contrary, I hope this works out for him, and they get married and have a million babies and move far, far away. Get him out of my hair."

Both Jimin and Taehyung chuckle at that. "You do know you have the option of not sleeping with him, right?" Jimin asks.

"I take what I can get, and he's good at his craft. I'll give him that." Jimin chokes on his drink, while Taehyung only smiles, amused. "Speaking of getting, anyone catching the eye of either of you gentlemen? I'm happy to take on wing-woman duties tonight."

"No," Taehyung says, shaking his head. "I'm just here to make sure none of you do something stupid."

Maya rolls her eyes. "Translation: the love of my life is out on a date, and I'm trying not to think about it. How about you, Chim?"

"I don't know." Jimin shrugs. "Let me get a couple drinks in me and then see how I feel."

"Suit yourselves. But just remember that I offered when I ask one of you two to help a girl out." She tosses her hair over her shoulder. "Especially you, Tae. I know your heart is taken with your endless 'will-they-won't-they' thing with Y/N, but you could always sell the fake ex play better than Jimin here…Tae?"

But Taehyung is no longer paying attention, eyes now intensely locked on the crowd like a hawk zeroing in on prey. Maya follows his line of sight to a couple grinding on the edge of the dance floor, a dark-haired woman and a man with a distinct, bright green jacket—

"Oh my God, is that Jace?!"

Jimin's head snaps around, and even from a distance, there's no denying it. Jace tosses his head back, laughing at something the woman says, before he presses into her further, leaning back down to whisper something in her ear. Jimin quickly turns towards Taehyung, who sits terrifyingly still, eyes still zoned in on Jace and his date.

"Tae, I know you're angry. We all are," he begins, gripping Taehyung's forearm in an attempt to grab his attention. "But you cannot confront him. Not here, not now. Y/N is doing great—she's finally starting to move on. Don't undo that by poking the bear."

"He's right," Maya says, leaning in. "You're not going to accomplish anything here. It's loud, there's too many people—he'll just brush you off. And I know you care about her, Tae, but really? Not your battle to fight. Let it go."

Taehyung continues to sit in silence until Jace and the woman disappear into the crowd, and it's like a spell is suddenly lifted as he blinks rapidly at his friends. "No, you're right." He rubs a finger at the space between his eyes. "Y/N is a grown woman. She doesn't need me to protect her."

"See? A man of sense," Maya lilts. "Not like Mr. Don Juan over here about to stick his tongue into yet another college girl who thinks his immature ass counts as an ‘older man’." She nods her head towards the bar where the blonde woman has positioned herself closer to Jungkook, his hands now encircling her waist.

Taehyung quirks an eyebrow, teasing, "You’re not in college though."

Maya's jaw drops, and she puts a hand to her heart in feigned offense. "Wow! Someone's feisty tonight."

"Don't underestimate Tae when he's in one of his moods," Jimin laughs. "And don't overestimate Kook. I bet you twenty bucks he doesn't take her home."

"I'll take that action. He's got her wrapped around him already. Easy money." They shake on it, and the conversation devolves into trying to find someone in the crowd for Maya to shoot her shot with. However, in spite of her previous claim that she "takes what she can get," she finds an excuse to brush off every potential candidate ("Too short…too tall…too rich-looking?").

(Jimin suspects it may have something to do with the man who is now kissing the blonde at the bar.)

An hour later, and they're still parked at the table and on their third round of drinks. Jace has not resurfaced since they first spotted him, much to Jimin's relief, and he hopes he snuck out to a different club somewhere across town or maybe even a different country. Taehyung sports an easy smile now, alcohol loosening up his body as he laughs at a story Maya is telling about two guys who once had a fist-fight over her in this very club during college. Still, Jimin keeps an eye on their surroundings, likewise wary about what might happen if Jace spots them.

"And thankfully, the cops didn't wind up getting called, but oh God, can you imagine?" Maya howls, her and Taehyung in near-hysterics as she finishes up her story.

"Geez," Taehyung gasps, wiping at his eyes. "You're gonna make me piss my pants. I need the bathroom."

He stands from the table and wanders off in the direction of the restrooms, Maya staring at his back the whole way.

"We need to get that guy laid," she dramatically sighs.

"While he's still in crisis mode over Y/N’s breakup?" Jimin scoffs. "Good luck with that one."

"I don't get those two—I really don't." Maya rattles her perfectly-manicured nails against the table. "She's single for the first time in four years. He's been helplessly in love with her for so much longer. I don't know what he's waiting for."

"I mean it's only been what, a month?" Jimin muses. "He probably feels like it's too soon to make a move. Which is fair."

"Jimin. You're a man. You have eyes. Not only is Y/N pretty, but she has that whole—" She waves a hand in front of her face. "—'take me home to meet your parents’ energy to her. She won't be on the market for long, and you know it. She's already got this date with this Seokjin guy—and Tae told her to do it! It's like he's trying to sabotage himself! And then you have Y/N being smitten with him as always, too. I mentioned helping Tae find a hook-up earlier, and she looked like she was going to hurl."

He shrugs, tapping the side of his glass in thought. “I think they’re just scared. Imagine knowing someone for as long as they have and having to take that leap and risk losing it all.”

“You are out of your mind if you think either of them would reject each other,” Maya snorts.

“You don’t think Y/N might not want to take the chance that they fall apart? Especially after what she’s going through?”

“Tae wouldn’t do that to her,” she frigidly says, as if to challenge the very audacity of the thought.

“I’m not saying he would; I’m just saying she might be guarded.”

“So the solution is for him to help set her up with other guys at his own expense? That’s not fair to him either.”

He tilts his head in subtle agreement but adds, "Look, I want to see the two of them together as much as the next person. But maybe we need to just…let them come to it on their own? I mean, we've tried nudging them in the past, and it clearly hasn't worked. But I have faith they'll get there. Tae can be an idiot, but not that much of an id—"

His thought is cut off by screams and the sound of a commotion out on the dance floor. Hairs standing up on the back of his neck, Jimin bolts from his chair and darts into the crowd, Maya close on his heels. They shove their way through the surge of bodies—pressing back and away from the source of the disturbance—until they reach the spot where a small space has cleared out, and Jimin hears Maya swear loudly behind him.

Taehyung is knelt over Jace on the floor, his fists connecting with the latter's face and head over and over in a frenzy. Jace lies there, face bloodied and clearly dazed, his hands weakly raised in front of him in a futile attempt to shield himself from the blows, but Taehyung is relentless. His arm swings down on a repeated loop as if powered by a motor, and even though the music continues to pound above them, Jimin would swear he can hear the sound of knuckles cracking against flesh and bone. He rushes forward with Maya, both of them grabbing ahold of Taehyung's shoulders to pull him back, but he struggles against them, still trying desperately to connect his punches.

Jungkook suddenly materializes out of nowhere, a halfway-finished beer in his hand that he promptly empties over Jace’s head before grabbing Taehyung around the waist and dragging him back through the crowd. The three of them are able to muscle Taehyung towards the door, Jungkook breaking off to intercept the two bouncers who are stalking their way over as Jimin shoves Taehyung out onto the sidewalk.

"What the fuck, man!"

Taehyung's eyes are wild, his gray hoodie dotted with blood. "I wasn't finished," he says, deep voice chillingly calm.

"Are you out of your mind?!" Maya screams. "Are you trying to get yourself arrested?! Over that piece of shit?!”

“You said you were going to the fucking bathroom,” Jimin angrily adds. “How the hell did you wind up in a fistfight?!”

“I saw him. I hit him. I’m going to do it again,” Taehyung bluntly states. “Let me back in there.”

“The hell we are!” Maya exclaims, and Taehyung may have a few good inches on her, but she steps toe-to-toe with him to block his way. “He's not worth it, Tae, he's not!"

"She is!" Taehyung snaps, and Jimin notices his hands start to shake as the adrenaline begins to wear off. "She…you guys saw her that night. You saw her. In all this time, I have never seen her that broken. Never." His voice cracks, and a sheen appears behind his eyes, tears threatening to spill. "So get out of my way because I am going to make that motherfucker feel every tear I've had to wipe from her face because of him!"

"You're not." The door of the club swings shut as Jungkook joins them outside. "We're leaving now."

Taehyung takes a step forward, pleading, "Jungkook, I—"

"No, Tae, you're done." Jungkook moves to grab his arm, but Taehyung recognizes defeat and shakes him off, pulling his hood over his head and tramping off in the direction of their apartment. The others follow behind, close enough to keep a watchful eye out but with enough distance to give him space to cool down.

"How did it go inside?" Jimin asks quietly.

Jungkook pushes a hand through his hair. “We lucked out. I've worked with those guys before, and we're friendly. Gave them a quick rundown of the situation, and they're going to try and contain it, but…you know…" He shrugs. "That was technically assault."

"What that was was idiotic," Maya hisses.

"It was awesome."

"Kook!"

"What?! It was. Would've thought about taking care of it myself if Tae hadn't beaten me to it. Guy deserved it."

"At the cost of possible jail?" Jimin chimes in. "We all hate the guy, but I don't think it's doing Y/N a favor if she has to bail us out of—" He slaps a hand to his forehead. "Oh, fuck, Y/N."

The other two look at him in question, and he hesitates. "Do we…do we tell her?" he asks slowly. "She's on that date. What if it's going well?"

The three of them fall into silence, looking uneasily at Taehyung's back. He walks with his hands in his pockets, shoulders hunched and heels digging into the sidewalk. Jimin watches as he takes a kick at an empty can, sending it flying into the gutter.

"It's Tae," Maya murmurs suddenly from his left. "She'd want to know."

"Shit, yeah." Jimin presses the heels of his hands into his eyes, trying to rub away the headache that is quickly developing. "I'll call her—see if she can meet us back at the apartment."

"I'm going to call Hobi too," Jungkook says, phone already out. "I've punched someone before and can guarantee—his hand is fucked up."

Jimin nods, slowing his steps so he can fall behind the others for a bit of privacy. He doesn't know how the night spiraled so out of control, but he can't shake the existential feeling that something in the cosmos has changed.

Sliding his phone out of his pocket, he takes a deep breath of the night air and dials your number.

Your hands shake as you fumble with your keys outside the guys' apartment, struggling to grasp the spare that Taehyung lent you when you decided to stay with them. Jimin had said to take your time if you had to, but the thought of something being wrong with Taehyung had you in a panic. He hadn’t given you any details either, saying that they’d explain it all once you were there.

Jin had hurried you out at the distressed look on your face after you hung up, telling you that he’d take care of dinner and to go take care of your friend (you’ll later try to have Namjoon pass along some money for your meal that Jin will steadfastly refuse). Not wanting to stand and wait for an Uber, you had half-run the twelve blocks from the restaurant instead.

Out of breath, you gasp out a, "What happened?!" when Jungkook opens the door at the sound of your scrambling, not even giving him a chance to answer before you're pushing past him inside.

Taehyung sits on the edge of the couch with Hoseok kneeling in front of him, first aid kit at his feet. From here, you can see that his right hand is littered with cuts, purple bruises already forming across his swollen knuckles even as Hoseok tends to the wounds. Taehyung doesn't look up when you walk in, his eyes hooded and fixed on his hand.

"What the fuck happened?!" You repeat, but the room is quiet for a moment more as Jungkook, Jimin, and Maya all look at each other as if they don't know what to say.

Jimin breaks first. "We, ah…" he begins from his armchair seat. "We ran into your ex."

Your heart drops into your stomach, and you immediately feel dizzy. Images of Jace flood your mind: his smile, his hands, his voice—him tangled up in your bed when you got back from the beach house.

"He was at the club," Jimin continues. "And Tae…he, um—"

"He kicked his ass!" Jungkook chirps, an unmistakable hint of delight in his voice.

A tornado of feelings rips through your insides, a blend of confusion and anxiety that has you momentarily reeling. You'd be lying if you said you didn't have any residual feelings for Jace, the tiniest part of your brain in a worry over the state he might be in right now. But it all melts away when you look down at the man who still won't meet your eyes, his purpling hand making your heart twist even harder.

"Are you okay?" you ask softly, and Taehyung finally lifts his head to look at you. His gaze is stoic, but there's a haze of emotion behind his eyes that you can't place.

"I'm fine," he says, but his voice is tight and gravelly.

Hoseok tuts, dabbing a spot of ointment across Taehyung's knuckles. "Let's hope you stay that way. I don't think you'll need any stitches, and nothing seems to be broken, but we'll have to keep an eye on this to make sure nothing gets infected." He pulls bandages out of the first aid kit and begins wrapping Taehyung's hand.

You're afraid to ask this next question, but the words fall out anyway. "Did the police come?"

Jimin shakes his head. "We got out of there quick, and Kook talked to the bouncers that were friends of his—" Jungkook gives a two-finger salute from his perch by the kitchen. "—they said they'd try to take care of it, but who knows." He pauses before asking, "Do you think Jace would press charges?"

"I don't know," you answer honestly. You've known Jace to be proud, but you're not sure if that means he'll brush this off as a simple scrap or want to save face in some way.

"If he does, I know a lawyer who might be able to help," Maya pipes up at the opposite end of the couch. "He's a…friend. Owes me a favor."

"A lawyer friend?" Jungkook asks, eyes narrowing. "Do we know him? What's his name?"

"Last name: Out. First name: Butt."

Jungkook scoffs at that, but you also hear him mutter under his breath, "He sounds like a butt."

"Well as much as I would like to stay and chat about fights and butts," Hoseok says, bandaging the last of Tae's hand and closing his kit, "Sunny and I have a meeting with the wedding coordinator in the morning so I’ve gotta go. Keep that clean, and text me immediately if anything looks or feels wrong or if the swelling doesn’t go down. I can swing by in a couple days to look at it again."

Taehyung nods silently, and Hoseok heads for the door, waving as Jungkook shouts, "Thanks, doc!"

An awkward silence sweeps the room as the door swings shut, the only sound being that of Jimin anxiously tapping his heels against the floor. Maya reads the room, looking around at each person and eventually settling on you and Taehyung. Your posture is tense as you stiffly hover by the side of the couch, shifting your feet, while Taehyung is back to avoiding eye contact.

"I think I'm going to head out too," she says, standing up and shooting Jimin a pointed look.

"Do you need a ride home?" Jungkook asks. His tone says that he's trying to be nonchalant, but his eyes betray his eagerness.

"I'm a big girl, Kook," Maya drawls. "I can get myself home."

"Would you let lawyer friend drive you home?"

She rolls her eyes dramatically, her whole head tilting back in exasperation. "Oh my God, you're insufferable. Fine."

Jungkook moves for his keys, a certain spring in his step, while Maya addresses the rest of you. "I'll stop by tomorrow. Please, please try to stay out of trouble until then. Looking at you, Tae." And then she and Jungkook exit the apartment, Maya slipping money into Jimin’s hand as she goes.

Jimin lets out a heavy sigh. "Well he's not coming home tonight." He stands and stretches his arms above his head. "I'm gonna turn in. Let me know if either of you needs something, yeah?" He shuffles away to his bedroom, leaving you and Taehyung alone.

Taehyung continues to sit still as a statue, staring at the wall, and so you take a careful seat next to him, slowly so as to not jostle the cushions too much. When he keeps his eyes straight ahead, you gently take his injured hand between both of yours. His body visibly softens as you graze your fingers back and forth across his palm.

"Tae…"

He looks at you then, and you take the time to examine his face. There's no guilt or shame in his expression, but you see a pain there that has you reaching up to rub at the creases between his eyes.

His eyelids droop down at your touch. “I’m sorry about your date.”

“It’s fine,” you say. “It wasn’t going that well anyway.”

You see a muscle jump in his jaw, concern tightening the corners of his mouth. “Did he do something?”

“Easy.” You resume your tracing of his palm. “He was very kind and respectful, and we had an oddly sweet conversation. Just realized that neither of us is in the proper mindset for it to be anything more than maybe a friendship.”

A hum comes from deep in his throat. “Alright.”

“Certainly no need for you to fight any other men on my behalf,” you say, and he shoots you an uneasy look before staring down your reflections in the dark of the TV screen.

You take it in with him, observing the shadowy duplicates who feel like they’re sitting across from you. The linked arms, the soothing press of your knee to his—your current situation may feel anxiety-inducing, but the figures mirrored in the screen look comfortable. Unified.

"Are you mad?" he whispers after a moment.

The question catches you off guard. "Why would I be?"

"I know you still care about him." Taehyung swallows, glancing down at your intertwined hands. "You wouldn't still be this upset over him if you didn't."

You let his words sink in, not altogether untrue but certainly not at the forefront of your mind right now. "I'm not worried about him—I'm worried about you." Taehyung's eyes flash at that with something akin to confusion, and you chew at your lower lip. "I've never seen you like this."

It's true. Taehyung, in spite of his mild nature, has always had a protective streak in him. One time, when the two of you were twelve, a few boys in your class had spent a week bullying you about your clothes—calling you a “spoiled, pretentious bitch”—only to come back from gym class one day to find their shirts in the garbage, cut to bits. But never—in all of your years together—have you ever known him to get violent.

"I tried to let it go. I did," Taehyung insists. He picks at his bandages, and you cover his hand with your own to still him. "I just…" His voice cracks, eyes suddenly glassy. "I couldn't stop seeing you on the bathroom floor that night."

The tears spill over, and you pull him into you, his arms wrapping around your waist as he gasps into your shoulder. He's trying to force the emotion down—you can feel it in the way his body trembles—and so you tangle your fingers in the spot where his hairline meets the back of his neck. You know it's always been a soothing spot for him, and his breathing slowly evens out as you coast your fingers back and forth, a rogue piece of your brain taking pleasure in the feel of his soft hair under your hands.

"Tae," you whisper again once he's calmed, and he pulls back to look at you, face entirely too close. Your heart stutters at the sheer amount of raw affection in his expression, and the words you were about to say catch in your throat along with your breath. Since when does being around him make you so nervous?

"I'm sorry," Taehyung murmurs, entirely oblivious to your current internal struggle. "I know this isn't about me—"

"No," you quickly say, snapping out of your inner turmoil. "Tae, you're allowed to have feelings, you know?" Your fingers absentmindedly run along his neck again. "And like you told me that night, I will be fine. I will be. It just…takes a bit of time. And I appreciate everything you've done to try and help get me there."

You try to convey just how much you mean this in your tone, lacing your words with every bit of gratitude you've built up over the past month (over the past years). Taehyung seems to understand, his thumb coming up to gently brush against your chin.

A glimpse of white bandages turns you sullen, raising your hands to delicately graze against their soft edges and chart the way they wrap around his knuckles. He winces as you touch them, and frustration crests like a wave in your chest; you hate that he’s hurting, hate that your own troubles are the cause of it.

“You didn’t have to do this for me,” you sigh, dripping with guilt.

“I’d do anything for you.”

His words are firm, and he cants forward as he says them until his forehead rests against yours, a single shared breath haunting the space between your lips.

"I just don't ever want to see you like that again," he whispers.

And it's all too much: your pulse spikes, the blood pounding through your veins at his nearness and the honey-sweet words rolling off his tongue. This time, you're the one who can't look him in the eye as you put some distance between your bodies, abruptly shifting away from him on the couch.

"You won't."

The tension settles in thick, and Taehyung gazes at you, undoubtedly perplexed by your sudden withdrawal. Just as he opens his mouth to say something, you nod at his hand. "You had an eventful day. I'm fine out here if you want to sleep?"

He slowly shakes his head. "No, uh…I don't think I'll be able to sleep. Might just stay up and watch some TV. You can take my bed, though, if you're tired."

The charged atmosphere still has you slightly shaken—your scrambled brain trying to make sense of the tingling in your stomach—but concern for Taehyung ultimately wins out, and you tell him that you'll stay up to keep him company. He doesn't argue with that, simply flips on your favorite cooking channel and drags your legs into his lap as you stretch out.

It's how Jungkook finds you as he slinks back in the next morning, smiling to himself as he drapes a blanket over your sleeping forms.

July is beginning its descent into August, stifling clouds of heat stuffing themselves into roads and alleyways, when your sign to move back into your own apartment comes in the form of Jeon Jungkook almost getting a full look at your bare ass one Saturday morning.

He immediately flips his back to you, frantically covering his face with his arms and bellowing, "I'M NOT LOOKING!" at the top of his lungs.

"Jeon, you'd better keep your eyes covered or I swear to God I'll put your nuts in a vise!"

"Is that like a kink thi—"

"Do NOT." You rush to dress yourself, giving him the signal when it's safe to turn around.

He doesn't look the least bit ashamed, the bastard.

"Not that it's necessarily unwelcome, but why were you almost naked in my living room?"

You glare at him. "Jimin is taking one of his long ass showers."

"And Tae's at work. Just use his room."

You'd thought about it, but the idea of getting naked in your best friend's bedroom had made you blush, like you'd be crossing some sort of line.

"I thought I could change fast enough," you say, not wanting to have to explain your reasoning to Jungkook of all people.

"Well you obviously thought wrong." He smirks, and you already know what's coming. "Nice bra, by the way."

You pick up a throw pillow off the couch and fling it at him. You'd been shooting for his head, wanting to smack the smug grin right off his face, but your aim is about two feet off and he catches it effortlessly anyway.

What an ass.

“No wonder Maya is always pissed at you,” you jab. “Constantly flirting with other girls.”

His demeanor shifts ever so slightly—his shoulders lower, and you can tell by the way his cockiness subtly but immediately deflates that you’ve wounded him. A pang of regret for your words hits at the sight of wide doe eyes.

“She talks about me to you?”

You wouldn’t have believed it to be possible, but you don’t think that you’ve ever seen him look so innocent, tentative hopefulness coloring his face.

“Not, like, regularly, but sometimes, sure,” you say, not quite certain how to handle this new edition of Jungkook.

“What does she say?”

Wow, those big, round Bambi eyes are really doing work.

“Just that, you know.” You scratch at your ear, not wanting to accidentally throw Maya under any buses while also honoring your friendship with Jungkook. “You’re kind of annoying sometimes.”

That clearly doesn’t make him happy, his jaw tightening with discontent as he grimaces. “Right.”

“I mean think about it, Kook,” you say, compelled to defend Maya. “You hook up with her, and then flirt and pick up other girls right in front of her face.”

“We’re not exclusive!” he exclaims.

“Maybe she wants to be?”

“But that was her idea!”

That stops you. Not once since you found out the two of them were hooking up did it cross your mind that Jungkook would ever be the one unhappy with their arrangement. He’s never had a serious girlfriend in the entire time you’ve known him. Up until this moment, you were sure he’d be a perpetual bachelor. “What?”

“She wanted to be non-exclusive.”

“And you…don’t?”

He looks away from you, crossing his arms over his chest. “I don’t know.”

No. It can’t be.

“Wait a second.”

You move to stand in front of him, taking his face in your hands so you can turn him every which way, inspecting his face. Pink cheeks, a creased brow, jawline so hard you could probably cut yourself on it.

“You’re flustered!” you shriek. Jungkook quickly uncrosses his arms to bat your hands away, reeling back to put some distance between the two of you.

“I’m not!”

“You are!” you shout, following him as he roams around the room. “Jeon Jungkook is flustered!”

“Bah, you’re insane, woman.” He swings a dismissive hand even as the two of you settle in at the kitchen island.

“You’d be cute together!”

“She’s too stubborn.”

“I can totally see it!”

“It would never work.”

“You don’t know that!”

“Hey, worry about your own love life.”

He means it to be teasing, obviously not thinking too hard about his words because the second he realizes what he’s just said, he pales. “Y/N, I’m sorry.”

“It’s alright,” you say, sobered. “I know you didn’t mean anything by it.”

“Still—“

“You’re right. I’m avoiding things.” You peer over at the pull-out couch, still in bed-mode with your blankets and pillows messily strewn across it. Your suitcase, meanwhile, sits off to the side with the contents tangled and half-overflowing.

In short, you’re a mess.

The guys have never made you feel unwelcome, have only ever made it clear that you are free to stay as long as you’d like, but you’d be lying if you said you haven’t felt your time here beginning to weigh on your shoulders, knowing you’re only putting off the inevitable.

You feel like you’ve been (slowly, but surely) making emotional progress, but going back to the apartment might threaten to undo all of that. Although it may have felt like it at times growing up, you’ve technically never lived alone, and you’ve grown accustomed to having your people around. In fact, you thrive on it. Being around your friends is the only reason why you’ve been doing as well as you have.

You love having someone to come home to.

“I need to move back soon,” you tell Jungkook. “But returning to the apartment is actually terrifying.”

He considers you for a moment, leaning his weight back on the granite countertop. “Do you know what helps me when I’m not confident about something?”

“Getting a stranger to moan your name?”

“Well, yes, but aside from that.” You shrug, and he grins. “I just do it.”

“Wow, Jeon,” you say, with the appropriate amount of eye roll. “Reaching real deep on that one.”

“I mean it!” he urges. “Just need to rip off the band-aid. The longer you dwell on it, the harder it will be in the end.”

That’s…oddly decent advice.

“I can’t believe I’m saying this, but you might have a point,” you say, somewhat thrown off by this flustered, good-advice-giving version of your friend.

“And speaking of things being harder, that last bit of advice also goes for forepl—“

“Aaaaaaand it’s ruined.”

“I’m just saying it has multiple applications!”

“Yeah, it’s time for me to move back out,” you say. “I can’t live with you anymore.”

Jungkook chuckles, rubbing at his jaw. “Tae is going to be devastated though.”

Your head jerks around. “What? Why?”

“Because he likes having you here,” he says, looking at you like you just asked him what color the sky is. “The guy punched out your ex for you. I think it’s safe to say he enjoys having you around.”

You wince at the mention of the club, a nerve jumping in your chest every time you’re reminded that Taehyung almost got arrested defending your honor. Nothing had ever come of the fight, so you’re assuming Jace has chosen to just let it go, and for that, you’re thankful. You never would have been able to live with it if Taehyung had suffered serious consequences over your own personal crisis.

You’d do the same thing for him, sure. But that’s different.

“Jimin and I will miss you too, of course,” Jungkook continues. “And I’m still kind of sad I didn’t get my own shot in on that asshole that night. Dumped a beer on him though.” He smiles at you like he’d be wagging his tail if he had one.

“My hero.”

“Yeah, the mayor said I’m getting a medal.”

“Oh, really? When’s the ceremony.”

“Sunday afternoon.”

You snap your fingers. “Ah, I can’t make it. I have a thing.”

“A thing?”

“Yeah, a super important thing. Way more important than your thing.”

“You’re a heart-breaker, Y/N. My ego will never recover.” He grins again, playfully rapping his fingers against the counter as he stands to grab a drink.

“Yep,” he says, voice muffled on the other side of the fridge door. “Definitely going to miss you around here.”

As Jungkook predicted, Taehyung frowns when he gets home from work and you tell him about your plans to move back into your apartment at the end of the week, perhaps sensing your apprehension about returning to the scene of the crime. He insists he’ll come with you and sleep over the first night for support and to make sure you’re okay being back there.

“Whatever you need,” he says. “You’re not going to face it alone.”

Your apartment is pitch black when you swing the door open, the quietness hovering in the air making you feel like you're suffocating. You flick on the light, and you're struck by how much emptier the space is. Jace definitely came by at some point as all of his things are no longer present: his gaming system, his turntable, the tiny rhino statue he had picked out on your last vacation together. Out of the corner of your eye, you spot a glint of a key on the kitchen counter.

Taehyung tries to give you space by busying himself—turning on lights and opening cabinets in a seeming attempt to take inventory of what Jace left behind. He steals glances at you every now and then as you slowly move through the living room, hands reaching out to lightly brush at the furniture with no real goal in mind. This is supposed to be your home, but you feel like a stranger—the ghosts of late nights binging TV shows, giggling wildly at inside jokes, promising forever lurk around every corner.

When you take a hesitant step inside the bedroom, your breath catches in your throat and you choke on a sob. The bedsheets are still in a tangle, a relic of that night seven weeks ago when your whole world fell apart.

Taehyung senses something is wrong and bolts to your side in an instant, hands steadying you where you slump against the doorframe. He turns you in his arms, and his fingers come up to cradle your face in his direction.

"Don't look at that, look at me," he murmurs, thumbs rubbing away the tears that have begun to fall. "What do you need?"

To run, to hide, to crawl into the deepest hole you can find and scream your lungs out until the pain subsides. But you can't. Instead you focus on the brown of Taehyung's eyes, let it ease you back down until your breathing steadies and your heart rate levels.

"A shower," you finally choke out. "I need a shower."

He takes a final swipe at your tear-stained cheeks and offers up a small smile. "Okay. Where are the towels?"

You nod in the direction of the closet as Taehyung ushers you out towards the bathroom. It feels empty in here too, the single toothbrush staring you down from its holder and counter notably absent of shaving cream and hair gel. You tear your eyes away from the vanity to start the water running, and Taehyung pops up a moment later with a towel in hand and a fresh pair of pajamas he must've found in your dresser.

"Take your time," he says. "And if you need anything, anything at all, just give a shout. I'll be right out here." His cheeks take on a hint of pink when you quirk an eyebrow at him. "I'll close my eyes. Promise."

You thank him as he steps out so you can strip and get into the tub. The water is set to a near-scalding temperature and you welcome the sting, scrubbing away at your skin as if trying to erase all of the memories that are once again flooding back.

Your first date at the art museum, where he pointed to a painting of an extravagant rose garden and said it reminded him of you.

Your first kiss under the stars, the two of you losing track of time as he pulled you in again and again.

Endless Saturdays wandering around the city, not caring where you wound up as long as his hand was in yours.

Planning your someday wedding, his whispered promises of, Soon, beautiful, soon, sealed with a signature wink.

Picking out names for children who would never be born.

The tears are pouring out of you now, but you let them. One cry, you promise yourself. One final, good cry to wash it all away, and then it'll be time to let go for good.

You don't know how long you spend in the shower, but by the time you step back out into the living room, Taehyung has already set himself up with a makeshift bed on the couch. He lifts his head when he sees you and, taking note of your red-rimmed eyes, gets up to pull you into a hug.

For a moment he just holds you, arms banding tight around your shoulders before he says, "I cleaned out your fridge. Most of it was spoiled." He hesitates, pulling back to look at you. "And I changed the bedsheets." A hand rubs at the back of his neck. "I actually ran downstairs and threw them straight in the dumpster, I hope that's okay."

His thoughtfulness overwhelms you, and you'd probably start crying again if not for the fact that you don't think you have a single tear left in your body. As you gape at him, Taehyung interprets your silence for disapproval and quickly adds, "I'll buy you new ones."

You respond by wrapping your arms around his neck and pulling him back into you, sinking your face into the crook of his neck as you whisper a, "Thank you."

He seems to falter for a second before returning the hug, and as you give him one last squeeze he steps back, scrutinizing you more closely. "You look like you could use some sleep."

"Yeah," you admit, eyeing the cramped set-up on the couch. "Is that going to be okay for you though?"

"Absolutely," he chimes, bounding over to the couch to settle back in. He has to bend his long legs to fit, toes pressing into the fabric of the arm. "See? Comfy." When he catches the uneasy look on your face, he says, "Honestly. Y/N. Nowhere else I'd rather be."

You give him a hesitant nod—you know it'd be useless to try to convince him otherwise. "Okay. Goodnight."

"Goodnight!" He flips onto his back, popping an arm behind his head and closing his eyes.

You cross the room slowly and, just like last time, find yourself pausing at the threshold of your bedroom. The bed is no longer a mess, fresh sheets now stretched neatly across the mattress, but as you look at it, it strikes you that you have never slept here alone. And while you may have committed yourself to moving on from this moment forward, you know this has the power to break you. Tomorrow, maybe, but right now, you're nowhere near ready for this.

You look back and forth between your bed and where Taehyung is lying, his legs now half-draped over the couch's arm, and you make up your mind.

"Tae?"

"Hmm?" He opens his eyes and turns his head to look at you.

"Can you sleep in here with me?"

He blinks, jaw dropping in surprise. "Uhh…are you sure?"

His hesitancy has you losing some of your nerve, and you have to look away. "I just don't think I can…" You purse your lips and shake your head. "You don't have to. I just—"

"No, it's okay. We can—yeah," he blurts, already standing up.

He sidesteps you in the doorway, taking your hand and pulling you into the room after him with a soft smile. "C'mon. Like I said, whatever you need."

Taehyung pulls back the covers so the two of you can crawl in. It's awkward at first, both of your bodies lying stiff across from each other. Physical affection has never been altogether uncommon for the two of you, but this—lying in the bed you used to share with your ex—feels like crossing a line of intimacy that you've never experienced with him before.

But then Taehyung laughs, reaching over to take your hand in his. "I know we’re a long way from high school, but we can do this, yeah? Not like we haven’t shared a bed before."

It breaks the tension, and you giggle back, looking down at where he's laced your fingers together. His knuckles are still lightly bruised with touches of yellow and green, and you run your free hand over the marks, smile drooping.

"I'm really sorry about this," you murmur.

"I'm not." Taehyung's forehead creases. "I'd do it again."

"Please don't," you say quickly. "If you see him again, just let it go."

He frowns and opens his mouth to respond, but you cut in. "Not because I care about him. I just don't want you getting into any trouble on his account. He's not worth it."

Taehyung briefly clenches his jaw but eventually gives you a slow nod. "Well I think my point was made anyway."

"Thank you," you say, pulling his hand up to brush a light kiss to his bruises. "I know I keep saying that, but I really can't tell you enough."

"You don't need to thank me. I know you'd do the same." His face breaks out into one of his boxy smiles. "Remember when Luna broke up with me, and I barely left the apartment for two weeks? You stopped by every day to make sure I was still eating."

You hum at the memory. It had been two weeks of dropping off take-out and commandeering the boys' kitchen to make large batch meals, even harassing Jimin to give you regular updates on whether or not Taehyung had eaten lunch. Jace had given you grief about it at the time, whining that Taehyung was a grown man who could take care of himself, especially when the two of you had just moved in and were still working on unpacking.

“And my birthday junior year of high school.” He’s quiet as he remembers, eyes fixed on some spot over your shoulder as if he’s rewatching the moments on film. “You got me those shoes I’d been absolutely enamored with.”

His old ones had been falling apart entirely, soles curling away from the fabric like orange peels in the sun. Barely even looking away from the bottle at that point, there was virtually no chance that Taehyung’s father would give him enough money to buy him new ones at the thrift store, let alone the high-end sneakers you’d always catch him subtly staring at every time the two of you wandered around the mall after school.

So of course, you’d done the only logical thing and surprised him with them for his birthday, the look of complete elation on his face making your heart leap in ways you didn’t even know it could.

A touch of joy slips into his expression too now as he picks another recollection out of his brain. "Or that time in college when I got stuck in that bathroom across campus with no toilet paper and you left class to break into the men's room and bring me some."

You scrunch your nose at that, saying, "We swore never to talk about that again!"

Taehyung laughs. "I know, but what I'm trying to say is that that's what we do. We take care of each other."

The truth of the statement hits you like a truck as you're suddenly anchoring yourself in Taehyung's eyes again.

It's as though every moment of the last seventeen years comes rushing back to you all at once—every joy, every celebration, every tear, every heartbreak. And at your side in each memory are the same brown eyes you're staring into right now.

A feeling that you're too scared to place stirs in your chest and has you panicking, and you can see that Taehyung isn't unaffected by the moment either as his lips part and he studies you with a newfound softness. When he reaches up to brush your hair behind your ear, the feeling in your chest swells and snaps, and you bury your face in his chest, tears starting afresh, as he wraps his arms around you.

"I'm here," he whispers. "I'm right here."

You press your hands into his back, clinging to him, and hope the pressure conveys what your words can't—what you don't even have a name for yet.

Your sobs subside after a while, but you stay wrapped up in each other. Right before you fall asleep, one final flashback of Jace leaks into your mind—words he had spit at you before leaving this place that night.

I've never been your priority. No one can be. Not when he's around.

It's hard work dragging yourself awake the next morning, your eyelids heavy and begging you to close them for just five more minutes.

But you realize that the side of the bed next to you is not only empty—it's cold. Reaching out to your nightstand, you flip your phone over to check the time. 10:42. The morning is practically gone.

You pull yourself out of bed and shuffle into the living room where you spot a figure standing in the kitchen. Taehyung is busy at the stove, white t-shirt tight across his shoulders as he works, humming to himself, and you stop for a moment to take him in (was he always this broad?).

"Good mood today?" you say. He turns, flashing you a smile over his shoulder.

"Morning, sleepyhead!" He catches himself, realizing he might sound a little too chipper for the occasion and quietly asks, "How are you feeling?"

"Alright," you shrug, and it's the truth. The seemingly endless crying the night before had been exhausting, but it also provided you with something of a catharsis, leaving you feeling almost refreshed today.

"Good," Taehyung says. He nods to the plate on the counter next to him. "I made pancakes."

"The chocolate chip ones?"

He places a hand over his heart and looks at you in mock offense. “Of course. What do you take me for?”

You laugh and wander over to the dining room table where a bright bouquet of lilies now sits in a vase. Pinching one of the delicate, silky petals between your fingers, you ask, "What's this?"

Taehyung glances over his shoulder again, blushing slightly when he sees what you're looking at. "Oh, I um—" He fumbles for his words. "I ran out to get you some groceries and saw the florist next door. Figured they could, you know, brighten things up in here a little."

"You didn't have to do that," you tell him softly, but he brushes you off with a shrug.

"I wanted to."

You reach for the petals again, the bright orange seeming to cast a glow on your skin like a sunset. “You know these look like—“

“The ones you used to collect on our walks growing up?” He chuckles at your stunned silence. “Yeah, I know.”

It still surprises you sometimes—the depth of his thoughtfulness and how well he knows you—and before you can stop yourself, you’re stepping up behind him at the stove. You wind your arms around his middle, pressing your forehead to the space between his shoulder blades and allowing your breath to warm the cotton of his t-shirt. It’s soft—intimate—and you feel Taehyung tighten up under your touch, his entire body going rigid.

“Y/N—“

“You know you mean the world to me, right?”

It’s a near-whisper—you sound like you’re on the brink of tears—and maybe that’s why Taehyung’s hard lines soften at the sound of your voice, turning in your arms so he can reciprocate the embrace and press a cheek to your temple. He doesn’t say a word, just holds you tight as you lean your face into his chest and inhale the comforting scent of pancake batter, laundry detergent, and honey-scented soap.

You think you could stay here forever.

Last night’s mood seems to linger in the air like little beams of light that warm your skin in the best way. You recall falling asleep in these same arms, this same scent wrapped around you—how it was easily the best sleep you’ve had in weeks.

It's different, this space between you now. Has been since the night in the bathroom. You and Taehyung may have gone through a metric fuck ton of pain over the course of your lives, but there's no denying that this breakup is pushing your friendship into a new form, molding it into a new shape.

You're too nervous to dwell on it, but damn, if you aren't going to take advantage of how good it feels to cling to him right now. You want to wrap yourself around him like a koala—draw your legs around his waist and bury your nose into the hollow space at his collarbone.

What a great way to scare him off too, your brain says, even as your heart argues, He's stuck with you through worse.

You're tempted—seriously considering dragging him over to the couch so you can snuggle him properly—when the fire alarm goes off, the pancake on the stove burnt and blackened.

Taehyung releases you in a flash, spinning to shut off the burner and pull the pan off the stove as you rush to the hallway closet for a broom. You swing it underneath the alarm until the smoke clears, and the device stops its blaring shrieks. As silence filters back in, Taehyung tips the burnt pancake into the trash, the previous moment ruined.

"That'd be our luck to burn this place down your first day back," he jokes.

You tip your head up, already thinking this may have been a bad idea and wishing you were back at the guys' place. "Maybe not the worst thing in the world."

He approaches you slowly but deliberately, raising a long finger to press at your chin until you've lowered your gaze enough to look him in the eyes. Taking your hands in his—gently, so gently—he says, "We're going to breathe life back into this place. I'll be here every day if you want me to be."

"You d—"

"I will. Or Maya or Jimin or Kook." He moves his head so you're forced to look at him even as you try to look away, confronted with the raw sincerity in his eyes. "We'll drown out the bad memories with new good ones."

His voice is CPR, pressing warmth into your chest, and just like that, the suffocating walls around you open up a bit. You can see it, the two of you sitting on the couch watching TV—or maybe you watching him play one of his games—your other friends occasionally dipping in and out as they please.

More orange lilies on the table.

You pull your hands from his and drift to the kitchen counter, picking up the glinting silver key sitting on its surface. Turning back to Taehyung, you press it into his palm, and he stares at you, eyes wide with wonder.

"You're sure?"

You nod, and he curls his fingers around the key like it's something delicate—handling it with the same care you once saw him give a baby bird that had fallen out of its nest in the park when you were thirteen.

"Every day," he promises, pinky wrapping around yours and squeezing. "Just say the word."

NEXT

a/n: likes, reblogs, and feedback are always appreciated! <3

taglist is open!

#taehyung x reader #taehyung x you #taehyung fluff #taehyung angst #bts x reader #bts x you #bts imagines #taehyung imagines #taehyung fic #taehyung fanfic #bts fluff #bts angst #taehyung #bts fic #bts fanfic

[fallinforerling]

FROM HATE TO... WHAT? - jb

ೃ⁀➷ jude’s masterlist

ೃ⁀➷ masterlist

ೃ⁀➷ jude’s taglist

     * 。 • ˚ ˚ ˛ * 。° 。 •˚.・。.・゜✭・.⋆·˚ ༘ .・。.・゜✭・..・。.・*ੈ✩‧₊˚

You loved your job. You were extremely grateful for every aspect of your life at the moment; except for one tiny detail…

“Come on! Can you move faster?” That irritating voice shouted again, getting on your nerves. “This is all your fault.” 

“How is it my fault that your lazy ass couldn’t get out of bed on time? I set three alarms!” You shouted back, trying your best to walk as fast as possible with an extra bag on the heavier side on your shoulder. “And, for the record, this isn’t my responsibility.” 

Jude only gave you a nasty look in response, ignoring that him being late for the photoshoot was entirely his fault and not yours. Seems like no matter how many months passed, he still believed you were his personal assistant, instead of just one of the many managers for the national team.

“Stop!” You said when the door to the studio was visible. “Late and bad at dressing yourself. Don’t you know how to take proper care of yourself?” He’s a momma's boy, you knew that. He was so spoiled that it made sense why he was so rotten.

“Can you stop criticizing? It’s enough torture to hear your voice this close.” 

That was a good one, and the urge to reply with something even hurtful was there, but if you did, you’ll get fired. Of course, the golden boy of the team couldn’t live with being “bullied” by staff members. 

So you stayed silent, fixing his tie and shirt the best you could. While trying to get some of the few wrinkles away from the fabric, you thought that it was a shame... Such a hot guy, but so insufferable. Instant turn-off. 

“Well, this is the best I can do… Get out of my sight.” You said with a calmer tone, expecting him to behave now that other people could hear him bark at you like the dog he was. 

“It would be a pleasure to stop seeing your face for a few hours.” He whispered after a few seconds, giving you a nasty look that did no help to your murdering instincts. 

“Cunt…” You whispered once he was out of earshot.

˚ ༘♡ ⋆｡˚ ❀ 

“Hey, darling!” For once, you faced a nice person. It’s been a few hours since the photoshoot, and since you were one of the main managers, your job was to attend the players with anything they could possibly want. You knew Jude would take advantage of this, so you sneaked out of the zone he was sitting at. 

“Mason.” You greeted back, not wanting to hide the smile he puts on your lips every time he was around. Unlike someone else, Mason was sweet and educated when asking for something, so it was always a pleasure to work with him. “It’s been a while since we chatted.” “Yeah! I was wondering when I could catch you without Jude around…” He sat beside you, waving his eyebrows with a smirk on his face. “He’s… very protective of you.”

“What?” His words were more than confusing. “You meant tyrannic?”

“No, not at all. It’s just that he doesn’t like it when the rest of us get too close to his precious manager.” He gave you another smile, seeming happy with your terrorized expression. “But that’s not the thing I wanted to talk about with you.” Mason fixed his posture, looking unbothered by other players being close to the both of you. “Do you know about the charity event next week?” 

“Yeah! Must be fun to be able to attend that type of thing.” You didn’t know where this whole conversation was going, but you liked it. “Why you ask?” 

“Well, I was thinking that maybe we could go together. You know, a little casual thing.” That took you by surprise. Mason Mount asking you on a date… And not any date, but a charity event type of date?

“Well…” You stuttered, not knowing what to say. 

“What are you doing? Let’s go, my family is waiting for me at the hotel.” Of course…

“Can’t you see I’m having a conversation with Mason? Don’t be a rude prick, Jude.” You said under your breath, embarrassed that Mason heard everything. 

“It’s okay, darling. Mate, we’re kinda talking about something important. Two minutes?” Jude’s eyes wandered between the two of you, arching one eyebrow. 

“Sure…” He said after a few seconds, looking at you with the type of eyes he used when he wanted to go somewhere else asap. “I’ll get my bag while you guys finish.”

“So? What do you say?” Mason’s smile never wandered while he saw Jude walking away. 

You studied his face for a moment before smiling back. Fuck it.

“Give me your phone.” And then he knew he was getting not only a date but your number as well.

˚ ༘♡ ⋆｡˚ ❀

The ride to the hotel was extremely tense and you couldn’t wrap your finger around what happened. It’s not like you two weren’t used to fighting half the time (if not more) you were together. 

You could feel him sending glares at your profile, making you wonder if he was about to say something or not. With a sigh, you decided to give in. 

“What is it?” The question seemed to take him aback, because you could feel him moving around the passenger’s seat. 

“What is what?” He asked back, not letting his rude tone leave his voice. 

“You know I’m not getting paid enough for all of this, right? You’re obviously uncomfortable about something, and for the sake of my mental health, you better take it off your chest.” 

“Why do you care?” Was the only thing he said for a while before huffing. “What were you and Mason talking about?” 

Oh?

“That’s what’s been bothering you this entire time?” You laughed. “I knew you were nosy, but damn.” He didn’t reply, so you kept talking. “And, for your information, that’s none of your business.” It felt good to use his own words as a weapon. 

“Whatever...” Ah, how nice. It was always a win when you got the last word.

˚ ༘♡ ⋆｡˚ ❀

The Bellingham’s were the nicest people ever... Except for Jude, but that didn’t matter. 

His parents were always sweet and caring towards “the person who took the most care of their son while they were away” (their words, not yours); his brother was shy, but you had seen him around his family and some friends a few times, he seemed like the perfect version of Jude. Not rude, which was your dream come true. 

“Are you staying for lunch, dear?” Jude’s mom, Denise, asked when you were about to say your goodbyes. 

“Oh, I...” 

“Yeah! You need to, I’m sure you haven’t eaten all day.” His father said, smiling while Jude, who was behind him, looked at you with dead eyes. “Our treat.”

“Well, if you insist.” The smile you gave them was sincere, but you knew it was mostly provoked by the expression of pure pain on Jude’s face. 

In a few minutes, the whole group (including you) were entering the hotel’s restaurant, which was one of the fanciest in London, so it didn’t surprise you to feel underdressed the moment you entered the room. But you kept going, even daring to sit between Jude and Jobe, just to make the last of your petty moves. 

“So! Jude told me there was this huge charity event next week. Are you going, dear?” Denise asked after the waiter was gone. 

“Well-” 

“Oh no, mom. I doubt it, it’s mostly for the players and their dates.” He smiled with pure bliss for the first time in two hours. Pointing you with his thumb, he almost let out a laugh. “And I doubt her, out of all managers, is getting a date.”

“Excuse me?” You said immediately, wanting to punch him. 

“Jude Bellingham!” Denise scolded him at the same time, looking mortified. “Who taught you to be this rude? I’m sorry, darling. He doesn’t mean it like that...”

Before losing the battle against him, you decided to use a better option. 

“It’s okay, Mrs. Bellingham. Actually, I do have a date for the charity event.” You smiled with ease, not looking at Jude. 

“What?!” His voice came louder than expected, bringing the attention of some people a few tables away. “What do you mean you have a date? That’s not possible.”

“Not possible?” Oh, now you were offended. “For your information, Mason is my date. He asked me earlier.” 

“He did what?” And now he dared to act offended? This man was unbelievable. “What did he say to you?”

“He just asked me!” Before letting him carry on with the fight, you realized his family was still there on the table. “And this is not the time to interrogate me, Jude.”

“Let’s go outside, then.” He simply said, standing. 

“What? No!” 

“Walk.” And he headed to the door. 

“I’m... so sorry. I’ll talk to him.” The Bellingham’s were shocked, because they only gave you a nod. You stood, fuming. 

Jude was outside the restaurant, looking like he was about to murder someone. Probably you. 

“What’s wrong with you? You did a scene back there! How embarrassing.” Was the first thing you said. 

“No, what’s wrong with you?” He asked instead, getting too close for your liking. “How come you accepted a date from Mason? Are you crazy?” 

“I’m sorry, did you knock your fucking head on a wall this morning? I don’t owe you any explanations, Bellingham. And why are you acting like I need your permission?” This whole thing was just ridiculous. 

“You’re not going. And not with him, that’s for sure.”

You paused, raising your eyebrows as high as physically possible. 

“Are you trying to forbid me from going to the event with Mason?” You asked with a calmer tone, breathing as deep as possible so you didn’t kill him right on the spot. 

“Yeah, so?” 

“Oh, fuck you!” That was the last straw. “Get a life and stay away from mine, are we clear? Say sorry to your parents on my behalf, I’m leaving.” And those were the last words you said before turning, walking as fast as you could. 

Needless to say that you ignored his calls. 

        * 。 • ˚ ˚ ˛ * 。° 。 •˚.・。.・゜✭・.⋆·˚ ༘ .・。.・゜✭・..・。.・*ੈ✩‧₊˚

You didn’t know how, but after that absurd fight with Jude at the hotel (God, you cringed by the thought of his parents being present during it), you managed to avoid him and any activity that involved him. The only good thing that came out of the whole mess was your new found friendship with Mason. 

You texted non-stop and were excited about the whole planning of the “date”; turns out he just wanted to go with you, but not in a romantic type of way, and you were grateful. You weren’t ready for the dating world just yet. 

Now it was almost time to leave for the event. You were excited, yes... But a bit mortified by the fact that Jude was definitely there as well. The douchebag. 

✉️ Mason: Get ready because there’s a limusine about to be at your door.

The text took you aback, smiling for how extra he was behaving. 

✉️ Are you crazy? 

✉️ Mason: Of course I am. Go hard or go home, baby!

˚ ༘♡ ⋆｡˚ ❀

When you took the first step out of the car, you knew all the pep-talk Mase gave you on the way was useless. Nothing prepared you for the amount of flashes, people and celebrities you encountered in the short amount of time that took the two of you to get to the main entrance. 

“Fucking hell...” You said when not many people were around. You knew most of the footballers there, if not personally, by reputation. The amount of famous faces was crazy, and you almost passed out when Erling Haaland walked near you. 

“I always enjoy seeing people losing their event-virginity.”

“Iugh, Mase... That sounded kinda wrong.” 

“Did it?” You gave him a look. 

“Yeah?” You laughed. “Wait, I’ll go to the bathroom really quick.” You needed to make sure your nerves weren’t making you sweat on ridiculous amounts. 

“I’ll be at our table.” 

You nodded, walking past a few tables, being able to find the bathrooms quickly. Thank God, because you knew you wouldn’t be able to survive if they were in a side hallway or something like that. When you were two meters from the door, a hand grabbed your wrist without force, but it scared you anyway. 

“What the-” You almost choked on your tongue. Jude. 

“Was difficult enough to catch you alone.” 

“Creepy way to say hello, but okay.” You couldn’t help the sass. seeing how unbothered he seemed by it. 

“Can we talk?” The question alone was a surprise, but the tone of his voice was the oddest part: it was soft. 

“Okay?” You accepted, feeling extremely curious about what he could want. He was acting like a normal human being for once. 

You walked past the bathrooms in silence. Few people were around the zone you were entering, and after a few steps, both of you encountered tall glass doors that led to balconies. 

“Okay, this is private enough.” Jude said, letting your wrist go. You didn’t even notice he was still holding it. 

“Why do you need so much privacy? If this is about my date with Mason...” 

“Yeah, it’s exactly about that.” He looked tired, not even confrontational. What was wrong with him? “Why did you come with him? I don’t get it.” 

“What do you mean? He asked me and I didn’t see a problem. Besides, he’s my friend.” It didn’t make sense, why were you explaining yourself to him?

“If you only waited for me to...” He grew frustrated by the second. “It’s not fair.” 

“What’s going on with you, Jude? Waiting for you?” He stayed quiet, looking at you in a way that you’d never seen before. It made you nervous. “Are you going to explain yourself?” You touched his arm, trying to get a reaction out of him. 

It happened fast; one second, you were touching his arm and the next thing you know, he’s kissing you. It took you by surprise, so you stayed paralyzed for a few seconds, not knowing why you weren’t pushing him away from you. Then his lips started to move, and suddenly you didn’t know why you could ever push him away. The kiss was sweet but fast, making you feel dizzy and warm. 

Oh my god...

When he broke the kiss, the two of you were gasping for air, looking at each other with similar expressions of surprise. Seems like he couldn’t believe what just happened. 

“What the fuck was that?” You asked, still holding his shoulders with such force, your fingers started to hurt. “Jude?” 

“Don’t pretend like this hasn’t been coming for a long time.” It was the first time he smiled at you with nothing more than... happiness? “Fucking hell...” 

And then he kissed you again. And you let him, because as always, you couldn’t deny him anything.  

#jude bellingham imagine #jude bellingham #jude #bellingham #jude bellingham x reader #jude bellingham x you #footballfics #footballer fanfiction #footballer blurb #footballer fic #footballer fics #enemies to lovers

[trippygalaxy]

Nicknames For You! Pt.3

Includes: Sky, Hyrule, Four, Wind (Platonic)

Pt 1 - Pt 2

Sky

My other, other half

It became a inside joke between you two! You once called Sky you’re “other half” while relaxing by a beach The Chain had stumbled upon. Sky, flustered and touched by your words couldn’t help but say it back to you, but was quick to correct himself after a moments thought. 

Sky, seeing your confusion, realized he had to explain a thing or two. So, he did. Sky spoke about his Loftwing and how he -and many others from his home- saw their Loftwings as their other half! But he was more than happy to have you be his other, other half. And how could you say no to such an offer?

Pumpkin

The thought of pumpkins themselves bring him fond memories of home. When he ran around balancing stacks of pumpkin that dwarfed him in size to the sweet smell of pumpkin soup he would deliver. Those were among the few happy memories he had during his adventure. Was he a little stress during it? Sure! But he felt like he could relax and forget the dangers he had faced.

Sky would be lying if he said he didn’t feel that way when he was with you. You reminded him of home and the memories he cherished, you made him feel so free. Just like home.

Cuddle Bug

You’re the BEST cuddle partner!! It doesn’t matter what position or who is the big spoon, he loves to hold you and to be held by you. Though most people might believe that HE would be the one to initiate the cuddles, he is more than willing to admit it was you! I can’t blame you!- I mean, Sky is like the softest, most comfiest person to sleep on!

Hyrule

Lucky Charm

When you’re by his side Hyrule can’t help but feel unstoppable! Your encouragement and support will never not make him flustered. Hyrule had always felt like luck was always fighting against him, and his fears worsen when he met the rest of The Chain. He felt less than, compared his companions, even when they told him otherwise! But with you, with you everything just clicked. With you by his side, everything that once scared him turned into but minor threats. Something he could over come while he held you close. Everything was just right with you.

My Hero

While yes, he is the hero of Hyrule sometimes heroes need heroes too! Hyrule admires you so much. He admires you so because no matter your flaws or fears, you continue to be the bravest person he knows! He looks to you for inspiration and comfort, for encouragement and criticism, for everything that he does not have but yearns for. You will always amaze him, no matter what.

Sweetie

You’ve got to be the sweetest person he’s met! Maybe you can be cold or stubborn with others, but with him you can’t help but warm up to him. Even the most sweetest of candies can’t compare to his Sweetie! He just can’t help the fuzzy feeling that spreads through his body when he sees your face. Everything you do warms his cheeks and leaves him with a goofy smile on his face!

Four

Precious

Oh, how else could he describe you. One word could never truly express how important you are to him but if he were forced to choose, “Precious” fits you perfectly. You are far more precious than any jewel or weapon, and he will protect and love you with all him might.

Giggles

Your laughter is one of his favourite things in this world (and every other) and he’d do anything to hear it. The way your body moves with each laugh that escapes you fills him with so much joy, he might burst! But as much as he loves your full, untamed laughter, he can’t help but swoon every time he hears you giggle.

Lovely

“exquisitely beautiful.“ That is the definition of Lovely and boy, Four couldn’t agree more! No matter what or where you guys are, you are the most stunning person he has ever seen. You could be dripping with sweat and covered head to toe in monsters guts and Four will still watch you in awe, stunned by your beauty.

Wind (Platonic)

Partner in crime

A very true statement! It’s not often that you two are far from one another, but when you are--well, everyone should look over their shoulders. You are his biggest helper when he wants to prank someone! You two are always on each others side no matter what!

First mate

He started calling you this when The Chain had stumbled into his Hyrule,  you had manage to help Wind with working around a ship they found! You both made an amazing duo as you two manned the ship. 

To him, you are the first person he can turn to for help or advice. Wind trusts you with everything, even a ship! He would be lying if he said he didn’t think about sailing the seas with you! He’d make you in first mate in a heart beat if, you too, wanted to cross the seas with him.

Dude!

Normally he calls you “dude” either when he’s really excited about something or when he’s irritated. He’ll come up running to you, calling out and saying he wants to show you something! Or the other scenario, he plops down next to you with a pout and crossed arms. He won’t talk for a bit unless you ask him what’s up --or he just gets bored of waiting and starts ranting. Normally it’s about the Chain and how they “baby him too much,” which is true in some cases but that’s not the point! 

(Apologies for any typos or weird grammar!)

#linked universe #linked universe headcanons #lu #linked universe x reader #linked universe sky #lu sky #linked universe hyrule #lu hyrule #linked universe four #lu four #linked universe wind #lu wind #reader insert #IT'S FINISHED!!!! #FINALLLYYYYYYYY #linkeduniverse #tales out of orbit

[class1akids]

BNHA 386 - first thoughts

OK, so after seeing pikahlua's translations some thoughts:

Dabi is doing this on purpose - he's turning himself into a suicide bomb - knowing full well that there are evacuation pods in the area. Does he know his family is stuck there?

It's a perfect plan - Endeavor can't do a damn thing with his quirk, only aggravate the situation.

The evacuees are getting to the surface, so maybe Touya will see Rei, Natsuo and Fuyumi, maybe they'll try to talk him down.

I think though even if they get through to him, he won't be able to stop the explosion by himself - risking a second Sekoto peak scenario

This time Endeavor will be there with him - maybe they'll use Inasa to get in the air

That's where Shouto comes in - he could literally hug it out with Touya and absorb the explosion with his Phosphor like when he took that Jet Burn to the face. It could actually charge Shouto with a huge amount of energy that he could then release maybe in combat if he can get a warp to Deku. That would be poetic. Almost a combo.

Shouto wanting to fight AFO makes sense tbh. He didn't know how Gunga was doing, but as far as he knew, there was nobody else. He's a good friend and wants to do right by Midoriya and do his part.

I get Iida's feelings, but boy, in that moment that was not what Shouto needed to hear. Like, he's already barely keeping it together.

Good for All Might's intervention though. I'm so so so happy that he talked to Shouto. It felt nice and warm and personal. Reminding him that being torn in different directions will make him lose and telling him to be faithful to what he decided in his heart and to himself. (I feel like all these things also apply to All Might himself).

It's the first time I think All Might called Dabi "Touya". Making that switch, I think deliberately - it's family. "Because you are you" or "for the sake of being yourself" - Endeavor would choose to fight AFO, but Shouto will prioritize his family in the end.

Iida giving all his gear to Shouto to protect him - he's too precious. He's not flying as far as i can tell, but parkour running the sides of buildings. Looks really cool.

Also, Gunga - reunion with Remedial kids and Inasa. The Heroes Rising Chimera team will be assembled. We are having half the class there at this point. Aizawa, hurry with ShiraGiri, all these guys will need a warp.

Stain - now that you stared at the boys and did nothing, where are you heading with your Green Goblin glider? Perhaps to All Might? Stain getting a sneak attack on AFO would be hilarious. I still don't get it, why meatball guy didn't just turn him into a meat sausage for a while.

Hawks is still sending reports from Gunga after everything? Him staying focused till the end, vs the visual of just holding Tokoyami...

So All Might is counting on the pettiness of AFO. I mean it makes sense - he knows the guy the best.

I always knew All Might would fling his backpack in the endgame. It's cool that he has a Mecha suit in it. (curtesy of David Shield, I presume). I honestly vastly prefer this to the Eri rewind theories. All Might answering Deku's question from Chapter 1 has been long built and I'm really glad we will get to it.

I don't get why people are mad that All Might is trying to do something, when last chapter they praised Mineta for yelling at AFO. Everyone is doing what they can with the power they have. Yeah, sure they know they are outclassed. They are still gonna do their best. That's kind of the point of them being heroes. Obsession with powerscaling makes people lose sight of this.

I don't know if All Might will survive (I think he will), but I think he WILL incorporate in the vestige world giving poor Izuku a heart attack.

Also, wouldn't it be cool if full circle to Chapter 1 a certain someone saved All Might?

Oh, that demonic grin in the end. Toshinori went full Bakugou there. Which is really really cool. I love it. Smile at the unscalable wall.

#class1a reads bnha #bnha manga leaks #bnha manga spoilers #this chapter got me pumped #bnha 386

[yourtouchismidas]

Could we have a protective Matty blurb for when Gigi is older and brings back a boyfriend please? I feel like all the boys would be protective too, especially Ross given the bond they have!

"Hi baba," Matty calls from the kitchen as he hears the door go. It's his daughter. "How was school?"

She is fourteen and in year nine now. She walks herself home these days. A grown girl. Matty can't believe it half the time. Usually their after school ritual, when he is home, is to get a snack together and watch something shit on telly, not really watching, but both on their phones scrolling and bent over double laughing at memes, sending them to each other from two feet away. She doesn't say anything, but Matty hears her voice, quiet, whispering. Maybe she has brought a friend home. Which she does sometimes. His heart sinks a fraction every time she does, because she will go up to her room and giggle with them instead, but he would never tell her this. She is getting older. She doesn't want to hang out with her old dad all the time. He has to be okay with that.

He takes his glass of water and goes through to the hall to greet her.

"Hi ba...," he goes to say again. Then stops. Gigi has brought a friend. But its a boy. He is slightly shorter than Gigi, with floppy blond hair and his school tie is not done up properly and his shirt is untucked.

"Hello," he says. Gigi is looking at the floor. She can't bring herself to meet her Dad's eyes. "Who is this?"

He directs the question to the boy. He says it brightly, but he doesn't change his face. Deadpan.

"Ryan," the boy says.

Matty says it back. Rolling it around on his tongue. Then he sips his water slowly, leaning against the door frame, hand in his pocket. Trying to look casual.

"Nice to meet you," Ryan says.

"Okay, Dad," Gigi says, "We're gonna go chill. Down for dinner, yeah?" she says and then takes the boy upstairs.

"Keep your door open!" Matty yells up. Then he goes back to the kitchen to find you.

"Matty," you say.

"What? I didn't say anything."

"Okay, I just know you were..."

"I didn't say anything," Matty insists. He stays by the island drinking his water as you put away pots. He manages about five seconds of silence.

"So my daughter is bringing home boys now?"

You laugh. There it is.

"Seems that way doesn't it?" you say, carrying on with the pots.

"Did you know about this?"

"She text me and asked yeah."

"And you didn't tell me?!"

"No because I knew you would act like this," you say, you try not to laugh, not to belittle his feelings, his fears, but a smile keeps creeping on to your face. "She's a smart kid, she's not gonna..."

"She's precious and some snot nosed dumbass boy shouldn't be allowed near her," he sputters out.

"Matt," you say. "She's fourteen. She doesn't even know what she likes yet! She's had loads of girls back and you don't care. What if she likes them?"

"I hope she is a lesbian," Matty says, huffing. "I know guys. I am guys!"

You wrap your arms around him and he leans into your touch.

"I don't like this," he whines, "I don't want her to grow up."

"I know honey but it's tough shit." You pat him on the back. "Go do something useful. You'll see them at dinner."

"Them?"

You whip him with the tea towel so he leaves you alone.

Matty immediately gets his phone out. He calls the only person he knows will understand.

"Yo," Ross says on the other end.

"Gigi has a boy round," he says.

"What?"

"A boy. There is a boy in her bedroom right now."

"Oh hell no!" Ross says, "What did your missus say?"

"She let him come round!"

"Ooooh no, I don't like this."

"Thank you!" Matty says. "She's fourteen. That's a baby!"

Dinner is an hour later. Matty hung up on Ross and went to help cut veggies. Gigi comes down, giggling, red faced, still in her uniform, the boy following behind. Her Mum is making a drink. Her Dad is at the table with...

Ross. Ross is at the head of it, beer in front of him, grinning at her.

"Hi!" he says, waving merrily at both of them, big grin plastered to his face.

"I didn't know you were coming," Gigi says.

"Ross, just popped round darling," Matty says.

"Popped round from the other side of the city?" Gigi says, one eyebrow raised. "Ryan this is..."

As she begins to introduce him the door goes.

"What did I miss?" a voice calls in.

"Hellooooo," another voice.

Then George and Charli appear. Charli has a bottle of wine and she puts it on the counter and kisses both of Gigi's pink cheeks. George ruffles her hair too make it messy on purpose and then sticks his tongue out at her when she groans.

"Ryan, this is most of my Dad's band. Hann not coming, Matty?" Gigi says.

"Cool!" Ryan says, "I love you guys."

Gigi stares at Matty. Daggers. She looks so cute. Like his little baby when he would tell her not to put her hands in the electric socket.

"I know what you're doing," she mouthes at him.

You were right, Matty thinks, she is a smart girl.

He winks at her. Then he gets his phone out and texts her under the table.

No one will ever love you like your Dad.

#ruins #ruins behind the scenes #dad!matty

[thoughtfullyrainynightmare]

Can u do a 💎 for each vermillion? Ik their not underrated but I still would want to hear some of ur thoughts.🙃

NO WORRIES!! I have a "free option" for both events, but I'm happy to ramble something about each of them! But let us file it under the Headcanon Event ^^

🦄 - Free space

In order of age if I'm not mistaken

Mereoleona:

Sometimes I really dislike how people make her into being just an "all anger and violence and bloodlust" when she's a much deeper character than that. And I am thankful for the movie to have showcased that, though it was rushed and but a large fight scene in a lot of other ways. At least it did Mereo justice in showing that she... has a heart.

She is a caring individual, who is a warrior, don't get me wrong, but she has a softer side too. And I think that a lot of her fierce nature comes from wanting to protect, and knowing that she is able to protect, those that are close to her.

She's not a fighter; someone who fights for the sake of a fight. She's a warrior; someone who fights for a cause.

Fuegoleon:

Similarly, I don't care for how sometimes it feels like a portion of the fandom makes Fue out to be... dumb. As in, sure, he's a serious guy who's not always in touch with the times, or the people, but... That doesn't make him stupid. Luckily the circles I'm in currently don't have this issue, but I've seen more than enough takes on how he's but a dumb doormat who'd forgive any wrong done onto him because he's weak like that. And that's partly why I feel like emphasizing that his ability to upkeep peace amongst the captains about the betrayal done onto him took incredible strength of character.

He is smart. He is capable. But he's serious and a bit of a prude (affectionate).

Kirsch:

He's more than "I'm pretty✨". In fact, I think that his need to emphasize his own beauty stems from insecurity. He doesn't feel like he'd ever add up to some standard that he has set for himself. A case of "pretend to be confident until you yourself believe it".

And I'd go as far as to say that it might play into him being the VC of the Peacocks. Maybe he feels overwhelmed by the position, but he still wants to do as good of a job as he can in it.

The man's more than just a pretty face.

Mimosa:

She's the only "not-mainly-attack" mage among the Vermillions, and it must be tough, because she's... a healer in a House full of Battle Mages. And it wouldn't be surprising if she has heard comments about how "poor Mimosa... she's not like the rest of her family". The thought came from this fic by @/wildflowerwoods.

She's not weak for being kind, for being a healer. Hell, a well versed healer is the next thing from a god at a field of battle, because once they run out of mana, they decide who gets to live and who dies.

Leopold:

He's not weak for not finding his learning method or fighting style as young as his siblings did. There are some people who don't learn to study until well into their adult years, and there's no re3why it'd be different with Leo. Even in BC Noelle took time to get control of her magic, and she uses a wand to better direct her spells. Sometimes you just need to find the right tool.

So, Leo isn't just "a precious baby in need of protection", he's a sweet guy with a heart of gold, who's a great warrior in the making. He's just got to figure out the right path, or the way to travel the path, for himself.

#mereoleona vermillion #fuegoleon vermillion #kirsch vermillion #mimosa vermillion #leopold vermillion #black clover headcanons 2023 #This... might be a bit rant-y #But it's my free space of thoughts! So I hope you like my ramblings ^^'

[toomuchracket]

more dad!matty for you for whenever you feel like it. I'm thinking about a very tiny, very smart 3 year old whos a carbon copy of her dad and one day after you finish work in the study, you go up to her room to find her holding an audience with all her stuffed toys. You stand behind the door and watch for a bit and baba's none the wiser because she's so engrossed. After a bit you realise what's happening, she's copying her dad. You've taken her to a few of his interviews before to show her the bts and also because she loves hanging out with her dad and her uncles. so now she's basically just imitating everything she's seen.

And you FT matty instantly, because maybe he's on tour at that point idk, and you shush him first and tell him to stay quiet while you point the camera at your daughter. and he absolutely cannot fucking handle the cuteness and he's trying so hard not to coo and squeal through the phone at her. and she's just babbling away to her toys and at one point she says a big word that none of you recognises and then she says it again at which point you clock that it's her trying to say "juxtaposition" but she's 3 and doesn't entirely know how to say it yet so you quietly tell matty what's happening and that's the point he loses it. and he's like "oh my precious girl, who's my smartest girl in the world. you are!!"

Baba obviously hears him and she comes running to you because she thinks her dad is home and he's just there through the phone like "can you say that for me again? can you say that word again?" 😭

baba 2, literally a matty clone!! you've picked her up from her half-day at nursery after WFH in the morning, and after you've both had a little bit of lunch you get her settled in her room with all her toys and a fruit shoot drink, before you head back to the study to just have a final glance over the legal report you finished earlier. and you go back up after maybe 30/45 mins to get her ready for a little walk before you both pick up her big sister from school, and as you reach the landing you can hear her chatting away to herself happily through the open door - when you get closer, you're able to pick out familiar words and phrases amidst the three-year-old rapid fire speech pattern, like "write a song about" and "wanted it to sound like", and you start smiling because you know what - or rather who - she's imitating. when you get closer and you can see her, you have to try so hard not to giggle; she's sat on her bed, talking to the teddy at the other end, with her protective headphones for shows on one ear and holding one of the microphones that plugs into your old xbox for singstar lmao, clearly doing an impression of matty from the radio interview he did last week that you all attended with him.

he and the guys are in new york for a couple of days, just finalising production on a new EP they're putting out in a few months, and it's maybe 9am for him so you figure he'll answer a facetime call - you duck into your bedroom quickly so baba doesn't hear, but you can still see her across the hall, and call matty. he picks up immediately like "hi sweetheart!", and you're like "hi my darling, just wanted to show you something, but you need to keep quiet!" and you dash back across the landing and flip the camera so he can see your daughter, still doing her interview bit. matty beams anyway at the sight of his littlest girl, his smile growing even more when he clocks what she's doing and saying; he actually has to clap a hand over his mouth to stop from cooing at how adorable she is, or cackling when she makes a confused facial expression that's just so him. and she goes a little bit quieter when she tries to say juxtaposition, because she's a little bit unsure of the pronunciation, and matty's like "what's she saying?" - you listen again and flip the camera around, grinning, like "juxtaposition", and matty cannot stop himself laughing a proper, full-belly laugh and going "oh, my baby!", so naturally seconds later your daughter appears in the doorway like "daddy?", headphones still half-on and her little face just lit up. you scoop her up so she can see matty, who's making little kissy noises and being like "were you pretending to be me? my clever girl, i am so proud of you, using all those big words! can you say juxtaposition for me again, precious girl?" - she nods and then says it like "just-a-position", and you and matty both cheer (because that's good for when you're literally three!!) while she snuggles into your neck giggling. and then she's like "miss you, daddy. home soon?", and matty does a sad little pout like "i miss you too baby, miss all of my girls. but i'll get home tomorrow night while you're asleep, so i'll see you in two mornings, alright?"; she nods again and then perks up to ask "will you have presents?", which makes you and matty laugh, and he's like "tell you what, i'll call you back once you and mummy have picked up your sister, and you can tell me what you want me to bring back from america. yeah?" and your daughter's like "deal" lmao <3

#mads answers asks #matty asks #fluff asks #dad!matty #moots <3

[kissesforsatoru]

Also for yandere platonic baji imagine if darling was hiding who she was talking to bc she knows that he finna react with either restricitng her even further like locking her away or just restricting the outfits she can wear or something like that. But then hearing through the grapevine via some random girls gossiping about his friend leaving with someone with glasses and a tan, and realising that she was with KISAKI. OF ALL THE MFS THAT SHE COULD'VE CHOSEN.

I know damn well this just send baji into a rage bc THE AUCADITY, even if she didn't know who she was the fact that she was falling with that STEVE URKEL looking mf is just mad. Ik of or a fact that baji either finna pull up on kisaki and rock his shit do fucking hard that he ends up in a hospital and just GLARING at darling when she tries to stop him. Then he drags her ass home and punishes her, and then after that he'd be even more overprotective of her.

OR he can get kazutora and chifuyu to stalk them too see what they're doing and then when it's time the 3 of them jump kisaki and run his fade in the most disrespectful way possible.

Honestly I just want baji to beat the breaks off of kisaki. And I'm a sucker for drama.

baji would get fuyu and tora to not only stalk you and kisaki for a while, but then he'd also have them help him later jump kisaki because no way is kisaki making it out of that situation alive. baji already hated kisaki, but to see him fucking around with you, his precious little friend? hell fucking no.

and you will be 100% unsuccessful in trying to stop any of them from beating up kisaki. baji will lock you up and keep you there until he's finished if you even try because he really doesn't want to hear you try and stand up for that asshole. besides, you asked for this. you went behind bajis back and started talking to a boy that he despises. what did you expect?

and when he is done with kisaki, trust that you will be dealt with accordingly. he's gonna sit you down for a nice long lecture about talking to random boys, and in the process, he's going to gaslight you. you gave him the perfect opening to gaslight you because he knows first-hand how dangerous kisaki is, so he can use that against you. "he just wants to use you" or "he almost had me killed? do you hate me so much that you want to date the guy that tried to kill me" and don't forget the classic "i'm just trying to potect you and this whole incident just proves that you need it."

if he's particularly mad, like if you end up kissing kisaki or somehow get into an official relationship with him, then he will even go so far as to threaten you if he has to, saying something like "if you don't fucking listen to me i'm going to give up eventually and you're going to get kidnapped or some shit, maybe worse. see if i fucking care after you keep rejecting my protection." of course he would never actually let that happen, but the threat is there and your dumbass self will fall for it since that seems to be something you're good at--falling for deception and lies like it's nothing.

#𓏲 msg received 𓂃 💌 #yandere #yandere thoughts #yandere tokyo revengers #yandere imagines #yandere tokrev #yandere baji #platonic yandere #implied kidnapping #tw kidnap mention

[freshie44]

Finale Celebration

@fictional-actors-bracket

A little final write-up for my precious Juza since I wrote that bit of fic at the beginning of the final poll, I might as well write something at the end of it as some kind of epilogue.

Juza fell to the stage, breathing hard. Their body felt sore it felt like they had just gone through an intense workout. They put everything into that performance, ignoring the scoreboard until they heard the buzzer.

"Damn, those Shadow Girls were no joke. They set such a high bar I'm not sure if I was able to clear it," Juza said through pants of exhaustion. They had one eye open as they checked the scoreboard. What, that can't be … The scoreboard showed that they won. They, they actually did it. They actually won …..

They heard footsteps rushing the stage, they knew it would be the Mankai Company rushing to congratulate them. However, they heard the voice of the shadow girls.

"Have you heard the news? Of a thespian unsure of even who they were that enter a struggling company in the hopes of following their dreams," said one.

"Yes, I have heard of them. Their skill grew but their self-doubt never went away. Now what will they do when presented with evidence that they are truly skilled in their art," asked the other.

"I would celebrate, I would screech to the heavens, maybe gorge myself on sweets. But we are not them now are we?"

"No, No, we will wish them well and continue our observing and see whether they continue to refuse what in front of them."

"Either way, congrats Juza," they both said before fading into the shadows again.

As they faded the Mankai boys made their way to them. Juza was in a stupor still as they felt people hug him from behind and by their sides. If they had to take a guess it was probably Kumon, Muku, Taichi, Sakuya, and Citron. They felt two strong arms pull them up. No doubt Tasuku and Omi with how easy they did it. They then came eye to eye with Sakyo his arm crossed with a smug but proud smile on his face. Banri was slightly behind him to his right giving a big smile not even pretending that he wasn't happy for his rival. Behind them stood Tenma, Azami, Yuki, Tsugumi, Itaru, Guy, and Azuma the more reserved member that wouldn't want to be part of the dogpile of the more excitable members. The others probably stood just behind them making sure those excitable members let Juza get their footing again.

"Hyodo, I want you to tell us and everyone who you are. Don't mince words we all want to hear it," said Sakyo.

Juza gulped, they knew the words but did they truly …. no, they promised Sakyo before the finals. They had to do this, no matter what the voice in their head said. They had literal undeniable proof. "I ….. a true thespian …. I'M A TRUE THESPIAN! I deserve to stand on this stage and say that I'm a talent to the craft!!!!"

There were smiles all around and they felt tears rolling down their face. They realized they had a huge smile on their face as well. They couldn't remember the last time that they smiled this hard. Not even after their first performance with Mankai. They had always controlled their emotion to the best of their ability. They knew they didn't have to with the others but some habits were harder to break than others. But today their true emotions wouldn't be hidden as they were brought into a group hug.

To say the others were a bit shocked to see for a second time today to see one of their most reserved and tough members crying at first would be an understatement but that smile. It was worth it, they knew that Juza wasn't one to show much emotion. But that pure unbridled smile. It was something they would protect and do their best to coax out again. As much as Juza was self-conscious of their look their smile was truly beautiful.

#a3 #a3! #a3! act addict actors #juza hyodo #fanfic #congratulations to everyone #thank you for hosting this tournament #I HC Juza as NB so that why I use they/them #just my writing quirk #even though I didn't do it on the first part #oh well

[lostfracturess]

OH MY GOD!!!! oh my god omgggg the new chapter is AMAZING 🤩 just read it and ran here so i am sorry it might turn out like incoherent mess i am kinda overwhelmed 😭 first of all, WHY IS HE SUCH A DUMMY??? i mean in ALL ways, we all know that he's a fuckboy (he totally was, but still tries to maintain this aura) but he's such a pathetic dork when it comes to y/n and he doesn't even try to hide it (he has my total respect for that), idk in my mind he's just one of these guys who will say you the most cheesy stuff and be so adorable and handsome at this time with his stupid blue eyes and a smirk 😮‍💨 not for everyone obviously, this stuff is reserved for a y/n😭 on a more serious note, WHY IS HE SUCH A DUMMY x2??? and this time i mean about pushing away a y/n, I can understand why he's doing that and it really hurts me, because he just try to push her away for her good before the things become way more serious (as if they weren't serious enough, yes satoru???) but they're so deep rooted in each other that it's impossible to do and senseless. but hooray, he did share his vulnerability and didn't hide it completely (the bathroom scene after the first hearing i mean), congratulations satoru we are heading towards the right way! though the thing that you did in that circus completely vanished your progress 😭 the moment when he left the mark on his arm and exchanged glances with suguru i knew something was off and he would do something stupid and i was like DON'T YOU FUCKING DARE YOU'RE A DUMMY 😭😭😭 but actually i knew he would take all the responsibility for their romance as you heavily implied it in his words throughout the chapters, so that was expected yet really fucking hurt me 😭 what i wasn't expecting for certain is the fucking sukuna in this fucking ethics committee, a stupid prick, why he had to ruin their lives like that 😭 hate his disgusting brainless persona with all my guts. also the thing between him and satoru that satoru didn't quite want to share...my guess is sukuna might know about the death of that patient that still haunts satoru (from your hcs) and tries to blackmail him somehow ??? sorry i don't remember whether it's known publicly or not, but this fucker certainly has something on satoru and I didn't like it 😫

i am afraid it came a little bit lengthy and Tumblr doesn't want to send it so i will send it in the parts 😭😭😭

first of all big big BIG thank you for your precious long message!! feel so blessed to have such engaged readers!!

so yeah, he is one big dummy not gonna lie. he's so stupid it hurts. like he’s SO bad with feelings and all that, that it's just painful to watch him suffer and struggle with it all the time but also so funny and at the same time you just want to slap him a few times in the face. 

but they're so deep rooted in each other that it's impossible to do and senseless.

yes yes yes, they are really one of a whole and separating them is futile, still satoru so dumb for not seeing that and pushing his girl away. but that’s really the only way he knows how to protect her atm. and he should seriously learn to control his impulsiveness, you're right!!

congratulations satoru we are heading towards the right way! though the thing that you did in that circus completely vanished your progress

it's always like one step forward and then two steps back with him ☠️☠️

sukuna is also like a real pain in the ass in the story and just likes to hurt people for fun… or maybe there’s more? we’ll see hehe. but i love reading your guesses!! 

also sorry for all the caused pain!!! i'll make it up??? i guess??? see you in part two! ♡

#symptoms and causes #inbox

[pardi-real]

Judgment by Fallen Angel / Chapter 6 - The Agony of a Doctor

Prev | All | Next 

Miyaji: " 'At that time, there was a territorial war between the Southern Land and the Eastern Land…'

'The doctor was on the battlefield as a military doctor.' "

……..

[Southern Land, Field Hospital]

Soldier: "Ugh… it hurts…"

Old military doctor: "This guy is a goner... Next!"

Miyaji: "Wait a minute.  If we do something, there's still a chance for him to survive."

Old military doctor: "Even if he survives, he won't be able to return as a soldier! Just leave him alone!"

Miyaji: "I refuse.  As a doctor, I can't leave a life that can still be saved."

Old military doctor: "Tch… You're as rebellious as ever. Suit yourself! But I'll report any violation of orders to our superiors."

Miyaji: "It's all right now. I will treat you."

Soldier: "Ugh...i-it hurts, so painful… …Please… just end it…"

Miyaji: "Stay strong. You can still live. What do you want to do when your wounds heal? Think about it...

Soldier: "Ugh... I want to go home.  I want to… return… to my hometown…"

Miyaji: "That's right. Never give up hope. I will save you, I promise.

Truth to be told, even that doctor thought there was only a small chance to save his life,…. But the patient's 'desire to live' won out.

He survived…

Six months later, he was able to return safely to his hometown. The following year, he sent a letter of thanks to the doctor.

He wrote: 'I returned home, married my sweetheart… and I have a son.' 'All this is thanks to you. I'm so happy to be alive.' "

Berrien: "Wonderful…! What a beautiful story.  No matter how hard things get... If we live, there will be good things.  We must protect this precious happiness. Isn't that right, Mr. Miyaji?"

Miyaji: "Yeah… That's right. …If only the story had ended here... I could honestly agree with you."

Berrien: "What? 'If only the story had ended here?' "

> "What do you mean?"

Fennesz: "Sorry, but… Are you saying there's more to this story...?"

Lato: "Ooh… I'd love to hear about it. Prof. Miyaji."

Miyaji: "Umm... Okay. After that… It was about a few decades later.

At that time, the doctor had moved to the Central Land due to business reasons... He passed by the hometown of the man he had saved.

So he decided to visit his house…"

Trudge… trudge…

[Southern Land, Desert Village]

Miyaji: "According to the letter, I think this is the address.... I don't see any sign of anyone inside the house... Should I knock on the door?

But… If I met him face to face, I might surprise him with the fact that my appearance hasn't changed.

I wonder what his life has been like since then... I'm fine with watching from afar though....

Hmm...?

There is an old man over there… He is sitting down… looks like he's praying.

Maybe that's his neighbor. Let's talk to him for a bit…"

Miyaji: "Um, excuse me…"

Old soldier: "Hmm...? Who is it...?"

Miyaji: "........! You are…" (I'm sure... it's him.... I see... He's already this old…)

Old soldier: "Huh...? Who was it? Sorry but my sight and hearing have worsened recently… Excuse me, but do I know you?"

Miyaji: "...No, I'm just a traveler passing by. Um… Is this the right road to the big city in the west?"

Old soldier: "Yes, that's correct. But it's still a long way to the city… I'm a lone old man, I can't do anything to help...  You can fetch water from the well if you like."

Miyaji: "Alone...? Well, sorry for asking... but what about your family?"

Old soldier: "Ah... them. They've been sleeping under here for decades…"

Miyaji: "......! There are… two graves…"

Old soldier: "Yeah. My wife and son... My son was sent off for war when he was young... Unlike me, he never came home.

A few years later, my grieving wife… followed in his footsteps… Why do I have to go through this?

If I knew I'd suffer like this… At that time, in that war… I was better off dead."

Miyaji: "......!"

Old soldier: "Oops–  I ended up confiding in you. Sorry…"

Miyaji: "No...  Likewise, I deeply apologize...."

Old soldier: "...Hm? Did you say something?"

Miyaji: " 'The doctor thought he had saved a life and gave him hope for the future…'

'But… in reality…' 'He only gave the patient an even longer painful despair…'

'Humanity has always been at war with itself… And shows no sign of stopping…' 'Is there really any value… in protecting humanity that keeps repeating tragedies after tragedies…'

Berrien: "M-Mr. Miyaji...?"

Prev | All | Next 

#akuneko #devil butler with black cat #aknk

[carnivoreofthesea]

in your swap AU; how does pike wizard/amber, slime wizard/goobert and most importantly (the precious and need to be protected) lonely wizard would look like ?

are they now grimora's pupils now or still with mags but they are now undead ?

HI OK IM SO EXCITED TO ANWSER THIS BECAUSE I AM SOOO SO NORMAL ABOUT IT HEHAHDJAKDJADJ!!!

THERES A LOTOF STUFF UNDER THE CUT

So with magmento (mags), I did originally plan to have his pupils be in the crypt but it was getting too long. They're grimmoras pupils traits, But they have His students names and a few key features.

Pike wizard -> Decapitated Scholar

"Do not pity me, It was all worth my while."

Being a mortician before she died, She had made new ways to cremate the dead and be preserved longer. However she ended up dying from a mixture of chemical poisoning after inhaling some of the ingredients used in said embalming and an unfortunate accident. Her skin had become more frail and she had restered her head on one of the spikes on her fence. Poor baby got impailed without even realising it :[. She hopes that she could use her body to make a less deadly way of preservation, To no avail yet. She looks pretty similar to normal Amber but instead of a helmet she wears a mourning veil! Also her little spike is a singular fence post that looks a lot more fancy. She has the same concept as Amber, Hurting herself to be more appreciated by her scrybe (although its more the concept of death she was trying to pay respects to) and still being in servitude when the player comes.

Goobert (my baby boy <3) -> Goo pile

"Please, Please! Arghhhh... Battle me! I'm promise I am more than just a gnarled mess!"

Died in a horrible accident, Something that contorted and squished him past being recognized. His death was more famous than the life he lived, So now he strives to be remembered for something other than his death! He's trying so hard, please just give him affection :[. a lil kissie on the head for always trying new things and working to be good at them! He looks pretty similar to goobert, if not more. Gross <3. I’M SORRY BUT HE WOULD BE NASTY… He would be a pile of just random sludge and liquids, if you’re lucky you could find bits of melted skin? Purrrhapes his ghostly body would piece itself together but even then he would look like a nasty little pile of grossness. I love you babay… but you are nasty.. I would still hold him though!! Just put the goofy goober in a jar again please.

Lonely wizard (ALSO MY BABAY!!) -> Loney Dominguez

"PLAY A GAME! PLEASE?! I need something to do!"

He was quite young when he died, Being a coma was terrible considering he was such a rambunctious kid! He couldnt see or hear or move, but he could feel his body and think. Even when he died, Magmento trapped him in his coffin out of fear. He's not good with kids... Especially ones that are 6 FEET TALL. That may have been related to his death but I haven't decided yet. Also think of just a huge coffin that's hidden away under the main room, the player finds it and he’s just like. “Oh yeah, that's the crazy kid, He bites. I think.” And then you just see the coffin violently shake and scream. He has normal anatomy and would just be a very VERY rotting body. Like yes, he has formed, just melty and turning into goop. Maybe a few bugs live with him so he isn’t as lonely… Also think it would be funny if he still had a hyper fixation about wizards out of spite. Let my baby like his wizards damnit.

James cobb -> James Hobbes

"Oh neat. A player, Let's do it."

A mellow player who died... How did he die? His tombstone says he drowned but he doesn't have any signs of it like the others do. In fact he might even tell you that it's fake. He won't tell you how he actually died but as long as it solves the puzzle who cares? He's probably the most normal guy you'll meet, Also is very tired. Like. let the guy nap. please. strangely modern. Uses slang and sometimes makes suggestive comments but he's a baby girl for that. He’s actually a fairly healthy corpse, Only slightly pale and occisonally goes stiff. His hands are deathly cold but at least his hair is still a bright red. Good for him! Good for him :].

GRIMETHS ARE SO SILLY PDSUIAUFHIUFHW MANIC LAUGHTER

James Cobb -> Kaycee Cobb

“Don’t you wonder what’ll happen? C’mon, I wanna find out.”

IM TALKING F. R. E. AY KAYYYY. SHE IS MY FAVORITE CAN YOU TELL BATTING MY EYELASHES SO MUCH WHEN I TALK ABOUT HER. ANyways she’s the sillayest wizard ever. She doesn’t take herself seriously and just straight up tells the player that she enjoys being stuck in there. Its literally her dream and she uses magic to fuck herself up. She can finally have gender goals of occasionally turb herself into whatever the fuck she wants! Don't like feeling of skin? SIMPLY BECOME A SKINLESS BEING FOR A LIL! god i love her sm… She definitely indulges in the whole wizard shit and has a whole over the top outfit. other than that still very greasy <3

Lonely wizard -> Royal Wizard (GOD I LOVE HIM)

“YARGGGG! WATCH ME SKILLS, YE LANDLUBBER!!”

Oh my god. Peek tism. Category five tism events. He's a pirate obsessed wizard who has a problem with summoning things. Specifically. a ford f150. vehicular manslaughter never ends. He's very confident in his skills and thinks he should be a head wizard or at the very least a card, However he can only do a few spells… God he’s so silly I love him. He's a low poly pirate that I’m thinking of making black. give mah boy some pirate dreads!!! Why? Because IT LOOKS COOL. Anyways he locked away in a ship in a bottle by Grimeth as a “final test”. He's never getting out.

Goobert -> Stinking mass

“Ohhhh… Yes… Perhaps I’ll cast a spell that will finally make me disappear..”

Oughhh… Gender dysophoria baby… I love you poor baby. Turned himself into a pile of… Something? Honestly he doesn't even know. His final test is to turn back, And he’s trying real hard! The thing is, It would probably be easier if he was going to transform into who originally was but he didn't like how liked he looked… He wants to transform into something better to prove himself to be better than how he looked. god my baby. i need to hold him.

Bone lord -> Eye.

Need I say more? Its a painted eye in a black room that speaks in fucking wing dings.

#inscryption #inscryption au #inscyption #inscryption swap au #swap au #au #alternate universe #oh my god i love them #ALSO ALREADY DRAWING BABAY GURL KAYCEES #I LOVE HWR SM #you dont understand #I LOVE HER #ALSO THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THE ASK!! #THIS WAS WONDERFUL ANON KISSING YOU!! #anon ask #anonymous #go submit asks!!! #ask #ask me anything

[arcplaysgames]

You know who I like? Yosuke. If only he wasn't also Yosuke, you know?

Like, when Yosuke is good, he's supremely fucking good!

Like its not even as simple as SLink Yosuke vs Main Scenario Yosuke, because as we get more distance away from the horrible fucking travesty of the spring camping trip, he's turning back into the pretty likeable dude. He's empathetic, he's mourning a girl who did not actually like him and trying to figure out how to handle it, he's driven by good emotions and not shitty emotions.

you get to hug him and he fucking cries for a while! that's some moving stuff!

Also, it's baffling he's not a romance option bc he sure as hell is written like one, lmao. I don't know if I have another full playthru of this game in me because my god its pacing is kind of a mess, but I am intrigued by the idea of modding in that romance and seeing it, because even if he's not Officially An Option, you cannot convince me Yosuke isn't in love with the MC and is just struggling to figure that out.

ANYWAY MY POINT IS WHERE HAS THIS GUY BEEN FOR THE PAST MONTH.

Circling back, a note about pacing: MAN this game's pacing is WEIRD and I am pretty sure I don't like it and am just tolerating it. Maybe it's because the way I personally play this game, knocking out the dungeon early and usually in one or two days, but the long periods of twiddling my thumbs after a dungeon completion is grating. It makes me want to rush through things to get to the next plot beat.

blah. At this point, I am trying to close out some SLinks so I can focus on others because this game literally has too fucking many.

Meanwhile, over in Yukiko's SLink, my god is she consistent. A new crew wanted to film the Amagi Inn to make a spooky show because of the murders, but they said no. Yukiko lowkey wishes they said yes so the inn would lose reputation and shut down and she'd be free to amscray without guilt.

Yukiko, I don't say this lightly, but what the hell. I full support you bailing on this destiny you didn't want or ask for, but wishing a historical institution of a small town would close forever just because you don't like the guilt is not great.

But also: remember her Shadow Self? The bird in a cage with an open door and no lock? Deep down, she's still struggling with this idea of wanting something else but not wanting to give up anything for it. It is still incredibly selfish! Which I love! This is some crunchy stuff! Huge fan.

I had to fucking google how to unlock this one but finally EMPEROR SOCIAL LINK: GET! Now, as you may suspect, I did initially make a fucking angry face at this. Emperor? For Kanji? Tell me you're using the Default Guy Card without telling me etc etc. My initial thought, I swear to god this is true and will be amusing in a moment, was "how the fuck is he an emperor without and empire to look after." Because the Emperor is very much about dominion over a place, about being in charge of taking care of it, so why tf would that be Kanji.

THEN LITERALLY

IN HIS FIRST FUCKING SLINK

One, love that the locals use 'chan' with him, that's precious. He is a hometown boy.

Two, the thing he's focused on is taking better care of the neighborhood. His presence causes trouble for everyone, especially his mother, and it's starting to eat at him. He wants to take better care of his community, particularly in the wake of these murders.

Which, to be clear: is tied into gangs pretty clearly. There's that whole argument that before corruption sets in and violence breaks out, gangs often start as a community's attempt to create protection for itself, to take care of people when the local government fails them.

Stewardship of the community from within the community is perhaps one of the most noble goals a person can have, and it's very Emperor. So, Kanji has work to do if he wants to take on that responsibility.

Doubly so because the next SLink for him, he tries to take Reverie home to meet his mom (aw) but we hear she's at the hospital. Kanji is panicked and thinks something bad had happened, but his mom is fine, she accompanied someone else to the hospital.

but Kanji is young and scared and lashes out because of it before running off.

Shocking no one, I like Kanji tremendously. I'll prob fill out Magician, Priestess, and Emperor p quick.

#p4 #persona liveblog

[lythea-creation]

Great Timing - Natasha Romanoff x fem reader (Chapter 1)

summary: Natasha and you are in a secret relationship. But everything seems to turn upside down when your ex best friend Layla suddenly appears in front of your door to seek your help.

warnings: mentions of abusive relationship/domestic violence, angst, violence in general, verbal sexual assault

word count: 2.882

Author's note: Feel free to check out my Masterlists and make requests. No reposting please! Reblogging, comments and requests are always appreciated <3 If you like the story/my writing, please don't be shy to say it via comments or asks! It takes you a few seconds and might make my day. It's the best appreciation you can show to a writer you like.

----------

(f/n)'s PoV

The ringing of the doorbell ripped me out of my sleepy state.

I lifted my head off of Natasha's shoulder to move to the door while she was following closely behind but out of sight.

She was on guard. It would be crazy not to be as it was almost 11 pm.

The apartment belonged to me and nobody except the team should know that Natasha was here. Attackers usually did not ring, but who would visit this late at night without saying anything?

Natasha hid while I opened the door. She would protect me without hesitation if anything happened.

“Hey”, Layla's soft voice resounded through the apartment and the empty hallway.

We had been best friends for years before she had ghosted me. Cut me off and disappeared without an explanation.

Now all of a sudden she was standing in front of my door, wearing an anxious and distraught expression … as well as a nasty bruise over her left cheek and right eye, accompanied by a split lip.

“Layla, what …?” The words got stuck in my throat. What did I even want to say?

“I'm sorry to invade like this but could we talk inside please?”, she requested.

I simply nodded and took a step aside for her to come in.

After closing the door I noticed that Natasha had retreated.

Apparently she had evaluated the situation and assumed that Layla was not a threat in any way. She knew that I would call her if I needed her.

Layla and I sat down on the couch where she spotted the two glasses Natasha and I had just been using. “Oh, do you have a girlfriend?” She seemed excited about the question. It was a stark contrast to her behavior before.

“Yeah, but it's not like it's any of your business anymore. What happened to your face?”

It hurt to talk to her after months of hearing nothing. But she had always been precious to me and hence I was worried about her injury.

“I'm sorry for bothering you … and for excluding you from my life after everything. But Joe forced me to … my boyfriend. I never told you about him. Actually when I started dating him, he manipulated me into staying away from you. He abused me … and today I finally found the courage to run away. I left as soon as he fell asleep.” Her voice was shaking.

Her story filled my entire being with shock, sadness and guilt. Maybe I could have helped her if I had tried harder and longer to stay in contact with her. But the rational side of my brain told me that it was not my fault.

“I'm so sorry, Layla. Of course you're welcome to stay. We will figure something out”, I promised her.

“Thanks. I didn't know where else to go. My parents and I aren't in touch anymore either. They were so mad at me. I can't even remember why. You were the only person I could think of to go to. I figured you wouldn't let me down. You never have”, she proposed.

I pulled Layla into a tight embrace before making her a hot chocolate.

“I need to talk to my girlfriend now. Just make yourself comfortable”, I declared and headed for my bedroom.

Natasha was sitting on the bed doing some paperwork. She immediately smiled at me.

Seeing her like that made me want to forget everything around and enjoy my time with her. But Layla needed me.

I sat down across from my girlfriend and explained her the situation.

“God … you know that I could tear that guy apart with ease, right?”, she noted.

How could she get me to smile in such a horrible situation?

“Yeah, but that's not our first option”, I shot back with a chuckle.

“You trust her, don't you? Enough to introduce me to her?”, she wondered.

I had not seen Layla for a while, but she had never given me a reason not to trust her. “She won't betray us”, I assured her.

Natasha nodded. “Okay.”

We returned to the living room together, holding hands.

“You're in a relationship with THE Black Widow?”, Layla exclaimed in awe. She had always been a superhero fan. We both had.

“Natasha is fine”, my girlfriend greeted her with a grin. “But you can't tell anyone about (f/n) and me, got it? I don't wanna put her in more danger than she already is.”

“Yeah, of course”, Layla agreed without hesitation.

Nat inched closer to Layla, letting go of my hand in the process. “Look. I've heard a lot about you in the past and (f/n) explained me why you ghosted her just now. I'm sorry for everything that happened to you and I want you to be safe and comfortable here. But if you ever hurt (f/n) like that again, I'll make sure that you'll regret it. Okay? … Great! Now we need to figure out the sleeping situation.” Her voice changed from dangerously low to happy.

The irony that she was overprotective and Joe abusive.

“We don't have a guest room”, I thought aloud.

“I could sleep over at the compound for a while”, Natasha suggested.

“What? No”, I whined and slung my arms around her neck. “You just returned from your long mission.”

“Don't worry about it. I will sleep on the couch. After everything it will be just fine”, Layla proclaimed. “I'm grateful that you even let me stay. I wouldn't have judged you for sending me away after the pain I caused you.”

I let go of my girlfriend to turn to Layla again. “I'm not holding that against you, Lay. How about I take care of your injuries and give you some comfortable clothes to wear?”

“That'd be great. Thank you”, she noted with a smile.

Suddenly I was pulled back into Natasha's arms by my waist. I could feel her breath against my neck. “Are you trying to make me jealous now?”, she whispered.

I was too busy trying to compose myself in front of Layla to answer.

“Nickname, taking care of injuries, borrowing clothes. You usually do that for me, remember?”, she added and squeezed my waist. Her teasing was a cruel payback.

I gave her a quick peck to the lips and pulled Layla to the bathroom with me shouting an apology at my girlfriend.

“You two really seem to come along well”, Layla remarked as soon as the door was closed.

“Yeah, I'm lucky”, I claimed with a bright, genuine smile while taking care of her split lip.

Layla winced from time to time but did not complain.

“Does Joe know that you left him? Did you write him a note or something?”, I inquired.

“No. I had to escape before he could notice that I wasn't laying next to him anymore”, she explained.

“I bet he's searching for you. You should stick to either Nat or me in the meantime for the case he finds you. I don't want you to be alone then.”

She nodded.

“Do you think about reporting him?”

A sigh left her lips. “I dunno. I can't proof what he did to me. He's rich and has a great reputation. I would most likely lose this case and only anger him further.”

“Just stay here for a while to give both of you space. Maybe something else will catch his attention if enough time passes”, I considered. “And don't worry about intruding. I'm happy that you're here.”

She flashed me a teary smile.

Over the next week a new sense of normality overcame us.

We had bought some clothes and other essentials for Layla and reassured her that it was a gift. She had nothing right now and Natasha and I had decided to help her.

It was great to catch up with Layla after all this time, telling us what the other had missed.

Today I had a day off. So Layla and I had decided to seize the time.

After our trip to the beach we were now cooking dinner.

Natasha was joining her teammates for a movie night.

“I really missed your dinner parties”, I confessed while cutting some vegetables.

“Maybe you wouldn't have missed them so much if you had cooked more often yourself”, she teased me with a chuckle.

“Hey! I do cook for myself! I'm just not a chef like you. And when Nat is home we usually don't cook because it's a waste of our precious time”, I enlightened her.

“Honestly she's around more than I thought. I mean … considering that she's a superhero”, Layla stated.

“She isn't taking any long missions on purpose right now because ...” The ringing of the doorbell interrupted me.

I turned off the stove and pushed Layla toward my bedroom handing her my phone and locking her inside. The key was quickly hid behind a photo frame.

Then I opened the front door to an unfamiliar man. “Good evening. You're (f/n) (l/n), right? I'm Joe, Layla's boyfriend. She told me a lot about you. Is she here?”

“Layla? Sorry, but I don't get why you're here. If she told you about me you should know that she ghosted me over a year ago”, I replied bluntly.

“Well … we had a fight and then she left without talking to me. She's been gone for a week now and I'm worried. She doesn't answer any of my texts or calls. You're the only one I could think of she would turn to.” He sounded desperate and concerned, like the perfect boyfriend. “I wanted to give her some time and space hoping that she just needed to cool off. But now I can't wait anymore.”

“I'm sorry to hear that. I hope that she's doing okay, but honestly it's none of my business anymore”, I claimed.

“Oh (f/n) … I really hoped you'd be more cooperative”, he suddenly uttered with a sigh. His tone had completely changed from friendly and worried to disappointed and cold.

He took out his phone and showed me several pictures of Layla and me at different places. The last one being of us at the beach today. He had stalked us this whole time and we had not noticed.

A heavy feeling settled inside my stomach.

Joe pushed himself into the apartment and closed the door behind him.

He casually leaned against the door. “So where is Layla? No use in lying to me, sweetheart.”

His words made me feel sick.

When I stayed silent he attempted to search for her, but I blocked his way.

“You don't want me to hurt you, do you?”, he questioned.

I gulped and yet did not move. More than ever I wished that Natasha was home.

Joe's fist collided with my cheek. The punch was strong enough to send me to the ground.

A metallic taste had settled inside my mouth and the teary eyes did not exactly help with my loss of orientation.

I stood back up and pretended to try to punch him. Instead I kneed him in the balls sending him to the ground with a pained groan.

Natasha had shown me a lot of tricks if I ever needed to defend myself, especially from men. New York was not the safest city after all. But they had one downside. The actual goal of those techniques was to give me a chance to escape.

Unfortunately I could not consider escaping when Layla was counting on me. We had to trust each other.

“I'm not letting you to her. Not after I saw what you did to her”, I announced.

“You have no idea what you're talking about”, Joe growled.

“I don't? I saw the bruises … how she flinched whenever I moved too suddenly. There's no excuse for abusing another person, especially the one you claim to love”, I shot back.

“So what? She deserved it. I was just teaching her how to be a proper girlfriend. She should be grateful”, he hissed.

“You hurt her because you're insecure. You hurt me because you can't stand it that I'm daring to deny your wishes. You're just an arrogant, insecure, pathetic abuser”, I insulted him.

Provoking him might not have been the best idea for myself, but at least it distracted him from Layla … and bought me some time.

The air was ripped from my lungs when he punched me in the stomach. I heard my ribs cracking as he continued kicking me.

Everything around me was a blur.

Joe pulled me up by my hair and looked me straight in the eyes.

I could not see him properly due to the tears. Yet I gave my best to appear confident.

“You're so full of yourself. Did you seriously think you could stand a chance in a fight against me? Your looks don't help you with that, sweetheart.”

His cocky grin was pissing me off.

“Stop calling me that”, I growled lowly.

“Oh, come on. You're hot and feisty. That's a real turn on. Of course I had to keep my girlfriend away from your tempting gay body.”

“Layla is straight and I have a girlfriend”, I spat out. It was still hard to breathe.

“I bet your girlfriend is hot as well. The thought of a threesome with Layla and you was great enough but she could always join us.”

The urge to throw up overpowered me at the mere imagination of that.

“Layla and I already had to keep her from going after you for hurting Layla. What do you think would she do to you if she had heard what you just said?”, I alluded.

“So she's the dominant type? I bet you two have a lot of fun ...”

“And I bet you can't get anyone to touch you at all and that's why you need to threaten and hurt Layla into doing it.”

My scream echoed through the apartment as pain exploded in my left shoulder.

“You should choose your words more wisely”, Joe suggested while enveloping my throat in a tight grip. If breathing had been hard before it was feeling impossible now.

“You will regret mocking me”, he threatened me before sinking to the ground with a blood curdling scream.

Natasha had broken his arm with a swift kick and caught me before I could drop to the ground.

“Finally.” I let out a sigh of relief and closed my eyes.

“I'm sorry that I took so long, love”, she whispered and caressed my cheek gently.

“Take him away, guys”, she addressed Tony and Steve who had been waiting outside.

Tony bombarded Joe with sarcastic comments and jokes on the way outside making the latter furious.

“You're going to regret this! I will ruin your reputation”, Joe declared.

“Oh, we will take good care of you. You should be grateful that we don't let Natasha deal with you after you beat up her girlfriend”, Steve shut him down. “Your broken arm was nothing, trust me.”

“We should let Layla out. I locked her in, just like we planned”, I reminded Natasha. “You can take care of me afterwards.”

She knew that she could not convince me otherwise and therefore put me down gingerly before setting Layla free.

Layla immediately hurried toward me and gasped at my state. “Oh god. I'm so sorry”, she whispered.

“Lay, I'm fine. Nat was here just on time thanks to your call”, I reassured her. “And now we have the proof we needed”, I added with a victorious grin as I pointed to the security camera we had installed a few days ago exactly for this case.

Natasha knelt down next to me and stroke my hair.

“Your techniques would have saved me if I could have run”, I let her know which earned me a soft smile from her. “And your psychological tricks worked even better. He felt superior and therefore acted just like I wanted him to.”

“You told us you just wanted him to confess if he ever showed up”, Layla recalled.

“Yeah, but now his confession is way more convincing”, I remarked with a grin. “You two would have never agreed if I had told you the whole plan. As if you would let me get hurt on purpose.”

“You're lucky that you're already injured and that I love you. Otherwise I wouldn't let you off the hook so easily”, Natasha claimed.

For a moment I felt guilty. That Natasha was putting her feelings for me into words, right in front of Layla, showed me how upset she was.

“Now let's get you to the compound”, she decided and cradled me in her arms.

“You know that I can still walk, right?”, I questioned with a painful chuckle.

Despite my slight protest I actually enjoyed her closeness. The feeling of safety only she could provide.

Next Chapter

#marvel #natasha romanoff x fem reader #lgbtqia + #angst #abuse #abusive relationship #domestic violence #protective Natasha #own character #ghosting #romance #hurt/comfort #black widow #tony stark #steve rogers #avengers

[onelastmonth]

Fuck no, I won't tell Jack. It's your business.

Roger? They said it's okay, long as i dont tell Jack. - 📻

"I... Alright. Alright, yeah. I'll tell you.

It's... really, just thinking of it is something I don't like doing much. Thinking of The Factory as a whole is something I don't like doing much, actually. Abel is his own thing.

( everything will be under the cut! this is a long post :3 )

Th-the first thing, the first major thing, as far as I know, came right when they and 14_02 first entered The Factory to get their jobs. 14_02 was assigned his first location, and Harry was never technically given a spot in The Factory, just told to stay. But one thing to know about Abel; he's a jealous man. I heard him talking about how he would personally destroy 14_02 for 'replacing' him, heard him order that he not be turned off, but rather dragged through The Factory kicking and begging, heard him reminiscing on it all with a certain joy that I can't pretend he gave half a shit that 14_02 was Harry's only living 'family'.

Now, the rumours that had spread said that the way Abel spoke to the two of them was wildly different. He spoke to Harry like a precious thing, to be kept and protected, while 14_02 was the dirt under his boot, if even that. He had taken Harry's cane, and without even moving far enough for them to be unable to hear, hit 14_02 with it. Multiple times, as far as I know, destroying some cameras and damaging others, and that was the first thing that introduced Harry into his new life under Abel.

Then, there were... countless times where Harry would disappear for a few days. Bets would spread on if Abel finally went too far and killed him or if he's just resting. He always came back, of course, but each time he ended up coming back a bit different. A little less enthusiastic, a bit more scared, cutting off anyone he may have been starting to get close with, even something physical, not a recode. Maybe his back would be a bit straighter, or his walk a bit more robotic.

There was intentional short circuiting, that was late. After I got there was when Abel started to do that. Harry had a short-lasted stage where he tried to go against what Abel said, and it wasn't uncommon to hear him screaming from the back areas. I... Abel made a lot of us gen threes watch what he did to them, actually, to scare us into listening.

We would be sat down, behind glass or tied to our seats, and unable to move. Forced to watch Abel open up the back of Harrys head, dig around among the oil and wires until he found what he wanted. Stick the opening underwater, or some other sickening torture method, and then he excused it all as just teaching us what would happen if we disobeyed. Not once did I see or hear of him do any of that to a gen three. It was just for him to get some horrible joy out of.

There were the weeks on end where Harry would be put into the warehouses to move boxes without his cane. It didn't matter if they physically couldn't move, Abel expected something from them. We all knew, though, that we couldn't reasonably ask for them to do their share of the work, and we'd fill it out anyways. The one time the person filling out the sheets didn't list Harry as having done anything, he disappeared for a few days again, and came back not talking to anyone.

I'm not even sure they really came back from that one for a month. Hell, maybe a few months, they would just... stare. They were there but they weren't there, if that makes sense. I... fuck, I can't even tell you what he did to them when it was just them two in his office, but that crack in his head wasn't the only thing he went down to repairs for. His file lists... far too many severe injuries for it to be coincidental.

Then there was... the experimentation. The resets, the beta code, the new models for internal mechanisms, most of that was done by Harry's hands. Abel would never let himself do the dirty work, so he had Harry do it all for him. He made them reset phone guys, over and over, until they were wrong, and then just sent them back out into The Factory.

I can't tell you all of the tests, but Harry told me about the resets, at least. It's horrible, it's disgusting to think about. I don't know how they can live with all of that burnt into their mind. I would've gone mad long ago.

It... It makes it so much worse that they still try to see good in him. They still want to convince themself that Abel was a good man. Half the time they almost seem directly adverse to agknowledging he was bad. He'll brush off what he did to them as punishment, because that's what he convinced them it was.

It's all fucking disgusting. Abel is dead and after burning all the machinery inside him we dug him a shallow grave, because he deserved nothing more than to be dug up by animals and eaten so that if nothing else, what was left of his humanity could do some semblance of good."

[aajjks]

Y/n looks at her father and says “I want to be with you guys, I mean he told you guys to take care of me. I want you guys back in my life.” She pauses not sure if she could tell them the dreams so she goes ahead and spills the beans “Father, please listen, I am not being forced but he has isolated me. He has killed Johnathan in front of me to teach me a lesson. He… he needs help that I can’t give him. I want to help him but at what cost? My life?! My family?! I can’t afford to loose you guys, sometimes I can’t take it and all I want to do is run away from it all.” Then the tears start to fall and and her father saw the frustration and he just shut up and listened to her rant.

She then looks at him and says “ Y/N sunbaenim visited me frequently in dreams, she showed what happened to her slowly and it started to build up to the point that she let me in herself. It’s weird but in her perspective as if I was her. It felt so weird, it was like I was her for a moment and that is when the dream became the nightmare.”

The doctor was about to come in but he heard her talking to someone so he opens the door a bit to see who she is talking to. It is an older man presumably her father. Dongmin sighs then he hears her explain the dreams and he was shocked.

Meanwhile Mrs. Choi was looking at Jungwon and asks “What else do you know about Jungkook? He asked your father and I her hand in marriage… and we asked if he was harming her and he said no. So do you know anything about Mr. Jeon.”

Jungwon looks at his mother and tells them again what he saw and hear from his office. There were times he snuck around because he was worried for his sister because Mr. Jeon talks about her like he already knows her or that she came back to him. Something weird and how he had pictures in his school office room.

Mrs. Choi burst into tears and hugs Jungwon and said “You were right to tell us but we thought you were seeing things. You even recorded him but we still didn’t believe you. We even grounded you for that.. oh my goodness I am such an idiot, but still you don’t need to be snooping around but this time I will let it slide because you did it for us.” She shook her head and was about to say something until her husband walks out and Jungwon pointed out that he looked dead.

In the meantime Jungkook was doing something with Jimin and Taehyung. Namjoon, seokjin, Yoongi, and Hoseok we’re working at their jobs.

-✨

“ I couldn’t do it, protect her, maybe the one she needs protection from is me but I just can’t let her go. I love her I don’t have it in me to let her go…” he confesses to his friends, who just listen to him, without speaking a word

Taehyung glares at the youngest man and the other one just exhales “ Look you’ve obviously got issues and she’s too young to deal with someone like you.” He doesn’t hesitate and tells his friend the truth.

“ Look you need to understand that if you want her you have to go about it in a normal way and not for her or isolate her or just not let her see her family you know that’s gonna fuck her up and you’re gonna lose her just like you lost your wife.” Taehyung bites his tongue as he spits those words out and it takes both of the guys by surprise, but the blonde man agrees with his friend.

And Jungkook gasps. “ you are way too mean but I guess that is the truth. I don’t want to lose her and I know that she’ll never cheat on me… she’s too precious you’re right I’m gonna take this and I’m gonna make her love me-well make her fall in love with me that’s what I meant..”

Jimin and Taehyung exchange looks with one another because they obviously don’t trust the youngest one. He’s always been unpredictable and a great liar.

“ should we go back?”

#ask: bunny!koo