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lovebeinaprincessworld · 1 year

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Rough passion - Four

(Felix Volturi x reader)

Masterlist

Parts: 1 2 3 4 5

Another part of this slowly updating series, but as I said before they all have a happy ending so it can be read without all parts being finished!

Description: Felix and you finally try.

Warnings: smut, p in v, fingering, oral (f receiving), cum, bruises and broken beds

3788 words

It had only been a few hours after you two got “married” and you were kind of worked up now, thinking about that this could possibly mean he decided to try and have sex with you. But he hadn’t said anything yet, and you weren’t sure how to bring it up. You were laying on the couch again, some movie playing in the background, but you were just playing with your fingers mindlessly.

“Felix”, you finally got your throat to start working with you, having worked up the courage over the last hour or so. “Mhm”, he hummed, his hand on your waist encouragingly squeezing a little. “Remember like a month ago?”, you were talking like an idiot, how was he supposed to know what you meant. “You have to be a little more specific than that mia cara”, he chuckled and kissed your temple with his cold lips.

“I mean…uhm…when you said we would try…and now that we’re technically married…”, you let the rest of the sentence hang in the air, but going by the smirk on your mates face, he knew what you meant. “Try what?”, he feigned innocence and hummed when you blushed. “Don’t be mean!”, you whined, averting you gaze from his fiery one.

“Sorry love, I just love to see you blush”, he smiled and pulled you a little closer, your body not being able to do anything but relent. “We will try, but before that I will need to hunt tomorrow”, he explained and took your cheek into his hand softly, pulling your still blushing face towards him. The way he smiled down at you already made you want to rub your legs together, but you kept yourself from doing it. You didn’t want to come across as that desperate.

“So tomorrow evening?”, you mumbled, his lips already closing in on yours. He just nodded before sealing your lips with a kiss.

————————

Felix had left early, he told you he needed to hunt a few towns over to not rouse suspicion and it would take him until it was dark to come back. He wanted to make sure he drank enough, trying to do everything to make this easier. You were actually glad for the time so you could eat breakfast in peace and then right after lunch, you started to get ready.

That included showering, shaving (really neatly too, he could probably see and feel everything and you wouldn’t feel comfortable - eventhough he probably wouldn’t care if you would’t shave as it was a relatively modern concept), brushing your teeth, light makeup, moisturizing and styling your hair and then picking out your prettiest underwear. You made sure not to use anything heavily scented as he didn’t like when he couldn’t smell you.

You were still in the bathroom, a short dress thrown over your lingerie and brushing your hair one last time, when there was gust of wind and suddenly a large presence draped its arms around you from behind. You shrieked, your brush falling into the sink with a clatter and you heartrate was through the roof. “Felix!”, you scolded him, but when he littered kisses all over your neck you were struggling to remember why you even were angry.

“Sorry my love”, he mumbled against your neck, and he could hear your heartbeat calm down a little. “You look so pretty amore mio”, he was really looking forward to trying and seeing how you dolled yourself up had him hard in seconds. He had fed more than needed, just to make sure his thirst was down as much as possible, so he could concentrate on ruling in his strength and not both his strength and his thirst.

You met his eyes in the mirror, and the next second you were on your back on the spacious canopy bed with your muscly mate on top of you. “I told you we would try, but I can’t promise you anything”, Felix looked down at you with his bright red eyes, and you should’ve felt scared with such a dangerous predator on top of you, but it only made your small panties wet. “I know, let’s just try okay?”, you smiled gently and your hands found their way behind his neck.

He nodded and his lips feverishly pressed onto yours, cold but still pleasant and when his tongue softly slipped inside your mouth, you sighed happily, the thought of finally being so close to him making you rub your legs together. Since you were already wearing so little clothes, you started unbuttoning his shirt, glad that he wasn’t wearing anything else underneath. He shook it off once it was open and purred lowly when your small hands started to roam his perfectly sculpted chest and abs.

God, he already had trouble keeping his cool when he felt your warm hands on his body. You were so much smaller than him, and on one hand it turned him on unbelievably but on the other he was scared of hurting you. So he pulled back from the kiss and took a deep unnecessary breath before taking in your slightly panting and disheveled form. You looked like an angel, and his hands seemed to have a mind of their own, wandering up your thighs and waist and pushing your dress up in the process.

You could see his pupils blowing the moment your dress was high enough to show your panties, the lingerie making the tall male speechless and you giggled a little. “Fuck”, he mumbled, completely disregarding your amusement and hastily pulling of the whole dress, throwing it whereever.

His hands were gripping the mattress next to your body so hard he could feel the fabric give in, but the lingerie you decided to wear distracted him so he didn’t really care. This bed would be broken by the end of the night anyway. “Do you like it?”, you were blushing under his intense stare, and he could have cum in his pants at the innocent look you gave him. “Do I…love, you have no idea”, he chuckled, his gaze taking on a more predatory way.

His lips were on your neck in a second, sucking and kissing all the way down to your breasts that were perfectly pushed up by your bra. “All mine, my mate”, he growled against your hot skin, his coldness a stimulating contrast and his possessive words made the slick between your legs grow. His big hand snuck behind your arched back and your bra was gone just as fast as his mouth was on your nipple. You gasped at his sudden and speedy moves, your body reacting violently to your mate claiming you.

He switched to your other nipple, your hand gripping his hair which elicited a groan from him that vibrates against your skin, a shiver running through your whole body. “I’m way more undressed than you”, you panted, he was still wearing his black dress pants and you wanted them off. He didn’t seem to hear you so you pushed at his head with a whine, and he pulled back with a growl, making you shrink a little.

But your instincts seemed to find that primal possessive behaviour hot, and when you got even wetter you could see him inhale and close his eyes in pleasure. “Mia cara you smell so good, can’t wait to bury myself in your tight little pussy”, he looked feral, and you choked on your breath at the dirty words leaving his mouth.

“Please”, was all you could whimper, and he tried to distract himself from pouncing on you by getting rid of his pants like you asked him to. He could see the small wet patch on your panties from where he was kneeling between your legs and he shuffled down so he was laying between them, his face near your pussy. “Can I?”, he was practically vibrating with the need to satisfy his mate, and he couldn’t wait to taste you.

“Yes, yes please”, you were breathless, and his patience was thin, so he ripped the skimpy panties and threw them away, his eyes curiously glancing at your shaved pussy. His fingers glided over the soft skin in wonder. “Did you shave?”, he asked, the neediness slightly dimming down in favor of his curiosity. “Yes, yes it’s a modern thing”, you were growing needy and he snapped out of it when you opened your legs further, your pussy opening up for him and he growled.

He didn’t waste a second, his lips on you before you could even be self conscious about him seeing you like this for the first time. His tongue was cold like the rest of his body, and the feeling of the icy wet muscle sliding against your most sensitive part was making you moan loudly, you were glad there weren’t any neighbors. Your reaction had him gripping your thighs and pulling you even closer to his mouth, not having the need to breathe made him feel like he could just stay between your legs forever.

He was circling your clit with his tongue, the familiar warmth building inside your belly, but never before had it felt this good and this intense - not when you had done it yourself and especially not when previous boyfriends had touched you clumsily. He started sucking on your clit making you twitch slightly and when he took one hand of your thigh and pushed his cold digits into your slick and hot pussy you were a whimpering and moaning mess.

His hand on your thigh was gripping so tightly that you were sure there was going to be a handprint tomorrow, but you didn’t dare complain, he would most certainly stop if you did. His fingers thrusted inside of you relentlessly, curling every now and then and hitting that one spongey spot inside of you and the coil inside of you was on the verge of snapping.

“F-Felix I’m going to-“, you stuttered between harsh breaths and moans and when he growled against you and when you looked down to see that tall and strong man between your legs, his eyes looking up at you completely blacked out, you were pushed over the edge, a sharp cry leaving your mouth and you were clenching around him, your release drenching his fingers.

He was helping you through your high, completely feral and focused on your taste on his tongue, surprisingly the thirst wasn’t bothering him at all, but it was getting harder and harder to rule in his strength. When you were twitching around his fingers, your tight pussy still squeezing him, you whined from the overstimulation and pushed at his head, making him finally pull his fingers out and sit back on his knees.

The sight of his muscles moving underneath his porcelain skin while he was licking his fingers clean, got you all worked up again. What did you do right to have this perfect man about to fuck you. “Please babe, need you”, you were still panting slightly, but some primal instinct was begging to be filled by him and you couldn’t wait anymore.

His eyes widened at your words, his underwear gone in half a second and your eyes were widening slightly at his cock. He was caging you in with his arms and the veiny long dick was rubbing his precum on your lower stomach, it was cold too and the feeling was weirdly erotic. You anticipated him being big, but now that you saw him you were a little worried about it fitting.

Your hands reached out to touch him, but you heard fabric tearing were his hand was gripping the pillow tightly and his other hand shot out to stop yours. He took a deep breath, his eyes almost black now. “If you touch me now, I won’t be able to be gentle mia cara”, his jaw was flexing and he realeased the tight grip he had on your wrist, surely that would be another bruise. Somehow the idea of his marks all over your body made you clench around nothing.

You just nodded in response to his previous statement and instead cupped his cheek gently, pulling him down to kiss him slowly, hoping to calm him down a little. Felix appreciated the kiss, he knew he needed to take a moment before attempting to fuck you, his instincts were on the verge of taking over, the need to fill up his mate nearly forcing him to mount you right away.

When you needed to breathe he pulled back, his eyes softer now, and he pressed his forehead to yours. “You ready?”, he kissed your nose and you had to smile, your hands gripping his large biceps and holding on. “Yeah”, you confirmed and then you felt the head of his cock slipping between your folds, one of his hands gripping your thigh and pulling it up around his waist, the other leg following automatically.

When his dick caught your still sensitive clit your breath hitched, but the he slipped the head inside of you, and his coldness almost immediately soothes the slight sting his size caused in your virgin pussy. That was convenient, you thought in the back of your mind. Both your and his eyes were screwed shut, just taking in the feeling of him slipping deeper inside of you, splitting you open. When his heavy balls finally rested against your ass and he bottomed out, you realeased a breath you didn’t know you were holding. God, this felt so so good.

Felix on the other hand felt like he was going insane, your pussy was so hot around him, sucking him in and squeezing him like a vice. He gripped the headboard, but his hand went right through and it landed on the stone wall behind the bed instead, wood and a bit of stone tumbling to the floor. You gasped, your eyes opening and taking in the vampire on top and inside of you.

You pulled his head down into your neck, and held it there, stroking his hair softly to ground him. “Sorry”, he mumbled against your jaw, his lips brushing against it, making you clench around him. He groaned and you winced. “Sorry”, you repeated him, the irony not lost on both of you and you chuckled.

He braced himself on top of you again after a few more moments, basically mounting you more securely, and you laced your hands behind his neck. His first thrust was tentatively, but your breathless whimper seemed to encourage him, and so he picked up his pace, thrusting into you fast (for your standards - slow for his).

Felix couldn’t believe he went without this perfect pussy for over two millennia, he couldn’t even imagine living without you again, the thought alone making his hips snap harder into you, a gasp leaving your mouth when he brushed your cervix. “Fuck, you’re mine, aren’t you love?”, he growled above you and you nodded desperately. “Say it!”, he barked, lost in his pleasure, and you whimpered quietly.

“I’m yours, I’m yours!”, you sobbed, he adjusted his position and your eyes almost rolled back when he slipped even deeper inside of you, his head catching onto that one spot with every thrust. And damn his thrusts were fast, you were so going to be limping tomorrow.

He was losing it, he could feel you approach your high and he was close to, his control slipping with every thrust. He grabbed onto the post of the bed to ground himself in the moment, but he couldn’t rule in his strength in that movement and the wood splintered, the pole tumbling down to the floor with a loud crash but he didn’t even acknowledge it, his hand just gripping the mattress instead that immediately ripped.

You were too lost in your pleasure to really realize the bed slowly falling to your mates mercy, his body shielding your from any debris. You were so close, his balls slapping against your ass with every thrust, drenched in a mix of your slick and his precum. Felix sensed you needed a little push to cum, and his hand snuck between you, circling your clit roughly, his cock relentlessly abusing your cunt. “Cum for me amore mio, cum for your mate”, he growled, a desperate moan leaving your mouth and after few more thrusts you reached your high, clenching around him and cumming with a sob.

The feeling of you convulsing around him so violently, sucking him in desperately made him snap too, a few more harsh thrusts and he buried himself as deep as you would take him, his balls tightening and his cum spilling deep inside of you. Neither of you noticed the bed giving in underneath you from his harsh thrusts, the mattresses right corner now on the floor.

You were still riding out your high and his cold seed flooding your pussy prolonged it significantly. You were surprised he could spill into you at all, but it felt too good to be claimed by this strong man to question anything.

When you two finally stilled, you were panting and your face felt incredibly flushed, but the vampire on top of you buried his face in your neck and was still. He obviously wasn’t out of breath. Your breath evened out after a minute and your hands started stroking his hair softly, making him basically purr. “Did I hurt you?”, he mumbled and you rolled your eyes with a smile. “No, No you didn’t”, you said with a satisfied smile on your lips.

“I love you”, his deep voice against your neck made you clench around him once more, another groan leaving his lips at that. “I love you”, you whispered and sighed contently.

————————

You had fallen asleep almost instantly from the exhaustion, only barely noticing Felix pulling out and cleaning you up. The fireplace had already been burning low then, so neither of you saw the extent of the bruises that started to cover your body. But damn we’re you glad Felix seemed to be outside when you woke up, because when you sat up, the sheet falling off of you, there were fingertipshaped bruises on your arms. And you knew if he had seen them, he would have felt so guilty and probably horrified he ‘hurt’ you.

So you rushed into the bathroom (and almost fell because of your wobbly legs) with the sheet wrapped around you and new clothes in hand before he could see anything. You took a shower before throwing on your clothes, the cardigan covering your arms and your pants covering the bruises on your legs and waist. This should work, at least if he didn’t want to fuck you again, then you’d have to turn of the light and pray his enhanced sight didn’t pick it up.

You two had been spending your day in the snow outside and curled up infront of the fireplace, but it was getting late and as you were yawning for the tenth time already, Felix chuckled and picked you up. “Let’s get you to bed”, he smirked and you didn’t complain, you were half asleep in his arms, an agreeing hum leaving your lips.

The bedroom was dark and he sat you down on the edge of the now fixed up bed, speeding to the dresser and back and handing you your pajamas. Your brain was running on low energy, so you’d blame what happened next on that. You stood up yawning, pulling your cardigan and shirt off, and your pants and socks came off next. You were about to unclasp your bra to put the pajama top on, when you felt the atmosphere shift so violently that you were shaken out of your half sleep.

When your eyes were fully open, they immediately zoned in on the bruises on your skin and then snapped up to the terrified look on your mates face. Shit, if you could see them, he could see them even clearer. “Felix”, you reached out for him, trying to comfort him but he pulled back quickly, his body rigid and frozen.

“I am so sorry (Y/N)”, he whispered and you almost didn’t hear him, but the heartbroken look on his face made you panic. This was bad. “Don’t be, please its not that bad!”, you tried to diffuse the situation, but he scoffed angrily. “Not that bad? Not that bad! There are bruises all over your body, god I should’ve never even tried to-“, he was rambling furiously and his muscles were flexing underneath his shirt.

“Felix please”, you tried again, quickly pulling your pajamas on before stepping towards him. “-even attempted this, I knew I’m too strong, I can’t believe I hurt you I-“, he didn’t even listen to you and you decided to take more drastic measures. “FELIX!”, you shouted, your loud voice breaking through his guilt and anger and he shut up immediately. Never before had you raised your voice in his presence, you were always the calm and gentle center in his world.

“Sit”, you basically ordered and sat down on the mattress yourself. You were kind of surprised that the giant and agitated vampire actually did what you told him to, but you guessed it was the shock. He sat next to you, careful to keep some distance between you two. You had none of that, taking his cold hands into yours and scooting closer, a serious look on your face.

“I want you to listen to me carefully okay?”, you were talking softly, trying to catch his eyes but he was looking at your hands instead, so you sighed quietly. “Felix, these are only a few bruises, even sex between humans results in bruises if they’re rough. You trust me don’t you?”, you asked, and finally he met your eyes, his red ones still full of guilt, but at least he had calmed down. “Of course”, he answered right away, making you smile hopefully.

“Then trust me to tell you if you hurt me”, you told him, “because you didn’t hurt me yesterday. Okay? You didn’t, everything was perfect.” He took an unnecessary deep breath, and nodded, making a smile light up your face. Crisis averted. “Also”, you giggled a little and his eyebrow quirked up in curiosity, you scooched closer to him and whispered, “I think it’s kind of hot to have your marks all over me.”

Felix couldn’t help but let out a shocked laugh, his little innocent mate having such dirty and possessive thoughts made him feel better about the situation immediately. “Let’s get you to bed mia cara”, he smirked and pulled you into his arms.

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Hope you liked this filth, leave some love for my underrated boy!! I appreciate all your sweet comments so so much! <3

#x reader #fluff #angst #smut #volturi #volturi x reader #felix volturi #felix volturi x reader #twilight #new moon #eclipse #breaking dawn #twilight x reader #demetri volturi #jane volturi #alec volturi #marcus volturi #aro volturi #caius volturi

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dduane · 8 months

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...So I was noodling around with the above image as preliminary work for a piece of Middle Kingdoms concept art that's going to illustrate a chapter-heading rubric from The Door Into Sunset. And while working on it, I belatedly realized that to correctly set up that scene, I was first going to have to tear up the entire left-hand side of the image (and the space beyond it), because the new covered fish market I had in mind wasn't going to fit in the space.

So I rolled my eyes at myself (I should have seen this coming...), got busy tearing it up, and then built the fish market. It's very loosely based, as I think I mentioned somewhere here earlier, on the famous Vismarkt, the covered fishmarket in the center of Brugge in Belgium (a.k.a. Bruges). (Image via Carto.net.)

Back in medieval times, right through to the Renaissance and beyond, fish was originally sold in Bruges in the open, from wooden pallets. But other stallholders in the main market complained about the smell, and the fish-sellers themselves weren't happy with the venue: selling such perishable goods out in the broad (and often hot) daylight was suboptimal. A permanent, covered place for the fishmongers' stalls makes more sense. Yet at the same time, you want decent light on what you're selling or buying... just not direct sun.

Choosing the architecture for a market like this in Darthis city was also going to be an issue. The Vismarkt was installed in a new dedicated market square in 1821, with the architect opting for a Victorian-cum-Classical look: not something that would make sense in this alternate Earth—if I was seriously considering a straightforward copy, which I wasn't. However, the Darthene architectural aesthetic does contain both building styles very like our Romanesque style, and elements similarly reminiscent of Gothic. (Though in the Middle Kingdoms the AU-Romanesque wasn't abandoned when the kinda-Gothic came in, but coexists with it).

After I'd given the situation some thought, I found myself wanting something that drew on those two traditions... or would maybe kind of split the difference between them: a building open on all sides that would be relatively light and airy, recalling a tent or canopy. This kind of design's unquestionably made a lot easier in that universe by the availability of magic-workers able to pull stone out of the ground without excavation, and also able to fashion it into the desired shapes without the use of physical tools. So finally I settled on a broad, vaguely Gothic-styled cross or groined vault as the preferred shape for the roofs: then rummaged around to see what I could find in the local toolkit that would enable me to build it.

Semi-plan view:

Diagonal side view:

(Please note that all of these images are the result of the digital version of kitbashing, as I don’t currently have anything like the skills to create shapes like these in Blender.)

Better lighting in this case is fortunately a materials-technology issue, long since solved on our own Earth. The stone of the roof segments is what architects now would refer to as an "alabastrite marble", about an inch thick—light enough to need relatively little in the way of external supports, and thin enough to transmit light readily. This marble's name comes (probably obviously enough) from alabaster, which has been used on and off in European church windows since medieval times as an affordable alternative to glass, in times and places where that’s been expensive.

This approach has had occasional revivals in modern our-Earth architecture. However, since alabaster is only useful in relatively small pieces, and is vulnerable to heat and moisture, it's often replaced by thin-cut marble set in metal frameworks. One good example of this would be the Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library at Yale. (image via Amusing Planet)

The thin-cut Vermont marble transmits light safely without endangering the documents. But sometimes genuine alabaster has been used, too: the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels in Los Angeles features tens of thousands of panes of it. (image via Expedia)

The equivalent use of marble in the royal Arlene library rr'Virendir, in Prydon city—replacing much ancient glass destroyed during the earthquakes accompanying the last battle of the Great War—is probably where the Darthene authorities got the idea for this implementation. And since the marble used in this construction would almost certainly have come from Arlen, light-colored marble being the country’s “vernacular" stone due to it being quarried all over the place there, it makes perfect sense for this marble to have been a gift of the Arlene Throne to the city of Darthis. And would also account for the presence of his grace the King over there by the market stall up against the wall, pretending to check out the produce while he also checks out the nearly-finished construction (and, idly, two of his spouses).

The Queen is after all very picky about making sure her contractors are getting things right. Yes, she jokes a lot about having lots of room in the dungeons if things go wrong... but sometimes, if you don't know her, it's hard to be sure she's joking.

Meanwhile, so far, it doesn't look too bad.

Things learned over the past couple of weeks, in between also doing other work:

Translucence is a bitch to master in Daz Studio

Certain aspects of Blender are conspiring with one another to make me scream

My rendering computer is displaying a tendency toward quirkiness in the memory department that would register as nearly endearing if I could figure out what was causing it

...But at least now that the set I need is pretty much done (except for some minor tightening, straightening, and tweaking of materials and color temperatures), I can turn my attention to the question of how to produce the rather specialized VFX required for the two shot I'm setting up. ...Yeah, all this work has been for a two shot. But that shot needs people in the background, and the right street furniture. And nature abhors an undressed set. ...See also: "the backs of the melons."

Next challenge: track down a source for heaps of digitized prawns. :)

#Middle Kingdoms #Darthis #fishmarket #Middle Kingdoms meta #Freelorn #Herewiss #Eftgan #and a cast of tens #also #Blender #argh

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waywardstation · 3 months

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Snatched

Phione Akari AU

A flock of persistent Murkrow go after Akari when both herself and Ingo's guards are down.

I wrote this based off two requests I got from anons; one to see Ingo dealing with the problematic murkrow that go after Akari, and one asking about Akari trying to figure out Pokémon moves.

OR read here on AO3!

AND check out the Phione Akari AU masterpost!

Enjoy!

————

“No, I will not.”

“Phi!”

“Miss Akari.”

Ingo continued scrubbing his tunic in the waters of the coastlands’ stream while Akari tapped the pokedex page again with her writing tool, where a shaky doodle of scrambled eggs on a plate had been scribbled.

“I can’t. It would be noon by the time I’ve found and prepared all the ingredients. Then it would be lunch, not breakfast, and we would be several hours behind schedule.” Ingo held up the soaked tunic and looked it over as it dripped river water. Hmm, most of the dirt had washed out, it looked like… sliding down that cliffside to escape that alpha purugly had not been one of his proudest split-second decisions.

“Phiii phi!” More tapping on the page.

“I’d love to prepare some, honestly. But it’s just not a viable option right now.” Relatively satisfied with his work, Ingo stood up and held his soaked tunic out in front, taking it to hang it up and dry near the camp’s fire. “We need to be packed, refueled, and ready to leave as soon as this is dry enough to wear. It’s just going to be what we have on hand right now, alright?”

“Pphf,” Akari slumped as Ingo returned to pick both her and her pokedex up from the stream’s edge, and set them down beside the camp’s storage box. There, she resigned herself to watching Ingo poke the sluggish fire back to life with a stick, pull his coat back on over his underlayer to protect himself from the cold morning air, and start going through their provisions.

It was probably just going to be roasted beans and berries again. Boring.

“I think today, we should try searching over by Hideaway Bay.” Ingo turned to open the storage box’s lid, digging around inside. “I know that alpha ambipom is rather temperamental, but I believe we’ve put off a much-needed examination of the area for too long.”

“Phi,” Akari sighed as she watched a horrendously greasy cooking pan emerge from the container, to Ingo’s disgust.

“Eugh,” He grimaced at the crusted-over texture along the edges. “Clearly, our previous traveler was not much of a maintainer when it came to equipment. But no matter-”

Getting back to his feet, Ingo moved to return to the riverbank, ruined pan in hand. He stopped only a moment to glance over his shoulder at her.

“This will only take a moment. You’re, um, alright there?”

Akari nodded her head fervently, shoo-ing him with her flippers. She could see he was hesitant, but she was fine! He did not have to keep her stuck to him every waking moment of the day, despite what he often insisted.

And Akari both understood and appreciated Ingo’s intent. It was reasonable to want to shelter her when she had no means to protect herself, either physically or through the use of moves, which were currently still a heavily-locked mystery to her. But as someone who was not used to such constant dependency, and quite sure they’d never like it to that degree, Akari found it suffocating sometimes.

So she really appreciated that Ingo had been trying to relax on that a little lately and give her options when she had finally expressed as much.

Ingo gave one last look around, then continued on. “Alright, but please keep an eye out. I’ll be right over here.”

As Ingo got to work scrubbing the pan in the river, Akari slumped against the box and stared up at the surrounding foliage.

Bushes that seemed comparable to small houses in size. Massive evergreen trees jutting up for what seemed like a mile, the sluggish sunrise peeking its numerous fingers through the flaring canopy of branches. Hills framing their entire camp at a scale more comparable to mountains.

It was all nauseatingly staggering in this tiny body.

A rustle, somewhere overhead. Akari glanced up into the branches of a tree near the camp’s tent, sitting halfway between herself and the stream. Ingo, who had begun humming something, stopped both his tune and his scrubbing to turn back at it.

A long, heavy stretch of uncomfortable silence.

“…Miss Akari, stay right where you are, please.” A whisper carried across the camp to her. Ingo was setting the pan down carefully on the riverbank, and getting back to his feet slowly. He could see something she couldn’t. She noticed him looking back and forth. Was he… gauging the distance between herself, himself, and the tree?

Whatever was in that tree was much closer to her than he was.

Oh.

That was not good.

Akari supposed she had taken herself out of the danger for a moment, as she was slammed with the full realization of what kind of a position she was in.

Something wanted her, and she was in quite an open space. Her safe bucket was over by the riverbank near Ingo, and Ingo’s pokeballs were still set down by the tent, along with all his other belongings.

This didn’t happen. This wasn’t happening. This wasn’t supposed to happen!

“Look at me,” Ingo whispered again, pulling her attention back to him. Halfway across the camp now, he was almost past the tree with his hands positioned like he was getting ready to grab her. “Don’t move. I’m almost there.”

The tree's branches rustled again, but Akari did not look back over at it.

Perhaps it was the horror of this unique situation that she’d never find herself in while in her own body. Or maybe it was the anxiety driven by uncertainty and new, prominent fragility telling her something was already diving for her. It could have even been the fact that protection was so close. But at the sound, Akari reflexively bounded forward towards Ingo’s open hands using her flippers.

The sudden and dramatic action had been a poor choice. At her movement, the tree released a mess of croaky squawking, and shades of black burst from the cover of the branches.

Murkrow. The greedy pests never lingered long in daylight, but the sun was still not entirely up yet; perhaps Ingo and herself had gotten up too early.

These had to be the same flock of murkrow that had been stalking them these past few days, waiting so patiently for a chance to snatch her. After so many previous attempts having ended in Ingo or his Pokémon smacking them away, it may have been personal at this point. And revenge was a very strong motivator.

Sharp red eyes locked gnarled sets of claws on target as they dove for her. But Ingo was quicker. A set of hands protectively clasped around her, and Akari was jostled harshly as darkness sheltered her — Ingo had reached the rest of the way and slid across the dirt to grab her first.

Surely she was safe now, right?

While she could not see, Akari could hear everything just fine. Flapping wings, incensed squawking, and Ingo’s own shouts. But worst of all, incessant pecking. They were pecking at his hands, trying to open them! How many were out there? It sounded like fifty!

“Krow! Krrow!”

“No! No! Stop it!”

Another hard jostle in the darkness, and more shouting. Akari tumbled upside down; he must have curled on himself to try and better protect her. But it was for naught; a sliver of light broke through — terror gaping through the cracks rather than comfort reassuring her that it was over. A gnarled talon had burrowed itself in between Ingo’s hands, and was trying to forcefully wrench them open.

“Get- get off!”

“Krraw!”

Through the weakening bars of Ingo’s fingers, Akari could see sharp beaks nagging at his wrists. A hard jab, a subsequent shout, and his hands reflexively jolted open another crack. More talons curled through to make sure they stayed open. Then a gnarled beak barged in and clamped down on the long, thin ribbon atop her head. Suddenly with a disorientating, painful yank, the safe darkness disappeared entirely against the harsh light of the morning sun.

Up in the air. Rising up above the storage box, then the firepit, then the camp’s tent, Akari felt herself being tossed up with extra momentum before reversing into a downward fall. And looking below, she found herself staring straight down into the darkness of a murkrow’s throat, waiting for her to fall into it. It had gotten too greedy, and had decided to try and eat her up right there before any other members of its flock could.

Oh, this was it. This was the end!

“Krawwk!” A pained screech and a flurry of feathers, and Akari’s view of an open beak was knocked aside, replaced with a weathered gear station emblem and black fabric against a sideways skyline.

Ingo’s hat. He had smacked the murkrow aside at the last moment by managing to throw it, pretty much the only thing he had on him at the moment, and saved her from being swallowed up at the last second.

“Akari! I’ve got you!” Falling back downwards, Akari could see Ingo shouting and reaching up for her amongst the cloud of pests still harassing him, and for a moment she believed she would be saved. But unseen talons from above closed around her before his hands could secure her from below.

Ingo’s hat returned to him, but she was off again with another murkrow. And this time, it made it past the camp’s tent. Surroundings scrambled together, and Akari found herself now staring down at a sight that would have flip-flopped her stomach if her current body had one.

The base camp, way down below and only getting smaller. The underside of a murkrow and its furiously flapping wings. A flock of its kin (about twelve, not the fifty she imagined) trailing hastily after them into the sky. And Ingo, still being harassed by a small group that had not yet noticed their coveted prize had been stolen away from him.

She had been snatched. A Pokémon had finally snatched her up and away from safety. And now it was surely going to eat her-

Before the sickening reality could fully set in, the murkrow carrying her squawked and dove downwards. The sky was replaced with a blurred scenery of green and brown whizzing by, and Akari realized her kidnapper was trying to lose its allies-turned-pursuers so it could have her to itself.

It was quickly carrying her far away from base camp.

“Phi! Phiii!” Crying out felt involuntary at this point; Akari couldn’t help it. This was a nightmare scenario and she couldn’t even do anything about it. Useless flippers. Weak body. Inaccessible, mystery moveset. Why had she willingly left herself out in the open like that?

A hard impact knocked Akari out of her thoughts, and a series of screeches broke out right above her. The pressure on her ribbon-like appendage loosened, and free-fall gravity weighed heavy on her for a moment before a new snap came down on one of her flippers, dragging her along once again.

Another murkrow had caught up, collided with them, and snatched her away. But its success would be short-lived; from where she dangled by her flipper, Akari could now look back and see the maneuver had given the rest of the flock time to catch up. At least seven more were right behind them.

“Krow!” Akari’s current captor squawked around her flipper in its mouth as it thoroughly examined her, bright eyes shaded dark under its feathery crest. “Krawwk!”

Still unintelligible dialect that meant nothing to her, despite being a Pokémon. And Akari knew her sounds would be just as garbled to them, but she sternly shook her head anyways, using her other flipper to smack its beak . “Phi-phi!”

Let go!!

Another impact. Feathers flew in a burst, and Akari was ripped right out of the murkrow’s beak by the greedy grip of a claw. An immediate dive bomb followed, disorienting her.

They were all fighting over her.

Trying to focus on the ground down below, the small part of Akari’s mind that wasn’t either uncontrollably racing in a panic or freezing up entirely was trying to come up with something. Anything.

Should she try to free herself from this Murkrow’s grasp? She’d fall a long way down, surely. This was a massive height for her. But she had no bones to break. No muscles to bruise. No organs to damage. She’d be fine like this, right? She was built like a water balloon, after all.

But water balloons bust open on impact. What if she did too-?

And what would she even do if she did survive the fall? Drag herself all the way back to base camp — wherever that even was now — and just hope no wild Pokémon spotted her and snatched her up along the way? And of course, all of that was generously assuming all these murkrow wouldn’t immediately go after her again in a frenzy.

This was hopeless.

She wanted Ingo.

But Ingo was not here. And he probably had no idea where she was. She certainly didn’t.

“Kroww!” Two murkrow had caught up at once and clamped down on her at the same time, one pulling on her flipper, the other yanking on her ribbon while she was still tight in the grip of a claw. With her squishy, malleable body, it didn’t hurt like expected, but it still squeezed a surprised squeak out of her.

This was pathetic. What was she doing? She did not get into situations like this, and she certainly did not give into them so easily! She did not falter to anything! Raging alphas and frenzied nobles haven’t stopped her yet, why should a pesky flock of cowardly murkrow get that honor? And Lord Braviary carried her through the skies all the time! This was the same!

…no, it was not the same at all.

Another moment of freefall as the three-way tug-of-war yanked Akari out of any secure grip, but with more screeching and flapping wings to follow, another sharp beak predictably clamped back down on her ribbon and pulled her along again.

She couldn’t keep doing this. They were going to tear her apart before any of them even got the chance to eat her! But again — no known moveset. No outside help. No helpful physical capabilities-

-Wait. There was that one weird thing she could do, where she could sort of dissolve into water. Or melt into it? Just plain liquify? It was still very confusing, as it sort of just… happened sometimes.

Could she do it out of water? No idea. Could she do it on command? Again, no idea. But it was the only way out of this that she could think of, so she had to try. They couldn’t keep her in their beaks and claws if she wasn’t solid.

The horrific squabbling continued all around her, but Akari scrunched up and pulled her flippers close. Drown it out. Just drown it out, like water. Water is loose. Be loose. LOOSE! Just let your mind drift! Let go, let GO-

Perhaps she had concentrated too hard on loosening up instead of actually loosening up, as the cold whistling of wind was abruptly a very prominent sensation all around her. Had she been let go?

She was falling! And neither a claw or a beak had snatched her up yet? Had it worked? She didn’t feel like water. Garbled squawking was still heard somewhere around her, but when Akari tried to glance upwards, she couldn’t get a good look at the flock.

In fact, she couldn’t get a good look at anything.

She had fallen long enough to slip into a mid-air tumble. Rolling too fast, it was all a hopeless blur. Sky. Ground. Trees. Clouds. Sky. Ground. Trees? Sky? No matter what, Akari could not slow down to make sense of anything around her.

Squawking was still heard, spiraling somewhere. It was going to be one or the other — if a murkrow didn’t swoop to catch her, the ground eventually would. Then she’d find out exactly how similar she was to a water balloon.

To her dread, something clamped down hard all around her, tight and desperate as she was now enveloped in warm darkness.

Akari cried out instinctively with the abrupt impact. Surely, she had fallen into the open maw of a murkrow that had finally dove to catch her. And this time, Ingo wasn’t there to knock it away and save her, and she was now hopelessly crammed into its gullet.

She instinctively thrashed as if she wanted to keep fighting, but it was half-hearted; what could she do anymore? Truly now, this was it. This was really it-

The paralyzing horror and the deep darkness retracted its hold, giving way to light. Akari opened her eyes hesitantly; she had not realized she had shut them so tightly.

There was Ingo. Quite disheveled and hunched forward over her, he was staring down at her in his fingers. His chest was heaving with excess adrenaline and exertion like he had just run a mile. His hands were trembling (and bleeding?) and warm with the same nervous sweat that slicked his forehead. His eyes were wide with a certain disbelief, yet relieving all the same as they settled on her.

“Oh, oh- you’re alright Akari! You’re alright-!” Ingo’s hands, shakey as they were, closed around her again as he held her close, reassuring her all the while that she was ok. It was as if the murkrow would snatch her up again if he didn’t. “You’re ok, you’re alright! I’m- I’m so sorry-”

He had run after her and caught her.

“Phiii! Phii!” A burst of emotion swelled her little chest with gratitude. Springing out of her stunned state to try consoling the frazzled man back, Akari’s squeaks were lost amongst Ingo’s stumbling words. Flippers extended out to him without much direct intent as he frantically looked her over, but she didn’t know what else to do.

Ingo! You!! You caught me!!

“I followed- I wouldn’t allow them to just- I wouldn’t ever let such a thing just happen-“ Quickly-spilling reassurances were choppy and unfinished as Ingo still tried to catch his breath. “I’m- I should not have gotten lax with safety procedures and left you there like that. Forgive me, I won’t neglect your safety like that ever again. I won’t- I promise!”

“Phii!” Akari reached out to bap at him with a flipper, because again, it was all she could do. Of course he’d ask for forgiveness. If he was asking for forgiveness, she of course would as well.

Ingo leaned forward, finally allowing himself to get a few deep breaths in. “You’re… alright? Aren’t you?”

Akari nodded fervently yes, but to her half-surprise, she was hurting. Areas where beaks and talons had clamped and yanked now stung like fresh bruises, but the slippery blue membrane of her body didn’t hint at any damage at all. It just… hurt, even though it appeared fine.

The same couldn’t be said for Ingo’s hands, though. Fresh marks and scrapes littered his skin and disappeared down under his tattered sleeves. They had really torn him up. Akari frowned at him as she wiped at some of the residual blood with a flipper, and threw her head up in sudden search of the murkrow.

“They were very set on reaching you,” Ingo cleared his throat. “But I am alright; I was worse off than this after my first attempt at carving a pokeball. Though, speaking of those murkrow…”

Ingo lifted his head up to look over his shoulder, and Akari’s gaze followed, eager to see where they were.

High up in the sky, a screeching, umbrella-shaped silhouette of stretched leather wings was trailing after a disorganized disaster of murkrow, rapidly escaping into the distance.

“I’m hoping Gliscor has discouraged their group enough to keep them from bothering us again. But I may have to request that Miss Zisu allows her honchkrow to accompany us next time, just in case. They’d keep their distance for certain.”

“Phi!” Akari watched on with admiration. So Gliscor had saved her! Ingo must have retrieved his pokeballs, and Gliscord must have went after the flock and gotten them to drop her-

“Oh! And ah, not to downplay the situation by changing tracks so quickly Miss Akari, and I apologize that it had to fall under these conditions, but I would like to congratulate you on your, well… first successful use of a move?”

The sentence was said just as awkwardly as it was received. That was not something one person would normally say to another person to begin with, but even given the unique circumstances, Akari cocked her head to the side, giving Ingo a confused look. A move? What move?

“I believe you utilized the move Confusion?” Ingo framed it as another question, like he needed her confirmation to be sure. “It was rather high up so it was difficult to know for sure, but all I saw was a bright flash, then the murkrow suddenly derailed every which way, and then I caught you. Remarkably similar to Alakazam’s use of the move, if I could compare.”

Akari gave a second look at the murkrow in the distance. Their flight patterns looked horribly uncoordinated like they couldn’t even see straight, now that she knew what she was looking for. And that would explain why none of them were able to swoop down and catch her…

Perhaps concentrating so hard on thoughts of a loose body and drifting mind had accidentally directed them way more outward than inward.

“Phii!” Akari squealed, throwing her flippers up in celebration. While it wasn’t what she had intended, she supposed she had used a move! It had been an accident, yes, but she used an actual move! She wasn’t entirely defenseless anymore!

“Yes, yes, congratulations once again,” Akari’s excitement was infectious, as Ingo couldn’t help but huff a laugh through his nose. But the amusement was short-lived as his tone flattened somewhat. “Though, I hope you understand that regardless of your newfound capability, you are absolutely not uncoupling from me again for the remainder of our trip. Can you work with me on this?”

Ingo tugged back the flap of his coat collar and placed Akari in the crook of his shoulder, secure along his clavicle. Setting the coat collar back, she could see why he wanted her there — the folded fabric layer hid her well, and it would be even more effective when he got his tunic back on with its spacious hood. “My coat collar, one of my pockets, a sleeve, my hat… anywhere, please, as long as it is on my person. I do not think my heart could take a repeat occurrence of this incident.”

It felt like Ingo was sort of trying to play off the severity for her sake, but Akari didn’t have to look very deep to see that things were taking their toll on him. This entire mess of a situation had crammed a year’s worth of stress and grief into a few short weeks, and Ingo was not carrying it as well as he probably thought he was. He didn’t need any more stressful things like this. Fragility of both mind and body were pitifully clear right now.

She couldn’t let something like this happen again. And if that meant staying attached to him like a stubborn tumor for the rest of the trip, she’d have no problem doing that.

“Phi-phi!” Akari latched onto his neck in a hug and used her flipper to pat against him, trying to clearly express her outspoken agreement. She was going to stay right there for the rest of the trip, and nothing would make her move.

“Thank you.” Ingo breathed out, ridding himself of any residual anxiety. His hands moved to rub at his face, but that was the last display of self-soothing Ingo allowed himself before he stood back up, groaning quietly.

“Now. New topic — Breakfast.” Ingo began making his way back up the hill towards the base camp. “Or… lack of it. It appears you will be getting your plate of scrambled eggs after all.”

“Phi?” What did that even mean?

“I had to throw what we were going to have to the murkrow, in order to get them off of me long enough to go after you.” Ingo admitted, shaking his head. “So it appears our schedule will have to accommodate for some time to scavenge. I am well aware that you will harass me relentlessly if I attempt to skip a refuel.”

“Phi-phi!” Akari leaned over Ingo’s shoulder and spit a cold, yet harmless stream of water down the back of his tunic. Darn right she would!

“Hey-!” Ingo scrunched his shoulder suddenly, something of a laugh slipping out. He pointed a finger at her in mock admonishment. “No, do not abuse the proximity!”

Akari leaned back and did it again.

#phione Akari AU #submas #ingo #warden ingo #akari #pokemon akari #phione #pokemon legends arceus #pokemon legends #pokemon #pla #pokemon fanfic #pokemon fanfiction #waywardstationfanfic #those murkrow did go after them a few more times probably #but it would not have ever gotten this bad again #Akari knows not to let herself get isolated like that again even if both herself and Ingo think things are safe

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orikiys · 5 months

Text

✿ ✿ 〞pretty little seedlings

✰ pairings: bf!seungmin x fem!reader

✰ genre: romance, angst, hurt comfort, fluff

✰ warnings: mentions of reader have a really stressful day, crying, comforting

✰ word count: 800 + words

the room was dark and dreary, with heavy, thick curtains that blocked out any sign of light. the air was thick and stale, as if the sun had never shone through that room for years. the walls were a depressing shade of grey, which only added to the gloomy atmosphere.

the bed was situated at the centre of the room, with a large, heavy canopy that blocked out any natural light. the bedsheets were a depressing shade of dull yellow, the only source of light in the room was a dim, flickering lamp that was barely enough to illuminate the darkness. underneath those bedsheets was you, huddled up and wrapped like a burrito.

the tears threaten to spill out of your eyes and it’s pretty evident with the eye bags underneath your eyes that your sleep schedule was not relatively good these past few days.

stressful would be an understatement. you felt the burden of everything on your shoulders. the worst part? you don’t know where to start from. you don’t know what to do. it’s that time when things couldn’t have been any more worse and all you want to do is to stay in your bed all day long. your phone is on silent ever since you read the mails for submissions of your work when at this point all you’re doing is cramming.

how you wish you could call seungmin and ask him to come, but you can’t. he probably won’t be free. so you rather chose to cry about it on your own.

hugging seungmin’s plushie tighter you bury your face further into the pillows and let out a muffled sob. your body shakes as the sobs get stronger and you have to hold back a shriek when you feel a cold hand rubbing your back. you can’t see the look on his face but you feel him pull you to him as he hides your face in his neck, allowing you to further cry. but with him. not alone.

your arms instantly engulf around his torso as the sobs increase. your throat probably hurts from all those hours of crying but you need to get it all out at once. his soft breathing distracts you as he holds you tighter. his fingers comb through your dishevelled hair and you feel the sobs slowing down their rate.

upon noticing this, he pulls back a bit and cups your face. his eyes staring straight into yours and his expression rather gloomy, just like you. he hates it when you cry. he hates it when you don’t give yourself enough credit. he hates it so much especially when he isn’t there to comfort you and calm you down.

his fingers caress your cheek before he mutters softly, “i don’t know what happened that made you this sad but i want you to know that i’m here. always. whenever you need me and even if you don’t, i’ll be there for you when you need me sweetheart.”

it’s the way he wipes your tears with his thumb before taking your hands in his and pressing his lips to your knuckles. he does that twice before he leans your head on his shoulder. the soft humming and his affectionate behaviour never failed to make your heart warm.

“did you know that in the world of plants, the sprouting seed is a symbol of hope, growth, and transformation?” seungmin begins making you look up at him expectantly. “it starts with a tiny speck of life that has the potential to blossom into so much more. when the roots have grown, the sprout breaks through the surface of the soil, reaching out for the light. as the sprout continues to grow, the small root system expands and branches out, reaching deeper into the ground to absorb nutrients from the soil. the leaves unfurl, expanding and absorbing sunlight, while the stem rises up, reaching for the sky. each day brings new changes and developments as the plant grows taller, stronger, and more beautiful. just like you, my sweet. each day is going to be different. some days might be ew like today and some might make you smile so hard that your cheeks will hurt,” you let out a choked giggle at his words and wipe your tears.

seungmin chuckles at that and lets you take your time. he physically and mentally supports you by staying by your side. there’s no words exchanged just a comfortable moment of silence before you find yourself smiling between sobs.

“you’re going to make me cry too,” he mumbles and looks up at the ceiling to prevent the tears from dripping. you hit his chest softly and hug him again.

for the rest of the night all you hear is the sweet mumbles of compliments in your ears and the soft touches of affections is your comfort place. it reminds you of the sound of rain, like sitting in front of a fireplace and he is everything you ever wanted. everything you ever loved. everything.

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hopepetal · 10 months

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Masterlist

Read on AO3!

Part Six!

Reblogs and comments are much appreciated! :)

@applestruda

Breakfast the next day was a muted affair at first, the mood dampened from the events of last night and Pearl’s injury. Only after reassuring everyone that she was alright and cracking a few jokes did the mood lighten and conversations begin as normal. Impulse still seemed to be a little down, but he still smiled and talked with the rest of them. Even Grian was awake in time for breakfast, having woken up from Pearl moving around.

But still, something felt… off.

Like clouds gathering on the horizon during a sunny day, or knowing something is missing and just not knowing what. Like old signs saying “KEEP OUT” in big, bold letters, worn down to the point of being illegible. It was a timer, ticking down, grains of sand falling through an hourglass. Something was about to happen, and if they weren’t careful, the knights would be caught in the middle of it.

What a shame, then, that they didn’t see the storm clouds.

After breakfast, the knights cleaned up and began to go about their day. Pearl looked through their food storage and began to make a list of all the things they’d need to restock next time one of the knights went to the village. Mumbo was working on… something redstone related, perhaps that automatic vegetable cutter he had mentioned the other day. Scar and Grian were tending to the animals, and Impulse was busy chopping wood.

It seemed as though hardly any time had passed at all before it was time for lunch, and the knights gathered around the table once more. Plans were discussed for the next few days– there was shopping to be done, there had been a report of some undead roaming an area nearby the village, and the lodge had to be built, of course.

Impulse finished up his lunch and stood up. “Pearl, could I… talk to you?” he asked hesitantly, almost reluctantly. “After you’re done, of course. Uh, alone. If you don’t mind.”

Pearl frowned slightly, looking up at Impulse with concern. “Of course. I’m done right now anyway, so…” She stood as well, and walked away from the table with Impulse, toward the forest.

Grian let them go, watching as the two crossed the camp and disappeared into the forest. He looked back at Scar and Mumbo, a sense of dread rising up in him. “We’re following them, right?” he asked, “I’m not the only one who doesn’t like this one bit?”

Scar gave him a smile, though something about it seemed strained. “Yeah. Something’s been off about Impulse for a while. I kinda thought it was over and done with, but last night…” He trailed off, raising his gaze to where Pearl and Impulse had entered the forest.

“I mean, Pearl probably can handle herself,” Mumbo pointed out, “but I do think… I mean, it does feel a little weird, is all, things are probably going to be fine, but…” He looked between Scar and Grian, trying to think of the right words. “Well, better safe than sorry?” he finished, shrugging awkwardly.

Grian nodded. “Yeah. If anything, we could just say we were going to prank them. Or something. But I just… I have a bad feeling about this.”

“That’s how most of our pranks start as well,” Scar quipped, laughing when Grian gently smacked him with his wing. “I’m not wrong! I’m not!” he defended himself, quickly standing up from the table and nearly falling over.

Grian stood, helping Scar steady himself. Mumbo got up as well, and together the three began the trek toward the forest.

–

Pearl and Impulse were walking through the forest in relative silence, and Pearl could tell that he was trying to work up the courage to say something– though what, she had no clue. It was a nice day out to be walking through the forest at least, and Pearl found herself just enjoying the little adventure they were having. The ambient sounds of the forest echoed around her, and dappled sunlight shone golden through the leaves that made up the canopy.

Pearl sighed, looking over at Impulse. He still hadn’t said anything about what he wanted to talk to her about, and she was getting a little worried. “Ya doin’ alright there, mate?” she asked, giving him a soft smile when he looked up at her.

Impulse nodded, but judging by his expression, that didn’t seem to be the case. “Yeah, I just… well, you see… this is really hard to talk about,” he tried to explain, “and I just… I didn’t want to freak anybody out, or make this a big deal, or…” He stopped talking, looking away. The two continued their walk for a moment in silence, before Impulse spoke up again. “I don’t know, Pearl…”

Pearl brushed a stray strand of hair away from her face, tucking it behind her ear. “You can tell me anything you’d like, Impulse,” she said earnestly. “I know some things are really hard to get out, but I promise you, things will get better if you share your problems with people.”

Impulse let out a quiet frustrated sound. “I know. Everyone keeps saying that, and I know that everyone is willing to talk, and I know how much we rely on communication. And I just– it’s not that I don’t want to talk, it’s just that…” He groaned, running a hand through his hair. “It’s so hard to put things into words. And it all just gets to be so overwhelming, and it just builds up and…”

Pearl nodded. “I know how you feel. It’s really hard, Impulse. Take all the time you need. I’m cool with just walking with you for a bit, if that’s what ends up happening.” She shrugged. “It’s a nice day out for it anyway, so I really don’t mind.”

Impulse smiled, seeming to relax a little. “Thanks, Pearl.” He still seemed a little more tense than usual, but definitely more at ease than he had been just a few moments ago. “I know I need to tell you this today, though. It’s not really something that can wait, I think.”

Pearl stepped over an exposed tree root. “That’s fine, too.” Though the fact that Impulse had brought her out here to talk to her about something he considered urgent worried her, she did her best to keep her cool. Whatever it was, it had probably been bothering him for a long time, and he was only able to get it out now.

The trees in front of them were beginning to thin, and Pearl could hear the faint sound of water in the distance. They were near the ravine, she figured, assuming that what she was hearing was the waterfall. It hardly felt like they had been walking for that long at all, but it was easy to lose track of time in the forest, especially because she had been deep in her own thoughts for most of the trip.

Stepping out from under the cover of the canopy, Pearl followed Impulse and sat next to him in a soft patch of grass that overlooked the ravine from a safe distance, and gazed out across the gap. She had flown over this same ravine many times before, but would normally use the sturdy bridge further down the way when traveling with the knights. The ravine was a good place to go into for ores and such in some places, but the river this far up the ravine was too fast for that.

Pearl remembered how, when she had first been exploring the area with Grian and found the ravine, they had flown down close to the river and dared each other to touch the water while still in the air. She smiled slightly as she remembered Grian’s terrified squawk when he tried to touch water so fast it was almost purely white, before he had ascended and claimed that he just “didn’t want to get his clothes wet” and that “he was joking when he suggested doing it in the first place”.

Ah, good times.

Impulse sighed and crossed his legs, leaning forward. “Alright. I…” He closed his eyes for a moment. “I know this might come as a shock,” he started carefully, “but I promise, this isn’t because of what happened last night, and it’s nothing against you or Grian or Scar or Mumbo, any of them. But I… I’ve decided it’s best if I…” For a moment, he was silent. “...if I’m not a knight anymore.”

That… certainly wasn’t what Pearl was expecting. Keeping herself composed, she looked over at Impulse. “Impulse… why?” she asked. “I’m not going to keep you if that’s what you really want, but just… is there a reason for this?”

Impulse pressed his lips together, keeping his gaze strictly on the grass. “I… I don’t think it’s safe,” he admitted, “for you to be around me. For any of you. I’m– Pearl, something’s been happening to me, and I just…” He looked up at her, desperation shining in his eyes. “I don’t know what to do. I can’t control myself. I’m going to end up hurting someone, and I don’t even know why I asked you to come here alone with me, this was a horrible idea–” He stood up, taking a few steps back. “I don’t think–”

Pearl stood as well, holding her hands up in a placating gesture. “Impulse, calm down. It’s okay, we can talk this through. Just–”

Impulse shook his head. “No, Pearl, we can’t. You don’t understand, I’m out of control! I don’t even know what thoughts are mine anymore! I– why did I do this, I could hurt you!” His panic just continued to grow, and he took a few more steps away.

Getting closer to the edge of the ravine.

Pearl’s eyes darted from the steep drop-off back to Impulse, and she reached out. “Impulse, please stop. Just… come here, we can talk about this, we can get you help…” When Impulse paused, she took a few steps forward. “It’s going to be okay.” She took another few steps, ignoring the instinct to look down at the ravine she was far too close to.

Impulse took another step back, and Pearl felt panic shoot through her veins like ice. “Impulse, please. The ravine,” she reminded him, trying to stop the fear from showing in her voice. “You’re too close. Take my hand, okay? Please.” She felt tears welling up as her breath hitched. “Please.”

For a moment, the world seemed to stop. It was just Impulse and Pearl, and only Death’s black wings could catch Impulse if he fell.

Pearl held her breath.

“Please.”

Impulse took her hand.

–

“They really just decided to take the worst path through the woods,” Grian muttered as he tried to smack branches and vines out of the way with his wings. “I mean, come on. Who even does that? This isn’t even a path!”

Mumbo ducked under a branch, shielding his face just in case he got smacked. “Well, I’ve heard that going off-trail is quite nice to the more adventurous types,” he offered, and Grian only rolled his eyes.

“Aren’t we supposed to be adventurous types?” Scar asked, “because last time I checked, we were knights, and knights are… pretty much the adventurous type, aside from like, mercineraries.” He frowned. “That’s not it. Mercin– marcen– hold on, I almost… merchindins–”

“Mercenaries?” Grian asked, raising an eyebrow. “Yeah, I guess.” “Yes!” Scar exclaimed, “there we go! That’s it!” He smiled brightly, pleased.

“This feels more like a summer camp,” Mumbo said, “the ones for those little children, you know. The ones that sell cookies.”

Grian huffed softly. “We are not a summer camp. We are not mercenaries either, we are knights and we rarely go off the trail.”

“I want to go to summer camp!” Scar protested, “it sounds like so much fun! We could go hiking, go on adventures, sit around a campfire and tell spooky stories, and have a cool team name!”

“Honestly, that sounds pretty much like what we do now,” Mumbo pointed out, “just without the cool team name. Sorry Grian,” he added on, “I just don’t really think ‘the knights’ is an actual team name.”

“Then what would you like to be called?” Grian shot back, attempting to be serious though he could hardly hold back a smile.

“I think,” Scar chimed in, “that we should call ourselves the buttercups!”

“Absolutely not,” Grian shot down, “aren’t team names supposed to be fearsome or something? Isn’t the whole point to strike fear into the hearts of your enemies?”

“I think it’s a nice name,” Mumbo interjected, Scar backing him up with an indignant “yeah!”

Grian pinched the bridge of his nose, sighing heavily. “Oh, I’m not winning this one, am I,” he muttered. “Pearl’s going to kill me when she learns we’re called the buttercups.”

“Speaking of, where is Pearl?” Scar asked. “How do you even know we’re going the right way?”

“Birds-eye view,” Grian responded, absolutely deadpan.

Mumbo let out a confused noise. “But you’re on the ground.”

“Mhm.”

“With us.”

“Seems like it.”

“So it’s not really–”

“I just know,” Grian said, “trust me.”

“The last time you said that, things caught fire,” Mumbo muttered, but said nothing else.

Grian picked up the pace, the uneasy feeling growing the longer they walked. He prayed that it was just him overreacting, that nothing bad was going to happen, that they would find Pearl and Impulse and everything would be alright.

Something told him his prayers wouldn’t be answered.

–

When Impulse took her hand, Pearl let out an audible gasp of relief and pulled him carefully away from the edge, toward her. “Impulse,” she breathed, “never do that again.” She hugged him tightly, trying to stop her hands from shaking. She felt his arms carefully wrap around her shoulders, reciprocating the hug. “I was so worried.”

“I’m sorry, Pearl.”

For a moment, Pearl was relieved. For a moment, she believed that things were going to be okay, that they were both safe. For a moment that seemed to stretch on for eternity, she forgot that Impulse never really liked hugs.

By the time the alarm sounded in her brain, it was far too late.

Impulse grabbed her by the shoulders and shoved as hard as he could.

By some miracle, Pearl managed to dig her fingers into the edge of the cliff, her wings– injured, useless– trying desperately to push her back up onto solid ground. Pain shot through her wings as she strained a little too hard, her stitches separating from the frantic movements.

“Impulse!” she got out, the tears from earlier beginning to slip down her face, “Impulse, I can’t–!” She tried to find an area to dig her feet into, but found no purchase on the stone. “Impulse, help me!”

Impulse smiled. “I really am sorry.” He didn’t sound sorry. He didn’t sound like Impulse.

Had his eyes always been red?

Realization hit her just as Impulse stomped down hard on her hand.

Pearl fell.

–

A strangled scream tore its way from Grian's throat, and he took off before Scar could even move. “Pearl!” He threw himself over the cliff edge, diving after his sister.

Grian was fast, but Scar was no slowpoke himself. His eyes burned a brilliant, vibrant blue as the colour faded from his hair. He slammed into Impulse, knocking the other knight to the ground with a grunt and pinning him just inches away from the edge. Mumbo stopped a few feet away, eyes wide as Scar placed his claws against Impulse's throat.

“Woah there.” Impulse, red-eyed and wrong, smiled as he held up his hands in surrender. “No need to be like that.”

“You,” Scar hissed out, “you’re what’s been causing this, you hellspawn!” He pressed his claws harder against Impulse’s throat, the sharp points pricking the skin and drawing small beads of blood. “Get out of him. Get out of my friend!”

Impulse just laughed. “Nice try, vex.” In one swift movement, he threw Scar off of him, rolling back onto his feet. “But I've always been stronger.” Before Scar could react, he took off into the forest, leaving the cliff behind.

Scar didn’t go after him. Despite how much he wanted to, the demon possessing their friend was right. It was stronger than him, and even if he were able to defeat it, he would be bringing significant harm to Impulse.

The flapping of wings interrupted the silence Mumbo and Scar had been left in, and Grian appeared over the cliff, holding Pearl close. He landed carefully, chest heaving as he gently let Pearl down. She leaned against her brother heavily, noticeably trembling. Scar didn't blame her– falling and being unable to catch yourself was one of the scariest things.

Mumbo coughed awkwardly, breaking the silence. “I hate to be the one to say it, but I don't think that's Impulse.”

Despite everything, Scar had to laugh. “Yeahhh... you think?”

–

The trip back to camp was a somber one. Pearl recovered from the shock fairly quickly, but her stitches had ripped and she was still in quite a bit of pain. The moment they arrived back at camp, Grian brought her back to her tent to go fix her wing.

Mumbo and Scar sat in silence, Scar’s hair still streaked with white. He was both frustrated and absolutely furious. He wanted– he wanted that demon dead. He wanted to rip it into shreds for daring to hurt his friends. But he was also worried. Impulse had run off, and Scar doubted that the demon cared very much for his health and safety.

Grian returned with Pearl after a little while, and the remaining knights sat down to decide on a course of action.

“I think we should go to Cub,” Scar suggested, “he seemed to have an idea of what could be happening. Maybe, knowing what we know now, he could narrow it down. Or something.”

Grian nodded grimly. “That sounds like a fairly good start. We’ll leave as soon as we can.”

It was as if a dark cloud had descended on the camp as the knights got ready, the usual idle chatter silenced by fear and anger and worry. The knights mounted up and began the trip to Cub’s house, a sense of urgency in their movements.

They’d save Impulse.

They had to.

–

Impulse woke up on the ground, laying against a tree. He blinked, looking around in confusion. “Where…?”

Suddenly, he remembered.

Impulse shot up, his breaths becoming short and rapid as a panic attack set in. He had to brace himself against the tree, nausea rising as he gasped for air.

He killed Pearl. He– he killed Pearl. Pearl couldn’t fly. He pushed her. She was dead.

As much as I would love that, she is not.

Impulse jumped, startled by the demon’s voice in his mind. “You– what do you mean?!” he cried, anger and horror and fear all mixing into one awful emotion. “We pushed her off– she couldn’t survive that!”

If she had died, I would’ve been free.

“Oh, Void.” Impulse practically collapsed against the tree, slowly sliding down until he was on the ground again. “Thank the stars. Thank the stars.” Relief had tears welling up in his eyes, streaking down his face and leaving hot trails.

I wouldn’t be so relieved just yet.

“Why not?” Impulse snapped, “what more could you possibly do?”

He was given no answer.

Impulse was now, truly, alone.

#my writing #boatem knights au #impulsesv #pearlescentmoon #grian #goodtimeswithscar #mumbo jumbo #hermitcraft fanfic

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sleekervae · 6 months

Text

Under the Blooming Moon | Woosung x Reader

Masterlist

A/N: Something a little different, but since listening to The Rose and Woosung's solo work, I've had this scenario kicking around in my head for a while. Had to get this one out of my system and omg I think this is the longest thing I've ever written on this platform 🥲

Summary: Every year the blood moon rises, potential mates gather with their wolf pack for The Union. A carnal game of cat-and-mouse parlays into the wolves finding and claiming their mate for life, and Woosung already has his heart and claws sunk onto his omega best friend...

Warnings: light violence, blood (biting, scratching), some allusions to sexual harassment, werewolf smut

⋆ WORD COUNT — 8.2k

It was that time of year again. The air had picked up a particular sharp chill as it blew through the trees of Namhae Pyeonbaek forest, branches bustling and scattering loose raindrops across the thick thrush. The rains had fortunately lifted hours ago, setting the stage for what was sure to be a messy and chaotic night.

The moon hung high over the tree canopies, deep ruby in colour, with beams of sinister red light slicing through breaks in the leaves to provide only small semblances of light, all of which were drowned out by the roaring bonfire in the middle of the forest. What was just a typical spacial phenomenon to the lay eye represented a far more lecherous promise.

Far off from any trails or where humans dared to lurk, the wolf pack had gathered for their annual Union ritual. They were all relatively young, equal parts eager and anxious with a libidinous, insatiable appetite for tonight's activities. While the ritual sounded dastardly and vile at first, at the end of the day it was a massive cat-and-mouse game, a competition for beta wolves to find and capture their perfect life mate.

And Woosung had already his eye on his potential prize.

While the other beta wolves engaged in lively banter and indulged in drinks, he chose a more reserved and introverted approach, leaning against the weathered trunk of a thousand-year-old pine, sipping cautiously from his plastic cup. His intense gaze remained fixed on Iseul, undeterred by her unawareness as she conversed with her friends. Her soft bangs and long, dark locks swayed in harmony with the gentle breeze, occasionally brushing against her exposed skin, causing him to detect a subtle shiver running down her spine due to her lack of a coat. However, Woosung was well aware that Iseul had knowingly embarked on this evening's adventure, and if their plans unfolded as intended, a jacket would be the least of her concerns.

From his earliest memories, Woosung harbored a deep desire for Iseul. Their mothers had been best friends, and they had envisioned their pups sharing the same bond. Time proved them right. Raised side by side, they navigated the challenges of being hybrids in a world often unforgiving to their kind. In the face of adversity, Woosung and Iseul clung to each other, learning to rely on one another. This dependence evolved into a lifelong friendship. It was only when Woosung encountered his first heat cycle that he confronted a truth far more profound: his longing for Iseul extended beyond the boundaries of friendship. She was the one he wanted, fully and without consequence. However he was a little awkward back then, and the idea of confessing his feelings to Iseul was just as daunting as the notion of being scalped for a hat.

But he wasn't a teenager in his first awakening anymore. He had grown up, worked on his self confidence and -- of course -- his body. Obviously, there was nothing he could do about his height, he felt he was finally up to the challenge to pick and claim Iseul.

If she would have him, though. There was indeed the possibility that she would shut him down about as gently as a... well... a wolf.

Many betas pursued mates by resorting to quite vile and degrading methods, but Woosung and his friends weren't about that. They remained steadfast in their conviction, undeterred by the ridicule they sometimes faced from larger betas. For Woosung, the idea of a mate was intrinsically tied to mutual desire and respect. He wanted her to be as willing and eager to be with him as he was with her.

"Woosung? Earth to Woosung!" a pale hand waved in front of his face, breaking him out of his trance and his focus landed on one of his best friends, Dojoon. The happy-go-lucky beta chuckled at his shaggy-haired friend, "Where'd you go? I was talking to you,"

Woosung cocked a brow, "Where did I go? I've been here the whole time," he sassed back.

"You know what I mean," Dojoon rolled his eyes, "You're staring at Iseul again, aren't you?"

"I am not," Woosung replied sharply.

"Oh-ho-ho, yes he is," their other friends, Hajoon and Jaehyeong suddenly appeared at Woosung's other side, "He's been staring at her like Jaehyeong stares at ramyun,"

He glowered at the younger betas, "Aren't you guys supposed to be stalking potential mates instead of me?"

"Don't say it like that," Dojoon grimaced, "It makes us sound like animals,"

Jaehyeong cocked a brow, bumping Hajoon with his elbow, "Who wants to tell him?"

"You know what I mean, smart-ass," Dojoon scolded back, "Why are you even here? I thought you and Ji-Woon were already a thing?"

"We are, technically," the youngest beta shrugged back, "But she wanted to do this so we can make it 'official', or some shit,"

"Aw, adorable," Woosung smirked, "You better hope Muscle-Brain-McGee over there doesn't claim her, first," he nodded in the direction of the betas gathered closer to the fire, where a handful of them surrounded the pack's beloved figure, Yung. Yung was in the midst of shotgunning a beer can, encouraged by the echoing chants of his friends. With a mighty gesture, he tossed the empty can into the grass, then raised his fists triumphantly into the air, proudly displaying his array of bulging muscles through his snug t-shirt, captivating the attention of everyone around.

Hajoon rolled his eyes, "What a show dog," he muttered. Woosung couldn't agree more, the view of Iseul in the warm glow of the fire much more interesting to him, anyhow.

However, he was surprised when he shifted his gaze and discovered that she was already watching him, suppressing a mischievous smile. The shock nearly caused Woosung to fumble with his drink, but he managed to maintain his composure and playfully winked in her direction. Iseul chuckled softly and discreetly waved back in response.

Dojoon chuckled beside him, slinging an arm around his shoulders, "God, you are so obvious,"

"Oh, leave him alone, Dojoon," Jaehyeong scolded.

"And who are you to scold your alpha?"

"Well, for one: he's taller than you," Hajoon decided, "And he's the only one out of us who's actually got a mate,"

"Can't argue there," Woosung snickered.

On the other side of the bonfire, Iseul only swiveled her head when she caught wind of the boisterous revelry. She couldn't help but see Yung and his friends' juvenile behavior, and despite Yung's chiseled physique and k-drama good looks, she found his personality less than appealing. Naturally, she scanned the sea of radiant faces until her eyes locked onto Woosung, who met her gaze just moments later. Her heart skipped a beat when he winked at her, his charming, boyish grin quickly replaced with an expression of distaste as his friends took the piss out of him.

Woosung had been her most trusted confidant, privy to secrets about her that not even her closest girlfriends knew. She had observed his transformation from a slightly awkward, endearingly nerdy teenager into a sharp and agile young beta. He stood out in their pack as one of the few wolves who treasured her intellect, determination, and confidence over her physical attributes. Even during the times when she felt like the least among the female pups, as they underwent their awakenings and developed in ways she hadn't, he never failed to make her feel beautiful. Her fondness for him had gradually evolved into a subtle crush, particularly when she witnessed his prowess during pack hunts. It wasn't just about his physical appeal; she loved him regardless of his shaggy wolf's cut or sharp cheekbones. Not that she'd dare admit it, but he was the only one she ever thought of when she experienced her heat cycles.

If anyone was going to claim her tonight, she secretly hoped it would be Woosung.

"Iseul, stop staring," her friend, Duri, poked her shoulder, "You're being obvious,"

"What?" Iseul whipped around.

"Yeah," her other friend, Chae-Won, nodded, "Don't pay those mutts any mind,"

"I wasn't, believe me," she assured them.

"Good. Here's to hoping they won't pick up our scent," Chae-Won sighed, grimacing at the thought of Yung or one of his friends forcing her down, "I'll castrate one of them if I have to,"

"Ji-Woon's already covered," Duri smirked at their friend, "Jae had her scent pegged loooong ago,"

Ji-Woon gawked at her, scolding her with a whisper, "You didn't tell anybody, right?"

"That you two are already fucking? No, your secret's still safe with us," Iseul chuckled.

"Good," Ji-Woon huffed, "If the alphas were to find out --"

"They'd give you a stern talking to about breaking ritual and that would be it!" Duri assured her.

Chae-Won chuckled with amusement, "I bet I know someone who already has Iseul's scent pegged,"

Ji-Woon grimaced as she turned to Iseul, "Ugh! If that muscle-headed-meatball even comes within a hair of you, I'll tear out his gizzard and feed it to the strays," she growled, talking about Yung

Iseul rolled her eyes, "Chae's talking about Woosung, Teen Wolf,"

"Oh!" Ji-Woon nodded, sneakily stealing a glance at the group of boys behind them. She offered a fleeting smile when her gaze settled on the silhouette of her man engaged in conversation with Woosung. She then briefly assessed the older beta before returning her attention to Iseul, "No, I won't tear his gizz out,"

"How thoughtful of you," Iseul chuckled back.

A prolonged, resonant howl echoed through the air, capturing the attention of all the betas. They turned to face one of their alphas, Yoongi, who stood at the center of the encampment. Yoongi was a robust, unflappable, and sagacious leader, earning the unwavering respect of every beta under his and his brothers' protection. It was an exceedingly rare sight to witness alphas co-leading, given the often intense clashes of egos and struggles for dominance. However, all seven of them brought unique and distinctive qualities that made their pack one of the most formidable in South Korea.

"The Union is about to start! All participating betas are to meet at the edge of the clearing -- asap!" he called.

"At start of project!" his co-alpha, Jimin, called from behind him.

With that the mass of excited (and quite horny) betas migrated to the edge of their makeshift campsite. Duri sighed as she walked arm-in-arm with her friends, gazing longingly at Yoongi and Jimin, "If only alphas were allowed to participate in the Union,"

Iseul cocked a brow at her, "You forget they're the fucking alphas. They don't need to participate in this shit," she pointed out.

"Yeah! If Namjoon points at me and tells me to get on all fours, I'm there without question," Chae-Won nodded.

A familiar voice from behind the girls called out, "C'mon, girls. She's just saying that because she wants the privileges of alpha's mate," Dojoon said.

The girls turned around, smiling appreciably at their friends. Duri spoke up first, "And you don't fantasize about being alpha one day?" asked curiously.

"Of course he does, just not the boring parts," Woosung pointed out, "Diplomacy, security, pack treaties, mange breakouts..." he shuddered at the last one, "Nasty stuff,"

"Says the guy who spent a full two days lounging in a literal mud bath," Iseul teased back.

Woosung smirked back at her, "I didn't hear you complaining, Iseul," he pointed.

"I lost a bet; I wasn't supposed to complain," she replied, "You're lucky I didn't catch ticks,"

"Like I'd let that happen to you,"

Their friends meanwhile exchanged knowing glances between them, the boys tittering amongst themselves as they followed the male betas. Jaehyeong passed Ji-Woo and tossed a saucy wink her way, and the young beta couldn't help but blush and smile with giddy. Duri looped an arm around Ji-Woo's shoulders, tutting at her.

"God, you guys are gross," she commented with a smirk.

Ji-Woo rolled her eyes, peeling Duri's arm off of her as she followed the females, "Oh, go fantasize about Jungkook,"

"If Yung catches you, not even your wet dreams will save you," Chae-Won teased back. Duri flipped her off, she and Chae-Won chased after Ji-Woon meanwhile, knowing Iseul would catch up with them.

The young beta crossed her arms, nervously nibbling on her inner lip as she locked eyes with Woosung. His usually dark eyes were now speckled with gold, radiating beautifully against his illuminated complexion in the warm, flickering glow of the fire.

"So... are you ready?" he asked, praying his own anxiousness didn't show through his exterior.

They started walking together, "Am I ready to get shoved face-first into the dirt while a neanderthal tries to fuck me into his submission? Sure, why not?" she replied.

Woosung chuckled, "Sounds like you don't plan on getting caught tonight," he noted.

"If I can help it," she shrugged back, "You get the better end of the deal, anyhow: you get a say in who you want," her lips fell into a pout and Woosung saw he never saw anything cuter that night.

"Very true," he nodded, "But you never know, maybe you'll be tracked by somebody who would treat you right?"

"And maybe Duri's going to become an alpha's mate?" she chuckled back, "You have to agree though, Woo, this whole blood moon ritual is kind of ridiculous. For the twenty-first-century, anyway,"

"Maybe. But I like to think some of us adopted the twenty-first-century way of thinking," he replied.

"Besides you, I can't think of a single person," she said, "... Well, your friends are alright, too,"

"I'll let them know you said so," Woosung simpered.

They were coming to the starting line, with the girls grouped separately from the boys, all anticipating the howl to begin. Iseul glanced at Woosung, her stomach filled with excitement as the adrenaline surged, and her curiosity reached its peak, "So... out of curiosity... is there anybody here you're hoping to mate with?"

Woosung looked around, hoping he could throw her off his intentions as she shook his head, "I don't know. Obviously someone very obedient, submissive, knows how to cook and clean but fucks like a banshee, obviously," he smirked at her, living for that annoyed expression overtaking her face. She smacked his arm and he simply laughed.

"I know you're only joking, but if any part of you is serious I hope you die old and alone," she huffed.

Woosung's smirk never left as he started for his group, walking backwards to keep her in his line of sight, "In that case, you better hope I don't catch you, Iseul!" he teased.

Iseul tittered under her breath, her confidence flaring as she cocked her chin up, her own dark eyes illuminated with flecks of gold, "... I might not fight if you did," she admitted.

How it was that seven small words could get his heart racing so quickly he had no idea, but Woosung swore his mind blanked out as those seven words echoed in his head. There was a possibility that she was just teasing him, but then he knew when she was kidding around. Something in her tone told him she wasn't this time.

He couldn't help the pep in his step as he turned around, running to find his friends to tell them, "Dojoon!"

The group of female betas were chattering with giddy, some of them dressed skimpier than others, some had slipped notes into the pockets of potential suitors they wanted to tip off. And from the smell, so, so many of them were smack-dab in their heat cycles. Either way, the surrounding atmosphere was thick with lascivious anticipation, and of course there was a little bit of fear involved, too.

Iseul glanced behind her nervously, hoping to spot any trace of Woosung in the sea of faces. She caught him briefly, warming up with his friends for what she'd promised to be a long chase ahead of him. He caught her eye briefly, neither of them paying attention as Jimin reiterated the rules they'd heard time and time again. He winked at her again.

Iseul swore her heart stopped.

"Are you ready, girls?" he announced. The female betas let out a chorus of sharp howls, the sound echoing through the trees and across the horizon. Woosung could distinguish Iseul's pitched tone from miles away, her passionate howl igniting a fire in his core.

"Then... GO!" Jimin's call transformed into a prolonged howl, nearly overwhelmed by the sounds of excitement and squeals as the girls sprinted off into the shadowy depths of the woods. They usually had a minute's head start, but they all knew it wouldn't be long until the boys were upon them.

Iseul tried to keep close to her friends as best as she could, though when she looked over her shoulder again she was dismayed to find she was on her own. Nevertheless, her blood was pumping steadily, her legs burning with adrenaline and her feet thundered across the muddy landscape as she ran as fast and as far as she could. She leapt over bushes and careened around tree groves. Already she could hear howls and screams of the other females echoing through the trees, some twisted with salaciousness and eroticism. The boys were already prowling through the forest, and it wouldn't be long until they came upon her, too.

She slowed down at an old pine, stopping to catch her breath. It felt as though she had been running for hours, when Iseul knew that five or so minutes had only passed. This game wasn't supposed to end until dawn broke over the horizon, or until the males and females had found their mates. Either way, the night ahead of her was long and already the air was thick with the stench of sweat and sex.

Disembodied cries of lust continued to rattle her heightened hearing, intermingled with predatory howls. She could pick out Jaehyeong's pitch in the cacophony, and she had to wonder if he'd already pounced and claimed Ji-Woo, just like she'd always gone on and on about. Iseul shook her head at her friend's fantasies, never the less finding her enthusiasm endearing. Among the racket, Iseul could also pick out Yung's howl; a deep, ground-shuddering sound that reflected his own brutishness. She didn't like how close he sounded.

While she continued to run, Iseul came to the alarming realization that she hadn't heard Woosung's howl, not even once, not even when the boys initially set off. She couldn't help but wonder where he went, debating whether or not it was safe to call out to him, or if she'd gone too far for him to find her. But the latter was ridiculous, she knew he had her scent down to memory, if he wanted her he could find her easily.

That is... if he even wanted her in the first place. Who was to say he even took her previous pass at him so seriously.

The sharp snap of a twig pricked at her ears and Iseul turned hastily on her heel, her fingers curled God willing she needed to unleash her claws. But alas, there was nothing behind her.

Iseul, feeling a mixture of panic and indignation, turned around to find Yung's towering and imposing figure looming over her. His eyes bore a determined look, flecked with fiery gold and oranges, and his intent was clear - he was ready to claim her as his mate by any means necessary.

"Hi Iseul," he greeted, feigning politeness, taking a step forward. She took a step back, her worst nightmare coming true.

"Oh. Hey Yung," she said, doing her best to keep a brave front. The fact was she couldn't lie; she found Yung quite intimidating to be around on normal days. A frat-party-eque sex fest was even worse.

"I found you," he noted, his smile disgustingly lecherous.

"That you did," Iseul took another step back.

"So, you know what that means for us, right?" he asked, taking a step closer.

"That I didn't run far enough," she gaped back, not eager to a chase but she was willing if she needed to.

Yung chuckled darkly, "Oh, don't be that way, Iseul. You know the rules of the Union..." he reiterated, reaching out to stroke back her hair.

Iseul moved her head away, glaring sourly, "Yeah. The rules state you need to catch me, not just find me. That's just lazy," she pointed out.

"Somehow, I think you'll grant me the exception," he noted, "You and I would have beautiful pups together,"

She simpered back, "Not in this lifetime, show dog,"

Yung reached out, attempting to grab her, but with a swift movement, she extended her sharp claws and scratched him across his cheek. Yung yelped in pain and surprise as the sting of her claws met his flesh. It was a warning, a defense against his forceful advances.

Iseul wasted no time. She turned and bolted into the trees again, away from Yung, her heart pounding with a mix of fear and determination. Yung, nursing his bleeding face, roared in frustration as she disappeared, picking off her scent and taking off after her.

Sure, he was fast, he was practically the golden boy of the betas, but he wasn't as fast and agile as Iseul was. She knew he'd be hot on her tail and she had to find somewhere to hide, she'd even take the bog if she could find it. She didn't know where she was going, hell she couldn't even concentrate on looking straight ahead. Yung's vile scent was still in her nose and so long as that scent lingered, she knew she wasn't safe.

Rounding a grove of trees, Iseul was ready to hurl herself into the thrush when a pair of arms grabbed her. She screamed, fighting like a caged animal when she heard a familiar, soothing voice.

"Calm down! Calm down, Iseul! It's me! It's Woosung!" her friend held her tight against his chest as he fought to keep his grip on her. Iseul then relaxed, surrendering in his arms as her body suddenly felt incredibly heavy.

"Oh, thank God!" she panted, "I was this close to being mauled," she pinched the air with her pointer finger and thumb.

Woosung took a whiff of the air, "Don't thank the big guy, yet. Yung's still coming,"

As though on cue, the mighty werewolf emerged from behind the tree trunks, taking both of them off guard. He snarled viciously at Woosung, his own claws bearing from his fingertips.

"Let go of my mate," he growled.

Woosung shook his head, "Yung, c'mon -- we can talk about this. You know, like -- civilized men?"

Yung chuckled with pity, "We're not men, Woosung. We're barely human. And you have what belongs to me. I want it back,"

Iseul snarled back, "Oh, fuck you! Calling me an it!?" if she was stronger then Woosung she would've lunged for the beta, but Woosung held her fast against him. She could feel his heart thundering through her back.

It was then that Woosung had an idea, the only way he knew he could get Yung off of Iseul's back. Though, Iseul may not forgive him for it.

"She's not yours though, Yung," he pointed out, "I can smell her, you didn't claim her,"

Yung scoffed, "We were about to get there,"

"Not even in your dreams," Iseul spat back.

"But that means," Woosung continued, "That if you didn't claim her, then she's still fair game," he gave the bigger beta a cocky smirk. Yung's expression went from sheer anger to panic. He knew what Woosung was thinking.

"Don't do it," he warned him, "Don't you even think about it,"

Iseul caught on. If she wasn't so frightened, she may have been a little excited at what he was proposing. Woosung's breath cascaded down her ear, his vice-like grip on her loosening as he brushed his nose across the swoop of her neck. She smelled so fucking good. Iseul shuddered.

"I'm sorry," he whispered in her ear. Before Iseul had the chance to even ask, she felt his sharp teeth puncture the skin where her shoulder met her neck.

Her scream echoed across the forest.

As quickly as he latched on, Woosung released his bite. But the damage was done; her heat had overwhelmed her the moment he'd broken her skin. A sharp, pleasurable sensation coursed from the crown of her head to the tips of her toes. Her heat had never felt so visceral before, consuming her to the point she fought to catch her breath. She could feel her blood trickling down her chest, and even more vividly, she could smell her own blood within Woosung's mouth.

Yung's spirit deflated, his claws retracting, and the once-ferocious gleam faded from his eyes. He understood the futility of his situation; that fighting back now would lead the alphas to exile him from the pack, not that it would make a difference if he did.

Iseul belonged to Woosung, now.

With a scathing snarl, Yung spat at the dirt, backing away slowly, "Fine. She's all yours. You enjoy," he turned on his heel and disappeared in the dark.

Both Woosung and Iseul sighed with relief. Woosung wiped his chin with his hand, guilt shuddering through him at the sight of her blood staining his hand. Guilt... but also a twinge of desire.

"He's gone now," he let her out of his arms. Iseul took two steps before she collapsed against a tree trunk, her legs as wobbly as jello and her skin felt as though it was caging an inferno. Woosung dashed to grab her before she could hit the ground, "Woah! You okay?"

She nodded, she let him set her down gently on the ground. Her breathing settled, as did the adrenaline coursing in her blood. Iseul was dirty, exhausted, but when she looked up at Woosung, sleep was the last thing she had on her mind.

"I'm fine," she huffed, averting her gaze to the clumps of grass and weeds before her, "That was -- oh my God!"

"I'm so sorry, Iseul. I didn't know what else to do," he crouched before her, laying a comforting hand on her knee. She was hot to the touch, every inch of her felt as though it was burning. Though she wasn't in pain.

Iseul cracked a smile and she placed her hand over his, "It's okay. Really, I'm okay," she assured him, "My dry-cleaning might have some questions about this, though," she pointed to the blood seeping into her t-shirt. Woosung simpered quietly, jokes were certainly a good sign.

"Does it still hurt?" he asked, his concern still sprawled across his expression.

She shrugged listlessly, "Not so much, anymore. I'd rather it was you than... you know," she sighed, "... Um... does this mean that...?"

"I think so," Woosung admitted, "We're mates, now,"

He expected Iseul to unleash a barrage of curses, to scold him for his reckless behaviour, but her hand on his remained steady. Her head fell back against the tree trunk, her eyes shimmering with flecks of gold, more radiant than Woosung had ever witnessed. She was utterly captivating, and the scent of her blood only intensified his smoldering desire.

What a dichotomy, he thought.

If Iseul wasn't so exhausted in that moment, she may have let her baser instincts win. She may have begged Woosung to take her hard and fast against this tree, to make her scream for him again and again. But Woosung wasn't just any werewolf, he was her friend first and foremost. And he already seemed so spooked from before.

"Well... do you wanna sit with your new mate until she regains the ability to walk again?" she asked, suppressing a chuckle.

Woosung's smile was genuine now, his tense shoulders relaxed as he gladly obliged her. He took his place beside her, careful of the bite as he looped his arm around her shoulders, pulling her in close. She smelled so tantalizing, his desire for her continuing to bubble in his gut and he prayed she didn't notice how he adjusted himself.

Iseul cuddled up into him, his familiar musk so comforting and the skin of his arms a cool contrast to hers. She didn't bother to suppress her smile when he laid a kiss on her temple, she felt as safe as she possibly could out here, under the blooming moon.

Indistinctive howls and moans continued to echo through the night, haunting Woosung and Iseul like harping banshees as they walked through the forest. While they couldn't see anybody, they knew better. There were couples thrusted into bushes, cloistered in the trees, copulating in the shadows and all around them.

The fire had definitely gone out by now, but the smell of burnt wood and kindling was as sharp as ever as it drew the pair back to their camp.

Any sting from Woosung's bite had subsided by now, but Iseul's state of desire remained the same. Nevertheless, she walked hand-in-hand with Woosung, silently processing what had just happened. Woosung really claimed her, after years and years of debating whether or not she should make the first move, praying that one day he'd come up to her and ask her himself, he'd really done it. Sure, it wasn't as romantic as she originally imagined, but the intent remained the same.

"So..." she sighed, "Are you gonna' rush and tell Dojoon and them what happened?" she asked, a mocking smile on her lips.

Woosung cocked a brow, glancing down at her curiously, "They might ask why I smell like your blood, so..." he chuckled, "But I'm not gonna -- I won't run and gossip with them, if that's what you mean,"

"That might be a tough one to play off," she simpered, "Did you follow me?"

"Hm?"

"Did you follow me -- back there? Or, did you just happen upon me like some sort of white knight?" she asked.

Woosung grinned sheepishly and his gaze averted to the ground, "I may or may not have been following your scent. It's easy to pick you out by now," he said.

Iseul smiled back, "Lucky you had," she replied, "Although it did kind of hinder your chance,"

"How do you mean?" Woosung asked, picking off the glimmer of mischief in her eyes.

She shrugged bashfully, "Well -- you didn't really get a chance to catch your mate properly. You know... after a ten minute chase, it's supposed to be filled with anticipation and sexual tension until you finally take her under a tree or something,"

Woosung cocked a brow, a sly smirk curling at his lips as he stopped in his tracks. Iseul stopped a couple steps after him, her gaze profoundly captivating.

"Is that what you want, Iseul?" he asked, taking a step closer. She wasn't intimidated as she had been with Yung, though she couldn't help the apprehensive pinching swirling in her gut as he looked at her that way. Something within him suddenly changed, shifting from the familiar, carefree Woosung to a more primal and instinctual version of himself.

She liked it a lot.

"... Maybe I do," she replied truthfully, "What would you say if I told you that... I only ever wanted you to be my mate?" she took a step closer as well.

Woosung though he was dreaming, he must've been. But the prickling breeze and the howls wailing over his head assured him over otherwise.

His excitement began to grow again, he cursed at himself for wearing fitted jeans because he knew that Iseul would be able to pick out the tent in his pants if she looked.

"I would say that I've longed to hear you say that for nearly my entire life," he admitted, bringing his chilled hand up to her cheek. Her skin wasn't as hot as before but she still felt so warm, the blood on her neck still tacky as his fingers fluttered down to her collarbone.

"How about I give you a five minute head start?" he offered.

Iseul gulped at his words, suddenly feeling her blood rushing to her cheeks. She was elated when the flecks of yellow and gold reappeared in his irises. She bit at her inner lip, a newly renowned adrenaline bubbling in her gut.

"A whole five minutes?" she queried, "Are we feeling confident?" she brought her hand to his chest, fingers flexing against the indent of his pectorals.

"Very," he leaned in, approaching her lips with his own. Iseul's eyes fluttered closed for a moment, waiting imminently to be lured into his trap before he whispered into her ear, "Your time starts now,"

Like a shot, Iseul pivoted on her heel and swiftly disappeared into the woods once again, a surge of renewed vitality propelling her as she ran. Woosung never truly appreciated the expression "I hate to see you go, but I love to watch you leave," more than he had in that moment, her slim physique but a flashing memory before his eyes though nevertheless her smell was still thick in his nose.

Iseul wasn't sure where she was going, much like previously she was itching to get as far away as fast as she could. Only difference here was she found herself laughing as she ran, coursing with giddy. She knew Woosung was a formidable hunter, he'd be on her in no time. Nevertheless, the chase this time was a little more more tantalizing than the last. She leapt over thrushes and ducked around trees, running until her legs burned and her chest began to tighten. She was excited, but it didn't mean that she was going to make this easy for him.

She finally stopped when she came to a clearing, dimly lit from the reddened tinge of the moon. The cacophony in the air had diminished, with many of her fellow betas either having found their own partners or chosen to remain hidden. Meanwhile, she was certain that numerous males had surrendered and retreated back. It was probably somewhere after midnight now, maybe closer to one in the morning? So much had already happened in such little time and yet Iseul still had so much energy to burn, anticipation prickling at her spine as she cased the area. There was no sound, not even a smell.

Iseul became nervous after ten minutes of waiting, wandering around the trees or stopping to stare up at the moon. She waited for the first whiff, the first crack of a twig or squelch of mud, giving her ample time to take off should she need to. If she even wanted to.

Her head whipped around when she heard a snapping in the distance, her apprehension elevated as she began to back out of the moonlight.

And then she smelled him. He was here.

She froze suddenly when her back made contact with something unexpected — not a tree trunk, but a chest. Almost immediately his scent overwhelmed her, the tip of his cold nose brushing softly across the unscathed side of her neck, her warm breath eliciting goosebumps over her skin. All thoughts of running vanished in a snap, her baser instinct taking over as his arms wrapped around her slim figure.

"Does it count now?" he tittered into her ear, his tone low and laced with a darker promise.

"Yes. Now it counts," she muttered, her voice just brushing above a whisper, "You took your time,"

"I wanted you to feel like you were winning," he teased, turning her so they came nose-to-nose. His face was infinitely closer now, maybe because her fingers were pressed against his nape, subtly pulling him lower. It didn’t take amazing eyesight to notice the tent growing in his pants. At this point her juices were trickling into her pants.

“I think I did win,” she looked at his lips. She loved the deep dimples in his cheeks; she had wanted to kiss them since she first noted them.

“We both did,”

She nodded, her fingers sliding under the edge of his t-shirt.

He shivered as he laid his lips against hers, simply pressing them there, pushing them gently against her own before disclosing them slightly with a barely-there lick. He moved back an inch to look at her, make sure she was alright.

Iseul's eyes were closed, her cheeks soft and warm under his palms, her lips inviting and thicker now that blood was rushing to them. Just as Woosung realized he wanted to stare at her some more, her eyelids lifted gently. Looking at his lips, she stretched forward, laying a peck on his dimpled smile before breathing out and sucking his lower lip into her mouth.

His growl was inhuman once he felt the warmth of her mouth on his tender skin. His hand went to the back of her head, pulling her closer while his other palm landed against the small of her back, her legs open so he could slot his hips between them, his pelvis meeting hers eagerly.

“Dammit. You’re beautiful,” he moaned, his mouth tracing her jaw. His mind raced at the thought all the sinful things he could do to his little eager mate.

She nodded and stretched her neck for him, offering him her throat. He bit instantly -- without breaking the skin this time, not even giving her time to think about it, causing her to moan and press her crotch against anything that could dull the edge of pleasure.

His hands went from her waist to the backs of her thighs, squeezing firmly, "Jump,"

"What?"

"Jump!" Iseul barely had her feet off the ground before his large hands held her fast against him, her legs wrapping around his torso. Then his knees were in the ground, using his core strength to lay her down under the tree canopy. He hissed when his muscles released.

“Did that hurt?” she asked, ready to fuss over him.

He shook his head curtly, “Listen, I don’t care about how far we go, okay? We can take this as slow as you want, we don't even --”

“Let’s play it by ear, mh?” she cooed, cupping his cheek as he kneeled over her.

He nuzzled his cheek against her palm, “Let’s do that," and he went in for another kiss.

She was teasing his lower lip with the tip of her tongue, making him frown as he tried to chase after her, “You've always been like a kid chasing for a treat, haven't you?”

“Just kiss me, you tease!” Woosung chuckled as he grabbed her face, pushing his open mouth against hers, his tongue making its way between her teeth, against her palate, caressing hers lewdly, slippery flesh against slippery flesh.

Iseul's hips grounded against his naturally, his palms lowering to grab her ass and lead you through the motion.

His own hips shyly pushing into hers caused her blood to boil, her skin flushed as her body temperature skyrocketed, “Keep moving on me,” he huffed out, his right hand leaving her hip to tease the hem of her shirt, “Can I?” he asked, waiting at the threshold of the naked skin below.

“I can take it off if you’d like,” she whispered, kissing the side of his neck.

“God, yes,”

The shirt was gone in a second, leaving her flushed chest clad only in her bra.

His focus went to her breasts immediately, “Oh.”

Iseul smirked and laid her hand on his, leading it to her left mound, making his fingers grab onto it, “You can squeeze it,”

He nodded and closed his eyes, relishing in the soft material. She was glad her bra was a thin cotton piece; she could feel him closer, harder, better.

Woosung watched her expression as he started massaging the flesh, gripping it energetically and pulling whimpers from her lips. He stopped immediately, “Too hard?”

She shook her head and giggled, “No, it's perfect. It’s perfect when it hurts just a little— Just like that, uh…” her eyes rolled back and her eyelids fluttered, “Just fine, Woosung. Damn perfect,”

He grinned, rutting his hips harder against her, “You like when it hurts?”

She hummed, too busy finding the perfect angle to meet his thrusts. “Kinda,”

Experimenting, he felt for her nipple pushing against the fabric before pinching it between thumb and forefinger, making her whimper even more. Her jaw fell slack before her back arched, her hand coming over her lips, a weak purr leaving her throat.

“Harder?” he asked, his free hand helping her grind against his thigh, gripping her asscheek, squeezing it, “Do you need it to hurt more? Better?”

She was far too gone to actually formulate sentences, no matter how small. The feel of his cock hardening, lengthening against her core was far too intense. She could feel it twitch and stretch, pressed against the zipper.

“Iseul,” he called for her attention.

She gave a small moan that meant both pleasure and acquiescence.

Deliberately, attentively, he pushed the cup of her bra down, studying the tender, thin skin of her breast while his lips pressed into her neck, leaving trails of kisses as he caressed her breasts, her hips, everywhere he could reach. He lolled his tongue out and managed to lick her nipple with the very tip of his tongue.

“Fuuuck, Woo, please, God… Just fuck me. I wanna cum. I— please. Make me feel good, Woo,”

He liked hearing her beg for him, he liked it way more than he ever thought he would. Somehow her pleas hit so much deeper within him. Maybe it was because she always looked so independent and self-sufficient, that feeling needed by her turned him on so wildly and inexplicably.

He nudged her left nipple with his lips, teasing it softly before sucking it into his mouth. The moan she emitted made his hips jut forward, a low grunt echoing in the air as he reckoned he needed to take his jeans off, still, having her warm torso against his was too much of a revelation for him to part from her hot skin.

Her hands buried into his hair as he swirled his tongue around her nipple before suckling on it lightly. Her body grew heavier at every movement trying to keep herself focused while his lips slid down her stomach to her aching core.

The wolf knew once he got this close to her beautiful heat there would be going back. Every day the taste of her would end up lingering on his tongue until he got to taste it again. This girl did things to him he could never explain to even her let alone anyone in the pack. Woosung was swift as he popped the buttons on her jeans, shoving her pants impatiently until he had her fully, vulnerable to him. His tongue moved up from her leaking hole to her throbbing clit. He couldn’t help but smile a little at how her whole body jerked at the new found pleasure.

Iseul felt how his tongue licked at one particular spot that jolted a surge up her pine, her body jerking. In seconds, she felt his lips wrap around the small nub, coaxing light moans to slip out of her while her fingers still tangled in his hair, “Woosung…”

His moan rattled vibrations against her core. With a slight pop, Woosung broke from his light snacking and bit into her thighs, a little treat just for him.

The smaller wolf giggled affectionately, caressing his head before he crawled over her. Propping herself up on her elbows, she watched Woosung strip himself of his clothes until they were both now bare. Her lust blown, golden eyes stared down at his twitching, hard member before licking her lips.

“Spread your legs,” he only had to tap her knee gently for her to move her legs apart more than enough for him to sneak in between. Wrapping his fingers around his cock, he rubbed the reddened tip against her clit making, elated as her head fell back, “You want it, baby?”

Iseul nodded frantically.

“I can’t hear you," his tip poked at her slit. The little game tortured him as much it did her, but he wanted to hear her beg again.

“Yes, I want it...” she jerked her hips against his movements, gasping when the tip of his cock entered her slightly, “I want it so bad,"

She always knew how to touch that extra nerve in his body every all the time. It was almost magical how Iseul had so much control over him by being so perfectly submissive. Woosung pushed his cock into her snug little hole with soaked ease, her cunt flowing, making it all the more harder not to just pound her into oblivion. His hips moved slow, letting the sounds of watery sloshing ring in his ears. Arms pressed down the sides of her body, caging over his mate as he relished in her warm walls.

Iseul held onto his forearm as she watched her pussy getting stretched by his cock. The amount of times she dreamed of this happening was a little embarrassing. Now that it was happening, she had him snug inside of her felt so invigorating, she could giggle in glee.

Their foreheads pressed together softly as Woosung whispered, “Is this good?”

She nodded, gasping and moaning. “Yeah…”

The one word was all that needed to be uttered for him to quicken his pace a little, skin slapping against skin ever so slightly. Woosung shifted down to his elbows now as he caressed her cheek, nosing at the base of her neck near her previous bite. His tongue drifted over the dried blood.

“Look at you,” he chuckled darkly, “I wanna' mark you again. Can I?”

“Please, Woo,” she begged, wrapping her arms around him,“Do it”

“Good girl,” He cooed.

When he opened his mouth and bit down — her voice echoed in a heavy cry, laced in pure lust and ecstasy. Woosung groaned, his knot sensitive as she clenched and pulsed around him. Her blood was sweet in his mouth as he broke the skin, pulling his canines out before licking over the wound to seal the punctures.

She now had matching marks, teeth punctures on either side of her neck.

And she fucking loved it.

“You're mine. You're all fucking mine,” he whispered breathlessly, still thrusting into her steadily.

“I'm yours,” she cupped his cheek, struggling to keep her gaze as the pleasure tickled her every nerve. “I always have been...”

Lips pressed against hers, tongue exploring everything he knew was willingly submitted to him tonight. Once the kiss broke the softness melted along with it as the beta pounded into her cunt. Arms back up, muscles popping out furiously before hooking one of her legs around his waist.

Her moaning became an uneven pattern melting into the sounds of their wet skin grinding and slapping against each other. As soon as Woosung leaned in closer, Iseul muffled a few of her whimpers into a heated kiss while her hand moved down to find that little nub, rubbing it to match with his thrusts. The tight ball in her lower belly exploded before she could even expect it, her legs trembling and a flurry of moans passing her lips.

Woosung felt her walls clench around him, already feeling the pressure around his cock push him closer to his orgasm. His thrusts grew a little more brutal, pawing at her hips and hammering into her while she gave him that beautiful, innocent smile to reassure him it was okay to keep going despite her sensitivity.

“Cum inside me…” she whimpered, her body literally shook with the force of his thrusts.

Her adorable whisper was all it took for the wolf to finally come undone, filling his mate up with his seed in sloppy and rough thrusts. Only until the last drop did he pull out slowly watching a little bit of his release dripping out of her.

“... That's it,” Iseul giggled, brushing his shaggy hair out from his eyes, "We're stuck together,"

Woosung's boyish grinned returned, his nose poking into the crook of her shoulder again as he collapsed on top of her. His scalding body was a surreal contrast to the cold, wet ground beneath her. All traces of the dominant wolf had vanished from his eyes, irises still flecked with gold as they adored her.

"You're mine," he cooed, laying a kiss over her pulse point, "You're so much more than just my mate, Iseul,"

"So are you," she awed, "I'm curious, though..."

"What about?" he asked.

She didn't want to ruin the mood they had, but she had to know, "... If we didn't mate tonight, would you have picked somebody else?"

Woosung gulped, not knowing how to tell her that he had eyes on her for the longest time, to the point that he rarely noticed the appearances of the other female betas. While he acknowledged their attractiveness, he also realized that many people were indeed "pretty." Nobody even came close to Iseul's beauty, “Probably not. None of them would taste as good as you,”

Iseul giggled, swatted at his bicep, “You didn't know what I tasted like until now.”

“No, but you smelled really fucking good,” he smiled, nudging her cheek with his nose, “I thought I lost you earlier… just for a second,”

Her head shook with dismay, "No one's gonna' mess with us, now. I’m yours now, remember?” she lay a small kiss on his chest.

Woosung caressed her cheek, not being able to help mimicking a little smile of his own, “You’re mine,"

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vidavalor · 5 months

Note

Are you worried about them not talking in S3 like the announcement said?

Hi there. Caramel? *passes the box* To answer your question: not in the slightest. I was elated, actually. There's literally nothing better than rock bottom characters in the first episode of a final season if you want a happy ending because it can only improve from there. There won't be any story if there's nowhere for it to go. It's why characters happy in the first episode of a season make me nervous lol. S2 ended, imho, with Aziraphale's mental health crisis boiling over and with a disaster of bandstand breakup/1862 breakup mashup level of misery. We're in Aziraphale's parallel Holy Water era here and it's been brewing since the first episode. It's ultimately going to be fine and it'll hurt so good along the way. Also? The last time they argued about stopping Armageddon, they were on the same page inside of an episode so how the series begins and where it goes are two different things. The plot'll necessitate they start working together relatively quickly, even if they're resolving things along the way.

Plus, oh, they said they're at odds at the same time that they need to team up to stop the end of the world, yeah? So one might presume a flashback or two of them teaming up and saving the world in the mix there? *looks at the ceiling innocently* Like maybe the rest of The Flood? Canopy Vavoom? Hmmm... can't think of a better time to throw in that than when they're a mess in the present...

#ineffable husbands #good omens #good omens meta #good omens 2 #good omens 3 #aziracrow #crowley #aziraphale

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obsolescent · 8 months

Text

Times Like These

Pairing: Leon S. Kennedy x GN!Reader

Author’s Note: A short oneshot for today! I got this idea while at the beach the other week. Leon gets to have a peaceful, relaxing time on vacation. Also trying out a new format, took some nice photos there. Enjoy!

Content Warnings: None, fluff, domestic bliss, gender neutral language for reader, Leon is trans but just his chest scars are mentioned.

September, in your opinion, is the best time to visit the beach. Not too hot and not too many visitors either, which is ideal for your boyfriend, Leon. He gets antsy around crowds of people, but due to his line of work, it’s understandable.

You two prepared the car for the trip down to the gulf, bags and suitcases stacked in the back of Leon’s Jeep Wrangler. It takes around five hours to drive to your destination, a relatively comfortable, easy, and short road trip, the silence filled with Leon’s divorced dad rock music.

Arriving at the condo midday, you two settle in for the week-long stay, before making your way down the short boardwalk to the beach. Once you’ve finished setting up your canopy and chairs, you make a beeline for the shore, shell bag in hand.

Leon follows you, sitting further back to avoid the brunt of the waves. You sit on your knees, finding out quickly that it’s the optimum way to remain upright while the waves wash against you while digging for shells.

Securing the net’s string around your wrist, you begin to dig into the sand, searching. Brushing against something, you wrap your hand around it, pulling up a lightning whelk shell, fully intact! “Aha! Look, honey!” You exclaimed, showing off your successful find.

“Oh, wow! Fully intact, too. Good job sweetheart,” Leon says, smiling at you. You grin back, going back to digging. As you move further in, the waves begin their assault against you, periodically a whap against your back while you hunt. Not paying it any mind, you continue, whereas Leon has taken notice.

“Baby, the waves are hitting you pretty hard, do you want to move up some? Get away from them?” He asks, concern lacing his voice. “No, I’m okay! They aren’t bothering me!” You reply back, slightly distracted by your current activity.

“Well, why don’t we swim some? Your bag looks pretty full.” He was right. Glancing down, you hadn’t realized how many you had already found. You nod, cinching your shell bag closed, you bring it back to your spot on the beach. After dropping it off, you head back to the shoreline, Leon having gotten up already and wading into the water.

Following him out, you swim out where the water is up to your chest, beginning to float. You let the waves rock your body, a lulling rhythm as you lean back, closing your eyes and letting yourself float on the surface.

You feel something brush against your back, startling you. Letting out a shout, your body jolting and beginning to move away, before arms encircle your waist. “Jus’ me, baby,” Leon whispers in your ear, having swam up underneath you, now cradling your body against his.

“Almost gave me a heart attack,” You mutter, relaxing against his hold. He chuckles, “Gotta keep you on your feet, don’t I?” He responds. You let out a giggle, squeezing his forearm that keeps you against him. You two float there, staring up at the azure sky. The sounds of seagulls flying overhead and the lapping of the waves creating a peaceful ambiance.

Leon sighs, closing his eyes and letting the burdens and stress float away with the current. “This is so nice,” You whisper, laying your head against his shoulder. “Yeah, it is. Even nicer with you here with me, baby.” He kisses the top of your head, smelling of saltwater and faintly of sunscreen.

You hum, nodding your head. Glad to have this time with him. It’s not often he’s allowed some time away from work, especially not for a week. But he was promised the entirety of his vacation wouldn’t be disturbed, allowing him alone time with you.

You two stay there, treading water, for what seems like hours. You begin to grow tired, knowing it wouldn’t be wise to fall asleep in the water, regardless if Leon is holding you up. You decide to swim back to shore, wanting to also take a closer look at all the shells you found.

“I’m going to head back, okay?” You detach yourself from him, heading for the shore. “Don’t get tide get you!” You call out. “Don’t worry, if the current sweeps me out to sea, just collect the life insurance.” Him and his dry ass humor. “Leon!” You yell, snapping your head back towards him. He just laughs, amused at your reaction.

Reaching land, you sit down on the towel laid out, dumping out the contents of your bag, assorting them from biggest to the smallest. Not long after, Leon joins you, body glistening from the ocean water, his chest scars faint against his skin. He begins toweling off his hair as he sits down on one of the beach chairs. As he works on drying his body, he begins watching you work, a content smile spreading across his features.

Your hands make quick work of organizing the shells, moving fast as concentration furrows your brow. Leon then notices the color washing over your features, turning to look at the sun bathing the beach in a variety of colors that leave him awestruck.

You glance up at Leon, taking notice of him staring off into the eventide, seemingly lost in thoughts. His body relaxed, face serene. You get up and make your way over to him, holding your hand out. “Let’s take a walk along the shore,” You say, catching his attention. He grins up at you, grabbing your hand and pulling himself up.

You walked alongside him, hand in hand. The sun begins to dip below the horizon, bathing the sky in hues of gold and orange. Something like this, so domestic, seemed far out of reach for Leon. He allows himself to fantasize, hopeful that one day times like these won’t last just a week at a time, but every day for the rest of his life, with you by his side.

#o fics #leon kennedy #leon s kennedy #trans leon kennedy #leon kennedy x reader #leon kennedy x you #leon kennedy fluff #leon kennedy fanfic #leon kennedy x gn!reader #leon s kennedy x gn!reader #leon s kennedy x reader #leon s kennedy x you #leon kennedy imagine #leon kennedy blurb #leon kennedy oneshot

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forest-falcon · 22 days

Text

Whumpy/Angsty WIP

Trigger warning for blood, angst, shock, whump.

OCs: Tamara Fielding, Jonesy and Mac who work with Captain Cass McCready as firefighters.

💚♥️🚒👨‍🚒👩‍🚒🧑‍🚒

As far as Virgil could tell, only two figures had stood in the direct path of the falling glass; Alan, and the firefighter who had pushed him to safety.

Alan was clearly unharmed; already scrambling to his feet, ready to assess the situation. He may be the youngest Tracy, but he was International Rescue material through-and-through.

The firefighter who had dived to save Alan, however, was still curled in the same position on the floor. Her fire jacket, and the settling dust, making it nearly-impossible to tell whether Alan's Good Samaritan was even breathing.

Please be alive, please be alive…

Maybe, by some sheer miracle, she had dodged the shards unscathed?

Maybe, she was simply lying and waiting for the immediate danger to pass?

Another second, and her ragged breathing became apparent.

Shit.

At least she was alive. He could work with alive.

"TAM!" Jonesy dashed towards his prone friend.

"Wait!" Virgil made a quick scan of his immediate surroundings.

Of course, the fire helmets were properly stored, and not immediately reachable in the decimated foyer. He'd have to improvise.

There was an upturned coffee table. That could work.

"Okay, with me" he gestured, using the table for cover from further debris.

Alan had followed suit, sheltering under the canopy of a firefighter's jacket.

Admittedly, the risk of further falling glass was relatively low - a large portion of the roof above them was now sky, but the wind outside had picked up, toppling the odd piece of loose rubble with a flurry of silt.

Virgil knelt whilst simultaneously removing his plaid shirt.

The casualty's fingers were hovering, quivering above a ragged piece of glass protruding from her abdomen.

"Tam, was it?"

"T-Tam-mmm-m," she nodded as she shivered.

"Short for Tamara." Jonesy offered.

"Tam, I'm Virgil. I'm going to need you to lie nice and still for me."

"O-k-kay…”

The firefighter gave a small laugh as a few rogue tears ran from the corners of her eyes.

“I'm o-kay. M'okay. M’kay. This is ..fineee!" Tam grinned against the tears, as though merely rejecting the situation would suffice

Virgil bunched his shirt and gently guided the woman's quivering fingers away from the wound.

What he'd give for his baldric right now.

"Tam, I know it's hard, but I'd like you to focus on your breathing for me...nice n' steady. Try to control the shivering if you can. We want this wound nice n' still."

"D... don't know...w-why... I'm...sh-shivering so m-much. Doesn't hurt that much...if-f-f I s-stay s-still."

Jonesy was staring at him. A silent conversation passing between the first responders.

Confident the risk of further glass falling was negligible; Jonesy set the desk down to shield Tam's eyes from dust. Sliding himself under the table, he reached for his friend.

"Hold my hands."

"M-M'okay" Tam's protest was feeble, and somewhat pointless, given that she conceded with a simple look.

"I'm sorry Tam, but this will likely hurt." Virgil apologised as he covered the wound (barring the glass) with his shirt.

"Alan, I need you to keep the pressure on this for me, while I set up an IV."

Fielding's sharp wail flooded the room, before fading to a choked whimper as the pain swallowed her voice.

"Ambulance should be with us in five." Mac called.

Five minutes? She'd bleed out in that time.

"Great, thanks," he mustered with as much positivity as his voice could muster.

Virgil rummaged through the medical rucksack for supplies. There must be something...anything, that could buy them some time. First thing’s first; IV.

He turned back to Alan, who was staring at the darkening shirt, his arms slack.

"Like this." Virgil manually guided Alan's hands back down to put pressure back on the wound. His brother's hands were surprisingly cold and clammy.

He's going into shock.

Virgil willed the thought away. Alan was a professional, he'd seen numerous rescues - some arguably worse than this. And right now, he could use all the help he could get.

Professionals aren't immune to trauma, though. She saved his life, possibly at the expense of her own. You need to watch him.

As soon as Virgil removed his hands from Alan's, the necessary pressure was gone again. Jonesy was quick to fill in for Alan, though his face wore a similar shade of grey.

Alan slowly stood, staring at the blood still slick on his palms. He continued to stare as he silently stumbled away in no particular direction.

Virgil tapped at his watch and dialed his emergency code.

Within moments, John's voice washed over him like a tonic.

"Virgil, you've activated your emergency beacon."

"Multi-casualty situation. Building’s unstable. Alan's in shock. Require urgent assistance."

"FAB, we're on our way."

"Your status, Thunderbird Two?"

"Uninjured."

"S-s-lot of-blood. M' S-scared." Tam continued to shiver.

"Hey, hey Tam. Look at me. Look at me."

Wide eyes fixed on his.

"Do you trust me?"

Tam gave a hesitant half-nod.

"You just saved my youngest brother. Do you think there's even a chance I'd let anything happen to you?"

The prone firefighter managed a weak smile.

"I mean, a feat like that's gotta be worth...oooh...at least two drinks at a London bar."

"Two whole drinks, huh?" Her voice was breathy.

"Have you seen London prices? Last time Scottie and myself were here, they charged him £35 for a small measure of whisky! £35! Even I needed a drink after that."

Tam's smile grew a fraction before her eyes suddenly rolled back, and her head lolled to the side.

"Tam? Tam?”

#thunderbirds are go #thunderfam #thunderwhump #thunderangst #virgil tracy #thunderbirds fanfiction #alan tracy

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owlespresso · 3 months

Note

for the fanfic trope ask thing, i think fake dating + sleep intimacy is always so fucking good

pretending to date the esteemed Dr. Ratio has a bevy of benefits. you're not sure if his preoccupation with your health is one of them. 1.1k words

The night is late. Stars shimmer in broad bands of pure light above the resort, a reminder of what you miss so thoroughly when you're at home.

You stood on the balcony of your room for likely an hour, forearms pressed up against the cool railing. The air is warm enough to permit it, balmy and sweet with the scent of wildflowers and the ocean. The tides crash against the nearby beach, close enough to be heard as you stare into those unblinking cosmos.

The glass door slides open, breaking you from your reverie. Your companion lingers in the threshold, and you can already picture him with arms crossed, eyebrows raised in silent expectation.

"It's getting late. If you want to get a regular eight hours, I would recommend retiring now." Veritas insists.

"Eight hours, huh... You don't need to worry about me. I run fine on less." you inform him, drumming your fingertips on the cool metal of the railing.

"That may very well serve you while alone with only your research to worry about, but to 'run on less' at the wedding of an esteemed relative and colleague would be impolite at best and irresponsible at worst, given the hand you had in organizing this entire affair.” As per usual, he wastes no time with his scolding. You’ve been on the receiving end of many such lectures, especially after long periods of time spent without rest, buried amongst the old tomes and binders which contain the bulk of your work and research material. As a fellow scholar, you had once hoped he would understand the need to forgo sleep for the greater good—but he’s still standing there.

You can practically hear him roll his eyes. This is fake dating. You’re dating for convenience alone. You needed a date to your friend’s wedding and Veritas wants to take samples of some of the flora on the island for his own convenience. There’s no need for him to reach out beyond that, and still—he’s been awfully intent on shepherding you around.

“Need I remind you of today’s incident? You nearly fell asleep on your feet. Had I not been there, you would have fallen nose-first into your mojito.” He continues on.

"Fine,” you acquiesce with a sigh, if only to stop his blabbering. You would rather jump off than admit it, but he has a good point. The jetlag and your duties as assistant wedding planner have wrung you dry and kept you busy. So busy that you assumed you wouldn't be getting any good sleep until you returned home. You accepted that fate. Divine intervention reaches down in the form of one Veritas Ratio, whose nagged you to sleep twice now. Going for a third time tonight.

“Spare me your complaints,” Veritas clicks his tongue. The door slides shut behind you, curtains pulled tidily back into place. “You’ll be thanking me tomorrow, when you’re able to think clearly, make good decisions, and remain standing up for more than fifteen minutes at a time.”

And that, you suppose you cannot dispute. You navigate through the suite, passing the canopy bed and ducking into the lavish bathroom, hastening to the sink. Running through your bedtime routine serves to settle your ruffled nerves. There’s something stabilizing in those repetitive motions, in cleaning your face and brushing your teeth. The creature in the reflection of the bathroom mirror looks more honest, divested of concealer and powder and lipgloss. The luggage under your eyes shines dull and deep.

“Do you see now?” Veritas steps up behind you. Even in sleepwear, he clings onto his bravado, broad chest and strong arms hidden underneath the gauzy, deep blue of his robe. The fabric is incredibly sheer, nearly transparent. You can very clearly see each defined plane of muscle held beneath, his broad shoulders and ridiculously big arms painfully clear. You don’t get your gaze wander any lower, for the sake of propriety. He cradles a half-empty wine glass in one of his hands. “Why getting an adequate amount of rest is so important?”

“You look like a recent widow whose husband died in mysterious circumstances.” you say, without really thinking.

He snorts. “Hush,” he gently chides. The wine glass is delicately slipped onto the wide sink counter. His fingers gently prise decorative pins and clips from your hair. Your spine goes rigid as he delicately removes each one, expecting the telltale sting of a pull. But not a pinch of pain pricks your scalp. He lays them out across the speckled marble. The gold and silver gleams underneath the lighting, the lights above the mirror set to dim. It’s easy on your tired eyes.

You, against your better judgment, relax into the delicate touch. Your eyes flutter shut, palms pressing flat to the cold counter, general chaos of the day sliding off your shoulders like fresh rain. Any possible retort dies on your tongue, weary from all of the small talk you’ve endured.

“There,” Veritas hums. The last pin settles on the counter with a quiet clink. “All done. Now do us both a favor and come to bed. I won’t get a wink of sleep if you keep fussing.”

“I wasn’t fussing. I was standing on the balcony. Outside of our room.”

“And the door to said balcony makes the most horrendous squeal whenever you open it,” Veritas sighs as though immensely put upon. “Now come. You have accrued six hours worth of sleep debt in short time we’ve been here.” He leaves the bathroom, the silken river of his robe swaying around his toned calves as he departs.

“Alright, alright,” you grumble, following.

Veritas, of course, is not one to let you get the last word in. He braces a palm at the small of your back for a fleeting moment, gently urging you forward.

“Don’t sound so put out. I’m looking out for your well-being, like any prospective partner should. If anything, you should be thanking me,” he says, and you know you’re not imagining the slight, self-satisfied smile on his face.

The blankets have been pulled back, revealing the downy, cream-colored sheets beneath. It looks near heavenly after the very, very active day you’ve just endured. Divesting yourself of all propriety, you dive underneath the blankets. They’re buttery and cool against your warm skin, smelling of sandalwood and sweet, lovely lotions. The mattress creaks as he settles in beside you, but you pay him no mind as you melt atop the mattress, muscles released of the day’s tensions. This is a professional arrangement, after all. You have nothing to worry about from him.

“We’re not really dating,” you mumble, only after several minutes of tossing and turning and nestling into place amongst the sea of pillows. There’s a clicking sound. He’s turned off the lamp.

You open one eye to peer at him. He’s smiling, cheek gracing the palm of his hand. In the dim, his eyes seem to glow and glimmer like dying embers. “I’m well-aware. “

#hungering for hsr #dr ratio/reader #dr ratio

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snippychicke · 10 months

Text

For the Sake of a Smile (V.2) Chapter Eight

Title: For the Sake of a Smile (Revised)

Overall Rating: Mature (18+)

Chapter Rating: T for teen.

Trigger warnings: Nothing beyond the child abuse hinted in the series, though we do explore the consequences a bit more.

Main Pairing: Balam Shichiro/Reader

Summary: Hell on earth was your motto for your job. Granted, you were pretty sure earth really was hell, considering the shit you had seen in your life. And the fact your coworker was a child.

A child named Suzuki Iruma, in fact. A kid who’s life was decidedly worse than yours, but yet he smiled despite everything. It wasn’t long after meeting him that you decided you’d do a lot for his smile. Including summoning a literal demon and signing your soul away.

But as it turns out, hell (The Netherworld, actually) was a lot better than living on earth. Demons were more humane than a lot of humans you knew.

And Iruma’s smile wasn’t the only one that would change your life.

Masterlist | Ao3| Mairimashitai! Simps Discord

Just a little walk, you had told yourself. Just far enough where you could growl and seethe in peace without anyone worrying about an evil cycle that would never come.

You had made sure the tent was still in sight before ducking behind a tree. And you were sure you didn't move as you sat there, your thoughts a chaotic whirlwind in your head. First rage, then the ache of betrayal. Anxiety. Depression.

How could everything just fall apart like this?

Yes you'd like Balam, far more than you should. You were attracted to every piece of him, inside and out.

But there was no doubt in your mind that he would never --could never-- feel the same for you. You were 'incredibly precious' to him only because you were human. You held the knowledge he had been after for who-knew how long. He would never see you in a romantic way, let alone…

Well, in the way you desired him.

You scrubbed away the tears as determination took root. You knew about the rumor, so you could set about correcting it. First by talking with Raim and Momonoki and telling them that despite whatever they heard, it was wrong. There was nothing between you and Balam.

You stood and marched around the tree…

Only to freeze.

--+--

Balam returned to the main camp in the early hours of the morning. He was more than a bit tired from using his mana all night, but still eager to take you up on your offer from the night before. It had been far too long since he was able to have you all to himself. Where he was able to focus on you and nothing else.

He had found a relatively safe place not too far from camp that he could take you for a quick breakfast picnic. A small clearing filled with benign flora, where the sunlight was able to break through the canopy. It would be a perfect place to share a meal with you.

Except, you weren't at the desk tallying the students' points as he expected. Instead Dali had taken your place, a faint frown on the other teacher's face.

"Oh! Balam!" The head teacher greeted as Balam approached. "You haven't seen Ms Suzuki, have you?"

"No. How long has she been absent?" Balam asked, hoping he didn't sound as panicked as he felt. Especially considering how high the stack Dali was working on compared to where you had been keeping it under control.

"Well, she said she was stepping out for some fresh air last night," He admitted. "But no one has seen her since. We had hoped maybe she was roped into helping some student through the night, given her nature."

Balam felt cold. No one had seen you since last night? "Did she go to one of the rest tents? Or one of the others?" You wouldn't go into the woods. You knew better than that. You wouldn't be so foolish.

Right?

"If she did, no one recalls seeing her. Though perhaps she's like the Purson clan? Still, I wouldn't expect her to abandon her post without…"

Dali looked up, but Balam was already gone.

--+--

Balam tore through the camp of tents in increasing panic. His fear only grew every time someone denied seeing you.

You knew the dangers of the forest. How many times had you promised him that you would be careful? That you wouldn't leave the camp? He had worried so much about you being part of the festival, but you had done so much to reassure you wouldn't leave that he had begun to believe you.

But here you were, only the second day, and you were missing. There were so many beasts and fauna that would love prey such as yourself. Things that you had no way of defending yourself against. You weren't skilled enough yet with your Runes to even protect yourself properly.

He forced himself to calm down and focus. He had to trust you. You were an adult, fully matured and aware of the dangers. You knew you were weak compared to the rest of the Netherworld, and guarded your secret carefully.

First things first, he had to find you. Balam allowed his mana to spread, just as he did through the night when checking on the students. A trick he had developed over the years of searching for creatures and keeping tabs on students.

Except this time he was focusing on your strange mana. He had made sure to take note of it when you showed off your budding skills with the Runes. If demons were specks of light, you were a speck of darkness against the void. It was an odd allegory, but it was the best way to describe it.

And if it had been hard to sense before, it was even harder to sense among the noise of the forest that was alive with other stronger sources of magic. To the point Balam nearly missed the small point of darkness, your mana far fainter than normal.

Which did nothing to help his anxiety.

Balam could feel the fringes of an Evil-Cycle try to settle over his mind and resisted against the feeling --as well as the changes-- that came with it while he raced in your direction.

You weren't far, thank Devi; barely passed the tree line, in fact. He called your name, hope blossoming as he rushed towards where you should be. He expected you to appear; maybe confused by his panic or smiling and completely unaware of the turmoil you had caused.

Except, you didn't.

He couldn't even see you despite knowing you had to be close. Balam could smell you at this point -- or rather Sullivan's masking cologne -- among the floral scents. Yet there was nothing but more trees leading to the depth of the forest.

It was by pure happenstance that he noticed the small white flowers on the hill of moss. Curled against one of the trees. Moss that wasn't benign.

'Creeping sleep' sphagnum.

'Shit.' Balam swore to himself. Instinct wanted to tear the moss with his talons, rage building that the plant would dare attack you. Yet he knew it was impossible to tell how thick it was, from less than a hair's breadth to a few inches. And he couldn't dare hurt you. Never mind your blood would make the situation worse, but the thought of even accidentally causing you harm made him ill.

So instead he knelt and used his hands to tear through the moss. At least the sphagnum didn't actively kill its victims, but caused them to fall asleep while it drained their mana.

It was small flowers that were the dangerous part. Or rather, the insects that they attracted. It wasn't a pleasant death, with the victims weakened by the mana-eating moss to the point that when they woke from being bitten by the flesh-eating bugs, they could hardly move let alone fight off the swarm.

--+--

The forest was empty of life, or at least any demons you associated with safety. There was something in the shadows of the trees, watching you. Hunting you as you ran.

And you had ran for hours upon hours yet never found a place to hide. Or the end of the forest despite knowing you hadn't traveled that far.

Or had you? Were you running away from civilization? Running deeper and deeper into the woods? So far no one would find you?

Then suddenly you were lifted up. You fought instinctively against whatever was holding you, your breath coming out in gasps making it so you couldn't even scream. You slapped and kicked as you were pulled against something far larger than yourself.

"Shh, it's okay." Balam’s voice soothed, cutting through the panic and fear. "It's okay, I promise."

You belatedly realized he was the one holding you. His hand buried in your hair as he clutched you tight to his chest. You weren't sure if it was his heart beat you were hearing, or your own thundering wildly. You didn't care. You were safe.

Distantly you could hear the sounds of the others. The forest was still a gloom but not as dark and terrifying as it had been seconds before

Was that-- had that all been a dream? But still you remembered everything so clearly! Getting up to go back to the camp and finding nothing. Panicking as you searched and searched for someone, anyone.

"Are you hurt?" Balam asked, though not pulling away. If anything, he clutched you tighter at the mere idea.

"No, I-I'm fine," You murmured against his chest, allowing your hands to clutch to him as you relaxed against him. You were tired, feeling like you really had run all night but otherwise you…

Wait. All night.

It was obviously day, with faint sunlight trickling through the heavy canopy. What you had meant to be a quick break to gather yourself had become an all night escapade apparently.

"I have to get back to work!" You tried to pull away but Balam was holding you tight and was unwilling to budge. "Balam…"

"Why?" He asked, interrupting you. "You promised."

You didn't even need him to clarify, you knew what he meant. Your conversation with Momonoki rang in your memory. Guilt and embarrassment rush through your veins. You didn't mean to worry anyone, but…

The Rumor.

Balam slowly pulled away, and you could see the emotions in his dark eyes. The remains of worry, the hurt of your broken promise.

"I…" You started hesitantly, unsure what to say. You were aware of his bloodline ability; if you lied, he would know instantly.

But how could you explain what made you do something so foolishly without thinking? That you took that risk because you were too emotional? That the cause of those emotions essentially boiled down to a rumor that you and him were an item.

That it flustered you because of how you felt for him despite knowing that he didn't see you in the same light.

"I just needed some space," You answered. It was true, after all. Just not the whole truth. "I didn't go far… I thought it would be okay."

"Nowhere in this forest is safe. Especially for you," He chided, "my little human. "

Your heart thumped traitorously, convinced it was a term of endearment. But it wasn't. You knew it wasn't. His interest in you was solely because you were human.

"I'm sorry," You repeated. He allowed you to pull away this time, though he stayed knelt on the forest floor while you stood. You avoided his gaze, tried to pretend not to notice he was prepared to act if you showed the smallest hint of weakness.

He was a researcher, and you were his prize specimen. That was all.

You made a show of dusting off your black coat - which was covered in dirt - but also a convenient excuse to linger until the world stopped spinning. There was worry still in his expression, even as you smiled reassuringly.

"Come on, we both have work to do."

--+--

Oddly no one asked what happened or seemed bothered by your prolonged absence. Dali was gracious enough to help you catch up on tickets, cheerfully talking about past harvest festivals as.you worked.

All the while Balam virtually hovered nearby, trying to act like he wasn't keeping an eye on you but failing miserably.

"He won his harvest festival," Dali said after catching you side-eying Balam. "It was actually quite surprising. Babyls students weren't as… friendly as they are now. The students spent most of the festival manipulating and stealing from one another. Everyone's focus was on keeping students from accidently dying while thinking whomever was the most devious would win. But then came little wiry Balam Shichiro with nearly sixty-thousand points right before the end."

"Little?" You laughed trying to imagine Balam as a child and failing he was just so big! Tall…buff, yet oddly soft and soothing…

'Quit it!' You chided yourself, focusing back on your work.

"Oh yes. He was actually quite small and adorable back then," Dali continued with the impish tone that didn't bode well. "He could have been a devidol as a child except for his face."

Your stomach twisted partly to think that he had been injured at a young age, partly… "I'm sure his face was just as adorable then as it is now," You said without thinking, proverbial feathers ruffled on his behalf as you turned.to Dali.

And realized the trap when Dali's smile became faintly wicked. "So you have seen his face, and find him adorable?"

"Well! N-not adorable persay, but not bad looking!" You spluttered before quickly trying to defend yourself. "And yes, I have heard the rumor! And no, there isn't anything between us!"

"That's a shame," He sighed dramatically to the point you had a feeling he didn't believe you. "You two would be so cute together."

You were sure your face was as flushed as could be. "I-I need something to drink!" You squeaked as you jumped to your feet, Dali's laughter chasing you out the tent.

You barely took a breath of the fresh air before a shadow fell over you. "I'm just going to get something from the canteen," You told Balam without looking up. "You don't need to worry so much."

"You're looking rather red. I was worried about a fever or something," He explained. It was easy for him to step around you and crouch to study your face. He reached out and felt your forehead for a fever, making your heart jump even more.

Why? Why did he have to be so thoughtful and caring? You hadn't the faintest idea how he wasn't one of most loved demons at Babyls with a fanclub of his own like Professor Kalego.

"You do feel warmer than usual," He mused.

You bit your lip and pulled his hand away from your face, though your fingers tangling with his. "I promise, I'm fine. Just a little overheated."

He didn't look too convinced, and was likely going to argue until Kalego called both of your names. You hoped he would convince Balam to stop hovering. Because as much as you secretly liked the attention, it was probably only incriminating both of you.

And it was definitely not helping you squish your own feelings.

"Have either of you seen Iruma?" Kalego continued with his trademark scowl on his face.

"Er, no?" Both you and Balam answered, with the same tone of confusion as well. After all, Iruma was participating in the festival, why or how would you've seen him?

Granted, there were the camera-bats, but you hadn't been able to check any of the Misfits progress since returning.

"Why?" Balam continued as Kalego's scowl deepened. "Has he done something?"

"Something idiotic, more than likely," Kalego scoffed. "Lied has somehow managed to find The Pot, so I presume that means Iruma is searching for The Seed. However, it's been over twelve hours since any sightings of the boy."

Your heart dropped, your previous flustered state completely forgotten. No one had seen Iruma in how long?!

Balam scooped you up before you could move, one arm beneath your knees and the other supporting your back. His mind wasn't frozen with shock like your own, and you didn't even need to question why he picked you up.

Because your mind went from being frozen to running a thousand thoughts per second; all of them of the same concept.

Find Iruma. Assure he was safe. And Balam would not be a fan of that plan.

"Balam," You growled, "let me go find my son."

"The cambats wouldn't follow him if he was close to the Seed. But we did place safety measures to assure any students wouldn't be in too much danger. He'll be okay."

You frowned, partially feeling as if he was just saying that to try and calm you. But you saw Kalego nod his head faintly in agreement, though a frown still remained on his face. After all, why would he be concerned if there wasn't a reason.

"It shouldn't have taken this long," Kalego stated. "Even if he failed the trial, he should have appeared by now."

Something was wrong. Something had happened and no one had noticed until now. You could only imagine one disaster after another, each worse than the last.

This had been a bad idea. You had wanted to give Iruma space to grow and be himself, so scared to become a helicopter parent. But ever since he had gone on the tuna ship, it had been one disaster after another.

You needed to protect him, make up for the negligence of his parents. Were you any better than them for allowing him too much freedom? Yes, he was mature for his age and responsible, but this wasn't earth, this was the Netherworld.

Not that you could do anything. You were even weaker than him, and obviously ill prepared to be a mother or guardian here.

A tremor shook the forest, Balam's grip on you tightening as he held you close to his chest. It was like something snapped. Allowing your fears and anxiety overwhelm you as you clutched to Balam.

You had failed Iruma. You had sworn and signed a contract to protect him as a mother and you failed.

No, this was deeper than the contract you had signed with Sullivan, you really felt as if Iruma was your son, and you had failed him. You had tried so hard and still, look at what happened. You weren't fit to look after a pet, let alone another human being.

Devi, Iruma. The boy that could smile at anything, would never say no and carried on no matter what kind of responsibility was placed on his tiny shoulder. Probably the most pure, innocent soul. First sold to a demon by his birth parents, and now failed by you.

Balam called your name a few times, though you felt despondent as reality settled in your mind. The road to hell was paved with good intentions, and here you were to prove it.

The people in your past were right. You weren't good at anything. All you ever did was fuck thing up, causing one disaster after another, bring only misery and grief to whomever knew you.

"Lied! I have the Seed of Beginning!"

The familiar voice cut through your darkening thoughts. You looked up; unsure when Balam had carried you back to the tent, and rather uncaring when you saw Iruma on one of the monitors, covered in dirt and a bit scuffed up. But alive. In one piece.

Smiling. He looked so proud and accomplished.

Your emotions welled in your throat, tears stinging your eyes.

"He has it," Balam muttered, sounding astonished. "He actually has it."

A small hysterical giggle left your lips, and quickly grew into full blown laughter. "That's my boy. That's my boy!" You buried your face into Balam's chest, still laughing and grinning as you overheard Kalego lecture the boy.

Your panic had been just a short few minutes, but they had been literal hell. Or - worse than hell, to be honest.

But he was okay. Thank god, Devi, whatever forces were looking out for Iruma. He was okay.

Your laughter came to an abrupt halt with a shriek of surprise as Balam suddenly lifted you up, just one of his arms supporting your hips against his side. You gripped the feathers covering his shoulders, heart once more pounding in your chest as you looked down at him.

He was grinning. Even with the mask covering half his face, there was no hiding the pride and joy on his face. "He's found it! They're going to win!"

Your shock melted away and you grinned back down at him. Your arms wrapped around his shoulders as you rested your forehead against his, both of you laughing with joy.

The emotional whiplash was still playing tricks on you. So overcome with relief you didn't even give a thought to how it might look, only how you felt. Iruma was safe. You were safe. Balam was sharing your happiness, which only intensified the bond you felt for him.

He cared for your son, joyous on Iruma's safe return. More than that, the boy had done the impossible. The Legendary Leaf that had been elusive and rumored to be a myth was now within reach.

"They haven't won yet, you two," Kalego was quick to remind you, breaking the moment. "As long as they still possess the seed and pot, they have zero points."

"Oh shush, you know you're just as relieved," Balam said with fond humor coloring his words and expression as he looked over at the other teacher. "I'm pretty sure your first question was 'are you hurt?'"

"Because I am his teacher!" Kalego defended with a huff. "His safety comes first, that's all!"

The two bickered back and forth good-naturedly, all the while Balam still supported you as if you weighed nothing, his forearm braced your upper thighs to his side. He was so warm; soft yet strong. You could feel his muscles beneath your hands, beneath your backside as you more or less sat on his forearm. Yet, his waist was narrow enough your legs just wanted to wrap around him for extra support.

You barely stopped yourself from doing so, knowing if you did it would likely only make things worse. Heck, you should probably be demanding to be sat down, but couldn't find the strength. You felt safe like this, which was sorely needed of the emotional rollercoaster.

You could see over Balam's head as well as everyone else as they either celebrated and chatted about the Leaf or the other antics of the Misfits, or carried on with their work, determined not to dally. It was so odd to see everything from this perspective. Not even more than just a few feet at most, yet everyone else seemed smaller.

While gazing at the others, a sprig of green amongst white caught your attention. You noticed a few small scraps of leaves caught in Balam's short white hair that was now eye level. You didn't even think before automatically pulling the leaves and even a small twig from the fine white strands before mindlessly running your fingers through it, looking for anything else that might be stuck.

That and despite being short and stubby, Balam's hair was soft and silky. It felt wonderful running your fingers through it.

Your mind caught back up with your actions as Balam's grip tightened on you slightly for a moment, his muscles tensing beneath your one hand that was on his shoulder to help your balance.

This was probably not something you should be doing, especially here and now of all places. Dozens of other demons probably aware of the rumor watching carefully, gleefully thinking they had further proof of your… relationship.

You looked down, and your fears were confirmed by the indiscernible expression on his face. "Uh, you had a leaf…" You offered, wishing you had kept the proof instead of allowing it to drop to the floor below. He didn't react, but kept his eyes trained on yours - making your heart thump once more. There was something… odd in his expression, the look in his eyes. His dark pupils were wider, and you realized he was holding his breath.

"If you two are finished flirting," Kalego interrupted, destroying the moment. Or rather, making it worse. You blushed heavily as Balam seemed to catch himself. Balam quickly-- but carefully --set you back down before taking a polite step away. Before you could even try to reason with Kalego, or the other demons who were now boasting devious smiles and barely-contained laughter, Kalego continued. "There will be even more students withdrawing after that debacle. Or worse, becoming desperate and foolish. We should go, Shichiro."

"Right," Balam agreed, though paused to look at you. You could tell he wanted to say something, yet seemed unsure.

Instead he settled to stroke your hair gently before following the other teacher. Leaving you baffled as they left.

What exactly had been up with that look on his face? What kind of taboo had you breached? You were just picking leaves from his hair, surely that wasn't abnormal?!

Demons weren't human. As hard as that was to remember, it was certainly something you needed to keep in mind. Yes, humans bonded through such displays of caring for one another. There was nothing inherently sensual about helping someone with their hair, or tucking in a shirt tab.

What if in demons, it was? Was that why everyone thought you two were dating? Were you constantly sending mixed signals, and he was just too nice to correct you? The thought made your stomach twist and your anxiety build up yet once again.

--+--

Elsewhere, Balam was lost in somewhat-similar thoughts as he trekked through the forest; though also keeping an ear for students as he followed Kalego.

"You don't think we were actually flirting, right?"

Kalego barely paused, but shot a disbelieving look towards the larger demon. "Half of Babyls believes you two are courting." He spat the word as if it was abhorrent, though the taller demon barely registered his insinuation.

"They… really think that?" Balam was used to rumors; after all, the student body was convinced he experimented on students after hours. But this was much different. Instead of feeling crushed, he was… well, he wasn't quite sure.

He knew he liked you - in a different way than he cared for others - but… was that really love? You were very special to him, and he often found himself thinking about you. Or wanting to talk to you. Or wanting to see you.

And then you had pulled that leaf from his hair. Maybe it was just merely close to the molting season that he could already feel his head and wings itching, but…

There was no way you knew how significant grooming others was - let alone his kind - during molt, nonetheless.

Actually, he had to keep in mind what demons saw as flirting and signs of affection may not be so significant to you. Humans were far more compassionate than demons, easily creating social bonds with anyone. You and Iruma trusted so readily, wore your heart on your sleeve without a care. You fussed and mothered nearly every child you met, felt empathy for nearly everyone you met.

Just because you cared for him didn't mean your interest was romantic, or anything special even.

"You're a bit obvious," Kalego sighed. "And apparently oblivious as well. If you honestly think courting Lord Sullivan's daughter is a wise decision, then by all means, proceed-" Kalego continued grimly. "But leave me out of it. I have to deal with the chairdemon and Opera enough as it is."

"But… do you really think she likes me in that way?"

Kalego's dark look shifted into a deadpan expression. "Please tell me you're kidding, Shichiro."

Balam shyly fiddled with his fingers, his face a faint pink. Balam could admit, it was probably foolish to pose the question to Kalego, who wasn't aware of your true nature…

But he was aware of how caring you were. And, just maybe, what the guard dog of Babyls saw was something different.

An aggrieved sigh echoed loudly through the forest as Kalgeo rubbed his forehead. "I think there is a high probability that she at least finds you attractive," He bit out. "And she obviously enjoys your company."

Even the mask couldn't hide the smile that bloomed on Shichiro’s face, despite the fact the demon looked equally flustered as well.

Despite his doubts, Balam found himself unable to squash that small ember of hope smoldering in his heart. Hope that maybe you felt something different, -- something special-- for him. Hope that you could look past his scar and admitted flaws and somehow still find him… well, he didn't dare hope that you would somehow find him attractive, but maybe at least agreeable.

--+-- Su-Ki-Ma--+--

"Go back to your real parents. I don't know why I ever wanted to adopt you anyways."

Iruma froze, his heart breaking at your words. The cold look in your eyes, the sneer of disgust on your lips as you looked down at him as he knelt in the dirt.

You… you were the first person that had cared about him. The closest thing he had to a mother. He had come to love and depend on you after everything he went through.

He could remember so clearly the times you had tucked him into bed, the lumpy futon you insisted he use while you slept on the hard floor. You fussed over him every time he felt under the weather, or was injured - even if it was a minor papercut! You took on the boss at the fish factory and anyone else if they dared to even look at him funny, uncaring of what consequences you were invoking.

Or those cold rainy nights, and you tried to keep things light and cheery by finding an old dvd player and a few cheap movies to watch as you both curled underneath a blanket fort. When the darker memories tried to catch up with him, you were there like a ray of light to remind him things would be okay.

It had truly been a home.

He looked up at the uncaring expression on your face. No. His parents may come after him, looking to exploit him even more. Grandpa might even allow them to take him away, and his dear friends might leave him once they discovered he was human.

But you never would turn your back on him. You had sold your soul just to be in the Netherworld with him. You were his mother. Iruma knew without a shred of doubt that no matter what, you cared for him. You loved him as much as he loved you.

Iruma grabbed his feather from his broach, using his fierce determination mixed with the certainty of your love to summon his bow.

He would win this. He was going to strive to be the best demon a human could be. And he knew you would be cheering him on every step of the way, full of pride.

Because that's what a true mother did.

#mairimashita! iruma kun #welcome to demon school iruma kun #balam shichiro #balam/reader #suzuki iruma #lord sullivan #kalego naberious #balam shichiro x reader

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total-convergence · 5 months

Text

Species Post: the Yuo Yowa

⚠️CW: Nakey humanoids

Introducing a third sophont species, the Yuo Yowa. I already posted about their non-sophont relative, but I'll copy paste a paragraph from that post for newcomers, or to just refresh your memory, since that part was before the lineage split into them and the ancestors of Yuo Yowa and therefore is also important to their evolution.

"When their ancestors, the house cats, started exploiting a niche of a small, arboreal predator, one of them had a nanite mutate its forelimb claws in such a way that they were slightly more opposable. This individual passed it down to their offspring, because it happenned to be an advantage for climbing and prey capture. As the time passed and the ecosystem stabilized more, their population began to grow larger as larger prey established their own populations in the rainforests. At this point, their ancestors weighted circa 60 kilograms. Due to their diet shifting to a larger sized prey, they slowly abandoned the tree canopy, but still climbed on their daily basis. One branch of these moderately sized felines would slowly become more and more social, using their opposable thumbs for grabbing rather than restraining. This lineage will be very important later on, as they will be one of the few lineages to develop their own culture."

So if that wasn't clear enough, the "later on" means right now.

Their ancestors also left the rainforests, but unlike the sister lineage mentioned above, the Yuo Yowa are still somewhat arboreal despite the fact that they are also well adapted to deal with very hot and dry weather in the plains and the desert. Their large ears, for example, are very important for thermoregulation, and the desert inhabitants almost always leave them exposed when dressing up.

Due to both pheomelanin and eumelanin present in their skin cells, they can have reddish and yellowish skin tones. When their hair grows, it starts out as dark until the production of eumelanin halts and the hair continues growing light, or with only pheomelanin present. Basicaly like agouti fur in cats and dogs.

A video showing mechanics of their retractable claws and how they work during item manipulation. The Yuo Yowa have retractable claws on both their feet and their hands, with the exeption of the hand thumb. Shown here is a 3D animation with a non transparent and a transparent (fingerbone revealing) model of a Yuowian hand grabbing a cylindrical and a spherical object. In the animation, I was experimenting a little bit, I wasn’t sure about the design so I made only half of the claws retractable to see the difference. I was so hooked up on the idea that this can't possibly work, but after some tests I realised it's a lot more straightforward than I thought.

And a sneak peek for the end

#speculative evolution #creature design #digital art #worldbuilding #artists on tumblr #spec bio #spec evo #speculative fiction #3d art #3d model #reference sheet #total_convergence #TCofficialstuff #3d animation #drawing #procreate #scifi worldbuilding #scifi

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technically-uh · 1 year

Text

A Date: jungkook x reader

Summary: reader! and jungkook go on a date to an aquarium!

Genre: fluff

Trigger Warnings: nothing, really. maybe, um, celebrity secrecy? fear to reveal identity in public? some kissing.

Word Count: 0.55k (approx)

also i suck at titles- like WoW- i should work on it

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~open the pic for better clarity~

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"Hey," you greet him in surprise. You did not expect him to show up. But of course, you start grinning like a mad person. Your boyfriend is here. You've seen him a million times, but you always smile when you see him. Always.

Jungkook is standing in front of you, wearing a black mask, a black hoodie and grey sweatpants, with hilarious star-shaped blue shades on his nose. His grey beanie does not hide his messy, black hair very well. He waves at you, and you know he's smiling just like you are behind his mask.

He'd told you he mostly couldn't come to the date today because he had an important meeting. You decided to expect the worst because.. you get it. But he actually turns up. On time.

You're in an aquarium. There's sea animals floating around you within the glass walls, in the blue water. The biology enthusiast in you is screaming with joy. You've been here several times before, but bringing Jungkook here just makes it ten times better.

Jungkook lowers his mask and leans in with that smile on his face you knew he'd have, and he kisses you. He looks ridiculous with those glasses, but his face just makes your heart melt. He quickly wears the mask back, reddening slightly.

You hold his hand as you guide him through the aquarium, showing him around the place. You talk and talk, describing every living being you see in the waters and how they live. Jungkook nods along, amused, as you both wander through the place. You've only recently started dating, and he's never seen you so.. enthusiastic; in your element. Sometimes he doesn't understand what you're saying and sometimes you go into a tangent on a completely different topic, like the ocean currents and how they influence the water temperature, but Jungkook manages to understand whatever you're saying and enjoys it.

After a long last you guys finish your tour and go to the lake a mile away from the aquarium. It's beautiful. There's a canopy growing overhead, on the bank. It's full of flowers, well trimmed fields and a floor of fresh green grass. It's mostly deserted; Jungkook finally takes off his mask and smiles at you. There's a little cafe near the place, and you eat there, talking. There's no one there, except for the friendly owner (who makes a delicious pizza). "Did you buy this place?" you ask him, raising an eyebrow. Jungkook laughs as he stuffs a ridiculously huge bite of his pizza in his mouth.

You sit in the cafe and talk for ages, watching the pretty blue sky outside, until he looks at his watch by accident and yelps as he shoots out of his chair. He apologizes profusely as you wrap it up, pay your bills and go on your own ways. You kiss one last time, and you know you miss him already. You think he feels the same way too, judging by the sad look on his face.

You then sit in the train on your way back home. It's relatively empty. You pop in your airpods and play a song of Jungkook's. You close your eyes as you listen to it, the sun setting outside the window, and you know that you'll see him again. Soon.

please give credits if you repost/reuse the fic and/or the image! hope you liked reading this :)

#bts #bts imagines #jungkook #jungkook x reader #jeon jungkook #kim taehyung #park jimin #kim namjoon #jung hoseok #min yoongi #kim seokjin #bts!#bts x reader #bts fluff #bts dating #thank you for coming to my ted talk #jungkook fanfic #jungkook fluff #bts aesthetic

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quillpokebiology · 6 months

Note

Do you have any facts about Tropius and its neck fruits?

Tropius Facts

Art by Taira Akitsu)

-The scientific name for Tropius is "Apatosaurus Fructus" which roughly translates to "Deceptive Lizard Fruit"

-Tropius are related to the Meganium line, and are modern-day relatives of the Aurorus line

-Bannanas picked from Tropius is often used for medical purposes

-Tropius originated from a region south of Unova but ended up migrating to other regions

-While Tropius most often eat the bananas that grow on them, nanab berries are often replacements; especially for one's in colder regions

-Despite their wings, Tropius wings aren't strong enough to keep them fly8ng for very long, so they most often fly in short bursts

-The large leaves on their bodies don't just help them fly; they also work for temperature control

-Tropius are very gentle Pokemon, even in the wild. They'll often give their fruit to hungry pokemon, and even curiously fly up to traveling trainers to inspect them

(Art by aoki)

-Tropius in different regions have different flavors of fruit. The ones in Hoenn tend to have a more savory flavor while the ones in Alola tend to have a sweeter flavor

-Tropius will often make their nests on the forest floor, but raise their young high in the canopy, away from potential predators

-In the spring, Tropius will release pollen from their fruit which will fertilize the trees they eat from. Male Tropius tend to release more pollen

-Deforestation is causing the Tropius population to dwindle. There are active conservation efforts in Hoenn and Alola that are made to protect Tropius, however, other regions tend to struggle with this

-Tropius are pokemon that mate for life. When courting, males will often offer their bananas to their potential partner

-For the first few weeks of a young Tropius, their mothers will mush up their bananas and feed them to their young

-Female Tropius usually lay up to 8-10 eggs at a time

-To help with the fruit growth on their bodies, Tropius will sometimes cover themselves in soil when they sleep

#quill pokefacts #tropius #rotomblr #pokemon irl #pokeblogging #pokeblog #irl pokemon #pokemon #pokeblr #rotumblr #pkmn irl #pokemon roleplay #irl pkmn #pokemon biology #pokemon biologist #pokedex #hoenn pokedex

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orqheuss · 10 months

Text

Even the iron still fears the rot PART 1

(Ominis Gaunt/Sebastian Sallow/GN!Reader ANGST)

Parts: 1 2 3 4 5 6

Summary:

From the woods came a wretched, inhuman scream of his name, the sound of the cry like an animal trapped in a sharpened bear trap— so very panicked, so very scared. The pure, unfiltered desperation present in the voice burrowed itself deep into his very soul, sending alarm bells to ring harshly in his ears. “Sebastian!” *** It was supposed to be a normal trip to Hogsmeade. But, when Sebastian and Ominis are kidnapped by poachers determined to seek revenge against the one who killed their fearless leader, will you be able to save them in time?

Word count: 4k

Tags: kidnapping, threats of murder, threats of dismemberment, body horror, gore, blood, panic attacks, detailed depictions of violence

Read at your own discretion

AN: I'm reposting this series finally! I made some edits to later chapters, but this one is relatively the same.

It was a sunny day when they were taken. The excitement of the very first Hogsmeade weekend of the new year sung through the halls of Hogwarts, ushering each and every elated student through the grand double doors at the entrance of the castle and down the winding dirt path towards the magical little town with a gentle melody. Happy laughter filled the woods lining the property, shouts of joy and discussion of what each group of friends were to do first swam through the tall, overarching leaves of the redwood trees. Even the woodland creatures seemed in high spirits. Common squirrels jumped from branch to branch in a race for the best tree nut, wild kneazles ran under the tall canopies, nipping at the ankles of their friends and tittering in play, even a small family of thestrals made themselves known to the wide expanse of students, the mother and father pushing their newborn fowl towards their very first fresh morsel of solid food— its footing unsure and stumbly with only its mothers snout tucked under his chin to keep him standing. Above it all, the brilliant sun blazed down on the pastures of the Scotland highlands, shining on the last of the springtime wildflowers that struggled to survive through the beginnings of autumn. For all intents and purposes, it truly was a beautiful day.

Two Slytherin’s were a part of the large group, chatting away amongst themselves about the newest invention advertised in Zonko’s joke shop and their favorite homemade fudge from Honeydukes. Sebastian Sallow and Ominis Gaunt had grown over the summer between fifth and sixth year; their shoulders filled out more to match their new towering stature, and baby fat seemed to flake from their faces like snakes shedding a new skin. Even with these changes, they were still thick as thieves— best friends from the first moment they met all the way until the very end of their lives. There was very little in the world that could separate the two— even through the terrors of the previous year they somehow still found their way back to the other. It took them most of the summer to be back on speaking terms, particularly on Ominis’ part, but even with all that anger, they still came crashing together like the beginning of a small, green-colored universe. The only change that had been made in all their years was the addition of their new friend, the strange fifth year that joined the school later than normal and wormed their way into their hearts. They had pouted when their new friend told the boys that they could not join for the trip to Hogsmeade, but the duo had quickly promised to bring them back some cauldron cakes to cheer them up after the number of assignments they had to work on.

It was rare to see smiles on their faces as of late— too much tragedy and death had happened upon them for their liking— but on this day their pearly white teeth were awoken from their long slumber for all the world to see. Grins stretched at their lips as their own laughter rang through the valley, a sight to behold by all.

The pair were deep in a jest-filled argument about the brunette's troublemaking behavior as the grandiloquent arch of the village came into view. Magic seemed to swirl around the buildings, filling everyone who entered with a sense of calming peace. As many had said in the past, there was absolutely nothing like Hogsmeade— it drew people to it like a moth to a flame.

The sound of Sebastian’s scoff caught the attention of a small group of Hufflepuffs lingering by the entrance, enticed by him for a moment before turning back to their own conversation. “Oh come off it, Ominis. A little sneak into the restricted section of the library is hardly the worst rule to break in the castle.”

The blond barked a laugh, unseeing eyes glittering in the sunlight. “It may not be the worst, but it is certainly a rule that you seem keen to break often. How many times have you gotten detention this year so far, again? Five? I wonder how you got all of those.”

The taller of the two huffed to himself, muttering under his breath in annoyance, “Damned poltergeist, always where he shouldn’t be.”

Ominis smirked to himself in amusement. “Well, at least I read the rules before I break them.”

“At least I can see the books I read.”

A pregnant pause filled the conversation. Sebastian could feel the heated glare of his friend burn into the side of his face and a smug grin tweaked at the corners of his mouth. This was his favorite pastime, poking at a very easily vexed Ominis Gaunt. The other boy broke the silence after a long moment, voice dripping with contempt and malice. “I am going to kill you and make it look like an accident.”

The brunette snorted, patting the other on the back heartily before quickly retreating farther away to avoid the inevitable slap heading towards him— fingertips barely grazing his arm as he danced just out of reach. “I’d love to see you try.”

Ominis leveled his face into a blank expression, his twitching eyebrows the only thing betraying his annoyance as he turned on his heel and headed towards Honeydukes, determined to get there before the Saturday rush.

The other boy cackled at his friend’s retreating form, yelling after him through his giggles. “Meet me in the center of town! One hour!”

The blond shooed him away with his hand, not pausing in his stride. With a final look in his direction, the taller of the two veered off towards Sprintwitches, intrigued by the new broom upgrades he’d like to explore before the Quidditch season began.

In the shadows tucked in the alleyway next to the Three Broomsticks, rested a trio of individuals, hoods pulled over their faces to conceal their identity and wands tucked securely in their sleeves. Their eyes trailed the two Slytherin boys, pupils blazing with a ferocious anger and vicious smiles decorating their expressions. While Rookwood, their once strong and powerful leader, may have been defeated by that ancient magic wielding twerp, there were still a few of his loyal poachers floating around in the Hamlet— only now that they were aware of the rare ability you possessed, they wanted it for themselves. It was a pity that you weren’t in town that day, you were their preferred target, but they could definitely draw you out if your friends suddenly found themselves where they didn’t belong. Their twisted smiles got exponentially wider as they thought of the sweet revenge they had meticulously planned for you— it was time to finally avenge their fallen comrade. With one last glance around the sunlit buildings, the three began to creep their way towards the candy store.

The chime of the Honeydukes door rang out as Ominis exited the market, a package of his favorite fudge tucked securely under his arm. He smiled to himself, lifting his chin upwards towards the glowing sun rays that fell from the sky and basking in their sweet warmth for a moment. He adored the time of the year when spring became fall— the moment where it was just cool enough to leave the castle with a thin sweater but still warm enough for the aromatic flowers to be blooming. The lovely scent filled his nose as he carefully tucked his wand into the back pocket of his trousers, secure enough in the landscape of Hogsmeade to get around after years of coming to the tiny town, and began to head towards the center. Rounding the corner of the colorful building, he made his way down the tiny alleyway at its side, deciding to head to another store to pass the time, and caught the tail end of some juicy gossip from two third year Ravenclaw’s that exited the shop after him. He paused for a moment, his ears pricking in their direction as he tried to hear more of the conversation, quietly chuckling to himself as he thought about how hard you’d laugh at the story when he told you about it later. The loud commotion of the bustling town covered the noisy footsteps approaching behind him, blinding him to the sound of shuffling boots and the breeze of the large hand sneaking its way towards his face. His mouth was quickly covered by the stranger's palm, muffling his shout of alarm and pulling him against a strong, barreled chest. Ominis struggled against the arm pressed against his sternum, feet kicking in the air for leverage before his heels met the solid skin of his kidnappers' calves. No reaction came from the brute, bar a slight chuckle that ruffled the hair near the blond’s sensitive ear. His polished oxfords left tracks in the soil below his feet as he continued to thrash about, dragging him out of sight and towards the woods lining the town where they would wait for the other boy.

A little over an hour later, a lone Slytherin rested against the lavish fountain adorning the center of town. His hand dug into his vest pocket, pulling out his bronze pocket watch and checked the time, turning his head left and right in search for his friend. Ominis was not one to be late— in fact, it made him quite anxious. Could he still be in Honeydukes? It was possible, the blond definitely had a sweet tooth and enough money to buy out the whole store. Standing from his perch, he began to meander his way towards the candy shop, eyes still searching the crowds for the telltale tuft of the Slytherin’s dirty blond quiff. He swallowed around the worry that constantly built in his throat whenever something seemed wrong; the lump that formed just under his jaw rarely disappeared since the events of his fifth year. The brunette’s hands began to shake at his sides, coupled with sweat beading just above his brow— the beginnings of an episode palpable in the air. Deep, shaky breaths inhaled through his mouth and filled his lungs, ebbing off his panic attack as he struggled to tell himself that his friend was fine; Rookwood and Ranrok had been defeated— there was no one else out there looking to kill them. Merlin seemed to be answering his prayers for a calm sixth year so far. Even still, his pace sped up unconsciously, his body working outside of his control.

The Sallow boy rounded the bend on the outskirts of town, the encompassing woods just to his left as he took in all the sounds around him like a mother bear searching for her lost cub. The back entrance to Honeydukes was just barely in his sight, and a little bit more panic stabbed into his chest when he didn’t see his companion. Nearing a jog at this point, he raced the rest of the way to the stout periwinkle-hued brick building, bursting through the door and into the unusually sparse emporium, startling the few students milling about the shelves, and sped towards the front counter. The brunette frantically described his friend to the clerk behind the till, nearly begging her to say that she’d seen him recently. Much to his chagrin, the woman shook her head and told the young wizard that the blond had left at least an hour ago, sympathy dripping from her words as she hoped for his safe return to his friend. Sebastian could feel his heart leap into his throat, skipping every other beat in anxiety as he ran out the way he came, rounding back through the forest trail, shouting for his friend. Harsh breaths fell from his lips in heavy pants— his heart feeling like a stampede of buffalo under his ribs. His nerves sparked just under his skin, sending a sharp, electrifying pain to every part of his body. For a moment, the freckled boy felt like he was back in the Scriptorium, staring down the murderous, sanguine bolt of the cruciatus curse heading right towards his chest. His heart pounded against his ribs even harder— any more pressure and it would surely break his sternum. A thick, murky fog of foreboding seemed to permeate the air around him.

“Ominis!” He called, dread slowly creeping its way into his mind, narrowing his vision and sharpening the colors around him.

“Sebastian!”

For a moment everything stood still— his harsh, choked breaths and the cracks of his heart breaking the only noises that filled the young brunette’s ears, sending his brain to a sputtering stop.

Ominis.

The boy sprinted towards the tall trees, feet harshly slapping against the ground as he flicked his wand out of his sleeve. He careened around stumps, stumbling over the multitude of roots littering the ground as he ran in the direction of the voice. Sebastian shouted for his friend again, raw panic coiling in his larynx like a cobra poised to strike as he waited for a response in what was most definitely the most demented game of call and response he had ever played. It was returned mere seconds later, muffled like something was covering the caller's mouth— hoarse and crackling from overuse. He pumped his legs faster, adrenaline spilling out of his adrenal cortex as fight or flight kicked in.

The Slytherin skidded to a halt in a wide pasture tucked away near the center of the copse, eyes narrowing and lips forming a dangerous scowl at the sight before him. In the center of the grass circle stood three poachers, a male and a female flaking the sides of the other male in the center. In the middle man's arms was a trembling Ominis, eyebrows furrowed against his scathing glare and enraged, hysteric tears building just above his lower lashes.

“Ah, welcome! We’ve been waiting for you.” A patronizing, sugary sweet voice came from the woman to the right of the Gaunt boy— the leader, Sebastian deducted.

Ignoring her for now, the brunette cast his gaze back to his friend and assessed him for damages. Blood dripped from his nose in a steady stream, a bruise blooming over the bridge and creeping around his right eye. He struggled against the poachers' hold, one burly arm pressed against his chest, their hand covering his mouth, and the other wrapped tightly across his waist, his arms pinned to his side. Long, lithe fingers wrapped around the forearm holding him still, digging his nails into the fleshy skin and raising crimson-colored welts. A deep bite mark screamed on the hand muffling his cries, blood pebbling to the surface— likely the reason for the dark purple and blue discoloration that marred his pale skin. Off to the side, a long, attenuated onyx wand lay just out of reach, its red beacon blinking against the browning grass as it searched for its owner.

White hot fury streamed through Sebastian’s body— blinding wrath dyeing his vision a startling red as he raised his wand level with the kidnappers eyes. The man laughed dryly, villainous mirth dancing in his irises as he squeezed the blond tighter to his chest, drawing a pained whimper from the boy against his will— his eyes squeezing shut and forcing the tears building to streak down his cheeks from the constriction of his abdomen. A searing burning sensation prodded just under Ominis’ jaw from a wand being pressed hostilely into his neck, no doubt forming a circle shaped burn against his skin that would scar.

The leader of the three sneered at the brunette, quipping in a condescending tone. “I’d put that wand down if I were you.” Her eyes flicked to the other boy’s hand, watching his fingers tighten around the handle of his weapon. She chuckled. “Drop it, or he’ll be sent back to his family in a snuff box.”

Sebastian snarled at the villain with a deep, primal rage— his voice growling through his clenched teeth. “What do you want with us?”

Ominis’ eyes snapped open once more, eyebrows raised to his hairline and lids stretched wide in shock as he recognized the sound of the brunette’s voice. He frantically shook his head at the other boy, muffled words and curses spilling from his lips in a vain attempt to get him to leave and avoid a worse fate.

The other man stepped slightly forward, wand poised to strike at a moment's notice. “We want the kid with the ancient magic. Lead them to us and we’ll go.” A sickly grin stretched the corners of his mouth, revealing rows of decaying teeth. “We’ll keep your friend here as collateral.”

The brunette’s wand hand shook, molars tightly clenching around the uncontrollable amounts of anger pumping through his system as a blasting curse readied itself at the tip of his tongue. He only got through half of the arm movement before his weapon was blasted from his hand with a sharp expelliarmus. Snapping his neck back towards the woman, he was greeted with the sight of a snark-filled smirk reaching from lips to cheeks— her wand slightly smoking at the end from the spell. He met her eyes across the tiny field, narrowing his scorching glare like if he stared hard enough she’d burst into flames.

The woman wagged her wand at him like a mother scolding a child, clicking her tongue against the roof of her mouth. “Now that wasn’t very nice. I’ll give you one more chance! Raise your hands above your head or you’ll be down a classmate.”

Sebastian said nothing, his fists clenching at his side and his hackles raising upwards towards his ears as she took a step closer. A sunbeam caught her toothy smile just right, making her canines look like sharpened fangs— a wolf in sugary scented sheep's clothing. Her lips twitched as she fought against a frown, turning her wand towards a still struggling Ominis and flicking her wrist in a quick motion. A long, jagged cut appeared just under the blond’s right eye, stretching along his cheekbone and oozing blood down his porcelain face. Sebastian froze in his tracks, a look of horror taking over and shining in his eyes. He met the heated stare of the woman once more, her grin suddenly twice as evil and as sharp as laughter glowing in her irises.

Eyes darting left and right and panic rising once again, forming a knot in his throat, the freckled boy realized he was trapped. His face was stuck in a perpetual snarl, teeth gnashing together and grinding with an audible creak as he stepped back, legs poised to run. As much as his body screamed to leave the death trap and go get help from someone who would be more equipped to handle the situation, he knew that he couldn’t leave his friend— couldn’t throw him to the wolves to be eaten bit by bit until there was nothing but gnawed on bone remaining. Sebastian truly felt like a wild animal stuck in a cage, waiting for the trapper to return and skin them alive for his pelt. Another small sound, akin to the whimper of a wounded fox, came from his captured friend, pure, unadulterated fear clouding over his eyes and sending a dagger directly into the young brunette’s heart. He knew what he needed to do, for both his survival and Ominis’. With everything within him fighting to do the opposite, the brave young wizard finally surrendered.

He slowly raised his hands, palms open and placating as they stopped just at the sides of his head. If they both wanted to get out of this alive, he had to bide his time and do as they asked.

Taking slow, even steps towards the brunette, the woman’s grin stretched even further up her cheeks, nearing the point of unearthliness. Stopping right in front of the freckled boy, she tapped the end of her wand against the bottom of his chin, tilting his face upwards to match her gaze. Sebastian couldn’t help but think that she had some sort of otherworldly, deadly beauty about her. Her teeth were sparkling ivory, perfectly straight and sharp enough to rip out his throat if she so much as wished it. Eyes the color of absinthe met his, drawing him in like a heavy, raging current; there was something hypnotizing about them, like a solidified Amortentia potion— if he stared too long he would very likely begin to hallucinate. Her low cut shirt dangled tantalizingly from her chest, revealing briar needle sharp collarbones. Everything about her was meant to draw you in, entice and seduce you before she bit off your head like a queen praying mantis. If Sebastian didn’t know any better, he would say she was part Veela, or maybe a Siren— a creature meant to lure men to their death. She was terrifyingly gorgeous. His nostrils filled with the incredibly strong scent of madagascar vanilla and an underlying tone of coppered ichor.

She leaned close, breath brushing against the hairs on his neck as she whispered in his ear. “Good boy.”

His body stiffened unconsciously, savage anger and paralyzing fear waltzing together in his stomach.

She leaned away after a moment, straightening her back and meeting his glare once again. “Now, tell me where the mutt who killed my brother is.”

Sebastian’s eyes widened minutely, a silent moment of understanding passing between the two students before he spat in her face. “Over my dead body.”

Molten lava bubbled under the surface of his amber irises, its ire begging to be released so it could set the whole word aflame for hurting someone he loved and threatening another.

A pained sound came from the blond across from him, his peat-bog eyes pleading with his friend to stop, to run, to leave him and save himself. He couldn’t bear the thought of the boy dying in his stead— not when Ominis loved him much more than he loved himself.

The woman cackled, throwing her head back in mirth and wiping the spittle from her cheek. She cracked her knuckles, raising her wand and leveling it with Sebastian’s chest. “Oh, you have no idea what I have in store for you— you’re going to wish I killed you.”

The boy didn’t have a moment to process what she meant before he was roughly depulso’d into the closest tree, the back of his skull making contact with the coarse bark and sending a burst of blinding stars to the forefront of his mind. He tumbled to the ground as blackness began to take over his sight. The last thing he saw and heard was Ominis digging his teeth into the hand covering his mouth once again, spitting a chunk of bleeding flesh to the ground and screaming out for him. His body struggled twice as hard, desperation clawing its way into the blond’s throat. Animalistic wails filled the space around them as he fought with all his strength to get to his fallen friend.

A loud thump silenced all sounds, and Ominis’ body crumbled to the forest floor below.

Pain swam behind Sebastian’s eyes, nestling itself just at the front of his brain, and the world around him went dark.

***

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