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g0ldengubler · 3 years

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(*i do not own this gif*)

A/N: (from wattpad): heyyy...how y'all doin? ugh i'm not too happy with the sex scene (even though i'm grateful that a friend of mine helped me with one of the paragraphs) but this is the best i can do right now with the mental state i'm in. pls bare with me with posting, my personal life has gone downhill so fast it's crazy. i wanted to get this up on halloween but it sadly didn't happen. i do apologize. but i hope ur excited for this fic! thank u so much for reading ilyyyyyyy :) (from tumblr): ok last post until tonight! sorry for the spam, i only had this so far so i thought why not throw it all on here now lol. but ok enjoy :)

Category: smut

CW: daddy kink; degradation (from both men to clover); penetration (female receiving); oral (m+f recieving and giving); drunk sex; praise kink; this chapter is not full of smut but you don't have to read the smut if you're uncomfortable

Word Count: 3235

positions | prologue

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

~Clover's POV~

~Two Years Later~

It's been two years since I joined the team, and I've never felt more at home than I did on my first week. Luke, Spencer and I have been named, 'The Golden Trio' thanks to Penelope. We've been stuck like glue ever since I beat them in poker, like the best friends I always wanted but never had. Because of what happen when I was a kid, I always stayed close to my dad and never felt the need to make friends. Sure, I'd have people that I'd see 5 days a week at school, but nothing as close as we were. During our days off, we'd get drunk and have a poker night or a chess night, teaching Luke how to play but he never seemed to understand it, so we'd slowly switch to UNO or Cards Against Humanity.

Today, Halloween of all days, was just another paperwork day. Sure, being out in the field was exciting, saving American citizens like how Emily saved me, but I found relaxation in looking over files and sending my behavioral advice. Everything was calm in the office with everyone doing their work, and some days we'd watch a movie in the conference room or play games when we either got done with our work early or, as Garcia would say, "All serial killers have taken the day off. Maybe even went to therapy."

As I walked back to my desk after turning in the last of my files to Emily, Rossi came out of his office and stood at the railing. "Everyone," he announced, "I think it's safe to say that for the first in several years, we do not have a case on Halloween night!"

Everyone cheered, especially Spencer. Halloween was his favorite holiday, you learned. He was very passionate about its spooky nature by dressing up in a scary mask at work, before having to take it off because of a case. He would pout when he would see Emily, Rossi, or Garcia come out, telling the team that we had a case. This year, however, I noticed a grin on his face that stretched from ear to ear.

"In honor of that, I will be throwing a party at my house and you're all invited. But don't think you could run away from my grandmother's recipe!"

I turned over to Spencer, who's desk was right next to mine, a curious grin growing on my face. "So doc, what are you going to be for Halloween?"

He leaned back in his chair and looked over to me, his left elbow pressed against the armrest. "I was originally going to go as Tom Baker's Doctor Who since I still have the cosplay from when Garcia and I tried going to a convention, but with how my hair looks now, I think I'll go as a mad scientist or, if I want to be more specific, Einstein himself."

"I can see you dressing up as Einstein," I smiled, "Hell, you could even go as Dr.Emmett Brown, himself."

"Who?"

I looked back at him, jaw falling to my desk. "You know, from Back to the Future?"

He still looked confused.

"Don't worry about it, Clover," Luke said as he walked over and sat at the desk in front of me, "What he doesn't know won't hurt him."

"Now I'm curious about this movie." Spencer said, his curious face getting curiouser and curiouser.

"Maybe we can sneak away from the party tonight at some point and watch it." I wink at him and the two began chuckling.

"Those movie's are the closest to nerd I'll ever get." said Luke, which sparked Spencer's interest even more.

"So what are you going to be tonight, Kingsley?"

I looked over at him with a smirk."Oh, Alvez, THAT is a surprise."

~That Night~

"They did the monnnster mash!"

Music was coming from all over the backyard and in the house. Everyone from the BAU was dressed up in their spooky (or sexy...or cutest) best and was dancing the night away with champagne in their hands. I had walked in a little bit late compared to everyone else, which somehow Rossi didn't give me a sassy but funny remark about it. Rossi and Krystall dressed up as Bonnie and Clyde, Tara, along with Jj, Emily, and Garcia, went as nuns, and Matt went as Rickey while his wife, Kristy, was Lucy.

Luke ended up going as Magic Mike, not because he was full of himself, that was way out of line for him, but because the team would joke that he could become a stripper if he had to and played along. Spencer was, indeed, Albert Einstein. Garcia must've helped him with his hair, getting it to stick out like Einstein's and spraying gray hairspray in his hair. Both looked really good in their costumes, I couldn't complain.

I walked in as a sexy devil. I'm not scared to dress sexy when I could. I was comfortable in my body and I wasn't doing it to get someone's attention. I just love to feel myself from time to time, almost like a confidence boost if I needed it. I walked over to my two dudes and saw their eyes bulging out of their heads as they turned around to see. I was in a tight red crop top that showed off the girlies, with red short shorts, black fishnet tights, and red heels. I had horns on the top of my head thanks to a headband, and a tail that was attached to my shorts. The two were completely shocked, but were the respectful men that I always knew they were.

As the night went on, I was kind of getting bored. While I loved being surrounded by my coworkers turned family, I wanted to get wasted. It was Halloween night for crying out loud, but I didn't like being drunk in front of a lot of people. Even when I would go to the club, I would just have one drink and then dance with everyone on the dance floor. I didn't trust my drunk self, not physically but just how my personality changes. It embarrassed me to no end, so I only trusted a few people. Two of them, obviously, being Spencer and Luke.

At one point, I was sitting on the couch in the living room by myself. Luke and Spencer came in and sat down next to me, asking me if I was ok. When I explained to them what I was feeling, they both grinned in unison as they looked at one another, then back at me. I knew exactly what they were thinking, and they were in for it. We said goodbye to everyone, grabbed our coats, and headed out the door where we all met up at Luke's place.

When we walked in, Spencer and I sat on his couch getting Back to the Future ready while Luke made us all drinks. As we watched, we ended up leaving our glasses on the table and started taking turns drinking the vodka bottle, numb to the burning sensation. After taking the last shot in the bottle, I set it down and lay back against the back of the couch and blacked out, letting the alcohol take over my mind and body. The last thing I remember was leaning my head against Spencer's shoulder, while my feet were on Luke's lap...

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Clover was giggling on Spencer's shoulder as her foot slowly rubbed over Luke's lap. Luke shifted his position on the couch, trying not to notice what that was doing to him. Not like he had a foot fetish or anything, but the amount of friction caused his pants grow tighter by the minute. Spencer, who had never been this drunk before in his life, started playing with her hair as he moved his arm around her. Spencer could tell that she was just as drunk as he was, but he didn't expect her to lay her hand on his chest, playing with the necklace he had around his neck. He tried to focus his attention to Back to the Future III, but once she started playing with the gold piece of metal with her mouth, he couldn't help but to look down at her, her eyes never leaving his.

He looked over to Luke, who had moved Clover's foot over and started palming himself through his pants. Spencer quickly looked away, trying not to give in to his own urges. He moved his focus back to Clover, who's eyes were still locked on him. Before he could do anything, she let go of the necklace and began to slowly move her hand down Spencer's chest.

"I know why Luke moved my foot away," she whispered as her hand gently fell on his lap. She moved her fingers ever so lightly over the bulge that was growing in his pants. She had also moved her foot back onto to Luke's bulge, rubbing over it softly.

The two looked at each other, almost in confusion at first. But then, they silently agreed that they were up for it, as Clover clearly was as well. Luke moved her foot off of it and stood up, pausing the movie as Spencer moved her hand out of the way and lifted her head up as he started to get up. He takes her hand and helps her up, grabbing Luke's hand before wobbling their way into his room. She jumped onto the bed as Spencer shut the door, letting the light from the moon and street lamps illuminate the room. The two stood in front of her before she motioned her finger for them to come over.

"You're one hell of a brat, Kingsley." Luke slurred as the two quickly walked over to her, plopping down on either side of her on the bed.

Clover leans in and kisses Luke while Spencer went for her neck, cupping her left breast and massaging it. The touch alone had a moan leave her lips and into Luke's as he moved his tongue on her bottom lip, asking for entrance. As their tongues melded together, Spencer moved the fabric of her top over and took her breast out of the cup of her bra, leaning in and began licking her nipple before taking the whole thing in his mouth sucking it. Clover broke the kiss and let out a whimper, which made both men chuckle as she leaned both of her arms behind her on the bed for support.

Luke looks over to Spencer as he lets go of her breast and looks up to Luke. "Do you think she'll stop being a brat if we do something like this?" Luke asks before moving his fingers down to her core, rubbing over her shorts. Clover bites her lip to hold in a gasp, which Luke wasn't too pleased by.

"Are you going to behave, little one?" Spencer asks as he plays with the waistband of her shorts, his lips ghosting her cheek.

Clover nods, still holding in a moan just from being touched. Luke grabs ahold of her jaw and quickly turns her face to look at him. "Use your words, princesa."

"Please," she whines.

Spencer has Clover buck her hips as he pulled her shorts and tights off of her. They notice how turned on she was on her panties and both lean in, biting and sucking on either side of her neck. Spencer's fingers linger the inside of her thighs while Luke went back to rubbing her through the cloth. She moves her hips against his fingers, begging for more.

"You were such a tease just a few minutes ago, and now look at you. So helpless and needy in a matter of seconds." says Spencer in between kisses.

Hearing that made Clover take her panties off in a swift, but quick, motion. She couldn't take it anymore, she needed their touch.

"Eager little girl, aren't you?" Luke chuckled.

It took a minute for her to realize that Spencer went straight in, sticking two fingers inside her and pumping slowly while Luke rubbed her pussy. Her brain had turned into mush full of pleasure that when they went in, she couldn't help but let out a loud moan. They sped up their movements, making her let out a silent scream.

"Fuck, daddy!" She gasped out.

The two were shocked, but didn't complain about the name. "Which one of us is daddy, kitten?" Spencer asked.

"You can't think straight, can you?" Luke asked.

Clover pulls Spencer in by his tie while pulling Luke in at the same time by his belt. "Shut up," she says breathy, "just shut up and fuck me."

"Don't go back to being a brat now," says Luke finally after a moment of silence, "You are going to behave or you'll be punished. And I don't think you'll like what we'll do."

Spencer continues to finger her quickly and deeply, curling his fingers as he hit her gspot every time while Luke rubs faster on her clit. Clover falls onto the bed as wave of pleasure hit her like a train. She closed her walls around Spencers fingers, getting closer and closer to release as he sped up his pace even more.

"Cum for me, little girl, I want you cum so hard on daddy's fingers."

Spencer connects his lips back to her neck as she screamed, letting the waves of pleasure shoot through her body. Luke rubs her slowly to let her ride out her orgasm as Spencer pulls his fingers out and sticks them in his mouth. The way he cleaned her off made her ache all over again, wanting more and more. She didn't want this to end; This was the most pleasure she's ever had.

Luke looks over as Spencer finished devouring her, removing his fingers from his mouth with a small pop. "She tastes so sweet."

Without a single word, Luke gets off the bed and kneels in front of it, pulling Clover by her knees closer to him. As Spencer started making out with her, Luke dives right in between her thighs, licking a single thick stripe up her core, making her moan through the kiss. As their tongues fought like swords in their mouths, Spencer starts to unbuckle his belt and pulled his pants with his boxers in a swift motion, letting his cock spring free. Before it could hit his stomach, however, she grabs onto it with her left hand and starting pumping him slowly. He groans into her mouth before breaking apart, watching her stroke his aching cock.

"Please, daddy. I need your cock so bad fUCK!"

Neither of the two knew who she was talking to, but they did know that it didn't matter. Luke gets up from the floor and takes his costume off while Spencer moved his position so that his knees were on the bed. Clover moves up a bit so that Luke could get back on. The two pump themselves a few times before they pushed themselves in. She took Spencer's cock in her mouth as Spencer grabs a handful of her hair, slowly pushing her down as Luke thrust. As soon as she was comfortable of their size, Luke began thrusting slowly. Clover moaned and grind against him, begging for more, which he happily obliged. Spencer groaned under his breath when she moaned, making him buck his hips forward, shoving his cock down her throat. She gagged on it, tears piercing her eyes.

Clover was at this moment, and maybe even every moment after this, beneath them. Spencer and Luke were exercising their rights to dominate, belittle, and humiliate her. Her holes were filled as her mind quickly unraveled from the rush of pleasure from every minute pulsation. She couldn't even follow their taunts anymore, and the only bit of rationale that she could muster was to be the best sex doll for her two dominators. Her pussy ached for more punishment as they admonished her sloppy performance. She moaned hungrily as she was ravaged, playing the broken slut; no, she was their broken slut. Eagerly enjoying their obvious amusement.

The knot in her stomach was getting tighter and tighter again. She knew Luke was just edging her, making her wait to cum until he was ready. He looked to Spencer, who was holding on for dear life, almost getting into some sort of sub space of his own as the look on his face was begging for release. Clover felt both of their cocks twitch inside her, letting her know they were close.

"Cum for us, princesa," Luke growls, "just one more time for daddy. I know you want to, baby."

Clover turned into a screaming, moaning mess as she came all over Luke's cock, making a huge mess on the bed. That was the last straw for the two men, as they both released inside her, filling her over the edge. The two pulled themselves out, Spencer laying next to Clover (who was showing him that she swallowed every last drop of him) while Luke watched his cum pool out from her, enjoying the view before he lay on the other side of her. Clover wiggled her arms through theirs, focusing on something to cuddle her way into. Spencer quickly grabbed tissues from his side of the bed and cleaned her up.

"You did so good, Clover." says Spencer. He throws the used tissues away in the waste bin beside him and turns back to see tears prickling from her eyes again. "Ssh ssh, it's ok," he coos as he wraps his arms around her. Spencer's soft praises mixed with Luke's gentle hand playing with her hair helped her come back down from the cloudy headspace she was in. She felt cared for and safe with them comforting her.

Clover snuggles into Spencer as Luke's arm wrapped around her waist, spooning behind her. Spencer kissed the top of her head as she nestled her head on his chest, letting the sleepiness that alcohol gave take over them.

As she drifted off to sleep, Clover hoped that she wouldn't forget this perfect night.

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novannna · 3 years

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Same Sea, Same Soul, Same Heart

HAPPY HOLIDAYS YALL!!!

I’ve mentioned my nobell pirate au a few times before, but i’m finally posting it.

Danna is the daughter of a noble in Gatlon city. Gatlon is ruled by King Hugh and King Simon, members of the Renegades, the gruop that saved it from the anarchists and Ace Anarchy. Nova is the niece of Ace Anarchy and is the worlds most feared and dangerous pirate. She kidnaps Danna as ransom, and while they travel back to Danna’s father the two girls begin to realize they weren’t so different after all...

im posting this a day late, but whatever. Enjoy, and please let me know what you think i need constant validation <3

tw: guns, blood, death, violence,

wc: 1222

link to masterlist

Prologue

Nova ran through the streets, her dirty shirt flapping behind her. Glancing anxiously over her shoulder, she gripped the loaf of bread in her hand tighter, although no one was there. She had lost them. Slowly, Nova slowed to a halt, her breath coming out in short, painful gasps. Wincing, Nova pressed her hands to her ribs. Her skin felt paper thin, and it hung off her small form.

The warm, thick smell wafting up from the bread made her stomach rumble, but she ignored the hunger. Her family needed it more than her.

Nova groaned, then started to run once more, her bare feet slapping against the rough ground.

---

“Nova! Oh, thank goodness you’re back,” Her mom said as soon as she walked through the door. She rushed over to envelop Nova in a warm hug.

“Mama! I’m fine,” She complained, struggling to escape. “Look! I got bread.” Nova proudly presented the loaf. It had gotten dirty from her hands, but it was food. The first they had had in a long time.

“Nova, where did you get this?” Her father asked, coming to them. “Did you steal it?”

“Well…” Nova looked down, and scuffed her foot against the hard packed dirt floor.

“Nova, you know I don’t want you to get caught up in crime,” her dad said. He crouched down to Nova’s level, and grasped her hands. “If you got arrested, I don’t know what I would do without you.”

“But Papa, it was so easy to take! Just sitting there. And besides, it’s not like the baker needed it. He has more than enough money already. It’s not fair! We starve, while he gets richer off of our suffering.” Nova stomped her foot hard against the ground.

Evie started to wail, and her mother cursed and hurried off.

“Look, Nova I know it doesn’t seem fair, but you have to trust that the Renegades will take care of us. It’s their job.”

“I don’t think they care about people like us,” Nova said.

“What do you mean people like us?”

“Well, like villains. This area is all criminals. All liars, and thieves. Probably murderers too.”

Her dad laughed. “Am I a criminal, little one? Do I look like a thief?”

“...No”

“Exactly. Don’t worry. If we need help, then the Renegades will give it to us. Okay, sweetheart?”

“Okay... But I’m still eating the bread.” Nova grinned, her gap toothed smile full of joy.

David Artino chuckled. “Of course you can. But save some for us.”

---

Nova slept curled around Evie, sleeping well for the first time in ages. It was one of the rare quiet moments in the slums. No angry voices, or gunshots, or screams.

Of course it didn’t last long. It never did.

The door flew open, waking Nova up. A man stalked into the room. She curled back against the wall, grabbing Evie, silently begging the sleeping child to stay asleep.

“Mr. Artino,” the man said.

Her dad stood in between him and her mom.

“What do you want?”

Nova could see how scared her dad was. But he tried to remain brave.

“You’ve made some big mistakes,” the man growled. “I was hired to make sure you never make them again.”

“No… please! I can pay you. Or… or I can help out in any way. Please, don’t hurt my family.”

The man laughed. “You can’t pay me enough. You brought this upon yourself.”

He pulled out a gun, and raised it high.

He pulled the trigger.

BANG.

Her mom collapsed, blood pouring from her forehead.

Nova screamed. “Mama! No!”

“Nova, go,” Her dad yelled. “I love you so-”

BANG.

Her father slumped forwards, leaving a smear of blood on the floor.

The man grinned. “Nowhere to go now, little one,” he taunted.

Nova’s small body heaved with sobs, but somehow she summoned enough energy to bolt away from him. She flew out the door, and into the dirty streets. Doors were shut tight, and there were no sounds except the barking of stray dogs. Nova ran as fast as she could, still holding Evie tight to her chest. The baby was still asleep.

One second, Nova was sprinting through the streets, and the next she was sprawled across the ground. She must have tripped.

Her entire body was covered with scrapes, but Nova had to keep moving. She had to keep-

Where was Evie? Her baby sister wasn’t in her arms anymore.

The sleeping child had landed in an old pile of blankets. Nova gasped in relief, and rushed to her side.

While the young girl was unharmed, she was no longer asleep. Evie opened her mouth, and began to sob. Loudly.

“No, shh, shh,” Nova begged. “You have to stay quiet Evie.”

“It’s too late for that,” a low voice said.

Nova whirled around.

The man stood over them, his face splattered with her parents’ blood. He raised his gun, face emotionless.

He pulled the trigger.

BANG.

Evie’s cries stopped.

Nova fell to her knees.

BANG. BANG. BANG.

Everything Nova had ever cared about was gone. Gone forever. With three gunshots, Nova’s life disappeared.

Her father had promised that the Renegades would be there to give help when they needed it.

So where were they?

They didn’t care about her. They didn’t care about any of them.

Nova’s tears stopped, and she glared at the man holding the gun.

“You killed my family,” she hissed.

He laughed. “Don’t worry. Your next. Then this little nightmare will be over.” He raised the gun up for the fourth time.

It was going to be the last time.

Nova’s body jerked into action. She twisted her arm around the man’s, and the gun clattered to the ground. Nova lunged forwards, and picked it up with her steady fingers.

“You think you can hurt me?” The man cackled. “You have guts, I’ll give you that.”

“You killed my parents. I’m going to kill you.”

“I was doing my job. I was surviving.”

“That’s not going to be a problem anymore.”

He laughed. “Kid, stop playing. I know you can’t pull the-”

BANG.

The man fell backwards. Nova stared at the gun in her hands, dropping it like it was a snake.

“Oh, Nova. I’m so sorry,” a strong voice said. Strong arms pulled her close.

“Uncle Alec?” Nova hiccuped.

He nodded. “I stopped by your house and saw your parents. Is your sister…”

Nova shook her head. “He killed them Uncle. They’re gone. I’m alone.”

“No, Nova. You have me. I can train you to take revenge on men like him.”

“No. It wasn’t his fault. It was the Renegades. They are supposed to protect us, but they don’t care. If they did, then my parents would be alive.”

Alec grinned. “Then I’ll train you to take revenge on the Renegades. They gave you this nightmare, so you’ll be theirs.”

“Uncle Alec?” Nova asked tearfully.

“Yes Nova?”

“I don’t want to be a good guy.”

“Why would you say that?”

“Papa said that the Renegades were the good guys. I never want to be like them.”

“Then you can be a bad guy. I’ll teach you everything you need to know. I promise.” He hugged her tightly. “But you can’t call me Alec anymore. To the world, I’m Ace. Ace Anarchy.”

Tag list: @honey-harper-official @nobellrenaissance @thepurpledragon4444 @nova-artino @phobidawg @janisarkisian @furrytamayarae

(let me know if u want to be added or taken off my tag list!!!)

#nobell #nobell pirate au #Same Sea Same Soul Same Heart #my writing #renegades #renegade fanfic #au #wlwrenegades #nova artino #danna bell #novanna #this au is literally my child and honestly probably the favourite fanfic ive ever written #please like reblog and comment i need validation <3

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deltas-writing-corner · 3 years

Text

Warmth: Prologue (2/3)

Fandom: Ikemen Sengoku

Disclaimers: Besides the prologues, I will be posting the first 1000 or so words of every new/next chapter. There will be a link to my AO3 at the end of the post, where the full chapters are at!

Warnings: mentions of blood

Masterlist: (coming soon)

"Here, let me help with-"

"It's alright!" Fuku shouts as she lifted several rolls of fabric with ease.

To say Fuku was doing a little better is an understatement. She was fantastically better. When Yuki and you came into work the morning after her accident, she didn't greet you both in her usual polite and quiet manner. Fuku had loudly welcomed you both in as if the shop were suddenly a bustling restaurant.

You were mending a ripped seam in the back room when Yuki suddenly enters and whispers, "Please tell me I haven't gone crazy, or is Fuku much more lively than yesterday?"

You resist the urge to smile. She got her spunk back indeed.

"I quite like this sudden shift in her character," you say.

"I do too, really! I haven't seen her like this since I was a kid. But the sudden switch from sweet to sassy is…" her mind trails off with uncertainty. She looks over her shoulder to make sure you two were alone still. "Do you think her accident yesterday had anything to do with her personality change?"

"They say your life flashes before your eyes in an instant when you come close to death. Maybe she decided to drop the quiet act and be true to herself."

"Yeah, that's it isn't it?" Yuki asks more to herself than to you. "But should she really be carrying all those fabric rolls? Those things are heavier than they look."

"Perhaps her back is doing better?"

"In a day?!"

She was getting more confused, more frustrated as she tried to wrap her head around everything. You put your needle and thread down and turn towards her. "Do you remember what I said yesterday?" you ask. Her tense shoulders relax a bit and she nods. "Then trust me on this. She's going to be fine. Would I ever lie to you if I didn't think she would?"

She shakes her head. "I don't know why, but you saying she's going to be okay somehow reassures me that it will be."

You give her a pat on the head, but she pulls you into a tight hug. You would hug her back if she wasn't squeezing your arms against your body. It was strange. Her hugging you like this almost makes you feel as if you two had truly become…

You don't finish that statement, for fear that your rival would hear it and use it against you. You nearly forgot that you could never truly make friends, not when you're still in the midst of a never-ending battle with a damn snake that targets the people around you. One of these days, you're going to get rid of it for good by any means necessary. Even if that means you would have to die with it, so be it. Anything to make sure it doesn't come out victorious.

You won't take away the people I love again.

_______________________________________________________________

The last time you took a vacation was...never. You've never been on vacation. Your 50-year lone journey could technically count, considering you don't work and essentially goof around most of those years. It wasn't to relax from the stresses of work though. It was merely to pass the time before you could integrate back into society without causing a fuss. It would also help you forget about the people you had gotten to know.

You look over to your co-worker and boss. "Can't I just relax at home? Do I really need to go all the way out to…"

"Kyoto," Yuki finishes your thought.

"Right. Do I really need to go out to Kyoto to relax?"

Fuku shakes her head in disbelief. "Honestly, all you ever do is work! You'll go stir crazy if you don't switch up your surroundings every now and then."

"Besides," Yuki chimes in. "If anyone deserves a vacation, it's you. I don't think you understand how much you work. It's admirable, but also very concerning."

Seeing their worried expression, you feel a bit bashful. They were only looking out for you, thinking you to be tied down to the same limitations they have. You badly want to just bite the bullet and tell them the true nature of who you are. Surely they would understand, right? They would accept you for who you truly are, right? The coiling of the snake around your arm keeps your confession at bay.

Apparently, a vacation for you meant a vacation for it as well. Tormenting you must be such a demanding job after all.

You made sure to sharpen your axe real well the other night.

The chugging of the train grew louder and louder. You and a few other people, mostly fellow travelers from outside your town, walk up to the yellow line on the ground and stand to wait. The train begins to slow down into a complete stop. Once halted, a hiss of steam is let out and the doors creak open.

You turn to give your farewells to your friends and surprisingly find yourself in the middle of a group hug. You give Fuku and Yuki their own pat on the back and they squeeze you a bit harder.

"Have fun! Don't forget to call me and take a bunch of pictures!" Yuki demands.

"And bring a man home," Fuku adds.

You laugh at her comment. She really was a feisty one.

Adjusting the bag hanging from your shoulder, you step onto the train cart and take a seat. After a few minutes, the doors close and you begin to depart from the station. As you look back out the window behind you, you see Fuku and Yuki still standing there, waving you off even as you gradually disappear over the horizon. You swear, they both looked ready to burst into tears.

A tightness against your arm grabs your attention. After wriggling about from under your sleeve, the snake finally pokes its head out and turns its head towards you.

"So," you whisper, as to not attract any attention from your fellow passengers. "It took you awhile to come back. Did I cut you up that badly?"

It hisses at you for mocking it. Uncaring of it feelings, you uncoil it from your arm and drop it in the seat next to you. Should any of the passengers have watched you, they would see you moving nothing. You were actually grateful they couldn't see it. If they did, they would all certainly panic. You did not want to be known as the traveler who carries a deadly snake with them.

You cross one leg over the other and sink in your seat. "Y'know, I should give you a name. It's starting to become annoying just referring to you as 'the snake'."

It seemed surprised that you were speaking to it on neutral terms. Usually, your interactions were hostile and more or less ended with you chopping it into fine bits. It slithers back onto you, this time coiling around your neck. You nearly flinch at the familiar sensation you felt as it tightened its grip to gain stability.

I felt this in my first memory. Go figure.

You pull out your phone and quickly search up an image of a color wheel. You take care to lift the screen up to the snake's eye level while not appearing odd from any lingering gazes. You tell it to tap on a color, and from the one it selects, you would refer to it as that henceforth. It was unimpressed by your naming process but you tell it that it was either this or you give it the most insulting name you can think of.

It looks at the screen for a minute. It then presses the tip of its mouth against the glass and selects the color black.

"How original," you sarcastically say. It responds by tightening around your neck. "Alright. I'll call you Kuro from now on. It'll make cutting you up all the more personal."

Your one-sided chat ends with Kuro, who turns his head away and settles around your neck. You pull up your phone's built-in navigation app and look at the expected arrival time, 3 hours. You lean forward and prop both elbows on your knees. For the next few hours, you just sat there and waited, not bothering to look out the window and marvel in the passing scenery. Your focus was entirely on Kuro, making sure that he wouldn't try to sneak off of you and attack any of the other passengers. He usually only goes for people you had grown attached to or spend most of your time with, but you weren't going to take any chances.

You give yourself a bit of comfort by sticking your hand in your duffel bag and squeezing the familiar handle of your axe.

________________________________________________________________

The city still amazes you. It was hard to believe that in just a couple hundred years, humanity would evolve so rapidly. As amazing as the advancement of humanity was, the air quality has gone to complete shit. Along with sleeping and eating, you didn't need to breathe either. You're thankful you didn't have to subject yourself to the polluted air and spare yourself from burning your lungs. Kuro seems to hate the air as well, as he makes a sort of gagging noise once you step out of the station.

Finally, we agree on something

You robotically push past the crowds, flag down a taxi, and check into your hotel room. You send a quick text to Yuki to let her know you arrived safely and thank her again for booking the room for you. Once you set your belongings down and relax against the plush bed, you get a text back.

'What r u going to do?'

That's right. This was supposed to be a vacation. You were supposed to be going out and doing literally anything other than work.

What the hell are you even supposed to do?

You text back, 'idk.'

'Seriously??? There's a ton of stuff you could do in Kyoto!'

'Like what?'

'I heard shrines are lovely this time of the year'

________________________________________________________________

The fact that you, a god, are visiting a shrine to be very, very hilarious. Kuro hates it apparently, which made it even funnier.

"Aww, don't be like that," you jokingly cooed at him.

You used the ladle from the shrine pavilion to scoop up the so-called purified water and bring it close to him. He hisses so violently that the shrine maiden that acted as a guide for you and your fellow visitors flinched and looks around to find the source of her scare. Deciding to spare him any more stress and reason to go on a frenzy, you put the ladle back in the basin and catch up to the departing group.

The tour was simple, a mere walk around the temple and it's public areas while the guide explained the history behind each building, important figures, and various rituals the worshipers practice. It wasn't the most exciting way to spend your first day on vacation, but you found still found it interesting and very educational.

Near the end of the tour, the guide leads you all up to a statue of a woman. Her skin is as white as milk, half of her black hair twisted up in a bun while the rest flowed down her back. It was a hairstyle your mother would style on you and even taught you how to do it yourself. Her kimono was a faded gold color from years of natural degradation. The pattern on her stone clothing reminded you of flames.

Your tour guide stops and turns back towards you all. "This here is a statue of the sun goddess, Amaterasu. She is a central deity within the Shinto religion. The Japanese nobility claim their divine right to rule by claiming to be her descendants."

Your tour guide went on about the shrine's methods of worship for Amaterasu, but you completely drowned out her words. You found yourself completely enamored by the statue.

Something about it was...

Hearing that name was…

Your body was...

"Miss?" One of the tour-goers waves her hands in front of your vision in an attempt to gain your attention. "Is everything alright?"

As you slowly regain your focus, you notice a wetness on your face. You had shed a tear. You quickly wiped it away and gave the concerned woman a reassuring smile. "Allergies."

She seemed relieved and without a second thought reached into her bag to pull out a bottle. She pops off the cap, shakes out two antihistamine pills and hands them to you. You take them and hide them under your tongue before taking a gulp of water from your plastic bottle. You thank her, waiting for her to walk off with the group before spitting them out.

Kuro gives a condescending flick of his tongue against the cheek your tear descended on. You slap his head away and growl, "Not a word."

You take a moment to gather yourself before heading back with the group. Before you turn the corner and lose sight of the statue, you spare it one last glance. When you looked at it again, you were certain what you were feeling wasn't just a fluke.

You felt warm.

________________________________________________________________

The tour ended not long after you all saw the statue of the sun goddess. You didn't leave until night, when the Shrine closed to the public. You spent the entire day just staring at the statue, basking in the familiar warmth that filled within your body.

"I know you don't care, but that wasn't some coincidence," you say to Kuro. "That warm feeling. It's similar, no, the exact same warmth I summon when I heal people!"

You yank him off your neck and plop him on the nearest surface, a stone tablet of sorts with writing carved into it. It was monument for some historical figure, but you didn't care about it. He looks at you as if he was actually considering your words for once. At this point, you could care less about this ingrained rivalry between you two. If there was anyone else in the world that could ever relate to you, it would be him.

"Who the hell am I? What the hell are we? Who the hell made us so hellbent on screwing each other over? Actually, let me rephrase. Why are we so hellbent on screwing each other over?"

You kept rattling on question after question. Contemplating the meaning of your existence to a snake that no one but yourself could see. In your confused frenzy, you fail to notice the grey clouds engulfing the sky. The loud roar of lightning and sudden rainfall put a halt to your pacing.

So much for clear skies.

The sound of footsteps approaching your figure brought your attention back down to earth. "Are you alright ma'am? Do you have an umbrella?" a man in a lab coat and glasses looks at you with a blank stare, but his voice indicates that he was worried for you.

You shake your head. "I didn't think it would rain today."

The man opens his mouth to say something when suddenly, your eardrums are assaulted by another clap of lightning. This time, it struck the space right next to the both of you. You frantically search your surroundings to locate exactly where it struck. The monument that your rival was on had been completely shattered into pieces.

Shit, I put Kuro on that!

The bespectacled man kneels down towards you and offers you his hand. You didn't realize that you had fallen over until you finally registered the stinging on each of your knees. You reach out towards his offered hand. Before you could place your hand in his own, darkness suddenly enveloped your vision followed by a wave of dizziness. You instinctively shut your eyes and nurse your head in your hands.

The wet and cold air of the rainstorm was suddenly replaced with a suffocating heat. You manage to open your eyes and find yourself in a completely new setting. You were on the balcony of a building, currently blanketed in flames and billowing smoke. You accidentally inhaled due to your shock and began to cough as your lungs fill with black air.

Your fit alerts a figure in the room of your presence. Seeing you, a defenseless woman all so suddenly, they found themselves frozen in shock. Your vision began to slowly clear up enough for you to notice the familiar sheen of metal. Whoever it was that you were looking at had a sword in hand, tip aimed to the floor where a man lied unconscious at his feet.

Instinctively, you reached into your handbag and grabbed your axe. You put all the force you could muster into your grip and threw it at the man with the sword. He gave out a cry of pain, indicating that you had landed a hit on him. He suddenly backs away from the body and you think you hear him mutter some sort of apology before running out the room. With the threat now gone, you make your way towards the man on the floor. He was still unconscious, so you took a firm hold of his shoulders and began to shake him awake. He wakes up with a sputter before taking notice of you.

"Who are you?" his booming voice asks

"No time for introductions! The building is burning and we need to leave! Now!"

You didn't give him a chance to get in another word. Grabbing his forearm and hoisting him on his feet, you pulled him out of the fiery room. You make sure to grab your axe, wedged deep into the wood of the door frame, on your way out.

Miraculously, you manage to find a way out the building. As soon as you're lungs fill with fresh air, you double over into another coughing fit. As you try to calm your breaths, you turn back to building. It was a temple, but not like the one you visited earlier in the day. This one seemed more rustic. It was hard to fully picture what it might have looked like due to it being quite on fire still.

If you hadn't escaped in time, the man you dragged along with you would have perished. If not by the stab of the sword looming over him, then by the flames. Speaking of him, he looks out towards the burning temple with you. Instead of worry or panic, he seemed to be rather annoyed.

"Someone tried to do away with me as I slept? Audacious, but foolish. Killing my guards and managing to get so close to me is another matter."

Who cares if you were asleep or not?! You almost died!

He then turns towards you, taking notice of your grip still on his arm. "You there," he addresses you. "Let go of me."

You let go of his arm and he rubs it as if your grip was uncomfortable. He took in the person standing before him, his apparent savior.

"You may be mere entertainment the monks brought in, but you saved my life nonetheless. You have my thanks."

Did he just insinuate that you were a prostitute?

"I must have missed all the monks among the fire. I don't have a clue how I ended up in there," you tell him.

It's now that you begin to take in your surroundings. You were no longer within the city, not a single skyscraper obscuring the night sky in sight. The air, despite standing next to a burning building, wasn't as disgusting to breathe in. The man you rescued had striking features. His hair black and eyes a carnelian hue. He wore armor sporting colors of black, white, and red. You remember seeing such attire way back when your parents were alive. He was some sort of soldier.

"What are you staring at? Surely you know who I am?" He asks. You shake your head, being at a total loss for words. This genuinely confuses him. "You saved me not knowing who I am? Not expecting reward or favor?" He gives a deep chuckle that echoes throughout the night. "So be it, I shall tell you my name. I am the man who will rule all under the sun-"

Your silence is broken by your faint laugh. Was this man seriously going to monologue and create some sort of suspenseful build-up over his own name? After he just escaped the clutches of death?

He lifts an eyebrow. "Have I said something amusing?"

You cover your mouth to stifle your giggles and shake your head once more. Surely, he must have thought you rude.

Instead, he lets out another round of laughter, this time louder. "You're a curious one. No one has acted so impudently to me before." He takes a step closer to you and you take half a step back. "You intrigue me, which is almost as worthy of praise for saving my life. I am the Lord of Azuchi Castle and Daimyo of Owari, Nobunaga Oda."

Your head involuntarily tilts to the side. You look up at him and say, "...Who?"

His brows furrow. Now he was getting frustrated. "Do you truly not know who I am?"

You fiddle with your thumbs. "Noooooo?"

"You are indeed a strange one. But I have given you my name. Now, give me yours."

You hesitated, but decided it was safe to give him your name.

"I see. A good name befitting my savior"

Was that a compliment? Hang on, where the hell are you?!

You shake your head as if to clear your mind of its confused state. "Now that we got the introductions out the way. Tell me, where are we?"

"We are at Honno-ji. The building before you is-"

"A temple. I can see that. What year is it?"

He seems taken back by your question and of the fact that you interrupted him. "It is 1582. Why?"

Ah, 1582………WHAT?!

Before you could understandably freak out, the galloping of hooves grabs both your attention. The man at the front of the small group heading in your direction shouts, "Lord Nobunaga, you're safe!"

Once he reaches a safe distance, he hurriedly dismounts and approaches you both on foot. The others that rode alongside him turn their attention towards the building and begin shouting out orders to put out the flames.

"Mitsunari," Nobunaga turns to him. "Why have you come? Where is Hideyoshi?"

"Lord Hideyoshi sent me ahead. He should arrive here shortly," Mitsunari explains. He then takes in the sight of the smoldering temple and frowns. "It would seem the information we received about your assassination attempt was correct."

You feel another coughing fit coming and try to muffle it. It is then that Mitsunari takes notice of you.

"Oh, who might you be?"

Nobunaga calls out to you. He gives a nod to Mitsunari as an indication that you were no threat and then commanded, "Present yourself to my subordinate."

"I'm- Ow!"

Something pierces your ankle and you nearly fall over yet again. Mitsunari pulls you towards him and swiftly draws his sword out. As your eyes search the ground for what could have bitten you, you notice the familiar black scales of your rival hidden between the blades grass.

"Kuro! You bastard, I thought the lightning fried you to a crisp!"

As much as you hate to admit, you were glad to see the serpent is alive and well. However, as Mitsunari took notice of the snake, he pulled you further in until you were between him and Nobunaga.

"A snake?! Please stand back!"

He firmly planted his right foot on the ground and raised his sword. You immediately went on the defense and shoved him into the Nobunaga's chest. They were dumbfounded as they saw you place yourself protectively in front of the snake as if they were the threat, not it.

"Stop! He's with me!"

"My lady, the snake could potentially be venomous. Please walk carefully towards me,' Mitsunari beckons you to him.

Oh, he's much more than venomous… hold on.

You look down towards Kuro, then to Mitsunari, then to Kuro and back to the grey-haired man again. "You...You can see him?"

"Of course I can! Now please, get back!"

You glare down at him. "You bastard! You can make people see you at will can't you?!"

Unsurprisingly, he plays dumb and slithers back on you. Like before, he situates himself around your neck before turning his gaze towards the two armor-clad men. He sends an almost condescending gaze at the grown men panicking before him, a tiny viper.

"Ok, before you panic let me explain. This is Kuro. Say hi." You roll your eyes as he hisses at them. What else did you expect? "Lovely. He's my…we've known each other for a long time."

"You say that as if the snake were a person." Nobunaga notices.

Man don't even get me started!

"He's more aware than most, but he isn't harmful. So long as you don't annoy him he won't try to lunge at you." You shift your weight to the foot he had bitten, reminding you of the fact that he sunk his fangs into you just moments ago. "Except me. He'll only bite me."

"He's not venomous, is he?" Mitsunari asks.

"He has venom," you stupidly say, but quickly backtrack on your statement. "But he never shoots it in me, I swear! like I said, you just have to be cautious around him and not give him a reason to bite you."

"A woman with a venomous snake as her companion. There is no end to your amusement, is there?" Nobunaga speaks up, impressed, and not at all ashamed of feeling so, "Mitsunari, this is my savior. Remember her well."

"I thank you for rescuing our Lord," the man, clad in purple armor and a singular beauty mark under his right eye, bows deeply towards you. "My name is Mitsunari Ishida. I serve Nobunaga's right-hand man."

You wave your hands frantically to stop him. "Ah, no need to be so formal! Despite the circumstances, It's nice to meet you as well."

you properly introduce yourself to Mitsunari, who instantly perks up at your more welcoming demeanor. "Is your foot alright? That bite must have hurt. Though now that I've gotten a better look at you, you don't appear to be a nun. Are you perhaps from abroad?"

You look down towards yourself and realized you were wearing nothing but a t-shirt, capris, and some old worn out sneakers. You must look like a clown to them. Also, what were you even supposed to say in this sort of situation? Hey, I'm from 500 years in the future. Did I forget to mention I'm actually a 300 year old deity? Life sure is crazy!

Not knowing what is safe and not safe to say, you remained quiet. Mitsunari takes notice of your hesitation and looks back at Nobunaga for some guidance. The man, now over your rude behavior, steps past his subordinate and towers over you.

"Were you not taught to speak when spoken to? You may have saved my life, but there is only so much disobedience I will tolerate. Tell us where you hail from, and quickly."

You and Kuro glance at each other. Like most of your standoffs, there seems to be a mutual understanding between you two without the need for words. Remain silent. Do not tell them of your origin or of the nature of your being. Even if he decides you aren't trustworthy and strikes you down where you stand, you will survive the blow.

You kept your mouth shut. He seems more disappointed than angry towards your answer and turns towards Mitsunari. "Restrain her. She is now officially a suspect in the assassination plot on my life"

"My Lord. She's clearly disoriented from the chaos-"

"Restrain her," he ordered with finality.

Mitsunari, hesitant but not one to disobey orders, grabs a length of rope from his horse's saddle and walks back towards you. "Please give me your hands,' he politely demands of you. You do as you're told.

"It's alright," you whisper to him. "If it makes you feel better, my reason for being silent is just for my safety. I mean you all no harm. You have my word."

"I…" he appears caught between his orders and trusting in you. "I will trust you. No person with ill intent would risk their life to save Lord Nobunaga."

You thank him by giving his hand a comforting squeeze. He makes sure to tie your hands in a manner that would make escaping impossible, but not tight enough to hurt your wrists. You're escorted away from the temple, to a camp not too far away. You're led to a nearby bonfire and told to sit and not make any sudden moves. Mitsunari steps away from you and is replaced by two of the soldiers he brought with him.

"Hey," you try to whisper as quietly as you can to Kuro, "I have a suggestion. Care to hear it?"

He slithers around your neck until he's facing you head-on. It seems he's willing to listen. "Let's call a truce," you simply state. "The only conditions are that we look out and help one another until we find a way back to our time. After we return, we can go back to despising each other for the next hundreds of years."

Were you seriously offering an alliance with your sworn enemy? Yes, yes you were. As much as you both detest the idea of having to tolerate each other, the current situation made it clear that the only way you two are going to manage to get home is to put your heads together. Maybe even get along for a change?

Ugh, the thought of befriending this slithering asshole is deplorable.

"If you agree to those terms, bite my neck."

He doesn't hesitate to sink his fangs into your throat. You're sure he's wanted to bite you until your body was littered in duo puncture marks. The guards are alarmed at your cry of pain and go to kneel beside you to see what was wrong. They both took notice of the black snake around your neck and bleeding wounds. They look at each other and then nod. "Don't move ma'am. We'll take care of the snake-"

"He's a pet! No need to draw your sword," you immediately explain to them. "Could I maybe get a rag to press against my wound?"

The guard on your right seems hesitant, but his fellow soldier nods in assurance. He leaves in search of a rag, while the guard on your left seems to get closer to you. He's probably keeping a closer eye on you until his partner returns.

Two new people enter the camp. One is clad in blue and white armor, hair a pure white color. The other in green armor with red accents, hair a natural brown. You try your hardest to listen to their conversation. So far, both new figures seem to be concerned for the well being of Nobunaga. They question him on how he managed to escape unscathed and soon the attention is turned towards you.

"This is my savior. Due to her lack of answering my inquiries about her person, I've placed her under custody until we return to Azuchi."

"That one, sitting by the fire?" the white-haired one gestured towards you. You gave him a wave with your tied hands. "What a slender thing, but appearances aren't everything. Shall I pry answers from her mouth?"

The threat of torture puts you both on edge. You more than Kuro as you would be the one subjected to it.

Nobunaga seems to notice your fear and revels in it. "Once we return home, if she refuses to explain herself again, I will leave her in your hands. For now, we prepare for our departure."

The white-haired one nods in understanding before sending a spine chilling grin towards you.

Note to self, watch out for that one.

The brown-haired one comes towards you. While he isn't as scary as the other one, his height makes up for it. He's nearly twice your height and taller than anyone in the camp. He glares down at you and says, "Whoever you are, if you have any plans to harm Lord Nobunaga, I will make you regret ever having such thoughts."

Threat after threat after threat. You were getting pretty fed up with it. You were about to give the man a piece of your mind when suddenly, Kuro lunges at him. His fangs were bared and spurted liquid out of his mouth. That wasn't a warning bite. It was an honest attempt to bite and kill.

"Kuro!" You scold him. "That's not going to help the situation!"

"A snake?! Why haven't you noticed and gotten rid of it?!" The green armored one questions your guards.

They stutter over themselves before you finally speak up in place of them. "He's my pet."

"Pet or not. Allowing such a dangerous animal around Lord Nobunaga is a risk I won't take."

He reaches down to his waist to unsheathe his sword. In your panic, you shot up on your feet and you kick him right in the diaphragm. His arms wrap around his stomach and he nearly falls to his knees over from the blow.

"The next person that points a sword at us, I'm going to hold you down myself and let him pump you full of venom!" you scream. Gods, were you so on edge that you were now threatening people?

Your suddenly thrown face first down onto the ground and pinned from behind. You turn your head to see who it was that had restrained you. It was the white-haired one. The empty barrel pointed at you keeps you still.

I smell gunpowder. That's a rifle no doubt. Father used to have one in the house in case wolves came by at night.

"Those things have a tendency to accidentally go off," you tell him.

He smiles down at you. "Indeed. You'll forgive me if it does, yes?"

Second note, I hate this guy.

Angered by his cockiness, you try to wiggle out of his hold, but it utterly fails. In fact, you actually help him get a better grip on you and make it harder for you to escape. Great job, you dumbass.

"What shall we do with the snake, my lord?" The one pinning you down asks Nobunaga.

He stood over your defenseless self and stared at you with indifference. "It is clearly a hazard, but it has yet to leave it's master side and only struck when it perceived her to be under an immediate threat. Leave it, but keep your distance."

"My Lord, that is too much of a risk. Removing the threat now would be the better option," the brown-haired one protested. Slightly bent over in pain from your hit.

"I hate to say it, but I agree with Hideyoshi," the white haired one says. "Even a moment of vulnerability on our part will result in her releasing it on us."

The one you hit is Hideyoshi. Noted.

Nobunaga smirks at him. "If you're so concerned, Mitsuhide, then I suggest you put your sharpshooter skills to good use and keep an eye on the damn thing. Now, if you're both done bickering, let us head out."

Mitsuhide didn't seem to like his new orders but answers with a practiced "yes sir", before helping you up to your feet. Without any more to say, you're escorted to an large crowd of horses and lifted onto a saddle. Mitsunari is your apparent rider and you quietly thank the heavens for your one saving grace.

"Sorry," you whisper, "I sort of made things worse for myself."

You feel him tense, immediately feeling bad for making him worry even more.

"Once we return to Azuchi, you'll be in a secure place and can speak your truth without fear of lingering ears," he tells you. The horse beneath you suddenly kinks into a speedy gallop and you hold onto him for dear life.

You travel for a few minutes before the steeds around you slow down into a complete stop. A man with an eye patch and blue and gold armor appears with another unit of soldiers. Perhaps he was back up? He sure is late though.

"Lord Nobunaga. I see you're unscathed," he says, a more casual hint in his voice.

"Physically, yes. But my pride has taken quite the hit. We're returning to Azuchi. Have your men follow."

"Damn, I guess I was too late to see some action," he answers disappointedly. He turns back towards his reinforcements and shouts, "You heard the man! It's back home for us!"

His soldiers all let out groans of equal disappointment. He laughs at their expense before maneuvering his horse to join with the rest of the retreat. It's when he and his men fully merge that he takes notice of you and your bound hands. "Who's the lass?" He shouts over to Hideyoshi.

"They're under suspicion for the assassination attempt tonight. She has a snake around her neck and it will strike if you get near."

"A woman with a snake, huh? I like you already. The name's Date Masamune. I hope we can get to know each other well."

First I get called a prostitute, then this asshole flirts with me while I'm tied up! So much for a relaxing vacation!

________________________________________________________________

Kennyo watches the retreat of the Oda alliance with rage. His chance to exact revenge was in the palm of his hand but had been slapped away in a mere instance. The rustling of bushes gains his attention and he turns to see Ranmaru knelt before him, sweaty and disheveled. He's now porting a gash across his normally pristine face. "Are you alright? We need to tend to that wound to prevent it from becoming infected. It'll likely scar."

Ranmaru is on the verge of tears. "Master Kennyo, I failed you. All our efforts to eliminate the head of the Oda have gone to waste because of-"

The monk shushes him. "You've done well, Ranmaru. You've demonstrated how well the devil king trusts you. That alone is enough to be the cause of their undoing."

Ranmaru flinches at the mention of the word "trust." Kennyo turns back to look at the retreating forces once more. He turned back just in time to see that the they had a prisoner in their midst. He becomes even more enraged once he realizes that it was a woman.

"They would go so far as to blame a woman for the fire and hold her captive. The Oda couldn't stoop any lower than they have now."

Kennyo begins to walk away into the darkness of the forest. He gestures for the boy to follow, and he does so without hesitation.

________________________________________________________________

Another set of eyes watch the retreat of the Oda alliance from the sidelines.

"How disappointing. Though perhaps this is a blessing in disguise," Kenshin, initially unhappy seeing Nobunaga escape unharmed, immediately perks up at his own thoughts. "I still have an opportunity to drag the devil king out to battle and strike him down myself."

Shingen shakes his head in disbelief. Although he was frustrated as the rest, seeing the Oda pull out victorious and without a single loss, hearing Kenshin retain his bloodlust was reassuring. "He truly earned the title of devil king. Only a demon could have such twisted luck on his side."

"Lord Shingen," Yukimura suddenly notices an unfamiliar figure among the retreating forces, "look at who is riding with Mitsunari Ishida."

Shingen searches out for the familiar tuff of grey hair. He was in a bad mood, but now he's pissed. That was a woman, bound by the wrist the same way a criminal would be. "Unforgivable," is all the Tiger of Kai could growl out.

"Yes," Yoshimoto nods in agreement with his cousin, "Such a small thing. She must be scared to death."

Kenshin doesn't make any comment at the revelation, but he notices the panic that overtakes Sasuke's face upon hearing that a woman had been taken prisoner.

"I've grown bored. Let us return to Echigo and reconvene another day."

Kenshin doesn't wait for an answer. He turns away and the rest of his allies follow without a word. "Sasuke," Kenshin calls out to his ninja who had yet to move from his spot, "Do not keep me waiting."

He snaps out of this train of thought before following along. "Yes, my Lord."

________________________________________________________________

You had remained quiet the entire trip. A few people called your name, but you were so lost in your thoughts that you didn't even acknowledge whoever was speaking to you. You failed to realize that night had turned into morning. Your surroundings had changed from foliage into a massive fortress-like castle.

Kuro paid attention to your surroundings in your stead. Anyone that had gotten even a little close was hissed at and had transparent venom spat at them. Even Mitsunari, your one and only ally as of now, was not spared of the serpents radar.

You finally speak your first words after hours of silence. "If you keep threatening every man that so much as looks in my direction, I might start to believe you actually liked me all this time."

You're once again bitten, this time on the back of your hand. Blood quickly pools in the twin punctures before rolling down and staining your skin.

Mitsuhide had witnessed the snake sink its fangs into you. "Oh my, such a temperamental pet. Are you sure you have it under control?"

You roll your eyes. "Of course I do. Hey, Kuro," you look down to him. "If things turn ugly, pump me full of whatever you got left."

The snake nods, pleased at the privilege you've given it. Mitsuhide narrows his eyes at you, concerned over your order. You make sure to pat Kuro's scaly head while maintaining eye contact with him.

The entourage heads towards the stable. Stable hands awaited their return and began to board and tend to each steed. Mitsunari eventually dismounts and offers his hand for you to take. You gratefully accept his gesture and he helps steady you on the ground.

"How are your hands? If they feel sore I'll redo my bindings," he offers.

You shake your head. "I'm alright. What's going to happen to me now?"

"Lord Nobunaga requested an immediate council upon his return. It will likely be about the events that took place at Honno-ji and will take some time to inform and gather everyone needed. Until then, you...you will be…"

You didn't rush him. He was clearly having a hard time trying to muster up the courage to tell you what will happen to you until the meeting. You already have an idea what it would entail.

"You will be held in a prison cell until your fate is determined."

There it is.

"Will Kuro be allowed to stay with me?"

He nods. "Hideyoshi requested that the snake remain on your person at all times and visible. I hope his request isn't too unreasonable."

"If it puts the people here at ease then I can live with it. I'd feel safe having him close by anyways, so I'm quite thankful he didn't call in some expert snake hunter or something."

Mitsunari smiles at your words. "Even when the odds are against you, you find the positive within. You are truly admirable, my lady."

You return the smile. "Thank you, but I'm sure I told you before not to be so formal!"

"Very well. I agree with the condition that you address me with familiarity too. Is that alright?"

You nod and, for a brief moment, you forget that you were technically still a prisoner.

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#ikemen sengoku #ikesen #ikemen series #otome #ikemen sengoku fanfiction #ikemen sengoku writing #ao3 fanfic #ikesen writing #ikesen fanfic #writing #fanfic: warmth #reader insert #reader insert fanfiction

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heyhey-heyward · 4 years

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expectations & disappointments | pt. one

series masterlist

summary: Morgan Miller has lived her life under her mother’s thumb—but one afternoon with Kildare County’s most notorious Pogues changes everything.

word count: 2.3k

note from the writer: technically this isn’t part one, if you’re counting the prologue so read that before this! Plus I’ll be doing a taglist for people that would want to be included so send me an ask if you want to be included! this takes place along the canon events of the show, so major spoilers. also, be prepared for a s l o w b u r n bc I can’t help myself.

“You have a visitor.”

Mrs. Madeline Miller knocked on Morgan’s bedroom door. She was sitting at her desk, trying to figure out what her plan for the day would be since Agatha came and went the night before. The Miller’s still had power, but she had a pretty good feeling that The Cut was dark and would be staying that way for a while. Her mom left her doorway, and Morgan stood up to investigate who was coming to see her when a familiar head poked into her room.

“Hey, Mo!” Kiara called, slipping all the way into her room.

“Hey, what are you doing here?” Morgan questioned as Kiara dropped onto her bed as if she hung out there regularly. Morgan was still in her pajamas, since it was decently early and she had no plans for the day yet, but Kiara was fully dressed and ready.

“I’m taking you out with the guys, so get dressed for a day on the boat.” She ordered, and there was no room to argue. Morgan chuckled, standing up to do as she said and biting her tongue to hold back comments about if she would be welcomed. JJ hadn’t exactly acted the friendliest with her the other day, but she could cut him some slack. Morgan knew the relationship between Pogues and Kooks.

After changing into one of her favorite swimsuits, Morgan threw on a pair of denim shorts and a t-shirt before slipping into a pair of sandals and following Kiara out of her house. Kiara started tugging her by the hand, saying that they both were going to be late and John B’s going to throw a fit if he has to wait at the dock for a while. Just as they were climbing into Kiara’s car and tossing Morgan’s bag into the backseat, her mom stepped onto the front porch and Morgan could tell from the look in her eyes that she wasn’t happy. Normally, Mrs. Madeline Miller would love for one of the girls on Figure Eight to come take her daughter away for a day out on the boat, but she knew Kiara, she knew who she hangs out with, and knew exactly what boat they’d be on.

“Remember what we talked about last night. I’m setting it up for later this week!” She tried calling to Morgan, but between Kiara’s giggles and her already starting to drive away, Morgan barely managed out a ‘sure thing’ before she was out from under her mother’s watchful eye.

Kiara drove until they reached a dock by The Wreck, her family’s tourist trap restaurant. She grabbed her cooler out of the back, and just as Morgan stepped onto the dock Kiara pointed out a boat that was getting close to the dock. She recognized the boys immediately, and Pope waved awkwardly. John B smiled, but JJ just looked at Kiara with a confused expression.

“Why’d you bring the Kook?” He called, barely flinching as John B nudged him for his comment. Morgan’s steps faltered, and she started to wonder if she should just plan on hiking back home, but Kiara grabbed her wrist and pulled her along.

“Honorary Pogue.” Kiara said decidedly and JJ shrugged, though he still gave Morgan a weary once over. She smiled cautiously, letting Kiara climb into the boat while discussing the contents of her cooler. JJ, despite not giving Morgan the warmest welcome, extended his hand to help her balance as she climbed into the boat, and she took it with a thankful smile.

“Welcome aboard, Mo.” John B cheered, nodding his head in her direction as she settled onto the front of the boat alongside Kiara.

“Happy to be here, captain.” She joked back. Kiara cheered, and Pope joined in while the other two boys just chuckled. John B picked up the speed, taking the boat out towards the marsh. Usually, Morgan didn’t go out there, but she also didn’t usually hang out with Pogues.

A little ways off shore, Morgan and Kiara took off their shirts to get a tan from the sun, and Morgan pretended that she didn’t feel a set of blue eyes on her. Instead she focused on accepting the bottle Kiara was handing her, and definitely not the blonde that was standing beside her. It didn’t take long for Pope and John B to switch positions, since Pope didn’t drink and would be clear to drive.

“So, Mo.” Kiara started, and Morgan nodded for her to continue while taking a sip of the beer that had been placed into her hand ten minutes earlier. “What was your mom yelling about when we left?”

“She, uh…” Morgan trailed off with a nervous chuckle. “She’s setting up a date for me, I guess. You know Kai Johnson?”

“You need mommy to get a date for you?” JJ teased, and though Kiara and Pope scolded him for it, Morgan couldn’t help the scoff she let out or the small grin on her face. She twisted around, laying on her back with her feet dangling over the edge of the boat, and Kiara rambled out apologies for asking.

“No, Kie, it’s fine. According to her I’ve got to find a husband somehow.” Morgan waved her hand around as she spoke, clearly annoyed by her mom’s constant nagging about her future. The group was silent at her confession, and she sighed, attempting to sip from her bottle while still laying down. “I think she’s just jealous because I’ve been going on more dates than her.”

Morgan’s joke seemed to set things right, because the group started laughing and Pope sped up a bit in order to get to the destination. JJ stood, reaching behind his head to pull his shirt off, and Morgan was thankful for the dark lenses of her sunglasses that concealed her gaze, but was embarrassed that she had caught herself staring. He was attractive, she’d give him that. But his personality was a bit abrasive, and she could tell he was still warming up to her.

Kiara must have caught her staring, because she nudged Morgan’s arm with her foot and she pushed her sunglasses to the top of her head and sat up a bit to look at Kiara. When Morgan caught her smug grin, she groaned and dropped back into her previous spot laying down. She chuckled at her reaction, ignoring Pope’s questions about what was so funny and John B’s comments about how he’d never understand girls.

The boat was already pretty deep in the marsh, and JJ stepped over Morgan to get to the very front of the vessel. He told Pope to speed up, and from the groan Kiara let out, Morgan could tell this was a pretty common occurrence. Pope did as he was told, and JJ held his bottle out in front of his face to let it spray back into his face. Morgan curled, sitting up as the beer sprayed down into her face, Kiara claiming the same thing.

“If you fall, at least try to go to the side so Pope doesn’t run you over!” Morgan called over the sound of the engine, and JJ turned to give her a smile. He opened his mouth to return some tease, but it never came as the boat jolted and stopped suddenly, sending JJ flying forward. Morgan banged against the front of the boat, groaning as she sat up and leaned over the front of the boat to look for JJ. His head popped above water, one of his hands pushing his hand through his wet hair to get it out of his eyes as he groaned, clearly in pain. “I said fall to the side, Maybank.”

“Yeah, yeah. Just help me up.” JJ groaned and held his hand out as Morgan heard Pope say something about a new sandbar from the storm. She grabbed JJ’s hand, but instead of pulling him into the boat, the blonde gave a quick tug and sent her flying into the water beside him.

“The hell, JJ?” She spluttered, though her words screamed annoyance, she was grinning. He just laughed, floating on his back. Morgan splashed him, but before it could turn into an all out war Pope was standing on the front of the boat, looking down into the water.

There was a boat at the bottom of the marsh, no doubt swept there and sunk by Agatha. It took no convincing before the rest of the group that was still on the HMS Pogue started stripping their layers down to their swimsuits and dove into investigate. Morgan shared an excited look with Kiara before she jumped in, and they dove down with the rest of the Pogues to investigate.

The saltwater stung her eyes, but that was the least of her concern as she swam above the sunken boat. It was too deep to get close to, but Morgan could see clearly that it was a new boat, and an expensive one at that. It was the type of boat you’d find on Figure Eight, not in the marsh on The Cut.

Morgan was the last to reach the surface, and when she wiped the water out of her eyes she saw everyone was cheering and in awe. She climbed in the boat after Kiara, and JJ, who had gone in first, helped her in.

“That’s a Grady White, a new one is five G’s, easy.” He told the group, identifying the boat below. Morgan dropped into a seat at the back of the boat as she watched the rest of the group scurry to find something. And when John B pulled out the boat’s anchor and stood on the edge, talking about going down, she knew what he was doing.

“Don’t drown yourself, please.” Morgan called out, leaning against the edge of the boat. John B saluted her, and JJ shot her a grin over his shoulder.

“Diver down!” JJ shouted, pushing John B backwards over the edge of the boat. The anchor weighed him down, taking him to the boat at the bottom on the marsh.

“Okay, is this like a normal day for you guys, or...?” Morgan trailed off, earning a shake of the head from Kiara as she nervously studied the water.

“Can’t handle a little adventure? We can drop you back off at Figure Eight.” JJ teased, bringing back up the fact that she was a Kook. Morgan rolled her eyes, moving to stand between Pope and Kiara, looking into the water for any signs of John B. She could hear Pope silently scolding JJ for the jab at you being a Kook—he’s really not as subtle as he thinks—and when she glanced at Kiara she offered her a smile.

“Hey, there he is.” Morgan pointed into the water, seeing John B’s form swimming to the surface. She and Kiara stepped back as Pope and JJ helped pull him onboard, and immediately he’s surrounded, the group all asking about what he could have found.

A motel key.

Kiara mentioned turning in the wreck for a finder’s fee, and it took little convincing for the rest of the Pogues to go with that plan, and Morgan agreed to go with them. Not because she needed the money, but because she wasn’t ready to head home and face her mother just yet.

The coast guard always set up shop at the docks the day after a hurricane, and it was always hell to try and get somebody's attention. If you weren’t bleeding out before them, it was at the very least a twenty minute wait to get the time of day. JJ and John B offered to go in, while Morgan waited in the HMS Pogue tied to the dock with Kiara and Pope.

“Morgan, is that you?” The girl in question blanched at the voice. Melanie. Her mom’s friend, who would without a doubt be telling her that Morgan was spotted with some of The Cut’s most notorious Pogues. She sat up straighter in her seat, plastering a fake smile on her face as she waved to the woman who was way too made up for the day after a hurricane. Clearly, power was back on at Figure Eight.

“Yes, Mrs. Thompson. How are you?” Morgan greeted politely. Out of the corner of her eye, she spotted JJ and John B coming back. The middle aged woman pursed her lips, watching with judgement clear in her eyes as the boys jumped onto the boat.

“Does your mother know who you’re keeping company with?” Melanie didn’t answer your question and instead continued on with a sour look. Morgan didn’t care, at all, about how she was, but she did feel anger boil in her at the fact that she was talking about Kiara, Pope, JJ, and John B like they weren’t standing right there.

“Well, I don’t really know what my mom knows.” Morgan shrugged, playing dumb as JJ and John B settled into the boat, starting it and getting ready to go. Melanie huffed, and Morgan grinned at her as Pope untied the boat from the dock.

“I’ll be sure to stop by on my way home, she won’t be happy to hear about this!” She huffed, though she had to start getting louder as John B started the engine. JJ helped Kiara push off the dock so they could leave, and Morgan spared her mom’s friend one last glance.

“She never is, Melanie!” Morgan called to her with a fake smile and a dramatic wave. She was probably going to be in some shit for being disrespectful, but that didn’t matter to her. What mattered was the fact that she was being rude just because of a difference in class.

“What the hell was that?” John B questioned as Morgan sat beside JJ on the front of the boat. She grinned uneasily, shrugging as she avoided looking at the group of Pogue’s that were waiting for her response.

“Just ‘cause I’m a Kook doesn’t mean my life is picture perfect.”

—

taglist:

@annedub @softkidinlove @obxwriterfan

#jj maybank #jj maybank imagine #jj maybank series #outer banks #outer banks imagine #obx #obx imagine #expectations & disappointments

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transsexualhamlet · 4 years

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mahiru shit the fuck off challenge

In Which I Bitch About Mahiru (kind of goes along with the takaya kagami what the fuck post and is about the same chapter but it’s just about her word choice)

Ok so also this is about the prologue of catastrophe book 5, in which Mahiru decides she needs to foreshadow major life events that will happen to Yu in eight years and thinks it’s funny that his life is a tragedy when he’s still seven and crying about his parents

Mahiru walks into the thousand nights place and goes “I want to see your seraph boys” and they’re like “we hate you but ok, the one you can take away is at the orphanage so IDK why you’re even here” and she’s like “I just want to monologue about my relationship problems to a 7 year old” and they’re like “fair but we’ll erase his memories bc we know you’re gonna foreshadow things” and she’s like “yes but I know he’ll remember because I’m so Special I’m going to make an impression on him forever” which like she’s kind of right, considering the recent chapters but it doesn’t mean I don’t still hate that

Like I hate that Mahiru makes valid points to Yu for all the wrong reasons. Literally all the wrong reasons like she’s all “yeah you should still live even if you’re a monster because you will need to protect people you love” which is something Yu still believes and basically makes up a LOT of his morals, but what Mahiru is taking that from is “I can kill as many people as I want because I want Guren to love me”

Also the fact that Yu is all like “I’m a demon” and Mahiru thinks it’s hilarious to say “you look human to me” when we know that he is literally the farthest thing from human??

Alkfdjslakdsjfla;sdjllds but thEN Mahiru feels the need to say like “oh, so many people are trying to kill me, there must be a rule among humans that the ones who don’t fit in have to dIE” which just literally translates to “People are trying to kill me because i’m Not Like Other Girls” Mahiru stop, she’s saying that because she’s trying to get a point across that you shouldn’t die just because other people want you to but you’re really not the best example of that Mahiru

The funniest thing is that Mahiru thinks that she’s somehow taught him a Great Life Lesson because she said she wasn’t like other girls I’m gonna commit toaster bath jfklsa;fdsjkla and thEN she has the A U D A C I T Y to say

“The question I asked him will stay in there, somewhere. Because it addresses the core of personhood. When the world tells you to lie down and die, should you? He’ll find an answer to that question, someday. And I have a sneaking suspicion that when he does, it will be in front of a certain someone I once loved...”

Um??? MAHIRU??? If you?? If you are fucking talking about what I think you’re talking about that is suddenly applicable and wasn’t when this book came out then I think I’m gonna need to take some Measures??? Why would Mahiru already know this? She literally has everything planned out to the MINUTE for what happens in the manga? Jesus christ Mahiru

I think this could honestly apply to,,, a lot of things. It could apply to back in the anime when Yu literally dies to save Guren and just straight up decides he’s gonna Not Die because he can do that I guess??

But it could also apply to... well. Chapter 90. What might happen in coming chapters with Yu and Guren applying to,,, all that stuff. It could also apply to the part where Mahiru is like “Yu do you remember me telling you all that” and Yu’s like “uh yeah my reason for living is Mika peace out” and MAHIRU YOU B I T C H I swear to GOD if she PLANNED THAT OUT

djsakld;fslaskjf so then I think the thousand nights guys are getting fed up with her too and they’re like “here are our spicy apocalypse beasts we made them we control them and if we wanted to we could tell them to r*pe you Right Now” and Mahiru’s reaction to that is basically just “cool”

hhhhhhhhhhh not to mention when she says “yes i am a demon,,, a dEmon who Yearns for L o v e” and then a page later goes “yknow I don’t think I actually have a heart” Mahiru literally make up your mind

And t h e n it gets even BETTER when it’s like, Yu is so touch starved and broken that he’d rather have this teenager bitching about her relationship issues than no one so he’s like “you’re leaving??” and she’s like...

“I am... I have my own battle to fight, so you’ll have to stay strong on your own. You do that, and someday I’ll come back to let you out of here.”

Oh. Mahiru. You did not just say that. She promises that when she knows that everything she’s saying is so fake, that she’s using him, that she’s going to actually fucking take away everything he loves and actually BREAK him and she has the AUDACITY to say “hang in there buddy I’ll save you :)))))”

as;ldkfjads and the cherry on top is when she says “see you later, demon boy” and fucking leaves, full well knowing shit like that is the entire cause of his trauma and just generally a really hurtful thing to say when he’s literally saying “i’m a demon I deserve to die” three seconds ago mahiru you can’t tell a traumatized seven year old you’re going to save them and then call them a personalized fucking slur five seconds later

oh oh oh wait there’s one more thing, when he asks “so what’s the point in living” and Mahiru turns around to say “I don’t think any human living is worth anything” like thanks that definitely helped Yu, then going on to say “Everyone is just a cog in the end. Get rid of this or that cog and the next one will be born soon enough to take its place” which hmmmm might be a reference to Yu being a clone but well

I’ve got one more thing to say about this chapter in relation to Mahiru’s words to Yu but that one relates to Mikayuu so I’m gonna make it another one, this is getting so long

#owari no seraph #seraph of the end #catastrophe at 16 #yuichiro hyakuya #mahiru hiragi #i am sorry #but also not sorry

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soobiniebaby · 4 years

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Angels & Devils Part XII : See Them Burn in Fire

Tomorrow x Together Fanfiction

~ p a r t s : main post || prologue || part 1 || part 2 || part 3 || part 4 || part 5 || part 6 || part 7 || part 8 || part 9 || part 10 || part 11 || part 12 || part 13 || part 14 || part 15 || part 16 || part 17 ~ p a i r i n g : love triangle involving choi soobin and choi yeonjun ~ g e n r e : high school au | some social media au | some fluff & angst | childhood friends | love triangle ~ l a n g u a g e : English ~ w a r n i n g : contains swearing, alcohol, kissing (?) and may contain mature themes (angst, etc.) ~ a / n : This will be my first fanfic (go easy on me pls) and i’m just writing this as I go along, so bear with me juseyo The setting (place/country) of the story is up to the reader’s interpretation ~ s u m m a r y : What should she choose? Han Baby: the new girl with a troubled past MO Academy: her new high school Choi Soobin: student council president, member of the Ecosave club, volunteer at the Humane Treatment of Animals, member of the Honor Society, a vocalist in the Jazzed club, the school’s all around golden boy Choi Yeonjun: leader of the Dance club, star of the Jazzed club, the school’s it boy with a bad rep 5 best friends, 1 new girl, 1 childhood friendship, 1 epic love triangle? What will this school year bring?

“Ningning, please help me, I’m freaking out.”

It was currently September 9, Wednesday, her third day of being back at MOA, and she was indeed freaking out.

Her first few days being back at MOA felt like a fever dream wherein she was the main character in some cheesy teen romcom who had somehow gained the affections of the school’s it boy, complete with montages of everyone’s eyes following the 2 of them whenever they walked around campus together and scenes of them spotted around campus holding hands (complete with Taehyun constantly reminding them “Physical contact within campus grounds is prohibited!”), staring at each other like the lovesick teenagers that they were, even pulling their face masks down to steal kisses when no one was looking.

She never realized how big of a reaction their dating news would gain until she actually saw it; the stares, the whispers, even the attention that Yeonjun’s tweet got, which garnered over a thousand likes, which was a bit concerning since Yeonjun’s twitter account was fairly new yet not really surprising considering how popular he was.

She didn’t really mind the stares and whispers. It’s not like she hasn’t been the main topic at school before, but now the attention was for something that she was actually happy about, so in a way it felt nice. What she was freaking out about, however, was Beomgyu’s reply to Yeonjun’s tweet.

It was only when she asked Kai about it did she find out that Yeonjun’s birthday was on the 13th of September, which was only 4 days away, and she had no clue what she would give to him as a gift.

“How do you think I can help?” Kai asks, confused. “I’m just his friend, you’re his girlfriend. You’ve always been great at giving gifts anyway, I’m sure that whatever you get him, he’ll love it.” he says matter-of-factly.

B groans. “You’ve known him for longer than I have! And I don’t know what I can put together on such short notice.” she whines, which was true. The fact that their relationship was new made it even more difficult since she didn’t know a lot about what sort of things Yeonjun really liked yet. “Do you guys have any plans for his birthday?”

Kai nods. “We’re all getting individual gifts, but duh we’re throwing him a kick ass party.” he says. “We always have big parties when someone’s birthday comes up. The best part is, by Saturday night I’ll be medically cleared and ready to get wasted.” he says excitedly.

“I could help you guys with the party, but what gift can I get him? What can you give someone who already has everything?” B wonders out loud. It was no secret that Yeonjun was loaded and could have anything he wanted at the snap of his fingers, which only made it harder for B to come up with a meaningful gift.

“Easy, give him something that only you can give him.” Ryujin pipes up. She walked home with B after school to hang out since the guys were busy with their weekly student council meeting, but the truth was, Kai had pleaded with B to invite Ryujin so he could ask for a little bit of help about how he should ask Yuna out, which was the first thing they talked about when Ryujin arrived. She had given Kai good advice and was looking forward seeing how he’d ask their friend out, though Kai said he would wait for the right time to do it, which made Ryujin roll her eyes at him and call him a chicken, which he accepted.

“Something only I can give him? Like what?” B asks desperately.

Ryujin stands up from her spot on the couch, grabs a ribbon from one of the blue rose bouquets that Yeonjun had given to B and stands over her. “Simple. Here, take this.” she says, handing the ribbon to B, which she takes gingerly.

“Then tie it around yourself.” Ryujin instructs her, which she follows cluelessly.

“Now what?” B asks, the bow tied around her torso.

“Strike a pose and tell him ‘Happy birthday Yeonjun, unwrap me.’” she says, smirking.

“Eugh, please don’t.” Kai says, visibly cringing.

Meanwhile, B was visibly blushing, untying the ribbon and tossing it aside. “I—um, as s—special as that sounds, I, uh, don’t think that’s something I can give just yet.” she says, flustered at what Ryujin was suggesting.

Ryujin laughs. “Don’t worry, I was just kidding. You are too precious, B.” she says, ruffling the top of B’s head. “Don’t ever do that unless you’re 100% ready by the way.”

“Okay, that’s already more than I need to hear.” Kai says, covering his ears with his hands. “Anyway, Baba I’m sure you’ll figure something out.” Kai says, trying to change the topic. “If you want my advice, I suggest you get him something heartfelt, maybe something with special meaning to him.”

B sighs. “I guess. Maybe I’ll ask the other guys for help.” she says, whipping her phone out and creating a new group chat.

Soobin sighs as he drops his phone, leaving it atop the conference table, leaning back in his seat at the head of the table as he watches his 3 present members continue with the meeting.

Surprisingly, being the student council president wasn’t as difficult as he thought it would be. His members did their assigned jobs well and took their respective roles seriously, so his job was mostly to oversee things and make final approvals. Taehyun usually led their meetings, and one of Soobin’s main tasks was to make sure that the younger boy could effectively take his place as president once Soobin graduated, which Soobin had no worries about since he saw Taehyun as his right hand man, both in and out of the student council, considering how the younger boy had been especially close to him the past few days.

The past few days haven’t been very easy on Soobin, considering that the girl he found himself falling in love with and the blue haired boy he was best friends with had officially come out as a couple. It was bad enough that he had to see them constantly hold hands and stare at each other with googly eyes whenever they hung out, but news of them dating became one of the hottest topics at school, so even when he wasn’t with them he would still hear the people around him talking about them nonstop. He had no escape.

The only person he could share his true feelings with was Taehyun, his righthand man, who had figured out Soobin’s whole situation and had reached out to him as soon as the news broke out.

Since then, he always felt Taehyun watching him closely, especially when they were all eating lunch at the gazebo or hanging out the Kang’s café after school. For Soobin, it felt nice to know that there was someone by his side who understood what he was going through, so hiding his true feelings didn’t feel as tiring.

Soobin is snapped back into the present as Taehyun says “That concludes this week’s meeting. Next week, we’ll be tackling the annual Fall Ball that will be taking place on October, so you better prepare suggestions for the theme by then.” he says, referring to one of the school’s biggest social events and one of the 3 annual school dances that took place at MOA every year.

As Taehyun puts his things away, the other boys stretch out in their chairs and grab their phones, relieved that the meeting was finally over.

“Hey Tyun, I’ll be stopping by Baby’s place for a little while. My driver’s waiting for me outside, you wanna catch a ride with me?” Yeonjun says suddenly as he stands up, typing away at his phone the whole time.

Taehyun shakes his head even though Yeonjun’s eyes were focused on his phone. “You can go, there are a few additional ideas that I want to run through with our president first so I’ll be staying behind for a bit. Thanks, though.”

Yeonjun looks at him then and nods. “Alright then, see you guys tomorrow.”

The boys greet him goodbye, with Beomgyu going “I’ll walk out with you, my ride’s waiting too.” before the 2 boys disappear out of the room.

Soobin turns to Taehyun, confused. “You have additional ideas you want to run by me? What additional ideas?” he asks.

“Oh, I don’t know, the idea that you want to help the girl you love come up with a birthday gift for her boyfriend, maybe?” Taehyun says pointedly. “You should not be helping B with things like that, given the fact that you’re in love with her.”

“I—no, B is just—” Soobin sputters, caught off guard. “I’m not in love with her!”

“Holy shit! You’re in love with B?” a voice suddenly exclaims, making Taehyun jump in his seat and causing Soobin to yell out in surprise.

“Gyu! What are you doing here?” Soobin asks, shocked to see Beomgyu standing in the doorway. “I—Oh god you scared me! I thought you left with Yeonjun. What—?”

“I left my phone, so I told him to go ahead and I came back here to get it.” Beomgyu explains, and sure enough, the boys catch sight of Beomgyu’s cellphone which he had left on top of the conference table. Taehyun slaps his forehead, frustrated at himself for not noticing it earlier.

“I knew Taehyun said he had extra ideas to talk to you about, but I never could have imagined something like this.” Beomgyu says, his eyes wide. “Is it true? Soobin, are you in love with her?”

“I—no! N—no I’m not, I—I just—” Soobin sputters, his brain malfunctioning as he realizes that his secret was slowly starting to spread.

Taehyun puts a hand on Soobin’s shoulder to calm him down. “Gyu, I don’t know what you heard, but I think Soobin’s going through a lot right now, so it’s best if you pretend that this never happened, alright?” he says.

Beomgyu nods, grabbing his phone from the table before taking a seat beside the 2 boys. “Of course! Just act like I’m not even here. My lips are sealed.” he says, making a zipping motion over his mouth.

“Thanks, Gyu.” Soobin finally manages to say, taking deep breaths to calm himself down. “And to be clear, I am not in love with her. I might have a slight crush on her, but that doesn’t mean anything. She’s my friend, what’s wrong with wanting to help her find a good gift for one of my best friends?”

“Whatever you say.” Taehyun says. “And there’s nothing wrong with it per se, but I don’t think you should put up with their relationship any more than necessary. They are your friends, but I think it would be better if you don’t get involved.” he says, trying to give good advice. “Don’t take it the wrong way, cause it doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t be supportive of their relationship or anything. I mean, yes you’re their friend, but don’t get yourself involved in anything that has to do with their relationship.”

Soobin nods reluctantly, trying to understand where Taehyun was coming from. “Alright, I’ll keep that in mind, thanks Tyun.” he says. “It wouldn’t hurt to help B come up with a gift for Yeonjun though, right?”

Beomgyu nods. “True, that just means you’re a good friend who wants to be there and help a friend out.”

Taehyun sighs. “You’re an idiot, Gyu. And you’re hopeless, Soobin. I just hope you know what you’re doing.”

Soobin chuckles. “Don’t worry, Tyun. I don’t see how it can hurt any more than it already does anyway.”

Taehyun shakes his head. “I didn’t know you were such a masochist.”

“I never said I like the pain! I’m just saying, it can’t get any worse than this.” Soobin says defensively.

Oh, how horribly wrong he was.

•°•

The rest of the weekdays flew by quickly enough. Soobin had taken Taehyun’s advice and had been trying his best to avoid being around Yeonjun and B longer than necessary, making sure that he had a clear boundary between being their friend who was happy for them and being their friend who would go out of his way to involve himself in their relationship.

Meanwhile, now that Beomgyu knew about his secret, Soobin could feel an extra pair of eyes practically burning into his skull every time they hung out. Taehyun was an expert at hiding his feelings and understood that Soobin just wanted things to be as normal as possible, but Beomgyu had started to treat him like he was delicate, often giving him pitiful looks and being extra nice to him, which Soobin could only hope wouldn’t come off as suspicious to the rest of the group.

It turns out that the boys didn’t have to put together a party for Yeonjun since his father had organized one on his own, renting out one of the only night clubs in their town for Saturday night, inviting a few people whom he thought would be beneficial for Yeonjun to mingle with and telling Yeonjun that he was free to invite whomever else he wanted to, which was basically the entire high school population of MO Academy.

“Did your dad really rent out a whole club just so he could throw you a business networking event disguised as a birthday party?” Beomgyu comments as he and the 3 boys stood in front of said club, waiting for the last 2 members of their group to arrive.

Yeonjun shrugs. “It’s still a party, just gonna have to deal with a few ‘unwanted’ guests I guess.” he says. “I’m not sure which pretentious rich kids from the business world my dad invited though, so I’ll have to go back and forth between partying with you guys and entertaining whoever snotty douches he’s invited.”

“And we will try to stay as far away from them as possible. I don’t think I can put up with any more pretentious rich kids.” Taehyun says, crossing his arms over his chest. “I think dealing with you guys everyday is about as much as I can handle.”

“We are not pretentious rich kids!” Beomgyu says defensively, but when he sees Taehyun raise a brow, he backs down. “Right, sorry. Anyway, any word on where B and Hyuka are now? Why didn’t you guys go together again?” he asks Taehyun, knowing that he and B usually came together since they lived in the same building.

“She just said that she and Hyuka were dealing with a crisis and would be running a bit late and that I could go ahead, so I did, but I didn’t know that we’d end up waiting for them to arrive before going into the club.” Taehyun explains.

“It’s a Saturday night, they had the whole day to get ready so there’s no reason why they should be running late.” Beomgyu whines.

“Don’t worry, I’m sure they’ll be here soon.” Soobin says.

And right on cue, a car stops in front of the club. The boys wait and watch as the car idles for a few moments before the door flies open and Kai steps out, and the boys realize why the pair had been running late.

Even though he was medically cleared and recovered from chicken pox, Kai’s face was sprinkled with distinct spots all over his cheeks, and although they had been meticulously covered up with makeup, the bumps were still very visible.

Just as Soobin was about to comment on how Kai’s face looked like the back of a Hersheys cookies and cream chocolate bar, Kai extends an arm towards the inside of the vehicle, and a delicate hand appears, taking Kai’s hand in hers as the hand’s owner steps out of the car. Soobin could feel the words die in his throat as B comes into view, wrapping her hand around Kai’s arm before Kai closes the car door behind her.

She was breathtaking. Her long dark hair poured over her shoulders in gentle waves, her skin glowing in contrast to her dark hair and her midnight black dress, which hugged her small frame perfectly, the neckline dipping dangerously low and the slit cutting lethally high up her thigh, the dress reaching just a few inches above her knee. She looked especially tantalizing as she finished the look off with a pair of strappy heels and striking red lipstick, making her look like a movie star from the 1900s.

Soobin couldn’t bring himself to look away, even as he saw her look up and smile, giving a small wave towards their group. He couldn’t even smile back, he was so taken by how beautiful she looked, until Beomgyu spoke up, snapping him out of his trance.

“Stop undressing her with your eyes, Choi! She might catch a cold.” Beomgyu remarks teasingly.

Soobin nearly chokes on his own spit, his eyes automatically looking down at the ground feeling ashamed at the thought of someone catching him staring at B, until Yeonjun laughs and Soobin realizes that the comment was meant for Yeonjun all along.

Why did they have to have the same name?

“Sorry, I can’t help that my girlfriend looks insanely gorgeous, especially in that dress.” Yeonjun laughs, keeping his eyes on B the whole time as he wraps an arm around her shoulders and kisses her cheek. “You clean up really nicely, Baby.”

B smiles at him, a blush creeping up her cheeks. “Speak for yourself, birthday boy. You look particularly handsome tonight.” she comments.

“My birthday’s not until tomorrow though, I hope you have your gift ready.” Yeonjun responds.

“Don’t worry, I have the perfect gift for you.” B says, trailing fingers up his chest before gently tapping his nose. “Hope I won’t disappoint.”

“Baby, you alone are more than enough for me.” Yeonjun says, nuzzling his face in her neck, making her giggle.

“Eugh, that’s enough, you guys make me want to vomit. Let’s just go in already.” Kai groans, making the pair laugh.

“It’s my birthday and I’ll ogle my girlfriend if I want to.” Yeonjun laughs. “But you’re right, let’s go.” he says, leading the group forward as they walk up to the front doors of the club, the bouncer greeting them warmly as he recognizes Yeonjun’s face.

“Happy birthday, Sir Choi. Enjoy your evening.” the bouncer says, ticking their names off the guest list before leading them into the club.

•°•

“Truth or dare!” someone suggests. A small circle had gathered around one of the VIP tables, practically the same people as the ones who were playing Truth or Dare at Kai’s birthday party just a few weeks ago.

“But we already played that last time!” another person objects.

“Fine, um, how about Kiss or Tell? Have any of you heard of it before?”

When no one offers any response, Ryujin explains. “One person spins a bottle and when it lands on someone on their turn, they have to either kiss them or tell everyone a secret about that person.”

Everyone in the circle nods, ready to start the game.

“Alright let’s do this! First up, the birthday boy!” Beomgyu says, clapping his hands and reaching over to pass an empty bottle of Tequila to Yeonjun.

Yeonjun smiles as the circle cheers for him and spins the bottle, the cheering getting louder as the bottle stops.

Kai shrieks in horror as the tip of the bottle points to him, and before he can say a word, Yeonjun stands up and quickly plants a kiss on the younger boy’s forehead, the whole circle ringing with laughter.

Kai looks helplessly at Yuna sitting next to him, a bit horrified as he says “I can’t believe Yeonjun stole my first forehead kiss.”

Yuna laughs and simply says “It’s your turn.” before handing him the bottle, which he hesitantly spins.

The whole circle collectively go “Awww” as the bottle stop in front of Yuna.

Kai turns to her and asks “Have you ever had your forehead kissed before?”

“No, well, just by my parents I think.” she says, causing Kai to smile before planting a light kiss on her forehead, which instantly makes her go red.

“There you go, now your forehead’s been blessed!” Kai says teasingly. Feeling flustered, Yuna clears her throat before spinning the bottle and she watches as it lands on Ryujin.

As soon as Yuna opens her mouth to speak, Ryujin grabs her by the shirt and pulls her towards her, Yuna’s mouth smashing against the side of Ryujin’s face.

“I—uh, can she do that?” Yuna sputters. “I was gonna tell a secret but she kissed me! Is that cheating?”

Ryujin shrugs. “It’s kiss or tell, and you kissed, so now it’s my turn.” she says, wiping traces of Luna’s lip gloss off her cheek before spinning the bottle.

All around the circle, people “Ooh” as the bottle stops in front of Taehyun.

“Oh really? Of all the people here, this guy’s probably the only person I don’t know any secrets about! And he’s the last person in the circle, heck in the whole world, that I would ever consider kissing.” Ryujin whines.

“If you had chosen to say something, anything, any outrageously completely made up rumor I would have gladly gone along with it instead of having you kiss me, but that’s no longer an option thanks to your big mouth, so now neither of us has a choice.” Taehyun says dryly.

B laughs at their interaction. It was odd that 2 of her closest friends seemed to hate each other, but it was always entertaining to watch how snarky they could get when put together.

Ryujin gulps, not even bothering to hide how horrified she looked as she reluctantly made her way towards Taehyun. “I can’t believe I’m saying this, but you’re right.” she says, Taehyun visibly cringing as Ryujin slowly puts a finger under Taehyun’s chin and lifts it up until his forehead comes in contact with her lips.

The crowd cheers wildly as Ryujin pretends to gag, wiping her mouth as she made her way back to her seat. Meanwhile, Taehyun remained unfazed, mentally putting the whole thing behind him before grabbing the bottle and letting it spin, and he smiles in satisfaction when it lands on Beomgyu.

He rubs his chin with his hand as he contemplates what to say. “Hm, so many secrets, which one should I share about you Gyu?” he wonders, before his eyes light up as a particularly embarrassing memory comes into mind.

Beomgyu looks at Taehyun suspiciously as the boy starts to speak with a mischievous glint in his eye. “Oh, I know! One time, Gyu and I tried out this new Ramen place near the subway, and he—”

Before Taehyun could finish the story, Beomgyu’s eyes widen as he realizes which embarrassing secret his friend was about to reveal. In a state of panic, Beomgyu grabs his friend’s face in both his hands and pulls it towards his, their lips crashing together as people around the circle gasp and squeal in surprise.

Taehyun could feel his eyes, which were wide with surprise, start to close as he absorbs the fact that Beomgyu was kissing him, before Beomgyu pulls away, looking at him confused.

“Tyun, I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to plant one on you I—I kinda panicked.” Beomgyu says in a hurry, trying to explain himself.

Taehyun shakes his head, still seemingly unfazed by the whole game. “There’s no need to apologize, Gyu.” he simply says, brushing off the feeling that Beomgyu was staring at him intently and drowning out the catcalls from the circle. “It’s your turn.” he says.

Beomgyu looks at him for a moment longer before he nods, shaking his head before spinning the bottle, watching as it lands on Soobin.

“Oh, Soobinie baby?” Beomgyu says teasingly, smirking when Soobin visibly freezes in place, staring at Beomgyu in horror as he realizes what Beomgyu was implying.

Beomgyu laughs at Soobin’s reaction. “Relax, Binie!” he says, knowing what Soobin was thinking. “I wouldn’t do you dirty like that. Okay, I’m sure some of you here already know this, but our dear President Soobinie…”

Everyone goes quiet, all eyes on Beomgyu as he reveals a secret. “Our dear President Soobinie, whom is known to hate exercising despite being on the basketball team and is notorious for his love for bread and ice cream, is actually very lean and muscular.”

A few girls around the circle sigh as they stare at Soobin with curious eyes, trying to visualize the muscles beneath his jacket, which causes Soobin to blush.

“Gyu, stop it.” he says bashfully. Beomgyu’s confession was true, Soobin really did have a rather fit physique, but the attention he was getting from Beomgyu’s revelation was making him squirm in his seat.

“It’s true! He even has abs!” Beomgyu exclaims, which makes Soobin blush even harder.

Beomgyu laughs, seeing how red his friend had turned. “You’re welcome.” he says, clapping him on the back. “Now it’s your turn.”

Soobin rubs his face in his hands, trying to wipe away the warmth from his cheeks, before grabbing the bottle and letting it spin.

He feels all eyes on him as the bottle stops, pointing at B.

B laughs with ease, unaware of the intense stares that Beomgyu and Taehyun were giving their friend. “Alright, Binnie, let’s get this over with! Kiss or tell?” she says, raising a brow at him.

Soobin found himself stuck. No particular secret about B came to mind, no matter how hard he tried to look back at all their past conversations, and no embarrassing moments had transpired between them either meaning that he had nothing to tell, so he had nothing to share, which meant that he had no choice but to go for the kiss option instead, which he definitely did not think was a good idea. It didn’t help that he could feel Taehyun and Beomgyu’s gazes burning into him either.

He decides to go for the safest option and spits out anything random instead. “I, um, I don’t know if anyone knew this already, but B…really wants a cat.” he finishes lamely.

Everyone stares at him blankly, underwhelmed by what he revealed.

“Well, that is true. I do really want to own a cat as a pet.” B offers, trying to keep the pace of the game going.

“But that’s hardly a secret!” Yuna comments. “Anyone who knows you can tell that you love cats enough to want one anyway.”

“Sorry, I guess I don’t really know any of B’s secrets.” Soobin says sheepishly, rubbing the back of his neck.

Ryujin smirks. “You know what that means, then.” she says.

“What?” Soobin asks stupidly, not really understanding what she was implying.

“It’s Kiss or Tell, and since you have nothing to tell, that means that you have to kiss.” Yeonjun says, retracting his arm from B’s shoulders as he leans forward in his seat.

“Ah, um, I already said something though, so—?” Soobin begins, fumbling with his words, not really sure how to handle the situation.

Yeonjun raises his hands in the air. “Soobin, it’s fine, it’s just a game.” he says, lightly laughing. “Just go with it.” he assures.

Soobin nods, taking a deep breath before he stands up and makes his way over to B, being very mindful about the fact that her boyfriend was sitting right next to her.

B laughs upon seeing how nervous Soobin looked. “Soobin, what’s up with you?” she laughs. “Don’t be nervous! Here.” she says, tucking her hair behind her ear as she turns her face to the side, offering him her cheek. “Just a quick peck, don’t worry, it will be over before you know it.” she says teasingly.

Soobin laughs along. “Right. I’m sorry about this by the way.” he says, before leaning down and letting his lips brush softly against her cheek. He stands straight up as he says “There! Done!” before walking back to his seat with his head hanging down to hide his burning red cheeks, Taehyun clapping him on the back as he sits back down.

“And now it’s my turn.” B says, holding her breath as the bottle slows down and letting out a cheerful whoop as she sees who it finally stops on.

“Ha! Ningning, you are so done!” she squeals, laughing maniacally as she rubs her hands together deviously. “Oh my god, I have so many secrets, so much good shit about you, where do I even start?”

Kai jumps up then, catching everyone by surprise as he grabs B’s head and tries to get her lips to touch his face, and she tries her best to keep her lips tight together.

“Don’t you dare say a damn thing Han Baby!” he says desperately, making her laugh.

“Get away from me, ew, what are you doing!” she squeals, trying to shove him away. “Stop trying to make me kiss you! I have so much to tell!”

The sudden spectacle makes everyone in the circle burst out laughing, except Yuna, who was notably staring at the 2 best friends.

Unaware of Yuna’s unease, Kai continues pulling B’s head towards his face, before her lips accidentally make contact with his ear, and he finally lets go, pumping his fists in the air. “Ha! Now you can’t tell them anything!” he says triumphantly before making his way back to his seat and casually wrapping an arm around Yuna’s shoulders.

“Alright, I think that’s where the game ends for tonight!” Yuna exclaims, brushing off Kai’s arm around her shoulders as she stands up. “Now come on, let’s dance!” she says, grabbing Ryujin by the arm and pulling her away.

Everyone in the circle cheers, standing up and rushing to the dance floor.

“What do you say, birthday boy? Wanna dance?” B asks Yeonjun as the circle starts to clear out and go their separate ways.

“There’s actually a few people I have to say hi to, people from the business side of life.” Yeonjun says, checking his phone. “They’re mostly just people I’m obligated to socialize with, like the kids of some of our company’s business partners and stuff. You wanna come with me to meet them? I can introduce you.” he offers.

B thought about it for a moment, though she already knew that she didn’t feel like meeting a bunch of boring business kids and listen to them talk about business that she knew nothing about. Before she could respond, Ryujin swoops in and grabs her arm.

“Sir Choi Yeonjun, if you’re not going to get this hot piece of ass on the dance floor, then let me do the honor.” she says before dragging B to the dance floor.

“I’ll see you later then!” Yeonjun shouts after them, he sees B shrug and nod at him, offering him a smile before Ryujin grabs her and starts dancing around her.

Yeonjun shakes his head with a fond smile on his face, watching his beautiful girlfriend enjoy herself on the dance floor before sighing as he stands up, preparing to turn on his ‘Choi Yeonjun, future CEO of YJ Choi Corporation’ before wandering into the crowd.

•°•

Yeonjun put on a pleased smile as he greeted another batch of party guests that his father had invited. This time it was famously wealthy Kim brothers, Kim Seokjin, Kim Namjoon and Kim Taehyung, notorious for having not only good looks but killer personalities and unmatched talent as well. The Kim brothers came from a long family line of musicians and record producers, and Yeonjun had to admit that they were 3 of the select few people that he genuinely considered as his friends in the business side of his life.

As the 3 boys greeted him and started up small talk that made him genuinely laugh for the first time since he left his friends to start mingling with his father’s choice of party guests, a new batch of people walked into the club which Yeonjun knew he had to welcome. He excused himself from the 2 brothers and made his way towards the newcomers.

This time, he put on his deal-closing smile as he spots the familiar face of Kim Jisoo, successor to the famous Kim Jonghyun, the owner of the biggest Technology Firm in the country. As he approaches Kim Jisoo, he slips back into Choi Yeonjun, future CEO of YJ Choi Corporation, flashing her a charming smile and shaking her hand as he greets her.

“Choi Yeonjun. Happy birthday, dear! It’s always so lovely to see you.” Jisoo says, softly touching his arm as he does so.

“Thank you, Jisoo. The pleasure is all mine, because as always, you look stunning.” he says dashingly. Kim Jisoo was one of the richest eligible bachelorettes in the country, so his father had specifically asked that he maintain in her good graces.

“Hush now, you look quite handsome yourself.” she says, ever so elegantly. “Oh, pardon me, I’ve almost forgotten to introduce you to my companions! I’ve invited a few friends here with me, if you don’t mind.”

“Of course, not at all.” Yeonjun says politely, she could have invited her entire posse for all he cared. He hadn’t even noticed that she wasn’t alone until she stepped aside to reveal the 3 girls whom she had brought along.

“These are my best friends.” Jisoo says, pulling the 3 girls forward. He eyes the girls one by one, plastering on his best polite smile, but he feels his breath catch in his throat as his eyes land on the 3rd girl. “Yeonjun, darling, I’d like you to meet Jennie, Lisa, and—”

“Rose.” He says, the name barely escaping from his lips. Suddenly he didn’t know which Choi Yeonjun he had to present himself as. Standing there in front of her after so long, he didn’t feel like Choi Yeonjun the future CEO of YJ Choi Corporation or Choi Yeonjun the one and only MO Academy It Boy. He felt like the Choi Yeonjun he was 2 years ago, helpless and tongue tied in her presence.

“Yeonjun.” she says, smiling at him then. And there was something about her smile and how her smiling at him made him feel the same way as he did 2 years ago, as if nothing had changed. Before he even knew it, he felt his own smile appear on his face.

“Oh dear, are you 2 acquainted with each other? I had no clue!” Jisoo giggles, looking back and forth between them with curious eyes.

“Well, I didn’t know that it was Yeonjun’s birthday we were attending.” Rose says, her eyes still on him. “He and I go way back.”

“That sounds intriguing.” Jennie comments, and Yeonjun snaps out of it, realizing that he was being rude.

“Sorry, hi, I’m Yeonjun. Nice to meet you.” he says, his charming smile back on as he shakes hands with Jennie. Jennie smiles back at him politely before he moves to shake Lisa’s hand, which she gladly reciprocates.

As he stretches a hand out to Rose for her to shake, she instead shakes her head and holds her arms out to him. He debates whether or not to accept her invitation since it would feel strange to hug his ex again after 2 years, but since Jisoo was there and he didn’t want to seem rude, he decided to allow Rose to hug him.

Hugging her felt nostalgic, and once again he felt as if he had been brought back in time, her rose scented perfume consuming his thoughts and flooding his mind with memories he thought he’d already forgotten. He decides to step back at that moment, not wanting his subconscious to take him back any further.

“Now that that’s settled, why don’t you join us for a few drinks?” Jisoo pipes up again, her eyes gleaming with curiosity. “And Yeonjun darling, I’d love it if you filled me in on your history with my dear friend Rose here.”

Once again, as Choi Yeonjun the future CEO of YJ Choi Corporation, he felt powerless against Kim Jisoo, successor to the famous Kim Jonghyun, and he feels his jaw start to hurt from smiling as he says “I would gladly join you, Jisoo. It would be my pleasure.”

Jisoo squeals and claps her hands with glee as she hooks her arms through Jennie and Lisa, leaving him and Rose to follow.

Yeonjun looks at Rose once again, her long fiery red hair styled in a braid and her slender figure wrapped in a sequined mini dress, as if she hadn’t changed at all over the years.

She smiles at him, looking at him like she always used to. “Come on, we better catch up before we lose sight of them.” she says, referring to her friends.

Yeonjun nods, the strange wave of nostalgia hitting him like a truck, blurring his grasp on the present. “Let’s go.” he says, as she puts a hand on his arm and he lets a hand rest on the small of her back to guide her through the crowd.

Unbeknownst to him, there was a pair of eyes who saw the whole exchange.

Han Baby, who was standing by the bar watching Yeonjun make his way through the room as Ryujin poured shots, suddenly felt a stabbing pain in her chest as she recognized the girl with the fiery red hair and the way Yeonjun had looked at her.

“Alright, here’s one for me and one for you, you better drink up you little shi—B? What’s wrong?” Ryujin says, as she drops the shots on the counter and notices her friend’s sudden dazed state. Ryujin follows B’s gaze and sees Yeonjun with Rose as well.

“Ah shit. Hey B, why don’t we—” she starts to say, but before she knows it, B squeezes her eyes shut and takes off running, bolting so fast that Ryujin barely had time to see which way she went.

“Well fuck.” Ryujin whispers to herself, downing the shots on her own before squeezing her way through the crowd to search for her friend.

•°•

Soobin’s night was not going very well.

After his nerves almost ate him alive during their game of Kiss or Tell, he had been trying his best to distract himself by getting drunk to shake them off, along with his feelings for B.

So what if he had kissed her cheek? It was barely even a kiss, it was just his lips lightly brushing against her skin, so light that he could barely even feel it, and holy shit did his lips really touch her skin?

The whole night, he had been trying his best to avoid both Yeonjun and B, which had been easy enough since he knew Yeonjun had to attend to his father’s chosen attendees and he knew that B would be kept preoccupied by Ryujin. But after having one too many drinks, he found himself in need of some quiet time to stop his head from spinning.

He sees a small closet door near the back of the club and decides to go for it, knowing that at best, it would only have a few cleaning supplies, maybe a mop and broom or 2 inside.

But as he opens the door, he’s surprised not only to see that the closet was much bigger than he thought it would be, but also to see a small figure hunched over on the floor.

“B? Is that you?” Soobin says, squinting his eyes so he could see better. The figure was sitting on the floor with their knees hugged to their chest and their face buried in their arms so he wasn’t sure, but as she looks up, her tear-filled eyes meeting his, he knew without a shadow of doubt that it was her.

“Who is it? Are you Soobin?” she slurs.

“Yes, it’s me, Soobin. B, are you crying? What’s wrong?” he asks, suddenly alarmed. What was she doing hiding in the closet of a nightclub on her the night of her boyfriend’s birthday party, crying her eyes out?

“No, it’s nothing. Soobin, I just want to be alone right now. Can you just forget you ever saw me, Soobin? Please?” she barely manages to say, her words blending together.

Soobin found himself frozen in place, his hand squeezing the doorknob as he contemplates what his next move should be.

Taehyun’s words rang through his head.

“Don’t get involved. Yes, you’re their friend, but don’t get yourself involved in anything that has to do with their relationship.”

But as Soobin looked at B, crouching on the cold floor, her arms wrapped around her legs, her chin resting on her knees, her mascara running down her cheeks, her tear-filled eyes looking at him with heavy sadness, he couldn’t help himself.

Seeing her like that, he couldn’t bear to leave her. He told himself it was just because she was his friend and she needed a friend right at the moment, but he knew he was only fooling himself. He took a deep breath before letting go of the doorknob and carefully making his way to her.

He crouches down on the floor next to her, being mindful to keep enough space between them. The first thing he does is take off his black denim jacket and draping it over her knees, aware that she was wearing a rather short dress and wanting to make sure that she wouldn’t feel violated by him. Next, he asks her “What happened?”

She looks at him then, and his heart aches for her. She looked so lost, as if her mind couldn’t process whatever thoughts she was having. “Yeonjun’s ex girlfriend is here.”

Soobin’s face automatically turns into one of disgust. “Rose?” Everyone hated Rose. “Why is she here? Are you sure?”

B nods, looking like a lost child. “I saw her walk in with some girls earlier, probably some of those business people Yeonjun mentioned. I knew it was her cause I stalked her on Twitter so I know what she looks like. Of course she looks like a fucking model, with her long fiery red hair and her long figure.” she says bitterly, her words slurring slightly. Soobin had a feeling that if she weren’t this drunk, she probably would never say any of this out loud. “See here, I even took screenshots.” she says, pulling out her phone and fumbling with it for a bit before shoving it in Soobin’s face.

Soobin was aware of how Rose looked, having been there back when Yeonjun was still dating her, and he was just as unimpressed now as he was back then. “Oh god, who even invited her? And for the record, she does not look like a model, she looks like a witch.” Soobin says sourly, which causes B to snort.

“Oh, just admit that she’s gorgeous, Binnie. I know she is.” she slurs. “Anyway, I was at the bar with Ryujin when she walked in and then I saw the moment Yeonjun saw her, and oh god the look on his face.” she says, her face contorting, clearly showing her disdain. “He came up to her and greeted her, he hugged her, he smiled at her and started talking to her as if she were special or something.”

“Yeonjun did all that? B, that sounds ridiculous.” Soobin says, trying to ease her worries.

“Are you saying I’m crazy?” B almost shrieks, staring at him as if he were crazy. Whoops, wrong move.

“No, it’s just that I know Yeonjun and I know what he was like when things ended with Rose. He was a huge mess, and I just don’t think he’d be dumb enough to treat her like a friend or to even acknowledge her existence after everything that happened.” Soobin says.

B lets out a wail. “But I’m not crazy, Binnie! I saw it with my own 2 eyes, and Ryujin saw it too, and she tried to distract me but it was too late. At that moment my brain couldn’t process what my eyes were seeing and I just sort of ran away to get some clarity.”

“That’s why you’re hiding here? For some clarity?”

B nods, but then her eyes swell up with tears again. “Yes but I still don’t really understand it. The more I think about it, the more it hurts. I don’t know what to do, Binnie. I just wanted to get away.” she says, moving closer and leaning her head on his shoulder.

Soobin takes a breath, well aware of how close she was and the weight of her against his body and how her usual Lavender scent was just drowned out by the stench of alcohol. He didn’t know how just how drunk she was, but Soobin never thought B could be so vulnerably jealous and insecure. He gingerly raises a hand and holds hers, gently running circles on her skin with his thumb as he thinks over his next words very carefully. “Okay, so what if Rose is here? So what if Yeonjun smiled at her or hugged her or whatever else you saw? None of that stuff matters because B, he has you.”

B laughs bitterly. “He has me? What does that matter?”

“It matters because you are one of the best people to exist in this world at this very moment and he knows that. It matters because you are one of the kindest, smartest, cutest, silliest, and most beautiful people I know. It matters because you are special, and he is so damn lucky that he gets to call you his. It matters because a girl like you is impossible to find, and he would be a complete idiot if he let something as insignificant as his cheater of an ex fuck it up.”

It’s quiet for a moment, the only audible sound coming from B as she tries to stop her tears from falling and slow down her breathing. Until she very quietly, almost inaudibly says “Maybe it should’ve been you, Soobin.”

The thumb tracing circles on her hand freezes and he feels his heart stop beating as her words wash over him. “What did you say?”

“Maybe it should’ve been you.” she sighs. “I’ve been told on more than one occasion that you and I would make a great pair so maybe they were right. Look, you’ve even given me your jacket just now even though I still have one of your hoodies from when we were in your room at Kai’s party! I mean it’s not like I had an option cause you never liked me anyway and Yeonjun did, but maybe if you did, maybe I would’ve chosen you just like everyone said I should’ve or would’ve. Or could’ve? I don’t know.” she slurs, her words heavily blending together yet her message was very clear.

When Soobin remains frozen and silent, B laughs out loud, a few hiccups escaping her as her crying subsides. “Oh god I’m sorry, I’m just so drunk please don’t listen to me. You should go back out there and have fun, don’t waste your time on me. I’m pretty sure I won’t remember this in the morning anyway. And don’t worry, I’ll give you back your hoodie.” she rambles, her words slurring together. And he knew she was right. She was so drunk, he didn’t think he’d ever see her like the wasted mess that she was now.

Soobin looks at her sadly, his heart aching. He couldn’t leave her alone, but he knew that if he stayed with her any longer, especially since she was drunk and spewing out candid thoughts like that, he’d only end up hurting himself. He pulls out his phone and sends a few quick texts before leaning his head back against the wall, waiting.

“You know you always have a choice, right?” Soobin says. “And for the record, it’s not like I never liked you.”

B looks up at him, confused. “What?”

“It’s not like I never liked you, because I did.” Soobin says, praying with all his might that she wouldn’t remember a word of their conversation when she woke up the next morning. “And I still do.”

Before B gets the chance to react, the door flies open, and Taehyun walks in along with Beomgyu, both of them had a slight crazed look in their eyes as if they had run a marathon.

“B! Dear sweet darling, are you okay?” Beomgyu says dramatically as he sweeps into the room and drops himself on the floor in front of her, pulling her into his arms.

“I saw Yeonjun with Rose!” she wails before the tears start to fall from her eyes once again, she crumbles in Beomgyu’s arms, her drunk mind still unable to properly process anything.

“Shhh, there there, you poor miserable thing. It’s alright.” Beomgyu coos, rubbing a hand soothingly along her back. Behind her back, he violently mouths to Soobin and Taehyun “Rose?! What the fuck?!”

Soobin stands and approaches Taehyun, who was standing by the door observing the scene in front of him.

“Thanks for coming, Tyun.” Soobin says. “I can’t–I don’t think I can trust myself around her, not while she’s like this. It’s just–“ he says, struggling with his words as his conversation with B replays in his mind “It hurts too much, I can’t be here for her but I can’t just leave her alone, so thank you.”

Taehyun shakes his head at the older boy. “No problem, Soobin. I told you I’m always here if you need me.” he says, clapping him on the back. “How bad is it?”

“She’s really drunk and she was crying and all upset cause she saw Rose and Yeonjun together.” Soobin explains.

Taehyun nods. “That’s understandable, Rose is a hideous wench just the thought of seeing her makes me want to vomit, much more the thought of her and Yeonjun together. I’m assuming she came with some of Yeonjun’s business friends.” he says. “Anything else?”

“Well…I sort of told her that I like her.” Soobin whispers so that Beomgyu and B wouldn’t hear.

Taehyun’s eyes widen as he hits Soobin’s arm. “What! Soobin! Why would you do that?”

“She was drunk and upset and rambling and saying things and I’m also pretty intoxicated too so it sort of just came out!” Soobin groans. “She’s pretty wasted though so I don’t think she’ll remember anything.”

“You better pray to science and faith that she doesn’t.” Taehyun warns him. “Tell me everything later on, okay? Just go and leave her to us, you look like you could use another drink.”

Soobin nods. “Thanks, Tyun. Fill me in too, how has your night been?” he asks politely.

Taehyun smiles. “I kissed my crush, and my crush kissed me back.”

Soobin’s eyes widen and his mouth drops open in shock. Before he can say anything else, Taehyun laughs and pushes him out of the room before slamming the door in his face.

•°•

Soobin’s night was starting to turn hazy as he kept his alcohol ingestion going, and the more he stumbled through the place the longer the night seemed to drag on.

After his quiet yet disastrous moment with B, he immediately rushed to the bar and started downing shots with a few seniors from their class. Once he felt the alcohol back in his system, he spent some time on the dance floor joining the throng of random sweaty bodies jumping and grinding and bumping against his. At one point, a wasted girl he recognized from his science class pulled him aside and attempted to lock their lips together, which he managed to politely refuse and escape from.

After stumbling his way through the place, he had finally caught sight of a familiar face. Once he spotted the back of Yeonjun’s familiar head of blue hair, he started to make his way towards him, until he saw the head of long fiery red hair that Yeonjun currently had as company.

He stopped in his place, observing his friend as Yeonjun continued to converse with his ex. Soobin could see that they were standing right in front of each other and that they occasionally leaned in close, but he deduced that it was probably just because the music was so loud.

He watches as Rose laughs at something Yeonjun says, laying a hand on his shoulder as she tilts her head back before she leans into him and says something back, which causes Yeonjun’s shoulders to shake with laughter as well.

He watches as Rose pulls him to the dance floor, with Yeonjun initially refusing and trying to keep his feet planted on the floor until the girl pouts at him and manages to pull him along with her, into the middle of the crowd, as they start to jump and shake their bodies along to the beat.

He watches as Rose whips her long red hair over her shoulder as she starts wiggling her body around the blue haired boy, her hands on his shoulders, almost around his neck, as she pulls their bodies flush together and she starts dancing against him.

He watches as she traps Yeonjun’s face in her hands and pulls down until their lips meet, and Soobin’s breath catches in his throat as she does so.

He watches as Yeonjun breaks away and all but shoves her aside, while she looks at him innocently and shrugs. He watches as she attempts to pull him close again, only for Yeonjun to grab her hands and push them away. He watches as Yeonjun finally turns around, their eyes meeting, and he watches Yeonjun freeze as he realizes that Soobin was watching him the whole time.

•°•

Author’s note:

Did someone say... drama? Here’s a lengthy and drama-packed chapter to make up for a delay in the update! I just moved into a new apartment and I’ve been busy with packing and unloading all my stuff so I’m sorry for the delay :c Thank you for all your kind words and your reactions, they really mean so much to me! Let me know what you think!

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lonelypond · 3 years

Text

A Coffeeshop Christmas Carol, Ch. 1

Love Live, NicoMaki, 5.8K, 1/3

Summary: Maki Nishikino finds herself haunted by Christmas memories as Nico Yazawa enlists her help in putting together the Tudor Conservatory Annual Christmas Pageant. Will their clash be just a collision or the start of something more? Plus, NozoELi shenanigans.

PROLOGUE

Chill in the air, hint of snow on the wind, Christmas only a few days away, dinner plans that might turn into future plans, Nishikino Maki was as excited as she’d ever been for Santa’s arrival as a child. At least in the calm moments when she wasn’t overthinking, like now. Too much excitement, too much pressure, too many thoughts pinballing through her head. Maki stood outside her apartment building, arms full of prickly pine and plants, groceries, and her heart full of...it wasn’t exactly hope. Or maybe it was hope. She was definitely nervous, definitely rehearsing conversations she might have had and might be having with Mako Omine. And now there was this Solstice Eve dinner...or date...or…

The doorman opened the door with a smile and Maki nodded as she rushed past, already behind in her preparations. Fortunately, she’d ordered dinner from her favorite Italian restaurant and only had to put some basic appetizers on a plate. The wine could be opened when her guest arrived. And then…

Maki slid the key into the lock of her apartment, hand trembling. And then...that was the entire worry.

###

Should this feel more comfortable, Maki wondered as she swirled the wine around in her glass, not really listening to Omine as she described her last day of classes.

“I won’t miss that place at all.” Omine sighed, leaning back dramatically and tossing her fair, curly hair over her shoulder.

Maki snapped to instant alert, “What place?”

“Northwestern.”

Panic set in. Maki had obviously missed something; she set her wine glass down before she crushed it. “Why would you miss it?”

“Weren’t you listening at all, Maki? Of course you weren’t.” Omine leaned in, flicking Maki’s forehead as the redheaded future doctor flinched, “Too much going on in that big brain of yours.”

It was a colder laugh than Maki expected. Smart had always been the thing she did well, the area she always excelled at. Was it a problem now?

Maki stood, towering as Omine continued to lounge on the couch, far too casually amused about the tension vibrating from Maki.

“Where are you going?”

“California.”

“California??”

“Beaches, bikinis, no snow San Diego.”

“Why?” Maki winced as her voice cracked.

Another too casual shrug, “Dream job, tired of school, parents tired of paying tuition. I’m not a brainiac like you.”

“I’m not…”

Omine shook her head, standing up to interrupt Maki, and somehow closer than she’d ever been before. “It wouldn’t work, Maki. You’re always off somewhere, nowhere I can find you. And our parents…” A side glance at the mistletoe carefully hung over the piano, “Thanks for the snack, Maki. It’s time for me to finish packing. I’m leaving tomorrow.”

“Omine.” It was all Maki could say.

And then she was in a hug, but she still couldn’t relax and her brain kept racing through possibilities rather than being in the moment. Should she hug back, ask more questions, not let go, play a song, cry, turn away…

Now the hug was tighter.

“I’ll miss you, Maki.”

Did “don’t go” want to come out of Maki’s mouth? Her arms fell to her side. Omine let go and stared for too long. “Still just standing there?”

“What am I supposed to do?” Maki snapped, “You’re leaving.”

Maki willed the tears not to start as Omine stepped away, “I am.”

Maki turned away, nearly falling into the couch, a grunt her only reply.

Omine was already in her coat. “Take care, Maki.”

The door closed and suddenly, all the pine and green and gold and mistletoe and dreams were tainted, taunts to be torn down.

###

EARLY NOVEMBER, 23 MONTHS LATER

Maki almost had a flow as the Tudor Conservatory’s Composer In Residence. Piano practice in the aftermorning, lunch, meet with the quintet she was composing for, write, if blocked, pick up random donut shop coffee and take her music to a park. Then lock herself in her studio, avoid social obligations, and listen to darkly humorous heavy metal screamers. This would push HER out of memory, flood Maki’s brain with static so she could avoid falling into the loop of mired in heartbreak composing. It hadn’t really been heartbreak, Maki had never really put her heart out there, on her sleeve, in a selfie, or anywhere. Almost...a grand plan, dinner, mistletoe, but instead there had been Omine excited she was about her new job, across the country. And that had crushed Christmas, Maki’s favorite mood, Maki now finally, finally believed Santa and goodness and joy had NEVER existed. Because if they had, her heart would not have been frozen by unawareness and then shattered by distance. Last Christmas had been the worst. Maki just disappearing into her apartment and an endless stream of anything dark and not Christmasy. And now Christmas was looming again. Halloween, a cheerful dark holiday you could blast The Smiths and Girl In A Coma and weird, darkly humorous old school country bluegrass songs to get through, had just passed so there was no goth line of protection for the broken.

Maki was in a rush. Late to a meeting with Professor Sonoda. And her score was nearly complete. She just needed five minutes, a large table, and a sharp pencil. The campus coffeeshop loomed on the left, the owner, Nozomi Tojo outside and looking like she was about to finish placing the large candy cane she was juggling and talk and Maki had no time for that. A small figure, all bundled up against a bracing wind was walking fast, head down, toward Maki, but Maki prepared to dodge. And then the candy cane flew out of Nozomi’s hand, skittered in front of the woman hustling to the shop, tripping her, the momentum of her fall caught Maki off guard so her score flew everywhere.

“What the…” Maki bit off a profanity, scrambling.

“Watch where you’re going!” The projectile snapped, unexpectedly fierce red eyes glaring.

Maki froze, drawing up to her full height, “Watch where I’m going? Watch where I’m going?”

Nozomi scooped up a sheet of music, “Maki, don’t you need these?”

“Oh hell,” Maki moved to sprint into the street, but felt a strong hand pull her back as a speeding car took half of her score two blocks away. She turned expecting to see Nozomi, instead it was the tiny, sable haired, fiery eyed cause of her new problem.

“Are you stupid?” The woman sounded breathless and scared, but her grip on Maki’s arm didn’t yield.

“That’s my entire score. It’s almost finished. I…” Maki felt like crouching down and covering her head.

Nozomi had collected a handful. “Here. I’ll get the counter girls to run after it.”

“Make me my usual. Nico will help.” Nico released Maki’s arm, shoved a handbag into Nozomi’s arms, and took off down the street, hair streaming behind her. Maki watched, having trouble processing what was happening and clutching a too small stack of music to her chest.

“Maki? Professor Nishikino?”

“Huh?”

Nozomi had a hand on Maki’s shoulder, “Let’s get you inside.”

“I have a meeting.”

“You probably need your music for…”

“Yeah.” Maki walked through the door, found a corner booth that had not been tainted by Christmas decorations, and shoved back in the corner, legs drawn up on the bench.

“Is there someone you can call?”

Maki shook her head, pulling out her phone, texting was always her only option.

M: Sorry, Umi, I’m going to be late. I had an accident.

Immediate response.

U: Are you all right? Were you driving?

M: No, someone tripped into me and scattered my score.

A thump and Maki looked up to see a large stack of papers slammed into the table in front of her.

“They’re not numbered. Didn’t your professors teach you anything?”

“I am a professor.”

The woman sat down in a chair, examining Maki carefully, then shaking her head. “Graduate students shouldn’t pass themselves off as faculty.”

Maki thought that was ironic coming from someone who looked like they might be on their way to their freshman dorm, “Well, I’m glad you’re not in any of my classes. I’d never get anything done.”

“That stupid candy cane tripped Nico. Who puts up Christmas decorations before Thanksgiving?”

Maki’s mood improved. A kindred spirit. “Exactly. Why put them up at all?”

“Bigger tips.” Nozomi announced, carefully placing a huge mug in front of each woman.

“I’ll pay you to skip to…” Maki considered. New Year’s was never really much, Valentine’s Day was frankly disturbing, Easter was for kids…”summer, yeah, beaches, pictures of piers, sandpipers popping along the shore.”

‘I’m sorry, you’ll just have to get in the holiday spirit. Or Santa won’t bring you what you need.” Nozomi winked as she turned.

“Santa.” Maki and Nico both snorted.

Nico considered Maki for a moment, then extended a hand, “I think I rescued most of your pages. I’m Nico Yazawa, Drama and Performance.”

Maki put her phone down, ignoring the text notification, “Maki Nishikino. I’m the composer in residence.”

“Oh.” Nico grinned, “My friend Umi’s been telling me I should talk to you.”

“Why?”

Somehow Nico puffed up like a proud bird showing off its feathers, “Nico’s in charge of this year’s Christmas concert. Everyone asked me to take over and it’s going to be the best one ever.” Nico leaned in, eyes even brighter with excitement than anger, “So Nico needs the best people to work with and since Umi won’t help me, she suggested you.”

“Umi won’t…” Maki was trying to make sense of what Nico was saying, the third person self references and lack of context making it a confusing knot.

Nico coughed, “No, no, Nico misspoke. Umi just thought that if Nico knew you, you would have been Nico’s first choice.”

Was that the other thing that Umi had wanted to talk about at their meeting today? Maki grabbed her phone and pounded out a message.

M: Were you going to talk to me about…

Maki glanced up, “What was your name again?”

Nico’s smile got brighter, although her eyes narrowed, “Nico Yazawa.”

M: Nico Yazawa?

U: Oh good, have you met her? She has A Christmas Carol script she wants to turn into a musical and I thought it might be a good challenge for you…

Maki frowned. Christmas. Ugh. She had been hoping to avoid anything holiday-like by focusing on the Lunar New Year and the twelve movement orchestral suites she had planned out. Most of her colleagues just went “whoa” and “good luck” when she explained the scope of the project.

Maki put her phone down again. Nico was closer, she switched to the chair next to Maki and was reading through Maki’s sheet music.

“Hey!” Maki pulled the pile away from Nico, “You can’t….”

“Pretty good. Nico approves. Although I think they’re out of order.”

Of course they’re out of order; you blew them down the street, Maki screamed inside her head, while her hand reached for whatever Nozomi had placed in front of her. Nico took that as a signal that there would be a break in the conversation and reached for her own mug. Maki wondered if she could just make a run for it, but one hand tugged on a twist of hair and the other raised the mug to her lips. The bitter coffee, no sweetner, no colliding, no demands, was a bracing relief.

Nico stacked the pages, neatly, in an entirely different order. Maki groaned. “Nico will take you out to dinner. We can talk.”

“I have no spare time and multiple ongoing projects.” Maki had the mug in both hands as a rampart against the looming presence of her tablemate.

Nico grabbed Maki’s phone. Maki had gotten lazy and turned her lockscreen to ten minutes so Nico easily swiped into her contacts, then texted herself. “Nico will text you later and we can find a date.”

Maki stood, grabbing her phone back from Nico, “I have a meeting.” She picked up what she hoped was all of her score, “Not with you.”

Nico responded with a wink and a smug confidence that just bolstered Maki’s will to flee. “Nico will wait.”

“Please don’t.” And Maki was out the door, not realizing she hadn’t paid for her drink.

###

Nico had a meeting of her own, and hurried back to campus. She was in charge of the Holiday Pageant, a legendary event that took most of the day on the Solstice and involved all of the students. The head of the dance department was waiting for her in the small dance studio.

Nico opened the door. Eli Ayase was everything that aggravated Nico’s insecurities, tall, blonde, stuck up, probably cool. Nico had never really had more than a passing conversation with the choreographer and former prima ballerina as Ayase was another staff newbie. The dancer was standing at the barre, going through what Nico recognized as the most basic ballet positions in a light blue leotard, white tights, and blue and white striped leg warmers, blonde hair in a ponytail. Nico stood in the doorway, allowing excellence a moment to finish and herself a moment of real appreciation for someone putting in the work.

Eli stepped away from the barre, wiping her forehead with a towel, “Oh, hi, Nico! I always like to go back to the foundation. I’m teaching a beginner’s class for non majors next semester.”

Nico nodded, “Ballet is good exercise.”

“Exactly.” Eli swept out her arm, “And a good way to learn about the meaning in movement.”

Nico knew a few D + P majors who would be interested, “Nico will put out the word.”

Eli nodded, and grabbed her bag, “Want to go to my office?”

“Nah. Nico’s fine here.”

“Efficient. I like that.” Eli pulled her water bottle from her bag before putting it down.

“Have you met the Composer In Residence yet?”

“Nishikino?” Eli shook her head, “No, Don’t know much about her. Apparently, she took some time off from music for med school or something, but decided not to give up the piano.”

“Nico didn’t know that.” Nico leaned back against the barre, stretching out a leg, “So you’re not one of her “ongoing projects”?”

“Not yet. Umi wants me to talk to her about The Nutcracker.”

“Is the hyper dedicated to her job Professor Sonoda turning slacker and passing all her jobs to the newbie?”

Eli laughed, “No, I think she’s just making sure that Nishikino interacts with other people. I heard that for the first month, she didn’t come out of her studio, and you could hear the piano day and night.”

A reclusive workaholic. Nico made a mental note of that. Probably needed some fresh air. A walk around campus and a tour of some of the better local foodie spots might be a pleasant way to get to know each other better on the way to a collegial collaboration. That was a good phrase. Nico made a mental note to use it on Maki.

###

The redhead was pacing back and forth outside the coffeeshop. Nozomi was fascinated. Maki seemed to be having a conversation with herself, would stop, start to head inside, and then begin pacing again. After three customers, Maki was starting to look cold so Nozomi decided to investigate.

“Hi Maki, come in.”

Maki shook her head.

“What’s wrong?”

“Christmas.”

Not the answer Nozomi expected, but then she remembered Maki being decoration averse. Nozomi wondered what the story was, but Maki did not seem like the answering questions type.

“Do you do takeout?” Maki asked warily.

“No.”

“Could I pay you to do takeout?”

“How about if you come inside and stop shivering, I take the decorations down from one corner, and you let me treat you to a hot chocolate.”

“Cider. Lots of cinnamon. No Santas.”

Nozomi nodded, “Okay, I can do that.” She held the door open, “What did…”

Maki stopped moving forward.

Nozomi chuckled and shook her head, “Never mind. Let’s get you off the sidewalk before you scare away business.”

###

The apple cider came with company. Maki knew she hadn’t agreed to that but Nozomi had slid confidently into the wall bench, Maki having taken the seat facing away from the still decorated rest of the coffeeshop.

“So, how do you like Tudor?”

Maki shrugged and sipped, mostly hiding behind her mug.

“Are you having fun at the Conservatory?”

Maki raised an eyebrow, ‘The quality of the ensembles and musicians I’ve worked with have met my needs.”

Nozomi leaned closer, “I hear you spent most of September getting to know that Steinway.”

Maki scoffed, “It’s not a Steinway. It’s a Shigeru Kawai.”

“What’s the difference?”

Maki rolled her eyes, “Are you at all musical?”

“I sing in the shower? Do you duet?”

And then a chair landed next to Maki and Nico’s voice was harsh in her ear, “Stop harassing the pretty ones, Nozomi.”

“But Nico-chi, they’re all pretty.”

“Does not change Nico’s point at all.” Nico unwrapped a scarf probably longer than she was tall and snapped her fingers at Nozomi, “Get your favorite customer a mocha.”

Nozomi sat for a moment, watching Nico and Maki, then smiled slowly, “You owe me, Nico-chi.”

“Put it on my tab.”

Nozomi stooped to whisper in Nico’s ear as she left, “You know what I mean.”

“Yeah, yeah, yeah.” Nico waved Nozomi off as she slid into the seat the taller woman had vacated, “Hi, you.”

Maki still held her cider mug close to her chest, as if Nico might grab it, “Hello.”

Nico grinned, “How did your meeting go?”

“I left the score for Umi. She had other responsibilities.”

“Im sure it will be fine. From what Nico could tell, it was…” Nico hesitated, at a loss for words, running through her memory for anything she could remember from the music sheets that had been scattered in front of her earlier, “complicated.”

Maki giggled, surprising herself.

“So what’s your drink, now that you know Nico’s?”

Maki put the mug down, relaxing enough to not need extra protection. “Usually coffee, this is cider. Seemed warmer.”

“Nico is always cold,” Nico hugged herself.

Maki had no response so picked up her mug again.

Nico frowned. The other party usually wanted to know something about Nico, but this person...Nico needed an angle. And then Maki surprised her with a question.

“So what’s your favorite line in Christmas Carol?”

Nico brightened and her body language became more open. “You want more details about Nico’s project? It’s so exciting. Nico knew once Umi told you about it, you’d...

“No.” Maki regretted her urge to speak into the increasingly uncomfortable silence.

Nico’s eyes glittered like firelight, “No?”

Maki put the mug down again, focusing her attention on it as she spun it slowly in a circle. She could feel Nico watching her, but needed to avoid getting drawn into a staring match.

“I was just curious. Asking a question isn’t signing a contract.”

Nico was silent. Maki sneaked a peek. Nico had a thoughtful look and was briefly still, but then her hands flew up and the air filled up with words.

“Business! Mankind was my business. The common welfare was my business; charity, mercy, forbearance, benevolence, were all my business.”

“Did Scrooge say that?” Maki couldn’t remember details of her last A Christmas Carol viewing, probably the Muppet version.

Nico shook her head, “Haven’t you read A Christmas Carol? There’s so many versions out there, in every medium, but the Jacob Marley scene is pretty consistent.”

Marley...oh the Marley and Marley number, lots of chains. “Chains, right?”

“Fettered. All forged by heartless choices.”

Nozomi swept up with the mocha, a pile of chocolate dusted whipped cream nearly as tall as the cup topping the drink. “When’s the wedding?”

“Shut up, Nozomi.” Nico snapped.

“What?!?!?!” Maki spluttered.

Nozomi winked over her shoulder at Maki, “If she leaves you at the altar, call me.”

Nico had both hands in the praying position, “Please ignore Nozomi. She has been harassing Nico and anyone else who isn’t a sad, defenseless mess for years.” Nico shrugged, “It’s a warped way to flirt.”

“So you’re not a ‘sad, defenseless mess?’” Maki asked, slowly, uncertainly not sure where this conversation was going.

Nico stopped sipping, upper lip covered with a ridiculous whipped cream moustache. “Does Nico look like a ‘sad, defenseless mess?’”

Maki giggled, touching her own upper lip, “You look like half a hipster dudebro.”

Nico frowned, then quickly licked off the whipped cream, “Nah, Nico’s JLo in a suit when she wants to boi up.”

“Really.” Cider done, Maki leaned into the elbow she’d propped on the table, “So is that your go to opening night outfit?”

Nico leaned back, considering, a smile sharp on petal pink lips, “Work on my Christmas Carol and find out.”

Nico’s eyes actually seemed to twinkle, with mirth, which is the kind of thing that was entirely wrong with this season. Here Maki was, having a more interesting conversation than she expected, and the propaganda that had been etched in her brain over a theoretically loving childhood brought Christmas back into the conversation. With a huff, she pushed back from the table.

“What’s your favorite line?” Nico sipped, the question gently curious.

“Huh?”

“A Christmas Carol, the future Pulitzer winning musical by the team of Yazawa and Nishikino. What’s your favorite line in the original?”

“Bah humbug.”

Nico shook her head, tapping the table. “Predictable. Have a better answer next time.” Nico picked up her mug, stood, and bounced over to where a student wearing a pride flag pin was staring moodily out a window. As Maki watched, Nico raised her free hand in a gesture, said “Nico Nico Ni” loud enough to carry, surprisingly getting a shy smile out of the young person, then put her mug down and engaged in a conversation Maki wasn’t close enough to overhear, but the atmosphere around them was lightening. Must be a student of Nico’s having a tough time with the holidays. So many people did, Maki included. She shook her head to clear memories of the past two years, then put on her coat. Piano time.

###

Nico stood on stage, sweeping her hands through the air, muttering, “We put giant candy canes at the back, do a cutesy period Victorian backdrop, piles of toys, some...no no no…” Nico shook herself and vaulted off the front of the stage, rushing to the back of the house and visualizing the mood she wanted to set, “Lamplight! We set up street lamps along the aisle.” Nico laughed and swooped forward, dancing like a chimney sweep in the chorus of Mary Poppins. “Perfect. Cozy.”

“I can’t work with her.” Eli’s voice filled the theatre as she shoved the double doors open.

“Can’t work with who? Is a dancer giving you trouble?”

“The composer. Umi’s letting her lead the musical ensemble, but she refuses to discuss Tchaikovsky's Nutcracker.” Eli stamped a foot and threw her head back, “How can you not discuss Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker. It is THE Christmas classic.”

Nico jumped up to sit on the front of the stage, watching Eli stomp in front of her. “You’re talking about Maki, right.”

“Of course,” Eye roll, “Who else?”

“Did she say why?”

Eli frowned, “Something about Ellington.”

Ellington, Nico thought, must be Duke Ellington. Nico pulled out her phone, “Oh, Duke Ellington’s done his own version of The Nutcracker.”

“Jazz?”

“Probably.”

“And how is that a Christmas classic that will showcase my dance classes?”

“That would depend on the choreography, wouldn’t it?”

Eli leaned on the stage, arms taut, and turned her head to look at Nico, “I’m not familiar with it at all.”

Nico hit play, “It bops.”

Eli glared.

“Lots of energy.”

Eli continued to glare.

Nico shrugged, “Hey, crashing the canon is a thing people need to do now.”

“Crashing the canon?”

Nico hopped down, “Hearing new voices, diverse voices.”

There was a pause, then Eli snarled, “Like Dickens?”

Nico continued unphased, “Actually, yes, because it’s the voice of Nico Yazawa doing an original modern, musical riff on Charles Dickens.” She pulled out her phone and fired off a text.

N: Hey, Maki, meet me and Eli at the coffeeshop. Ellington vs. Tchaikovsky death match.

M: Use their full names.

M: And I’m busy.

N: Get unbusy. Nico’s going to help you with Eli. So that more people can hear Duke Ellington and Billy Strayhorn’s genius.

No reply. Nico grabbed Eli’s elbow, “We’re going to the coffeeshop. Maki’s going to meet us there.”

“Did she say that?”

Nico grinned. “Not yet.”

“Yazawa…”

Nico yanked, “You, me, coffeeshop, Team Christmas meeting.”

Eli hesitated, “I don’t drink coffee.”

“You don’t drink coffee?”

Eli shook her head, “Bad for the body.”

“We are going to the coffeeshop. Nico needs enough caffeine for three people to deal with this.”

“But…”

Nico’s phone pinged, Maki.

M: Ten minutes

N: (ʃƪ ˘ ³˘)

M: Two years.

N; See you soon.

M: ᕕ| ͡■ ﹏ ■͡ |و

N: Ooh, Maki sent Nico a sexy selfie.

No reply. Nico laughed, but refused to answer Eli’s questions.

###

The coffeeshop had been a mistake. Nozomi’s eyes had developed a laser-like glow the second Eli stepped in behind Nico.

“Nico-chi! You brought me a present!” Nozomi looked like she was about to vault the counter. Eli was staring around like she’d never been out in public before and Nico didn’t know what that was about but Nozomi was the bigger problem, so Nico reached out, grabbed Nozomi’s apron, and pulled her into hiss, “Stop perving.”

“No.”

Nico released Nozomi and deliberately used a liberal amount of hand sanitizer, “You disgust me. Eli doesn’t drink coffee so don’t bug her.”

“Who is she?”

“Choreographer.”

“A dancer.” There was something in Nozomi’s tone Nico never wanted to hear again.

“Hey, Eli, tell Nozomi what you want and let’s hit the corner booth.”

Eli very politely stood at the counter, reading the menu with an expression that could have meant she was examining a bomb that needed defusing.

Nozomi leaned over, “Welcome. First drink is always on the house. And I make a luscious hot chocolate.”

Eli started to smile, but then shook her head, “I can’t. I only allow myself a cheat day once a month.”

“I won’t tell.” Nozomi winked.

“Just a peppermint tea, please.”

Nozomi considered, finger tapping her chin, “I’ll consider it if…”

“Don’t you just take customer orders?”

Eli’s genuine confusion had Nico snorting as she eavesdropped. “Newb.”

Nozomi continued, “You come back for a hot chocolate on your cheat day.”

Eli tilted her head, lashed flitting slowly over bright blue eyes, and then she smiled at Nozomi, “Okay.”

“Good, that’s settled, let’s go, bring me a strawberry latte in a bucket.” Nico dragged Eli to the table.

“This is a friendly little place,” Eli decided.

Nico unpacked her bag, refusing comment.

###

Maki slid into the booth, wondering if Nico had chosen the one without decorations deliberately. The choreographer was there, with tea in front of her, staring around the shop. Nico was on her phone, typing rapidly. Maki wondered to who.

Nico glanced up, “Hi, Maki! Thanks for meeting us.”

“Us?”

“Nico, Eli, Maki...We three Queens of the Tudor Christmas Pageant.”

“I’m not having any title with Christmas in it.” Maki stated.

“There were Kings, not Queens. Or wise men.” Eli frowned, “Next to the ass. In the manger.”

Nico sighed, closed her eyes, choked a little on snark, and then smiled, “This is not a Nativity Pageant, Queens rule, you, Maki, can choose any title you want as long as you commit to composing music for Nico’s Christmas Carol.”

“What about my Nutcracker scenes? Clara? The Mouse King?”

“Nico loves a good sword fight as much as anyone, but I think Maki has a point about Duke Ellington.”

“What?” Maki spun in her seat.

“You want something different, to show people music that while great, they might not have been exposed to.”

Maki hesitated, “Yeah.”

“Nico approves.”

“But I can’t just deliver all new choreography.” Eli whined.

Nico leaned in, “Don’t you have advanced choreography students?”

“Yes.”

“Give them the dances you can’t manage. Make it their final. It’s a real world challenge. Dancers love crazy pressure.”

“But it’s not Christmas without...”

Nico was unmoveable. “Make some new Christmas memories, Eli.”

Eli was suspicious, “Do you two know each other or something?”

“No.” Maki practically shouted, while Nico looked at her despairingly.

“Nico met Maki the same day I met you, and yes, Nico is trying to charm Maki into scoring her bopping new musical version of A Christmas Carol, but she also has a point.”

Eli hmmpfed and changed her tactic, “I won’t have time, I don’t know how to work with jazz…”

Nico glared as Eli trailed off.

“I don’t bop.” Maki broke into the silence.

“Nico will teach you.”

Maki took a flash drive out of her pocket and slid it toward Eli, “These are my favorite pieces. I think a modern dance approach mixed with a foundation of ballet would work really well with them.” Maki hesitated, cleared her throat, and continued, staring out the window behind Eli, “I understand loving traditional Christmas things…” a pause, fingers tapping, “But some of us do need to make new memories.”

After a minute, Eli picked up the flash drive, “Okay, I’ll listen. No promises.”

Both women turned to Nico, expecting something said with a flourish, but Nico was silent, chin in hand, seemingly absorbed in Maki’s profile.

“Nico?” Maki waved a hand in front of Nico’s nose.

Nico jumped, “Good that’s settled.” Nico stared around her, “Where’s my latte? Darn Nozomi, Nico will be right back.” Nico headed to the counter, “Nozomi, how can you keep your number one customer waiting?”

Maki stared at Nico’s large and half full cup, then glanced over at Eli, who raised an eyebrow and shrugged.

“Um.” Eli was watching Nozomi laugh at a Nico who seemed to be hopping up and down with rage, “I need to get back for an evening class.”

“Let me know what you think.”

Eli nodded, then followed Nico’s path to the counter. It was like a relay, Eli arrived, Nico grabbed what looked like a plate as well as a mug, and Nozomi ignored Nico as soon as Eli began speaking.

“Yeah, yeah, go to your class. Nico will be in touch.” Nico called over her shoulder, then slid in next to Maki, putting a plate with two scones between them. “Pumpkin cinnamon chip. They’re delicious. Have one.”

“Okay.” Maki took a bite. “”S good.”

Nico winked, “Always trust Nico.”

Maki shrugged and chewed.

“So why are you making new Christmas memories. What’s wrong with the old?”

“External heat and cold had little influence on Scrooge. No warmth could warm, no wintry weather chill him. No wind that blew was bitterer than he, no falling snow was more intent upon its purpose, no pelting rain less open to entreaty. Foul weather didn’t know where to have him. The heaviest rain, and snow, and hail, and sleet, could boast of the advantage over him in only one respect. They often `came down’ handsomely, and Scrooge never did.”

“Scrooge? Is that why you don’t want to work on Nico’s Christmas Carol.”

“You demanded a better line for my favorite.” Maki explained, “So this is it.”

“That’s a chunk not a line. Dickens was hailing words.” Nico giggled; Maki remained unimpressed.

“The weather sets such a mood, grim, cold, clingy, mist and fog and all the things Scrooge won’t be able to escape.”

Nico considered, eating half her scone before replying, “True. But Nico took those parts out. Boring. No people in them.”

“No people in them?” Granted, Maki had only done a quick read of A Christmas Carol, not an indepth dive for a thesis she was prepared to defend in front of a panel, but…”Scrooge is in them. It all describes Scrooge. His mental weather.”

Nico sipped. She was proud of her adaptation. All the Victorian carols and games and silliness had been nicely modernized. There was no space for Victorian gloom. Christmas Present was a little judgey and Christmas Yet To Come a little unsympathetic, but the characters around Scrooge were so vibrant that eventually he came to see the life he was missing. “Actions are more interesting than “mental weather.”

“But you could set such a great, scary, best ghost story of all time mood.” Maki’s eyes gleamed.

“Nico went for friends, family, and community mending a heart broken by life.”

Maki was surprisingly insistent. “His heart wasn’t broken. He took it out himself and locked it up with his gold.”

Nico sipped again, trying to arrange her features in an expression that represented thoughtful consideration. “That interpretation can be found in the text.”

“That is the text.” Maki was almost shouting. Nico touched Maki’s forearm and the other woman pulled back, crossing her arms over her chest.

“Sorry.” Nico cupped her new mug in both hands, ignoring her previous one.

Maki shrugged.

Nico inhaled, calming the atmosphere. “I spent years working on this. Did Umi give you my script?”

“I haven’t opened that email. I prefer reading on paper if it’s that long.”

Nico tapped her cup, a measure to keep her temper. “I will hand deliver a copy if the great composer will do me the courtesy of reading my carefully constructed ninety minutes of gripping, heart warming human drama before trashing its central theme.”

Maki blushed, a hand in her hair, half turned away from Nico.

“Nico’s favorite chunk, if you remember, starts with “Mankind was my business.” You know the part where Scrooge’s sole friend, Marley, shows him exactly why the successful life he’s been leading is a failure.”

“You could do so many things with percussion there. And maybe some violins, chilling…different strings for the phantoms outside.”

Nico frowned. This would be easier if Maki read the script. “No floating phantoms. Nico went with the Marley’s taking their shot to actually do one good thing angle. But you’ll see that when you read the script.” Nico paused, “The nuances will attract you.”

There was nothing nuanced about Nico, Maki thought, as the playwright waited for a response. Nico was the picture perfect professor of Drama and Performance, stylish, very noticeable clothes, hair in a bun, neat, well used bag hanging off her chair, every gesture broad and full of meaning, voice full and making complete use of the spectrum of emotion.

“Maki.” A demand for attention, like everything about Nico.

“I’ll read it.” A quick agreement.

WIth a nod, Nico flounced out, leaving Maki surprised by the abrupt departure. At least Nico wasn’t the first of a train of writer/directors planning to haunt Maki into collaboration. Maki played with the crumbs of her scone, sorry Nico hadn’t had a copy of the script in her bag. Now she was curious. Maki stopped, leaned her head back, and sighed, apparently, she was going to do this. Well, it would be a new Christmas memory. Next time, she’d have to be more careful what she asked the universe for.

A/N: A/N: And the annual tradition returns.Last year's got sideswiped by the pandemic, although I would like to finish it, so this year, I went back to paced like a movie basics.

I hope this finds you well. Thanks for reading.

#NicoMaki #Nishikino Maki #Yazawa Nico #NozoEli #Ayase Eli #Tojo Nozomi #sonoda umi #Christmas #holiday fluff #some angst #A Coffeeshop Christmas Carol

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hakuogakuen · 4 years

Text

Hakuouki SSL: Prologue

EDITED 7/31/20

Hello! Here is the translation for the SSL prologue. Primary translation is by yuugs, with proof reading done by shizuumi, kuririn, and dei-hime. Translation begins below the cut!

― May ―

Chizuru Yukimura: "The door and windows are locked..."

~ding dong~

Chizuru Yukimura: "Heisuke-kun, are you awake? It's almost time for school..."

"..."

"......”

FInally, the door opened.

Chizuru Yukimura: “Uh! Um... It's Yukimura. Hello? Heisuke-kun―"

Heisuke Toudou: "Sorry, Chizuru! Gimme five more minutes!!"

Chizuru Yukimura: "Oh... Heisuke-kun!? Geez..."

‘Five more minutes, huh...? There's still some time left, so I guess it should be fine...’

Chizuru Yukimura: "... It's already been five minutes...Is he still not ready? ...What now? Should I ring the intercom one more time...?"

Heisuke Toudou: "Morning! Also, sorry!"

Chizuru Yukimura: "Oh, Heisuke-kun! Morning!"

This is Heisuke Toudou-kun, my next-door neighbor. We attended the same high school, and walked there together when we can.

Despite being a junior, a grade above me, he hated me calling him ‘senpai,’ since we were childhood friends.

I'd counted on him since we were little, but he sometimes overslept or played video games all night, which could be a problem.

Heisuke Toudou: "We good for time? How bad's it look?

Chizuru Yukimura: "I think we might not make it...!"

Heisuke Toudou: "Seriously...? Okay, let's book it!"

Chizuru Yukimura: "Yeah!"

It was shaping up to be a bit of a busy morning, but we had to hurry―!!

Heisuke Toudou: "Dammit, if my alarm just rang properly, we'd have definitely made it on time!"

Chizuru Yukimura: "Heisuke-kun, you said that last time as well."

Heisuke Toudou: "M-My alarm's busted! I'll buy a new one next time!!"

???: "Sure is noisy this morning, huh?"

Chizuru Yukimura: "Ah..."

Souji Okita: "Morning, you two."

Chizuru Yukimura: "Good morning, Okita-senpai!"

This is Souji Okita-senpai, a junior. He was in the same class as Heisuke-kun, and we were pretty good friends. He could be a bit mischievous, and like to take pictures with his smartphone. Occasionally, he'd email me and I wouldn't know how to respond.That did bother me a bit.

Heisuke Toudou: "If Souji's here… then we're seriously late!"

Souji Okita: "Maybe... But it's not that bad. Not like the school's going anywhere anytime soon."

Heisuke Toudou: "It’s absolutely that bad! The gatekeeper of hell's waiting for us!"

Souji Okita: "Haha, you're exaggerating. No need to be so scared."

Chizuru Yukimura: "L-Let's hurry anyway! Okita-senpai, you should try and run!"

Souji Okita: "...Looks like I'll have to play along."

After that, we began running for our lives. Of course, tardiness was against the rules, but even with that, there was another reason we didn’t want to be lateー

Heisuke Toudou: "All right, and he's saaaaaaafe!!"

???: "Unfortunately, he's out."

Chizuru Yukimura: "Huh..."

Hajime Saitou: "Sorry, but as a part of the disciplinary committee, I can't make any exceptions. Not even for five seconds."

Kaoru Nagumo: "What he said. A shame, really. You ran so desperately just to make an own goal."

Chizuru Yukimura: "Kaoru...and Saitou-senpai...!"

...Yes, the reason we ran so frantically is because of the disciplinary committee.

This is Hajime Saitou-senpai , a junior. A serious and deeply earnest person, he was a feared member of the disciplinary committee. Heisuke-kun often called him 'inflexible', but he's tougher on himself than anyone else. I think he's a good person. Although he might not be the best with words, he was a good senior in my eyes.

This is Nagumo Kaoru, a sophomore, like me. He's actually my twin brother. Why our last names differed was a long story, but basically, we grew up separately when we were young. Initially, I was happy that we were going to the same school. But... Kaoru wasn’t the politest person ever. He would even disrespect our seniors without a second thought, and he always made me nervous…

Heisuke Toudou: "It was only five seconds! The gate isn't closed yet ―just let it slide!"

Kaoru Nagumo: "No. How would letting you go benefit us?"

Heisuke Toudou: "Maybe it wouldn't, but it's not like it'd hurt you either!"

Hajime Saitou: "Heisuke, this isn't open for discussion. The rules exist for a reason."

Souji Okita: "You heard him, Heisuke. Too bad."

Heisuke Toudou: "Souji, whose side are you on?!"

Chizuru Yukimura: "U-Um... Heisuke-kun. It's a fact we were late. We can't do much about that."

Heisuke Toudou: "But...!"

???: "Pipe down! What are you up to there!?"

Chizuru Yukimura: "Oh...!"

Toshizou Hijikata: "Saitou, Nagumo! It's time. Close the gate."

Hajime Saitou: "Yes, sir."

Kaoru Nagumo: "Hmph, that's a shame."

Toshizou Hijikata: "Heisuke, Souji, Yukimura! You three hurry up and head inside....Don't be any later than you already are."

Chizuru Yukimura: "Y-Yes, sir!"

This is Toshizou Hijikata. He was Heisuke's and Okita's homeroom teacher, and also taught classical literature. He was very harsh, but passionate about education. As well being the vice principal, it was said that he was a childhood friend of the principal, Kondou-sensei. He always looked tense. He had this prickly aura about him that kept people away.

Toshizou Hijikata: "I swear... You never learn. You're late every single day..."

(A flash lit up his face and a camera shutter noise sounded.)

Toshizou Hijikata: "W-What was that?"

Souji Okita: "Haha. The wrinkles in your face are even deeper than yesterday's."

Toshizou Hijikata: "Souji! You punk!!"

Souji Okita: "Would you like to compare yesterday's pic with today's? Here, take a look."

Toshizou Hijikata: "I don't need to! And don't take photos of people without their permission!"

...Seeing as everyone else was afraid of the vice principal, Okita might have be the only one who could banter with him like that... With that thought, we headed past the school gates.

――The private school, Hakuou Academy.

This school was an all-boys school up until this year. Thanks to the principal Isami Kondou-sensei and his efforts, the school became co-ed recently.

Somehow, I became the first female student at Hakuou Academy...

...And the only female student.

Of course, I was a little nervous when I learned that there were no other girls... But the people here were really nice, and I had always been good at getting along with others, so I was doing pretty well.

Chizuru Yukimura:"...Oh no! I have to get to class soon...!"

"Thank god, I made it in time..."

Ryuunosuke Ibuki: "Hm? It's not like you to show up at the last minute, Yukimura."

Chizuru Yukimura: "Oh, Ibuki-kun. Morning. This morning's been a bit much..."

This is Ryuunosuke Ibuki-kun, my classmate. He could be a bit blunt at times, but he was a kind person. He always had milk and red bean buns for lunch. When I asked him if he was eating enough, he would say that it couldn’t be helped, since he had no money… He complained about someone called Serizawa-san being rough and tyrannical to him. I wondered what his relation was to Ibuki-kun, exactly.

Ryuunosuke Ibuki: "The teacher's about to arrive. We ought to take our seats now."

Chizuru Yukimura: "Yeah, thanks, Ibuki-kun."

???: "Take your seats, you lot. Homeroom's about to start."

Chizuru Yukimura: "!"

While I hurried to sit down, Harada-sensei smiled at me from the front of the room.

Sanosuke Harada: "What's wrong, Yukimura? It's rare for you to be late."

Chizuru Yukimura: "Y-Yes... I'm sorry..."

This is Sanosuke Harada-sensei. He was my homeroom teacher, as well as the P.E. teacher. Friendly and open-hearted, all the students looked up to him as if he were their big brother. He used to go to the same Kendo dojo as Heisuke-kun and Nagakura-sensei, the math teacher. Even now, they all still seemed to be close.

Sanosuke Harada: "Well, I can imagine the reason why. You know, you can just ditch Heisuke if you think you'll be late."

Chizuru Yukimura: "Um, that's… I'll see what I can do about that..."

Sanosuke Harada: "Yeah, please do. Well, let's wrap this up quickly. Today's announcements are--"

I didn’t want to just leave Heisuke-kun behind... ‘I’ll try to figure out a way so I can pick him up earlier…’

Classmate A: "Phew, it's finally time for lunch."

Classmate B: "Yeah, I'm starving. Hey, Ibuki, you eating at the cafeteria?"

Ryuunosuke Ibuki: "If you treat me, I’ll go."

Classmate B: "No way!"

Ryuunosuke Ibuki: "Then don't ask. You know full well I'm low on money."

Classmate A: "U-Um, Yukimura-san, what about you? We can go together if that's cool―"

Chizuru Yukimura: "Me? Well...."

While it made me happy when my classmates invited me to have lunch with them…

Chizuru Yukimura: "I'm sorry… I already have plans. Maybe another time?"

Classmate A: "I-I see..."

I apologized once again and then headed to the cafeteria. At lunchtime, the cafeteria got so crowded, it was like a battlefield. It seems like things are ramping up with everyone on an empty stomach…

Heisuke Toudou: "Oh, hey, Chizuru! Over here, over here!"

Heisuke and Okita are waving at me.

‘I can't keep them waiting, I have to hurry...!’

Chizuru Yukimura: "Hm.... Should I get set meal A?”

I bought a ticket for set meal 'A' from the vending machine, and then joined the line.

Genzaburou Inoue: "Oh, Yukimura-kun. You came to the cafeteria today."

Chizuru Yukimura: "Inoue-san, hello!"

This is Genzaburou Inoue-san. He was in charge of cooking the meals for the cafeteria, and his food was always delicious. He was very kind and warm, and students affectionately called him the “Mother of Hakuou Academy”. In fact, rumor has it that he was quite a big-wig as well. But was it true, I wondered.

Genzaburou Inoue: "I’ll keep your portion on the smaller side. The boys’ portion could be a bit too much for you."

Chizuru Yukimura: "Thank you so much!"

His effortless consideration for others was one of his best traits, to me. I would have liked to take some cooking lessons from him one of these days, too...

Souji Okita: "You kept us waiting. Oh. You don't have much on your plate, as usual."

Chizuru Yukimura: "You think so?"

Heisuke Toudou: "Chizuru's a girl, so of course she'll have less, right? You don’t eat that much either, Souji."

Souji Okita: "And you eat a lot. For your size."

Heisuke Toudou: "That wasn't necessary!"

Chizuru Yukimura: "Hehe."

After a fun lunch, I parted ways with Heisuke-kun and Okita-senpai, and headed back for the classroom.

Shinpachi Nagakura: "Yo, Chizuru-chan!” Working hard today?"

Chizuru Yukimura: "Hello, Nagakura-sensei!"

This is Shinpachi Nagakura-sensei. He was a math teacher and a close friend of Harada-sensei's. Much to his dismay, he was often mistaken for a P.E. teacher, which was no surprise, since he always wore a jersey. He was hopeless with money management and often got in trouble with Hijikata-sensei because of that. But otherwise, he was a great teacher.

Shinpachi Nagakura: "Are you done with lunch already? If you wouldn't mind, I've a small favor to ask of you.”

Chizuru Yukimura: "Oh, yes! That's fine. What is it?"

Shinpachi Nagakura: "Sorry for the trouble. I just wanted you to deliver this to Sannan-san for me."

Chizuru Yukimura: "Sannan-sensei... So the infirmary?"

Shinpachi Nagakura: "Yeah. I've, uh...got some other things to take care of. Yeah."

Chizuru Yukimura: "I understand. I'll head there now!"

Shinpachi Nagakura: "Great. Thanks for the help!"

I headed off to the infirmary with the manila folder Nagakura-sensei gave me.

Chizuru Yukimura: "Excuse me."

Keisuke Sannan: "Oh...Yukimura-kun. Are you unwell?"

This is Sannan Keisuke-sensei, the school nurse. He was always calm, kind, and willing to lend a hand. Knowing that, it was strange how most students tried to avoid ever going to the infirmary...

Chizuru Yukimura: "No, I'm fine. Nagakura-sensei told me to hand this to you."

Keisuke Sannan: "Nagakura-sensei...?"

Keisuke Sannan: "Ahh...I see now. He didn't want to deliver it himself, so he used you instead."

Chizuru Yukimura: "Huh?"

Keisuke Sannan: "Heh... He actually missed the deadline for the submission of his documents, you see? I suppose he didn't want me getting angry with him. I'll have to have a word with him later… To think he sent you on a fool's errand when he could've done it himself."

Chizuru Yukimura: "Oh, no, it's really no trouble."

Susumu Yamazaki: "Excuse me. ...Oh."

Keisuke Sannan: "Oh? I see that I've got many visitors today. You're here too, Yamazaki-kun."

This is Yamazaki Susumu-senpai, a junior. He was in the same class as Saitou-senpai, and his homeroom teacher was Nagakura-sensei. As part of the Health Committee, he frequented the infirmary to help Sannan-sensei out with his work. Yamazaki-senpai was a very strait-laced person, who'd never slack off on any of his committee work.

Susumu Yamazaki: "Pardon me! I didn't mean to interrupt your conversation..."

Chizuru Yukimura: "Oh, no. It's alright! I've already finished up here."

Keisuke Sannan: "How cold of you. Are you implying that you've no business talking to me now that you've wrapped up here?"

Chizuru Yukimura: "Huh, wait― What!? N-No! That's not what I meant..."

Susumu Yamazaki: "...Sannan-sensei."

Keisuke Sannan: "I know, I know, Yamazaki-kun. I was only teasing."

Chizuru Yukimura: "Really...?"

Keisuke Sannan: "Heh. It was only a joke. Feel free to come by anytime, now. Of course you should visit when you're feeling ill, but do stop by if you have other concerns as well. I have some good medicine."

Susumu Yamazaki: "Sannan-sensei? But that's...!"

Keisuke Sannan: "Yamazaki-kun. Is there something you'd like to say...?"

Susumu Yamazaki: "...Nothing."

Chizuru Yukimura: "???"

The bell for afternoon classes rang just after I left the infirmary.

Chizuru Yukimura: "I'm already so sleepy..."

With my full stomach and the warm weather, I began to feel a bit drowsy. Thinking that, I returned to my classroom.

Then, as usual, I finished my afternoon classes...

It was time for homeroom again.

Sanosuke Harada: "...and that's all for today. Those in clubs ― give it all you’ve got. Those going home ― take care not to wander about too much."

Whole class: "Yeeessir."

Sanosuke Harada: "...Oh, right, Yukimura."

Chizuru Yukimura: "Yes?"

Sanosuke Harada: "I also told Heisuke. Don't be late tomorrow."

Chizuru Yukimura: "Y-Yes, sir...!"

Sanosuke Harada: "Hahaha, don't give me that face. I'm not really angry with you. Well then, see you tomorrow."

Chizuru Yukimura: "Right! Have a nice day."

I smiled and left the classroom.

Chizuru Yukimura: "Hm? What's going on.... What's all this commotion about?"

???: "Hey, hey, move it, bastards!"

???: "I'm so sorry, but if you could make way,please."

Chizuru Yukimura: "...That voice is..."

Chikage Kazama: "Hmph. For these nobodies to block my path... unforgivable. Those who dare defy yours truly, the eminent student council president, Chikage Kazama, must prepare to face the consequences."

Kyuuju Amagiri: "...Please understand this is to avoid further trouble, from what you can see here."

Kyou Shiranui: "It’d be less dull if some guys here had the guts to throw down with him though."

Chizuru Yukimura: "......!"

When I saw those three cut through the surging crowd, I thought to myself, 'Oh, no.' I really didn’t want to get caught, if I could avoid it. But as that crossed my mind...

Chikage Kazama: "Oh... You came to meet me yourself. What a praiseworthy sentiment, my betrothed."

Chizuru Yukimura: "Ack! It was a coincidence...!"

Kyuuju Amagiri: "Greetings, Yukimura-kun. ...You have my sympathies."

Chikage Kazama: "Amagiri. What do you mean by that?"

Kyou Shiranui: "The man said what he said. Ain't that right, Chizuru?"

Chizuru Yukimura: "Um......"

I was at a loss. I could only stand there in silence.

This is Chikage Kazama-senpai. He was a senior, and the student council president of Hakuou Academy. He was always accompanied by his attendants, Kyuuju Amagiri-senpai and Kyou Shiranui-senpai, and acted as if the whole world belongs to him.

And why, really, why did he want me to be his bride? He decided that completely on his own...

This is Kyuuju Amagiri-senpai, another senior who acted like Kazama-senpai's watchman of sorts. ...He didn’t look anything like a high school student. There’s really no other way to put it. But I'd decided not to worry about that. He was probably the only person able to put up with Kazama-senpai's recklessness with any amount of success.

And lastly, this is Kyou Shiranui-senpai. He was also a senior, like Amagiri-senpai, and always with Kazama-senpai. However, unlike Amagiri, he didn’t seem to really respect Kazama. He could be violent sometimes and a bit scary, but occasionally he could be quite kind too, according to his whim.

Chizuru Yukimura: "Um... Kazama-senpai. I've repeatedly asked you to not call me your wife, so please stop..."

Chikage Kazama: "Why?"

Chizuru Yukimura: "W-Why....? Because it's not true!!"

Chikage Kazama: "...I can't hear you. Amagiri, what is the girl saying?"

Kyuuju Amagiri: "......She said that she is currently undeserving of the honour of marrying you."

Chizuru Yukimura: "What?!"

Chikage Kazama: "Is that so. Such a commendable attitude; such humility is a virtue."

Chizuru Yukimura:: “But, th-that's not...!"

Kyou Shiranui: "Give it up. He doesn’t wanna hear it."

Chizuru Yukimura: "No way!"

Chikage Kazama: "Hm... Fine. I'll overlook this for today. But know this, Chizuru. Once I set my eyes on my prey, I never let it escape. I suggest you ready yourself by coming to a decision.”

Chizuru Yukimura: "Kazama-senpai! Wait...!”

Without listening to a word I said, he turned and left, along with Amagiri-senpai and Shiranui-senpai.

...As they were leaving, Amagiri-senpai bowed deeply to me.

Chizuru Yukimura: “I would rather that he deny it along with me, though...”

"Phew..."

Somehow, after that, a wave of exhaustion came over me, and I let out a sigh. At that moment…

Isami Kondou: "Hm? If it isn't Yukimura-kun. Are you heading home now?"

Chizuru Yukimura: "Kondou-sensei!"

This is Isami Kondou, the founder of Hakuouki Academy. He was always full of enthusiasm. Just watching him and his energy inspired me to do my best, too. His topknot hairstyle surprised me at first. But it seemed that he sports one as his own policy of sorts.

Isami Kondou: "Glad to see you're doing well. Have you had any issues lately?"

Chizuru Yukimura: "Thank you very much. Everyone's very kind and polite, so I'm doing well!"

Isami Kondou: "I see, I see, that's great! To think that you're the only girl among a sorry lot of guys."

Isami Kondou: "Even now, I think the admission interview was a bit crazy. I'm sorry about that."

Chizuru Yukimura: "Ahaha..."

As I remembered the Hakuou Academy entrance exam, a wry smile came to my face.

That was back in the winter of this year. I was at a loss for which school I should attend.

My friend, Osen-chan, suggested Shimabara Girls' High, which she was attending... It was an upper-class all-girls school, and I was worried about the formalities and expensive tuition fees.

Many other schools also interested me, and I just couldn't make up my mind.

Then, as I was trying to decide…

Heisuke Toudou: "Hey, Chizuru! Come to my school! Starting next year, they'll accept girls as well!"

Chizuru Yukimura: "Oh... Really?"

Heisuke Toudou: "Really! Go to the same school as me!"

At Heisuke-kun's suggestion, I began researching Hakuou Academy.

The tuition was pretty cheap, but more importantly, their educational ideals resonated deeply with me.

And so, I decided to take the entrance exam for Hakuou Academy.

It was difficult, but thanks to the work I put into revising, I managed to pass somehow. What I was most nervous about was actually the interview afterwards. What would they ask me? As my heart began to pound thinking that, the person I faced in the interview was…

Toshizou Hijikata: "...Chizuru Yukimura. Our academy will begin to admit girls for the first time next year. Depending on the situation, the number of girls may be considerably low. Could you focus on your studies in such an environment?"

Chizuru Yukimura: “...I may have fewer female friends, which might be lonely. But studying is bound to be the main priority for school, so I'll be fine."

Toshizou Hijikata: "...Why did you choose our school?"

Chizuru Yukimura: "Though this is embarrassing to admit… For one, the tuition is cheap. I don't want to burden my father,” I said. “Beyond that, a childhood friend of mine attends this school, and he told me this was a good place... And after looking into it, it seemed to me that this academy creates an environment that puts their students first... So now, I want to study here. That's what I truly think."

Toshizou Hijikata "...I see."

For some reason, Hijikata-sensei had kept silent for a while after that.

With his most serious expression yet, he had finally opened his mouth again, and asked me this:

Toshizou Hijikata: "...Last question. Can you recite our school's educational philosophy?"

Of course, I had responded immediately.

Chizuru Yukimura: "Yes! It's 'Sincerity'!"

Toshizou Hijikata: "......"

After that, I made it. I was able to pass the admissions process.

At the time, I would never have guessed I'd be the only girl in the school. That had me fairly worried at first.

Isami Kondou: "I can tell you now that Toshi was against accepting female students until the very last minute.” He continued, "Ah... How do I put it? Um, we're a school with a short history, even if we have noble ideals and whatnot... So, when the proposal to accept girls was raised, Toshi insisted it'd distract the current students and disrupt their discipline."

Chizuru Yukimura: "S-So that's what happened..."

Isami Kondou: "The compromise was that Toshi would interview candidates himself. And here you are ― the only girl who passed! But I am really sorry. You must have felt out of place. I wouldn't blame you for feeling nervous..."

Chizuru Yukimura: "Kondou-sensei... It's true that I did at first, but I'm alright now. And besides... Now that I'm enrolled here, I think it was one of the best decisions I've ever made!"

Isami Kondou: "R-Really...! Thank you!! There may be hard times along with the good ones… But I want you to be proud that you're a student Toshi himself accepted, and enjoy your time here. As the principal of this school, I'll be watching over you!"

Chizuru Yukimura: "Thank you so much!"

Mr. Kondou waved me off with a smile and, after waving back at him, I left the school.

Chizuru Yukimura: "I'm home...! ...Haah... It feels kind of lonely when nobody's home..."

My father, a doctor, was on a business trip to some remote island, and wouldn’t be coming home for a while.

Our family clinic was also closed. While I was used to it by then, I think I took it for granted that someone would welcome me home before.

Chizuru Yukimura: "Hm?"

‘I should probably reply as soon as I can.’

-----

Sub: About emails

Since we're in the same class and we're pretty much friends, I'll tell you something.

At the entrance ceremony, the school admins announced that they would contact us via email. Have you registered an address?

You're going to start receiving emails, but apparently you can only reply to them right on the spot when you receive them.

You'll be able to check your email history later, but you can't reply.

If you want to reply to a message, reply on the spot.

Well, even if the school contacts you, I'm sure it'll just be chatter from teachers and students anyway.

That's all I wanted to tell you.

-----

Chizuru Yukimura: "Huh?"

"It's Ibuki-kun again."

-----

Sub: Ryuunosuke Shop Grand Opening

My bad, I forgot I needed to tell you one more thing.

As you spend time at Hakuo Academy, you'll accumulate points from doing things like replying to emails or playing mini-games.

Now that my shop has opened, you can exchange those points for various goods at the shop.

There is a limit to the number of points you can have, so use them quickly.

There are also certain things that cannot be obtained until a certain time has passed, so come and look often.

I mean.

The operation of this shop is a matter of life or death for me.

I'm begging you!

Please exchange points!

-----

"Alright, I guess I'll take a look next time."

After I checked the email from Ibuki-kun, I put my phone on my desk and looked out the window.

Chizuru Yukimura: "...I have my friends and teachers. It'll be okay."

‘Tomorrow's gonna be a busy day. I'm sure I won't have time to feel lonely then.’

A place dear to my heart, where I could enjoy my everyday life.

My days at Private Hakuo Academy had only just begun――

#Hakuouki #Hakuoki #Hakuouki SSL #otome #fan translation #common route #prologue #updated

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celosia-starfall · 5 years

Text

A Chance Encounter (Part 1)

This is part of a multi-chapter fanfic that I’m going to be working on! But I just wanted to post this first part of it for the second day of the Hetalia Extravaganza by @weekofhetalia !!!

AO3 LINK

AU: Futuristic Fantasy

Pairing: Romano x Canada

Summary: In a world where magic and technology are at odds with each other, Lovino is a fire faery that has escaped from an American laboratory that had been holding him captive in order to experiment on him. After escaping, he managed to flee across the border into Canada, where Matthew finds him nearly unconscious in the cold and carries him home in order for Lovino to heal.

Prologue

This world… It has the potential to be such a beautiful place, Matthew. I only wish that you would be able to see and experience all of it to the fullest… But there are dangers. Dangers that I hope you never have to face. And with these dangers, there are rules that you need to follow. Rules within the constraints of human society that you have to follow so that you don’t get hurt.

What rules, Maman? Why would someone try to hurt us?

Oh, Matthew… That’s just the way things are. People can be needlessly cruel, especially humans, and they’ll shun or hurt or use anyone that they see as different from them, even if it’s other humans.

But that’s not right!

I know, mon coeur, I know…

...Maman… You keep talking about humans as if humans aren’t the only other beings around…

Because they aren’t, Matthew. Humans have never been the only ones that live on this planet, even when they had always wanted to believe it as such… Fairies and other magical creatures exist, and now that their existence has been exposed to society, they are hunted down for various reasons by humans and tend to have to pretend to be humans as a necessity to their survival.

Does that mean magic is real!?

Yes, magic is very real. With the exceptions of mages, humans don’t have magic, which just gives another reason for humans to hunt down the creatures to exploit them for their magical qualities: mermaids for their scales to give humans the ability to breathe underwater, fairies for fairy dust, dragons for their tough hides… The list could go on forever…

But why would they do that? Why would humans be that mean!? It’s not fair!

No… It’s not… They do it because they see magical creatures as lesser beings, refusing them the same rights as humans and often using them as slaves or for the advancements of...science. That’s why it’s so important for the Fae to stay concealed, because otherwise, if a human finds out about their true nature, then their life may as well be over. And with the advancements made in technology, it’s only become that much easier for humans to discover Fae that are in hiding. Do you know how, Matthew?

It’s...because of all of the iron, right?

Yes. Iron in any amount will make the Fae feel sick; prolonged skin contact with iron can cause rashes and burns; and if it gets mixed into their blood stream, then in many cases, it can prove to be fatal… That’s why mages have it easier than other magical creatures. It’s because they aren’t affected by iron, since they’re still technically human.

But, Maman, what about technology? Wouldn’t it be able to detect if someone has magic?

No, technology and magic are polar opposites. Those who believe that science is key see magic as an unnatural ability and something that shouldn’t exist in this world. Because of this, followers of science see anything of magical origin as a bane to society. Though likewise, most of the magically gifted see technology as a dangerous thing. Magical beings still manage to survive in this tech-advanced world, but they’re suffering because of it…

...What do you mean? Maman, what’s happening to them?

I told you that humans will hunt down magical beings for trying to gain their magical abilities, but it’s not just that. Scientists will often capture Fae to study them in an effort to scientifically explain the phenomenon that is magic. Other scientists will use them as lab rats because they’re able to handle a greater amount of physical stress than a simple human can. They’re denied equal rights to humans, and there are many scientists that end up going overboard and using...unethical methods. Many magical beings have been subjected to the equivalent of torture as a result.

But… But why? They haven’t done anything to deserve that!

It’s what humans do all in the name of Science and Progress.

That’s terrible… But why are you telling me this now?

Oh, Matthew… My darling… I need you to know all of this, so that you know how to be safe and how to take care of yourself. The world is a big, dangerous place… For as many beauties there are, there are just as many dangers. And I’m not always going to be able to be around to protect you. Something big is going to be happening. I don’t know what it is or when, but I can feel it, and I need you to be prepared. Just in case… Do you understand?

Yes, Maman. I understand. I’ll… I’ll try my best.

I know you will. And just remember, I’ll always love you, Matthew.

I love you too, Maman.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Chapter 1

Lovino had finally managed to escape the lab, but he had paid dearly for it. The dark-haired Italian fae had just enough energy left to hide his wings and pointed ears before he collapsed into a shivering heap beside some waste bins just off one of the main streets.

It was cold out, and being a fire fairy, cold was the last thing he needed. Sadly, no one in this God forsaken town, aside from a trash collection machine or maybe a few cats, would probably ever glance in the direction of the bins where he was.

Matthew let out a deep breath as he walked down the street, watching his breath form in the cold air. He always preferred taking these walks instead of driving. It made him feel more connected to the actual earth somehow. He enjoyed being outside more than most people thought was natural considering all of the so-called luxuries that were provided by the technology of this era.

Sighing, he kicked a rock along, accidentally hitting it too hard one time and sending it into one of the side areas that held waste bins. Watching the rock hit the wall, his attention became focused on something that was on the ground near the bins. His eyes widened when he realized that it was a body, immediately rushing over and kneeling down next to the person, realizing how bad of shape they were in on closer inspection.

"Oh...oh mon dieu..." He hesitantly reached out a hand to place it on the dark-haired male's arm, but he stopped himself. "U-Umm...pardon, monsieur?" he asked quietly, concern filling his voice.

There was a soft groan heard as Lovino barely managed to crack his hazel eyes open to peer up at the human that was leaning over him. His first instinct was to run, to get the hell as far from the dangerous being as possible, but he wasn't in any shape to move.

He slowly blinked once before giving up on trying to stay awake. It was too fucking cold and he'd been though too much pain, suffering, and stress to be able to do more than stare up at the man briefly, his mind not quite functioning properly. His eyes slipped back shut and he went limp as his consciousness left him.

When he saw the male's body go limp, Matthew struggled not to panic, taking in deep breaths of cold air to calm his nerves. Reaching out, he placed his fingers against the side of the dark-haired male's throat, breathing out a sigh of relief when he felt a pulse. "Thank dieu," he murmured, taking off his coat.

Biting his lip to keep his teeth from chattering at the sudden loss of warmth, he moved the other male into a sitting position in order to put the coat on him. Taking a deep breath, he put one arm under his knees, the other behind his back, and lifted the male up before carrying him down the street as fast as he could without jostling the stranger too much, heading toward the Canadian's home.

Lovino instinctively curled into the sense of warmth the Canadian offered. It was only natural that he seek out warmth. It was vital to his survival as a fire fairy, after all. He started shivering slightly as his body tried to make its own warmth. His breath was a bit shallow, but still showed slightly on the cold air as he was carried to somewhere he didn't know.

Matthew shifted the other in his arms, pulling the male closer against him in order to share his body heat. He had no clue how long the other male had been out in the cold, but it must of been for quite a while. Swallowing thickly, he let out a sigh of relief when he saw his home coming up, causing him to pick up his pace. He was panting by the time he reached the front door, the cold air making his chest ache as he sniffled slightly, stepping inside the building when the door opened.

The Canadian let out a sigh as warmth washed over him, the door closing behind him. He immediately carried the dark-haired male to the bedroom, laying him down gently on the bed before walking over to the closet and pulling out several heavy, warm blankets that he placed atop of the male. Matthew bit his lip as he looked down at him, his eyebrows furrowing in concern before going and sitting in the chair at his desk to wait for the male to wake up.

Lovino continued to shiver for a bit under the blankets until he was once again warm enough to relax into the warmth of the bed. After a bit more time, he groaned and shifted under the blankets a bit before blinking awake. As he realized he was in an unfamiliar place, he started to fight against the heaps of blankets on him in an attempt to escape whatever was restraining him. He was frantic to escape, still caught in the nightmare he had actually lived for some time before escaping from the lab.

Matthew had nearly fallen asleep in his chair before he heard movement coming from the bed. His head shot up when he realized that the other male must be awake. He quickly got out of the chair, approaching the bedside hesitantly as he held his hands up in front of himself in what he hoped seemed like an unthreatening fashion.

"U-Umm... H-Hey... Don't move around like that. You'll get hurt more than you already are. You're safe here, okay? I'm… I found you outside and you were cold and hurt, s-so I carried you to my house...umm..." He bit his lip, worried about the dark-haired male's reaction when he woke up. "I-I don't know what happened to you, but I promise I won't hurt you, alright?" he murmured, taking a tentative step towards the male.

Lovino's breath was a bit ragged and there was a bit of a feral glint to his unusually bright hazel eyes. At the sound of the Canadian man's voice, he froze and turned his eyes on the blonde. He met violet eyes with hazel before visibly relaxing slightly. "Why? Why are you helping me?" There was a hint of distrust in the Italian's voice. In his personal experience the only reason a human would show interest in him was if they expected something in return.

Matthew blinked in surprise. "Why wouldn't I? You were hurt and cold. I couldn't just leave you out in the cold to possibly die," he murmured, furrowing his eyebrows in concern as he tucked a few strands of his blonde hair behind his ear. "It was the right thing to do. There are such things as morals, you know..." He trailed off, biting his lip as he looked away from the man's hazel eyes. "I'm sorry. Umm...my name's Matthew, by the way..."

Lovino arched an eyebrow as he listened to the blonde's explanation. He knew of morals; he just didn't realize that any humans still considered them all that important. He paused for a moment before divulging just a small bit of information to the seemingly harmless and rather nervous-looking blonde. "You can call me Lovino." He started to try and sit up again only to be held back by the damnable heap of blankets. "Let me up," he half-way growled.

Matthew nodded, moving over to him and helping pull the blankets off. "Sorry about that, Lovino. I wasn't...really sure what to do..." he murmured softly when he got the last blanket off of him, rubbing the back of his neck sheepishly as he took a couple steps away from the bed. "Umm...I could show you to the bathroom if you want to take a hot shower or bath, while I make some food and get a first-aid kit or something..." He bit his lip as he fiddled with the edge of his shirt.

Lovino hesitantly sat up before nodding. "A hot bath sounds nice." The thought of soaking in almost boiling water sounded almost heavenly to the still slightly-chilled fae. It would give him a chance to take stock of his injuries and wash away the fine layer of dirt that covered him and his badly tattered clothing. He rubbed his wrists lightly where there were red marks. "Maybe the first aid kit after..."

"Of course. And you can borrow some of my clothing too, since we're probably about the same size..." he murmured, looking over the male slightly before biting his lip and turning around to the closet, taking a couple of the blankets with him to return to the closet before taking out a couple of sets of warm clothing.

He turned back to Lovino. "Umm...if you could follow me...I'll show you to the bathroom," he murmured. "The first-aid kit is under the sink. And umm..." he hesitated before continuing. "If you need any help with taking care of any of your wounds, just call for me..."

Lovino shakily stood up from the bed. He swayed slightly at the light-headedness that assaulted him briefly, but he gritted his teeth and pushed through it. He cautiously approached the blonde. "Umm. Grazie..." He mumbled before huffing softly. "Well, lead the way."

Matthew simply nodded, concern filling his eyes as he led the other down the hallway and stopping in front of a door that he promptly opened. Stepping inside, he placed the clothes on the counter by the sink before opening the cabinet underneath and pulling out the first-aid kit which he also placed on the counter. He turned to Lovino. "I'll just leave you to it, I guess..." he murmured, heading to the door. However, the blonde paused for a moment before looking back over his shoulder. "Is there any type of food in particular that you would like?" he asked softly.

Lovino shrugged. "Nothing with meat in it..." He moved slowly to inspect how the bath worked. It was a bit more advanced than the standard clawfooted tub he had been hoping for. He managed to figure out the contraption before turning the water on and filling the tub with steaming hot water that would make most people flinch back and add ice to it.

As soon as the blonde shut the door, he stripped off the rags he was wearing and sank with a groan into scalding water, savoring the way the heat seemed to invigorate his body. He sank down into the bathwater up to his neck as he soaked a bit, almost dozing off at the comforting sensation.

#HetaliaExtravaganza2k19 #APH Canada #aph romano #aph south italy #canmano #romacan #romanada #hetalia #Magic #fairies #fantasy #fanfic #fiction #a chance encounter fanfic #nyo france

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fandomoblivion · 6 years

Text

And There She Was (Part 2)

Fandom: Stranger Things

Pairing: Steve Harrington x Henderson!Reader, kind of Billy Hargrove x Henderson!Reader but not totally

Request: can u do a cute steve harrington x henderson ! reader? idrc what it is im just in the mood for something steve lol

Summary: (Y/N) Henderson has lived all her life pining after Steve Harrington. Steve Harrington: the athlete. Steve Harrington: the King of Hawkins. Steve Harrington: the player. Steve Harrington: the boyfriend of her best friend. But the thing is, when they’re forced to be together while fighting other-worldly creatures… stuff goes down. But hey, you know what they say. Shit happens.

Warnings: Swearing, violence

Word Count: 2,615

Notes: UH. THE S3 TEASER TRAILER. STEVE. UGH BE STILL MY HEART.

prologue / part one

You rolled your eyes as Dustin got into your car, completely dressed in Ghostbusters gear. “Dustin, nobody dresses up for Halloween at school.”

“Maybe not in high school, Miss “I’m-too-cool-for-a-costume.”

“I never said that.”

“But we do in middle school.”

“Did Mom get pictures?” You asked, changing the subject. He nodded. “Of course she did. She takes Halloween way too seriously.”

“It’s a fun holiday!” Dustin protested.

“Shut up, Stantz. We’re here.” You said, pulling into the middle school’s parking lot. “Get out. And, uh, have a great day. Happy Halloween… and all that crap.” You said, making Dustin laugh and close the car door behind him. As you drove off, you noticed that none of the other kids were wearing costumes. “Fuck.” You mumbled, but there was no way you could help him. You had to get yourself to class.

You walked into the lunchroom, Billy trailing behind you. The night before had been… weird, to say the least.

He had picked you up and the two of you went to a diner where he insisted on buying the two of you burgers and fries. You opted out, just ordering a milkshake, and you told him all about Hawkins. At least, you tried to. He cut you off before you could get a full thought out and started talking about himself and why he was “drawn to you.” Pfft. What a smooth-talking, greasy-haired, foul-mouthed asshole. But…

You needed to get your mind off of Steve.

So you played along.

Sure, some would call what you were doing “leading him on,” but anyone who knew you knew you didn’t like him. Just… he didn’t know.

You knew none of this was logical. You knew it was bad. You knew it was immoral. And yet, you couldn’t handle the thought of facing school alone for much longer.

You started to walk over to Jonathan, when Billy pulled you back by your hand. “Do you really want to sit with that photography nerd? C’mon, let’s just ditch. We can go for a smoke out back.”

You scrunched up your nose. “I don’t smoke.”

“Yeah, but I do. So come on.” You huffed and reluctantly followed him to the back of the cafeteria building.

On the way, Jonathan caught your eye. He looked from you to Billy, and back to you, with a quizzical look on his face. “Really?” He mouthed out. You shrugged and looked away.

“I’m driving you home after school.” Billy said outside.

You scowled. “My car is here.”

He shrugged. “Then I’ll drive you to school tomorrow so you can pick it up.”

You looked at him, studying how he was leaning against the brick wall. “No. I want to drive myself home.”

He looked at you, and let out a puff of smoke.

“Fine. Suit yourself, Sweet Pea. Just know that you’ve gotta make it up to me somehow.” He said, wrapping an arm around your waist.

You quickly pulled away and started cleaning your glasses on your sweater.

“What, so you just ain’t gonna say anything?”

You looked up. “How am I supposed to respond to that?”

He leaned in to your face, real close. “You’re supposed to fuck me, right?”

At this your breathing hitched. Like, really, dude? Gee, way to make you swoon.

You scoffed and looked around. Nobody was outside to help you. Your heart was now pounding. “No, I’m not screwing you.” You shoved his arm off of you once more and stormed back into the cafeteria, sitting down across from Jonathan, and now Nancy and Steve.

“(Y/N), what was that all about?” Jonathan asked you.

“What was what about?” Nancy asked.

You and Jonathan shared a look. You stole a fry from Jonathan’s plate and said, “Nothing,” before shooting Jon a glance that said, “We’ll talk later.” He nodded.

Nancy and Steve looked at each other, confused.

That night, you drove to the Wheeler house with Dustin and watched as he got out of the car. The entire time from when you picked him up from school until now was filled with ranting about MadMax, about how nobody else dressed up, and about how Mike and Lucas were bickering before school about who was who in their Ghostbusters group.

You parked your car and got out, dressed in your last-minute costume that Dustin had forced you to get.

You took an old dress of your mother’s--a long, red dress with long sleeves, cut the dress to be a decent length, added a strip of black around the neckline and the hem, and finally you ironed on an iconic Starship Enterprise logo.

You pulled on a pair of tall black boots, teased your hair into a bun for the gods, and put on some “groovy” makeup to finish the look.

“There, you happy now, Little Dude?”

You had asked Dustin. He clapped his hands together excitedly. “Yes! I am! You’ve finally gotten into the Halloween spirit!”

You got out of your car and spotted Jonathan. You waved, and he got out of his car. Upon seeing your costume, Jonathan’s face broke into a grin. “Wow, how long did it take your mom to convince you to wear that?”

You glared at him. “It was Dustin. I felt bad about the MadMax thing and let him dress me up. He picked Lieutenant Uhura.”

Jonathan laughed. “Well you look nice.” He paused and the two of you watched the kids interact. “You’re a really great sibling, (Y/N).”

You smiled, seeing the curly-haired dork annoy the others with his Chewbacca impression. “I try my best. He’s an idiot, but I love him.”

Jonathan gave you a sideways glance. “You still have to tell me what happened at school. I mean, when you came back your cheeks was all red and your eyes were all watery and-” he must have noticed you had trained your focus onto tugging down your skirt in an effort for it to cover more, for he stopped and said, “sorry.”

“So… Dustin is making me stay with him for at least an hour-”

“(Y/N)!” You were cut off by your little brother.

“Yeah, Little Dude?”

“You can go!”

You and Jonathan shared a smile. “R-Really, Dustin? You don’t want me to-”

“No no! If Jonathan’s not staying you don’t have to.”

You smiled. “Thanks, kid.”

“Want a ride to the party? Nancy and Steve are already there, I think.”

You looked at your parked car, sitting in front of the Wheeler household. “I’ll get my car later. Sure. Thanks, Jon.” He nodded with a small smile.

The two of you got into Jonathan’s car, but he didn’t start it up right away. He sat there, looking at you, clearly waiting for you to tell him what happened.

You sighed. “You know that new guy, Billy Hargrove?” He nodded. “Well he and I went out on a date the night of his first day at school.”

Jonathan scowled. “What? Why?” You bit your lower lip and didn’t say anything, but he understood. “Oh. Steve.” You nodded. “So what happened at lunch?”

“He was being a dick. So I got mad at him. But I… I feel like… I feel like he’s the only way to get my mind off Steve,” you said, your brows furrowed and your eyes focused again on tugging down your skirt, even though you were sitting down.

This was when Jonathan noticed your tick. Well, not really a medical tick, but a nervous habit you had whenever you were uncomfortable. The two of you still didn’t know each other very well, but he just acquired a bit more knowledge about you. Then he noticed you exhibited your “tick” quite often. Whenever Steve said something cute to Nancy, you were tugging on your sleeves in an effort to make them longer, or adjusting your shirt to heighten the collar. You were trying to hide.

“Well if it’s hurting you it’s not worth it.” He said after a bit of silence, finally starting up the car as well.

“But I think it’s hurting me more without Billy.”

“Listen, (Y/N). I don’t like Billy. He seems like an asshole. So I’m gonna advocate for you to stay single, or at least to stay away from him. But I can’t really stop you… so just…” He glanced at you, nodding briefly and saying, “Be careful, yeah?” before looking back at the road.

You blinked and reached to push your glasses up before remembering that it was once of the (very few) times you were wearing contacts.

“Yeah. I will.”

When Jonathan pulled up to the party, the first thing you noticed was the music. How could you not? I mean, you heard it from nearly two blocks away. The next thing you noticed were the people. There were so many people, way more than you were used to being around at one time.

The two of you got out of the car and went inside, sticking together and looking around for Nancy.

“That’s how you do it, Hawkins! That’s how you do it!” You heard someone yell as they entered in behind you. People were chanting his name. You smelled the now familiar scent of cigarette smoke and and a new scent--the unmistakable scent of beer--waft your way. You felt an arm sling around your waist as the person slurred a, “Hey, Sweet Pea. Glad you could make it. You look… hot.”

You lost Jonathan in the crowd as Billy pulled you somewhere, the two of you flanked by his goons. “We got ourselves a new keg king, Harrington.” Shit.

You looked up and saw Nancy and Steve talking, leaning against a wall, dressed in a couple’s costume. Of course. Billy’s friends got in Steve’s face about the keg, but the two of them were watching you. You had Billy’s arm around your waist, and you just realized that someone shoved a red solo cup filled with… something… into your hand. Steve took off his sunglasses as Nancy walked away, an annoyed look on her face.

Steve was about to say something when Nancy took off. He saw her walk away, and he looked at you and shrugged, before following her.

“Yeah, that’s right, Harrington. Walk away.” One of the guys standing with you and Billy said.

“Hey, uh, what’s in this?” You asked Billy, swirling your drink around in your cup. The red liquid was opaque, and it reeked of alcohol.

“Some guys are calling it ‘Pure Fuel.’ I call it bullshit. Let’s get you a real drink.” Billy said, taking your cup. You watched on as he took a bottle of Fireball whiskey from someone and filled your cup with it, cutting it with some Surge energy drink. He handed it to you. “It’s a new kind of whiskey. The brand came out this year, I think. But whatever, it’s good as shit, so drink it.”

You took a sip and immediately started stifling a cough. “Oh… shit.”

Billy smirked. “Yeah.”

You looked over and saw Steve and Nancy dancing amidst the crowd, then Nancy pulled Steve in for a kiss. You felt your chest tighten and you turned back to Billy. You grabbed his wrist and led him to sit on the kitchen counter, right near Nancy and Steve. You didn’t know what you were doing; the alcohol that you had now downed had made you mind fuzzy.

From Jonathan’s point of view, he just saw you straddling Billy, kissing him right where you knew Nancy and Steve would see you. But it didn’t make sense to him, since he knew your goal was never to make them jealous. Why would it make them jealous? Nancy didn’t like Billy and Steve… Steve didn’t like you.

It was just something dumb you had thought up. But when Jonathan saw you, he went over to you and Billy and pulled you off of him. You stumbled a bit, and he noticed your eyes were hazy.

“(Y/N), come on. You’re really drunk. How many drinks have you had?”

“I just asked Billy to keep ‘em coming. A-And he did. So…” Your speech was slurred, and Billy was drumming his fingers on the tile that he was sitting on, clearly impatient. “You can go now, Johnny. Go find Nance!”

Jonathan got closer to you and dropped his voice so Billy couldn’t hear him. “Listen, (Y/N). I really think you should come with me-”

“Jonathan, you said you’d let me get my mind off of Steve. So let me.”

You could see the cogs working in Jon’s head while he weighed out the different scenarios that could happen. “Fine.” He said finally. “It’s just a party. I’m taking you home tonight, though. Promise?” You nodded.

You looked back at the crowd where Nancy and Steve just were, but you saw that they had moved to the drink table again. They were arguing over something, and within a second Steve and Nancy had managed to spill her drink all over her top. You just stood there, silently watching, before Billy clapped a hand onto your shoulder. “Serves him right. Fuckin’ ‘King Steve’ bullshit.”

You turned back around and saw Billy standing now, right up behind you. You pressed your lips to his as the crowd’s mood rose again, matching the music of Depeche Mode in the background.

A few minutes passed, and you were still with Billy, drinking and dancing, drinking and kissing, drinking and… well, drinking. Right when something by Kim Wilde came on, you were shoved into Billy’s chest by someone trying to get through the crowd. You turned around and saw Steve, scowling, pushing his way through everyone.

“Billy, I’ll… be right back.”

You followed Steve outside and watched as he got into his car. He wasted no time in peeling away from his parking spot and leaving.

That was when you knew this night was going to take a turn for the worse.

You turned around and saw Jonathan leaving with Nancy stumbling next to him. “Hey, is everything okay?” You called out, running--you didn’t know how you managed not to trip on the way--up to them. Jonathan was helping Nancy into the passenger seat of his car. “You’re my ride home, Jon. A-Are we leaving? ‘Cause I’ll go tell Billy and-”

Jonathan closed Nancy’s door and scratched the back of his neck. “Listen, (Y/N). I need to take Nancy home.”

“B-But my car is parked in front of her house. Can’t you-”

“I need to help her. She’ll barely be able to get to her doorstep, much less to her room without her parents noticing.”

“Jon, I can help-”

“Just… Billy can take you home, right?”

You tugged at your collar. “O-Oh. Yeah. Yeah, I guess he-”

“Great. Perfect. Thanks, (Y/N).” He said, before getting into his car and shutting the door. You smiled slightly and waved at him through his window, watching him drive away, into the dark night.

You stood there, unsure of how to get home.

You lived kind of far away, and your car was far away, too. Your feet would kill you if you walked. You didn’t want to ask Billy, because you knew he’d try to make some sort of disgusting move on you beyond kissing. You couldn’t call your mom and let her know you had left Dustin alone. You knew Dustin would be home and asleep by now, and there was no way he could even help you. You couldn’t ask someone at the party to drive you home, since you didn’t really know anyone there, and you didn’t trust anyone enough to spend time in their car with them, drunk and alone.

You didn’t know what to do.

So you took off your shoes, tears welling in your eyes, and started walking home.

Tag List (let me know if I forgot you or if you want to be added!)

@alonewolfsblog . @harringtonwife . @highly-uncomfortable-titles . @lilithmouse . @lovingcupcake51002 . @natpete . @slythergirlimagines . @whataloadofmalarkey

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abitscrewyvinn · 5 years

Text

A Guide to The Phantom Of The Opera songs

Prologue: This entire show is a flashback some old guy is having.

Overture: Oh look, a chandelier. Carlotta interruptus.

Trumpeting Elephant: My ears are bleeding now. Thanks, Carlotta.

Think of Me: Carlotta gets upstaged by a schizophrenic ballerina.

Angel of Music: Meg is afraid her best friend is fucking crazy.

Little Lotte/Mirror: Insert alternative love interest here.

The Phantom of the Opera: So is Phantom mind controlling her or do he just got mad goth game?

Music of the Night: Soft seduction followed by incredibly rude, loud organ interruption.

I Remember/Stranger than you Dreamed: Christine wakes up in a fucking sewer and doesn’t seem that fucked up about it.

Magical Lasso: Creepy stage crew guy freaks out the kiddos and gets told off by the woman totally not working with Phantom.

Notes: Fuck, we need money.

Prima Donna: Fuck, Carlotta is how we got money and she wants to leave.

Poor Fool: They disobey the Phantom. Shenanigans (and death) ensue.

Why Have You Brought Me Here: Christine are y o u o k a y ? ?

All I ask of You: Insert love ballad here

All I Ask Of You Reprise: Phantom is sad Christine has a different love interest.

Entr’Acte: Intermission time lads

Six Months Later: Ayyy waddup the theater owners are gay and throwing a big gay party.

Masquerade: We spent all our budget on the costumes for this song. There’s also always that one guy just fucking about as a jester creature we don’t know how he got in here.

Why So Silent: Phantom crashing ur big gay party to be rapey. Oh and he wrote a new opera and he’s gonna kill people unless you do what he wants.

Notes 2: FUCK.

Twisted Every Way: Christine obviously doesn’t want to fucking perform but doesn’t have the idea to just go find a job somewhere the fuck else.

Wishing You Were Somehow Here Again: Christine’s depressed because her dad is dead.

Wandering Child: Phantom heard you were depressed and is here to slide into your dms and ask for nudes.

Bravo Monsieur: Christine’s boyfriend is here to cock block the Phantom again.

The Point of No Return: Christine got kidnapped and now he’s holding her hostage. For some reason she's just like yeah this is fine.

Down Once More: Christine’s boyfriend tries to cockblock again and almost dies instead. Christine finally calls him out for being a weird stalker but kisses him anyway because fuck it I guess.

Track Down This Murderer: Angry Mobs R Us, the Phantom has depression, but the protagonists are trauma bonded now.

#Theater #the phantom of the opera #Musicals #Musical jokes #Musical memes #theater memes #theater jokes #I'm a nerd

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borusawa · 5 years

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1 new message

A/N: So, recently I decided to do a fic with chapters and this is all new to me but I’m excited. The name is “1 new message” and I’ll post on ff.net and wattpad as well (and you’ll find the link in my masterlist soon).

Beta reader: @abbypdg (thank u, you’re an angel)

Warnings: there’s some cursing in this chapter but the book as a whole is mature content.

Word count: 3,692

Chapter 1 >

PROLOGUE

The library was full of pretending. Students pretending they cared for the finals next week, the librarian pretending as if his job wasn't terrible and I, pretending that the way Boruto was looking and smiling at me from time to time wasn't affecting me at all and it was actually bothering.

"Why are you smiling that way?" I said with an annoying tone without removing my sight from the notebook in the table right in front of me.

"Nothing." He smiled again turning himself to be facing me. "You look cute when you're fully concentrated like that."

I couldn't avoid blushing but I tried my best to not let him see the pink shade spread all over my face. I should be accustomed to his usual compliments by now but how could I do it when he always did that with his perfect smile and blue eyes staring back at me? I don't blame myself for these feelings, they were totally his fault.

"You are way cutter trying to hide your blush from me, Uchiha." He sat straight again and his comment made me blush even more. So he knew what I was doing? Like reading my mind he said: "I know you too well not to notice what you're trying to do."

I turned to him completely surprised only to see he was already focused on his own notebook. Oh, yeah. That reminded me, I should be studying, not talking. That thought brought me back to my tracks. It was peaceful for a while despite all the people filling the room we were, their whispers becoming louder when grouped with others whispers. All I should think of was this big test I was going to have on Friday, also known as tomorrow. I was pissed at my teacher for giving a test on a Friday but the other option was Monday so basically there are evils that come for the good. Finishing this test in peace meant study slash gossip party with my girls all weekend and I was up to that. There were a lot of things I needed to talk to them about, some of them even related to the man right beside me. Boruto. Sometimes the reason of my happiness, sometimes the reason of my sadness but always the reason of my confusion. What did he feel for me? Was I just a friend? That would make no sense. Did he even notice the way I had been acting around him lately? I was trying hard to act normally and I hoped it was working because I did not want for him to find out, at least not before I felt ready, that is. Why was I thinking about him anyway? The test tomorrow, that's what I should be thinking about. As soon as I tried to focus again one of the kids in the library started to scream and laugh really loud with his friend, getting pissed looks from everyone around. The librarian didn't care enough to stop them because, as I said before, his job sucks and he knows it. Someone grabbed my wrist and I immediately looked for the source of the touch.

"We should leave, here's so crowded that we won't get any study properly with all the noise."

As soon as I nodded, Boruto started to pack his stuff and so did I. "Where will we go then?" I asked without stop gathering my things.

"If it's okay to you we can go to my apartment... Shikadai won't be home till at least 9PM." He sounded cute and shy and I smiled at that. "I-I mean, only if you're okay with it." Again, shyness rising from his voice.

"It's okay."

He smiled back at me and stood up. "Okay, so we should be going."

I followed him to his car and noticed the parking lot was quieter than the library itself. God, I was happy to leave. Even happier because I was going to spend some time alone with my best friend. No dirty thoughts. At least I was avoiding the dirty thoughts at all costs. When we were getting close to his car, he hurried up to open the door for me. What the fuck is this guy doing to me? Ashamed, I accepted his gesture and entered the car. I watched his smile while he got on the driver sit, putting the seat belt on.

"You okay? Why are you staring me with that look in your eyes?"

"What? You wish. I'm not staring you." I switched my sight to the window and heard his laughter behind me. He started the car and we were on our way.

It wasn't a big distance between the library and his house so we only took a few minutes to get into his building. We stayed silent all the way, more like a comfortable silence or, better yet, a what-is-going-to-happen-now silence. Boruto and I were alone together all the time but never in our houses. There was always someone with us at that times, so it was technically the first time we were really going to be alone, like alone alone, not in a public place or with friends alone. And that was frightening for me, with my feelings and all. I knew I shouldn't be worrying about it because he was my best friend in the world but at the same time how could I not. He parked the car and we waited for the elevator, in silence still. Okay, now that was bothering me, I thought I should say something.

"So, where is Shikadai?"

"Oh" He said between giggles. "It looks like somehow his mother managed to discover he is smoking now and have been calling him ever since. He told her, of course by message, that he could not answer her calls because he was going to a trip." The elevator opened and we entered. He pressed his floor level before starting to talk again. "He is afraid as fuck of her getting here and makes him live a scenario where he will have to talk to her face to face, so he is out. I don't know exactly to where, though. Must be napping somewhere."

I laughed a lot at the story. "What did he thought? That she was never going to find out?"

Boruto smirked. "Yeah, pretty much."

Soon my laughs stopped and we fell in silence once again. Why is it being so weird?

The elevator door opened and we were finally inside his house. "Do you wanna a drink or something?" He threw the keys in a pot over a cabin right beside the door and placed his backpack on the floor, directing his pace to the kitchen while I sat shyly in the couch.

"No, nothing. Thanks."

"Come on, we're studying since 10AM and it's already 2PM, so you must be starving. We might as well eat before start studying again. Make yourself comfortable while I prepare something for us." I heard his shout through the wall separating us.

"You are forgetting that you don't know how to cook." I said I little louder than I used to talk so he could hear me on the other room.

He returned to the living room only to smirk at me with his arms crossed. "Then I guess I'll need your help."

Once I got on the kitchen I knew I could not stay there any longer without cleaning. "We are going to clean this before making food."

"But I'm too hungry to that." He made a puppy face. I crossed my arms. "I’m glad you agreed."

He knew there was no escape besides accepting his fate and we just cleaned the whole kitchen. At least the most we could. I was happy cleaning because, first, I could not let my friends live like pigs and second, there's no sexual tension when people are cleaning rests of food. Once we finished, everything was so clean that we only knew none of us had the courage to do anything to change its current state.

"Pizza it is?" he asked, although no questions were needed. "Totally."

Boruto took his phone to call the pizza’s place and that remind me of checking mine. Took me a while to find my phone between the papers and books on my bag, and when I looked at the screen I just knew something was wrong.

5 missed calls from Chocho

11 new messages

"Oh fuck."

Boruto stopped his phone talking and looked me. "What happened?" and I just showed him the notification. He smirked at the sight. "Something must have happened with one of the Kardashians." And with that, he restarted his complain to the phone. No, I want pepperoni. What do you mean you guys don't sell those?

Unlocking my phone, I started to read the messages.

11:34AM Chocho

GIIIRRL

11:34AM Chocho

I have something URGENT to tell you :O

11:45AM Chocho

Sarada, answer this phone.

12:17PM Chocho

WHERE THE HELL ARE YOU?

I called you a thousand times

already

12:17AM Chocho

I should change friend and roommate,

u r not helping me rn

12:18AM Chocho

I swear to god if u are with Boruto or Mitsuki

again I'll have to kick you from our apartment.

12:18AM Chocho

No, I won't, but I'll be pissed.

1:34PM Chocho

Okay, I'm getting worried. No normal person

stay this long without checking the phone for no

reason. Not even you.

3:26PM Chocho

Nothing? I'm calling the police.

3:36PM Chocho

So, I'm with Mitsuki and he doesn't have any

idea of where Boruto are either. Hope u r fuckin' :)

Now Chocho

(Photo)

I clicked on the picture and it was a cute photograph of my second favorite couple in the world, the first being my parents, obviously. Chocho was holding a hamburger in her hands and Mitsuki had the prettiest grin on his face with one hand holding the phone and the other arm around Chocho's shoulders. I smiled at them, even though they couldn't see it. I was so happy that they were finally together after a hell of a rollercoaster. I wonder when it will be my turn. I quickly typed her a message saying that I was alive, well, and with Boruto and that the picture she sent me was cute.

Boruto finished the call and sat right beside me. "They said we'll need to wait twenty minutes tops." I turned my phone so he could see the image I was smiling at. "They are great together, aren't they? I'm happy for them."

"Me too." was all I could say. "We should do something till the pizza get here, right?" I didn't want to be in silence with him again.

"What about watching Black Mirror? What was the last episode we watched?"

"The one with the girl with a camera in the eye and the crazy mother."

"Oh yes, that one." And suddenly the fact that he only had a television on his room fell upon us. "I figure it can be weird go to my room since we are totally alone. We don't need to-"

"No, it's okay by me." Of course it was 'okay' by me. I guess he shouldn't trust me.

We awkwardly walked to his room. I sat on the bed hugging his pillow with my arms and legs. He laughed at me and also sat at the bed. Again, not the first time we did it, but we never did it when no one else was home. Boruto easily found his remote and turned on the TV. "So, what are you up to these days?"

"Not much." I answered, watching him pick the show and getting closer to me. "What are you doing?"

"I want to lie down." He removed the pillow off my arms and placed his head on my lap. I knew it wasn't a meaningful act so I just started to run my fingers through his blond and soft hair. The show started, we stayed that way until the pizza guy arrived and Boruto answered the door. I started to follow him but the window caught my attention. It was getting dark outside, and we didn't study like we said we would.

My test was the next morning, so no postponing the review anymore.

"It's too late, Boruto. I should go home." He frowned his brows to me, holding the pizza box in his hand while closing the door with his feet. "And we didn't study at all. Our test is tomorrow, we're gonna regret this."

"No, you don't need to leave. I promise you we're going to study after the pizza, I swear. And then I can take you home." I smiled at the last sentence. I loved when people gave me a ride.

"Okay. But know that I'm staying for pizza and the ride." I deadpanned.

"You're not staying for me, I got it." He walked to his room.

"Well, you're the one who paid for the pizza and will give me a ride so... It's kinda for you if you think about it."

I press play on the show and we start eating. "This pizza is good. Where is it from?"

"There's a pizza place two blocks away that opened recently. I don't know if you noticed yet." He kept talking but I lost my composure and just stared at him unblinking, admiring his eyes and the way he smiled through his words. He called my name and then I woke up from my daydreaming to see his worried slash confused face.

"Sarada, are you okay? You spaced out for a moment."

"Yeah, yeah, I'm fine. You were saying?"

"Nothing important."

We finished the pizza without any further problems. Once we were done I took the remote and turned off the TV. "Now, let’s study." Boruto frowned but moved from his bed to his table. I sat on the floor with the books over his bed.

I was mostly reading my notes from the rest of the semester and thinking about how I truly couldn't wait for the summer vacation to start. All of our friends were planning to drive to the beach and stay some days at uncle Naruto's beach house. He said it was okay since he haven't used it for a while, but warned us about the possibility of it being a little dirty. We were aware that probably it wasn't 'a little' but everyone was too excited to worry.

Boruto motions his notebook in front of me. "Sarada, I'm struggling a little here. Can you help me?"

"Sure, come here." I waited for him to place himself on my side. I put my head above his shoulder so I could see the problem but he never started talking. I lifted my sight to ask him what was going on, only to see that he was facing me. I looked right into his eyes while he looked into mine. We were only centimeters apart, I could feel his warm breath on my face. Our sudden proximity got me motionless and I couldn't stop wondering if he was also holding the urge to lean into a kiss.

"Boruto, I'm home" Guess we will never know. Shikadai's voice filled the house and Boruto and I broke apart, both blushing hard. Shikadai soon appeared at the room’s door. "Sorry, I didn't know you were here, Sarada."

"It's okay." I moved my sight to Boruto. "I think we should stop studying anyway. Will you give me that ride?" I stood up fixing my clothes, and both Boruto and Shikadai stared at me; confusion drawn in his faces. "What?"

"Is it because I got home?" Shikadai asked unsure.

Flustered, I answered him shooking my head. "Noooo, of course not. It's just late and we gotta sleep well for our test tomorrow, right Boruto?"

"Yeah, I guess. We can go, then." He blushed and things got weirder. I left the room first and Boruto trade some word with Shikadai before catching my pace.

The car ride to my home was even more awkward than it was earlier that same day. After all, what was that? Everything was fine before that moment. And why was he blushing? I had a lot of questions floating in my head and I only noticed I was home when he stopped the car.

"So..." He started.

"So?" we looked blankly at each other. He wanted to say something but started measuring if that was the right moment to say whatever that was in his mind. I decided for him. "Thanks for the day, see you tomorrow." I left the car with no more words.

Sincerely I could not take anymore more minute thinking about him when he was right beside me. I don't know, it felt weird, like if I was hiding something from him. Indeed, I was hiding but still, I didn't enjoy that feeling. I totally chickened out and I knew it, and I was sure I would hide that part when I told my day to Chocho. When did I become a liar? I waved him from outside the car and waited his car to disappear from my sight before entering my building. I knew I was overthinking a lot but... What was that?

The lights were all turned on in my apartment and the first thing I saw was a blue haired guy underneath a beautiful girl, both faces glued on one another. “...hi?” They stopped the making out session to look at me. Mitsuki waved me with his weird smile plastered on his face. Chocho only took a glimpse at my presence before turning to her boyfriend again. “You guys know you could like, be doing this in her room, right?”

“Yes, we know, thanks.” Chocho said between kisses. Then she leaned to kiss his neck, leaving Mitsuki free to talk to me.

“How are you, Sarada? I heard you were with Boruto.”

I started to move to my room. I sure loved them and the fact that they were together, but did I deserve to watch their make out session? No. Touching my room’s handle, I decided to answer Mitsuki. “Yes, whatever.”

That must’ve clicked a bottom on Chocho gossip side, so she stopped what she was doing to approach me. “Girl what happened?”

That’s what I want to know. “Nothing.”

“Why are you so moody? Something must have happened.” She stared Mitsuki for a brief moment, sadness in her eyes. “I’m sorry, baby, we continue some other day, okay?” She walked him to the door.

“Please not in the living room.” I said. Chocho sent me and annoyed look and Mitsuki only smiled. They hugged and kissed while I waited Chocho to finish saying goodbye to her boyfriend.

As soon as she closed the door behind, her gaze fixed on me. “Nothing must be good because I just ditched my boyfriend to hear you.”

“To be fair, I didn’t ask you.”

“...Out loud, I know what’s in your head no words needed.” Oh, I knew that. “Come on, sit here with me.” She motions for me to sit by her couch. I leave my bag on the floor and pace till the place she pointed. I sighed.

I explained the whole day to her, of course avoiding the ride part, and she listened carefully, not even making any question. “So, that was it. Maybe I’m seeing too much into things and rushing and it was actually not meant to be anything but I’m confused.”

“Maybe you are. You will need to ask him.”

“No way I’m asking him anything.” I shook my head. “I won’t. That’s a fucking no.”

“No cursing allowed in this house, girl. You don’t need to be direct, just ask him about his feelings. You guys are friends and your ask won’t be weird.”

“I guess so...” I looked around the house and noticed a purple figure missing. “Off topic, where is Sumire? Shouldn’t she, like, be here to avoid that kind of lascivious behavior I spotted in our living room?” Our third roommate was generally the quiet and prude kind, the one that kept me and Chocho under watch, saving us from ourselves most of the time.

“First, who the hell says ‘lascivious’? Are you eighty? Second, she’ll be staying at her boyfriend’s tonight.”

My mouth dropped open in total disbelief. “She is what now? And what?”

“You didn’t know about that? Do you still live in this house with us?” Chocho crossed her arms and raised her brows completely pissed.

Oh no, she’s in the mood. I tried to change the subject as fast as I could. The truth is I had been spending too much time with Boruto lately. “So, have you met him already? Does he treat her well?”

“No and I don’t know. She is hiding him from us because she is afraid we will discover something sick about his past. Where did she get that from?” I was pretty sure the “us” was added by Chocho herself.

I giggled. “I don’t know, maybe from her last three boyfriends.”

“Hey, she should be thankful for what we found out, they were trash. Or did she want to marry someone who had a YOLO tattoo?”

“I still don’t know how you found out about that.”

“Girl, I have my methods. Don’t question them, just follow the flow.”

A quick glance at my phone made me notice how late it actually was. “Anyway, time sure flew by today. I’ll have a test early tomorrow so I’ll better be going.”

“Okay, don’t forget that I’m here anything.” I smiled and Chocho smiled back. I knew she would.

...

I usually was a morning person. Seeing the sun rise was something that I loved but I couldn’t give me that lux that day. I woke up 7AM with my alarm buzzing like crazy. But when I took my phone, there was a notification. Who could it be that early in the morning? I got up putting my glasses and unlocking my phone. It was Boruto.

3:23AM Idiot

We gotta talk. Wait for me if you finish

the test first, ‘kay?

#borusara #borutoxsarada #borusarafics #boruto #sarada uchiha #naruto next generation #mitsucho #shikadai #borusara au

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skia-oura · 6 years

Text

Orange Lilies 12/12

A/N: Here we are, at the conclusion. Thank you all for taking this journey with me!

Prologue // Previous

Ao3

What comes after.

Epilogue

Tommy Hangar, while late-night dusting, absentmindedly turned on the TV to a ‘breaking news’ report about some disaster in Kabul. She paid it little mind—it was just for background noise, after all—until she heard the magic phrase, “Alcor the Dreambender,” and then suddenly she was Very Invested in this cover story. Tommy dropped the Everlasting Handheld Dustmop (also known as a rag with a bunch of spells in it in order to make it hardier and better at dusting) and stared for a moment before she recovered her wits.

“Hon,” she called out, easing onto the couch like she was afraid it might bite, gaze focused on the screen on the wall showing a couple of well-dressed reporters. “Hon, you want to see this!”

“I’m in the bathroom!” Filara’s voice was muffled by the door and distance between them. Tommy reached out with one finger and slid the volume up on the television unit.

“…see, the damage to the city was located in a somewhat economically depressed sector just east of the main downtown center. It seems to have started in this block of rented townhomes, as you can see from the aerial shot provided by first responders to the scene.”

“Then hurry pissing and get out there, you want to see this!” Tommy yelled.

“It’s a number two!” Tommy heard, but shortly after there was the sound of the toilet unit being flushed. Tommy leaned forward, her elbows on her legs, and stared at the devastation depicted even as the news anchors described it.

“Shockwaves were reported at 3:26 local time to a nearby fire station from a location nearly a kilometer away from the epicenter. Shortly after, several buildings shook as though an extended earthquake event was occurring. Pedestrians were thrown from their feet, and some were crushed under collapsing walls that were torn apart by the force of the blows exchanged between two demonic forces. As we said earlier, one of the two demons was positively identified to be Alcor the Dreambender.”

On the screen, buildings were partially to fully collapsed the closer they were to the epicenter, a partially still-standing block of townhomes. One of them had a hole in the roof, from what Tommy could see before the view faded back to the two anchors, faces stern. Down the hall, the bathroom door opened.

“That’s correct, Penny,” the centaur said, their tail swishing behind them in what Tommy thought might be agitation. “Several consulting demonologists on the second-response team were quick to point out that not only was Alcor the Dreambender participating in a fight, but his opponent was another rather strong demon titled Lilith. From what we understand, the battle lasted perhaps three minutes above Kabul before being relocated to the nearby Hindu Kush mountains, but the consequences of the short encounter were huge for Kabul.”

“All right, what do I have to see?” Filara asked, reaching over the back of the couch and pressing a kiss to Tommy’s neck. Tommy shivered and reached up to curve her hand along Filara’s cheek.

“Just watch,” Tommy said. Filara hummed, then did that thing where she just climbed over the back of the couch instead of walking around to the other side like a normal person. Tommy sighed, and adjusted so that she could lean against Filara, her chin hooking into the valley of Filara’s shoulder.

“So far, almost five hundred residences and places of work have been labeled non-viable, just over fifty have been found dead, and a further ninety six people have been injured. Experts estimate that there should be another one hundred casualties, though they differ in opinion on how many of these casualties should be fatal or simply injured.”

Filara hummed. “This is awful, but why should I be seeing this?”

“Shh,” Tommy said, patting Filara’s stomach.

On screen, the centaur’s human companion nodded gravely. She picked up a data pad, glanced down at it, and then addressed the camera. “While it is historically one of the less traumatic incidences of fighting between Alcor and other demons, experts say to exercise caution. According to these experts, Alcor’s reemergence after such a long period of inactivity is something to watch. Please do not attempt to summon Alcor the Dreambender, as you will be putting your life as well of the lives of everybody around you at risk.”

“Oh,” Filara said. She rubbed her hand down Tommy’s side. “Ah. I see.”

“Unsurprisingly, when looking at historical cases such as the event that caused the formation of the Californian Federation over two millennia ago, this demonic encounter also made big changes to the environment. Mishana, take it away.”

The centaur nodded. “Of course. It seems that, from initial reports, that the massively toxic Kabul river has somehow been purified of said dangerous toxins. The river has never been clearer. This footage, of the site where experts are nearly certain the remainder of the demonic encounter took place, will show you this odd phenomenon currently taking place.” The camera shifted to pan a view of what looked like it was a normal mountain range just a while ago, but now was some kind of weird freaky smooth melted-stone valley. The hair on the back of Tommy’s neck stood up just looking at it. She got further goosebumps at the way the river changed from murky and viscous to clear and quick at one point near the far end of the valley.

“Well,” Filara said. “I’m not sure I ever want him in my house again, nice as it was to talk to him.”

“Don’t think we have any kind of choice,” Tommy said, quietly. She stared at the screen. “And, well, as fucking awful as that horror shit looks, it can’t be all bad? I mean, the river’s so clear you could probably peep through it and see somebody changing on the other side.”

Filara huffed. “Yes, romantic, way to remind me of how we met.”

“Accident,” Tommy drawled. She had let Filara know that her windows should probably be dimmed, just in case, and by the way that was a cute mole she had on her butt. “Also, this house is in one piece, right? And so are we? And that little kiddiwink hangs around him. Could be worse.”

On the screen, the news agency showed videos of the destruction in the mountains next to ones of the devastation in Kabul proper. Filara sighed. “Could be worse indeed.”

Pandemonium Server: “Sigil_Works”

General Channel

Karl Svinhish 7:39 AM

Posting in all channels: Just as a reminder to all personnel, today is a half-day! Please only work three hours of your six. If you work more, we will know. We will find you. You will go home at some point.

Ennis Hart 7:41 AM

lol what u gonna do, u can’t stop us from thinking at home, we got shit to get done and thru before the Terminator comes back

also u don’t gotta do that in all channels smh

Karl Svinhish 7:41 AM

We cannot stop you from doing anything outside of the workplace, but please be reminded that as Thinktank department personnel, our insurance does not cover you for any sigil work done outside the premises!

Sally Minh 7:42 AM

wait, mr. farkas is back??

Ziyi Zhang 7:42 AM

Wait what??? My favorite????? Where was he????????

Ennis Hart 7:42 AM

how the shit is bentley farkas, destroyer of dreams and rejecter of perfectly good plans, your fav

Ziyi Zhang 7:43 AM

Bentley Farkas is a God among Mortals and you should not profane his name like this

Sally Minh 7:44 AM

honestly, mr. farkas is Sigils Goals

Anish Wellington 7:44 AM

Do we know what happened to him? He was kidnapped, right?

Lucas Onderon 7:45 AM

yall are loud way too early in the morning. go away morning people

Ennis Hart 7:45 AM

yeah he kidnapped i think?? i think sally took that phone call

also lucas turn us on mute if you want to sleep

Lucas Onderon 7:46 AM

But now were talking about the mysterious mister farkas I need to put in my two cents

Sally Minh 7:47 AM

yes, the police said that there had been an incident and that it looked like mr. farkas had been the victim of some kind of kidnapping, and had officially been listed as a missing person. they only told me because literally nobody else was at work.

Anish Wellington 7:48 AM

Thank you Sally. I will be sleeping again but if there are any updates, please tag me.

Sally Mihn 7:48 AM

Ok!

Lucas Onderon 7:48 AM

and that is that benny boy might act super nice and be super smart and all that shit, but he got a stick up his ass and needs to chill out instead of freaking out over every single proposal we send him. hed gotten unbearable after minhaj left.

Ziyi Zhang 7:49 AM

#internlife

also u know that @BentleyFarkas is in this chat, right?? He’s going to see all of this.

Lucas Onderon 7:50 AM

hes nerver in here nayways

lkadjklwj

*never in here anyways

Karl Svinhish 7:50 AM

Please refrain from being rude! We do not tolerate bullying and rudeness in this chat, especially when those being bullied have been kidnapped and recently escaped said kidnapping!

Ennis Hart 7:51 AM

holy shit wait he escaped?? Not police action or whatever??

Sally Minh 7:51 AM

Is he okay?

Ziyi Zhang 7:52 AM

yeah is he ok? Any deets?

Lucas Onderon 7:52 AM

Bentley ‘gives in to puppy dog eyes’ farkas actually escaped? What?? you cant just leve it at that

*leave

@BentleyFarkas explain

Karl Svinhish 7:53 AM

Leave him alone! He is recovering, and will be on indefinite leave of absence.

Lucas Onderon 7:53 AM

Paid???

Karl Svinhish 7:53 AM

There is the possibility that he will be working remotely!

Ennis Hart 7:54 AM

But u said we cant take work home???? insurance doesn’t cover outside work premises????

Karl Svinhish 7:54 AM

That’s for the Thinktank department! Bentley Farkas has been consistently attentive to detail and is one of the leading minds in this field, and as such we have entered negotiations with our insurance agency.

Ziyi Zhang 7:56 AM

why you hatin? bentley farkas is a god of sigils. i would say more but bentley is in this server.

Ennis Hart 7:56 AM

U don’t see him in thinktank do u

Sally Minh 7:56 AM

bc hes too good for thinktank

Bentley Farkas 7:57 AM

That’s bc Im too good at practics 4 u

Lucas Onderon 7:57 AM

bc hes overrated is what and thinktank knows that

Ziyi Zhang 7:57 AM

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! BENTLEY??!??!!??!?

Sally Minh 7:58 AM

mr. farkas???

Lucas Onderon 7:58 AM

holy shit

Bentley Farkas 7:59 AM

The rumors of my death were highly exaggerated. but im only saying that im alive and have my hands on a phone. i probs wont be coming back to work for a while. working things out.

Ennis Hart 7:59 AM

send us a pic or ur an imposter

Karl Svinish 8:00 AM

Please don’t feel pressured to do anything Bentley! We’re with you all the way. Also please send me the documents we discussed yesterday as soon as possible.

Bentley Farkas 8:00 AM

It’s ok, promise not to scream.

IMG_59703

Ziyi Zhang 8:00 AM

@AnishWellington GET BACK IN HERE HOLY SHIT

WHAT THE FUCK BENTLEY

“Hey, this is Torako Lam! Leave a text for me after the beep, unless you’re my dads, in which case leave me a VM so that I can hear your voices! Have a great day, and stay cool.”

-beep-

“Hey Tora, this is your dear old Dad! Just calling in to check and see how you’re doing. You missed our weekly call yesterday. I know that Bentley going missing has been a big blow, and I’m worried about you. Please call me back! If nothing else, I can sort of keep you company for a bit. Love you lots!”

-beep-

“Torako, is everything okay? You haven’t responded to my texts or your Father’s. Your workplace said that you were on suspension. I just want to make sure that you’re doing all right. Tyrone hasn’t answered his phone either, and Bentley is obviously out of the question. Please call us back. Any time is okay, even at a god-awful hour in the morning. Love you so much, bye.”

-beep-

“Torako, this is Mama. Your Father called me, said that your Dad and he hadn’t heard from you at all lately? What’s up with that darling? They’re getting frightened that you’re dead. I told them that that’s nonsense, you’re far too tough for that. Your Father and I made you, after all! Then again, we made you, so I am a very small bit worried. If you have some troubles you can’t tell your Dad or Father, you can tell me. I know I’ve been busy recently, but I can make time for you. Loves and smooches, your Mama.”

-beep-

“Torako, what’s going on?? It’s been a week, and all we’ve heard out of you is one solitary ‘I love you, I’m alive’ text. Which, thank you, but also that’s worrying! Are you in danger? Is Tyrone gone too? I tried talking to some of your old hurling friends, but none of them know where you are. I will get on a port to your apartment in the next day if you don’t respond. I love you, but please tell me that you’re okay! Goodbye.”

-beep-

“Yo, Tora, it’s Hana, long time no talk! So your Dad contacted me yesterday about you being like out of town or out of touch or something? And I’m a little concerned?? I heard from him that your life partner went missing, which is sad and also makes me worried about you. Are you okay? I’m here for you if you need me. Catch you later!”

-beep-

“Torako, this is Officer Akuapem. Hepsa has been getting better. They think she can return to work next month. I hope things are going well for you. We are continuing to investigate. There seems to be a lead into Canada. We have been tracing emails. Maybe you already know this; we had a report of a break and enter a few days ago. It was to someone we thought might be tied into the investigation. Please be careful. Don’t do anything stupid.”

-beep-

“Tora, this is Lata’s mom. She said something about seeing you last night! Thank you for following up on that message; you don’t seem to have received any of my texts, so I thought I would try my had at a VM. It’s been so long since I left one! Again, thank you very much. When you find Bentley, let him know he was missed! I hope he is okay. That’s all, thanks! Goodbye!”

-beep-

“What’s going on Torako? Why did you send me that cryptic message that you love me and that if you don’t message me again you failed? What are you failing? Are you doing something stupid? Please don’t do this Torako. Don’t do this to us. Please be safe. I love you. Be safe. Stay safe. We love you.”

-beep-

“This is your Father. Please be careful. Your Dad is worried sick. We love you. Stay safe. Come home soon.”

-beep-

End of messages. Do you want to delete these messages? Select yes, no, or other options.

Other options selected. Your options are: respond with call, respond via VM, respond via text, respond via film video, select and archive messages, forward mes—

Respond with call selected. Which messages would you like to respond to? Please select the releva—

Message “What’s going on Torako? Why—” selected. Sender: Dad. Time: 3 hours ago. Are you sure you want to select this message? Yes or—

Understood. Calling in three…two…one.

-ring-

-ri—

“Torako??!”

“Yo, hey Dad. Uh. Hi. How are you.”

“Torako?? Are you okay?? Where are you, what’s going on, is everything all right, what in the Fathomless Seas made you send such a frightening message?”

“So, funny story.” A laugh. “Not funny, but I’m more or less okay, only minimally hurt and traumatized. It’s fine. Also we’re outside right now.”

Silence.

“Outside??”

“Yeah, and uh,” Torako said, “Bentley’s been through shit and there’s some stuff we haven’t told you. So like. Yeah. Don’t scream when you come outside.”

Footsteps. “Scream, why would I scream?”

Opening door. Quick inhale, then the start of a scream before it is muffled behind a hand.

“I’ll explain everything, I promise,” Torako said. “Can we…come in?”

A pause. When spoken, the voice is a little strained. “Okay. Come in please.”

“Thank you, now let me just—” A click, and a dial tone that cuts out.

The study was large and well-lit by two giant windows. Their thin, magically reinforced glass panes somehow seemed to let in more sunlight than they should be capable of, like they were capturing brightness and magnifying it to a subtle degree. There was a slightly dusty off-white desk in front of the shorter window at the head of the room. Stacks of books and papers and tablets towered in neat, short little hills, and there was an old-fashioned ballpoint pen sat in the middle, near a clear space for the user to sit at and work. A pair of archivists gloves was nearby, and a desk lamp floated at one corner. At the other corner, there was a small vase with two bright orange lilies caught in stasis.

Runes flared along the edges of the ceiling, turning brighter and brighter until they burst in a small thunderclap of sound. The wallpaper tore, burned, and ash rained down on the formerly pristine room. It dotted the long red couch perpendicular to the desk in deceptively soft flakes, fragile and dangerous all at once. Flakes of burning wallpaper continued to fall down even as another presence filled the room, blacks and golds and browns and pale skin. Alcor the Dreambender cast his gaze about the room, face utterly still as he took it all in. The ash did not touch him. Nobody entered the room.

He blinked, long and languid, at the floor to ceiling storage shelves containing all matter of memorabilia and research materials. He stared out the window at the deep, endless ocean, waves crashing against the cliffs below. He set his eyes on the desk, inhaled, and then drifted closer. With one gloved hand, he picked up one of the stacked antique books—Gleeful, Silent, Ferocious—and looked through it, flipping the pages slowly. He paused on one and read it more carefully, then snorted. “They get the funniest ideas,” he said, and he shut the book, set it on the desk carefully.

Then he tilted his head at the tome. It had some wrong bits, but it wasn’t all that bad. There were a few that were decent, actually. Dipper tugged them from under the other stacks, sending them sliding down and across the desk. Torako would like them, he thought. And a couple were like, super rare, so if nothing else she could sell them online and get bank.

Alcor slid the books into his stomach, feeling a little sick at the memory of pulling the three of them out of him: Bentley unconscious and with a sluggish heartbeat, Torako wide-eyed and trembling and barely keeping it together, Haji freaked out beyond measure. He’d made a deal—those memories for the means to get out of Kabul and somewhere safe—but Torako had refused to, clutching Bentley to her with a wild, nearly feral look on her face. But they were safe, now. They were safe.

Though, Dipper thought as he considered exactly what he’d just done with the books, he’d still be careful about pulling them out in front of people. Maybe he wouldn’t pull them out in front of Bentley or Torako at all. Yes. That was the safest option. Torako’s dads would also possibly mind it if he extricated the books from his demonic bowels via tentacle too, thinking about it. Alone. Alone it was.

He then looked up at the splash of orange, the lilies in the crystal vase, spinning slowly midair. Alcor the Dreambender reached out, and his gloves melted away so that his bare fingers could touch the petals. Lurid. Bright. Beautiful.

If he’d gotten his hands on Fantino’s soul, they would have either been eaten, or would have suffered debilitating allergies to flowers for the next several lives.

Instead Dipper withdrew his fingers and looked at the flowers. Then, he reached out again, blue fire sparking along the channels of friction ridges in the pads of his fingers, and touched them. The fire sputtered, then flared, consuming the flowers and shooting down the line of magic tethering them to the desk. Dipper stared at it, looked through the desk to the manuscripts of new publications in progress, and smiled. The fire wouldn’t stop until the house burned down.

Dipper stayed a moment longer just to see the books and the desk and the tablets burst into flame, and then he blipped out of the study and its long, beautiful windows and its pristine pale features. The windows caught the light inside and amplified it, gently, subtly, to glow a soft blue that didn’t alarm the neighbors until it was too late for anything of Dr. Vallian Fantino to be saved.

The air was heavy with salt, enough that when Bentley opened his mouth and breathed he could taste it on his tongue. It was also heavy with the sound of the tide, crashing and crumbling and receding with the tide. This beach was empty because of the dangerously sharp rocks tumbling on the seafloor not even two meters in from the edge. Honestly, though, that suited Bentley just fine, early in the morning with the night coolness still clinging to the breeze. Bentley closed his eyes, and breathed it in.

It had been five days since they’d gone home, to Torako’s parents, and he still wasn’t tired of the feeling of natural air against his skin. He was tired of having to eat soft, bland food, and was tired of how odd it felt to go to the bathroom, but he wasn’t tired of being somewhere that rubbed against his skin and filled his chest with thrumming energy. He wasn’t tired of being able to refuse to go to a hospital, and instead have a hospital come to him.

He also wasn’t tired of the feeling of sand on his skin. Bentley smiled, and wriggled his feet deeper into the soft sand. When he opened his eyes, the residual magic of it glimmered, just enough to be noticed but not enough to be distracting. It was nice. It was okay. It would be okay.

Out further, where the sand became damp and the waves foamed with the force of their collisions, the water also glimmered, deep and dark like Dipper sometimes was. Bentley could see it now, more than ever: Dipper’s continuing influence on the islands, even after a long two millennia. It would have been something that explained how Dipper was able to hide his energy signature here so well. It would have been something Bentley’s Dad would have loved to know. Bentley set his face in his hands, his elbows on his knees, and looked out to sea.

“What would you have thought of all this?” Bentley wondered out loud. The wind picked at his short hair, his long sleeves and his pants, and he felt cold despite the relative warmth. He thought about Fantino, and said, “What do you think of me now?”

“What does who think of you now?”

Bentley stiffened, but let out a deep breath and looked up over his shoulder. “Torako,” he said, and the warmth inside him wasn’t fake even if his dumb brain wouldn’t let go of the fact he’d dreamed about her being mean. Ugh.

“Me? I think you’re pretty great,” she said, a crooked smile on her face. She dug her toes into the sand, sandals hanging from two hooked fingers. Bentley let out a fond, exasperated sigh.

“Thanks,” Bentley said. “I think you’re pretty great too. Most of the time, at least.”

Torako gasped and held her hand over her heart. “Only most of the time? Your conditional love wounds me.”

Bentley snorted. “Sit down already, you goof.”

She laughed and sat, legs stretching out, heels digging long trenches into the soft sand. Bentley watched how the morning sunlight glinted off the scars running root-like over her shins and calves, tangled and thin and innumerable. They too glimmered with magical byproduct. Everything glimmered these days, just about.

“Hey.” Torako nudged his shoulder with hers. “It’s not a big deal, doesn’t even hurt.”

“Because the doctors caught it in time to mitigate the damage, you mean.” Bentley shut out false memories of physical and emotional abuse and leaned into her. “Otherwise, you might have barely been able to walk because it would have hurt you so much.”

Torako hummed. “Eh.”

“Your bones had been shattered and then fused back together,” Bentley said. “You’re lucky it was fresh enough and magical enough that they could do a localized rewind on the bones.” Curses weren’t generally regarded as lucky, but in this case it was lucky that they could treat Torako’s leg as a curse.

“Not the end of the world.” Torako shifted her legs so that her ankles crossed. Sand clung, dry, to her toes. “Besides, it didn’t happen, I’m fine. It’s a non-issue at this point, unlike you.”

This time, Bentley gasped and held his hand over his heart. “I’m an issue?” He knew when to leave something alone, even if shattering and melting was pretty damn traumatizing in his book.

“Shut up, you’re not,” Torako said, grinning. She tousled his hair, and he hid a smile behind one hand at the familiarity. “No, I’m talking about what that place did to you—and don’t say it’s just cosmetic, you little shit.”

Back at you, Bentley thought but didn’t say. “I mean,” he said instead, waving a hand at his face, “It kind of is? I look very different, and the nurse that visited said there wasn’t anything physically wrong with me.”

“Pssh, I don’t need a nurse to tell that you’re also cold, like, all the time.” She pulled him closer and he let her, because he was cold and she looked very warm. “And you look at stuff funny sometimes, and you haven’t touched sigils since coming back, and the theft detector at the grocery store screamed at you going in. I think we need another specialist to come in to see you, actually.”

“Let’s not. Also, the detector wasn’t my fault.” Bentley frowned at the waves further out, not because they had done anything wrong but because the grocery store experience had been awful. He would have made the very bad decision of running away if Torako hadn’t been with him, and if she hadn’t been shaking herself. They’d ended up just going home and letting her dads do the shopping.

“Yes, that is true. But they never went off on you before, so that place absolutely did something to you. Somethings, even.”

Bentley took a deep breath. He closed his eyes, then gave her a little noncommittal hum and snuggled into her. She was warm, as he’d thought. Torako slid her hand into his. He listened to her heartbeat, steady against the backdrop of crashing waves. They curled further into each other in silence. Bentley ended up with his legs slung over the valley of her lap, head resting at the hollow of her collarbone, her chin nestled on top of his head. Her arms were secure around him. It was…nice.

He’d almost drifted off when she asked, “So what’s next?”

The first somewhat intelligible sound he made was “Huh?” It was also probably the third of fourth sound he’d made, the first few being byproducts of transitioning into clearer awareness. Somewhere in the distance, seabirds called out. The horn of a fishing boat sounded, the blare of it softened by space. Bentley let out a slow breath, content.

“What do we do now?” Torako asked. “Somehow, even if by some miracle I graduate, I don’t think that Officer Akuapem would support me entering the police force. And will you even go back to work? What do we—what happens, after the shit that we just went through?”

Bentley cracked his eyes open. Before him, the beach stretched on into the horizon, buildings rising out of it and pressing up, up into the sky. On the left was the sea, dark with crests of white, shimmering with sunlight and supernatural energy. “I’ve been considering it. Going back, I mean. But…”

Torako squeezed his hand, and waited for him to answer.

“Sigils are…hard.” Bentley looked at their hands, at his mismatched fingers interspersed between hers. “And I don’t think I’ll stay there forever. Plus, you’re higher priority. I’ll go wherever you need to.”

“No, silly, I go where you go.” She hugged him tighter. “You were in there a long time. You call the shots.”

“And you found me,” Bentley murmured. He shifted back so he could look her in the eyes, so that she knew how much she meant. How much she mattered. “You searched long and hard and found me. I wouldn’t have…” he stopped, suddenly filled with shame and guilt and horror. He looked away, to the sea.

Torako leaned forward to kiss him on the forehead. “You would have died,” she said. “You would have killed yourself.” Her voice shook a little when she said the words for him.

Bentley swallowed against the stiffness of his throat, because she was right, and because he couldn’t say it. He knew it, but he couldn’t say it.

“And that…” Torako took a deep breath. She pulled him back to her with soft but firm hands. “That really upsets me. Really. But you were—alone, and desperate, for so so long, so. I understand. It’s not okay but…I understand.”

He squeezed her hand, watched the waves crumble into the sand. Watched them pull back, and do it over, and over, and over.

“And we’re going to talk about that, as soon as you’re ready. First, though—what’s next? We can’t stay with my dads forever. Tyrone just about gives them a heart attack every time he shows up, I’m sure of it. They’re going to snap eventually.”

Bentley managed a short laugh. “Yeah.” He breathed in, then out, then in and asked, “What do you want?”

“Me?”

“Yeah,” he said. “I might be able to do remote work. So. What do you want?”

This time, Torako was silent, and Bentley waited.

“I don’t want to make you upset,” Torako said at length.

“You won’t.” Bentley turned and pressed his cheek to her collarbone.

She still hesitated. Birds called, the ocean sang a symphony, and somebody let out a jubilant shout for whatever reason, and Torako remained silent next to him.

Bentley shifted to press a kiss to her collarbone instead of his cheek, and then slid his forehead to the same spot. “I promise.” If he got upset, he’d get over it.

Torako let out a sigh of frustration. “Like, I miss it. Cult bashing. Parts of it, I mean, not everything. Being away from you sucked a lot.”

He hummed to let her know he was still listening.

“And I hate that you were missing. Like, even cult bashing, when I knew you were safe, I hated it. When I didn’t know? Hell. It was stressful, I was always tired, Dipper was a mess and I was a mess and everything was awful. Except, it kind of wasn’t. Looking back, there were parts I liked, you know?”

When she didn’t continue immediately, Bentley prompted, “Like?”

She nuzzled her nose into his hair. “Putting pieces together,” she murmured. “Not having all the bureaucratic tape to deal with. The thrill, sometimes. Imminent danger, not so much, but the adrenaline was…nice.”

This wasn’t upsetting at all, though Bentley could maybe see why she thought he would think so. He didn’t say that yet, though. “So what’s next then?”

There was a moment where all he heard from her was her breath, and then she asked, “You’re not upset?”

“No,” he said. “So, tell me—what’s next?”

“I,” she said. Then, she laughed and she tousled his hair again. “I asked you first, fishbrains! What’s next, huh, Bentley?”

“Hey!” He swatted at her hand and rolled off her lap to kneel next to her. She was smiling, hair still slightly damp from her morning shower, tank-top sliding off her right shoulder. Her eyes gleamed with something that wasn’t magic, but Bentley almost felt was. Fondness blooming gentle in him, he raised his hands and cradled her face between them. Her smile slipped, eyes wide, and she looked at him like he was the most amazing thing in the world.

He loved her, he realized again. He loved her like he wanted to spend the rest of his life with her. He didn’t love her like he wanted to engage in any kind of kissing, or groping, or even dating, but he wanted—he wanted. He wanted her with him for the rest of his life, and it was a realization that he’d made a long time ago but still didn’t know quite what to do with. Torako was—vibrant, and wonderful, and he’d long resigned himself to the possibility of another person wedging themselves between them, better and stronger. And maybe it wasn’t a healthy thought; pan trios, and quads, and even quints existed in the world, but something in him didn’t want another person. The rest of him knew that was selfish, and wrong, and that if Torako wanted to go, if she needed to go—he wouldn’t get in the way.

But by the seas and the stars did he love her.

“We…take it a day at a time,” he said.

“That’s specific,” she said, eyebrows quirking and mouth slanting up, cockeyed.

“Oh hush. We take it a day at a time,” he said again. “We figure our shit out as we go, and know that things’ll go wrong but that’s okay. We talk.”

“I would hope so.”

He smooshed her cheeks in, and she laughed, eyes squinting almost shut with joy. Bentley laughed at the sight of her.

Gripping her cheeks between his fingers and pulling them out a little, he said, “We do stupid shit and try new things and try old things again. We…don’t stay on Minte de Daos, because, you know, Tyrone.”

Torako reached out and grabbed his own face, so he quickly let go of her cheeks. She smirked at him. “Good plan. Very detailed.”

“And,” he said, shuffling closer. The sand shifted around him. “We go back home. You see about school, I see about doing work away from work and cutting it down to part time, because I’m…messed up.” He bit his lip, closed his eyes, and took a deep breath before soldiering on. “I’m messed up, and I need help but I can’t get it because of what exactly went down. So I do my best to help myself. And I do my best to help you help yourself.”

Torako nodded. Her palms relaxed against his cheeks. “Yeah. I can’t be your therapist, and you can’t be mine.”

“And then, when you’re done with school…you look into options. Like, I don’t know, a private investigator.”

She wrinkled her nose. “Ugh, that’s so much paperwork.”

“So something else,” Bentley said, just as he heard a soft noise, like something tearing, like the sound of smoothing out a sheet of paper. “We can—we can figure it out as we go. There’s nothing wrong with that.”

“What are we figuring out as we go?” Dipper asked. “And why are we holding each other’s faces?”

Bentley looked up at Dipper, staring down at the both of them. Torako did the same. Dipper’s eyes were black and gold, even though the rest of him was as human as possible. “What to do next,” Bentley said.

“Yeah, Tyrone,” Torako asked. “What’s next?”

Dipper frowned at them. He pressed his lips together, and something flashed across his face before he shoved it down. Bentley’s smile dimmed, and he opened his mouth to—apologize? Say something?–when Dipper grinned wide and a little too sharp, and said, “There’s lots of options, but apparently one ends with either Torako or Bentley with sand up to their necks, so. There’s that!”

Bentley looked at Torako, her face framed by his hands. Torako looked at him, and squished his cheeks a little. Then Torako looked up, smiled prettily in that way that made Bentley’s internal alarms scream with urgency, and said, “I think you left out an option,” before tackling Dipper into the sand. Dipper squawked and went down flailing his limbs and sending beach flying everywhere.

“Get off! I am an almighty creature of pure energy!”

Torako caught Bentley’s eye over her shoulder, and he grinned. With a little trepidation, a little nervousness, he sunk his finger into the sand. There was a moment after where he stared at the sand, its magic, and wondered if this was really such a good idea. He’d caused a lot of damage, back in the pocket dimension. The sand had power of its own, who knew how that would interact?

Dipper screeched, Torako laughed, and Bentley drew a sigil. Behind them, the ocean undulated, waves cresting white out of the darkness of the water, seafoam fizzing against the porous sand of the shore. The tides moved, the currents shifted according to latent, now natural energy. Above, seabirds called and searched for food. A fishing boat pulled in its haul, protected by spells to ensure it wouldn’t lose any of its catch to mercenary fowl. A man on the beach a kilometer away kept staring at his phone and grinning. The mermaid civilization a few clicks away wove new birthing homes into being. A children’s class practiced hula on the shore, a cervitaur held up a shell to the sun to see how the light shone through, an old married couple held hands and walked, slow, along the tide where the sand was wet and firm and their rings glinted in the early morning.

The world glimmered, bright.

#transcendence au #orange lilies #tau fic #fic #torako #bentley #dipper

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theladyarwen-archive · 6 years

Text

Light (光)

Description: Light: (verb) Make (something) start burning; ignite.

AO3 Link

Prologue: Push (推):

“People like to think war means something. What can you learn from your opponent? More than you think. Who will master this love? Love might be the wrong word. Let’s admit, without apology, what we do to each other. We know who our enemies are. We know.” -Detail of the Fire, Richard Siken

~*~

Before: Using the Earth u was inevitable, people were prepared for it when it happened, and when she finally gave out they moved. They terraformed as many new planets and moons as they could. There were hundreds of them at first, all with different climates, different people and different problems.

More centralized planets formed the Alliance. They considered themselves to be more civilized, more worthy of power over all of these little colonies. All because they were richer, and filled with newer technology.

The outer-planets disagreed with this idea. The way they saw it, it wasn’t fair for an outside government to control them when they didn’t even know their struggles. They didn’t trust a government that wanted to stick its nose into things that they had been handling on their own for years.

People that didn’t welcome the Alliance’s “help” called themselves the Brown Coats (Joe Toye and Bill Guarnere were among this group,) and fought against what the Alliance wanted.

They lost after three years of fighting for their freedom. It left a bitter taste in their mouths, the kind that lingered.

After the Alliance got their way things didn’t get much better for the outer-planets. Most were left dirt poor, trying to make ends meet by farming, trading and owning small shops. The only thing that had changed for them was now, every once in a while they had to answer to a government that wouldn’t give them the help they needed.

Others never went back to living on a planet. They decided they would rather live in space, where the outer-planets couldn’t control their every move. They would rather live on a ship than have their freedom taken away by a government that didn’t know jack about struggling.

~*~

After: Joe Toye spent years building up a crew of people he could trust. He pulled them from all over the system, taking some from unsatisfactory situations, others from loving families. He never felt guilty about picking up strays, it was something his mother did often when he was young, and it just felt natural to him. Like it was the one good trait he picked up from her.

Buying Light was based solely on a gut feeling. The second Joe had seen her there was a pull, like she was the home he had been looking for all his life. She was in need of a good wash, a few repairs and a fresh coat of paint, but she stood there like a beacon of hope in his life.

A light.

~*~

Bill Guarnere, Joe’s best friend and second in command, complained about the ship the second he saw her. And Joe knew he would.

(“It’s a bit… Rundown don’t ya’ think?” He asked, a smile tugging at his lips because he knew somehow Joe would find some luh-suh ship that looked like it wouldn’t even get off the planet, let alone handle well out in space.

Joe just shook his head, trying not to roll his eyes, “Shut up, you haven’t even seen inside her yet. For all you know she’s a beauty on the inside.”

Guarnere did roll his eyes at that, “Yeah, I’m sure she looks better than this inside.”)

Joe and Guarnere had grown up together. Well, together as you could be when you both lived on ranches miles away from each other. Joe was raised by his mom and a few farmhands what she had taken in when he was younger. Guarnere was raised by both his parents, and even helped them raise his two younger sisters. .

Neither of them had much of an education from growing up on an outer-planet with parents that didn’t have money to send their kids to school every day. Not when there was a farm to look after. But they both had a knack for getting into trouble, though their parents thanked God it was never anything too bad.

The older boy, Guarnere, was like a firecracker, and was always willing to back Joe up on anything. It was something that always drew them to each other throughout their childhood. That’s why they ended up going to war together, and lost their legs together.

They were brothers, even if it wasn’t through blood.

~*~

Joe never heard a complaint from Guarnere about the pilot he hired.

Frances was a small girl who had a fire in her eyes that made her look hungry, though Joe wasn’t sure what for. Her hair was a mess of black curls that never seemed to stay in the ponytail she tried to keep it in. She had a temper that matched her eyes, and even challenged Guarnere’s.

But she was also sweet, and fell in love with Light as soon as she saw her. Joe trusted her right away based simply on the fact she wore her feelings on her sleeve. There was something brave about doing that, especially in their line of work.

(“Please call me Fran. Only my mama calls me Frances,” Fran had laughed as she shook Joe’s hand. “Would you rather I call you Joe, Toye or Captain?”

She spoke fast, and it threw Joe off at first. “Toye or Captain. There’s only a few people who call me Joe when they’re not holdin’ a gun to my head.” Fran laughed again at that.)

Part of him knew her and Guarnere would end up together. And he prayed he wouldn’t lose a damn fine pilot if their relationship went sour. What surprised him was when they decided to get married.

And he would never say it to Fran, but sometimes he wishes they hadn’t gotten together at all.

~*~

Picking up Ronald Speirs was more of a surprise than anything else.

The man was scary even to Joe, who was used to being the scary one. And he was pretty sure the man was about to kill him and his crew. (If you could call three people a crew.)

But the guy was clearly a talented mercenary, and the men holding them up in that moment really weren’t paying him enough to be doing what he was for them.

(“You’re a damn talented gunner, where’d you learn to shoot like that all the way out here?” Joe asked, trying to ignore Speirs’’ current boss in the hopes that he wouldn’t just kill him right there. “And what are they payin’ you?”

The compliment threw everyone off, and Joe heard Guarnere mutter a warning. That of course he was going to ignore.

“I taught myself,” Speirs sounded like he was trying not to brag, but he had the right to. “They pay me ten percent of everything.” Joe snorted, rolling his eyes, “Work for me and you’ll get twenty, and your own room.” He said, ignoring the threats from the other gunners.)

Even after Speirs joined the crew he and Joe had their differences. Especially when it came to getting into fights with people they had no business fighting with.

~*~

Finding George Luz was part happy accident, part pain in Joe’s ass.

Their first mechanic was always flakey, and even though none of them knew anything about fixing an engine (or most things on the ship for that matter,) they were pretty convinced he was on the same boat. Sure, the first kid was likable, but he wasn’t too great about thinking about things before he did them. Which left the crew in bad situations more often than not.

Joe found Luz one afternoon sitting on the floor tearing apart his ship’s engine, the actual mechanic of his ship nowhere to be found. He was too shocked and confused to even kick him off the ship.

(“I’ve been lookin’ for you for hours where the--” Joe paused, staring down at a kid who he was sure couldn’t be older than 18. The kid had the brightest smile he’d seen in a while, “-- Who the hell are you?”

Luz was up in a flash, dropping the parts he had been toying with, he wiped the greasy from the engine off on his pants before grabbing Joe’s hand to shake it. “George Luz, at your service. You can just call me Luz. Your, uh, mechanic let me in. I don’t know where he went, though,” He shrugged, dropping Joe’s hand before turning back to the engine.

“But I do know, he’s not very good if he couldn’t fix this. It’s an easy catch, even with the extra parts,” Luz gestured around as he spoke, and Joe was sure he hadn’t seen anyone this jittery in his life. “It was a real simple fix, too,” he sat on the floor again, pulling Joe down so he could see what he was talking about. “See, you don’t actually need these two parts. So all I did was take those out and then I took these wires and connected ‘em to this. These two are just there for show, mostly. Some engines need ‘em, but yours sure as hell doesn’t.”)

Luz was a whirlwind of energy, with the messy hair to match. He never knew when to quit, or when to be quiet, but that was what was most endearing about him. His eyes were almost always bright, and even on their worst days he took the time to cheer everyone up.

Joe’s never understood how he does it, but he’s pretty sure Luz keeps the ship running on positivity alone.

~*~ Edward “Babe” Heffron was a small, scrappy kid the crew found in the Eavesdown Dock on Persephone. He looked rough, clearly keeping himself alive by picking pockets, and it was just his luck he ran into Light’s crew.

They picked him up just a few months after adding Luz to the crew, which made the two fast friends. Part of it was their closeness in age, and the other part was understanding how scary it can be to just join a crew of strangers who knew so much about each other already.

(“They kid robbed us, Toye.” Speirs was still breathing heavily. After spending what felt like hours chasing Babe through streets and alleys he wasn’t familiar with. He was lucky Guarnere caught him before he was completely lost. They had to drag the kid back to the ship, and he put up a pretty good fight the whole time.

Babe had the decency to look guilty, whether it was because he got caught or not Joe didn’t really care. “Yeah, he did, but you caught him didn’t you?” Plus he’s just a kid.” He rolled his eyes at Speirs frown.

“I promise I’m sorry, please don’t take me to the feds. I don’t have anyone to bail me out, I promise I won’t steal from you again.” Babe spoke fast, sounding desperate. He was clearly scared they would turn him in, or worse.

Guarnere sighed loudly, shaking his head before turning to Babe, “Alright, how about this. You’re a pretty talented thief, especially if my friend here didn’t even feel you grab his credits right out of his pocket,” Babe seemed to preen at that, he’d never had anyone compliment him like that before, “You give us your name, and you can come with us. You’ll get your own room, daily meals all that junk.”

Babe yanked his arm out of Speirs’ girp, and for a second they all got ready for him to run again. Instead he dusted himself off, though it didn’t really help, “I’m Edward… but everyone calls me Babe. What makes you think I want to travel around with all of you on this junky ship?”

“‘Cause I got a feeling you don’t have anywhere else to go ecept back on the streets. You look like you could use a shower and some clean clothes.” Bill shrugged, “You don’t gotta come with us, though.”)

In the end, Babe decided to stay, because even though the ship looked like it could fall out of the sky at any moment, it was better than going back to sleep on the streets of Persephone. And no one had offered him a home since his mother died two years ago.

Joe trusted Bill’s judgement on the kid, and he knew if anything bad did happen, Bill would take the blame.

~*~ Joe loves his pain in the ass, ragtag family. They’re an odd group, but he wouldn’t have it any other way.

He would do anything for them, and knows that in the long run they would do the same. They’ve all stuck together through some of the hardest times, and some of the easiest.

Joe knows that if it came down to it, he can trust any of them with his life.

#my fic #my writing #band of brothers #luztoye #firefly au #joe toye #george luz #bill guarnere #ronald speirs #babe heffron #frances guarnere #eugene roe #hbo war #i havent published anything in years so #be kind

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