#its only destiny that they were born in houses next to each other

[dreamwildesblog]

Seventeens years ago there on a hot summers day which lasted so long day and night couldn't be told apart. One that day queen Annalise of house Valeor gave birth to a beautiful baby girl who bore bright red locks as soon as she came out of her mothers womb.

It even bore into the minds of the maesters healers present the story or rather myth of the empress that was promised. It was a secret whispered into the minds of each small child present within the world. It was speculated to be a promise from the gods themselves that freedom and liberation from dragons that bounded them to loyalty was coming.

The tale spoke of a girl born on the hottest day yet to be visited upon the people of this world with fire for hair. It was a mark from the gods placed upon her that she who was made from pure fire of the sun herself would never use fire made flesh to liberate and install a new kind of world.

A world where freedom would be not a privilege bought by gold and silver but a simple right given to all.

Days passed that were replaced by months and soon years as the princess grew she was loved by all simply for the kindness she showed to her subjects.

Unlike others that came before her the type of kindness she possessed came from instinct and it was made from the love she revived from her parents.

Although little Kaya knew her destiny was to become queen of Viscillia one day all she wanted was to stay with her parents. They were everything to her she loved them the most and they loved her no less in return.

But as fate would have it on her fifth name day she was gifted a beautiful ruby red crown by her uncle and king of the seven kingdoms Viserys Targaryen. For that was the day she would never be able to forget not because it brought her joy.

No.

Because it brought her misery beyond knowledge and pain enough to brake her little heart in the years to come.

That day Kaya saw her father smile at her with great sadness as she looked at him she frowned herself. Using her short legs to jump down from the large chair placed in the centre of the great hall as servants opened her gifts with a smile.

She walked hastily towards her father and hopped onto his lap placing her delicate little hand onto the corner of his lips and tugging them upwards to frame a smile.

Causing a tear to fall down her fathers cheek she snuggled into her fathers chest as much as she could before whispering "Please don't cry papa I love you and I promise I would grow anymore if it makes you this sad."

As she could remember was the gentle caress of her fathers hand upon her fiery locks as more tears fell upon the top of her head. It wasn't long until she heard her mother scream pierce through her ears.

I'm horror she looked up at her father who looked like he fell asleep. But when she was ripped away from her fathers lap from her uncle Aeson she knew something was very wrong.

On that night the bells rang out from the city keep marking the death of king Maeylor Targaryen.

The next day a funeral with all tradition of house Valero would take place. The kings body was laid upon a gold stand with its sides engraved with rubies and diamonds as befitting a Targaryen king.

Unlike a traditional funeral for a royal that belonged to house of old Valeria there were no dragons to command and burn the body. No this was the house of Valero once all goodbyes were said hymns and prayers sang the kings body was placed in a coat of clay and placed at its rightful place in the royal crypts.

Twelve years later Kaya aged ten and seven now stood along side her mother the queen. Now in all matters of state the Princess a symbol of the future was always present beside the current body of state.

"Your grace if I can express my distain-"

"Your distain is only to further the bad image you painted to the Targaryen dynasty. May I remind you that your late king was a Targaryen and your future monarch shares its blood. You will state no more false accusations towards house Targaryen and shame your princess." Queen Annalise stated her command with fierceness and fire in her raven eyes.

She paused yet proceeded to communicate with the deahtly look in her eyes as she leaned forward from her seat she hissed her final words "And if I ever hear that you continue spreading lies and trying to bismearch a king I will make your life here at court very uncormfortable."

Baffled yet anger began to grow in his own blood at the response of his own queen the Lord swallowed his pride stood up bowed before them both and promptly began to walk out of the room.

Upon hearing her mother sigh Kaya placed a hand on her shoulder as the ocean-hued fabric caress her palm "Are you tiered mother?" She asked with worry.

Closing her eyes Annalise placed her hand on Kayas and kissed it with love "It's just days like these I wish your father was here. He always knew how to silence greedy pigs." The queen snorted as the memories of her husband flashed through her mind.

"As do I.. but do you not think it strange as to why someone would start spreading absurd rumours about house Targaryen and a king. My own uncle whom I've never met and who has never been on this own shores now." Kayas mind began to wonder.

"You think someone might wish to start a rebellion against the crown." Annalise spoke the words her daughter feared more then anything.

"Yes." Kaya whispered.

"This is good... your thinking like a queen." Annalise stood up and placed her hands on her daughters shoulders

"It will serve you well. Now the question is which crown is the rebellion aimed against. We must find out using our own ways."

Before Kaya could add to her mothers plot she was cut off my a familiar voice "Which crown indeed, we must find these vipers and snuff them out with steel."

The voice belong to her uncle Aeson Targaryen, her fathers brother and someone who she saw like a father.

"Uncle." Kaya smiled in glee as she saw him step out of the shadows she cowered within.

Running with all her might she hugged him close "Aeson, welcome back was the visit to the east successful?" Annalise placed her careful and mighty gaze on her brother in law and a cousin by blood.

Someone whom from the very start he never trusted yet kept him close for the sake of her daughter. She saw the bond of protection Aeson formed with Kaya after her husband passed and did not wish to deprive Kaya of another father figure.

"Yes and no.. but if my queen allows me I have a gift for my niece before I deliver the news of my travels." Aesons neptunian coloured eyes glowed and he stared as his niece with a smile.

Kaya looked at her mother with a pleading look to which she gave in and waved them off.

Without missing a second Aeson took Kayas hand in his own and began to drag her outside in the courtyard.

"Where are you taking me?" Kaya asked as excitement laced her nerves.

"Here, now remember I told you the tradition every Targaryen child has when they are born." Aeson asked with a raised eyebrow testing Kayas memory and focus.

"That every child born of the blood of the dragon is placed in a cradle with a dragons egg to bond." She said hurriedly.

"That's the one." He smirked looking back the his own servant he motioned for them to bring forth a large

"Now unfortunately you have been deprived of such traditions even though you share the blood of the dragon as much as you share the blood of Valeor. Yet I say better late than never."

Eyes eyes never left the chest as she saw them open it she carefully approached it not wanting to spook what was inside. Gasping at the sight as her hand made contact with the scaly and rough outer shell of two single dragon eggs that laid within the gold lined chest.

Smirking to himself Aeson stalkingly loomed over nice niece behind her back watching as her eyes light up in wonder. He carefully placed a hand on her lower back and whispered "Soon you will be a mighty queen and a dragon rider, and I will always be by your side."

*

*

*

Kayas chambers nightfall

With nightfall bring Kayas consistent routine from which she hated when she was little but now found herself in a realisation that it was the one thing that would bring her a peace of mind.

After a scorching hot bath with the company of Layla her closets friend and companion, Kaya found herself quickly drifting off into the dark abyss of new found sleep.

"Princess! Princess please you must awaken!" Soon she was pulled from her sleep meeting the same eyes her companion had possessed.

"Layla? What is it. Whats wrong?" Kaya in pure confusion.

"We are invaded, they have set the keep on fire. It was my orders from the dark advisor to get you out of Viscilly now." Layla said as she hurled the Princess out of bed already wrapping a rough servants cloak upon her almost bare body.

"What about my mother. I'm not leaving without her." Kaya stood her ground.

"A motion to free her has already been put in action. They will get her out but we must get you out now. So please trust me Princess." Layla pleaded her hand stretched out for Kaya to take.

Suddenly the voices of unknown men hit Kayas ears with each second growing closer she swallowed her fear and took her friends hand.

Both girls left through the hidden passage ways built within the core of the castle.

"Where am I suppose to go?" Kaya asked.

"Kings landing you must go to kind Viserys and queen Aemma. A pledge has been made before you were born they will keep you and protect you until the time comes where you are able to retake your throne" Layla told her before opening a small wooden door leading her into the stables.

"The pact of protection between our kingdoms" Kaya mumbled under the breath remembering her political lessons of her country.

Untying her horse leading it out of the stables Layla looked at the Princess motioning her too get on.

"I'm not going without you Layla." Kaya stool her ground.

Closing her eyes Layla took out a silver dagger from her dress pocket and in one swift movement pierced the throat of an assassin that hid within the shadows.

Kaya gasped as her eyes stood glued on the dead body before her.

"You must, I must stay here I am apart of the plan to get her majesty out and bring her to you. Please Kaya you are our future. My song may be of vipers but I will stand with a dragon only if it is you and rules the skies." Layla told her in that second Kayas life and everything she knew changed nodding her head she pulled Layla in a tight hug before mounting her horse and riding out into the dark forest.

But before she could reach it she was circled by a band of savages that currently occupied her kingdom.

"Well, we'll, well, what do we have ere?"

"The Princess on a horse, what a sight."

"Tis a rare one indeed, perhaps she could mount something else before we take her to the new king. Eh boys!" The men cheered at the sign as one jumped before her spooking her horse causing Kaya to fall into the hard ground.

"Ah." She closed her eyes as the scorching pain placing her palm on her brow she felt something warm trickle down her fingers.

Bringing the finger before her eyes she saw blood. She knew that there was no escape, but she also knew that she would rather die than sub-come to her enemies.

Closing her eyes she reached under her nightgown and pulled a right bring on a dagger she wore.

And just when she expected the attack to come a loud screech from above and a feeling of warmth around her spread.

Hearing screams and begging from the me who would use her she opened her eyes only to find their bodies chard burned into still ashes with form.

Looking up she saw the most magnificent and beautiful creature she never thought she'd encounter in her whole life.

It was a dragon.

Large, vast and green as the creatures eyes bore into Kayas they were kind and felt safe as if she knew those eyes before. They were old yet wise next thing she knew the dragon let out a huff and nudged her left with its nose.

This caused Kaya to look at it with confusion but when she heard the roars of armed men she knew what it was trying to tell her.

Mustering all her remaining strength she stood up and climbed atop the magnificent creature holding on to the scales tightly and it roared before ascending into the sky.

Looking down quickly the image of her home faded into blackness whilst she forced herself to look ahead she swore that she would avenge her kingdom and strike down whomever it is that has taken her home.

[bellpiner]

House rulers astrology

This area of the birth chart can also offer insight on your early childhood experience, leadership abilities, self-expression and is the mask you wear when you first meet others. These new beginnings relate to you as an individual and ask questions like: Who are you? What is your potential? Who will you eventually become? What is the best path for you to take to be as successful as possible? The First House is all about not only reaching your ultimate personal potential, but also taps into how you can uniquely contribute to the world. Any planets in this house (either in your birth chart or when transiting) will greatly influence your personality and how others perceive you.įittingly, the First House also covers all the “firsts” in life-think first impressions, taking the initiative, fresh starts and new beginnings. Of the 12 houses in the zodiac, this is the House of Self, and reveals insight about our appearance, ego, drive, self-image, and personal views. It’s easiest to think of this house as when the sun rose at the beginning of your life. The First House also corresponds with the first zodiac sign, Aries. This is the zodiac sign that was rising on the Eastern horizon at the exact moment of your birth. The First House is ruled by powerful, masculine Mars and the zodiac sign on the cusp (starting edge) of this house is referred to as your rising sign, or ascendant sign. It can help us decipher what actions to take next for the best possible outcomes. In predictive astrology, this is how astrologers reveal what parts of your life might come into focus in the future. Depending on which houses the transiting planets visit, they lights up that part of the birth chart wheel and energizes those houses' energy and life focus. These are transiting planets-they’re different than the energies of your natal, or birth planets. In astrology, you can look at where the planets are currently in the sky to see how they affect your personal chart. This is also how astrologer’s decipher the astrological weather for the day. This will bring up major themes or transformations you may be undergoing. Looking at the planets and their current positions in the sky today, can offer insight on how the stars are affecting you right now. Your entire birth chart beings with your rising sign, or ascendant sign, which rules your 1st house. This tells us much more than just your sun sign. The planets and locations are all unique to the moment you were born. When interpreting a birth chart in astrology, which houses the planets reside in your chart reveal you unique destiny. Eleventh House: friendships, hopes and dreams, community.Tenth House: career, public status, legacy.Ninth House: higher learning, spirituality, media relations.Eighth House: merging, intimacy, death, transformation.Sixth House: daily routines, work, health.Fourth House: home, family, ancestral patterns.Third House: communication, early schooling, siblings.Second House: value, money, self-worth, possessions.First House: self, physical body, appearance.The 1st house, for example, focuses on the self, and following houses continue to expand outward (moving counterclockwise on the wheel) to topics like family, love and career. Each of the 12 equally divided segments represent an area of life. Sounds a little confusing, right? It can get a little tricky, so it’s easiest to think about astrology’s 12 houses as parts of a clock. The zodiac wheel is based on the sun’s yearly rotation around the earth, and the houses are based on the earth’s 24-hour rotation on its axis. The 12 astrological houses sit the form of a wheel. Which houses the planets show up in a birth chart reveal how and where that energy manifests. It’s easier to grasp if you think about the different zodiac signs as different characters with different stories to tell. The concept of houses in astrology can be kind of confusing.

#House rulers astrology

[digitsndestini]

How to make changes in your name or business name as per numerology

A name plays a crucial role in one's life as it is the identity of a person. Your name can greatly influence your life in a positive as well as negative way. Every name has its own vibration or energy and if these frequencies do not suit you, they can bring many obstacles in your life. 

This is one of the main reasons why people have been naming their children using numerology new born baby names since ancient times. 

Numerology is not only essential for naming a person but also for many other important things in life like naming your business name as per numerology, choosing important dates in your life like the date of your marriage, or the date of buying a new house.

However many a time people neglect the importance of numerology in their lives and end up facing problems later in their life. 

People who are going through a lot of difficulties, such as company losses, broken marriages, job failures, and other issues, might consider changing their names. So, if you are having troubles in your life that are consistent and haven't improved in a long time, you should seek the help of a Numerologist like Pooja Jain for name rectification. 

There are numerous instances from the real lives of the people who changed their names and went on to achieve tremendous achievements. Some of them realize the impact of numerology in their lives and end up changing their names as per numerology new born baby names. 

Many business organizations have also changed their business name as per numerology and reaped the gain of matching vibrations and positive frequencies of their names.

You can select or change your names by learning how to find numerology number for new born baby or businesses and other important events. 

However, changing your name will also affect your destiny number, which will impact a variety of different things in your numerology graphs. Your expression number, soul urge number, and personality number will all alter if your name is spelled differently. Thus, these three fundamental figures will be modified. The alterations will alter the person's characteristics, attitudes, behaviors, potentials, desires, etc. since core numbers are the most significant numbers in a person's numerology chart and hence in his or her life. 

The 5 Steps included in changing a name according to numerology 

The name modification process is based on numerology's basic principles. A minor modification in a person's name alters the vibrations of the name, increasing their options and chances of success in life. A person's name is crucial since it has the power to create or shatter their lives. Keeping your date of birth in mind is very crucial in changing your names.

In order to change your name, you need to know how to find numerology number for new born baby or yourself, mainly your destiny number. 

Your Life Path Number or Destiny Number is computed using your date of birth; that is, the date you were born, the month, and the year. If this number matches your Name number, your Name will be fortunate for you. 

The main steps involved in modifying your name or your business name as per numerology are: 

1. Calculating Destiny Number- The first thing you need to know to change your name is how to find numerology number for new born baby or yourself, specifically your destiny number. 

Calculating your destiny number is easy. All you need to do is add all the numbers related to the letters of your first and last name. On adding them you will find a two-digit number which on further adding gives you your destiny number. 

You can find a lucky name for yourself by matching the destiny number of your name with your lucky number. 

2. The next step involved in changing your name or business name as per numerology is to find out your life path number and main planet number. 

You can calculate your life path number by simply adding all the digits of your date of birth and adding them till they reduce to a single digit. 

Each planet is connected to different numbers. You can find your main planet number by simply knowing your ruling planet. 

3. The third step involved in the name changing process is creating a LO Shu grid for yourself. A Lo Shu grid consists of your destiny number, main planet number, and your life path number that you calculated previously. 

4. In the next step, you are left to deal with important numerological numbers like compound destiny number, soul urge number, main planet number, life path number, and your personality number. You will then need to analyze all these number combinations and find the most beneficial number for yourself or your business. 

5. Lastly you need to make modifications or changes in your name or in the name of your business such that your name matches the lucky number in your life. 

By doing so, you will be able to remove the negative vibrations of your earlier name and eventually start gaining from the new energy of your name.

 Conclusion

 Knowing how to find numerology number for new born baby or yourself is very crucial in changing your important names. 

Since names play such an important role in your life, it is important that you be very careful while choosing a name as well as while making any changes to names related to you. 

Any wrong changes in your name might further increase troubles for you instead of bringing good luck in your life so you should be careful while calculating your important numbers.

You could also consult good numerologists in India like Pooja Jainn of Digits N Destini who is renowned for selecting numerology new born baby names as well as making alterations in one's name.

[transpat]

pre-relationship pranpat and haq

the word 'haq (हक़)' in hindi doesn't have an exact eng counterpart and translates smth around the meanings of rights and entitlement. in context of relationships, we use it to describe the entitlement ppl we keep close are allowed over us. in our culture, with every bond we form and built, we owe those ppl certain rights over us. like our filial duty to our parents, supporting our siblings and relatives emotionally and/or financially, the loyalty to our friends. lovers and spouses are ppl given all the rights of a family member by choice and obv other stuff like touching u in ways others can't, sharing worries and secrets you wouldn't indulge others w, the permission to carry and lighten ur burdens.

that's why i wanted to talk about pran and pat before they began dating, when they didn't even consider each other friends. theoretically, these two don't owe each other shit, shouldn't be assuming any rights over each other. but pat continues to push into pran's room even when he's verbally told not to, and pran who bottles his feelings up from everyone else, wears his heart on his sleeve (literally) around pat. pran gives pat a glimpse into his every emotion, and pat catches them, stores it away to process later, when he uses it to channel the courage to knock on pran's door.

also. all of this starts in college. after they reach a truce and add each other's numbers. it's not there back when they were shy high schoolers, fighting in public and treading along the delicate beginnings of a friendship. back then, before their meager advances culminated into smth fruitful, it was snatched from them, ripped from their unsuspecting hands. it didn't turn their efforts null thou, doesn't return them to point zero. when they met again, they faltered and stumbled, but they make their way back to how things could have been back then. they found their way back to the path they were paving as kids.

their sense of entitlement isn't just smth they assume either. it's the haq they've willingly granted to the other. we see pran pushing pat out of his room repeatedly, but pat only walks in bc he knows if he was really unwelcome pran wouldn't open the door in the first place. bc like how pran never pushed him out of the room in his parents' house, pat is certain that once pran's fear of being discovered lessens (he doesn't know his interpretation is all wrong, that it was bc pran was in love w him and afraid for himself), he'll be welcome to stay as long as he wants. when he asks pran if he can stay the night, its bc he knows the answer might not be no. pran has a soft spot for him.

likewise, pran lashing out at him is bc he knows that unlike how it is w others, revealing his emotions to pat won't come at a price he can't afford. when he's under all the pressure of rebuilding the bus stop and saving his friends' academics careers, he smiles for his friends, assures them he's fine, he can manage. its only around pat he displays how deeply he's affected by this, lets pat see how he let him down, how much stress he's in bc of this. bc he knows pat listens, pat understands, pat wants to listen and understand. pat makes breathing easier.

in the beginning its just that. pran says they're not friends, but subconsciously hands pat every right of one. the teasing banter, the rude nicknames, the knowledge that he too wants to compete w pat in the freshy contest as badly as pat wants it. he helps him by texting his location religiously, and then when pat's friends screw up, he lets pat help him w the bus stop. here's where things get begin to get convoluted, where the lines begin to blur. letting pat sniff him, letting pat pull his head under his shirt, letting pat massage medicine onto his shoulder, cleaning pat's face for him, allowing pat to pet his head, asking him if he had dinner, asking him about his crush. obv like. none of these things r very platonic, and pran allowing these to occur isn't w platonic intentions either.

and that's bound to happen. ofc it will when pat's in love and only hasn't worked it out yet and pran's been harboring suppressed desires for years. in some ways, it's always been there, it was always hurtling towards this. the level of comfort they share w each other, how little reservation they hold towards touching the other, its as if they haven't been raised as enemies, but have grown into the only ppl who know each other so intimately.

i'm talking about these:

pran doesn't even flinch when pat's hand touches his thigh, and you could argue that's ohmnanon, but honestly it's v in character for them. pat puts his hand over pran's mouth, places it high up his thigh: pran allows it. pran tickles him, pins down on the bed: pat allows it. pran tackles him unnecessarily long during rugby matches, hauls him into hidden corridors? pat giggles about it. pat asks pran to feed him drinks, to let him stay the night? pran pretends its a hassle and readily indulges him.

pran understands what's happening. he watches it all unfold, how pat's entitlement over him grows, mushrooms, into pat constantly making boyfriend jokes, pat pushing his limits w pran in public, pat expressing his displeasure over having to pretend to be enemies, pat walking into pran's faculty w pran's shirt on. and pran lets it happen. he complains and groans about pat in his room but lets him stay, lets him have his breakfast, lets his nosy ass unlock his desktop. he draws the line at first, but always, always ends up letting pat cross it. like how at the music store he scoffs off pat's attempt to ask him about his relationship status, but in the privacy of his own room, discloses his mother and wai's dynamics when questioned, even though he finds it strange for pat to care (he misreads pat here, thinks its out of pat's desire for friendship that he wants to know more about pran, so he's happy to share).

i came to talk about this bc i was (again) rewatching bbs and now that its completed, the fight scene in ep5 hits a different way (again). pran shuts wai out (refusing to divulge the secrets of his and pat's dynamics, a direct contrast to how he freely talks about wai to pat) and sends him home, then turns and looks at pat like this:

he stood there, waiting for pat to look at him and then when pat did, he let all his disappointment and anger flood into his expression. and i saw this and thought wow, that's one of the loudest displays of haq he's expressed over pat until now. he knows what he's doing, he knows this is going to hurt pat and he does it w that exact intention. (also does anyone else think this kinda looks like an owner reprimanding their dog?) its not smth he would do w wai, or anyone else in his life. its smth only pat is allowed, only pat is allowed to see how profoundly disruptions upset him, only pat is allowed inside his head.

this scene makes it clear that the way pran and pat treat each other is no longer 'friendly'. here, we're explicitly shown the haq pran's granted his friends over him, and that doesn't extend to oversharing. yet, pat's allowed that. pran would never tell his friends if and when they hurt or frustrate him, but he's stopped hiding the same from pat when pat chased him to the new dorm insisting he should move instead. pat may be the one who crosses the line when helping pran out w the bus stop, but its pran who first muddles it by avoiding pat to express how mad he is. later again, its pran who dissolves that line completely by reaching across and asking pat if he's had dinner.

back to the fight scene: earlier, when pat waited out for him, told him to 'come here' in front of wai, that too was a display of haq, of the authority he felt over pran. and pran followed. pran obeyed, moved towards him, was only stopped by wai. that's why i said: none of the entitlement they feel towards the other is overstepping, they only exercise the rights they're certain they've been handed. when pat says 'come here', he's one hundred percent sure pran will. he knows he's different from wai, that he's special, that he's someone pran could choose over wai. and so its a petty move. its such a petty thing to use the secret privilege pran entrusted him w in a moment of drunken jealousy, and pat regrets it soon.

but pran's the one who upset the balance first. by playing that song. their song. where most of the haq they feel over each other is abstract, this is the one thing put in cement. that song is one rope fastening pat to pran's side - the other being the guitar - which he's been using to steadily climb the peak pran stands on. he'd expected pran to be waiting for him above, as eager to help him up as pat is to reach him. but pran played that song with others, with wai, and abandoned that post, uncaring if pat were to fall. and pat fell. he fell, fractured his bones, and would still plow past the sharp ache had it been pran alone. bc that pain dulls, disappears, in pran's presence. but faced with wai, with pran's hurtful pretenses, with pran prioritizing wai in that moment, his resentment overflows, pushes him to hurt pran in the same manner. 'that lousy song', he calls the very first song pran wrote, the song pran poured his heart and soul into, the song he's recently realized might have been about them. and he does it, he breaks pran. now, pran's got a shattered heart to match pat's splintered bones.

then, on the rooftop, pat asks him why he played the song. pran doesn't answer him, denies the haq in his demand. telling pran he didn't like it was another haq he'd assumed. and here, pran realizes they've come too far. here, pran knows there's no pretending this is normal or friendly anymore, bc wth they're not even friends. here, he knows if he lets this continue, pat will continue to treat him like a lover while telling him he likes some other girl. so here, pran tries to build a final iron wall, and asks pat smth he shouldn't be able to answer: 'why are you doing this to me? who are you assume those rights over me?' except pat's figured it out at last. his feelings, his love. so, he recognizes what pran's doing, panics, and blurts his truth. vomits out his feelings to try and soil the line pran's drawing.

yeah and then we saw how that went. well, after that, these vague figures of their haq finally come into sharp focus during ep 6. this was the ep everyone praised pat for his respect of boundaries, but that was really always there. pat is smart and perceptive, and pran is the subject he's spent his whole life studying. ofc he'd understand when pran means business and when he's bluffing. so when pran used to push pat put of his room, they both knew his efforts were half-hearted (ofc he'd want his crush in his room, no matter how afraid he is of losing control). although pat doesn't take him srsly at first, he does respect his decision in the end. now, when pran tells him he doesn't want to talk about their kiss, pat knows he's serious, so he immediately shifts the subject.

and last about their bet? even if before these two were subconsciously dancing around the boundaries of romance and friendship, with the bet on, there's no hiding behind denial anymore. still, this is a new territory they're trudging along. esp pat, who's new to the discovery of his own feelings, who doesn't know where pran is mentally, and doesn't know what he's allowed and what not.

pran realizes this soon enough the next morning, when pat uses that kindergarten technique of 'i won't give you my snacks unless you become my bf'. and pran - who's spend years fantasizing about this very thing, who has an idea of the depth of pat's feelings - demolishes the last wall. the finger-lick is pran telling pat where they stand now, both giving and assuming every haq of a lover. and he does it so confidently bc pat's already given him that haq the night before, when he didn't refute pran's accusation of harboring a crush on him.

('fine', he says. 'let's compete then.' instead of the outright way pran had denied his crush. bc never lying to his lover is the haq pat would give them, is what pat gives pran from here on. pran continues to lie bc he has yet to give pat the same regard.)

yeah and this is before they start dating. before pran's ready to jump into a relationship. but he's already given pat every right only a boyfriend would hold over him: calling him to his room to fix his printer, cooking his favorite dish for him, letting pat stay over whenever he wants (like how he'll always return every loving act, every courageous one pat's done for him). when pat makes that unreasonable demand of bringing nong nao over to his room, pran can't refuse him bc this is the haq he's given to pat.

asking someone for help or assistance is smth that requires a truckload of pran's spirit. but pat's someone who just wants to do things for him all the time, and when pran sees that requesting help from pat is also pleasing him, asking pat becomes easy. for someone who's had to shoulder responsibility for every other person in his life, its delightful. to be loved by someone who gets giddy about lifting his loads for him, who's contentment comes from making him happy. that's what makes the printer scene so significant, why pat's eyes shift when pran tells him he wants pat to do this for him. pran gifts him that knowing how important it is to him, later uses the same knowledge against him in that scene w wai (when he asks wai to unscrew his bottlecap for him).

most importantly, he lets pat see his every emotion now, presents him full transparency. we see him let pat in freely into his room, but that was a right pat already had - pran's only hesitation was bc of his feelings. but before where pat's rights extended barely to getting a glimpse of pran's hurt, after which he would be firmly pushed away, now pran allows him to see how upset he truly is, allows pat to alleviate his mood. like a lover would.

and now pat returns that favor, smth he's never done before. pat's never let pran see him hurt before, but now bc he, too, has granted pran every haq of a lover, when he's wounded or mad, he lets it show. after the wai-guitar thing, he waits for pran to return, shows pran every aching emotion that flits across his face, later allows pran a chance to appease him when he's called to the rooftop. although, then, he knew pran probably didn't know why he was so mad, so he's sure pran's calling him for smth he needs. going anyway is bc pran has that haq over him.

these two rooftop scenes also parallel each other. each time it was wai who drove a wedge btw them, not by simply existing, but by stealing a fragment of their lives pat firmly believed was theirs and theirs alone. the song was theirs and only pat had any haq over it, till wai came in. by keeping that guitar safe w him for years, pat assumed haq over it, which was again snatched away by wai. the first time, after wai's exited, it's pran who waits for pat to look at him, so pat can see how he's hurt him, before leaving him behind. this time, it's pat who waits for pran to return, shows him his pain then shuts him out. both times it's the rooftop pran turns to, first to get away, second to fix things. and both times pat arrives later, first to explain himself, next on pran's request.

the reason the whole guitar situation wasn't resolved explicitly onscreen was bc there was no need for it to. pat's hurt and upset came from his insecurities about his place in pran's life. he understands nonverbal implications enough to know he can do this and that w pran, bc these two know each other that well. but he's the kind of person that needs blunt, verbal confirmations about where he stands in someone's life. and that pran's attempted confession gives him. ik he's hurt pran tried to use smth so personal as a winning card against him, but he's also relieved, bc pran's disclosed he definitely wants pat to be his boyfriend. pran wants him. and that's what pat needed to know.

another thing done in ep 7 was how they finally gave us clear context to pranpat's dynamics. like we understand that pran doesn't fully mean it when he pushes pat out of his room, or that he'd be happy to let him stay if it wasn't at the risk of his feelings burgeoning, but it still seemed rude of pat to neglect his pleas and saunter past his protests. ep 7 showed us that sometimes when pran or pat verbally retracted the other's haq, they would contradict themselves louder w their actions.

like this:

and this:

a bit more on the former: its never been flashed boldly onscreen, just mixed in naturally, but food is pran's love language. food is a large part of our cultures honestly, and ensuring someone's stomach is full articulates ur love more blatantly than the words 'i love you'. so when in ep 4 pran asks pat if he's eaten, it is a huge leap. thanks to nanon's acting, with how nervous pran looked about it, everyone interpreted it as such.

then in ep 5, pran lets pat have his sandwich. and i'm positive it was meant for pat. handing it to pat himself, so pat would know he made it for him would literally be the same as saying 'i'm in love w you', so obv pran puts on a show. but he's been up for a while, he's eaten. this was for pat.

again in ep 7, where both of them kind of know pat's the one who'll likely give up (pat relenting first was always part of their dynamic), when he calls pat over and cooks for him, he's genuinely surprised pat didn't cave. later when he goes over to pat's room with food and drinks, you could argue he was planning to play the same game, but he'd cooked enough for both pat and pha; he didn't intend to take it back this time. also in the last scene, the curry must have been cooked by pran. what pran's saying in that first scene entails both cooking and feeding. cooking for pat (and pha) must have been smth he'd already been doing.

and the latter: pat here has already caved in, and then tells pran it's smth he'd do for his 'lover' as if he hasn't already forsaken the bet, as if its still on - just in case pran isn't ready yet (bc the bet itself was for pran to adjust). 'letting his lover win' and acts of services are pat's love languages, thou the former is entirely pran-orientated. ofc for someone so competitive, relenting willingly to someone else is a huge deal, thou this has already been part of their dynamic since the watch scene in their childhood (and pran is the only competition capable of driving him). first it was out of gratitude, then it was out of guilt; but somewhere in between a more concrete reason blossomed: love. (it was also partly bc of their parents' dynamics.)

yielding is one thing, going out of his way to fix things for pran is another. conceding was smth he'd always done for pran, long before he fell in love, and although he says 'lover' in that scene, he v specifically means pran. bc this is a haq reserved uniquely for pran (like how this rivalry is unique to them. he didn't have a frenzied rivalry w any other love interest, so who else would he eagerly relent to as an act of love). the latter was smth that resulted only from his romantic interest in the other. pat cutting a pick out of his id card for pran, pat going to extreme lengths to help pran w the bus stop, pat begging the prof to let them back into the competition bc he knows pran wanted badly to participate, pat keeping his guitar polished for 3 years, pat following him to a rural beachside surrounded by the enemy state, pat continuing the play despite fearing his father's wrath: all of it was bc he was that deeply in love.

this diff is enunciated best in the first 4 eps. where first pat was unwilling to back off from his fight w wai, he later forces his friends to delete that video and manipulates them into helping w the bus stop. where earlier pat was visibly reluctant about shifting even as he offered to switch dorms (bc this was more out of guilt than love), he later gives pran his earphones w/o ever planning on taking them back (more out love than guilt).

anyway there's no purpose to this lol. i just wanted to rant about pranpat and the haq they'd assumed over each other long before the began dating bc i thought it revealed a lot about where they subconsciously intended their relationship to head down. haq is smth given only to those who play a pivotal role in your life, a loved one, a cherished friend. it's the way we daily say 'i love you' without words, it's how we continuously express our gratitude. and it's not smth enemies or even strangers can hold. pran and pat were told not to befriend each other, but gave the other every haq of a friend at age ten. when they found a safe ground to nurture their budding friendship in the dorms (and a shorter period in high school), the flower it blossomed into was that of romantic love, and it didn't come to either as much of a shock. like they'd known it was already destined, like it made sense to them that this is where they were headed. what they said about about going from two ppl who couldn't be friends to two ppl who couldn't be just friends was true.

#bad buddy #pranpat #is this to say that pranpat were always destined to fall in love? #yes. kind of. #they're two ppl who've always been drawn to each other #who compliment each other #who understand love not only as what it means to them but also how it manifests in others #they work so well bc they're both such active participants of their romance of their friendship #we've seen how one-sided pran's painstaking efforts in handling his friendships are #but with pat its pat who puts all that effort #all pran has to do is meet him half way #we know pat's been used by his past lovers #but pran being someone who gets scared easily and tends to hide #fights for him #i say destiny but its not as much destiny as it is them #its only destiny that they were born in houses next to each other #they were meant to meet the other #from there on their relationship was their own #but given the kind of ppl they were? it would always land on what they have now #bad buddy series #patpran #my writing

[alustriel-the-star]

Destiny written by the rain: Itachi x Fem!Reader

Masterlist

First chapter here & chapter 3

Chapter 2

Summary: Some memories never fade, like his presence. She still could feel him,see him or she thought so. It is hard to forget the one who gave you so much, so much memories....

Warning: I gave name to the reader here. Why? Cause this one is for my dear friend @iridescent-queen . I can't shake the feeling, the sound of Itachi's voice saying her name. Saying it lovingly, passionately, silently whispering it in the night....

Song Nothing else matters ever dream

Someone was bad mouthing Itachi in front of you. That would be their last mistake.. but you were stopped from action by Itachi himself. He would hug you and lean close to your ear to tell you something. The warmth, the sheer proximity of him, that hot tickling breath almost immediately calmed your boiling rage down. That sweet scent lilac, that seems to always follows him. That dark hair sometimes would have fresh scent of sea and sometime sharp smell of pine. That scent of freedom, he was your freedom.

"If you remember me Iris, then I don't care if everyone else forgets.”

"But Itachi...."

“I want you always to remember me. Will you remember that I loved you? That i existed next to you? That we always stood next to each other?"

"Why are you saying things like this to me?"

"Do you remeber how hard was for me to sit next to you, so close to you, afraid to kiss you? Dream of me, now only in dreams we can kiss. Its been a long time, since I've been me the real me. You only knew who am I, the one born with tragedy in my blood"

It was always like that, ​you would turn and he have slipped away. Only emptiness and silence behind you. The clutches of that moment would grip at your heart. For the one you loved is no longer part of this world.......

But you can't forget. Itachi was yours. An S rank criminal loved you more then anything on this world.

He used to come to you. He knew the Konoha like the back of his palm. He would use that to his adventage. Sometime he would send one of his crows to guide you to him. But lately he would just come like a ghost in the dead of night. The two lovers who had to hide their affections their feelings their visits.

But his visits became less and less frequent. More and more time would pass before he would come. And every time he would seem sicker, sadder, more tired. His black eyes lost their luster, but you could still see the love in them, the love he felt for you. The way he would say your name- "Iris...Iris would you read to me, that poetry of yours..."

He would lie down his tired head against your belly. One hand would hold your side. He felt safe with you. Safe enough to rest, to sleep, to eat, to love. To show his true face. And you would read to him. You would caress his hair while he would sleep. Your sweet scent calming down his tormented soul, calming down all storms inside of him.

Last time that he came, you will never forget. It was rainy day. Pouring, dark heavy rain. A dull thud you heard on the back against wooden veranda. You were cursing rain. It has to be one of the branches, fallen thanks to this storm.

You went looking trough He was laying on cold veranda, water pouring down on him. His hair was all stuck over his pale face. His eyes were closed. His skin wet and cold , when you touched him he was shaking. In that moment, no matter how small in compare to him you were. Something gave you strength to pull inside the house, the one you love. You placed him near fire place . You dried his skin and massaged his body tirelessly till he became warm. You wrapped him into wool blanket. He was sick but nothing prepared you for this.

"Oh Itachi... dear god "

He had bouts of coughing. he would put his hand over his mouth, vomiting blood. The red color looked eerie in relation to his sickly white skin. He lay on his side trying to breathe. There was nothing that you could do to help him. You were just wondering. How many times has he coughed and suffered like this. All alone with no one to hold him, to help him. to hear him. All alone in one of their hideouts. In some dark dusty, cold and filthy room. Your beloved...

art

"Iris I am sorry.. I am sorry that I put you through all this. I am sorry that you had to love someone like me. I never wanted you to see me like this. But I had to see you before all this ends. Why could you just not hate me like everyone else do?"

He took off his necklace giving it to you. Your sobs made him lift up to see your face. Those dark eyes bleeding from natural black to red of the ..... In the center around the pupils was small circle floated up, trough that circle floated comma like round shaped black jewels. The most powerful visual.....the Sharingan

You knew deep down in your heart . Even before he said it to you knew this is the last time you'll ever see him. Without words he took you down with him. Nestling you both against warm soft wool. He held you close. He would turn on side facing you, while he held you close, caressing your face. You could hear whistling in his lungs as he draw breath.

"You live in my warm life, and I shall die-die, sweetly die into yours."

Poetry- he remembered that was his favorite line.....

#uchiha itachi #itachi x reader #itachi uchiha #itachi imagines #uchiha imagines #itachi x femreader #itachi x y/n #itachi fanfiction #itachi x you #itachi fluff #akatsuki #itachi shippuden #itachi angst #itachi uchiha x reader #uchiha x reader #itachi x iris #naruto x you #naruto x reader #naruto x y/n #itachi shinden #itachi #itachi x oc

[lachimolala-is-love-and-life]

ROYAL DESTINY

   6 (COMING SOON) >>

Genre: Historical!Au, Fantasy!Au, Empereor!Au  Romance, Smut, Angst

Pairing: Yoongi x Reader/ Yoongi ( Daewchita version) x Reader

Characters: Princess!Reader, Empereor!Yoongi, Daewchita!Yoongi, Merchant!Jin, Soldier!Jungkook, Adviser!Namjoon, Servant!Jimin, Servant!Taehyung, Traveller!Hoseok

Summary: Many emperors have led the people of the Joseon Empire, who are considered bloody tyrants and who are great guides for their people. This story telks about of two twin brothers heirs to the throne of the empire whose first noble blood ready to risk his life for a bright future, next to his beloved. The second of toxic blood, ready to condemn to death anyone who can turn against his path.

CHAPTER 5.5 (Bonus)

Taehyung’s pov (The night after Yoongi’s trial)

I found myself in my quarters sitting on my bed. My hands trembled with today’s adrenaline. It had been a horrible day, the most terrible I have had so far, but I had to do it to ensure the protection of him, the person I loved with all my heart. The only one who understood me and went beyond my appearance.

Jimin and I were only a couple for a short time, since the beginning of the new year, but we knew each other for so long that I already considered him my soul mate. Unfortunately, our relationship was supposed to be a secret one because the relationship between boy and boy was strictly forbidden, especially within the court of Emperor Min, but every night I tried to visit my lover and spend every moment with him.

Keep him in my arms. Kissing him to exhaustion and making love to him, embracing us and letting Orpheus make him fall asleep next to me, while our bodies fused with each other, as well as their heat.

I loved him with all my heart and inside of me I had a desire to marry him and make him mine that burned continuously. But now? How could I declare myself after what I’d done?

Now you think that I am surely the villain of the situation. I am telling you all this to make you feel sorry for me. But believe me, I’m not the classic villain’s helper, in this case the villain is Agust, but I was forced to do it...

Now I’m going to tell you all about it from the beginning.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Five years ago...

You know what? Being an 11-year-old kid and being part of the little town beyond the empire wasn’t so bad.

I lived with my mom my whole life without my dad around. From what my mom said, my dad had served in the military for a war that was going on in the country and had died during a fight, leaving only me and my mom alone.

But things were not bad, especially because the village where we lived was quite quiet, away from any war, violence and dictatorship.

But despite the peace that was in place, I wasn’t so happy to get out of the house. I was born with a beauty outside of any known canon on earth. I was of Korean origin, but despite this my features exceeded those of any person...

Mom wanted to protect me because she thought my beauty could not go unnoticed and could put me in great danger. I had not yet understood why. Mine was only a face and I wanted so much to be able to play and run out with my peers. But Mom wouldn’t let me have any outside contact.

"Tae, my beloved son, you cannot go out. If one of the royal guards or even a member of the royal family sees you. They would take you away from me to serve them. Or worse, even kill you to look almost divine compared to our emperor. Your beauty goes beyond that of the royal family... So please stay here and don’t go out for any reason," my mother told me. She worked at the market in the country to provide for me and every single day she would repeat this phrase to me.

After I promised her for the umpteenth time that I would be in my room, she gave me a sweet smile and she kissed on my forehead like she used to before he went to work.

I decided to look out the window that day.

It was a beautiful spring morning with a sun that heated with its rays everything it met. I saw some children passing by with their parents, the old woman of the village intent on selling the freshly baked bread and some young couple intent on taking hands. But what my eyes focused most on was the figure of a teenage boy, intent on handing over a few little flyers with ink-made writing.

Who knows what it was about? But I didn’t have time to find some possible answer that a gust of wind made him lose some paper and one of those ended up crashing into the glass of my window. I opened the window quickly and grabbed it before it could fly away again.

If he had decided to come here, it could be a sign of destiny, right? So out of curiosity I began to read it.

"Great parade to welcome the royal family for their ritual visit to our town. Large stalls full of food and attractions for children for their enjoyment. Don’t miss out"

My eyes lit up. How much I wanted to go there and maybe meet some kids of my same age. But that meant disobeying what my mom kept telling mr. But this event only happened once a year, and if it only went out for a couple of hours, nothing would happen, right?

I was eleven years old, I still didn’t know the world well outside the walls of my house and I was looking for some independence from my mother figure. Having thought about that, I decided to take my little jute bag and put in some small snacks that I could munch on in case of hunger or even share in case I met some friends.

Backpack on my shoulders and a big breath to give me courage. I opened the door wide and decided to leave the house for the first time.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The festive village was gorgeous.

Lights of any color, festoons of any shape to welcome the royal family. But what really made the scene poetic was definitely the trees with the sakura flower that blooming. They seemed beautiful and delicate at the same time.

"They are like me," I thought to myself.

People laughed and celebrated. Their fun was contagious and kept me smiling. Maybe mom was wrong? It seemed that these people didn’t care about the fact that I was around. In fact, they completely ignored me. If everything was fine today, maybe Mom would let me go out and play with the other kids.

I was enchanted by everything around me, so mesmerized by that atmosphere that I did not notice the figure in front of me and that he came upon me, making me fall on my butt.

"Be careful where you go brat" a hoarse and stern voice spoke.

I looked up and saw a man in a typical knight’s armor. The imperial coat of arms shone on the graceful purple cloth.

He had a long beard and a thick moustache, some wrinkles on the sides of his eyes and close to his lips, but his gaze was cold. It gave me chills.

"Apologize, little boy and submit." The man continued.

"I... I’m sorry. I didn’t see you. I was walking and..."

I stopped talking when the man knelt before me and grabbed my face to inspect it.

"But look at this. How much beauty pervades your snotty face. Probably superior of the two young princes. You seem almost real, but I what i have say. It os divine. Who knows what will happen if the emperor learns that such an almost unreal beauty lives in the confines of his empire? Maybe he’ll take your face off and give it to one of the two heirs? Or will he look for another way to drain so much perfection that he dared to go beyond the real one? Or will he make you a mere slave? Come on, come with me."

He left my face to grab my arm with force, but before he could drag me away with him, I had the courage to take my bag and throw it violently on his private parts, causing him to fall to his knees.

I took advantage of his moment of weakness to escape. I thought that dispersing myself among the crowd was the right idea that could come to my mind. I was tall, but not high enough to find myself among the people.

I decided to run and pass between body and body, but behind me I could hear that voice of the man before who called me with anger.

"Take that boy. STOP HIM" he said as he tried to reach me, but failed miserably every time he spotted me.

I have to lose sight of him and run straight home.

I thought about what he said before. Would they really take my face off? Drain what was beautiful and give it to one of our princes? I already imagined they put me in a pot of boiling water to cook my meat and give as food to the two heirs to the throne. I need to run and run faster.

Running, I decided to turn around for a few seconds, but I didn’t know that those few distracting moments would be my condemnation. I did not realize that I came out of the crowd of people to go again on another imposing figure.

He wore a red and black Sibijangbok with a huge coat of arms of a black panther. The symbol of the Min dynasty.

I looked up and found myself face to face with the emperor. I was frozen on the ground. The emperor was taking part in the parade where he was the great protagonist and I had just hit him...

I immediately knelt to bow before his presence, leaning my face on the ground to avoid his gaze.

"I beg Your Majesty. Forgive me. I did not do it on purpose. You must forgive me to be clumsy. Don’t hurt me"

I had to look submissive.

Mom said submission is the best defense against imperial fury. Everything was quiet. Only a breeze could be felt at that moment.

"Stand up and let me see your face. I want to see the face of who dared to interrupt the welcome ceremony for the emperor. Identify yourself"

I shook up my face to look at him. His eyes opened wide.

"You.. Good heavens. How can you...? How dare you...?"

I was confused. What was going on?

He took my face in his hands and began to inspect it, touching it with his fingers.

"These eyes, these lips and this nose... Everything is perfect in you. But how is it possible? Only royalty possesses such beauty, a perfect beauty equal to the divine. You are just a little boy, probably born of a stupid fuck. But then how...?"

I wasn’t talking. I didn’t want to talk. I was terrified. A bad thing could condemn not only me, but also my mother...

"Perfect. Where are your parents? I want to buy you from them and make you a court servant. Such beauty should not be wasted among the peasants. You will be trained to become a servant of the next emperor. This perfection must be hidden within the royal palace."

Servant? They wanted to take me away? They didn’t! I don’t want to go away with them. MOM!! MOM HELP ME!!

I tried to free myself from the arms of the sovereign. I wanted my mother. Just the thought of not seeing her anymore made me suffer. I have to run away again and join her.

"Guards! Take the boy. If the parents don’t come out to sell him to me, we will take him by force. Put him inside the royal carriage."

I struggled with all the strength I had in my body until a woman ran in front of us and immediately knelt down. She was my mom and she had tears in her eyes and her face swollen and red from crying.

"I beg you, Your Majesty. Don’t take my son from me. I will do whatever you want, but don’t take him away from me "

She screamed her head off.

The emperor and the guards watched her amused. What was so funny about seeing a mother who is about to lose her son forever.

"Oh ma'am. You can’t do anything anymore. If you wanted to work with us, I’d be willing to pay you, but since you are rebelling, I’m gonna have to take your son with me. So much beauty must be absolutely hidden from any servant of the crown. Such perfection will overshadow that of my children and I cannot allow it. I am magnanimous and will not kill him, but I will make him a miserable servant"

Having said that, the emperor took me in his arms and tried again to free me from his grip, but at the same time my mother also caught him and forcefully seized him for the fabric of his sumptuous dress. He put too much force into it and tore it off.

The king turned to see the damage my mother had done to him and his expression turned into complete anger.

"How are you allowed to do it? To find the best sewing cloth for this Sibijangbok, it cost the lives of many people. The land from which it comes is practically dangerous to reach. You will pay for your damage with your blood. Guards, you know what to do. And you will come with me," he said, turning with me in his arms, as he headed for the royal carriage. He had me in his arms and my face was turned to what was behind him.

I could see two guards grab my mother by the arms, while a third guard picked up a knife in his hand and put it on her neck.

"MOM!! NOOO" I screamed and stretched out my arm to try to reach her in vain, but as soon as I finished screaming, the knife slit her throat and I saw my mother’s blood gushing like a river from the wound.

The two guards left her and she fell to the ground. Her body was full of convulsions and after a few moments she stopped moving. His face fell on the immense puddle of blood.

Dead. She had just died before my eyes. My entire body froze from shock. Eomma....

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Two weeks later...

It had been two weeks. Two weeks since my mother was murdered by the one I was to consider my emperor.

Since I was taken from my village, from my home.

One day I lost everything I loved and only because I decided to listen to my mom. And now I killed her. It was my mistake that she was dead.

Now I am at the royal palace, along with the servants. They treated me like crap and tried to insult me at every opportunity. There were two guys, Jinyoung and Kai, who tried to humiliate me on every occasion. They said I was stupid and incompetent. That I would have been killed in no time.

"You deserve the death sentence." Or "Do you know why you’re alive? Because our emperor is of good heart, otherwise he would have had you condemned for that face. You don’t deserve all that beauty, our principles are worthy of it," they told me all the time. Especially before, while they beat me to try to ruin my face.

Fortunately the chief of the servants caught them in the act and stopped them. Now I was in my room, waiting for treatment, with a broken lip.. My stomach hurt.

I was repeatedly kicked.

I already knew I wouldn’t fit in here. My face made me kill my mother. My face got me into this mess. No one loved me because of it.

And tears started to fill my eyes.

Until...

"Woof! Woof!" and a couple of legs leaned on my feet.

I looked down confused and saw a pretty fur ball. It was a puppy. A beautiful puppy, intent on looking at me with two small eyes full of curiosity.

I reached out and stroked his little face "Who are you?"

"He’s Yeontan. He’s a Pomeranian puppy. My mother gave it to me."

I turned to the voice unknown to me and in front of me I saw this little blond-haired guy. I stared at him. He had two fleshy lips, a small nose and almost feminine features for a boy, but they were certainly not a negative trait. In fact, they made him more beautiful.

"Sorry if he bothered you. But I had to come here to fix your wounds and he wanted to come with me. Isn’t that right, Tannie?" said the young boy, turning lovingly toward his puppy dog.

"N...no.. no... he didn’t bother me. He is so sweet."

He smiled at my words and approached me

"You’re the new guy, aren’t you? It must be tough. My mother and I have been living in this building forever and I know how hard life is here. Especially with some guys. Leave them alone and they’ll leave you alone," he kept talking as he pulled out the bandages and a little jar with a weird substance in it from the little bag he brought with him.

He opened the jar and a pungent smell began to pinch my nose.

"This is a cream of Aloe. It is a natural substance for disinfecting wounds. Unfortunately, the plant who give us this substance is quite rare in our country. So I’ll only use a little bit of it."

I admired the boy who stood before me. He spoke with a certain passion. Probably he must liked medicine so much. But my eyes couldn’t get away from his face and the more I looked at him, the beat of my heart rate increased.

What is that feeling?

"It will burn slightly, but it’s bearable. Trust me," he smiled.

That smile was giving me a feeling I’d never felt before...

"I... I trust" I said timidly.

He put that cream on a cotton ball and started to dab it gently on my wound.

Even his touch made me feel good and I didn’t want him to stop.

"That’s it. Now we put on the bandage and everything will be done"

After wrapping me up, he stood up and gave me a little bow to greet me.

"Well. It was nothing serious, but for any problem, you can turn to me. Come on, Tannie. Let’s go," and having said that, he walked away from me to get out of my room.

I don’t know what happened to me at the time, but the thought of him leaving made me suffer. So I suddenly got up and grabbed him by the arm.

"WAIT!"

He turned around and looked at me with a confused expression.

"Please... please... I’ve always been alone in my life. You were the only one who treated me with a little humanity besides my mother. Please don’t leave me alone" I had to look pathetic for being like this in front of him. I mean, we only knew each other for a few minutes and we still didn’t know the names of each other...

He’d probably insult me like everyone else.

But instead...

"Of course I won’t leave you alone. It’s always been me and my mom against everyone in here. I would love to have a friend with whom to spend my free time"

To his words. My heart trembled and I began to feel warm to my cheeks.

"Tha.. Thank you"

"But first of all we have to introduce ourselves, no? As you know he is Yeontan," he said, taking the puppy in his arms to give it to me. I took him in my arms and he immediately began to lick my face.

"He already likes you" he laughed.

"Yes..."

"By the way, I’m Park Jimin and you?"

"M... My name is Kim Taehyung" and to my answer, Jimin made a big smile that made me feel even hotter. I don’t know what emotions I was feeling towards him now, but...

I was glad I knew a friend.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Five years have passed since that day and now Jimin and I were 16. We were in the midst of our adolescence, but despite all our bond remained very strong.

Ever since we met that feeling that I thought was great for him, he started to turn into something stronger. Until one day I realized it wasn’t just friendship, it was love.

I was in love with Park Jimin and how can I blame myself? Over the years, he lost all his chubby little boy face for slimmer, more attractive features. Even his body changed, his belly toned until he got simply attractive abs.

I remember how one day we went swimming at the lake and I saw him with only his underwear. He was wonderful, a Greek god and it was there that I realized that I wanted him not only emotionally, but also carnally.

Not for nothing that night my dick got harder and harder just thinking about him and his body. I unbuttoned my pants and let my member out and I started masturbating while I thought about Jimin.

That evening I thought it below me, while with my dick I sank inside him, while his inner walls held me and how he moaned my name.

Oh, how I wanted it. I wanted to make it mine and shower it with my sperm. I wanted to cum inside him.

That night I cummed so hard, thinking only of him...

I wanted to confess my love for him. I really wanted to do it, but what did he think of me? Did he just see me as a friend? Or did he feel the same way? Relationship between two boys were strictly forbidden, especially throughout the royal palace.

But I loved him very much and I could not live without him. I did not want to give up, either as a friend or as a lover.

In fact, one night I took courage and decided to declare myself.

I still remember that day.

I asked him to meet us outside in the imperial gardens. I decided to bring him a bouquet of lilac, his favorite flower.

I was so anxious. I didn’t know how it was going to end, but the excitement became greater when I saw it coming.

"Ehii Tae. Why did you want us to meet at this hour? Not that I mind. I like to spend my time with you" I noticed a slight nuance on his cheeks.

And I too was blushed by his words.

"Me too, Chim... these are for you," I told him as I handed him the bouquet.

His eyes lit up at the sight of his favorite flower.

"Thank you! I love them. You were very kind" and he hugged me.

I immediately reciprocate his hug immediately. I wrapped with all my affection the small height of the cover of Jimin. I did not want to let go. I liked having him in my arms too much. But soon after Jimin broke off and I noticed that his redness had slightly increased.

"You know what my mother told me?" I shook my head and looked at him with curiosity

"Lilacs are also my mother’s favorite flowers and she told me when my dad was expressing his love, he always told her "I purple you"

"Purple You?"

"Yes. My mother told me that for them, “purple” is the color of true and pure love. Red has the same meaning, but expresses a more passionate love. But purple... is the best color to express true love." He said, looking tenderly at the flowers.

"Jimin..." I took his hand and twisted my fingers with his. It was so small compared to mine and I loved it.

"I purple you..."

He looked at me and he became even redder. "I love you too Tae..."

"No Jimin. I don’t love you like a simple friend but..." And before I could finish to talk, I took him again in my arms, and I gave him a sweet kiss on his lips and they were so soft, and they tasted delicious. It tasted like peaches and I didn’t want to get away from him anymore.

i started to worry when I heard he wasn’t moving, but the nerves subsided when I felt his hands resting on my chest and his lips returning mine.

He loved me and I loved him. No words were needed. The silence spoke for itself, especially when we detached ourselves from our kiss and stared at each other with love, while our foreheads leaned gently with each other.

Only the moon and the stars were witnesses of our love...

Or so I thought...

And that’s where my problems begin.

By now the two princes were both 18 years old. Jimin had been entrusted to take care of Princess Y/n and today I was entrusted to the care of Prince Agust.

I was hoping they would give me the assignment to serve Yoongi. I admired him a lot as a person, but unfortunately I had to serve his brother.

I always thought Agust was weird. The kind of person you know has a double face, a double character, someone who definitely doesn’t think twice or more about stabbing you in the back.

That’s why my and Jimin’s relationship had to remain secret. If he came to find out...

Our heads would be impaled in the fury of the palace walls.

Now I was in his room waiting for his orders. We were forbidden to look him directly in the eye. Some people think that as soon as you cross her eyes, you die.

He stood in front of the mirror while he was fixing his long hair in a small chignon.

He was wearing his dress of expensive and delicate fabrics.

"So you are Kim Taehyung? My personal servant?"

"Yes, Your Majesty Agust," I lowered my head as a sign of submission.

"You know I asked for you?"

I had a confused look on my face.

"it’s an honor for me that you chose me"

He stood up with a mocking smile and approached me slowly. It was slightly lower than me, but I was still trying to keep my head down so I wouldn’t look it directly in the eye.

He put his finger under my chin and lifted my face. I found him before me and continued to admire my face. I didn’t know what was happening and why he was like this with me.

But soon after his lips found mine. He was kissing me. Prince Agust was kissing me! I don’t want to betray Jimin, but I can’t even rebel. I waited for him to finish the kiss.

His lips left mine, but not before he grabbed my lower lip with his teeth and pulled it lightly. I was shocked. What was going on?

"Mhmm. Your lips are so delicious and soft. I couldn’t resist and i had to kiss them. They’re perfect and so are the rest of you." He told me as he continued to caress my mouth with his thumb.

"Your Majesty...?"

"Ah, sorry. Who knows how your lover will react to the fact that I kissed you? Jimin is his name, right?"

I was paralyzed on the spot. Did he know about me and Jimin? What? Oh no...

"Oh look at your face. Of course I know about you," he said with an evil smile as he walked away from me "I saw you that night you know? Have you kissed? I may have been a few months ago? Do you know that it is strictly forbidden to be a couple of guys? You know that’s punishable by a death sentence?"

I swallowed and I started to sweat. We were doomed.

But Agust came back to me and he started to stroke my face, "I should kill you, but I won’t. You know why? You will help me become emperor and eliminate my brother."

What...?

"My plan is to take advantage of a moment of my brother’s absence. They have a secret relationship you know? But she is mine and he will be punished for putting his filthy hands on her. But that’s the plan. I’m gonna rape her and then simulate some kind of suicide, maybe slit her wrists or something. It will be difficult to hurt her, do it to my beautiful love, but to stay together I have to do it. Then surely someone will call Yoongi to help her and that’s where you partecipate in this moment. You will give false testimony, especially during his trial. I will see that it happens. If you do, and everything goes as smoothly as butter, you and Jimin can be together, and I won’t stop you and you can live your relationship. No condemnation and you will be protected by my guards in case of future violence. Don’t you want freedom for yourself and your little Chim-Chim?"

To his words I did not know what to say. Condemn two innocent people to stay with the love of my life? The princess will have to suffer a life together with a cruel and manipulative man...

But did I not deserve my freedom? I have suffered all my life and now I have been offered peace and freedom together with my lover....

"So? Do you accept?" Agust asked me

Yoongi, Princess Y/n.... forgive me...

Forgive me too, Jimin... I’m doing this for us...

"I’ll do it"

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Now

And we return to us. Me, alone and sitting on my bed after having just done something terrible. Yoongi had escaped, Y/n was suffering....

Jimin was present at the trial... he saw me lying and convicting two innocents. But he also lied...

I didn’t expect him to be the one to find the princess after the rape and call Yoongi, but why did he also perjure himself?

The sound of the door opening brought me back to reality and Jimin found himself in front of me with tears in his eyes. He ran up to me and he hugged me.

"Tae why... why did you lie?" I held him tightly in my arms.

"I did it for us Chim. Agust had found out about us and threatened to help him. But don’t worry. In return he will give us the freedom to be together in the sunlight and not in secret"

"Was it really worth, Tae? Give unhappiness to so many people for our selfish desire? We’ll be together anyway...”

"But... Agust would have killed us if I didn’t..."

"You are so naive, my love. Agust is evil and double-crossing... you do not know that he sentenced me to death in secret with the council of the wise? Namjonon just told me."

I looked at my lover and saw that he actually had a backpack full of various objects.

"Death??... Jimin... Are you going to forsaken me?" the tears started to form in my eyes.

"I have to do it Tae," he said as he wiped my tears with his little fingers, "If I want to live, I have to go and run now. Jungkook will help me, but... I don’t know when we’ll see each other or it wull be our last time together"

"Jimin..." I start to cry.

He was leaving me and once again because of me. It is my fault...

For the umpteenth time I made a wrong choice? Did I really have a choice over what had already happened?

Jimin put his hand on my cheek and I leaned on it and I grabbed it with my hand. I love him so much and maybe I would never see him again. But it was better to see him run away than to die... right?

But my heart was in such terrible pain...

Jimin came up and we exchanged a passionate kiss and held him tight to me. If this were to be the last time, I wanted to show him in simple gestures of love how important he was to me...

"Goodbye, my love. I love you..." he told me gently, but I could see that he was also trying to hide his deep sadness

"I Purple you..." I whispered.

He gave me another weak kiss, but before he left, he took off the little ribbon he had wrapped around his neck and handed it to me.

"So you will know that you will remain forever in my heart and you will always remember me..." he said this took his backpack and came out of my room... disappearing in front of my eyes...

I took my young lover’s velvet ribbon and carried it on my nose.

It smelled like peaches... smelled like him...

"Goodbye Chim. I love you..."

#kpop #kpop series #bts #bts fanfic #bts yoongi #bts namjoon #historical!au #Daewchita #daewchita!au #Fantasy!AU #bts fantasy au #bts fantasy!au #jimin #min yoongi #BTS jimin #min yoongi series #agust d #yoongi x reader #yoongi x you #agust d x reader #agust d x you #namjoon #kim namjoon #kim seokjin #park jimin #taehyung #bts taehyung #BTS jungkook #jhope #bts jhope

[monsoonblooms12]

Belamour (Ethan x f!MC)

Summary: Set after Book 3, Pooja finally gets Ethan to dance in the rain.

A/N: A silly something born out of my love for rains and my binge listening to 80s Bollywood classics (I have no idea what kinda mess this is tbh). Also, my first song based fic🤎

A/N 2: The song lyrics are indented (Translation in parenthesis)

Pairing: Ethan Ramsey X f!MC (Pooja Sharma)

Rating: General

Word Count: around 1.5K

Category: Total fluff

Warnings: None that I noticed

Song Inspiration: Aaj Kal Yaad Kuch by Mohammed Aziz

READ ON AO3

A pair of summery blue orbs insistently stare at the world beyond the glass windows.

A world that was now being washed by the consistent droplets that came down from the adobe of clouds to meet their origin.

Their drum was usually henotic, tranquil for him.

But at the moment, it only added to his irritation and deepened the void of disappointment that had formed in his chest.

In another room of the same house, a pair of amber orbs watched the magic of nature with a child-like wonder.

The pleasant, dewy petrichor spread around her, and the mellifluous tunes of Earth's own orchestra made her forget the fast turns her life went through in the past day.

In the faint light, she picked up her hand and let the jewel, the stone that was nothing less than a promise of forever, shine like the billion stars that dot the sky at nights that are devoid of clouds.

As the iridescent lights make her eyes sparkle, a vague idea forms in her brain.

Her thoughts float to reach the person who gifted her happiness, and a smile lit up on her face.

There was a mix of challenge and love in the quest she was about to partake and she was determined to succeed.

In slow, soundless steps, she made her way out of the room and out of the house.

A blur went past and his trained eyes were quick enough to catch the motion.

Shaking his head with realization, he followed behind.

As the steps took him down, and he stood under the shade of the multi-floored skyrise, she stayed yards away from it.

Her hair was wet, her skirt twirling, her face bright and beautiful.

He felt his heart race, whispering an urge to join with hers.

He restrained himself, but the scene in front of him was so spectacular that he doubted just how long his restraint would last.

After what felt like an eternity, she turned to him, half of her face golden under the street lights, the other half bearing the monotones of black and white.

She looked like the personification of their love.

Her life the golden, and his the black and white.

He could write sonnets to describe the picture-perfect scene that played before him like a film, but all he did was stand still, unable to tear his eyes away, unable to speak the words that hadn't already been spoken, his well-thumbed thesaurus gathering dust in the labyrinths of his mind.

She looked at him with a longing, a spoken call for him to join her as the rains continued to fall and purify the earth.

All he did was shake his head in silence.

She took it as a challenge, and he already knew how it was going to end.

For a minute he got lost in her memories, reminiscences from a time, from a moment that passed too quick, yet slow enough for him to remember every moment of it.

And suddenly, the faint tunes of a song brought him back to the present.

Every word of the foreign seeming language lucid clear, setting in a cascade of emotions and bringing pictures etched in past pages of the novel of life, making him go on a trip down the memory lane.

Aajkal Yad Kuch Aur Rehta Nahi

(Nowadays I don't seem to remember anything else)

Ek Bas Aapki Yad Aane Ke Bad

(Once your memories enchant me)

Yaad Aane Se Pehle Chale Aaiye

(Please come to me before the memories reach me)

Aur Phir Jaiye Jan Jane Ke Bad

(And then leave only after my breath leaves me)

The truth of the words came with an epiphany.

Every day of knowing her had been a way of painting the monotones of his life in colours he thought didn't belong to him.

Every moment she had ever spent away from him had made him yearn for her more than ever.

And yet he was foolish enough to think that miles of distance and hundreds of hours could make him forget her.

All the distress he felt could have been so easily ended if she had been with him then.

And now, as he dreams of an aeon with her, he promises to only let her go when his breath leaves him alone.

Apni Aankhon Me Mujhko Basa Lijiye

(Allow me to settle in the world of your eyes)

Apne Dil Me Mera Ghar Bana Dijiye

(Make a home for me in your heart)

Kya Karu Dil Kahi Aur Lagta Nahi

Pyar Me Aapse Dil Lagane Ke Bad

(What's the fault of mine if I can't concentrate on anything other than you, since our hearts connected by the string of love)

As the minutes pass by, melting into each other to form an hour, he loses all tracks of time.

And amidst the sweven he was living in right now, at a moment he could not pinpoint, she had taken his hand into hers and now he stood, lost in the amber of her eyes, forgetting all about the shower that now fell upon him.

As she continued to mutter the tunes in a harmony that went on in rhythm with the rain, he wished he could live in the world of her orbs.

To see the world as she saw it, to live the life from her perspective.

All he wanted was home in her heart, a tiny place on the lands of her soul.

Ishq Ke Maine Kitne Fasane Sune

(I have heard many tales of epic romances)

Husb Ke Kitne Kisse Purane Sune

(And stories about beautiful people from bygone eras)

Aisa Lagta Hai Phir Is Tarah Tut Kar

Pyar Hamne Kiya Ek Zamane Ke Bad

(But I feel I have been broken and got mended by love after centuries)

In muted harmonies, the two of them twirled, forgetting the world around them.

The way their eyes held onto each other, as if holding onto their lives, reminded him of the tales of love the folklores talk about.

The romances of princesses and maidens, and of beauties who earned their fairytale.

But as her palm stroked his cheek in a feather-light motion, he concluded that all those tales faint in front of the story of theirs.

There were no royals, no cruel witches setting up spells and no poisoned apples.

There were just two people, broken by the storms life made them navigate through, fitting perfectly as if parts of a whole.

He tried to remember if he had ever experienced anything as he did now, his lip tracing her ear as his hands wrapped around her waist.

It didn't even take him a second to know the answer.

He hadn't.

Aapka Naam Dil Se Nikalta Nahi

(Your name never leaves my heart)

Dillagi Me Koi Zor Chalta Nahi

Dillagi Me Koi Zor Chalta Nahi

(No force is strong enough to stop the meet of two hearts)

Aapko Bhul Jane Ki Koshish Bhi Ki

(I tried a hundred times to forget you)

Aur Tadpa Hun Main Bhool Jaane Ke Baad

(And suffered a suffering of pain and agony once I forgot you)

The rains accelerate and become a downpour. The mist envelops them but there was no care for the changing environment.

The distance between them ceases to exist as their hearts finally get the pleasure of beating in unison.

In the next moments, she whispers close to his ear, the last of the melody, and it's his story.

The story of how he couldn't get rid of the five-lettered name since the first time he ever came to know about it.

Of how no force in the world could stop two hearts from meeting if that's what destiny had in plan for them.

Who one loves and who loves them back determines so much in one life.

And for him, it was a chance, a risk he was scared to take, dreading the destruction it may cause.

After all when had anything ever-blossoming flowers in the city of his soul?

But this time not only did spring finally arrived with its flowery footsteps but also led to a discovery of himself, a part of him that was buried under layers of snow from the winter that reigned in his life for years.

She taps twice on his heart, indicating how he had tried to forget her, all those years ago. And how he broke himself in the process.

As she hummed the last lines, he bowed down in front of the forces that brought the two of them together.

He thanked the stars which aligned the way did to let him fall for her and agreed to hide, to let the rains fall, to let him have this night with her.

And looked in awe at the woman who brought about the sweetest catastrophe mankind has ever known.

And without uttering a word, he picks her and kisses her, saying all that was left unsaid with it.

PS: I actually have another version of the song, that I sung specifically to go with this, but Tumblr is giving me troubles to upload it. Do let me know if you would like to hear it someday.

Anyways, If you are reading this, I am very grateful for you. Thank you for reading and I hope you have a great day🤎

Tags🤎(Please let me know if you would like to be added or removed):

Perma: @gkittylove99 @neotericthemis @udishaman @aestheticartsx @twinkleallnight @schnitzelbutterfingers @sophxwithers @sweatyrysconnoisseur @nikki-2406 @choicesfanaf @trrfanaddict @starrystarrytrouble @gardeningourmet @parkbarks @mvalentine @lovablegranny @mercury84choices @izzyourresidentlawyer @phoenixrising308 @adiehardfan @quixoticdreamer16 @a-crepusculo @cordonianruby @gryffindordaughterofathena

Open Heart (All fics and edit): @lucy-268 @maurine07 @bellcat2010 @headoverheelsforramsey @estellaelysian @shanzay44

Ethan x Pooja: @aleynareads @choicesaddict5 @stygianflood @mysticaurathings @jamespotterthefirst @ilikemenbutonlyethanramsey @takemyopenheart @mm2305

@choicesficwriterscreations @openheartfanfics

#pixelberry choices #playchoices #open heart #choices stories you play #choices stories we play #choices #choices open heart #choices oh #open heart mc #open heart fanfiction #open heart ethan #ethan x pooja #ethan ramsey #ethan x mc #pooja sharma #oph choices #choices oph #cfwc fics of the week #fics of the week #my fanfics✒ #i told the stars about queue #choices fanfiction #oph mc

[kookie-doughs]

Y/N L/N AND THE HALFBLOODS

Percy Jackson X Reader -Y/N L/N met Percy Jackson and everything was now ruined.

CHAPTER 10: The Wheels On The Bus Goes Skrt Skrt Skrt

It didn't take me long to pack. I didn't have anything at all, which left me only an extra change of clothes and a toothbrush to stuff in a backpack Grover had found for me and Percy. Both having nothing to carry we decided to share a bag. The camp store loaned us one hundred dollars in mortal money and twenty golden drachmas. These coins were as big as Girl Scout cookies and had images of various Greek gods stamped on one side and the Empire State Building on the other. The ancient mortal drachmas had been silver, Chiron told us, but Olympians never used less than pure gold. Chiron said the coins might come in handy for non-mortal transactions—whatever that meant. He gave Annabeth, Percy and I each a canteen of nectar and a Ziploc bag full of ambrosia squares, to be used only in emergencies, if we were seriously hurt. It was god food, Chiron reminded us. It would cure us of almost any injury, but it was lethal to mortals. Too much of it would make a half-blood very, very feverish. An overdose would burn us up, literally. Annabeth was bringing her magic Yankees cap, which she told us had been a twelfth-birthday present from her mom. She carried a book on famous classical architecture, written in Ancient Greek, to read when she got bored, and a long bronze knife, hidden in her shirt sleeve. I was sure the knife would get us busted the first time we went through a metal detector. Grover wore his fake feet and his pants to pass as human. He wore a green rasta-style cap, because when it rained his curly hair flattened and you could just see the tips of his horns. His bright orange backpack was full of scrap metal and apples to snack on. In his pocket was a set of reed pipes his daddy goat had carved for him, even though he only knew two songs: Mozart's Piano Concerto no. 12 and Hilary Duff's "So Yesterday," both of which sounded pretty bad on reed pipes. We waved good-bye to the other campees, took one last look at the strawberry fields, the ocean, and the Big House, then hiked up Half-Blood Hill to the tall pine tree that used to be Thalia, daughter of Zeus. Chiron was waiting for us in his wheelchair. Next to him stood a surfer looking dude. According to Grover, the guy was the camp's head of security. He supposedly had eyes all over his body so he could never be surprised. Today, though, he was wearing a chauffeur's uniform, so I could only see extra peepers on his hands, face and neck. "This is Argus," Chiron told us. "He will drive you into the city, and, er, well, keep an eye on things." I heard footsteps behind us. Luke came running up the hill, carrying a pair of basketball shoes. "Hey!" he panted. "Glad I caught you." Annabeth blushed, the way she always did when Luke was around. I looked at him with a frown. "Don't look at me like that. I had to find out from the others you're going on a quest." he glared. "So much for the option you won't die at." "I would've told you if you were at the cabin when I got back. Now what's with the shoes?" "Just wanted to say good luck," Luke told Percy. "And I thought... um, maybe you could use these." He handed him the sneakers, which looked pretty normal. They even smelled kind of normal. Luke said, "Maia!" White bird's wings sprouted out of the heels, startling me so much, Percy dropped them. The shoes flapped around on the ground until the wings folded up and disappeared. "Awesome!" Grover said. Luke smiled. "Those served me well when I was on my quest. Gift from Dad. Of course, I don't use them much these days...." His expression turned sad. I didn't know what to say. It was cool enough that Luke had come to say good-bye. But here he was giving Percy a magic gift.... It made me a bit jealous. "Hey, man," Percy said. "Thanks." "Listen, Percy..." Luke looked uncomfortable. "A lot of hopes are riding on you. So just... kill some monsters for me, okay?" They shook hands. Luke patted Grover's head between his horns, then gave a good-bye hug to Annabeth, who looked like she might pass out. The three went to Chiron about stuffs while Luke and I had a staring contest. "So Percy got a present and I only get an I don't know... a hug? Here I thought I was your favorite." "What made you think you are?" He laughed and ruffled my hair. "And no you don't get a hug." "Suddenly I'm not coming back." He smiled and from his back he pulled out a sheathed knife. "I meant to say you won't get only a hug. I noticed you're not a fan of swords. So, I made this my self. I am no Hephaestus child but hey..." He handed me the knife. The sheath was plain colored with a metal chap and locket, it had chains attached to the locket where I could probably put it on something to make sure I bring it with me. Pulling the knife out of the sheath, its knife was around 15 inches. On the blade, Ancient Greek was engraved on it. I think it's my name and the other side is his. "What is this?" I grinned. "I don't know. I ran out of good ideas! I swear I looked up some of Plato and Socrates for that." "And you settled for that?" I laughed. "I am going to take that back now." "Hey, that doesn't mean I don't like it. Thanks." "It's celestial bronze... Half of it at least." "Half?" "I'm sure Chiron won't appreciate it. It will harm both us and humans." "So... It'll hurt both side?" "Yup. And I'm not sure but according to a Hephaestus kid but it's supposed to glow when its near something." "Its not glowing now." "We never said no backsies. I'd like it back now." "I'll take good care of..." I stopped to think of a name and almost immediately remembered a perfect one, "Sting." "I would ask but I already know." Luke shook his head. "Be careful with Sting. It---" "He. Sting is a he, thank you very much." "HE, is lethal. He it can kill us, others close to our kind and normal humans." "Oops I accidentally stabbed myself." With a worried look he pulled me in a hug, "And whatever happens. Put your safety above all. No need to be the hero. If you die in this quest I will get the lord of the dead revive you or kill me." "Ew how sentimental." "Be careful... okay? All of you. Promise me that." "Fine, I promise. On the knife, I'll come back not dead, with everyone." After Luke was gone, I placed the knife on my waist. I went back to Percy. "Okay, that's extremely cool," I heard him say. "What's cool?" I grinned standing behind Percy overlooking his shoulder. "My new pen." He showed me his pen and uncapped it only to show a sword. "I can't loose it no matter what! Its called Riptide." "But what if a mortal sees you pulling out a sword?" Chiron smiled. "Mist is a powerful thing, Y/N." "Mist?" "I just keep hearing that over and over can someone finally explain?" "Yes. Read The Iliad. It's full of references to the stuff. Whenever divine or monstrous elements mix with the mortal world, they generate Mist, which obscures the vision of humans. You will see things just as they are, being a half-blood, but humans will interpret things quite differently. Remarkable, really, the lengths to which humans will go to fit things into their version of reality." Percy put Riptide back in his pocket. For the first time, the quest felt real. We was actually leaving Half-Blood Hill. We was heading west with no adult supervision, no backup plan, not even a cell phone. (Chiron said cell phones were traceable by monsters; if we used one, it would be worse than sending up a flare.) I had no weapon stronger than a knife to fight off monsters and reach the Land of the Dead. "Chiron..." I said. "When you say the gods are immortal... I mean, there was a time before them, right?" "Four ages before them, actually. The Time of the Titans was the Fourth Age, sometimes called the Golden Age, which is definitely a misnomer. This, the time of Western civilization and the rule of Zeus, is the Fifth Age." "So what was it like... before the gods?" Chiron pursed his lips. "Even I am not old enough to remember that, child, but I know it was a time of darkness and savagery for mortals. Kronos, the lord of the Titans, called his reign the Golden Age because men lived innocent and free of all knowledge. But that was mere propaganda. The Titan king cared nothing for your kind except as appetizers or a source of cheap entertainment. It was only in the early reign of Lord Zeus, when Prometheus the good Titan brought fire to mankind, that your species began to progress, and even then Prometheus was branded a radical thinker. Zeus punished him severely, as you may recall. Of course, eventually the gods warmed to humans, and Western civilization was born." "But the gods can't die now, right? I mean, as long as Western civilization is alive, they're alive. So... even if I failed, nothing could happen so bad it would mess up everything, right?" Chiron gave us a melancholy smile. "No one knows how long the Age of the West will last, Percy. The gods are immortal, yes. But then, so were the Titans. They still exist, locked away in their various prisons, forced to endure endless pain and punishment, reduced in power, but still very much alive. May the Fates forbid that the gods should ever suffer such a doom, or that we should ever return to the darkness and chaos of the past. All we can do, child, is follow our destiny." "Our destiny... assuming we know what that is." "Relax," Chiron told me. "Keep a clear head. And remember, you may be about to prevent the biggest war in human history." "Relax," Percy said. "I'm very relaxed." When we got to the bottom of the hill, I looked back. Under the pine tree that used to be Thalia, daughter of Zeus, Chiron was now standing in full horse-man form, holding his bow high in salute. Just your typical summer-camp send-off by your typical centaur. I took Percy's hand and we gave each other a reassuring nod. I wish us luck. Talking whilst at camp drained me. I apologize if I won't be much help. You have stamina? So you aren't a bigshot all powerful god? Without you and I as one. I am nothing. I have given you my everything.

Argus drove us out of the countryside and into western Long Island. It felt weird to be on a highway again, Annabeth and Percy was sitting next to me as if we were normal carpoolers. After two weeks at Half-Blood Hill, the real world seemed like a fantasy. I found myself staring at every McDonald's, every kid in the back of his parents' car, every billboard and shopping mall. "So far so good," Percy said. "Ten miles and not a single monster." She gave him an irritated look. "It's bad luck to talk that way, seaweed brain." "Remind me again—why do you hate me so much?" "I don't hate you." "Could've fooled me." She folded her cap of invisibility. "Look... we're just not supposed to get along, okay? Our parents are rivals." "Why?" She sighed. "How many reasons do you want? One time my mom caught Poseidon with his girlfriend in Athena's temple, which is hugely disrespectful. Another time, Athena and Poseidon competed to be the patron god for the city of Athens. Your dad created some stupid saltwater spring for his gift. My mom created the olive tree. The people saw that her gift was better, so they named the city after her." "They must really like olives." I interjected. "Not you too! You know what? Forget it." "Now, if she'd invented pizza—that I could understand." "I said, forget it!" In the front seat, Argus smiled. He didn't say anything, but one blue eye on the back of his neck winked at me. Traffic slowed us down in Queens. By the time we got into Manhattan it was sunset and starting to rain. Argus dropped us at the Greyhound Station on the Upper East Side, Percy and I didn't let go. Taped to a mailbox was a soggy flyer with Percy's picture on it: HAVE YOU SEEN THIS BOY? He ripped it down before Annabeth and Grover could notice. "They could've at least gotten a better picture." I smirked which caused him to roll his eyes. Argus unloaded our bags, made sure we got our bus tickets, then drove away, the eye on the back of his hand opening to watch us as he pulled out of the parking lot. Grover shouldered his backpack. He gazed down the street in the direction Percy was looking. "You want to know why she married him, Percy?" I stared at Percy then at Grover. "Were you reading my mind or something?" "Just your emotions." He shrugged. "Guess I forgot to tell you satyrs can do that. You were thinking about your mom and your stepdad, right?" Percy nodded. I missed my parents of course, but I had Luke and Grover to talk to which made me less lonely. Percy became an outcast when we got to camp and had no one to talk to. I squeezed his hand and gave him a smile. "Your mom married Gabe for you," Grover told him. "You call him 'Smelly,' but you've got no idea. The guy has this aura.... Yuck. I can smell him from here. I can smell traces of him on you, and you haven't been near him for a week." "Thanks," Percy said. "Where's the nearest shower?" "You should be grateful, Percy. Your stepfather smells so repulsively human he could mask the presence of any demigod. As soon as I took a whiff inside his Camaro, I knew: Gabe has been covering your scent for years. If you hadn't lived with him every summer, you probably would've been found by monsters a long time ago. Your mom stayed with him to protect you. She was a smart lady. She must've loved you a lot to put up with that guy—if that makes you feel any better." I knew what Percy was thinking. He was thinking of the fact we'll get his mom and my parents. How we'll save them all. We got restless waiting for the bus and decided to play some Hacky Sack with one of Grover's apples. Annabeth was unbelievable. She could bounce the apple off her knee, her elbow, her shoulder, whatever. I wasn't too bad myself. The game ended when I tossed the apple toward Grover and it got too close to his mouth. In one mega goat bite, our Hacky Sack disappeared—core, stem, and all. Grover blushed. He tried to apologize, but we were too busy cracking up. Percy pulled me to a corner, after excusing ourselves for a bathroom break. "You finally going to tell me about this quest?" "The truth is," He started. "I don't care about retrieving Zeus's lightning bolt, or saving the world, or even helping my father out of trouble." I gave him a look that reassured him to continue. "The more I thought about it, I resented my father for never visiting me, never helping my mom, never even sending a lousy child-support check. He'd only claimed me because he needed a job done. All I cared about was you and my mom. The underworld god had taken her unfairly, and he is going to give her back." "Percy, we don't even know what's going on. Yeah, he might have her. But what is there's another reason? We don't exactly know anything. I don't even think my parents are with him." "Well, no matter where they are. We will get them back. The least I could do is get them back." He rested his head on my shoulder. "Don't "You will be betrayed by one who calls you a friend," "What?" I froze. "Percy... I would never---" "You will fail to save what matters most in the end." "What are you talking about?" The rain kept coming down. "The rest of the prophecy. Y/N, I don't want you to betray me. Please... don't." I could hear his voice breaking. "Of course I won't. We'll get this quest done. We won't loose anyone and we'll get our parents. Don't worry." I hugged him. "I will stay with you. I won't leave and I won't betray you." "Hey Bonnie and Clyde, we need to go." Finally the bus came. As we stood in line to board, Grover started looking around, sniffing the air. "What is it?" I asked. "I don't know," he said tensely. "Maybe it's nothing." But I could tell it wasn't nothing. I took Percy's hand and started looking over my shoulder, too. I was relieved when we finally got on board and found seats together in the back of the bus. We stowed our backpacks. Annabeth kept slapping her Yankees cap nervously against her thigh. As the last passengers got on, I immediately clamped my hand onto Percy's knee. "Percy." It was Mrs. Dodds. Older, more withered, but definitely the same evil face. I scrunched down in my seat. Behind her came two more old ladies: one in a green hat, one in a purple hat. Otherwise they looked exactly like Mrs. Dodds—same gnarled hands, paisley handbags, wrinkled velvet dresses. Triplet demon grandmothers. And I was now sure, Mrs. Rudolph was one of them. They sat in the front row, right behind the driver. The two on the aisle crossed their legs over the walkway, making an X. It was casual enough, but it sent a clear message: nobody leaves. The bus pulled out of the station, and we headed through the slick streets of Manhattan. "She didn't stay dead long," Percy said, "I thought you said they could be dispelled for a lifetime." "I said if you're lucky," Annabeth said. "You're obviously not." "All three of them," Grover whimpered. "Di immortales!" "Who knows maybe they just want to play?" I said nervously. Annabeth gave me a look of irritation, "Not now," she said, obviously thinking hard. "The Furies. The three worst monsters from the Underworld. No problem. No problem. We'll just slip out the windows." "They don't open," Grover moaned. "A back exit?" she suggested. There wasn't one. Even if there had been, it wouldn't have helped. By that time, we were on Ninth Avenue, heading for the Lincoln Tunnel. "Maybe a nice chat would help?" "They won't attack us with witnesses around," Percy said. "Will they?" "Mortals don't have good eyes," Annabeth reminded him. "Their brains can only process what they see through the Mist." "They'll see three old ladies killing us, won't they?" She thought about it. "Hard to say. But we can't count on mortals for help. Maybe an emergency exit in the roof... ?" We hit the Lincoln Tunnel, and the bus went dark except for the running lights down the aisle. It was eerily quiet without the sound of the rain. Mrs. Dodds got up. In a flat voice, as if she'd rehearsed it, she announced to the whole bus: "I need to use the rest-room." "So do I," said the second sister. "So do I," said the third sister. They all started coming down the aisle. "I've got it," Annabeth said. "Percy, take my hat." "What?" "You're the one they want. Turn invisible and go up the aisle. Let them pass you. Maybe you can get to the front and get away." "But you guys—" "There's an outside chance they might not notice us," Annabeth said. "You're a son of one of the Big Three. Your smell might be overpowering." "I can't just leave Y-- you guys!" "Don't worry about us," I assured him. "Go!" His hands were trembling. But I took the Yankees cap and put it on. And he simply vanished. Mrs. Dodds stopped, sniffing, and looked straight at a spot. My heart was pounding. Apparently she didn't see anything. She and her sisters kept going. "Maybe if they approach us, I could try talking? I really was Mrs. Rudolph's favorite..." I stammered. "Yeah stage is yours." Annabeth answered. The old ladies were not old ladies anymore. Their faces were still the same—I guess those couldn't get any uglier— but their bodies had shriveled into leathery brown hag bodies with bat's wings and hands and feet like gargoyle claws. Their handbags had turned into fiery whips. The Furies surrounded us, lashing their whips, hissing: "Where is it? Where?" The other people on the bus were screaming, cowering in their seats. They saw something, all right. "He's not here!" Annabeth yelled. "He's gone!" The Furies raised their whips. "Don't!" I stepped in front of them shaking. "H-Hi Mrs. Rudolph. W-What could you need?" Annabeth drew her bronze knife. Grover grabbed a tin can from his snack bag and prepared to throw it. To our surprise the bus jerked to the right. Everybody howled as we were thrown to the right, and I heard what I hoped was the sound of three Furies smashing against the windows. "Hey!" the driver yelled. "Hey—whoa!" The bus slammed against the side of the tunnel, grinding metal, throwing sparks a mile behind us. We careened out of the Lincoln Tunnel and back into the rainstorm, people and monsters tossed around the bus, cars plowed aside like bowling pins. Somehow the driver found an exit. We shot off the highway, through half a dozen traffic lights, and ended up barreling down one of those New Jersey rural roads where you can't believe there's so much nothing right across the river from New York. There were woods to our left, the Hudson River to our right, and the driver seemed to be veering toward the river. The bus wailed, spun a full circle on the wet asphalt, and crashed into the trees. The emergency lights came on. The door flew open. The bus driver was the first one out, the passengers yelling as they stampeded after him. The Furies regained their balance. They lashed their whips at Annabeth while she waved her knife and yelled in Ancient Greek, telling them to back off. Grover threw tin cans. It was as if I didn't exist which was kinda offensive. "Hey! I'm also here!" I yelled pulling out my now glowing knife and helped Grover. "Hey!" A voice from the door way echoed. "Percy you idiot! Run!" I yelled. The Furies turned, baring their yellow fangs at him. Mrs. Dodds stalked up the aisle. Every time she flicked her whip, red flames danced along the barbed leather. Her two ugly sisters hopped on top of the seats on either side of her and crawled toward him like huge nasty lizards. I don't know how but I managed to parkour my way to avoid them and get to Percy in no trouble. I raised my knife and stood in between of them. "Perseus Jackson," Mrs. Dodds said, in an accent that was definitely from somewhere farther south than Georgia. "You have offended the gods. You shall die. I suggest you step away from him Y/N L/N." "I liked you better as a math teacher," he told her. She growled. Annabeth and Grover moved up behind the Furies cautiously, looking for an opening. Percy took the ballpoint pen out of his pocket and uncapped it. Riptide elongated into a shimmering double-edged sword. The Furies hesitated. Mrs. Dodds had felt Riptide's blade before. She obviously didn't like seeing it again. "Submit now," she hissed. "And you will not suffer eternal torment." "Nice try," I told her. "Percy, look out!" Annabeth cried. Mrs. Dodds lashed her whip around my sword hand while the Furies on the either side lunged at him. I managed to keep one of them and parried with her using my knife., which turned out to be Mrs. Rudolph. "I hate to admit it but you were my favorite teacher. Why go mean now?!" I struck with the hilt of my knife against her, sending her toppling backward into a seat. I turned to see Percy had sliced the Fury on his right. As soon as the blade connected with her neck, she screamed and exploded into dust. Annabeth got Mrs. Dodds in a wrestler's hold and yanked her backward while Grover ripped the whip out of her hands. "Ow!" he yelled. "Ow! Hot! Hot!" Mrs. Rudolph came at me again, talons ready, but I dove in and got in range to swing Sting at her and she broke open like a piñata. Mrs. Dodds was trying to get Annabeth off her back. She kicked, clawed, hissed and bit, but Annabeth held on while Grover got Mrs. Dodds's legs tied up in her own whip. Finally they both shoved her backward into the aisle. Mrs. Dodds tried to get up, but she didn't have room to flap her bat wings, so she kept falling down. "Zeus will destroy you!" she promised. "Hades will have your soul!" "Braccas meas vescimini!" Percy yelled. I wasn't sure where the Latin came from. I think it meant "Eat my pants!" Thunder shook the bus. The hair rose on the back of my neck. "Get out!" Annabeth yelled at us. "Now!" I didn't need any encouragement. Taking Percy's hand, we rushed outside and found the other passengers wandering around in a daze, arguing with the driver, or running around in circles yelling, "We're going to die!" A Hawaiian-shirted tourist with a camera snapped my photograph before I could recap my sword. "Our bags!" Grover realized. "We left our—" BOOOOOM! The windows of the bus exploded as the passengers ran for cover. Lightning shredded a huge crater in the roof, but an angry wail from inside told me Mrs. Dodds was not yet dead. "Run!" Annabeth said. "She's calling for reinforcements! We have to get out of here!" We plunged into the woods as the rain poured down, the bus in flames behind us, and nothing but darkness ahead.

Previous | Masterlist | Next

UwU Haha this is what the knife looks like since I'm not sure if I describe it that well... Omg I just realized my brother changed the chapter title lmao -kookie-doughs

Just imagine it has your name on the blade.

Taglist?

@gayer-than-the-gayest-gay @the-natureofme @booknerd-3000

#Percy Jackson #Percy Jackson X Reader #Percy Jackson X Y/N #percy jackon and the olympians #luke castellan #Luke castellan x reader #Lightning thief #Y/N L/N #Y/N L/N and the halfbloods #pjo #X Reader #Book 1 #Chapter 10 #Fanfiction #fanfictions

[urlocalnctstan]

NCT 127 Disney!AU

The Beauty And The Beast

Caged in his own home, Jaehyun ponders if there was anything in his powers that he could do to re-write his fate, to prevent the consequences his only family, his brothers had to face all of his despicable egoistic nature. The house that was once so lively and filled with only happiness and laughter was now nothing but filled lifeless statues and serene silence. Darkness was his only company, and slowly but painfully he was starting to accept his wretched fate. Blood thirst, Hunger can eventually be satiated, but not loneliness. And he realized it too late. To save his brothers, he must find the one who’ll break the spell, for which he must finally learn to love.

Pairing : Vampire!Jaehyun X Reader

genre : supernatural au, fluff, angst, eventual smut

Epoch 1| Epoch 2| Epoch 3| Epoch 4| Epoch 5 (final)

FROZEN

How did it feel when your heart would do flips as you watch your crush pass by? Or when it would just fill you excitement because of the upcoming carnival? When your heart would be just about to leap out of your chest as your sibling scares you from behind? However, Taeyong did not have the privilege to feel any of these. Born with a frozen, he is immune to feel any kind of emotions, a gift that is to protect him from the cruel world as his mother said to him. Despite being a young king who’s loved by all, he craves to feel his heart, feel all the emotions even if it is for just a day, can the act of true thaw his frozen heart?

Pairing : King!Taeyong X Commoner!Reader

genre : fantasy au, fluff, angst, eventual smut

Part 1

Peter Pan

One running from her life, another running from his crimes. You may heard of ‘the boy who never grows up’, but not ‘the boy who never regrets’. In the middle of night on the busy streets of Seoul, your paths happened to cross each other, much to your oblivion as you become Jungwoo's next most desiring and cherished prey. Like a wolf in a sheep’s clothing, his exterior innocence was just a façade staged for deception, concealing the monster inside of him. But if you happen to fall for a crooked mind, will you go with him where dreams are born and time is never planned, his own Neverland?

Pairing : Psychopath!Jungwoo X Reader

genre : criminal au, fluff, angst, eventual smut, (warnings : mentions of minor character death, killing/murdering, stalking, mental illness, toxic behavior, crimes)

Part 1

The Lion King

With the sudden demise of his father, Moon Taeil was forced to ascend the throne, to become the youngest chairman of Korea’s most influential conglomerate company. While others were not that contented with the outcome, he failed to notice his uncle’s jealousy, who had had set his eyes on this company for a long time. As the board members demand for the next chairman to be someone wedded, things take a huge turn for you as you both meet at the orphanage where you volunteered weekly, which actually ran on the company’s charity. As life gives you both a chance to overcome each other’s obstacles, will you try to look beyond what you see? 

Pairing : Chairman!Taeil X Reader

genre : arranged marriage au, angst, fluff, eventual smut, domestic au

Part 1

Cinderella

As the clock struck 3 in the morning, you crept out of house, its toxicity suffocating you. You were wandering around the streets looking for an escape, but so was Yuta, the sudden news of him ascending the title of CEO had taken a huge toll on him. And that one night, you both became each other’s elude. Finding love was never on neither of your minds as you were busy chasing your dreams, and he was too busy proving himself. Unbeknownst to you about what destiny was scheming, you both become messily entangled with each other, you only wish that it was a nightmare and you wake up a soon as possible, because, even miracles take a little time right?

Pairing : CEO!Yuta X Reader 

genre : fluff, fwb to lovers, angst, eventual smut, (warnings : toxic behavior, mentions of fighting, depression, self harm, physical and mental abuse)

Part 1

#disney #nct 2020 #nct 127 #nct jaehyun #jung jaehyun #jung yoonoh #lee taeyong #nct taeyong #moon taeil #nct taeil #nct jungwoo #kim jungwoo #nct yuta #nct yuta nakamoto #nct imagines #nct fluff #nct angst #au

[thebiasrekkers]

Shadow’s Birthright | MYG

Chapter 06: Convergence

Plot: Riding in on thunder and lightning, two princes are born. But a crown cannot be shared. It can only be worn by one and one alone. The hands of man have separated the brothers, allowing one to live in wealth and comfort inside the palace while the other grows up among commoners. But Fate cannot be destroyed by the hands of man. A shared destiny reunites the brothers; one to become a king who descends into madness and the other will rise as a dragon whose journey has only just begun in order to claim a crown he does not desire to have.

Rating: NC-17 // NSFW

Genre: series | historical!au | fantasy!au | angst | romance | drama | tragedy

Pairing: Min Yoongi (Lee Yoon) x Female OC (Kalina Shuri)

Warnings: Historical setting, caste system, magic/sorcery, graphic violence, disturbing graphic images, religious tones, angst, slow burn, smut

Previous Chapters: Prologue 01 02 03 04 05

Links: FAQ || BTS Masterlist || Admin E’s AO3 || [ REQUESTS ARE OPEN ]

Word Count: 4,065

Tag List: @luxekook, @pinkpjmin, @btsaudge, @flowerwrites06, @stillcopingxx, @taevkimchi, @aroseforyoongi, @vivpurple7, @happilystrongthroughthedark, @sw33tnight, @nikkitane, @mini-coop25, @shrimpmsg, @ggukkieland​

AN: Sorry this took me so long. Life decided it wanted to kick me in the face repeatedly. But I did warn everyone this was going to take a little time with the updates. Please be patient with me. I promise you that it will be worth the wait. If you would like to be added to the tag list, feel free to drop me a line!

P.S. Please bear in mind that while the historical accuracy will be mostly correct, I am setting this in a time period in Joseon history where there was no such thing as a king who had a twin brother. Obviously that’s where the fiction/creative freedom is going to come in. Everything else will be period accurate, trust and believe.

© thebiasrekkers (Admin E). All rights reserved. Reposting/modifying our work is prohibited. Translations are not allowed. Plagiarism/stealing is not tolerated by any means. Legal action will be taken in instances of theft.

“Things do not happen. Things are made to happen.” - John F. Kennedy

Yoon greeted his parents with the Crown Princess at his side. They both bowed deeply as they heard the King and Queen laugh in delight. The Royal Consorts also received bows from the Crown Prince and Princess. Finally, they turned and were given bows from the princesses and princes of the Royal Court. The officials and guards, as well as the rest of the palace staff, were present for the opening ceremony to celebrate Crown Prince Yoon’s first international liaison. 

When they were finally dismissed, Yoon took his seat next to the Crown Princess, waiting for food and wine to be served. Various voices of praise and congratulations were given to Yoon, to which he simply nodded his head politely and smiled while returning his own charming forms of gratitude. He allowed the Crown Princess to serve him a cup of wine and he, in turn, also served her. Merriment and good cheer surrounded the palace.

It made Yoon sick to his stomach.

The conversation he had with his Father-In-Law still didn’t sit well with him. At his own behest, he politely reminded Minister Jang that he should keep his small-minded ambitions to himself. He didn’t need to drag the Crown Princess into his mess. Regardless of his own personal feelings, Yoon held a deep amount of respect for his Princess. Jang Chae-Ok had no ambitions or selfish desires for wanting to be Crown Princess. She was simply a childhood friend to Yoon who always remained faithfully at his side. 

The Crown Princess was not blind to his relationship with Kalina. But she also did not question it. It was from this show of her character alone that Yoon promised he would not take a Royal Consort when he became King. He owed her that much for her understanding.

“I wish that I could accompany you, Your Highness.” The Crown Princess’s voice was sad, matching her expression. 

He reached out to grasp her hand, giving it a gentle squeeze. “It will be a long journey. It is no place for a Crown Princess.” Yoon smiled. “I will be back before you realize I’m gone.”

She sighed. “I will miss you greatly.” She placed her hand over his. “Do be careful.”

“I will, Crown Princess.”

A loud gong resounded, drawing everyone’s attention. All conversation hushed as the head of the Artisan school approached. He bowed deeply while the others waited with anticipation for his announcement. 

“Members of the Royal Court! We are here to celebrate the Crown Prince’s upcoming journey. We wish him great fortune but before he traverses out in the world, we want to be able to ease his worries and give him memories to hold on to as he travels to Ming. Things that he will be able to keep close to his heart and treasure if he should ever become homesick.” 

Yoon smiled, despite his own internal dark thoughts. He loved his country. He loved his people. The skills they mastered in order to have these small moments to showcase their talents were clearly battles within their own houses. Some performers and artists had better skills than others, hence why they were allowed to appear at the forefront. Others were still in training to be able to climb up in the ranks along the way. 

He secretly admired the drive that pushed these individuals along. Everyone had dreams, goals, and ambitions. People’s reasons for doing anything were threads that bonded everyone together to achieve common goals. No matter how small or big, they were to be appreciated. Even if one could not voice these appreciations aloud. 

The Chief Artisan gave a wide gesture, spinning on his heels as the performers made their way into the grand courtyard. “We hope that our performers, both within the palace walls, and those who have managed to make their ways from the streets, will be able to soothe your soul.”

Everyone applauded as Senior Artisan stepped away, allowing for the in house performers to showcase everything they’ve practiced for days. Curiously, Yoon hummed to himself at the mention of street performers entering the palace. If they were skilled enough to gain the court’s attention, there was a good chance they would be given slots to enter the performance schools within the palace halls. It would be a golden opportunity to change their livelihoods for the better.

He was keen to see just what they were made of.

“I can’t believe you’re making me do this.”

Jimin clicked his tongue against the back of his teeth, silencing Taehyung’s whining. “Hyung-nim is filling in for Namjoon Hyung-nim.” His eyes narrowed. “Surely you don’t expect him to wear the dress, do you?”

Taehyung pouted. “No, but still!”

“Besides,” Hoseok cut in, patting Taehyung’s shoulders roughly, “we all memorized multiple parts in case something happens. We only had time for Hyung-nim to learn one. Stop being difficult.”

Yoongi smirked, shaking his head while readjusting the waistband to his costume. The large rosary that hung from his neck was heavy and the boots were a little bit cumbersome, but bearable. He would be able to switch his shoes out when it came time for the tightrope routine. Jungkook and Seokjin fawned over him, making sure he looked as proper as he could in performance gear. 

Namjoon appeared, holding out a red and black demon mask to him. “I gave it some new paint earlier so it should be dry now.”

Taking the mask from him, Yoongi cradled it in his hands. “Thank you, Namjoon-ah.” He scratched at the cloth headband. “What will you be doing during the performance?”

“I’ll be narrating and helping the musicians out. Percussion, mostly.” 

“I see.” Yoongi eyed the mask, taking note of the large white fangs protruding from the mouth carved into the wood. 

Because of the depth of the role, he wouldn’t be able to take his mask off during the entire performance. Beneficial for him, but he hated that Namjoon wouldn’t be getting any credit. Yoongi knew how hard they all must have been preparing for this particular performance. A small measure of guilt wormed its way into his heart, but Namjoon’s laugh brought him out of his thoughts. 

“Now I feel even more terrible, Hyung-nim.” Yoongi saw the concerned look on Namjoon’s face, even though he was smiling. “Seriously, you’re doing me a favor. I feel bad enough. If you keep looking like that, I’ll think I’m completely worthless.”

“I’m sorry, Namjoon-ah.” Clearing his throat, he nodded. “You’re right. I shouldn’t be feeling like this.”

“Thank the heavens you’re wearing a mask.” Taehyung pushed his headband up a little more. “Otherwise the audience is going to think you’re guilty of some crime.”

“It’s just nerves.” Jimin flashed Yoongi a reassuring smile. “Right, Hyung-nim?”

All he could do was give a small smile. “Yeah, you’re right.”

“Hayan Geutop Troupe?” An unfamiliar voice pulled all of their attention. They saw someone dressed in official robes motioning toward them. “You’re up next.”

No one could hide their excitement. This was the first time any of them would be entering the palace. Each of them were given temporary passes to gain access. Once inside, they all made sure they were looking their best. The sound of joyful laughter and music rumbled through the courtyard, causing Yoongi’s heartbeat to elevate with excitement.

“Hyung-nim!” Jungkook gently nudged Yoongi’s back. “Your mask! Don’t forget to put it on!”

“Oh. Right.” Yoongi slid the large Demon mask over his head, making sure the cloth headwrap covered every part of his neck from view except the front. 

The sound of loud drums rang out through the courtyard. It was a little bit difficult to breathe with the mask on, but not impossible. If anything, Yoongi was more concerned with the mask falling off by accident. But Hoseok assured him that the bands were secured and redesigned to fit his head perfectly. It wouldn’t come off unless he pulled it off himself.

Admittedly, his nerves were a little frayed. Being around so many people at once, as well as so much noise, was teetering him toward sensory overload. But he continued to remind himself that he had a job to do. He just needed to get through the performance and then he could continue exploring the Crown City to his heart’s content. They were set to ride back out to the mountains at first light.

He hoped the shops would still be open before the lanterns were lit.

The large drum was hit, signaling for everyone to settle down. Yoongi took another breath, waiting for their group to be announced in front of the Royal Court. His vision was limited through the small holes in his mask - the rest of the world shadowed on either side of him. He could hear his own breath in his ears as he tried to peer out in front of him. But he wasn’t sure what he was even looking for. There was a strange pull at his heart; a feeling he couldn’t quite explain. 

Like someone was calling to him.

No. Like multiple people were calling to him.

“Members of the Royal Court! I present to you a troupe of young performers who hail from the outskirts of the Crown City!” The Chief Artisan looked in their direction as some of the students in the palace artisan school helped to set up their stage. “The White Tower Troupe!”

There was a round of polite applause from all the members of the royal court. The other troupe members were helping to set up the first scene for their skit. Yoongi waited patiently, even though he offered to help. Taehyung and Hoseok insisted that he stand back and focus on the performance. It wouldn’t take them long to get the set pieces ready. Once everything was put together, Namjoon walked gently forward and bowed deeply to the Royal family seated at the large banquet table.

“Please forgive our lack of eloquence, Your Majesties, as we attempt to regale you with a story. It is one I am sure you are all familiar with, but allow us to perform it for you just the same.” He flicked out the large fan in his hand, a picture of a blue sky and a green field painted on it. “We humbly present to you...the Tale of Green Pearl and the Demon!”

Yoon felt Chae-Ok grab his hand, giving it a gentle squeeze. He cast a sidelong glance in her direction, noting the soft pink flush that tinted her cheeks. He knew it wasn’t from the wine but more from her excitement. He smiled as she met his gaze.

“Oh, I love this story!” She looked back out toward the courtyard. “I’m interested to see how they will tell it.”

“As am I.”

The bass drum resounded through the large space just as the troupe finished setting up for the first scene. The narrator who spoke walked off to the sidelines and took a seat on a plush cushion that was provided for him. Silence draped over everyone present as the actors moved to their positions. 

“Many years ago, there was a humble man who lived a humble life. He had a humble trade and a humble wife. The wife bore him two children. A son named White Fang and a daughter named Green Pearl.”

Yoon watched as the narrator spoke about each character. One by one, they all appeared - their faces concealed with wooden masks painted in eloquent designs. Lingering off to the side was an actor clothed in black, red and gold garbs - a demon mask covering his face. Yoon felt his heart beating a little faster as he gazed at the person, unsure of why this strange sensation was lurching in his chest. 

The narrator slapped his stick against the small drum cradled in his lap. “As the seasons changed and the children grew older, the father became ill. The wife sent for what physicians they could afford and the old apothecary said that there was nothing he could do. The wife was distraught, unsure of what would become of her or her children should her husband leave this world for his journey to the afterlife.”

“Seobang-nim! You cannot leave us like this!” The wife sobbed beside the husband, cradling his hand between her palms. “What are we to do without you? How are we supposed to live?!”

“Don’t worry, Mother,” said White Fang as he placed his hand over his mother’s, “I will find a way to cure Father. I will travel across foreign lands until I can find the medicine that will save Father’s life!”

Again, the narrator struck the drum. “White Fang left to search for a cure for his ailing father, leaving his mother and sister behind.”

Yoon watched the person portraying Green Pearl moving toward the backdrop meant to pose as a wide open field. A lone tree stood off in the distance where she clasped her hands together and prayed. 

“Gods of Heaven, I beseech you! Please help my father. Please find a way to help him get better!” cried Green Pearl as she lowered her head, all but sobbing into her hands.

Heavy drums beat softly, signaling an ominous transition. Yoon watched as the actor portraying the demon slowly moved forward, until he was mere feet from the Royal Banquet table. The Demon whipped his head around to face the Royal family, causing everyone to lean back and gasp. 

All except Yoon.

Maybe it was the optical illusion of the mask, but he swore that the demon was looking directly at him. His heartbeat escalated, a soft thunder against his chest, and he waited for the demon to speak. There was a line here. Yoon remembered it. A line where the demon spoke to the audience of his wicked scheme.

But the demon said nothing. All he did was stare. Had the actor forgotten his lines?

“A demon heard Green Pearl’s cries, intrigued by her earnest wailings.”

The narrator cut through the silence. This seemed to wake the demon up, causing him to swiftly shuffle back a few steps as he threw his arm out in a dramatic flourish. 

“The sweet sound of sorrow nourishes my heart,” the Demon exclaimed, curling his shoulders forward. He pressed a hand against his face, fingers gliding over the white fangs on the mask. “It is the sound of easy prey. How I have longed to devour such a miserable soul!”

He heard the Crown Princess gasp as the Demon ran forward, leaping into the air and landing on the tightrope with amazing ease. Yoon quirked a brow, internally admiring the actor’s swiftness and balancing abilities. The Demon leaned forward, slinging his legs out until he was hanging upside down from the rope. 

Green Pearl took a sharp intake of breath, clutching at the front of her dress. “W-Who goes there?”

“A humble and curious Demon. But nevermind me, Sweet Child.” The Demon spoke in a cooing and sweet voice. “What seems to be ailing you? What causes you to mourn so?”

“My father is ill and there is no way to save him. My brother has left to travel in hopes of finding medicine to cure him.” Green Pearl turned away from the Demon, looking off in the distance. “I mourn for my family and what is to become of them should my father pass.”

The Demon laughed, swinging his body so that he was now sitting upright on the tightrope. He rested a hand on his knee and leaned forward, drawing Green Pearl’s attention once more. “This is a simple problem with a simple solution.”

“It is anything but simple!”

“Oh, but it is!” The Demon hopped onto the rope, bouncing up and down in a playful manner. “Because I know how to save your ailing father!”

Green Pearl stepped toward the tree, her hand reaching up toward the Demon but she was far out of his reach. “What do you know? Please, tell me how to save my father!”

The Demon bounced on the rope a few more times before dismounting, landing just a few feet away from her. He placed his hands behind his back and paced, not really bothering to stray too far from her but not coming too close. “There is a flower that grows in the western mountains. It is said that creating a potion from this flower can cure any illness.” He spun on his heels just as Green Pearl tried to approach him, causing her to halt in her steps. “But it is an arduous journey. Many have died trying to claim this flower.”

“Can you guide me to this mountain?” 

The Demon circled her, his steps slow and measured. “What will you give me if I decide to lend you my aid?”

“Whatever you wish to claim from me, Sir!” Green Pearl fell to her knees. “No boon is too great when it comes to saving the life of my father!”

The Demon knelt down before Green Pearl, lifting her face to meet his. “You will become my bride. That is the price you must pay if you wish to obtain my help.”

“If marrying a demon is the trade we are making, then I would marry you a thousand times.” 

The Demon pulled Green Pearl up onto her feet, a hearty laugh bursting from his chest. “Then come! Let us be off! The day grows shorter and the journey will be that much harder for you when the night comes.”

A gong and more heavy drums rang out as the Demon and Green Pearl exited the stage. Troupe members hurried to change the set backdrop to suit the next scene transition. 

“So Green Pearl and the Demon hurried toward the Western Mountains. The journey was, indeed, arduous. Many perils crossed their paths, but the Demon protected Green Pearl every step of the way. The harshest trek, however, was the path leading up toward the mountains. Wild animals impeded their path. Even the cold mountain winds attempted to blow the two off the krags so they would plummet to their deaths.”

With each scene change, a linen drape with a painted landscape was swapped. The serene music fit the pacing of each scene and the narrator’s strong voice pushed the actors to continue through the skit. Yoon knew this tale very well. Yet watching it unfold in this manner made the story seem brand new. He was particularly drawn to the Demon, unable to shake the tremors in his heart as the masked performer’s moves seemed fluid and natural.

“Finally, Green Pearl and the Demon reached the top of the mountain peaks. There was the mythical flower the Demon mentioned. It was a rich purple in pigment, the stem a soft green and nestled among a cluster of clovers. In the snow and cold temperature, there was no way that any vegetation should have flourished, let alone this single flower.”

Green Pearl reached for the flower, preparing to dig it up from the earth. Suddenly, she was stopped by the Demon’s harsh pull at her wrist. “W-What are you doing?!”

“Do not forget your promise to me, dear Child.” He pulled her flush against him. “You are to be my bride the moment your father is well. And not a minute later.”

“I haven’t forgotten our deal, Demon!” Green Pearl pushed away from him. “We must hurry back quickly!”

A soft bell tinkling sound issued from a row of wind chimes. The Demon laughed, grasping onto Green Pearl and jumping up toward the tightrope. Everyone watching sucked in their breaths as a stream of dark blue fabric followed after them. The Demon dragged Green Pearl behind him as the actors portrayed him using his powers to help them travel quickly. The two actors almost appeared to float across the thick line of rope.

“The Demon used his powers to transport Green Pearl and himself down the mountain. When they reached the foot of the mountain, they instantly moved through the fields. Within minutes, they were back in Green Pearl’s humble village. He safely brought her home and Green Pearl wasted no time preparing the flower into a medicinal tonic for her father.”

Green Pearl appeared next to her mother, holding out a wooden bowl. “This tonic will help Father. Please, we must hurry!”

The Wife started to feed the potion to the ailing Husband. In minutes, he started to rise up from his bed. He held his wife’s hands and she threw herself into his arms. 

“Husband! You are well!” she cried as her husband held her close. 

He laughed, stroking her back. “Yes, I am well, Pu-in. But tell me, what has helped me come back from the gates of the Underworld?”

“I traveled far to retrieve a flower that is said to cure any illness.” Green Pearl hugged her father’s neck.

“A flower?” He tilted his head to the side. “How did you come to learn of this flower?”

Green Pearl lowered her head. “A Demon told me. He guided me to the Western Mountains and I plucked the flower from the highest peak.”

Both the husband and wife looked at each other, clutching at their chests. The father reached out for his daughter’s hands. “You foolish girl! How could you make an agreement with a demon?!”

“Don’t you know that a deal with a demon only breeds disaster?!” The mother shook Green Pearl’s shoulders. “You have sold your soul to the Underworld!”

Green Pearl pulled herself away from her family. “I’m sorry!” She ran out of the house where the Demon was waiting for her. “We must hurry!”

The Demon grabbed her hand in his. “Let us leave this place!”

“Stop right there, you foul trickster!” The Father appeared, brandishing a wheat sickle. “Release my daughter, this instant!”

The Demon laughed. “The deal has been made, Human! You cannot break the contract!” 

The sound of a gong exploded over the courtyard, causing the Demon to gasp. When he looked down, there was a sword plunged through his stomach. As he turned, the assailant stepped forward to push the blade through his gut even further. The Demon reached out with a bloodied hand toward the one who attacked him. 

“B-Brother!”

White Fang ripped the sword from the Demon’s body, causing the Demon to fall to his knees. His head hung low and Green Pearl was instantly at the Demon’s side. He finally collapsed to the ground and Green Pearl clung to his shivering form. 

“What have you done?!” she screamed as the Demon continued to tremble in her arms. “Why did you strike him?!”

“It was a Demon, Green Pearl!” White Fang dropped the sword from his hand and the satchel from his back. “They only breed misfortune!”

“Y-You fool,” sputtered the Demon, “I would have given her a good life.” A trembling arm lifted as he pointed at White Fang. “Because of your actions, you have now condemned your sister to death.”

“What?!” White Fang dropped to his knees. The husband and wife hurried forward. “What lies do you speak, Demon?”

The Demon turned to look up at Green Pearl. “I will not be able to give you a life you deserve.” He touched the side of her face. “But I will be able to stay with you in the Afterlife. Always.”

“I am sorry for the cruel nature of man! Forgive me!” Green Pearl sobbed, burying her face in the Demon’s shoulder. “I will see you on the other side.”

And then the Demon’s hand fell limply to the ground. Seconds later, Green Pearl collapsed next to him.

Silence filled the courtyard. No one spoke. Hardly anyone took a moment to breathe, Yoon included. 

It was broken the minute that the King began to clap. The Queen soon followed until everyone at the Royal Banquet table rose from their seats and applauded. Yoon was still stunned, but he, too, clapped. The actors remained where they were - unmoving. However, the narrator stepped forward and bowed deeply to them. The tragic scene remained, but the story’s message still lingered in the air. 

Even a Demon was deserving of love and a person could see beyond the surface to one’s true heart.

But when promises were broken, a terrible fate would await. 

#hyunglinenetwork #ficscafe #noonasinnetwork #kpopscape #kwritersworldnet #bts #bts suga #suga #bts yoongi #bts min yoongi #suga min yoongi #agust d #bts agust d #daechwita #historical au #bts historical au #bts historical!au #historical au fiction #historical au fic #bts period!au #bts period au #bts thebiasrekkers #thebiasrekkers bts

[nadiaportia]

Deirdra Margalit

art by my friend Ayla aka leatherandsaltybitters

The partisan with a fiery temper

Other bios:  Ximena | Sayelle | Heloisa | Cibela

Full name: Deirdra Margalit Araya

Meaning of name: Variant of Deirdre; “Wanderer” in Irish

Family:

Jaume Margalit (deceased): Deirdra’s younger brother by three years. They were as close as two siblings can be, and Deirdra often protected him from whoever dared to mock or try to hurt him. Just like his parents, Jaume had a strong sense for justice and was also a rebel that drove him to join the Nationalists in secret before his worried parents could keep him from it. His death at the hands of a Loyalist soldier was what drove Deirdra to leave their village as well to fight for a better future and back then, avenge their beloved brother.

Meritxell Araya (deceased): Deirdra’s mother, a seamstress. Their role model in their childhood, Meritxell was a pillar in the community and a woman with an iron will who stood up for those in need. The rupture of her family in the Civil War and having to let her oldest child go after her youngest one was murdered took a heavy toll on her but also saw her fervently supporting the Nationalists and housing them. She was killed by Loyalists and the Margalit Araya family home burnt to the ground as a warning to all those in Valanguer who dared to act against Queen Jacinta.

Daví Margalit: Deirdra’s father whose biggest hobby is reading and briefly was assistant to the owner of a book shop. He took on the role of teaching in the village school of Valanguer and gave his love for literature to his children as well. Daví wanted a better world for Jaume and Deirdra and supported the Nationalists who had taken up arms against the Queen Jacinta and her loyalists, which ultimately got him into prison. It’s Deirdra’s biggest wish to see their father be a free man again.

Enkidu: A beech marten and Deirdra’s animal companion and familiar. One night while some humans were camping in the woods, he was attracted by the warmth of the fire and the next morning Deirdra woke up to him being curled up next to them. Even though they can’t communicate that well with each other, they are inseparable.

Nicknames: Dee (basically used by everyone), Dida (exclusively family, especially their brother)

Favourite meal: Calçots with salvitxada

Favourite drink: Horxata de chufa

Favourite flower: Carnation

Favourite color: Poppy red

Birthday: 31st of January

Age: 29 during the events of the game

Zodiac: Aquarius

MBTI: ESFP

Patron Arcana: The Chariot and the Page of Cups

Upright: The Chariot is in complete control of its own destiny. It hurtles towards victory, unhindered by adversity. 

Reversed: The Chariot careens out of control, losing its way as it becomes stranded on the road.

Upright: The Page of Cups is a dreamer, always looking towards the future with bright eyes and full heart.

Reversed: The Page of Cups is self-centered and immature, struggling to get along with those around him.

Gender: Non-binary

Sexuality: Bisexual with a preference for women

Height: 1,80 m // 5′9″

Appearance:

Deirdra has a toned body with muscular arms and legs. They have light olive skin with a warm untertone and vitiligo on their forehead, shoulders and around their mouth. Their straight hair, originally dark blond, has been dyed dark blue, reaches their chin and is either in a short bun with a few loose strands or completely loose. Their eyebrows are thin and their original dark blond color while their eyes are light green. Their face is heart-shaped with a pointy chin. They have a slightly roman-shaped nose and thin lips as well as a tooth gap between their front teeth. 

Deirdra carries themself with a swagger and is very expressive when talking.

Visual inspirations: Alia Shawkat

Languages spoken: Durazà, Oriolà and the Common Tongue

Magical abilities:

Despite having some magical affinity, Deirdra prefers to not make use of them not because of a lack of belief in magic but because of difficulties of focusing on them

Illusion powers, such as being able to change the shape and appearance of people, creatures or items in the eyes of others or disguising them completely

Nature- and Earth-based powers

Love interests: 

Portia

Sayelle and Ximena: Either individually or as a polycule. 

In general, like with most of my characters; if they’re compatible sexuality-wise as well as personality-wise, feel free to ship them with your OCs or MCs. Hit me up with a message and we can discuss the details! 

Backstory:

Deirdra Margalit was born as the oldest child of Daví and Meritxell in the village of Valanguer in the countryside of Oriol. They grew up with not a lot of wealth, while not being the ones off the worst in their village, but learned to value even the small things and treasure a community in which everyone helped everyone - very true to the sentiment of “it takes a village to raise a child”. Their father was an intellectual within the community and their mother, who was seen by many as a leader in Valanguer, were very openly critical of the Oriolà monarchy when it took a more hostile turn towards its rural population and got involved in a war led by their bigger neighboring patron empire Calpacia to the point where young adults were forcibly drafted. The populace divided itself soon into  sympathizers of the Loyalists who supported the ongoing course led by the Oriolià Queen Jacinta and the Nationalists who were led by the Queen’s cousin, which meant that even in a small village acquaintances and even friends could become enemies. 

Their father was arrested and imprisoned as a political enemy when the political infighting divided the populace into . The point that pushed them to actually get involved in the Nationalist armed resistance was the death of Jaume. After an argument with their mother, Deirdra left as well without knowing it would be the last time they would ever see her. Meeting many other nationalists on their way to the capital, they soon found a home in the currently besieged capital and met the daughter of a butcher named Renée. Meeting a kindred spirit who had also recently lost family helped them adapt to this new living situation and they soon became comrades-in-arms and more. When the Nationalist leaders called for fighters to take the fighting outside of the city and into the rural areas where the Queen’s Men had taken refuge, they immediately volunteered. For a year, their life consisted of camping in the wilderness, awful food and fearing of getting shot at whenever they passed a hill. It was there when they met their familiar and gave them the name Enkidu after a character from a story their father used to love.

Three years after the first battle the Civil War ended with the Nationalists’ loss of the capital of Oriol and its siege led by the Loyalists. Queen Jacinta gave the choice to everyone who fought for the Nationalists to lay down their weapons and either leave the country as exiles or be put in prison for treason against the crown and receive a lighter sentence, most of Deirdra’s comrades made their choice, fully aware that the Queen’s word couldn’t be trusted and traitors would most likely get executed and thus continued the fight at home. Deirdra themself chose to leave with Renée as they were young and could still have a life together - and end up regretting it for a very long time, when Renée was unable to leave at the last minute.

The following years in exile Deirdra travelled the world with other Oriolà exiles, on one occasion even travelling to Nevivon, and developing a network all across the continent. Their travels led them to Vesuvia where they settled thanks to the help of an exiled politician and integrated them into the local Oriolà community. They met the magicians Asra and Ximena when wanting to progress in their magical studies and became good friends with Julian, often frequenting the Rowdy Raven with him. Their friendship with Sayelle, whom they met thanks to Asra, briefly became romantic and grew steadily until the plague hit Vesuvia and its inhabitants were overwhelmed by it. Deirdra’s instinct to leave the city and those infected behind was met by refusal by both Ximena and Sayelle, and the gap between Deirdra and Sayelle was only broadened when Deirdra decided to aid Asra in a ritual that would bring the Devil himself into the mortal world while it was actually intended to bring Ximena back to life. The fact that their resurrected friend was unable to recognize any of them and their presence actually caused her pain saw Deirdra cutting ties with Asra and almost exclusively being around their compatriots.

More art:

by @cherrygirl666​ | post 

feat. Sayelle by @missrabbitart​ | post

#the arcana #the arcana oc #the arcana original character #deirdra margalit #YEAH i wanna get these bios out of my system and what better way to present Them to all of you

[hedgebtch]

     the magicians sentence starters.      part i.

there are more important things.

it's always something with you, isn't it? it's always an emergency.

your ability to think that we have the slightest molecule of control over anything never ceases to amaze me.

well, i'm sure you're a hit at parties.

i'm still high.

i am the angel protecting your future. tighten your shit.

you can't run away hard enough, can you?

everybody medicates.

am i hallucinating?

if you were hallucinating, how would asking me help?

thank god that you're confused too!

don't you want students who make actual inquiry instead of just accepting like sheep?

this won't hurt a bit.

quit dicking around! do some goddamn magic!

playing with time is such difficult magic. you'll just make it worse.

magic is real. but you've gathered that, haven't you?

so... 'be a magician'? is that illegal, or..?

are you guys trying to take over the world, or...?

if you want to take over the world, we don't teach that, but... give it a go.

why do you have all that nerd-boy dragon porn shit anyway? are you twelve?

hmm. he's not that cute.

do not come by our house if you have anything important to do the next morning.

maybe he should be scared.

we all signed this waiver. i hope you read yours. it says 'spell work is not unlikely to murder you. and if so, oh well'.

so stay on the garden path, kid.

let's go find something magic to smoke.

it's good to be aware that the world is inherently unfair.

you go back out there to the great big boring world, and you'll never find your way back without us.

i need you to tell them they were wrong about me.

god, were you always this smug?

you have no idea how long it took me to find a spell that was real.

you're hurting yourself, and you're not okay.

they cut off my life.

you thought the school was the only place to track the gift?

it's going to kill you. do you understand?

i know you feel you finally belong, but that place isn't the point.

you feel right because you're starting toward your destiny. that's all.

seek real answers that will help you fight!

i really don't want to get kicked out.

i really don't want to be the guy who dies in the first ten minutes of the movie because he's like 'you know what? let's take out the ouija board. what could possibly go wrong?'

i'm obviously coming with you.

great, well. that makes me feel a whole less nervous.

there's no such thing as safe magic. you should know that.

might as well take a risk.

did you think that i came here because i just love magic so much?

i got that you guys need some extra hands or something.

let us know if shit gets exciting.

so what is this place exactly, besides a health hazard?

you ask a lot of questions.

i'm waiting for something interesting to happen.

now, it is so well stocked, it's like the end of the rainbow.

i know we're not supposed to fire off battle magic, but... i mean, come on.

we live in a world that is one world among many.

we do not know the exact nature of this entity, only that it is powerful and malevolent.

jesus, you didn't tell me you were dangerous.

we're stuck, and they're trying to kill us, so--

these people are not murderers. trust me.

there's a bad story every few years around here. i'm not sure that's avoidable.

it's amazing i survived as long as i did not knowing that i was a magician.

he died instantly and i ruined my favourite button-down.

funny little irony they don't tell you -- magic doesn't come from talent. it comes from pain.

so, do you know what it was, the thing that attacked you?

i thought you might be familiar with some pretty crazy shit, since your family...

i just want to be your friend, i guess.

jesus christ, they're gonna kill us. why did i sign up for this?

just let us out.

don't be stupid.

you have to find your way out.

look, if you can't get through this, you definitely can't deal with what it takes to do what we do.

we could not have screwed up that spell worse, and we can't take it back, and --

you should hate me right now.

honestly, growing up, the last thing i wanted to do was read fantasy.

i mean, look, we called something from another world. i don't know, can that really be a coincidence?

don't get caught.

i can't get kicked out.

you don't understand how mind-blowing that is!

i know i don't know you that well, but i know you're not the type to scare easy.

let's just say life wasn't exactly nonstop fun growing up.

why would you leave the only place with experts that might actually be able to help you with this?

if you're guilty, i'm guilty.

this is serious for some of us.

okay, you know what? i'm not interested in your personal issues.

come on, let's go before we freeze our tits off.

i found the most interesting thing buried in our woods.

i know they're your friends.

i can do nothing in this moment to stop the comet from crashing into earth, is there?

word travels fast when your life's over.

who would want to know that magic exists if there's nothing you can do about it... you know, if there's no one to teach you or help you?

you do not have to make me feel better, we -- really, we basically just met each other.

i bond fast. time is an illusion.

how about i find you and seduce you and so lift your spirits and life retains its spark for decades?

i need you to remind me that magic is real.

let's find a way out of this shit hole.

you piece of shit! you ratted me out!

who shot off that spell?!

scissors make a shitty screwdriver, by the way.

i'm done trying to prove myself to you.

you're smart. you're passionate. you question things.

you messed with my head!

how am i supposed to trust you?

why would you ever trust anyone?

i am willing to teach the right people everything i know... and i know a lot, because i have certain connections in certain places.

you want a drink?

hey, have you ever heard of karma? well, sometimes, it's instant.

you're a heartless bitch.

get me everything on this list, this week.

i kind of screwed that up.

you're a much better liar than i expected you to be.

you're not very remarkable.

you're so eager to belong, you even forget why you're here.

i've looked into that beast's eyes.

do you think you have a destiny?

i used to believe that crap too when i was young.

there is no destiny. no born heroes.

learn fast, by any means necessary.

relax, nobody's taking your mind today.

we'll make something of you yet.

don't hop back on the garden path like some little lemming, or i'll erase everything and start you over entirely, for your own good.

everything's connected. don't over-think it.

hope your bits are covered.

i knew he'd come, but i swear i didn't know so soon.

no one is ready. we need more time.

this is all my fault.

this is your problem that you should solve!

join the party, sad sack.

we're so drunk!

#rp sentence meme #rp sentence prompts #rp sentence starters #rp meme #rp prompts #meme.

[boogiewrites]

Never Break the Chain

Part 1 of 5

Characters: Javier Peña x OFC

Summary: The story follows the moments in their relationship in which things change, carrying the story of their romance from being young and in love in Texas at age 18 to the modern Narcos timeline. We follow Esme on her rise to being a top thief and Javier Peña's rise in the ranks. We see how their paths inevitably intersect in Columbia and how they handle coming face to face after a faked death and decades apart. It's dramatic, it's a cop loving a criminal and them being torn between their ways of life and their love. There's a happy ending among the angst.

Warnings/Tags: Argument, Heartbreak, Young love, faked death. 

Click on my icon then go to my Mobile Masterlist in my bio for my other works and chapters. (Had to do this since Tumblr killed links, sorry.) Please like, comment and reblog if you enjoyed it! It helps out us writers A LOT!

The air was as still and silent as a hot Texas summer night could be. The buzz of the insects and the rustle and call of the nocturnal animals felt familiar to Esme and were a white noise that made her feel she was home. The moon was high and bright, illuminating the rushing and recently risen river below her. Summer storms had made their way through, a brief break to the smothering heat and filling the formerly waning river bed. It made for a great day on these rare summer occurrences, floating about lazily and working on her tan, drinks were plentiful between friends and you could let any stress you had floated down the river after you left. As she gripped the old iron railing of the backroad bridge, feeling the failing paint flaking under her anxious hands, she knew those golden days of youth and summer were falling behind her now. The river would take her trouble away tonight, but in the morning a whole new set would emerge in their place. Even so, this is what she wanted, deep down she knew the conversation she was about to have wasn’t going to be one with a happy ending, and she’d prepared for that. Still, until she heard the words from his lips herself, that last bit of naivete she had left would hope against hope that this night wouldn’t end in tears.

Her upbringing with a single mother, no stability that she could recall, and inheriting her mother’s reputation, only doing what she had to make a living, she knew there were no happy endings. Being a striking Latin woman, hell, a woman at all was enough to teach her the authorities in place were corrupt and broken. She’d been born a criminal they’d said. It was first said the moment she opened her eyes. “Look at this little one, a thief.” her father had said. “Esmeralda we’ll call her, as she’s already stolen emeralds for her eyes.” Her father hadn’t come from a line of fortune-tellers that she was aware of, but he’d unknowingly planted the seed that would grow to become her destiny. One filled with heartbreaking choices and world view shattering experiences she would be told she was strong for overcoming. She didn’t think anyone needed to be applauded for being strong. It came from being broken and filling the gaps with something that couldn’t be torn apart again. Her so-called strength was just the glaringly apparent failures of the power structures in place. And she knew the only way to get ahead, to move from outside their oppressive shadow was to beat them at their own game.

The boy on his way to convince her to not follow her dreams didn’t know that yet. He had his delusions and she wasn’t sure she had the heart to take them away from him. Things wouldn’t always work out, he wasn’t going to save anyone, let alone her. But if you asked her, she didn’t need saving.

The hiss of drying raining on the asphalt under the tires of his muscle car didn’t help distract him from where he was headed. Every rendezvous with her up to this point had been nothing but a flip in his stomach and tension in his balls. Where yearning and excitement once lay there was only dread and uncertainty. He was young, he was full of confidence and despite the chronic bad attitude and bloody knuckles, he kept he still thought he could make her stay. He wouldn’t lose her. He couldn’t. She loved him she’d said. That meant something to an 18-year-old boy still deep in his first love and soon to be last heartbreak. The flashes of running from the cops, late nights spent in the back seat of his car, some laying together next to the dashboard light with the radio creating a soundtrack to their youth unknowingly. He gulps, recalling the way she looked at him when they were alone. They were all burned into his mind and they would be there for many years to come. He couldn’t help but remember the first time he saw her, walking into an abandoned house the local kids used for parties. They held the same beer in their hands, locked eyes that held the hunger of teenage lust. Her in cut-offs and a bikini top, deep brown from the summer sun, bouncy black hair in waves falling down her shoulders and framing a heart-shaped face with eyes greener than he’d ever seen.

They were both attractive and rebellious, it took nothing to make them like each other. They were quick to go to bed, and he was quick to fall with for her independent nature, and his desire to protect her quickly fell in behind. She wasn’t like any other girl he’d met, and he thought it was a compliment. But as the lust faded, love grew in its place, seeing what hardships she faced and trying his damnedest to save her from them. He rode in on his steel horse and swept her away despite her insistence she didn’t need it. But when he spoke softly and touched her the same in the sweat-soaked leather seats, naked and vulnerable by both clothes and emotions, she couldn’t help but cry and let him hold her, both sharing their fears. Their biggest in their lives at that time was simply losing the other.

The familiar sound of his car didn’t help ease the knot in her stomach like it used to. She sighed deeply, letting the headlights fall upon her as he pulled up the bridge. No one ever said chasing your dreams would be easy.

“Hey sweetheart.” his smooth voice, soft only for her, flooded her ears as they closed the space between them instinctively. Her heart ached as he wrapped his scabbed hands around her waist, one rough palm to her cheek as if he were assuring he had her full attention.

“Hola, Javi.” she whispers against his lips. He does as he has before, pretending things are fine for as long as he can. Talking sweet and pushing back her hair, kisses to her temples like he always did when she was emotional. It was inevitable his lips would find their way through the small talk to her neck. And they did. “You know you can’t fuck your way out of this conversation.” she smiles, taking her hands to direct his face to look at hers.

“Worth a shot..” he nods with his signature cockiness she no longer found annoying but endearing. A dangerous feeling indeed.

He looks her over, hands gentle but firm as he ran them over her arms and sides, mapping her out in movements that would drive him to drink later on.

“I know your answer, mi Amor, I see it in your eyes. Just say it so we can move on.”

“Don’t make me Esme.” it wasn’t begging but there was a desperation to his furrowed brow as he looked down and finally met her eyes. “I told you what I have to do. I can’t stay here. I can’t be this girl anymore.”

“I don’t wanna lose you, baby, please.” There was the begging. The desperation was in those almost black-brown eyes as they glassed over, the lump in his throat growing by the second.

“You cannot go be part of a system that wants to enslave me. We can’t be together in this world, Javi. You KNOW this. You can’t be the cop and I the criminal. No way works. One of us ends up in jail...or worse.”

“You’re talkin' like you wanna kill me now all the sudden.”

“Never.” she holds his face with a veil of anger in her eyes. “I love you, Javier. I always will. But you are a weakness. You are the only man that knows me. The only man that could best me. And that is because I love you. I have to be who I am, I am a criminal and you are going to go off and be a part of what wants to keep oppressing people like me? Just because we are trying to get ahead? To make a life for ourselves because your government has failed its people? We can’t be together if you do this.”

“You don’t have to go off and do all this crazy shit, Esme. You’ve been reading too many books, baby, you don’t have to go off and steal and con. You could stay here. With me. Where you belong.”

“And do WHAT exactly? You want me to...work in an office? Be a cashier at the grocery store for the rest of my life? You want me miserable? That’s selfish and you know it. I’m not something you get to control, I’m not keeping myself small for you no matter how much I may love you. That’s a fate worse than death for a woman like me.”

“Not any part of you wants that? A simple life? With a good man? Have a few kids...a house. Just...be happy?”

“You are not stupid Javi, stop asking stupid questions. You know me better than anyone and you know that is not me. I will grow bored and loathsome, I would end up hating you and my choices and we would end up hating each other. I would rather us be in love in our memories than hate you in reality.”

“You don’t know that.”

“Yes, I do. Because I see it every day. In the women that glare at me when I walk down the street. The jealousy...they look down on me saying I am trash but it’s because they wish they had what I have. Drive, ambition, fucking OPTIONS. Those women are trapped by their decisions and I will be too if I stay.”

“You think staying with me is being trapped?”

“It is not you, Javi. It is what you will become. I love this..this Javier right now. But you be indoctrinated. You’ll change into someone else and I am not willing to change for you. I’m sorry.”

“I knew I shouldn't've let you hang out with those damn hippies…”

“This is all me Javi. This is no one else. You are the one being fed lies of being a good guy among the bad, that you can save everyone. It’s a lie. I do not want to tell you this because I know it’s your dream to help but mi Amor ...it is not real.”

“And I don’t think your dream is real! I think it’s a lot of horse shit.”

She stands in silence looking at him, his hands on his hips defensively. “Then we agree.” she nods. “Goodbye, Javi. I love you. Always.” she begins to turn and knows before she feels his hand around her arm that it would happen.

“Don't leave Esme you’re the only good thing I got.” he shakes her by the shoulders.

“And if you don’t think I feel the same you’re mistaken.” she almost spits out. “I do not WANT to leave. But to become what I must I have to. And I’m sorry it has to be this way. But it does.”

“If you leave I’ll find you. You know I will. I’m not gonna let you go. I can’t.” he chokes out.

“I know.” she sighs. “Which is why I must take such a drastic measure. To me... staying is a fate worse than death. I know you would find me.” she chuckles and he looks at her with wet confused eyes. “You are my weakness, Javier. You are the only man I know that could ever find me. Ever best me at my own game. And you will not stop looking for me.”

“I never would.” he whispers.

“Which is why I'm so sorry. So.... so sorry mi Amor.” she begins to cry and kisses him, pressing against him hard, his back hitting up against his car and a muffled struggle to embrace one another ensues.

There’s a swift movement and click. Javi’s head jerks to look down, arm tugging against the cuffs she’d just slipped on him and through his vehicle door. “I’m sorry Javi. I am.” she says as his anger grows.

“ESME?!” he barks. “Let me GO! Are you fuckin’ CRAZY?”

“Maybe.” she sighs and walks a few paces away, to the railing of the bridge, looking down at the water. ‘There is only one way you will let me go Javi. I cannot have you being my weakness, or my capture, or my pursuer. I would spend my life looking over my shoulder.”

“What the FUCK are you talking about?!” his voice breaks, a shout scaring the animals in the brush nearby.

She stands on the railing, wind through her hair and a feeling of true freedom being just outside her grasp. She hears him struggling behind her, the desperate grunts and whimpers, his words and shouts join the shite noise of the water as she closes her eyes. She turns only her head to meet his wild eyes one last time, a snapshot in her mind to carry with her into her new life. “I love you, Javier Pena. Never doubt that. I’ll see you in the next life.”

And with that, she was gone. Over the railing as Javi screamed until he was hoarse, his wrist fractures and bruised from the force of trying to free himself. It would break him, and he would be born into a new life. Just like her.

She knew it was drastic, but the only way she would be able to escape not only his love of her but of hers for him. He had to think she was dead.

@likedovesinthewnd @jaegeeeeer @biharryjames @ladamari68​ @past-romantic​ @weliketomoveit 

#Javier Pena #Pedro Pascal #javier pena x reader #Javier Pena Fanfic #javier pena fic

[svtausinapocket]

Snapshoot | Kim Mingyu

Chapter 1: The Wizard Next Door

Pairing: Y/N (Female) x Mingyu 

Chapters: 1/3       Words: 3,6k+

Alternative Universe: Hogwarts!AU, MagicalWorld!AU, Slytherin!Y/N, Gryffindor!Mingyu, Photographer!Mingyu, Cop!Y/N, Friends to ennemies to lovers.

Scenario: When you discovered your neighbor was a wizard as well, you couldn’t help but feel excited to go to Hogwarts with him. Unfortunately teenagers are stupid and somehow things won’t go as expected. But sometimes life gives you a chance to look back at your past mistakes, even if a murder is involved with your former crush as its only witness. 

Warnings: Smutty (coming), Violence (murder, crime scene, fights), and that’s all. There’s links on selected words to help you understands magical words if you forgot them ;) You can read this fic if you’re not a harry potter fan!

A/N: English is not my first language so I feel kinda shy tbh. Anyway that’s the first chapter of a fic I started to write a while ago. I’m pretty sure almost no one will read it but still, I feel like I have to finish it! 

Wattpad | Archive of our own  (not yet)

***unedited*** 

        Sitting alone at your table, you moved your eyes from your potion book to the red and gold robes before you. The N.E.W.T.s were arriving quickly and everything you could do to fight your stress was to study, even when eating in the great hall. All around you people were moving like shadows, barely noticeable for your unfocused eyes... Nothing attracted your attention. Nothing except for a Gryffindor guy sat meters away from you. 

He was surrounded by his kinds like the eye of a cyclone made of red and goldish birds. 

If there had to be a leader it would be him, you thought. Like the alfa of a pack but with an irregular chick on his side. Indeed, with time you’d seen a lot of random girls sitting next to him. First it was Mina, soon replaced by Seulgi and her twin sister. Then Mina again, followed by Alexandra, Prya, Sana, some other boring young witches and finally Mina again. But if he was now free from any of those girls, it didn’t seem like his role in the group was lessened. 

Peacefully watching at how his eyes were gleaming of happiness when he interacted with his crew, you wondered when it happened. When did you both start to be strangers to each other? Because watching at the scene and realizing you were out of this, of his world, you felt like a voyeur out of their right. 

Actually, you knew him since you were both children. Indeed, his parents had moved next door when you were six, and for many years you’d played together in the corridor or sometimes in the building courtyard during summer vacations. But when he had been sorted to Gryffindor by this stupid hat it was still a shock.

The boy you knew wasn’t made for this house. Since elementary school Mingyu had always been vicious and ambitious. In primary school, he had already used his magic to steal his classmates’ stuff, or just to bother them, even if he didn’t know yet he had magic.

At least you could say it’s what had helped you set your thinking.

In fact, he didn’t really know what he was doing but, on your side, you could clearly understand what was happening. He was a wizard. Just like you and your parents. Except that unlike the three of you he was a Muggle-born wizard.

You’d told your family about it, about all your suspicions. But no one had believed the words of a young kid. To people, Mingyu was just an unbearable kid with a tricky brain _which indeed, was also true.

And as if fate had decided to step in, one day your parents invited his family for dinner. And then the little Mingyu had seen. His big eyes had been sparkling with magic in front of the moving spoon in the kitchen. His mouth smiling once the little boy had faced the remembrall in your room.

 —

“I want to see a dragon.” he used to say.

“What kind?” You’d asked. Sat on your room’s floor you’d watched him talk with passion about animals and how we thought it was his destiny to take a picture of a real dragon and show the word they were real.

“Are they ...different sorts of dragons?” He had slowed down.

“Sure.” You had told him, knowing perfectly what you’d read in your father’s book. “There’s different kinds of dogs. So why would it be different for dragons?”

“I don’t know. What dragon do you think would be the best in a picture?” He’d asked, his energy progressively cleared up by your question. Not thinking about it twice you’d chosen the only one you remembered. 

“The Common Welsh Green I guess.” The little boy had stopped to sit in front of you, pouting.

“But it’s common isn’t it?”

“Maybe. But they’re slower so it’s easier to photograph them. Plus, one of those made London burn.” 

It was only the childish dream of a guy who would soon realize how accurate were your words while all his school friends will believe that dragons are a legend.

—

And so finally, your parents had believed you. As the true kindhearted Hufflepuffs and protective wizards they were, it took them time to decide what to do with the young neighbor. Taking him under their wings was not even a question. But how to do it was much more complicated. In fact, Muggles were not famous for being open minded and flexible when their life was about to change. So, they just decided to use your friendship as an excuse to never tell his relatives before Hogwarts letter, and just show him what the magical world had to offer.

From that point, things became quite fun. After telling him what was happening, they showed him books, magical tricks and brought the young wizard with you to Diagon Alley. All of this just in order for him to not be lost when he would have to bring his parents there, and also know what to do when he will have to officially join the magical world you were raised into.

His parents actually took the news pretty well, and to be honest, it was mostly because your family made a big deal about helping the young boy in his coming out.

That’s why you were soon together in the Hogwarts express, on the road to becoming two proud wizards. You were happy.  

Things could only go well. Right?

 —

To everyone's surprise he was sorted to Gryffindor, and you were sent to Slytherin. It was a real shock; one nobody had anticipated. And while he was led to the Gryffindor Tower, you were walking down the stairs to reach Slytherin Dungeon. He was in the light and you were in the dark, becoming the black sheep of your Gryffindor and Hufflepuff family. 

But something happened. Or rather than something, nothing happened. He soon had new friends and you had yours. And it appeared that none of you told people that you were neighbors and more than that; childhood friends.

It was like a silent agreement between both of you. 

You never spoke to each other in the presence of your respective friends. Because more than being in the rival houses, it would have been a shame. Or at least your teenagers’ stupid brains thought so.

Indeed, he soon started to become really popular among your classmates due to his charms and his ability to socialize easily. Plus, his fuckboy image didn’t match with the calm and intellectual one you shared with your own friends. Maybe he had his reasons to avoid you, but you clearly had yours. You had to prove to people- and to yourself, that being a Slytherin in a red and yellow family didn’t make you less competent or valuable. That, on the contrary, it was making you a better person. You wanted to be the best and you worked for it.

Every day you studied so hard to be the number one. To be able to achieve your career dreams despite your S label. People had to think you were calm, studious and perfect. To perceive you as the type of girl who doesn’t have time for troublemakers like Mingyu and his crew. 

So, after hearing how Chunhee and Seokmin had criticized him and his band, you’d decided to just stay silent about your relationship with Mingyu.

And he did the same.

—

But it was strange and really uncomfortable.

One day you were in the muggle train, heading to your hometown for the first time since the start of the school year. Everything was peaceful and calm. Christmas snow was falling on the London suburb, while Mingyu’s head had fallen on your shoulder. And just like the railroad, his breath was slow, relaxing and cadenced. He was taking a nap.

You had just supposed he had had fun with his friends the night before, so you didn’t say anything, reading on your own, but each time a person walked between the train sits, you were feeling your stomach twist. That’s when the lungs in your torso sighed loudly to expel the stress from your body.

“What?” Asked Mingyu, not as asleep as you thought.

During a second you stood silent before speaking. You felt how dry your throat was due to anticipation. 

“Are you not afraid that someone could see us like that?”

“Afraid?” He started without opening his eyes. “Please Y/N, the train is almost empty. Plus, we’re in a muggle train, far away from the city, so we won’t run into one of our classmates.”

“Please understand me, but if a classmate sees us, I don’t want my image to be riddled by a slug, who salivate in his sleep.” You laughed.

“F*ck off. I know I’m not drooling. How could someone so perfect like me salivate in his sleep?”

Your snigger made his head move a bit.

As soon as this conversation had started, a silence had fallen on it. One of the unstable lights on your right switched on just to illuminate his delicate face. You were taking your time to look at him, at the black hair falling on his forehead, at those cute pink lips half-open, while your heart was pounding loudly against your rib cage.

“And in the worst case. Just imagine someone sees us. Who cares?”

You didn’t agree, because you didn’t believe his words, and for good reasons.

—

To be honest you perfectly remember when you became full strangers. You couldn’t forget the day you both decided to stop this farce. 

“Y/N, is there something between you two?” Had suddenly asked Seokmin. You were sitting on the corridor floor, your eyes focused on your last arithmancy lesson. Last month you’d had bad grades at it and you absolutely wanted to improve so you could be ready for the O.W.L.s. Some drops were falling from your wet hair to the paper in front of you, drawing ink on the white sheet. 

“Stop studying” your friend laughed while sitting next to you. “We just won our quidditch match against Gryffindor, you should be celebrating, not studying.”

“I know I know” you smiled while closing the lesson and contracting your fingers around it. “I was waiting for you. I can’t celebrate without you and Chunhee.” Even after taking a shower, you could still feel a mix of sweat and water on your skin. Your legs and arms were already aching due to the game. You were obviously tired. Indeed, the match became hard since Gryffindor had placed Mingyu as the Seeker and you had to admit he wasn’t that bad for a newbie. 

“So. Tell me Y/N. Is there something between you two?” You frowned your eyebrows.

“Sorry, what?”

“You and Mingyu.”

At his words you felt your heart clench. Yes, there used to be something. Not that you would admit it of course, but still, it had been months since you two spoke to each other and you started to feel like he was avoiding you for no reasons. Maybe he’d grown tired of you. Or maybe he just didn’t care anymore. You fist tightened around the papers in your hand. 

“No, of course not” you lied. It had become a habit to avoid the truth about it, and five years of lying had started to make it feel like it was nothing when it truly was a weight on your shoulders. Indeed, you were now fifteen, and thinking back at your arrival in Hogwarts you’d started to wonder if all of this wasn’t too extreme or ridiculous. 

“Why?”

“I saw the face you made up there, when he was accidently hit by the Quaffle. I’m glad Steph caught it right in time and sent it back to you, because I swear you had the face of a girl ready to ask him if he was okay. Plus… when we danced together during the Yule ball, he kind of… stared at me weirdly you know.”

Listening to him, you’d blushed. Seokmin and Chunhee knew you probably better than anyone, and it made sense for them to realize something was off. Plus, this time, you were guilty and thinking about it just made the situation even more complicated. 

One hour ago, you were still on your broom, flying in the air as easily as a bird would, just to make your Chaser job. For the first time in your quidditch experience the match was really tight. Your team and the Gryffindor one were already fighting for one hour under pouring rain. The seekers were flying hard to catch the Golden Snitch and you had felt how your classmates started to get tired of playing. Some already had had accidents and had left the game to be welcomed at the infirmary. Each new minute was making the match even more risky. And as if it was supposed to arrive, you’d made a mistake.

You hadn’t looked around you to make sure the area was safe and rushing to catch the soaked Quaffle you only succeeded in blocking Mingyu’s path. The ball having no effect on your gloves, you’d felt it slip from your grasp before the young seeker was hit in the face. He’d lost his balance, hitting your ribcage with his broomstick. But if you’d succeeded into staying stable, he hadn’t. You’d watched him being kicked out of the Golden Snitch chase with bitterness on your tongue. 

It wasn’t properly speaking, a foul, but it wasn’t fair at all. Before you had been able do something stupid for your team, Steph had sent you the Quaffle again and you were back in the game.

Your team won. You knew it was because of this incident and hitting the wall with your head you cursed at yourself. 

“Actually I-”

“Oh my God.” Stopped Seokmin. His eyes were no longer staring at you. “Speaking of the devil.”

You saw Mingyu arrive in the corner of your eye, and both of you immediately stood up. You’d never seen him like this before. He was fuming, his dark eyes staring at you with enough anger to make a mandragore shut up with only a glare. You felt your stomach twist.

“Okay, you know what I’ll just let you alone. I’ll wait outside with Chunhee.” Started Seokmin. “Please, don’t get killed okay?” Before you could say something, your friend had disappeared. What a chicken. 

Suddenly your environment became hostile. The corridor you were in was too long, too dark and felt too isolated. The pouring rain outside the arena was louder with each step he was taking. He still had his Gryffindor Quidditch shirt, but with a huge thunderclap hitting the sky, the red and gold didn’t seem welcoming anymore. 

“Mingyu I…”

Arriving in front of you he smashed your arithmancy papers with his hand. The sheets then crashed on the floor.

“Mingyu what the hell is wrong with you?!” You started while squatting down to pick them up.

“What the hell is wrong with me?! What the hell is wrong with you!” He yelled. Somehow you heard people arriving in the corridor on your left but didn’t bother to look at them. Anger was creeping in your heart and you couldn’t be distracted from it. You were now looking straight into Mingyu’s eyes, yours mimicking the fire burning it his. “Did you seriously think it was fun to hit me with a Quaffle?!”

“Oh, please stop it! It’s not like I did it on purpose.” You rolled your eyes when he stepped closer. 

“Really?! I’m not sure of that. You’re a Slytherin after all.”

His rather beautiful eyes were narrowed in some infuriating crescents. Mixed with his sly smile and an obvious excess of confidence, his aura was making you beside yourself. You swear all you wanted at that moment was to punch this stupid Gryffindor right in his beautiful face. One minute earlier you were about to apologize to your_ obviously, no longer friend, but the douchebag he’d become had ruined everything. Again.

Now deeply hurt by his words all you could feel was the raging flame waving in your heart.  

“Okay that’s enough.” you stopped, offended. “Do you… seriously thought I did it just for my Slytherin team to win?!”

“Why not. That’s what a snake would do.”

 You pushed him with all your strength. Adrenaline had gotten over you and now you felt even more energized than before the game. His back hit the wall behind him, a painful grin deforming his handsome features. He probably hadn’t expected you to react so violently.

As it seems he’d become more than a jerk; his popularity had turned him into a coward as well. All he could do was attack you with what he knew would make you wince, what would make your feelings scream and what would break your heart. Years of friendship spent together to use your weakest points against you in the end.

 “You fucking idiot!” You said with a dark shadow surrounding your body. He was now only centimeters away from your green and silver clothes, and your finger was pointing his chest with too much strength for a simple accusation. “When did you became so stupid to think I would do something like that?! Especially to you.” Now you no longer cared, rather it would reveal something about your true feelings for him or not. Indeed, your eyes were tearing from a mix of anger and sadness, exposing you to this guy you once knew.

“And when did you become so cold hearted that your parents would be ashamed to have a Slytherin as their daughter?!” He answered back. It was the straw that broke the camel’s back.

Your fist crushed his jaw with enough strength to break his bones. He let out a groan. But before you could do anything to analyze the ache in your phalanx, Mingyu had made a move. Seizing your chest, he tackled you to the ground, your ribs hitting the hard floor with too much intensity for the already painful bruise you got earlier from your quidditch altercation. You let out a scream while automatically grabbing your ribcage as a protection.

If you weren’t full of rage you would have noticed how his expression changed from animosity to perplexity. Your eyes would have been able to see how he’d suddenly understood you were hurt too by the Quaffle incident. But the fury you were only saw an opportunity to fight back. Because the distance he’d put between your bodies to see you from afar was giving you the chance to kick him with your right leg. And so did you.

His body rolled to the side, his arms crossed in front of his face as a defense mechanism. Now that you’d stood up, you were ready to hit him again when a voice stopped you in your tracks.

 “Alright kids, it’s time to stop.” Calmly said a female voice on your left. Before understanding the situation, you had been grabbed from behind by your classmates and moved away from your former friend.

In her Quidditch Gryffindor clothes their captain had arrived to stop the mess you were doing. She was standing there, arms crossed and looking at how you were trying to escape the hands stopping you from exploding. When Mingyu got up again and approached you, she stepped in. Diana was smaller than him but the hand she put between you two was enough to stop the young wizard.

“Mingyu. Stop. It’s your first match as the Seeker. Don’t make me say it’s the last one.”

The captain had spoken. At her words he stopped dead and looked at her, turning his angry gaze to the petite girl.

“She attacked me first with the Quaffle.” He tried to defend himself.

“No, she didn’t. It was an accident. We were all tired, it was raining. Things like that happen.” 

“But...”

“No.” Turning in your direction she apologized. “Sorry Y/N.” And with her last words you’d watched them leave, Mingyu angry aura emanating from him until he was out of view. 

If you’d managed to calm yourself after this fight he hadn’t. And somewhat he had managed to make you be forbidden from playing official matches for 3 months while he was healing from that punch in the face you’d given him.

 —

Thinking about it you realized it’s when you’d decided to end this stupid friendship. That’s when you started to officially avoid him, not caring if he’d ever wanted to approach you again.

 ☂

Lost in your thoughts you haven’t realized he was now watching you too. Mingyu might have felt your stare, even if you had lost yourself into nostalgia. And when your eyes finally met you were surprised to see his neutral expression. You probably had blushed but were praying for him to be too far to notice. 

Watching your open book again you tried to focus on your lesson but failed, knowing he was still smiling at your moment of madness. So, giving up with fighting the shame you’d felt for being caught staring, you closed your book and left the great hall.

☂ 

[6 years later]

The picture in your hand was taken far from the crime scene, but you swear you could see it clearly. Your fingers were trembling around the piece of paper the guy of the shop had given you and the cop you’d become could still feel her heart beat heavily in her chest. Indeed, the more your eyes were observing the snapshot of this young muggle, the more you knew it was him. It was clearly his face half hidden by a curtain and a long coat. Everything from this beautiful ruffled hair to the large hand holding the camera smelled like him. This guy was only a reflection on a window next to this damn alley, but you could feel it in your bones. Kim Mingyu was here.

And if the journalist he’d become was near a crime scene hours before the most popular murder of the decade, there’s no way it could be a coincidence. Damn it! You finally had a lead to bring back to the Ministry of Magic.

Excitement rose in your heart and you tried to convince yourself it was because of the investigation. Because there’s no way a long-forgotten frenemy could make you feel that excited, right?

A smile enlightened on your face.

 Right?

#Seventeen #Semicolon #Halloween #Seventeen imagine #seventeen fic #seventeen fanfic #fanfic #fic #imagine #kpop #svt #Mingyu #Kim Mingyu #seventeen mingyu #alternate universe #seventeen au #hogwarts #harry potter #seventeen hogwarts #seventeen harry potter #gryffindor mingyu #slytherin Y/N #Cop #Journalist #Ennemies to lovers #Friends to lovers #Mingyu x Y/N #Mingyu x reader #drabbles #seventeen drabbles

[ucflibrary]

November in the United States is Native American Heritage Month, also referred to as American Indian and Alaska Native Heritage Month. It celebrates the rich history and diversity of America’s native peoples and educates the public about historical and current challenges they face. Native American Heritage Month was first declared by presidential proclamation in 1990 which urged the United States to learn more about their first nations.

 Join the UCF Libraries as we celebrate diverse voices and subjects with these suggestions. Click on the Keep Reading link below to see the full list, descriptions, and catalog links for the featured Native American Heritage titles suggested by UCF Library employees. These 16 books plus many more are also on display on the 2nd (main) floor of the John C. Hitt Library next to the bank of two elevators.

An American Sunrise by Joy Harjo In the early 1800s, the Mvskoke people were forcibly removed from their original lands east of the Mississippi to Indian Territory, which is now part of Oklahoma. Two hundred years later, Joy Harjo returns to her family’s lands and opens a dialogue with history. In An American Sunrise, Harjo finds blessings in the abundance of her homeland and confronts the site where her people, and other indigenous families, essentially disappeared. From her memory of her mother’s death, to her beginnings in the native rights movement, to the fresh road with her beloved, Harjo’s personal life intertwines with tribal histories to create a space for renewed beginnings. Her poems sing of beauty and survival, illuminating a spirituality that connects her to her ancestors and thrums with the quiet anger of living in the ruins of injustice. Suggested by Sara Duff, Acquisitions & Collections

 Bird Songs Don't Lie: writings from the rez by Gordon Lee Johnson In this deeply moving collection of short stories and essays, Gordon Lee Johnson (Cupeño/Cahuilla) cements his voice not only as a wry commentator on American Indian reservation life but also as a master of fiction writing. In Johnson's stories, all of which are set on the fictional San Ignacio reservation in Southern California, we meet unforgettable characters like Plato Pena, the Stanford-bound geek who reads Kahlil Gibran during intertribal softball games; hardboiled investigator Roddy Foo; and Etta, whose motto is “early to bed, early to rise, work like hell, and advertise,” as they face down circumstances by turns ordinary and devastating. From the noir-tinged mystery of “Unholy Wine” to the gripping intensity of “Tukwut,” Johnson effortlessly switches genre, perspective, and tense, vividly evoking people and places that are fictional but profoundly true to life. Suggested by Megan Haught, Research & Information Services/Teaching & Engagement

 Coming Down from Above: prophecy, resistance, and renewal in Native American religions by Lee Irwin An introduction to an important strand within the rich tapestry of Native religions, this shows the remarkable responsiveness of those beliefs to historical events. It is an unprecedented, encyclopedic sourcebook for anyone interested in the roots of Native theology. From the highly assimilated ideas of the Puget Sound Shakers to such resistance movements as that of the Shawnee Prophet, Irwin tells how the integration of non-Native beliefs with prophetic teachings gave rise to diverse ethnotheologies with unique features. He surveys the beliefs and practices of the nation to which each prophet belonged, then describes his or her life and teachings, the codification of those teachings, and the impact they had on both the community and the history of Native religions. Key hard-to-find primary texts are included in an appendix. Suggested by Sandy Avila, Research & Information Services

 Fools Crow by Thomas E. Mails; assisted by Dallas Chief Eagle Set in Montana shortly after the Civil War, this novel tells of White Man's Dog (later known as Fools Crow so called after he killed the chief of the Crows during a raid), a young Blackfeet Indian on the verge of manhood, and his band, known as the Lone Eaters. The invasion of white society threatens to change their traditional way of life, and they must choose to fight or assimilate. Suggested by Mary Lee Gladding, Circulation

 Four Souls: a novel by Louise Erdrich After taking her mother’s name, Four Souls, for strength, the strange and compelling Fleur Pillager walks from her Ojibwe reservation to the cities of Minneapolis and Saint Paul. She is seeking restitution from and revenge on the lumber baron who has stripped her tribe’s land. But revenge is never simple, and her intentions are complicated by her dangerous compassion for the man who wronged her. Suggested by Jada Reyes, UCF Libraries Student Ambassador

 House Made of Dawn by N. Scott Momaday He was a young American Indian named Abel, and he lived in two worlds. One was that of his father, wedding him to the rhythm of the seasons, the harsh beauty of the land, the ecstasy of the drug called peyote. The other was the world of the twentieth century, goading him into a compulsive cycle of sexual exploits, dissipation, and disgust. Home from a foreign war, he was a man being torn apart, a man descending into hell. Suggested by Mary Lee Gladding, Circulation

 Keepers of the Morning Star: an anthology of native women's theater edited by Jaye T. Darby and Stephanie Fitzgerald This is the first major anthology of Native women's contemporary theater bringing together works from established and new playwrights. This collection, representing a rich diversity of Native communities, showcases the exciting range of Native women's theater today from the dynamic fusion of storytelling, ceremony, music and dance to the bold experimentation of poetic stream of consciousness and Native agitprop. Suggested by Rich Gause, Research & Information Services

 Native Southerners: indigenous history from origins to removal by Gregory D. Smithers Long before the indigenous people of southeastern North America first encountered Europeans and Africans, they established communities with clear social and political hierarchies and rich cultural traditions. Award-winning historian Gregory D. Smithers brings this world to life in Native Southerners, a sweeping narrative of American Indian history in the Southeast from the time before European colonialism to the Trail of Tears and beyond. Suggested by Megan Haught, Research & Information Services/Teaching & Engagement

 Nature Poem by Tommy Pico This work follows Teebs―a young, queer, American Indian (or NDN) poet―who can’t bring himself to write a nature poem. For the reservation-born, urban-dwelling hipster, the exercise feels stereotypical, reductive, and boring. He hates nature. He prefers city lights to the night sky. He’d slap a tree across the face. He’d rather write a mountain of hashtag punchlines about death and give head in a pizza-parlor bathroom; he’d rather write odes to Aretha Franklin and Hole. While he’s adamant―bratty, even―about his distaste for the word “natural,” over the course of the book we see him confronting the assimilationist, historical, colonial-white ideas that collude NDN people with nature. The closer his people were identified with the “natural world,” he figures, the easier it was to mow them down like the underbrush. But Teebs gradually learns how to interpret constellations through his own lens, along with human nature, sexuality, language, music, and Twitter. Even while he reckons with manifest destiny and genocide and centuries of disenfranchisement, he learns how to have faith in his own voice. Suggested by Sara Duff, Acquisitions & Collections

 On the Rez by Ian Frazier This is a sharp, unflinching account of the modern-day American Indian experience, especially that of the Oglala Sioux, who now live on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in the plains and badlands of the American West. Crazy Horse, perhaps the greatest Indian war leader of the 1800s, and Black Elk, the holy man whose teachings achieved worldwide renown, were Oglala; in these typically perceptive pages, Frazier seeks out their descendants on Pine Ridge―a/k/a "the rez"―which is one of the poorest places in America today. Suggested by Larry Cooperman, Research & Information Services

 Shapes of Native Nonfiction by Elissa Washuta Just as a basket's purpose determines its materials, weave, and shape, so too is the purpose of the essay related to its material, weave, and shape. Editors Elissa Washuta and Theresa Warburton ground this anthology of essays by Native writers in the formal art of basket weaving. Using weaving techniques such as coiling and plaiting as organizing themes, the editors have curated an exciting collection of imaginative, world-making lyric essays by twenty-seven contemporary Native writers from tribal nations across Turtle Island into a well-crafted basket. Suggested by Sara Duff, Acquisitions & Collections

 Surviving Genocide: native nations and the United States from the American Revolution to bleeding Kansas by Jeffrey Ostler An authoritative contribution to the history of the United States’ violent path toward building a continental empire, this ambitious and well-researched book deepens our understanding of the seizure of Indigenous lands, including the use of treaties to create the appearance of Native consent to dispossession. Ostler also documents the resilience of Native people, showing how they survived genocide by creating alliances, defending their towns, and rebuilding their communities. Suggested by Megan Haught, Research & Information Services/Teaching & Engagement

 The Man to Send Rain Clouds: contemporary stories by American Indians edited by Kenneth Rosen Over a two-year period, Kenneth Rosen traveled from town to town, pueblo to pueblo, to uncover the stories contained in this volume. All reveal the preoccupations of contemporary American Indians. Not surprisingly, many of the stories are infused with the bitterness of a people and a culture long repressed. Several deal with violence and the effort to escape from the pervasive, and so often destructive, white influence and system. In most, the enduring strength of the Indian past is very much in evidence, evoked as a kind of counterpoint to the repression and aimlessness that have marked, and still mark today, the lives of so many American Indians. Suggested by Rich Gause, Research & Information Services

 The Marrow Thieves by Cherie Dimaline

Humanity has nearly destroyed its world through global warming, but now an even greater evil lurks. The indigenous people of North America are being hunted and harvested for their bone marrow, which carries the key to recovering something the rest of the population has lost: the ability to dream. In this dark world, Frenchie and his companions struggle to survive as they make their way up north to the old lands. For now, survival means staying hidden … but what they don’t know is that one of them holds the secret to defeating the marrow thieves.

Suggested by Mary Lee Gladding, Circulation

 Thunder in the Mountains: Chief Joseph, Oliver Otis Howard, and the Nez Perce War by Daniel J. Sharfstein Recreating the Nez Perce War through the voices of its survivors, Daniel J. Sharfstein’s visionary history of the West casts Howard’s turn away from civil rights alongside the nation’s rejection of racial equality and embrace of empire. The conflict becomes a pivotal struggle over who gets to claim the American dream: a battle of ideas about the meaning of freedom and equality, the mechanics of American power, and the limits of what the government can and should do for its people. The war that Howard and Joseph fought is one that Americans continue to fight today. Suggested by Sandy Avila, Research & Information Services

 Where the Dead Sit Talking by Brandon Hobson With his single mother in jail, Sequoyah, a fifteen-year-old Cherokee boy, is placed in foster care with the Troutt family. Literally and figuratively scarred by his mother’s years of substance abuse, Sequoyah keeps mostly to himself, living with his emotions pressed deep below the surface. At least until he meets seventeen-year-old Rosemary, a troubled artist who also lives with the family. Sequoyah and Rosemary bond over their shared Native American background and tumultuous paths through the foster care system, but as Sequoyah’s feelings toward Rosemary deepen, the precariousness of their lives and the scars of their pasts threaten to undo them both. Suggested by Rich Gause, Research & Information Services

#featured bookshelf #ucflibrary #native americans #native american heritage month #booklr #reading #tbr

[angrylizardjacket]

dirty souls {Nikki Sixx}

Summary: Soulmate AU // Some people are born with a tattoo that represents their soulmate, in the place their soulmate will first touch them. You would think this makes life easier, but it just makes those with soulmarks into spectacles.

A/N: @misscharlottelee i love these kids. ALSO WARNING FOR CHILD ABUSE, physical and psychological, as well as the loss of a parent. it talks about lola’s childhood nd its not a positive time. / unedited and written in 4 hours. if you like it, please leave feedback! xx

{Run To Paradise AU}

In a world where having a soulmark is about as rare as winning the lottery, Lola - then Katie -, much to her parents surprise, was born with a broken record on her shoulder. At first they thought it was a birth mark, but it was too dark to be any ordinary birth make, and it grew as she did, solidifying it’s shape and colour by her fourth birthday. The image itself was raised, unlike a normal tattoo, and the vinyl image was thick and dark, and the label was bright red, but unreadable, and she loved it; it was the size of a hand, stretching from her shoulder blade all the way to her shoulder, with a single crack breaking the perfect circle.

“Whoever that’s for, is either gonna love or hate music,” her father, Leo, had told her once, grinning as Katie, on her tiptoes, watched a copy of Elton John’s Honky Chateau spin on the record player, bopping to Honky Cat. She was five then, still not quite understanding just what it meant to have the record on her shoulder. It didn’t matter, Leo was more than happy to go through his entire record collection with her.

Her parents hadn’t been soulmates, no-one she knew had a soulmate, she was the only kid in her entire school district with a soulmark. Of course she knew soulmates existed, she’d been logged into the American Soulmate Registry since her parents had confirmed that it wasn’t just a regular birthmark. As of 1975, there were 1032 people with soulmarks in America, 230 of whom had found each other, which left 801 potential soulmates in America, and 17 in Massachusetts with her. There’s countless others all over the world, should anyone wish to investigate, each country with their own Registry of sorts.

Later, when she was older and angrier, she’d be mad at the system, at the invasive nature of it all, would be glad she changed her name and ran away, to avoid anyone looking for her, hoping she means something to them. Destiny was just a new excuse to stalk someone. But now, it was just a sort of abstract concept, a mark that would mean something eventually, but didn’t right now.

What it meant for her now was questions from everyone, teachers and parents more than students, people eager to know what it was like to be destined for someone else.

Weird.

That was always her answer. Everyone else felt so entitled to her life that she felt like a spectacle; she couldn’t imagine the pressure the few celebrity soulmate couples would be under. When everyone had been excited over the news that there had been a new listing added to the registry, Katie had always pittied them.

Despite all the pressure on her from the world around her, her father was always a calming force, always told her ‘you’re in no rush, it’ll happen when it happens, I promise Lola, don’t let that stop you from being yourself and enjoying your life’. He had always called her Lola, a nickname derived from her birth name Keola, which he prefer to her mother-given nickname of Katie. Soon, Katie would prefer Lola too.

Everyone else, her mother included, was so ready for her to find the one that it was a little overwhelming.

“Where did you get these?” Leo asks, eyes tired as he sees the papers in her mother’s hand, having just tucked Lola in for the night. “This is stalking, Irene, just because you found them in the phonebook doesn’t make it right; it’s destiny, it’ll happen when it happens.”

“She’ll be happier with them!” Her mother would argue, voice raised loud enough for Lola to hear, to be intrigued, to be lured downstairs in the shadow of the handrail.

“She’s eight, let her be a damn child,” Leo snapped. It would be the first and only time Lola would ever hear anger in her father’s voice. He took the papers Irene was holding, and threw them in the trash. The next day, Lola finds it, sees a print-out of the registry, and addresses written in Irene’s unmistakable, perfect handwriting.

Leo was Lola’s hero, and losing him was like losing a limb.

Lola was inconsolable for months, could barely stand to leave the house, even as her mother grew weary and irrational.

“Why would he leave? Why would he just leave?” Lola tried to reason with her mother, who insisted that he was still alive, still out there somewhere, just refusing to come home.

“Because you’re here!” Irene had snapped at her daughter, only a few months shy of ten, “you’re meant to be someone else’s problem,” and she shoves Lola’s soulmarked shoulder, and Lola feels cold betrayal pool in her stomach. Her father had always insisted that the soulmark didn’t change her, but he wasn’t here to defend himself, and she was already so fragile.

There was a strange, jagged dichotomy in play in their house after that, with Irene insisting she’s too busy to ferry Lola around to her potential soulmates, while also insisting that Lola’s too young to be vising stranger on her own, however she still should be someone else’s problem, so her father can finally come back. All Lola knew was that she was a burden, and for the next six years, that’s all she knew how to feel.

Everything comes to a head the night Lola packs a bag and tells her mother she’s heading for the bus station, a list of addresses for the soulmarked in her state.

“No.” Irene blocks her way to the foyer.

“No? I’m almost sixteen, I can take care of myself -”

“You’re a child, Katie, you’re being delusional.”

“I thought you’d rather I was someone else’s problem?” Lola’s lip curled, and Irene glared at her.

“Not if it’s going to make your father think I’m a bad mother.” And her gaze flicks to the photo of Leo kept on the foyer table, next to the candle she always kept lit for him.

Lola’s mouth gaped open as tears pricked her eyes, and she tries to shoulder past.

“I’m going!” Lola tried to insist, but Irene was stronger, and held her back, “you know what? You are!” She shouted, stumbling back, and Irene looked at her, confused, a little hurt, “you’re a terrible fucking mother, you know that? Maybe the reason dad never came back was because you’re a fucking psycho who keeps pushing your problems onto me!” Lola snarled, tears dripping down her cheeks.

For a moment, there’s quiet, and Lola thinks she’s won. Trying to pass Irene again, however, she’s barred when Irene sticks her arm out.

“Take it back.” Irene’s voice is cold as ice, and Lola feels fear curl around her heart, “Katie, you take that back,” and Irene turns to her, but something’s snapped inside her mother’s head, and she shoves Lola back, against the table, against the wall, against the candle. Demanding louder and louder as Lola starts screaming, with flames curling up her back, Irene’s only focused on Lola taking her words back, rather than the pain she’s putting her daughter through.

Only when Irene’s hands start burning, and Lola’s whole back and backpack is alight, does she let go, and Lola collapses. The walls and the curtain are already catching, and it’s only moments before the fire department arrives since one of the neighbors calling them, followed by the police, alerted to the young girl’s screaming.

The trial was nation-wide news, and Lola’s face was printed in newspapers alongside the headline ‘I Was Punished For Having A Soulmark’; even if it was a half-truth, it sold out papers in mere hours. Irene was demonized, and everyone in America loved Lola for all of five minutes. A few other soulmarked people found her through the news, asked her where her soulmark was, and Lola, whose soulmark now was a twisted mess of scarring, along with the rest of her back, offered her hand.

“If you’re my soulmate, it doesn’t matter where you touch me, the mark will be there,” and then she prompted them to shake her hand. They did, but none of them were ever her soulmate.

Frank Ferrana, however, doesn’t watch the news.

He’s seventeen when Lola meets him, covered in tattoos already, along his arms and legs, and a few on his chest, and he’s probably the coolest person she’s ever seen. They’re put into the same group home together, but she can’t bring herself to talk to him at first, too intimidating by him, his tattoos, his leather jackets, the way he smells like smoke and freedom. The ladies at the group home coddle her, and all but wrap her in bubble wrap, and want to know all about her soulmark, and if she’s ever found her soulmate.

“If I had, do you think I’d be here?” Lola asks them over breakfast, voice deadpan. The ladies all look a little guilty, but Frank snorts into his coffee at the other end of the table. He and Lola share a grin, and he gets a little less intimidating in that moment.

He seems to go see bands every other night, and Lola finds herself staying up, waiting for him. Usually she doesn’t make it, falls asleep on the community sofa at about two in the morning, but this time she brings a book.

When he gets back, he gives her an indecipherable look that turns into a smirk, as he makes his unsteady way to the sofa, and collapses down beside her. When he reaches up, his hand gripping her shoulder for support, she thinks more about the pain of tugging at her newly-healed scars, and not of his hand on the exact spot her mark would be, and shrugs him off, readjusting where the shoulder of her shirt had fallen down.

She asks him where he goes, and he’s terribly evasive,

He calls her Katie, like the ladies do, like her mother did, and it grates on her like nails on a chalk board. No-one used her real name apart from her dad, but he was gone. So that’s the night she decides to take back the one thing her father had left her, the nickname only he used. If he ever came back, he’d be coming back to his Lola.

That night, before she gets in bed, she’ll feel her shoulder stinging, and usually after being touched, the stinging goes away after a few moments, but it’s still there. Looking in the mirror, despite the awkward angle, she sees something strange; the record on her shoulder, despite how it’s been disfigured by her scars, is still almost completely the same. Apart from one thing. The record is no longer broken. It’s a complete, black disk with a red label.

Holy shit.

And she remembers Frank’s hand on her shoulder and the burning sensation and -

The next morning, she introduces herself to him as Lola, wearing a grin that’s all teeth, with butterflies in her stomach. She thinks she remembers seeing a Frank on the registry when she’d checked it a few years ago, and this must be him. He must feel it too. In the face of her early morning excitement, he rolls his eyes, and immediately acts like an asshole about her new name; even so, she likes the way he says her name. But he’s still definitely an asshole, acting like nothing happened and nothing changed, so she kicks his bare shin, right in his tacky, little unlit candle tattoo, and storms away, missing the way he immediately yelped like she’d burned him.

If he’s going to act like nothing happened, then so will she. Frank Ferrana isn’t her damn soulmate and that’s fine by her. 

More than likely, he doesn’t even have a soulmate.

Even so, he seems to have taken a liking to her.

He seems to want to be around her more often than not, and finally acquiesces and starts taking her to gigs. They get ready at his friend’s house, Nadine, and from the first moment she opens the door, Nadine also takes a shine to her.

“You’re Miss Lola I’ve heard so much about,” Nadine also does not watch the news, as it turns out, and Frank turns bright at her knowing smile in the face of Lola’s confusion. Everyone knew Katie, but no-one knew Lola. Until now.

Nadine explained that a few years ago, Frank and her brother Joe had been in a band together in Seattle, and Nikki explained the band was the only escape he had from his mother. Nadine and Joe had moved to Boston a year before Frank, and he knew when he ran away from his mom, they’d help him out. Which they did. 

Lola makes a name for herself alongside Frank, as his roadie, slowly becoming his best friend, and much to her own guilt, developing feelings for him. If he wasn’t her soulmate, then it was unfair to her real soulmate if she fell in love with someone else. But Frank’s actually kind of nice to her, and doesn’t treat her like a kid, and yeah, they fool around together, but that’s because they’re young. When one of them is spotted, the other one is never far behind. 

Occasionally she catches him giving her a much gentler look than she’d expect, or he’ll gently trace the edge of her soulmark when it peeks out from the top of her shirt, and she wants to ask him, but can’t find the words. He’s the only person she knows who hasn’t asked about it, apart from Nadine. 

But they leave Nadine, and all of Boston behind, heading for sunny LA, and the first night in the back of the van they now call home, Lola, high as hell, traces the tattoos down his arms.

“You have a lot,” Lola says quietly, and Frank makes an indecipherable noise, but turns and plants a gentle kiss on her soulmarked shoulder. Lola has no idea what to read into that. 

They lie and cheat and steal their way into a barely-livable apartment, but it’s home, and Lola’s thrilled, until Frank brings a girl home and Lola’s left on the sofa, her heart aching and traitorous tears in her eyes. She shouldn’t feel betrayed, he’s not hers, and she’s not his; she’s got someone waiting for her, so getting heartbroken doesn’t even make sense. 

The next day, she’s awake before either of them, up at the crack of dawn since they don’t exactly have curtains to stop the light hitting her on the sofa as it rises. If she sees either of them, she’s pretty sure she’s going to scream, so instead, she decides to speed up destiny, and heads to the public library.

The American Soulmate Registry is publicly accessible, incase people like Lola want to find each other, and each entry lists the person’s full name, year of birth, and state where they were born. It’s far too easy to sort by year of birth, and pick everyone within three years of her. Usually soulmates are close in age, though there are few exceptions, the universe seems to know what’s best. As the list is printing, Lola’s at the front desk asking for a directory. The man at the desk is skeptical, people looking like Lola usually only use the directories to start fires. But then Lola’s pulling at the shoulder of her shirt and batting her eyes.

“Please, I’m looking for my soulmate; you wouldn’t stand in the way of destiny, would you?” She asks, and he’s all but bending over backwards to help her out. Lola thanks him sweetly, and heads to the printer where the list is taking an age to print out. 

One by one, she reads the names, mulling over them; there’s about 59 in her age range, and a few of them sound kind of exciting. Charlotte Lee, 1961, CA; probably not too far away -

Frank Ferrana Jr. 1959. CA.

She rips the paper out of the printer before it can finish the rest of the list, running back to the apartment. 

The woman from the night before is in her kitchen, drinking coffee, and she gives a sleepy smile, but Lola ignores her, heading for the bathroom where she heard the shower running. Kicking in the door, she’s unsurprised by Frank’s angry yell, but she just pulls the curtain to the side and holds up the paper.

“Fucking knock!” Frank tries to pull the curtain back around, but Lola forces it open.

“You have a fucking soulmark?” Lola all but yells, and his expression drops. He blinks slowly. “Why the fuck are you hanging around me if you know you’ve got someone else out there for you?” She asked, “this’ll only end badly!”

“Why are you with me?” He demanded in return, stark naked, glaring, and Lola drops her gaze, pressing her lips together in a thin line.

“Because I-” looking furtively around, Lola spots the girl in the door frame, gawking at the pair of them, “can you fuck off?” The girl’s eyebrows rise, and Lola stalks towards the door, slamming it closed in the girl’s face. Turning back, Frank is still looking at her with an expectant, half-angry expression.

“I’m a masochist, okay? I’m half convinced you’re my soulmate and even if you’re not, I kind of... kind of... I love you, or whatever.”

“You think I’m your soulmate?” Frank’s voice is soft, and Lola finally looks him in the eyes, nervous and raw and vulnerable. “Why didn’t you say anything?”

“Because you acted like nothing happened -”

“You acted like nothing happened!” Frank fires back, stepping out of the shower to put his leg up on the sink. Dripping wet, naked, and not exactly in a flattering pose, he gestures to the flame tattooed on his shin. She’d never paid much attention to it amid all the others, but she remembers thinking it was tacky that it was unlit; why would anyone want an unlit candle? But there, a little, orange flame lights the wick at the top of the candle, and when Lola reaches out, she feels how it’s raised, like hers was. 

“Right where you kicked me,” he told her, and Lola’s mouth opened in shock, before scrambling to take off her shirt, to show her tattoo.

“This used to be broken, but you -! The night we first talking, you -” he presses a kiss to the tattoo, kissing his way up her neck to her lips, but she pulls back, eyes wide; “we’re the dumbest people I know.” She whispers, and he snorts a laugh.

“Almost like we’re made for each other.”

And that’s enough for her to kiss him, and now she knows why it feels like it makes sense. 

Things don’t change much after that, not on the surface. Soon, Frank becomes Nikki, and Lola finds herself music that the registry might never know what happened to them, and that she really doesn’t care. Lola gets new tattoos at Nikki’s suggestion. As it turns out, he’d gotten tattoos to distract from his soulmark, so people would stop asking questions, and it works. 

People can’t tell anymore, and Lola’s not the little girl from the news that everyone knew, and she’s so glad to no longer be recognized. All anyone knows is that Nikki and Lola are a package deal, and that if you mess with one, you’re going to bring on the wrath of the other. 

“Did your mom really set you on fire because of this?” Nikki asks, tracing the warped ridges of her tattoo one night. Lola huffed a laugh, pressing her face into her pillow for a moment.

“Not because of it, because of my dad, and... her own delusions, I think,” she mused, “she wanted so badly for me to be someone else’s problem, and growing up, dad would always be taking care of me, but then he died, and she was stuck with this kid who, looking back on it, I think she resented me for taking dad’s attention, but now she couldn’t just ship me off to some stranger, even if they were my soulmate, because everyone would think she’s an awful mother.”

“She sounds awful already-”

“Oh, don’t get me wrong, she was atrocious,” Lola agrees, “but the mark was an out for when I was too old for dad to look after, but then he was gone and I was still there.”

“That sucks,” Nikki muttered, wrapping an arm around her, and Lola snuggled up to him, humming in agreement, “my mom always hoped my mark was something she could use, like my soulmate would be some billionaire, and I’d make her rich because she found them or whatever.” He snickers, rolling his eyes. 

“She put adds in papers across the country, basically selling me; people wanted to meet their soulmate so badly that they’d pay her fifty bucks to have me touch them. It sounds a lot worse in hindsight,” his expression sours, and Lola runs her nails in a gentle rhythm up and down his arm.

“What if my mom had seen one of those ads, and we met back then?” Lola asks softly, smiling gently. Nikki blinks for a few moments, coming out of his memories, before looking back at Lola.

“Was your family rich?”

“Not especially; dad owned a little burger joint, but mom ran it into the ground out of spite after he left,” Lola admitted, and Nikki shrugged.

“Then my mom would probably act like nothing happened, even if it did -”

“And my mom would probably insist that I was her problem now.”

“It’s why I ran,” Nikki admitted, “I didn’t want anyone else to be trapped with her, least of all the person who was supposed to love me for the rest of my life, you know?” And Lola sighs, and gives him a nod and a squeeze of support, “I’m glad we met how we did.” He admits.

“Me too,” Lola tells him gently.

When they start to form Motley Crue, only Mick seems to recognize her a little, though he drops it when she asks him to. Looking from Nikki to Lola, he gets a strangely fond, knowing glint in his eye, and looks to Lola with a question in his eyes. Tentatively, Lola gives the slightest smile and nod. Mick blinks a few times, surprised, but can’t help his own smile as he processes the information. 

He doesn’t say anything, and it takes a while for the others to catch on.

It’s almost a full year after the band forms, and they’ve gained considerable traction on The Strip, when Vince and Tommy are clued in.

“I didn’t know tattoos looked so good even after scarring,” Tommy noted during practice, seeing Lola’s record on her shoulder as she moves about the kitchen in a singlet. “Where’d you get it?” 

Lola and Nikki share a look.

“Born with it,” Lola tells him, pulling a cup from the counter and filling it with water. Tommy is dead silent, considering, the cogs in his mind ticking over, frowning with concentration. Lola swallows some pills and follows it with a gulp of water. 

“Are you serious?” Vince asks, catching on much faster than Tommy.

“As a heart attack,” Lola tells him with a slight smile. Nikki makes a noise in the back of his throat and Mick picks out a melody on his guitar.

“So you’re- you’ve got a -?” Vince asks, eyes wide.

“Holy shit, Lols, you’re soulmarked?” Tommy crows, and Lola gives a toothy grin, inclining her head to agree with him. “I’ve never met one in person,” he says, starry-eyed, and Nikki huffs a laugh, “I mean, I have, my cousin’s soulmarked, but like... dude, what are the odds?!” 

“What are the odds?” Lola says gently, looking directly at Nikki, who hides his laugh with a cough, trying not to ruin the bit.

“Have you met them?” Vince asks, he and Tommy looking like eager little puppies to hear more when Lola looks back at them, “your soulmate, I mean.” Mick stops his strumming, giving Lola a long suffering look. Lola, however, looks at Nikki, kinder this time.

“Yeah,” Lola says softly, and Vince and Tommy look like they’re about to explode, “I’m one of the really lucky ones.” 

“You’re killing us here, Lols,” Tommy groans, and Nikki can’t help himself, “who is it? Where are they -?”

“You really think she’d leave her soulmate?” Nikki asked with an amused snort, and the boys turn, eyes wide as saucers. “It’s me, dumbasses.” He confirms, smugly, and there’s silence as the other two process the revelation.

“Are you fucking kidding me?” Vince all but yells, but he’s excited, beaming from  ear to ear, “of course you assholes seem like you were made for each other, you literally are!” He crows, and is immediately pestering Nikki to see his tattoo.

“This makes so much sense!” Tommy’s still looking at Lola with wide eyes, before his expression turns sunny. “You guys are so fucking lucky, holy shit!” And Lola grins; yeah, every moment with Nikki, she does tend to feel pretty lucky.

#nikki sixx #nikki sixx imagine #nikki sixx x oc #the dirt #the dirt imagine #tommy lee #Mick Mars #Vince Neil #the angry lizard writes