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#once again have fallen down the rabbit hole of something and that something this week is supersons sorry
aromanthiccc · 7 months
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I know the sound of your heartbeat
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guppydoll · 7 months
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This Isn't Barbie Land: Chapter 2
Ken x Fem!Reader
>:3 hehehehe. I've been in a bit of a writers block but here is chapter 2. Also don't hate me but it's left on a cliff hanger! I felt bad for no updating as much as I want to but I figured I give you all this teaser and how much fun chapter 3 is gonna be hehehehehe
I'll be completely honest this has been super hard to write. I want to just get it out but damn writing Ken is just exhausting. I also have a little plot in my head but I'm making it up as it goes. I'm used to writing something cute but don't worry my angsty hands will be ruining all of their fun shortly
This is 18+
Warnings: porn watching, almost smut, making out
Word Count: 2172
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Ken didn’t expect that there was so much to being a real person. Drinking actual liquid, eating real food, and actually sleeping and time not passing by magically. He wanted to do everything with you. When you had made a makeshift bed on the couch for him, he ended up sneaking into your bed after you had fallen asleep. Which ended up in him being smacked in the head with a pillow when you woke up. Apparently there were some things people did alone, e.i. bathing.
He learned that when he barged in on you showering, naked and ready to join, instead of the “Hi Ken!” he expected you had screamed at him to get out. Ken also learned that being nude in front of each other wasn’t normal either. When you had exited the shower he had been waiting for you, still naked. Again, to his surprise, you slammed the bathroom door shut and hid from him. He tried to coax you out but you made it very clear that until he was clothed you weren’t coming out.
You ended up giving him your laptop and told him he could look up any questions he had when you went to work. Ken hated you leaving, you were gone for what felt like an eternity. What made it worse, by the time you got back you were too tired to do anything and went straight to bed. You explained to him that your job was only open late. You went to work at 3pm and arrived back at 11pm. Ken would try to sleep while you were gone but he just couldn’t. Why couldn’t you just stay home with him.
He moping on the couch, the laptop in front of him playing a video on horses. He had only been in the real world for a week and you had worked every single day. He partially understood why you felt so lonely, you were busy every single day working yourself to the bone. He snatched up the laptop and began typing away in Google.
Things to do for your girl after she’s had a stressful week
Ken gasped when the search engine corrected the word girl to girlfriend. Did those mean the same thing? His heart had that weird feeling again. Hammering away in his chest so fast he swore it would burst. 
It didn’t take long before Ken had fallen down a rabbit hole of “Things to do for your girlfriend”. Some articles said to cuddle and kiss her, while another mentioned cooking a romantic dinner for her. Another said to buy her a gift, a necklace or chocolates. Ken didn’t know how to cook or have any money, and the thought of holding you tight caused his heart to soar. He began typing away once more. 
Romantic dinners when you can’t cook
A list of restaurants nearby showed. He could take you to dinner but what would you do afterwards? You had mentioned something about dinner first then something else. A switch flipped in his brain, you said he should take you to dinner before beach sex. He had forgotten all about that! He had been meaning to ask you about what beach sex was earlier but you had been so busy he was more focused on getting to know you first in the small time he had with you. Ken knew everything there was about the beach and yet beach sex didn’t ring any bells. You had made it seem that beach sex comes after dinner, and if dinner would help relax you then beach sex must do the same thing.
Beach Sex
Ken clicked the first link there and it led him to a lot of videos. Videos of beach sex. It couldn’t hurt to watch just one, this was for you after all.
~~~~~~~~
It had been another exhausting night but you were thankful your seven day stretch was over and you had a full five day weekend. You knew you had to shop for groceries seeing as you were feeding two mouths now and also stop by the mall to buy Ken some clothes. He had only moved in with the clothes on his back and you hadn’t had time to pick some up for him. At least you had an obsession with men’s clothes for pajamas so at least Ken didn’t have to go naked. You cursed a little, remembering him being butt ass naked in front of you when you had been in the shower. You had expected a doll body but nope, he was fully equipped. You also had to give it to him, he was equipped very well. 
“Ken, I’m home.” You opened the door of your apartment, kicking off your heels and bracing yourself for the immediate bear hug Ken always gave. Instead you were greeted to the sight of Ken, bug eyed watching your laptop, with loud moans and slapping noises blaring from its speakers. He was watching porn. Ken was watching fucking porn.
The blonde quickly paused the video and jumped up, rushing towards you. You wanted to shrink, avoiding looking anywhere near his nether regions, scared of what was most certainly there.
“You’re home already!” Ken beamed. “I lost track of time! I wanted to set up a surprise for you before you got back!”
“That’s very sweet of you Ken…” Excuses rushed through your brain, trying to find one that would allow you to lock yourself in your room.
“I want to say thank you for letting me stay, so I was looking things up on the internet websites that I could do.”
You wanted to scream, the internet was the wild west. Of course Ken would come across porn, you just didn’t think you’d walk in on him watching it. At least it had just been porn and not some insane website filled with awful garbage or a scam website that would fill your computer with viruses. 
The gentle touch of Ken’s hand tucking a strand of hair behind your ear pulled you from your thoughts. You looked into his eyes as he softly dragged his fingers over your cheek, then your jaw making you swallow hard. Ken’s face was stern and focused as his fingers drifted down your neck, his palm just ghosting over it.
“Ken? W-what are you doing?”
“I’m trying to help you relax.”
“Ah. Um, thank you Ken.”  He was not relaxing you in the slightest. You pushed his hand away and began inching towards the bathroom. “But I’m gonna go shower, hehe you know how sweaty I get at work.”
“No.” Ken grabbed your wrist and pulled you back to him. The look he had was intense, you didn’t know how to react. You couldn’t meet his eyes, a blush crawling up your neck. You were used to his big smiles and shining eyes, not this.
“Ken..”
“I can’t cook for you or buy you gifts, but I can hold you. Kiss you. Fuck you.”
You would be lying if you hadn’t been eyeing Ken up for the past week. He was hot. He never wore a shirt or when he did it was always an open shirt. He would flex at you “subtly” whenever the two of you chatted. On top of that he was sweet and excitable, and so so beautiful. It was a small crush, now that crush just said he could fuck you.
“I looked up what beach sex was and in the videos they kept calling it fucking and the man said he would fuck the lady. So I searched what fucking meant and if that could help relax you. I learned sex, not just beach sex, can be therapeutic.” Ken grinned, very proud of the big word he used.
  “Ken, it’s very sweet that you want to help me relax but sex isn’t something we should do together. Those people are couples, usually, sometimes not but that's not the point.”
“But you're my girl, apparently that's another word for girlfriend.” Ken pouted, stepping even closer to you.
“That’s not what that means in our context, Ken.” You stepped back, bumping into the door behind you. Damn, you really had failed at escaping.
“But it fits how I see you!”
“Ken you really only known me for a few days, you don’t-”
“But I’m your doll!” Ken cut you off, stepping even closer, trapping you against the door. You watched him fidget with his hands before he rested them on your hips. “Let me help you relax.”
You opened your mouth to protest again but Ken forced his mouth onto yours. The kiss was terrible. Sloppy and teeth clicking together. He was pressing too hard, letting neither of your lips move in sync. You slapped his arms sporadically trying to get his attention but he was lost in the kiss, if you could call it that. He finally pulled away for air and looked down at you with pupils blown wide and an even wider smile.
“Wow.” He moaned and you squeezed your legs tight. His voice was like honey and you needed to hear more.
“Ken..” You gasped, dumbstruck with what just happened. You were speechless as the blonde held you in his arms, who also noticed your hesitance. He took your hand and placed it on his chest, feeling the warmth of his skin and the beating of his heart.
“When I look at you, I feel things I don’t understand. When I was watching those videos, I kept thinking about you. I also learned that another name for sex is making love. I want to make you feel loved. That’s the reason why I wanted to find you.” Ken leaned in close to you again, hot breath tickling your face.
Fuck it, you had nothing to lose. You placed your hand on his cheek, leaning towards him and kissing yourself. Ken tried to push hard again but you pulled away to look at him.
“Gently Ken, let me show you.”
He kissed you again but softer, letting you take the lead. You ran your tongue on his bottom lip causing him to gasp. You took the advantage and pushed your tongue into his mouth. You swallowed the low groan he made, allowing him to push you against your apartment door.
“Y/N…”
Ken’s moans were music to your ears and you continued kissing along his jaw and down his neck. You bit down on his pulse and Ken bucked his hips into yours, forcing a whine from you.
“Bedroom. Now.” 
“Okay!” Ken didn’t even struggle, lifting you with ease and carrying you straight to your bedroom. 
He unceremoniously dropped you onto the bed and jumped back into kissing you. Ken was a faster learner, it didn’t take long before he was the one in charge of the kiss. His large hands roamed your body and you mimicked what you had done to him earlier, kissing along your neck and biting hard hard. He licked at the spot you knew that a mark was gonna form in the morning but that didn’t matter now. Ken was all that mattered.
“Pants off.” You fiddled with Ken’s belt and made a mental note to thank him for rarely wearing shirts. Ken excitedly hopped off the bed and dropped his jeans with record speed until he was on you again. He was excited, so excited he wasn’t allowing you to breathe. It had been so long since someone had smothered you with this amount of love. You actually weren’t sure if you’ve ever been shown this amount of love before. 
Ken was touching you but not the same other men had. He was soft, admiring your bumps and curves. He didn’t fight with your dress, leaving it on, not even pushing his hands up the skirt. His hands ghosted over your breasts afraid to touch them. You had to shove his hands down onto you just so you could half of the friction you desired. 
“Ken… let me get out of my clothes.”
Ken was a good listener, pulling back immediately. You finally got to admire the man in front of you. His face was flushed and a smile was plastered over it. Ken’s chest looked fake, the perfect contour of each muscle was mesmerizing. You sat up, one hand behind you finding your dress’s zipper and the other running down his chest. You paused at his navel and you played with the waistband of his boxers. His cock was straining hard against the fabric, begging to be touched. You danced your fingers over the bulge, forcing a whimper from Ken.
You retracted your hand, looking up at Ken. His baby blue eyes were watery now, shifting uncomfortably from the lack of your touch. You laughed and peeled off your dress, thankful for the constrictive clothing to be gone. Ken’s eyes looked as if they were going to explode from his head as he watched you unclasp your bra, freeing your breasts. This was gonna be fun.
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severefartoholic · 8 months
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April 19, Dr. Kirill A. Panov.
I love Kirill and Redrick so I wrote through their interactions from Kirills perspective for some writing practice. (Can u tell that I was listening to ferry music while writing this)
(contains spoilers for Roadside Picnic)
Birds have never flown over the zone, in all of my time at the institute, I've never seen any natural life inside of it.
The zone is too slow, too unmoving and empty, life inside of it feels unnatural, like every being alive on this earth knows to stay away from the zone, to keep out, an unwritten rule of everything that moves. Most things knew to stay out. That's except for me and Red, apparently.
The zone can draw people in, and I think it has done the same to me, because all I've been thinking about since a few visits away are those damned empties. It's ruined me, to be honest, this rabbit hole that I've fallen into feels never ending. Lately when I wake up I almost feel like I breathe and live the zone, a neverending supply of fuel.
My eyes have sunken in these past few weeks, the dark part under them getting even worse than before, and my head has been feeling heavy these past few days. The whole repository has been inevitably growing more and more discouraged by the day. Like a wick slowly burning out, with no way to brighten the fire again. Usually Red would just take me out of town for a few days and buzz me up so I could return back to normal, but lately nothing has been working, I feel a bit sick, almost. I want to dissolve myself in this rusty air. Lately it seems everyone has been feeling like this though; gray, sullen, empty.
Red softly hums something behind me before speaking, "Listen" He says to me, looking up at the ceiling seemingly in thought, "What if you had a full empty, hm?"
My back faces towards Redrick, as I'm ready to load the last empty onto the scales, holding it close to my chest with both hands, my fingertips feel numb against the grainy, bumped metal. My head feels heavy.
"A full empty?" I turn back around to look at him, puzzled.
He tries to explain the idea to me, turning his gaze back down at me from the ceiling. "Yeah, your hydromagnetic trap.. whatchamacallit... Object 77b. It's got some sort of blue stuff inside."
I look at Red, squinting. A glimmer of reason shining through the greenish gray fog of these recent slow and empty days.
"Hold on...full? Just like this, but like*...full?" I gesture towards the empty, now laying on the scale.
"Yeah, that's what I'm saying"
His words spark faith in me, they always do. . I try to suppress the reaction and not let it show to him though, Red already has an annoying habit of comparing me to some type of dog. Being completely honest, hes the one who reminds me of some stray mutt.
"Let's go have a smoke"
I put the empty back into the safe, following close behind Redrick before slamming the door of the repository and locking it shut with three turns of the key and bouncing off the steps behind him.
Red looks up at the sky. Dawn is breaking, and the sky is overcast. The sun is shining brightly and relentlessly against the hazy grey clouds, like a lamp peering through the grey curtain. he tells me everything during the smoke break, where this ‘full empty’ could be, what it was like, and the best way to get at it.
“don't go across, the other roads been safer lately” he hums, leaning back and stretching.
I pull out a map of the zone, finding the garage and I trace around the graphed out garage on the paper with my finger, before looking up at Red, leaning on the counter in front of me with both hands.
I open my mouth to speak "You dog," I smile at him, "Well, let's go for it. First thing in the morning. I'll order the passes and the boot for nine, we'll set off at ten and hope for the best, yeah?"
"Alright" he says, "and who'll be the third person of the group?" He tilts his head to the right while asking, once again reminding me of a dog.
I playfully grin back at Red, "What do we need a third for?"
"No way! This is no picnic in your backyard, what if something happens to us? It's the zone, after all!*" He scolds me, "we have to follow regulations."
I give him a short, quiet laugh and shrug, "As you wish, you know better after all." I'll humour Red, I suppose. A third person would just get in the way. If we were to just run down into the zone, by ourselves, everything would be just great, and nobody would suspect a thing. But the institute has rules, and we both knew that. People don't enter the zone in pairs. The rule is, two do the work, and the third one is witness, and reports on it later if anyone asks.
"Personally, I would take Austin" I say to him, "but you're probably against it , or is it alright?"
“Nope" he responds, "anybody but Austin, you can take him another time." Red doesn't look like he wants to explain it to me, but I'm guessing it's something related to the fact he sometimes complains about Austin acting like he knows everything about the zone.
"Ah, alright then..how about Tender?" I suggest, Tender is a good man, he was my previous lab assistant, a bit on the quiet side, but he's good at what he does.
Red responds after a few seconds of thought. "He's a little old, and he's got kids.." Of course he mentioned that, always caring about the family they have at home, even though he has less capability for attachment than a rock. I don't even know how the thing between him and Guta works. It's sweet though, I'll admit.
"That's alright" I reassure him, "He's been in the zone before”
He lets out a heavy sigh "okay then, let's take Tender.”
Red leaves for the Borscht hungry and with his throat parched, once again mispronouncing the title by adding a ‘T’ at the end and refusing to change his pronunciation because it's ‘spelled that way’, leaving me alone at the lab to map out the route for tomorrows expedition.
When Red returned, he greeted me with six simple words.
“I'm not going into the zone” I stare at him, bug eyed, before it comes to me, I take Redrick by the elbow and lead him into my office, sitting on the windowsill and facing him; we were both silent for a while, I think carefully about my next words.
“Has something happened, Red..?"
"No” He says, grinning sadly “Nothing happened, except me blowing about a two thousand rubles at poker yesterday.”
I look at his face, “Wait a second, did you..change your mind?”
He makes a quiet choking sound.
“I can't” he whispers to me through clenched teeth, all strained. “I can't, do you understand? The sergeant just had me in his office”
I feel a bit heartbroken, like everything I was looking forward to just fell apart infront of me. Red tempted me with promises of the zone, only before turning his back..not like it was his fault or anything, I can't blame the poor boy.
Nonetheless, I can't help but look at him with glassy eyes, all my motivation to keep going just washed away, like writing on the beach sand.
I silently light another cig with the butt of the old one, and I speak softly to him, gingerly choosing out my words
“Red, you can trust me.. I won't breathe a word to anyone.” it feels disgusting, how I'm almost pleading for him to give me an answer, but I can't let him mull about this on his own.
“Skip it” He mutters, “This doesn't involve you at all” It's clear he hasn't told anyone at all yet about him almost getting caught going into the zone, three months after it happening.
“Red, it's alright, I haven't even told Tender about anything yet! I haven't even asked if he's interested in going”
Like a wounded dog, he stays silent and continues smoking. I can tell it in the way he looks at me. He thinks I don't understand a single a thing about him.
I try to get anything, even a single word out of Red. “What did he say to you?”
“Nothing in particular" He speaks, “Some bastard squealed on me, that's all.” He takes another long drag of the cig.
I hop off the windowsill and start pacing around the cramped office, blowing smoke out of my lungs in silence and melancholy, thinking deeply about our situation.
Red had been doing it all, Stalking, for the money, The more green papers the better, a stalker is a stalker, after all.
I stop pacing and come up to Red, asking him awkwardly,
“Listen, Red, how much would a full empty cost?”
He looks at me, all confused before his eyes widen, his eyebrows furrowed. Red opens his mouth to speak, but decides to shut up, he looks at me, he looks exhausted and fed up.
I won't take silence for an answer though, I keeping looking straight at Red, with an intent, understanding gaze, unblinking.
He seemingly calms down a bit before speaking, less tense than before. “No-one with a pass has ever gone to the garage before. They haven't laid the tracks to it yet. You know that, Kirill.” he says to me, “so here we come back from this zone and Tender brags to everyone how we headed straight for the garage, picked up what we needed and came right back. The zone isn't some warehouse, it'll be clear to everyone that we knew ahead of time what we wanted there.. And then everyone will know that the three of us could have been…" He lets out a heavy sigh, “whatever, there's no point in spelling it out for you, do you understand what's in store for me here?”
He looks into my eyes after his little speech, he reminds me of a stray dog, the way he looks all pathetic, guilty, and sorry.
My heart aches, but I don't want to make Red feel even more guilty and terrible, so I clap my hands, and announce to him, “Well..! If you can't, you can't, I understand, Red. And I can't pass judgement on you. I'll go alone, maybe I'll be fine, it's not my first time, after all.” He looks back at me, unamused.
“They won't let you go out alone.” He says to me.
“They will” I mutter, “I know all the sergeants and lieutenants, I don't like those trucks! They've been exposed to the elements for thirty years, and they're just like brand new. There's a gasoline carrier about 5 meters away, and it's all rusted out. That's the zone for you!
We both go silent. I look back at the map and stare out the window, he looks out along with me. The institutes windows are thick and tinted, but outside, beyond the thick glass, is the zone.
From here it looks like you can just reach out and touch her. Like in just a few steps, you can lay down in the tall grass, laying on the earth. Looking at her, it doesn't look too different from any other type of land, hazy fog reaches and clouds over the old, crumbly concrete buildings. The shines just like anywhere else on the outside. As though nothing had particularly changed in it after the visit, it was the same as 50 years ago. Except those tall, soaring concrete walls and trucks, surrounding the zone, caging it in a protective layer from our eyes. Maybe it was for the better that way.
Looking at it, she seems oddly beautiful, the city took a pause when it reached the zone, brutalist concrete fading and being replaced by the dark earth; the zone feels almost untouched by the gray structures, all of the ones that existed previously long crumbling and rotting away. Like a small chunk of another world, there is no way to adapt the zone to fit your own desires, there's only the option to adapt to the zone, and fit its expectations, having an influence over the land was impossible, no matter how much manpower or technology you had. the zone is an ecosystem that was completely sealed away and left to overgrow for those 50 years, a scientific wonder.
That was the way it was with the zone, if you come back with anything, it's a miracle. If you come back alive? It's a success. If the bullets of the armed guards at the trucks miss you? it's luck, and as for anything else? That was fate, determined by the holy spirit. Nobody to blame for that.
I spread the map out on the windowsill and begin counting meters for tomorrow, 40 yards to the garage from the last pylon...40 long, long yards of travel. That's all for appearances though, I'm watching Red out of the corner of my eye, he can tell that I'm looking at him, his gaze softens, and he relaxes more, slowly breathing out smoke.
“Laboratory Assistant Schuart,” I say to him, grinning, “Official, and I heavily stress, official sources have lead me to believe that an inspection of the garage could be of great scientific value. I'm suggesting that we inspect the garage, and I guarantee you a bonus.”
“And what official sources are those?”*He asks me with a mocking skepticism, beaming brighter than the most tiring June sun.
“They're confidential, but I suppose I can tell you. They're from Dr. Douglas.”
“Who?” he tilts his head to the side with curiosity, that damn dog.
I decided to tell it to him straight up, “Sam Douglas. He died last year.”
He scowls at me, but I know it's just for appearances. “Alright, where's your Tender?”
We both without even discussing it decided not to speak about the earlier subject.
I pick up the phone in the office and order us the boot for tomorrow. While I dial PPS, Redrick observes over the map spread out on the windowsill.
When Tender came down, he was tired and out of breath, his daughter had been sick again, the poor girl; and he had to call for a doctor.
When we told him the news, he even stopped breathing so heavily out of shock, “The zone?!, What do you mean, the zone? And why me?!”
However, the promised bonus and the fact that Red was going with us got him up and running again. As I went for the passes, Tender and Red went to go check out the specially made suits. It's almost a little bit funny, I've seen Red eye that bright red gear, the way he glances at the helmet out of the corner of his eye repeatedly, he's just waiting for the second the lieutenant turns his back so he can pocket it for himself.
Although I doubt having a specially made suit would help him much inside the zone. No normal earthly dangers held any meaning inside of it, and people still dropped left and right, even inside the suits, they couldn't help much with the dangers inside the zone. I don't think anything could.
All three of us put on the suits, and Red grabbed the nuts and bolts, pouring them into his pocket. We made our way from the institute yard to the zones entrance.
I looked around at the sympathetic faces around us wishing us on our way. The three of us labeled as heroes, risking our lives for the sake of science. It wasn't the main reason we were going at all, but it's fine to let people believe whatever satisfies them most.
Red snaps some joke at Tender, but it whizzes past my ears completely, only being registered as some far away speech, as I was far deep in my own thoughts, silently mouthing a prayer to the Lord.
Redrick looks over at me, “Praying? Pray on, pray. The further into the zone the closer to heaven”
I pause and look over at Red, “what?”
“Pray!” He shouts, "Stalkers cut in line at the gates of heaven”
When you went into the zone, you could either laugh about it, or cry. Red joked about it, he didn't have the balls to cry in front of me.
I pull out a bolt and some bandages, handing it to Redrick. He should be able to make a good throw, I remember he told me about being on a sports team when he was younger.
“here, throw. Watch for the bolts trajectory wavering.”
---------
I can feel the warm water running over my head and falling down into my shoulders, individual drops gathering and slowly dripping down at the ends of my wet hair. The shower is humid, causing my chest to heave, drawing in deep breaths
And then again, out of the corner of my eye I see it flash. that glowing white spiderweb, stretching across my vision in paper thin strands of silk. The water from the shower falls onto the web, tiny crystal drops shined and reflected on the web, the reflection or the glowing fluorescent lights overhead dancing on the water.
But this time, the web doesn't go away. It stays in my senses, the burning, searing sensation in my chest is back again, it feels like the tissue of the skin in my chest is splitting apart, my breath is short.
My foot glides forward on the slippery tiles, and I lean forward, holding onto the glass shower door to support myself, the water is still pouring on me and sliding off my back, and now I breathe out of my mouth. It feels like no matter how much I gasp in oxygen, it isn't enough.
My knees meet the cold floor, the webs thin strands right in front of me again, the warm water falling on top of me.
Redrick was right. The further into the zone, the closer to heaven. I sense a feeling of regret. I hate her, I hate the zone, but at the same time I cannot draw myself away from it, I cannot leave. The one thing I can hope is that Redrick leaves before he meets the same horrible demise. That one day, he will be capable of forming a single thought, something I thought I could do, but after everything I ended with my brain completely blank. Let it never happen to him, let him live for-
The water continues pouring, no one to turn it off, again and again, the showers drops drip and splatter onto the shower floor with a soft ‘pitter patter’ sound in the silent shower room of the institute.
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emeraldborealis · 2 years
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Fallen Down
Pairing: Eddie Munson x GN!reader
TW//CW: Angst, hurt/comfort, an actually healthy relationship, depressive episode, fluff.
Words: 1,634
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Everyone has bad days, some have bad weeks, months, even years. But few have genuinely bad lives, at least, I hope. It's easy to look at someone's life and make decisions and speculations about them, but you can't expect them to be right. No one knows fully about someone's life but the person living it. 
All around us there are people just living their lives, some making big waves and some sitting on the sidelines watching as others pass them by, some like it there. Some just don't know how to leave. 
I used to joke about falling through the cracks, being the odd one out and easily forgotten, but I've come to realize I don't fall through the cracks, I live in the ravine.  
Luckily I've found someone who was willing to repel down and bring me out, his name is Eddie Munson, and I don't think I've ever met someone as lovely as he is. He never forgets I'm here, and never leaves me out. For once I'm a priority in someone's life. 
But even still, I fall right back down into a ravine, but it's a different ravine now. A rabbit hole more so, it's where I slip on the worst of days, weeks, months, years. It's where Eddie can't reach me, he can only try and get me to crawl my own way out. The doctors say they're 'depressive episodes.' But I think it's just the way I am. 
Today I was especially deep into the ravine, unable to even get out of bed, a constant lump in my throat and tears always on the ready to flow. I wasn't sure what made me trip and fall but I had once again fallen down into the darkest of mindsets. 
Dragging myself from the confines of my sheets I forced myself to get up, get dressed, eat something, even if it was a small amount. And go for a walk to try and clear my head. It was a Saturday in mid autumn, the trees were filled with beautiful oranges, reds, and yellows, and the air had that special quality to it that only happens in the fall.
I wasn't sure where I was going until I found I had shuffled myself to Eddie's doorstep in the trailer court. 
I debated turning around and walking home, not wanting to bother him when I was feeling so low, I wasn't even sure my voice would work. But when I heard him strumming away on his guitar from inside I no longer cared to listen to my reclusive distancing thoughts. I didn't want to close off from Eddie.
I needed his hands to help pull me out, or at least someone to be with as I tried to climb out myself. 
Gently I knocked on the door. I heard shuffling from inside and slowly but surely Eddie opened the door, he seemed shocked to find me standing there, or maybe at just how messy I looked. In my complete lack of motivation and energy I had forgone showering, and doing my hair. 
"Hey, you alright?" He questioned opening the door wider in an invitation in, I nodded my head slowly, unable to find any words. I stepped inside taking a shaky breath. In all honesty, and in every way I was not alright. But nothing really happened to make me feel this way, to make me fall so low. It just- happens sometimes. "You sure?" 
Eddie pressed knowing better than to believe my weak nod, he could clearly see how not ok I was, just as clear as you could see the blue sky on a perfect summers day. He could see the way my demeaner was deflated and my eyes threatened to fill with tears, and the way they looked so devoid of all light and happiness. 
Looking into his deep concerned eyes I crumbled. Shaking my head no tears began slipping unwantedly from my eyes. Eddie immediately sprung into action pulling me into a deep hug. "Hey, it's ok, it's alright. I've got you. It's ok, everything's going to be ok." 
I held tightly to his shirt allowing myself to cry in front of Eddie, in all the years we've spent in one another's company I had only ever cried with Eddie one other time. But I'd often open up to him, and him to me.
I felt safe and welcomed with Eddie, and I didn't know where else to go. My subconscious brain brought me here without real thought, so I guess here, crying with Eddie, is where I needed to be the most. For no one but me.
Eddie knew about how I thought, what I thought, and how bad my thoughts could get sometimes, he knew more about me than anyone else. Sometimes I wondered if he understood me better than I did. Because he always knew what to say, what to do when it came to me. He knew how to repel down to me in my darkest ravines. And no one else did. 
He couldn't always get me out, and that's ok, he didn't always need to, it wasn't his responsibility. But he was always willing to gear up and try. The important thing was that he was willing to be here, and just be with me. Be around me. 
Eddie would always know when I was falling down, I'd get quieter, just want to lay on his floor, or couch, or bed, and look at the ceiling. Because I was too tired to do anything more, but I still wanted to be around him.
Still holding tightly to me he moved us to the couch so we wouldn't have to stand, he sat me down and sat beside me, pulling me tightly into him. He stroked my hair and down my back just letting me soak up some much needed oxytocin. 
Not feeling close enough I crawled onto his lap burying my head into his shoulder, getting the memo he held me tighter, as tight as he could without crushing or hurting me. "Something happen?" He asked calmy wiping some stray hair away from my face, I shook my head no, still unable to find my voice. "Just a rough day I guess, those happen. But I'm here for you. Always will be. Even if it's more than a day. Because I love you."
I didn't know what I wanted, or what was wrong. I was just stressed about everything and have been living in a constant state of anxiety for a while. Sometimes the dam has to give, because nothing else will. 
You can't always control what happens to you in life, how people treat you or the opportunities you might receive, you can't always control how you feel or process things. Sometimes you just have to feel them, and feel them out and through. In the process of feeling you may miss some opportunities, but that's ok, they'll come around again. 
"Can I just stop feeling? Just for a few weeks maybe." I whimpered out finally finding my voice, but not necessarily saying what I might have wanted to if I had more time to think on it.
"Feeling is what makes someone who they are, it means they're alive. And it hurts a lot of the time, but in the long run it's going to be worth it. One day it's all going to feel alright. And if it doesn't I'll give you a discount, we can watch the stars together and pass a joint back and forth." He placed a tender kiss to my forehead beginning to rock us back and forth calmingly. 
I couldn't bring myself to fully believe his words, how could this get any better? How could I ever feel better? How could I find the motivation to make anything better?
Sensing my doubts Eddie held me tighter. "This too will pass, everything's in a state of constant change, you can't stay stuck in a rut forever. Things just don't work like that. Like this year is my year, and in turn it's going to be your year too, 86 baby. We're going to do great things. Together." 
I knew he was probably right, that I'd feel alright again soon. Tomorrow my emotional meter would reset and I'd feel better. But today I just didn't. 
"It's normal to have periods of time where you don't feel alright, and that's alright. As Ozzy Osbourne once said 'you gotta be really careful what you bite off. Don't bite off more than you can chew. It's a dangerous world.' I'm here to help you, I won't let you choke, or whatever." I let out a choked laugh at his words, the sound of me laughing made him beam. This man was brighter than a thousand suns and deserved more than anyone gave him. 
"Thanks Eddie, I really appreciate you." I laid my head against his chest listening to his heartbeat, it was even and melodic. 
Even on my worst of days, weeks, months, years, Eddie is always here to help me. It feels like he's always been here, even though he hasn't. I don't know what I would do if he wasn't here anymore. I don't know how I would make it out of my ravines. I would fall down and sit on the bottom, waiting for something to never come.
Eddie made my dark thoughts turn hopeful, he turned the worst into something bearable. Even if the thoughts persisted he was still here to help me through them, make me laugh, distract me, or just let me go through them with someone else. I didn't feel alone with Eddie, I didn't feel isolated or forgotten. 
He helps me back onto my feet when I've fallen down. And he always will, because he's Eddie and it's just who he is.
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dove down my rabbit hole of wips and one of my wips isnt a wip anymore! so here, have some gay shit....
“Kelly wants to get married in the woods, I want to get married in Midvale. So, apparently, our wedding will just happen via Zoom. Her in the woods, me at the beach. Ain’t that just fucking grand?”
Alex comes through the door like a hurricane covered in leather. Her helmet lands on Kara’s counter loudly. Her keys haphazardly thrown somewhere in the general direction of the bowl by the door.
“Then have two weddings.”
Alex follows the voice and her eyes zero in on her sister’s best friend.
Lena is sitting on the floor of Kara’s apartment, wearing an oversized sweater. Her dark hair spilling down her shoulders softly. A hand wrapping around a wine glass, the other typing on her laptop, not even jumping in the slightest at the commotion that is Alex’s entrance.
Alex plops down on the couch sighing loudly, not even batting an eye at this utterly domestic scene that is her sister washing the dishes with Lena Luthor on the floor of her apartment.
Lena doesn’t comment at the Danvers’ Sisters antics and Alex doesn’t call them out on the ridiculousness that Lena and Kara are still keen on keeping up.
The three of them already well desensitized to one another’s preferred brand of bullshitery.
“You know, sometimes I forget you're a rich-ass bitch and then you say shit like that and suddenly, I remember,” Alex says, smoothly snatching the wine from Lena’s hand.
She finishes the entire glass in one gulp and Lena rolls her eyes. Alex had finally proposed to Kelly the other week and well, that meant this week all of them had fallen victim to the Olsen-Danvers wedding debacle. It seems today isn’t the day that that whole dilemma is going to stop.
The wedding, of course, was still a few months away, but both parties were stressing about it as if it was going to happen immediately the next day.
Kara swoops in then, mussing up Alex’s hair, earning her an annoyed Hey stop it! before putting down another wine glass and pouring for Lena. Her arms are still wet from washing the dishes.
Lena murmurs her thanks and continues what she was saying, “Well, since you’ve finally remembered that I’m a billionaire. Let me pay for two weddings.”
Alex chokes on the wine.
“What? You’re kidding me, right?”
Lena continues typing, ignoring Alex’s shock, you’d think she didn’t just offer to pay for a wedding.
“Well, I mean, I’m never gonna get married,” Lena explains, “but if you let me do this, I can brag around that I’ve paid for two weddings. Not to mention I’m gonna make two brides very, very happy.”
“Or,” Kara interjects, lowering herself on the opposite side of the couch, perfect for Lena to lean back between Kara’s legs and lay her head on the side of her thigh. “You can just wait for Kelly to get here,” Kara says, pointedly. “Talk it out like normal adults and reach a compromise.”
Kara’s hands start to snake their way from Lena’s hair to Lena’s shoulders, massaging, all too aware that Lena won’t stop whatever it is she’s working on on her laptop till everybody gets here.
Lena lets herself melt and closes her eyes, sighing as Kara’s fingers dip at the junction of her neck and shoulder with just the right amount of pressure.
“I don’t wanna get married in the woods, Kara.”
Lena opens one eye to take a peek at Alex, who looks exasperated, her eyes pleading, gulping down another glass of wine.
“Don’t tell me,” Kara replies. “Tell Kelly.”
“The bugs, Kara,” Alex moans. “Imagine the bugs, and the moss and the ughhh.”
She dramatically thumps the back of her head on the couch.
“Imagine the soil. Clumpy wet soil. Eurgh. Ew. What if I fall face first in that? What if I trip over a stupid tree root in my heels? In my wedding dress?!”
“Alex, you don’t even have a dress yet,” Kara deadpans.
“I thought you were gonna wear a suit,” Lena adds.
“You two suck.” Alex pouts.
****
The rest of their friends arrive and Kara finally succeeds in prying Lena’s work laptop away from her. Alex was already teasing the line from tipsy to drunk by the time Kelly comes through the door.
“Let’s get married in Vegas!!!!” Is how Alex decides to greet her fiance.
Kelly laughs, gives her a peck then answers, “As much as that sounds like a very convenient wedding, I don’t think Eliza would appreciate that, baby.”
Alex frowns at being rejected, sags against the couch and crosses her arms. Why does Kelly always have to be right?
“How much has she had to drink?” Kelly turns to Kara.
“Uhh ask Lena. She made her switch to whiskey.”
Lena—who Kelly thinks was way too busy nuzzling against Kara’s neck to even answer her question—mumbles something that sounds like “S’was just two glasses.”
Kelly just shakes her head, makes Alex drink a glass of water. Her ring making a clink against the glass.
“Alright, what if,” Nia sing-songs, eyes sparkling with mischief, “we just settle this whole wedding thing with Charades?”
Nia claps her hands together like some gameshow host and Kelly takes a deep breath through the nose.
She’s been to enough Game Nights to know where this is headed.
Everybody else was intoxicated enough to accept the suggestion as a grand idea, not at all even thinking that: Hey, isn’t this something we should all take seriously?? Maybe ask the brides what they want, maybe???
Kara nods enthusiastically, agreeing immediately, “Oh!! That’s a great idea! Fun and fair at the same time!”
“Olsen vs. Danvers. Brides get to pick their teams.”
Nia pulls a white board out of nowhere, uncaps a marker and writes “Team Danvers”, “Team Olsen” separated by a neat line in the middle.
“Are we really letting Nia take charge of our wedding venue?" She hears Alex whisper from where she has her tucked at the crook of her neck.
Kelly sneaks a glance at the chaos happening before their eyes; Brainy already claiming to be on Kelly’s team, J’onn shaking his head opting to be the game scorer instead and refusing to participate, somebody’s shouting about: NIA, DREAM PROJECTIONS AT CHARADES IS CHEATING!!!!
Guess this is their life now.
Kelly smirks, boops Alex on the nose and says, “Scared you’ll lose, Danvers?”
****
Alex loses by three points.
“How was I supposed to know you were gesturing 'Transformers'!?!” She barks at Kara, throwing her hands in exasperation.
“I pointed at Nia!” Kara huffs, incredulous at the fact that her sister is blaming her.
Nia lost them a point too!
“What does Nia even have to do with it???” Alex’s voice grows higher in pitch. Her brows furrow in a mix of confusion and frustration.
“Trans, Alex. Trans.”
“Oh my God,” Alex groans. “How are you this dumb?”
And that was the story of how Kelly got her dream wedding.
****
The frenzy finally dies down, some time between Nia making up another drinking game and J’onn making her sit back down. A movie that none of them were watching provides a background noise to the almost lazy atmosphere. Kelly and Alex were pressed close on the far end of the couch, enjoying the temporary quiet.
“Guess we’re getting married in the woods, huh?” Alex murmurs.
“I guess we are,” Kelly whispers back. Alex beams at her, grinning dopily at the thought of finally getting the ending they deserve. It would be the perfect day, she has no doubt about that. No matter where they are. It would be perfect because they got there together.
Alex can’t wait.
“What? Why are you looking at me like that?”
“Nothing.”
Alex continues to smile stupidly, nudges her nose to Kelly’s.
“Just— I don’t really care where we get married, I guess.”
“Oh yeah?” Kelly raises an amused brow at her.
“Mm-hm. So long as you’re the one walking down the aisle.”
Alex presses their lips together, breathes Kelly in deep and for the first time that night, she feels that the future isn’t so scary, even though there is still a very large possibility that she might trip over a tree root on her wedding day.
Somebody interrupts their kiss.
“She’s only saying that ‘cos she lost.”
“Shut up, Luthor.”
****
“Text me when you get home!”
Lena hears Kara call loudly after her sister, before closing the door. Game Night has officially ended and as usual she’s still here. She’ll always be here, she thinks for a brief moment. The thought holding more depth than it should.
Kara didn’t even question her when everybody began filing out and Lena just started picking up the discarded dirty plates and walking them to the sink. They’re well past the point of asking each other if the other would stay over.
It was already some unspoken rule.
Already well past the point of Lena wanting to ask Kara what the hell it is they’re doing.
She’s bent over the sink, scrubbing—Kara doesn’t own a dishwasher for the sole reason that she finds doing the dishes therapeutic—when Lena takes a glance over her shoulder.
Kara is sitting on a high stool near the counter, casually flicking through her phone. It was Lena’s turn to do the dishes tonight. Once upon a time her doing the dishes would have resulted in a fight. “I can superspeed the dishes. Why would you even want to do them?” A statement that would be met with an eye roll.
Kara has learned not to fight her on it again, after around the 7th time that Lena had stubbornly insisted and Supergirl got doused with dishwashing liquid.
And now, it’s become some sort of routine, Kara does the dishes after lunch and Lena does the dishes after dinner. Oh, how the paparazzi would kill for this—Lena Luthor Knows What A Sponge Is?
“Is it true when you told Alex you’re never going to get married?”
Kara decides to break their quiet.
“Yeah, pretty certain about that one, why?” Lena turns around, cocks a curious brow. If she’s being honest she’s beyond certain that she’s not going to get married. She always jokes about how she’s married to L-Corp but it isn’t till now that she realizes how true that is, and...how lonely.
“I don’t know,” Kara murmurs, not meeting Lena’s eyes. “I just like the idea of you getting married, I guess.”
“What?” Lena chuckles at that; genuinely confused but still curious.
“Well, I mean—” Kara wobbles through her words.
“I guess, I just— I like the idea of you walking down the aisle...in a white dress,” Kara muses.
Then, “Or a suit!!” she quickly amends. “If you wanna wear a suit, that is. That can totally be arranged, you know?” Kara waves her hand around and it’s like now that she’s started, she can’t stop.
And Lena’s just standing there, water still dripping from her elbow, unsure of how to feel about Kara imagining her getting married. Quite an incredulous scene isn’t it? Her getting married? What a crazy thing to say, an even crazier scenario to imagine!
She snaps out of it, realizing Kara’s still rambling.
“I have no objections whatsoever with that, if you wanna wear a suit. And yeah, you know? I just— I like that idea. I like the idea of you dancing to your wedding song. The idea of you exchanging your vows, the idea of you-”
“Kara,” Lena decides to put a stop to it, since it’s clearly evident Kara won’t be stopping any time soon. And Lena's feeling way too many things that she doesn’t want to feel at the moment. She’s sure that she’s going to feel more, if she doesn’t put a stop to it herself.
“I’m well aware that it’s the best friend’s job to help with the bride’s wedding,” She says, “but, darling don’t you think you’re putting just a bit too much effort into this? Certainly seems like you’ve thought about it a lot.”
At that, Kara’s cheeks turn a light pink, squirming sheepishly under Lena’s questioning gaze.
Shouldn’t Kara be thinking about her own wedding? How beautiful she would look walking down the aisle. How her blonde hair would look so nicely with her dress. How happy she would finally be after finding someone she could share her life with. Not that Lena's been thinking about those kinds of things. No, of course not. That’d be hypocritical of her at this point. Why would she even— Why were they even talking about this again???
Lena tries to rein in it, tries to focus on Kara again; hands finally finding a dry towel, hesitantly walking into Kara’s space to hear the blonde more clearly.
“Well, I mean- Like I said, I do really like the idea of you getting married,” Kara repeats herself slowly.
And before Lena can come any closer, “Like the idea of you getting married…to me. More specifically,” Kara adds more quietly.
“What?”
Lena stands frozen.
“I’m sorry, I don’t think I heard y- Kara, did you just?”
Lena’s heart is pounding away in her chest. Did she hear her right? Did Kara really just—
Lena’s a step away from her and Kara uses this to her advantage. She pulls Lena closer, tugging at her wrist, the towel dropping from Lena’s hands. Kara summons enough willpower to stare into Lena’s eyes.
“I like the idea of you getting married to me, Lena Luthor.”
“Kara, I’m sorry- What?” Lena jerks away from her, the words finally landing.
“Is that a no?”
Kara lets her go. She can’t focus on Lena’s heartbeat to assess the situation more. Kara’s own heart is betraying her, drumming so loudly in her ears.
“Uh- no, that's definitely not a no?” says Lena hesitantly, eyes wide, breathing nervously. She turns away from Kara for a minute to take a breath, hands fidgeting about.
She whirls around again to face, mutters, “You do realize marriages are for people who are—”
She pauses.
How do you exactly phrase that wedding proposals are for people who are actually in some kind of romantic relationship? And not for people who casually stay over every goddamn Thursday without fail?And okay, maybe sometimes, in a much different reality, would willingly commit fratricide to save the other? And in an also much different reality, willingly expose a secret identity to save the other?
Lena can’t find the right words.
“Oh, I don’t know, Kara,” Lena scoffs, shaking her head disbelievingly. “Marriage is for people who are actually dating each other.”
Kara takes her sarcasm as a good sign and pulls her in again.
“Well,” Kara begins. She can hear Lena’s heart thumping erratically, now that Kara’s gotten her bearings.
“We can always have our first date after the wedding, right?”
Aren’t they well past the point of dating anyway?
She’s got Lena standing between her legs now, her hands wrapping around her waist.
“First date and honeymoon all in one. That sounds great, doesn’t it? I can fly you wherever you want, Paris, Maldives, hell I even have a Fortress in the Arctic, if you’re into that.”
Lena stares at her, blinks once, twice; shakes her head and lets out a noise between a laugh and a scoff.
“Kara Zor-El, you are one ridiculous woman,” She breathes, putting a hand on Kara’s cheek. Because what else is there to say? This whole conversation really is ridiculous. But at the same time Lena feels like she’s floating? Like this may be the best moment of her life, and of course, it’s going to be ridiculous. This is Kara she’s dealing with, after all.
She doesn’t know what she’s going to do if Kara reveals this to be just some sort of joke.
But the way her blue eyes are piercing through Lena’s, so earnest and so warm, argues otherwise.
“So, what do you say? Wanna get married?”
“Are you serious right now?” Lena asks, still unbelieving. This is beyond crazy. They’ve fought aliens and monsters and traveled through time but this? This is just beyond crazy.
“Lena, do I look like I’m joking? And besides, you’d already offered to pay for two weddings, why not pay for our two weddings, instead?”
She shakes her head again, let’s herself fall closer to Kara, lets out a laugh against her neck.
“Mm. You want a Kryptonian ceremony too?”
“Yeah.” Kara’s voice turns shy. “If that’s alright by you.”
“Of course, that’s alright by me. I’d be honored.”
Her heart feels more than full at the thought of Kara wanting to share that part of her with Lena. She’s always had some doubts whenever the topic of Kara’s Kryptonian heritage arises, always half-afraid she’s overstepped on something that isn’t hers.
But looks like there was nothing to fear all along.
“So, we’re getting married, huh?” Kara wiggles her brows, her face breaking into a wide grin.
“Yes. Mm-hm,” Lena hums against her. “I do. I’d marry you. Let’s get married.”
“Seal it with a kiss?"
****
“Hi.”
Lena blearily opens her eyes, follows the soft voice, her bare back being caressed by the sun filtering through Kara’s curtains.
“Hi,” She whispers back. All this feels much too like a fever dream. She’s half-tempted to pinch herself just to check. She’s woken up beside Kara a million times before but she’ll never get used to the sight of soft golden hair and sleepy blue eyes.
Kara gives her a soft peck and the feel of her lips sends Lena reeling.
The previous night was a whirlwind in her mind’s eye. The moment Lena murmured her 'Yes, please.', Kara kissed her passionately. Once they broke away, Kara had zipped around the apartment, Lena too dazed to even ask what it was Kara was looking for.
She watched as Kara tore off a keychain from one of her bags, curled the keyring to fit Lena’s finger and whispered, “This’ll do. For now.”
Kara had kissed her knuckles reverently, her lips making Lena’s blood sing in her veins. The feel of mangled metal fitted just for her left hand is an imprint on her soul. A promise of more to come.
They didn’t make it out of the kitchen the first time. Kara had lifted her by the waist and set her down on the kitchen counter. Which was a good thing, because Lena couldn’t feel her legs after.
They didn’t make it to the bedroom the second time either. She had tackled Kara onto the couch, pinning her wrists together, licking at the shell of Kara’s ear. “My turn now,” Lena had whispered. The way Kara shivered underneath her was enough of a reward. How long had they been waiting for this?
Flashes of last night had her hips bucking slightly unto Kara’s leg sandwiched between her own, but before it could escalate further...
“I have exciting news to share,” Kara tells her.
“Really?”
“Mm-hmm,” Kara hums, now nosing at Lena’s hair.
“What is it?” Lena asks.
“I’m getting married.”
“Oh you are?” Lena plays along.
“Yes. I’m getting married to my best friend,” whispers Kara, almost conspiratorially. “How cool is that?”
Kara looks giddy with excitement and Lena knows she’s mirroring that exact same expression right now.
“Mm. Very cool, darling.”
Kara giggles and they trade more lazy kisses before Lena breaks away to breathe.
“Quite a coincidence though,” Lena husks out against Kara’s lips.
“Oh really? Why?” Kara asks, tries to keep a serious neutral face despite her nose scrunching up in that cute smile that Lena can’t resist
“I’m also getting married,” Lena confides, “To my best friend," she adds, eyes flashing. "Isn’t that great?”
“Very great.” Kara nods slowly, blonde hair falling into her face, a hand running through dark tresses.
“I love you,” Lena whispers, her lips brushing Kara’s softly.
“I love you, too.” Kara kisses her harder then, her hands lazily wandering along Lena’s skin.
They lie there quietly for a few moments, basking in the morning glow and then, “Alex will kill us.”
Lena snorts, twists in the sheets and says, “I think your sister is too busy planning her wedding to even think about plotting our murder.”
read follow-up here.
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For the Fallen!Claude AU, you can even have it where Claude can see the steady progression of TWS's/Flame Emperor's success throughout White Clouds and be initially horrified... before more and more of him starts to see the practicality of some of their methods, at least in all the lies and manipulation they used.
When it's revealed that it's Edelgard - someone he's been around for a year - who's the Flame Emperor, it can be his "snapping point" because of him seeing that he himself was fooled by someone he thought he could trust (to at least not be capable of this, if nothing else) as well as the steady build-up of "proof" of the utility of discarding morals vs. keeping to them. This breaks off to Fallen!Claude proper once Edelgard succeeds in conquering Garreg Mach, something that's stood tall for almost a thousand years. It's the symbol of Fodlan, and it's taken down in like two weeks, all because of the sort of thing Claude rejected as excessive... but could himself excel in, if he let himself.
You can also have it to where this exact sort of thing is rampant in Almyran high society (which I think you also mentioned in your post!), which could make it hit Claude even harder that he fell for the exact same sort of thing he grew up in. Because a part of him expected Fodlan to be better than this, but - just like with their views on outsiders - Fodlan is no better than Almyra. And yelling, explaining himself, and fighting back did nothing to save him in Almyra, so maybe something more forceful is needed. Maybe he needs to be the one to start the fight, not defend himself.
If there is ooooone thing I could change for Fallen!Claude, though, it'd be Nader dying for him? Because like with Rodrigue it could easily fall from being an "eye-opening moment of realization" and more of a "get-fixed quick scheme" lmao, plus sacrifice is more inline with Faerghus than Almyra. It's not a bad idea though!! But I prefer something like...
Claude, who's gotten so used to standing by himself, so sure in his methods because in the end they're "for the greater good," seeing them be "successful"... but he's by himself. Just like he was in Almyra. And as he argues and debates with Dimitri over the utility of said methods, he notices more and more than the Lions stand so proudly by the side of Dimitri, while over time it seems like the Deer are standing with him more in memory of a Claude they once knew over who he is now. And this can culminate into that scene once Dimitri retakes Fhridiad, and Claude sees such an overwhelming acceptance of someone so good - someone he thought he himself could be, once upon a time.
And so after that day in Fhirdiad, Dimitri is in his chambers or his dorm or wherever he is, and he gets a knock on the door. It's Claude, but he looks different from how he's been looking during this war and the time Dimitri's been teaming up with him. Gone is that striking, frightening, almost sexy horrifying confidence in his increasingly depraves morals and methods, and there's someone who looks more... familiar. And then they talk; there's no loud arguments, there's no anger, there's no fear for Claude's mental state. In fact, it's the opposite: there's hope, after so long. Because Claude is finally listening, with that open mind he was once so well known for. It's more closed than it once was - he still focuses on pragmatism and practicality over having faith in people more than he used to - but he's showing signs of wanting to have faith in others again and of wanting to better himself from what he let himself become, and for Dimitri - and the Deer, once Claude talks with them - that's an amazing start.
Sorry that this got kinda carried away!!! But Fallen!Claude AU's always make me go down rabbit holes cuz it's such an interesting thing to think about given how easily Claude could have just become Another Sneaky Schemer Guy (just like how easily Dimitri could have been another Vengeance Bad poster boy without the whole "actually great arc that respects him as a character more than a message" thing AM gives him lmao), hope this wasn't annoying!!
No need to apologize! I really enjoyed reading this. And there's a lot of really good bits and pieces so bear with me as I do what I do best and ramble on for far too long. (Gonna address this piece by piece so I can easily scroll up and see your ask.)
If there is ooooone thing I could change for Fallen!Claude, though, it'd be Nader dying for him? Because like with Rodrigue it could easily fall from being an "eye-opening moment of realization" and more of a "get-fixed quick scheme" lmao, plus sacrifice is more inline with Faerghus than Almyra.
(addressing this first because it was the first part I typed up on my phone <//3)  I definitely do agree. In my head it was less sacrifice and more "In his attempt to get both himself and Claude out of there as quickly as possible, he was killed by Imperial soldiers," and mainly for @dmicld's idea that a story-beat match to Azure Moon would be interesting. But, yeah, considering Claude straddles a number more fences than Dimitri, there is a very real risk of a loved one's death just making him that much more of a nightmare. (Which. you know. If we’re going for completely irredeemable Claude, a true tragedy seeing a kind-hearted dreamer have no choice but to either break himself apart or everything and everyone around him, I would kinda like to see it happen 👁)
you can even have it where Claude can see the steady progression of TWS's/Flame Emperor's success throughout White Clouds and be initially horrified... before more and more of him starts to see the practicality of some of their methods, at least in all the lies and manipulation they used.
This! Like just. The sheer frustration and anger one feels when they’re trying to do things the right way only for the people doing horrible things to get what they want--it’s taxing, and when you hold your ambitions a little more closely to your heart than a set of ideals (which isn’t to say that he’s about to sacrifice a Leicesterian village like lambs to the slaughter), you break down slowly, over time, until you have a person that’s a little different from who they used to be, but, you know . . . a lot more useful to that old version’s dreams. Just imagining White Clouds!Claude standing across from a Fallen!Claude, wondering what the fuck went wrong, and how he could have become so . . . warped.
When it's revealed that it's Edelgard - someone he's been around for a year - who's the Flame Emperor, it can be his "snapping point" because of him seeing that he himself was fooled by someone he thought he could trust (to at least not be capable of this, if nothing else) as well as the steady build-up of "proof" of the utility of discarding morals vs. keeping to them. This breaks off to Fallen!Claude proper once Edelgard succeeds in conquering Garreg Mach, something that's stood tall for almost a thousand years. It's the symbol of Fodlan, and it's taken down in like two weeks, all because of the sort of thing Claude rejected as excessive... but could himself excel in, if he let himself.
I love Edelgard also being his snapping point, oddly enough? Like it was Bad(TM) for Dimitri for . obvious reasons, but I think Claude seeing someone subvert his expectations in just the worst way would absolutely snap something in him. All that effort, put into being just sly enough that he both meets and bends everyone’s expectations, and here she is, having broken just about everyone’s trust, just about every rule in the book, and she gets to call herself a winner for it. She gets to march on toward her dream because of it. 
Why shouldn’t he get to do the same?
Claude, who's gotten so used to standing by himself, so sure in his methods because in the end they're "for the greater good," seeing them be "successful"... but he's by himself. Just like he was in Almyra. And as he argues and debates with Dimitri over the utility of said methods, he notices more and more than the Lions stand so proudly by the side of Dimitri, while over time it seems like the Deer are standing with him more in memory of a Claude they once knew over who he is now. And this can culminate into that scene once Dimitri retakes Fhridiad, and Claude sees such an overwhelming acceptance of someone so good - someone he thought he himself could be, once upon a time.
He :(( Especially because he loves loves loves togetherness. It’s the thing that puts a spring in his step during White Clouds. It’s what gives him the title of ‘King of Unification’ (which, side note, gives me such icky vibes even though I know what they mean. I’m just anti-united Fódlan, I guess </3). Though I was running on the assumption that Dimitri had more of a Crimson Flower ascension (isn’t imprisoned, isn’t on the run, etc.) I definitely think Claude witnessing a display of goodness and acceptance as potent as EdeIgard’s betrayal/display of duplicitousness would get those cogs turning the same way Myrddin did for Dimitri? That moment when Byleth is like “Do you regret killing them?” and the answer is obviously yes, but how is Dimitri going to be in the position to feel guilt after all this time? (Spoiler, Dimitri, but dehumanizing yourself isn’t exactly condoning your violence <3.) I think Claude would be much the same, in that he doesn’t let himself regret his decisions, but he knows somewhere in the back of his mind that his way isn’t the only way. Just what he’s choosing. He just can’t think of it too much, because then he’s going to be the breaker of his own heart. 
Claude, wondering a little sardonically, if Dimitri has taken this time to be good enough for the both of them, while Claude . . . does what he thinks needs to be done. Wondering if that means he’ll ever get the chance to look Dimitri in the eye and feel kinship instead of--whatever this thing between them has turned into.
And so after that day in Fhirdiad, Dimitri is in his chambers or his dorm or wherever he is, and he gets a knock on the door. It's Claude, but he looks different from how he's been looking during this war and the time Dimitri's been teaming up with him. Gone is that striking, frightening, almost sexy horrifying confidence in his increasingly depraves morals and methods, and there's someone who looks more... familiar. And then they talk; there's no loud arguments, there's no anger, there's no fear for Claude's mental state. In fact, it's the opposite: there's hope, after so long. Because Claude is finally listening, with that open mind he was once so well known for. It's more closed than it once was - he still focuses on pragmatism and practicality over having faith in people more than he used to - but he's showing signs of wanting to have faith in others again and of wanting to better himself from what he let himself become, and for Dimitri - and the Deer, once Claude talks with them - that's an amazing start.
For the sake of this, I’ll say that *hand wave* Dimitri was forced out of the capital as a means to save his own life, is set on return to Fhirdiad, and once he does, Faerghus is galvanized under the newfound hope that not even their young prince, forced into kinghood, would abandon them, and is willing to fight in front of them in any given battle. 
But god :(( Dimitri’s heart and all the friends he’s able to keep around because of it being The Thing that makes Claude go “Oh. Fuck. Fuck.” It’s just that distinct horror of having your previous actions thrown into the light of everyone else’s perspective, of your convictions, which have been fraying for a while, finally falling apart right in the palms of your hands. And I think I said this before, but Claude having to address the little piece of him that have come apart and deciding, actually, that a good bit of the mindset he’d hammered out over the years will do him some good, but he has to keep a tighter leash on it--that’s the shit right there. Hitting your absolute lowest and taking a little bit of bedrock with you to fashion some arrows. Delicious character growth. 
Reading this ask through the first time, the image you made honestly struck me. Like Dimitri, at a desk, arranging soldiers, trying and failing to account for all the plots and schemes that Claude is making but infuriatingly won’t admit to making, looking up when Claude opens the door just enough for his overcast face to be shown. Staring at each other for endless moments while they determine what’s about to happen--while Dimitri wonders, for the first time in a while, why Claude doesn’t wear that sort of honesty more often; then, a little embarrassingly, that he’s glad Claude thinks he deserves honesty, despite their numerous spats and full-on fights over the course of their tenuous truce. I had to set my phone down. That’s the good shit.
And the Deer! :(( His Deer! Hating himself for breaking whatever particles of trust he had earned from them, unsure of why they stuck around, straight-up overwhelmed that they’re willing to let him amend his mistakes. A little, but no less important, aspiration of being able to look side to side and see people as eager to stand beside him as the Lions are with Dimitri. 
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blueathens · 3 years
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Falling In Love With Your Soulmate
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𝖲𝗎𝗆𝗆𝖺𝗋𝗒: 𝖡𝖺𝗌𝖾𝖽 𝗈𝗇 𝗍𝗁𝖾 𝗉𝗈𝖽𝖼𝖺𝗌𝗍 𝗈𝖿 '𝖶𝗁𝖺𝗍 𝖨𝗌 𝖫𝗈𝗏𝖾?' 𝖺𝗇𝖽 𝗍𝗁𝖾 𝖳𝖵 𝖲𝗁𝗈𝗐 '𝖣𝖺𝗐𝗌𝗈𝗇 𝖢𝗋𝖾𝖾𝗄,' 𝗍𝗁𝖾 𝗉𝖺𝗋𝗍 𝖺𝖻𝗈𝗎𝗍 𝗌𝗈𝗎𝗅𝗆𝖺𝗍𝖾𝗌. 𝖳𝗁𝖾 𝗌𝗍𝗈𝗋𝗒 𝗈𝖿 𝗁𝗈𝗐 𝖡𝖾𝗇 𝖿𝖾𝗅𝗅 𝗂𝗇 𝗅𝗈𝗏𝖾 𝗐𝗂𝗍𝗁 𝖸/𝗇.
𝖲𝗈𝗇𝗀: 𝖶𝗁𝖺𝗍 𝖨𝗌 𝖫𝗈𝗏𝖾 𝖻𝗒 𝖠𝗅𝖺𝗇 𝖶𝖺𝗍𝗍𝗌 𝖺𝗇𝖽 𝖳𝗁𝖾 𝖱𝖾𝖽 𝖯𝗂𝗅𝗅 𝖰𝗎𝗈𝗍𝖾: "𝖸𝗈𝗎'𝗅𝗅 𝖺𝗅𝗐𝖺𝗒𝗌 𝗅𝗈𝗏𝖾 𝗍𝗁𝖾𝗆."
Masterlist//Dusk Till Dawn Masterlist//Agape Masterlist
Well now really when we go back into falling in love. And say, it's crazy. 
They say love is the only thing that is powerful enough to make you crazy. When Ben first met Y/n he felt the sudden need to show off to her. It was at a friend’s party, and he vaguely heard that she enjoys skateboarding, so when he saw her standing by the a group practicing small little tricks, he decided to walk up to one of his mates in the group and asked if he could have a go.
“Ben, man, I didn’t know you could skateboard.” They said to him, passing Ben the skateboard happily, the same very board that Ben had no idea how to use. He took a quick glance at the girl with the gorgeous locks of (h/c) hair and noticed that she was beaming at him taking the board. His eyes snapped back to board in his hands, his check flushing with a bright crimson at her eyes on him.
He placed the board on the floor, knowing that everyone’s eyes in the group was watching him, especially her. His foot on the board, pushing it forwards and back a few times, before giving one final push and he glided away.
It was all going so well, the group cheered and clapped as they watched him go. Ben was surprising  himself the most considering he’s never done this before. His ears was focusing on Y/n voice of praises, and it brought him to a world of bliss.
His crazy idea wasn’t so crazy after all, well that’s what he fought until his face meet the incoming tree he didn’t see coming.
“Ouch.” He moaned at the impact, him sitting on his arse, skateboard at his feet, and his eyes were closed as his hand rubbed his head. He heard his friends running to him, shouting words of concern. But he didn’t open his eyes until he felt something cold hit his head, and someone sitting next to him. And when he saw Y/n he swears his pupils dilated in size once again, and he feared that she may have noticed it. Her hand was holding onto the icepack on his head meaning her face was so close to his. And he wanted to slap himself when he felt his eyes flicker down to her lips before looking back into her memorising (e/c) eyes.
“Hey, I’m Y/n.” She told him, voice sounding like angels singing.
“I know.” He responded instantly, eyes shutting immediately as those words flew from his mouth. His eyes opened once again, allowing Y/n to see the ocean again, but his eyes didn’t focus on her, they looked everywhere else where she wasn’t because he knew if he looked at her he would do something crazy, like kiss her. “I-I mean I heard others call you that so I presumed that was your name and it’s a really pretty name and-” he was rambling now and he wished he would just shut up so he didn’t have to embarrass himself more, he already crashed into a tree after claiming he could skateboard and now he was just a rambling mess in front of the girl he’s been crushing on in secret for ages now. “I mean, I’m Ben.”
“I know.” She giggled out and his eyes finally looked back into hers. “It’s a really pretty name too.”
Maybe Ben should thank the tree as it gave him the opportunity to finally talk to you.
“You didn’t actually know how to skateboard, did you?”
“No.” He shook his head, groaning before his next words. “So embarrassing.”
“No, no.” She smiled; she was no longer holding the icepack as Ben took over so he could function a little better without feeling dizzy with her face so close to his. Her knees was brought up closely to her chest, cheek resting against her knee as she gazed at him. “You did really good for a beginner.”
“Your just saying that.”
“Honest.” She said. “It would have been embarrassing if you knew how to skateboard only for you to crash into a tree.” She bit her lip, debating whether she should ask her next question. After another minute thought she decided to ask him, “Why did you do it if you knew you couldn’t?”
“A stupid idea to impress this girl I like.”
Y/n smile grew bigger, knowing that he meant her as she was the only girl in the area that was watching him.
“That was rather stupid of you…you didn’t need to impress her.”
“I heard that she liked skateboarding.” He nibbled on his lip. “So I thought maybe she notice me if I did that.”
“She would’ve defiantly noticed you now by that god awful crash.” She giggled, resulting in Ben chucking along, bringing his hand up to cover his face.
“Shut up.” He mumbled.
“She noticed you way before you crashed into a tree by the way.” She whispered.
“Yeah?” He asked her lowly.
“Yeah…you didn’t need to do something so crazy.”
“They say only love makes you crazy.” His eyes flickered back to her lips, but he didn’t feel the need to kick himself when he noticed she too glanced at his lips.
“Love, huh?”
“Love.”
Falling. You see? We don't say "rising into love". There is in it, the idea of the fall.
There’s a quote which says: ‘Don’t find love, let love find you. That’s why it’s called falling in love because you don’t force yourself to fall…you just fall.’
It’s beautiful because it’s true.
You can’t force yourself to love someone, you have to fall for them. You have to keep on falling down the rabbit hole in hopes that your beloved will catch you in the end. You simply can’t rise in love because that would be you choosing who to love. No, falling is the only way you can do it because it’s unexpected.
Ben never choose to fall in love with Y/n he just did after seeing her so carelessly dancing in front of the fire. She swayed around like she was the only person there, and to Ben she was. She was the only person who mattered in that moment. She danced like no body was watching and he knew it wasn’t the alcohol doing it to her as there was none that night he saw her. He wanted to know everything about her in that moment. He wanted to be the only person to be her insanely happy. And he wanted her to do the same to him.
He wasn’t looking for love at the time for he was only 21 – he crashed into the tree two years later – but he just felt his heart pound harder, his palms sweating more than it has ever done before and he just wanted to be close to her. He just wanted her. But he never tried anything as he saw another man walked over and held her whilst kissing your lips, interrupting her sweet trance – she broke up with him a year later and still Ben never tried anything due to him being too afraid too – and it was true when you truly have fallen you hurt more watching the person you have fallen for be with someone else, and they wasn’t there to catch you, leaving you falling down the rabbit hole alone.
You can’t choose who you fall in love with, you just have to let love find you and that was what Ben did.
And it goes back, as a matter of fact, to extremely fundamental things. That there is always a curious tie at some point between the fall and the creation.
Ben didn’t come to terms with the fact that he fell with you until he heard your sweet voice rant about space. He never knew that the naked eye could only see up to 9,096 stars. He never knew that stars were born in batches in their Steller Nurseries and then, over time, they travel through the Milky Way, far from their creches. He never knew any of this until he heard Y/n talk so passionately about it, and it was like everyone was drawn into the way she spoke. He could see her eyes sparkle at everything she says, a huge smile on her face, and using wild hand gestures to describe the words that flew from her mouth so perfectly.
Taking this ghastly risk is the condition of there being life. You see, for all life is an act of faith and an act of gamble. The moment you take a step, you do so on an act of faith because you don't really know that the floor's not going to give under your feet. 
It was a week after the crash that Ben finally asked her out. He was walking her home after a group hangout after one of Leicester’s matches – bear in mind that this was in the year of 2019, he has not yet joined Chelsea – the warm weather was turning colder, and the sun was setting behind the clouds. His hand occasionally brushed against hers, pinkies tapping one another, waiting for them to interlock, a Ben finally did before sliding all his fingers between hers. He looked at her through the corner of his blue eyes, and saw that she was smiling faintly, but she hide it by biting her lip.
“You have a really beautiful smile.” He told her, causing her to let go off her lips and smile warmly at him.
“You’ve been full of compliments tonight.”
“What can I say? I’m a charmer.” He smirked, his hand pressed hers causing her to respond and it was now him who had to hold back the massive smile that was fighting to appear.
“You weren’t when you finally spoke to me.”
“Maybe I could make up for that by you going out on a date with me.” He blurted out, eyes widening slightly at how the response just casually rolled of his tongue, not even thinking about it.
“Is that so?” She raised a brow at him.
“Yeah, we could go to Leicester Planetarium, I know how much you love space.” He blushed slightly, not realising that she may have not known he was at that gathering that night.
“You remembered?” She uttered softly, surprised that someone remembers something so little but yet so important to her…no one has ever done that before.
He gave her half shrug. “I remember everything.” He told her tenderly.
When they reached her block of flats, Y/n left a lingering kiss against Ben’s rosy cheeks and whispered a little “I’ll see you on Saturday.” Before walking up into her apartment block and travelled up to her room. Ben watched her go, touching the spot on her cheek where her lips just touched. Once he knew she would be safely in his apartment he jumped up in joy, fist pumping the cool air, whispering happily a small ‘hell yeah,’ before leaving to go home, hands in his pockets and he whistled a quiet tune to fill the silent night. What he didn’t realise was the girl of his dreams watched his celebration through her apartment window, laughing at his behaviour, chuckling out, “what an idiot,” before closing her grey curtains, humming a tune to fill her quiet apartment.
Everything Ben did that night was out of an act of faith and gamble, not knowing what she’ll say scared him, but he took that leap of faith, and it took him to solid ground of yes.
The moment you take a journey, what an act of faith. The moment that you enter into any kind of human undertaking in relationship, what an act of faith. See, you've given yourself up. But this is the most powerful thing that can be done: surrneder. See. And Love is an act of surrender to another person. Total abandonment. I give myself to you. Take me. Do anything you like with me. See. So, that's quite mad because you see, it's letting things get out of control. All sensible people keep things in control. Watch it, watch it, watch it. Security? Vigilance Watch it. Police? Watch it. Guards? Watch it. Who's going to watch the guards? 
The moment Ben and Y/n made their relationship official it was like a breath of fresh air. Ben felt like he can just relax around her and surrender everything he has to her because he trusts her. And he wasn’t even afraid. She could destroy him, crush his heart, shatter his mind, ruin him, break him, hurt him, she could take everything he had, and he would let her willingly.
He loves her with all his heart and even if he knew that she would never intentionally hurt her, he would still let her if she chose to.
He’ll give her everything she wants in a blink of an eye. If she wanted the world, then she got it. If she wanted the juiciest of the reddish apples there was, then she got it.
But she only wanted him as she too was head over heels for him, she would hand him everything too.
They would surrender their selves to one another, and they would never regret it.
Love is surrendering oneself to the other to establish the form of trust. If you couldn’t show yourself to the person you love the most, was it truly love? Love is giving yourself up to the other person. You would allow your beloved to do anything to you at their own will, all because love makes your crazy.
So, actually, therefore, the course of wisdom, what is really sensible, is to let go, is to commit oneself, to give oneself up and that’s quite made. So we come to the strange conclusion that in madness lies sanity.
Y/n was his sanity through all the madness would do for her. Through all the madness he feels for her.
That’s why he asked her to marry him. That’s why he cried when he saw her walk down the aisle so elegantly, so beautifully, to him in that gorgeous white dress. He couldn’t wait to make her ‘Mrs Chilwell’ and he couldn’t wait until his lips touched hers again, the wait was agony not just for him but for Y/n too. Both were practically on the balls of their feet, waiting for the officiator to finalise the ceremony, bring it to the end where he says, “I now pronounce you husband and wife, you may now kiss the bride.”
And when his lips touched hers it was like the very first time again, her bowed her down as his lips smiled against hers, his hands firmly on the lace covering her waist. And when he brought her back up, still smiling, he pecked her lips a few more times before walking hand-in-hand down the aisle, heading to get photograph of the two, now married couple, and to the after-party.
They tell you to marry your soulmate and that was what Y/n was to him.
And what is a soulmate you may ask.
Well, it's like a best friend, but more. It's the one person in the world that knows you better than anyone else.
“Amanda from the office is having an affair with Paul, our boss!” You panted as you came running through the living room door. He jumped off the sofa yelling you to wait as you jumped up and down with gossip to spill. He grabbed a bag of popcorn and two lemonades for you both before throwing you over his shoulder, and placing you gently onto the sofa, leaving a kiss on your lips and nose, before he sat next to you.
“Okay, go.” He said once he opened the bag of popcorn.
“She’s pregnant with Paul’s kid, but she told her husband, Michael that it’s his child.”
“No.” He gasped, filling his mouth with popcorn. “But he’ll be able to tell when the baby comes as he and Paul look nothing alike.”
“I guess Amanda hasn’t realised that until Michael reminded her that they haven’t had sex in over two months after she said she was 5 weeks pregnant. B-but then Michael cracked it down and found out that she’s been sleeping with our boss, so he came into the office, punching Paul, throwing him against the wall. Only stopping when Amanda yelled out that she was sleeping with him to get a higher pay rise.”
“What?!”
“And then Michael told Paul that there was no hard feelings and he and Amanda left. They fucking just walked out.”
“Did she get fired.”
“Don’t know. But Paul was well angry.”
It's someone who makes you a better person, well, actually they don't make you a better person... you do that yourself-- because they inspire you. 
Y/n wasn’t in the best of places before she met Ben and he helped her deal with everything that was going on, making her happier, but in reality it was more her who got herself better, Ben was just the guiding light to safety.
Y/n inspired Ben to move to Chelsea in 2020, it was something that he was planning to do but he didn’t want to if Y/n didn’t come with him. But she reassured him that she would and support him in everything he did.
They made each other better people out of care and love.
Love wasn’t just full of craziness; they was always sanity to be found. And that sanity is found within a soulmate who understands you.
A soulmate is someone who you carry with you forever. It's the one person who knew you, and accepted you, and believed in you before anyone else did or when no one else would.
“I still find it kind of cute and stupid that you tried to skateboard to get my attention.” Y/n cheekily reminded him, tracing his abs with her finger as she laid on his chest, his hand rubbing up and down her bare back.
“You love reminding me of my humiliation, don’t you?” He smirked, pressing a light kiss onto the top of her head.
“If you never crashed, you probably would have never had the guts to talk to me.”
He chuckled lightly.
“I still remember that the naked eye can only see about 9,096 stars.” He whispered.
“Gosh, you really do love me.”
“More than all of the stars in the universe.”
And no matter what happens.. you'll always love them.
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twst-bs · 3 years
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TWST Dorm Leaders and an Anxious MC
This is the first piece of written specifically for this blog!
-----
Riddle: Had they broken a rule?
Even if Riddle had improved by leaps and bounds in the anger management department, he still held his rules in high regard. And the way his brows furrowed when he looked at them from across the table, was he angry about something? He couldn’t exactly punish them - they had no magic to lock away, and they were a dorm leader in their own right, so he didn’t have any right to discipline them, but what if they had done something on a personal level? Offended him in some way? They had barely mastered social cues in their own world, what if they messed up in Twisted Wonderland? What if -
...Riddle had said something, and was clearly waiting for a reply. In their internal panic, they had missed whatever it was.
“I-I’m sorry, Riddle, I was kind of zoning out. What did you say?” Were there rules against zoning out? Probably, that seemed like something that would annoy him.
“I asked if you were alright.”
“...Huh?”
Riddle set down his tea cup - it was a pretty, delicate little thing, gilded gold along the edges and handle, with roses painted beneath the rim. His mother would be mortified if she knew he was drinking strawberry milk tea with an ungodly amount of sugar out of it, Riddle had once said with a small, almost sheepish smile. That same mouth was now downturned as he regarded them with concern in his wide gray eyes.
“You seemed to be under a lot of stress lately,” he spoke slowly, like they were a frightened animal. Maybe they were. “Is everything alright? Are you sleeping well?”
They weren’t, but that was more of a side effect of their stress than the cause of it. They idly tapped their fingers against their own tea cup, a matching one to Riddle’s. They had been drinking lavender tea in an effort to calm their nerves, but it clearly hadn’t worked.
“I’m fine, promise,” they grinned, hoping it looked convincing.
By the way Riddle’s face scrunched up, it did not.
“Are you sure?” he asked. “I know I’m not the best at handling emotions, but if I can help in any way…” Riddle trailed off, looking embarrassed.
They felt their stomach twist in horror. These little tea parties were the highlight of their week, a little moment of reprieve for the both of them to just relax and enjoy each other’s company. And they had gone and ruined it because they couldn’t figure out how to human properly.
“I’m sorry!” they burst out. “I’ve been so anxious lately, and I haven’t been able to sleep, and I’m worried about my grades slipping because I don’t know the first thing about magic and -”
They didn’t even notice they were starting to spiral until Riddle had reached across the table and grasped onto their hand. Their chest was heaving with barely-contained sobs, and they weren’t sure if the trembling they felt in their hands was theirs or Riddle’s.
“It’s okay, it’s okay,” he murmured. “Deep breaths, now.”
He was parroting what Trey would tell him to help him calm down, they knew, but it was good advice. They knew that he had talked Riddle down from many an anxiety attack before, but the fact that Riddle, someone who suffered from severe mental health problems, was the one calming them down made something sour begin climbing up their throat.
“I-I’m making everything worse…” they mumbled, squeezing Riddle’s hand tighter. “I should be able to handle this without freaking out, but…”
Riddle reached out and brushed away a tear they didn’t know had fallen away with the back of his knuckle. “I know better than anyone how it feels to be under pressure.” he sighed. “Please, don’t think you have to deal with all of this stress on your own.”
Leona: “Will you sit still for five minutes?”
They hadn’t thought they had been making that much noise. Certainly not enough to wake Leona up from his nap, that was damn near impossible. So either the floorboards in Ramshackle dorm were worse than they thought, or Leona hadn’t actually been sleeping.
“Sorry,” they mumbled, staring down at the worksheet in front of them. They had been trying to finish this homework for hours, and the incantations were starting to blur together. What language were these even written in? Were they in the demonic section or nature section?
Leona sat up from where he had unceremoniously plopped himself on their bed. “You’re fidgeting like a rabbit, herbivore.”
“So you weren’t sleeping after all.”
“Hard to sleep when I can practically smell your anxiety.”
“Then go sleep somewhere else.”
Leona clicked his tongue, sounding annoyed, but they both knew he secretly enjoyed it when they got snappy with him. Not a whole lot of people had the guts to give him sass, and he liked having someone to verbally spar with. “And miss watching you squirm?”
“I’m not squirming.” they bit back.
“So that chair squeaking was just the ghosts, then?”
“Maybe.”
They could practically hear Leona roll his eyes, but they still didn’t take their eyes off of their textbook.
“Staring a hole into the page isn’t going to solve the equation.”
“How do you know?”
“Shut up and get over here.”
That made them look up. Leona had stood up, motioning them over with a tilt of his head. “You’re taking a break.”
“But -”
“You’re. Taking. A. Break.” he punctuated his words by grabbing the back of their desk chair and pulling. Just enough to jolt them, they could tell by the way the chair stopped that he was purposely holding it steady. Even so, they couldn’t help the small noise of surprise they made.
“Leona, I have to finish this!”
“You’ve been staring at the same page since I got here, you aren’t finishing anything.”
Subconsciously, they knew that taking a break would probably be good for them. But the part of their brain that was panicking about failing was telling them that if they took a break they were essentially giving up. And giving up wasn’t an option.
“Herbivore.”
The soft growl in Leona’s voice snapped them out of their thoughts. Leona had gone back over to the bed, flopped onto his back with his arms splayed out. To anyone else, it looked like he was just lazing about, but they had been with him long enough to realize that this particular position was an invitation.
It was then that they realized just how sore their neck and back were from being hunched over their desk. And how badly their eyes were burning from staring at the miniscule writing in their textbook. And how their legs and arms were one wrong move away from cramping because of how tense they had been.
...Okay, yeah, maybe a cuddle break was in order.
Leona grunted when they plopped on top of him, face buried in the crook on his neck. “Shit, herbivore, that hurt.”
“Suck it up.” they muttered, internally melting a little when he brought his arms up to wrap around them.
“Tch,” again, he sounded annoyed, but they knew better. “Learn to take better care of yourself.”
Azul: There was so much stuff to do.
Even if Crowley made sure they didn’t have to worry about money, a lot of the responsibilities of dorm upkeep still fell on them. They had to buy groceries, clean the whole dorm, make sure the place didn’t fall apart, follow Grimm around and make sure he hadn’t scorched any curtains...and that was all after they had done the assigned homework.
All things considered, they did a pretty good job, but sometimes they laid awake at night thinking of all of the things that needed to be done. Which left them in a less-than-ideal state for class the next day.
Gr-gr-grmmble…
They winced, hoping no one heard that. They had slept soundly through their alarm this morning, to the point where Grimm had to slap them awake, and therefore didn’t have time to snag breakfast. And it was really hard to focus on Trein’s droning lecture when they were both hungry and sleep-deprived.
Ace looked at them out of the corner of his eye with a raised eyebrow, but thankfully didn’t say anything. It might have been because the last time they got busted talking in class the spiel from Trein had been worse than if Riddle had just collared them, but still.
Finally, after what felt like an eternity, Trein dismissed the class. They still had Alchemy before they could go grab lunch, and even though mixing potentially explosive potions in their current state seemed like a terrible idea, Grimm skipped class enough. They didn’t need to add to his track record. So, feeling distinctly zombie-like, they made their way through the halls towards the alchemy lab.
Maybe they could dash by Sam’s shop really quick and grab a protein bar just to hold them over? No, Trein had yammered on until the last possible second, and they only had a few minutes before their next class started. There was no time. Maybe -
“Oof!”
“Whoa!”
Well, that’s what they got for not watching where they were going. Their books clattered to the ground as they ran headfirst into someone.
“Ah, damn, I’m sorry,” they bent down to pick up their books. Now they really were going to be late.
“Are you alright?” they looked up to see Azul stooping down to help them. “I didn’t hurt you, did I?”
“No, I’m fine!” they grinned sheepishly. “Just wasn’t paying attention, is all.”
Azul frowned, picking up their Alchemy textbook before straightening. “You look exhausted. Another rough night?”
“Is it that obvious?”
Pale blue eyes widened and Azul flushed red. “I-I didn’t mean it like that!” he stammered, “I just - I merely - “ he cleared his throat, quickly recomposing his gentlemanly demeanor. “I’m sorry, that came out wrong.”
“Relax, Azul,” they laughed, standing up from their crouched position. “I was just teasing you.”
“Must you do that in public?”
“Are you saying you like it when I tease you in private?”
“That is not what I said.”
They laughed again, reaching for their books, but Azul held them out of reach. “Hey, come on,” they pouted. “I’m going to be late.”
“Seriously, are you alright? You look kind of pale.”
They sighed. “I didn’t sleep very well last night, and then overslept this morning, so I haven’t eaten anything. Happy now?”
“Not really, no.” Azul frowned. “Come on, I’ll treat you to lunch at the lounge.”
“But I have class.”
Azul kept walking, and they had no choice but to follow considering he still had most of their books. “I’m sure Crewel will understand if you miss one class. You have an otherwise perfect track record.”
“How do you know that?” they asked. “We don’t have any classes together.”
“I have my ways.” Azul smiled cryptically at them.
“Which one of them was it?”
“Jade.”
“Knew it.”
Kalim: “...and then, there was this one time, the baby elephants broke out of their cages…”
They wanted to pay attention, they really did. Kalim was a great story-teller, even if he was a bit all over the place. And stories from a magical noble family, no matter how mundane to Kalim, were always fascinating. They could sit here and listen for hours.
Well, usually, anyway.
Nothing in particular was wrong, really. They had just woken up feeling off. It could have been anything. They could have had a weird dream, they could have forgotten something minor, the planets could be slightly unaligned, it didn’t matter. It was just an off day, and they were feeling it.
“...hello? You still in there?”
They nearly hit the ceiling when Kalim snapped his fingers in front of their face. Where they had been sitting there being anxious about trying to figure out what was making them anxious, Kalim had crawled across the floor where the two of them had been having lunch in his room. He had wanted to have a picnic on the flying carpet, but Jamil had put his foot down. Literally, he had stood on the carpet so Kalim couldn’t ride it.
“Sorry!” they yelped, almost knocking their tea over as they were forcibly brought back into the present.
“You looked kinda worried there,” Kalim frowned, quite an unusual look for him. “Everything alright?”
“I’m fine,” they looked down at their lap and bit their lip to stifle a gasp. While they had been worrying, they had subconsciously been picking at the skin around their fingernails. There were a couple tiny drops of blood beading up around their nail beds. Maybe Kalim wouldn’t notice?
“Hey, you’re bleeding!”
Damn.
Kalim’s expressive, ruby-red eyes went wide and he lunged forward to grab their hands. “When did that happen? How did that happen? Do you need to go to the infirmary?”
“Kalim, I’m fine, there's barely any blood.” they sighed, gently prying their hands away from him. “I do that a lot.”
“You just randomly start bleeding?!”
“No, Kalim,” they laughed softly, shaking their head. “I pick at my nails when I get anxious.”
Kalim pouted, eyebrows furrowing in confusion. “You’re anxious? Why are you anxious? Did I do something wrong?”
“No, no, it isn’t you, I promise!” they idly swiped at their nails. The places they had picked open had already closed. “It’s just...it’s a thing. I just have anxiety in general, is all.”
Frowning, Kalim sat back down in his original spot. “Isn’t there a way to fix that?”
“There’s a few ways, but none of them are quick.” they shrugged. “I was doing better, but suddenly coming here brought back a lot of my old habits.”
“Hm…” Kalim stared at them intently before the apparent storm passed and he brightened up again. “Well, we’ll just have to get you new habits to replace the old ones!”
“I...don’t think that’s quite how that works…”
“Here!” Kalim reached down and took a bangle off of his wrist. It was gold, with an elephant charm hanging off of it. With a big, eye-closing grin, he handed it to them. “When I was little, I used to get scolded for squirming a lot, so my mom told me to play with a small toy instead of running around. I know it’s a bit different, but maybe, instead of picking at your fingers, you can play with the charm instead? Would that help?”
For a moment, they were quiet, just staring at the shiny gold bracelet in their hand. Then, a small smile split across their face. “Yeah, I think it’ll help.”
Vil: “You haven’t been sleeping.”
“Hello to you too, Vil.” they sighed, flopping unceremoniously onto the stone bench beside him. Usually they at least tried to hold themselves to a higher standard when they were with the Vil Schoenheit, but they just didn’t have the energy. “How could you tell I haven’t been sleeping?”
“Unless the undead look is a new fashion trend, but bags under your eyes are very telling.” he reached over to tuck their hair behind their ear, both in an affectionate gesture and to get it out of the way so he could assess them better. “You’re also breaking out. Are you stressed?”
“Isn’t everybody stressed?”
“Don’t get existential, just answer the question.”
They huffed, letting their head rest on the hand that was still at their ear. “Yes, okay, I’m stressed, happy?”
Students were watching the two of them on their way through the gardens, but Vil paid them no mind. He had plenty of practice at ignoring the masses. “We’ve discussed this, haven’t we? Mental health is just as important as physical health.”
“I know, I know, I’m sorry.” they closed their eyes, unable to look at him.
“I didn’t mean that to be scolding,” this time, Vil sighed. “Just a reminder that you need to take care of yourself. Maybe a spa day is in order.”
That did sound nice. “Can we do hair masks?”
“Of course, my dear.”
Idia: “Big Brother, you have a guest!”
Idia fought the urge to groan when Ortho popped his head into the room. Why did people always have to bother him on raid night?
Just as he was about to tell Ortho to send whoever it was away, a second head appeared.
“Hey, Idia.” the Ramshackle prefect sounded drained, enough to make him type a quick “AFK” into the chat and turn to them.
“Everything...alright?”
They stepped fully into the room, returning Ortho’s cheerful wave before closing the door and collapsing face-first onto Idia’s bed. “There’s too many people out there.”
“Mood.”
“And they all want me to do stuff for them.”
“Also mood.”
“So can I hide in here for a little? Please?” they turned their head to look at him with pleading eyes. “I’ll be quiet, I know it’s raid night.”
Idia turned to glance at the screen. The team he had gotten saddled with this time around was garbo - three tanks and no healer, honestly - so he was fairly confident they weren’t finishing the dungeon. Shaking his head, he clicked a few buttons and the screen returned to his desktop.
“Bunch of losers anyway,” he mumbled, getting up from his chair. “Wanna play something else?”
“Can we play Skull Girls?”
A few moments later, they were sitting side-by-side on the bed with the opening for the game playing on one of Idia’s monitors
This was what they needed. No people besides the two of them, no lazy Headmasters asking them to take care of problems way beyond their physical and emotional capacity, no chaotic cats threatening to light everything on fire. Just a nice little break.
Slowly, careful, so as not to startle him, they leaned over until their head was resting on his shoulder. He tensed, but his hair didn’t turn red, so they counted that as progress.
“Thanks, Idia.”
“N-N-No problem.”
Malleus: Okay, so this probably hadn’t been one of their better ideas.
Sleep just wasn’t happening tonight. All of the things they had to worry about kept running through their head, and every time they thought they were about to drop off, something else popped up. Eventually, they had given up and decided to take a walk.
Unfortunately, they had completely forgotten how cold it could get at night. Even with the jacket they had pulled on over their pajamas, they were shivering.
“You’re up late.”
The deep voice startled them, but they managed to compose themselves before turning around. “So are you, Tsunotarou.”
Malleus Draconia smiled softly at the nickname, looking absolutely ethereal with the small green lights flitting around him. “It’s dangerous to be out alone at night, Child of Man.”
“The gargoyles will protect me.” they said cheekily. Malleus chuckled.
“And what of me?” he asked. “Do I not get the honor of protecting you?”
“You can fight the gargoyles for the honor.”
Again, Malleus laughed, before noticing the subtle tremors that wracked the human’s body. “You’re cold.”
“This wasn’t my best-laid plan.” they sighed, tugging their jacket closer to their body. “I always forget how cold it is at night.”
Malleus hummed before opening his arms. “Come here, then. I’ll keep you warm.”
They hesitated for a moment before stepping into his embrace, sighing as his body heat seeped into their being. “Wow, you really are warm.”
“Dragons run hotter than humans,” he explained, tugging their head beneath his chin. “It’s why I have no trouble roaming around at night.”
“Lucky.”
“Well,” he murmured. “I’ll simply have to accompany you on your nighttime adventures to keep you warm.”
55 notes · View notes
bangtanloverboys · 3 years
Text
kitten fever // myg
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summary - min yoongi wants to be a daddy, but not in the way that you quite expect
pairing - cat hybrid!yoongi x gender neutral!reader
genre - fluff; hybrid au, established relationship au
word count - 7.5k
warning - yoongi being an absolute softie, hinted hybrid discrimination, YOONGI WITH A KITTY, yoongi and yn being domestic, KITTENS, overwhelming love for kittens, yoongi calling himself daddy
author’s note - this is for the bts ghostie dynamite dads event “new dad yoongi”, but make it new cat dad. i snuggled my kitties a lot writing this bc i love them and they are my inspiration for this. anything cat related on my blog is inspired by my own cats, enjoy. i may post a baby photo of one of them bc that’s how i imagine the kitty in this 
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2:54 am read the small digital clock in the corner of the room. Yoongi couldn’t sleep. He turned his head over to you, still curled up into his side. Pressing a kiss to the crown of your head, he gently peeled your arm off of him and got out of bed. You let out a soft whine at the loss of his warmth, patting the empty space in a sleepy attempt to find him. He shook his head and chuckled at you, placing another kiss to your head and made his way over to the desk. Seating himself in the wheelie chair, he opened the laptop and typed away into the search bar. 
‘Newborn Kittens’.
He honestly wasn’t sure what was going through his head, but he was feeling something deep down inside. The feeling started sometime a little after you had adopted him and it had only grown stronger when the two of you had gotten together. Originally he thought that was the feeling, the need to be with you. You were his mate and you were it for him; he loved you with every little fiber in his being. But there was still something missing in Yoongi’s heart, and that is what it was.
He really wanted to be a dad. 
Not for like human babies though, no. He didn’t think that either of you were ready for that yet, not for a while. But he really wanted to care and love for something as his own, which has slowly led him down the rabbit hole of kitten videos. Volume set to low, he played videos and listened to the small innocent newborns cry and whine at the new world they were in. The cries resonated deep in Yoongi’s heart. He wanted to care for, guide, and love on a kitten so badly. The only thing is he had to convince you about it. 
After about an hour of him watching and holding back tears over the newborns, he let out a yawn. He exited the tab and cleared the browsing history, an extra precaution he’d taken to make sure you accidentally stumble across it. He didn’t know why he was so nervous about asking you, maybe it’s cause you never talked about having another pet or an actual animal? He vaguely remembered you mentioning the reason you got a hybrid in the first place. You wanted someone to talk to and to keep you in check, which Yoongi thought he did a pretty good job of. You were a bit of an idiot sometimes, but you were his idiot now. His idiot that he had no idea how to tell he wanted to have a baby kitten. 
He quietly tiptoed back over to the bed and carefully slotted himself to lay next to you, once again. You sleepily register the bed dipping next to you, turning over and wrapping your arms back around him; holding him even tighter so he can’t leave you again. He let out a low chuckle at your action, letting you mold yourself against him. With another kiss to the top of your head, Yoongi let his eyes slowly fall shut. Dreaming of the kittens he wanted so badly. 
You woke up earlier than Yoongi the following morning, which was strange, seeing how normally he’s the first to rise. As of lately though, he’s been sleeping in more. You didn’t mind, the past few times he slept in, he had the warmest smile on his face. It was so blissful and it always pulled at your heartstrings to see him look so soft. But whenever he woke up, he acted distant. Like he was holding his breath around you. You don’t know what led him to start acting like this, you tried talking to him about it, you really did. Everytime you brought it up, he acted like it was nothing and dismissed the issue or said he was in a funk. So you’ve taken a back seat, waiting for him to either truly tell you what’s going on or for him to pull himself out of his self-proclaimed funk. With a small sigh passing your lips, you kissed his cheek and gave one of his little ears a scratch, you pulled yourself out of bed to get started on your morning routine. 
With a yawn, you padded down the hallway of your small apartment towards the kitchen. Glancing at the calendar pinned to the fridge, you let out a low groan. Today, you had a lot of paperwork that you could thankfully do at home, but that didn’t help the fact you just wanted a lazy day to cuddle with your boyfriend. But you have work to do, then you can cuddle Yoongi to your heart's content. Quickly, you fashioned a breakfast milkshake; consisting of your last banana, an egg, milk, and some chocolate sauce. The roar of the blender must’ve woken up Yoongi, as soon as you turned it off, you heard his heavy footsteps get closer and closer. You don’t turn to look behind you as two arms and a tail wrap around your waist. 
“Good morning, sleepyhead.” You smiled as he buried his head into your neck. 
“Morning,” he grumbled, his hot breath sending shivers down your spine. 
You stop from finishing your shake to lean into him, nuzzling your cheek against his messy dark hair. “You sleep alright? I thought I felt you get up in the middle of the night.”
“I’m good, just. . . had trouble sleeping last night,” You felt him shift behind you, readjusting himself so his chin is now resting on your shoulder, watching you finish making your shake, “decided to have a wikipedia deep dive to try and bore myself to sleep.”
“Aw, I’m glad you were able to get some sleep though.” You said as you pulled out a metal straw from your utensil drawer into your finished banana-chocolate milkshake. However, Yoongi doesn’t loosen his grip on you. Carefully, you manage to twist yourself around in his arms to look at him. His face is still puffy from sleep, his eyes are blinking lazily as you give him a chaste kiss. “Sleepy kitty.” Upon saying that phrase, you felt Yoongi’s arms stiffen around you. It was only for a moment, then he relaxed and nuzzled his nose to brush against your cheek before letting his arms slip from around you. You don’t let the way Yoongi tensed up at your words, but elect not to bring it up. It’s too early.  
“What do you have planned for today?” Yoongi asked, stifling a yawn as he went to make himself some coffee. 
“Just paperwork,” you huffed as you siphoned through the utensils to find your precious metal straw. “You got anything? Besides taking a cat nap.” You smiled as you took a sip of your shake. 
Yoongi shook his head as he concentrated on his coffee making task, “I got nothing.”
“Maybe when I’m done, we can watch a movie?” You suggested, as you leaned against the countertop. 
“Mm, sounds good.” He responded as he mixed in his coffee creamer. Satisfied with his stirring, he turned back to face you. “There’s a few things I’ve found that I think you might like”, he said as he brought the mug to his lips. 
The small conversation fell and the two of you got started on your routines. You handed Yoongi your glass for him to clean then went to your bathroom to start the day. You couldn’t get over how he froze around you at the little nickname you bestowed on him. Sleepy kitty. Did he not like that? He never had any objections to your pet names previous to this. You couldn’t just chalk it up to it being one of his ‘moods’ because this was a constant thing now. You needed to talk to him, maybe before the movie.
Yoongi on the other hand, felt like banging his head into a wall. How could he be so stupid to have such a blatant reaction to the pet name?! He supposes it has everything to do with the dream he had after he had finally fallen asleep after an hour long cat video binge at such an ungodly hour. He had dreamt of a small tabby kitten, probably no more than 4 weeks old. It was snuggling into his shoulder while he slept, swiping at his tail while he sat and worked, nibbling on his ears- God even just reminiscing about the dream had his heart aching again. 
Shaking his head, tried to push past the consuming thoughts of kittens, refusing to give into his instincts. He focused all his energy into cleaning the dishes; totally not imagining the small cup he was washing as a small kitten, scrubbing it delicately and making sure not to go too hard on it’s small fragile head-
Yoongi dropped the cup in the sink, the plastic banging against the other dishes ringing in his ears as he held his head. He was going to lose it, he knows it. To his concern there’s only one solution to this issue: get a kitten and take care of it. Digging the heels of his palm into his eyes, he let out a deep sigh. There was no other choice he had, he had to talk to you about his kitten fever. 
Finishing up the last of what was in the sink, he dried off his hands and made his way back over to the room. You had already gotten to work, judging by how you barely acknowledged him as he walked in. Walking over to the bed, Yoongi stretched himself over the messed up covers. This was how the two of you did spend most of your days when you were allowed to work from home; with him laying down and watching you work. Resting his cheek on his folded arms, Yoongi kept his eyes on you. Trying his damndest not to let his mind wander from you and to imagining you working with a small kitten on your lap. Your hand caressing its small body while it meows loudly at you as you play with it- He let out a groan, burying his face in his arms to try and escape the mental image he created. 
Hearing him, you turn in your chair to face him, “Yoongi, are you okay?”
Peeking from behind his elbows, concern is written all over your face. He shut his eyes and sat up, “Y/N. . . Can I talk to you?” Your brows furrowed together, a look of panic dashes through your eyes as you nod. Taking a deep breath, he stood up from where he sat and walked over to your desk, leaning against it. “I-,” he started, “I want kittens.”
His admission out in the air, he closed his eyes, fearing your reaction. But no sound of rejection came from you. Opening one eye to peep at you, you were confused. Yoongi could also see the gears turning in your head as you thought of something, anything to respond to him.
“Yoongi, I-I don’t think we’re-”
“Not like that!” He stopped you, seeing how you didn’t quite understand what he was talking about. “I mean like, actual kittens. . . Cats. . .” He explained.
Your mouth parted, “Oooh.” The dots connected, Yoongi’s sudden mood changes started to make sense; especially this morning’s when you called him kitty. All this because he wanted to father kittens? “How long have you been thinking about this?”
“Hmm?”
“How long have you wanted kittens, Yoongi?” You questioned.
Bashfully, he looked to his feet, “I don’t know. . . Since we got together, I suppose?”
Your eyebrows shot up into your hairline, “That long?! Why haven’t you told me, baby?” You went to grab his hands, holding them in yours.
“You never said anything about wanting kids, animal or not so I just. . . didn’t say anything.” He responded, keeping his eyes on your interlocked hands. 
“Yoongi, look at me.” He raised his head to meet your gaze, “Human babies I never really thought much on, but kittens? I love kittens so much, of course I’d want to have them with you.”
“Really?” He felt like his eyes were going to pop right out of their sockets “You mean it? I can-We can get a kitten? A baby?” Yoongi couldn’t believe his ears; his vision started to blur as tears welled up in them. The blurry outline of you nodded as you stood, pulling him into a hug as the happy tears fell from his face. 
You cooed at him as you wrapped your arms around his neck, his face burying itself in your neck. “Aww, we can definitely get a kitten. I think having one might be a wonderful little addition to our family, don’t you think?” Yoongi only cried harder in response. You stroked the hairs at the back of his neck, soothing him from his happy tears. “I’ll take that as a yes, I’ll get all my work done today and tomorrow we can go to a shelter and adopt. Okay?” With a nod of his head and a couple sniffles, he pulled away from the hug. You moved your hand to lay it on his cheek, wiping away the remaining tears from his cheeks. “Let me finish this up okay? You do research on some kitten supplies and shelters nearby?”
With that, Yoongi immediately got to work on researching products (within your established budget) and found a shelter a few blocks away from your apartment building. You thanked whatever deity that was watching over you that allowed your apartment to put in a notice for a new pet so last minute. Normally you’d have no qualms about waiting a few days, but the way Yoongi had been keeping this to himself, you didn’t want him to wait any longer. He deserved to be a proud father of a little fur baby. 
All night long, you could feel Yoongi’s excitement radiate from him as he tossed and turned in the bed all night. You could hear him even giggle to himself, whispering how he’s going to be a dad. The words squeezed your heart as you turned to wrap your arms around him, partially to keep him still but also because you were happy that he was so happy about this step for the both of you. Maybe him a little more than you though.
You woke up to an empty bed, you patted around Yoongi’s side, noting it was cold. You were puzzled for a moment, wondering where he might be when the smell of bacon flooded your nose. You let out a light chuckle as you got out of bed, and shuffled down the hallway to see Yoongi in the kitchen, buzzing as he cooked breakfast. “If I didn’t know any better, I’d mistake you for a dog hybrid for being this excited.” You chuckled as you sat down at the table. He narrowed his eyes at you before returning to cooking. Normally Yoongi never went all out with breakfast unless it was a special occasion, you suppose that today might as well be a special occasion, it being the day he finally gets to become a dad. “Did you get any sleep?” You asked as he put some bacon and toast on a couple plates. 
“Enough,” he answered, placing a plate in front of you on the table. You rolled your eyes at his response, you should’ve figured he didn’t get much; but at least he got some of it. “Gotta get used to not sleeping all throughout the night.”
“Yoongi, it’s a kitten. Not an actual baby.” You chortled as you took a bite of bacon, “It’s not gonna wake us up in the middle of the night crying.”
“Yeah, but kittens in a new environment often are excited and don’t sleep much the first night or so.” He responded as he sat down in front of you, “While I’m not a full cat, you should remember how restless I was when you first got me.”
You do remember. He stayed up all night the first few days, getting a feel of your apartment; sniffing around and making some noise, but after that he started to settle in and get comfortable in his new home. “Yes, but cats don’t whine every few hours to be fed.”
“Touche,” he bowed his head in defeat before going to take a bite out of his toast. 
You watched him as he ate, nibbling a bit on your breakfast as you did. As you continued to eat, you noticed he was getting more and more fidgety. Figuring how he wasn’t very upfront with you about getting a kitten, he was waiting on your word to get ready to find a shelter. You smirked a bit as you took a few more bites of your toast before pushing your plate away. “Alright, ready to go?” Before you even finished, Yoongi jumped from his seat and kissed your cheek. You barked out a laugh as your hybrid dashed down the hallways towards the bedroom in a blur of black and white. 
Deciding to take it upon yourself, you cleared the table, seeing how Yoongi was too excited to focus on anything else. You shook your head as you picked up his abandoned breakfast on the table; if he was too excited to sleep, you should’ve figured he’d be too excited to eat. Better make sure the second that kitten crosses the threshold of your apartment that you feed him before he forgets completely to eat. As you finished up in the kitchen, said hybrid came back, “What are you doing?! Why aren’t you getting dressed?!” He exasperated at you, still dressed in pajamas, while he was all nicely dressed. 
“I’m sorry that I want to make a nice impression on the newcomer, when they arrive.” You chuckled as you walked up to him, ruffling his hair. “I’ll get dressed. You finish up here.” In a flash, he was at the sink, furiously scrubbing the pans and plates. You laughed at him again, you wonder how he’s going to react when you tell him that you’re not even gonna stop at the shelter first, seeing how you should get the products first before the kitten steps it’s paws in the apartment. No matter how eager Yoongi was, you needed a litter box first. Kitten second. 
Once you’re dressed and down the hall, your overly eager feline partner was frantically checking himself in the hallway mirror. Letting out a chuckle as he made his hair and ears look as neat as possible. You held up your keys, the jingling catching his attention, he beamed as you moved to put your shoes on and get out of the door.
“What kind should we get? I looked at some of the ones at the shelter and there’s this pretty ragdoll, she’s all white and fluffy- Ooh! There’s this siamese kitten that just had the most beautiful eyes-”
“Yoongi,” you cut off his rambling as you approached your car. “I love you, I really do and I’m excited that you’re excited. But don’t overthink it, let’s just go to the shelter first and see who speaks out to you more. Okay?” 
You watched as he bashfully scratched the back of his neck. “Sorry.” He chuckled nervously.
“Don’t apologize, baby. Now come on, we gotta get going.” You hopped in the car, Yoongi followed behind you, climbing into the backseat. The two of you sit in silence as you drive off, your hybrid humming happily as he stared out the window. It’s only when you pull up to the pet store does Yoongi let out a low groan. 
“This isn’t the shelter!”
You grabbed his hand as he pouted his lips at you, “I know. But we need litter, food, and toys. I don’t want to forget that on the way home.” You pressed a kiss to his knuckles as he dropped his pout. 
“Fine,” he sighed as he unbuckled and got out, clearly unhappy with the decision, but realizing it was the right one either way. 
“You’re acting more like a moody teen than a father to be, you sure you’re ready?” You raised a brow at him, which quickly had him standing up straighter.
“Yes, I am.” He gave a firm nod as he spoke, “Now come on, the fast we get the supplies, the faster we can get the baby.” He took your hand in his and led you into the store. 
You let Yoongi take the lead pushing the cart through the aisles as you searched for the supplies you needed. You could feel stares from other customers as Yoongi was looking at the different types of kitten litter and which one would be best. You felt like they were judging you for bringing your hybrid to the pet store, like you were going to make him actually use the items that were meant for his animal counterpart. 
“Can I help you with anything?” You both turned your head to see a young woman in a blue vest standing there, a confused expression on her face. 
“Actually yes, what brand of litter would you recommend? I’ve read all the reviews but, I’m curious about your opinion?” Yoongi rambled off as he stood, walking to get closer to the employee. “We’re going to adopt a kitten later today and this is both of our first times owning a cat.”
“Oh!” The employee's eyes widened and nodded, now understanding the situation instead of assuming the worst. “Well what age are you looking to adopt?”
“Not sure, I was thinking maybe four to six weeks?” He said as the worker’s eyes examined the wall of litter in front of her. 
“Hmm,” she stepped down and pulled out a medium sized pink box. “This brand is what I’ve seen the best reviews on, anyone with a kitten seems to like it before going on to other litter.” She handed it over to Yoongi, who was bowing his head as he accepted the box. 
“Thank you very much!” He replied, gracious for the help. 
“No problem, anything else I can help you with?” She responded with a grin of her own as she looked between the two of you. 
Yoongi glanced over his shoulder to you, waiting to see if you needed anything at all. You shook your head, “No. Thank you for the offer though, I think we got it.”
Yoongi thanked the employee again before turning to put the box of litter in the cart. “Got litter, got the litter box, food, what else?”
“Toys and a collar?” You noticed that was something lacking from your growing collection of cat necessities. Looking up to Yoongi, you see him with his lips pursed in thought as he stared down into the cart. “Something wrong with that?”
“Toys no,” he said, moving to push the cart forward towards the cat toy aisle. “Collar, I don’t know. I mean, it’s going to be indoors anyways. Does it even really need it?” 
He did have a point, a collar was to ensure that if it got lost you’ll be contacted as soon as it’s found. But considering how it is going to be inside all the time, and with Yoongi always around too, did you really need it? “You’re right, but we don’t know. Why don’t we skip the collar today, and get it when we know for sure. Does that sound good?”
You followed close behind him as he turned into the next aisle, thinking of what you said. “Yeah, sounds good. Just don’t want to make any unnecessary purchases.” You stopped in front of a small wall of colorful toys and stretching posts. Your eyes shifted towards him as he closely examined each and every toy in front of him. “There a limit on how many toys we can get?”
“Let’s start with three,” you laughed lightly as you moved to stand beside him, looking over the different options. “We do need a scratching post, so let’s get this one,” you move to grab a long cardboard scratcher and put it in the cart, “because we don’t need the little baby scratching up the furniture.”
“No we do not,” Yoongi returned with a chuckle, reaching out to grab a small pack of toys in the shape of mice. “These look fun.” 
“What are you gonna play with it too?” You elbowed him gently as he tossed them into the wagon. 
“I just might.” He teased as his attention went back to the wall of toys, he reached forward and grabbed a small plush octopus. He gave it a little shake and it chimed, his eyes immediately lit right up and placed it right next to the other toys. 
“I’m beginning to think those toys are for you more than the kitten,” you joked as Yoongi moved to push the cart out of the aisle and towards check out. He scrunched his nose up at you but didn’t deny your statement. 
Once at the check out, Yoongi put all the items up on the conveyor belt while you went up to the cashier, who was eyeing Yoongi carefully as he checked out each item.Not liking the way he was looking at your hybrid, you cleared your throat, directing his attention back to you. You knew there was still some judgement towards hybrids being out and about in public, but that shouldn’t matter because he was with you. His owner. 
“Did you find everything alright?” The cashier huffed as he bagged your items, going over the register to double check that he scanned everything. 
“Yup!” You gave him a tight smile, not wanting him to give away your displeasure at his behavior. You just wanted out of this pet store now. Yoongi, on the other hand, must’ve sensed your uneasiness and in an instant he stood right next to you, giving your hand a reassuring squeeze. Letting out a shaking breath, you returned his squeeze before finishing up your purchase. It certainly was a small hit to your bank account but this was worth it, it was for Yoongi. 
You both gave a quick thank you to the worker before you made your leave, cart full of brand new kitten supplies. As you were loading up the car, Yoongi placed a hand on your shoulder. “You okay?”
“I didn’t like those eyes on us, on you.” You muttered as you shut the trunk closed. 
“Y/N look at me,” he placed his hand on your cheek. “It’s alright, I can deal with a couple of staring strangers. But you’re with me that’s all that matters.” He smiled as his thumb caressed your cheek.
You stood there for a moment, letting him sooth your anxieties before you pulled away. “Okay, now let’s go get that kitten. No sadness today, this is supposed to be a happy time.” Soon as the words left your mouth, Yoongi’s entire demeanor shifted; going from a caring partner, to an excited child with only a few words. 
 “Right! Let’s go!!” With that, Yoongi gave you a chaste kiss before jumping into the passenger side door. 
The drive to the shelter wasn’t that long, and Yoongi was bouncing up and down in his seat like a child on his way to Toys R Us. It was cute though, seeing him this excited. You don’t think you’ve seen him this giddy; you’ve seen him happy of course, but not this kind of emotion. It looked good on him, you hoped he manages to keep it going as the kitten grows old. 
“We’re here!!” Yoongi announced ecstatically as you pulled up in the parking lot. The hybrid waited patiently as he could as you got out of the car, his eyes locked on the door of the small building. It was a bit on the smaller side, but it was a bit more of a homey feeling to it. Something that you thought would be good seeing how this will be the new addition to your family.
Soon as you stepped forward towards him, he bounded ahead of you, eager to get through the door. “Hurry up!” He whined as you leisurely took your time walking up the path to the door. 
“I’m coming, I’m coming,” you huffed as you finally managed to get to the front door. Yoongi was grinning so hard his cheek muscles were sore, but that didn’t matter. It was finally happening. He was gonna be a dad! 
Door to the shelter opened, he followed you as you stepped inside, glancing around at the posters of various cats and dogs on the wall. He stared at them while a volunteer at the front desk asked to help you. He moved his head to pay attention to the conversation, but little meows echoed from the door where the volunteer entered from. His hand instantly grabbed yours as he heard the little cries; not coming from his computer, but from actual kittens. 
His attention was brought back to you at the sound of your laughter. “You ready, Yoon?” He nodded his head so hard, you feared his head might pop off. Your shoulders shook with another laugh as you looked back to the volunteer, “Can we see them now?”
“Of course!” She answered as she took a few steps back towards the door, holding it open for the two of you. Yoongi followed after her quickly, tugging you along with your hand still tightly grasped in his. The smell of all the other animals filled Yoongi’s senses as they walked down a short hallway. He could hear the sounds of them as well, all calling for the attention of the new people that they no doubt smelled. Soon enough, they approached a door marked CATS, Yoongi felt your eyes on him as the volunteer opened the door and walked in. 
“You ready to be a dad, Yoongi?” Your voice was soft as you squeezed his hand. All he could do was nod as you entered. 
The scent hit him first, the smell of fur and cat food, and litter boxes. Not the most pleasant thing in the world, but at that very moment, it was better than roses to him. Then the sound of dozens of cats meowing away filled his eardrums and he felt his smile get wider as he glanced around the small room. There was a small cat tree in the middle of the room, with silver kennels on either side of it. Some of the doors were open, the felines who inhabited them wandered about the room. The rest of them remained closed, but that didn’t stop them from sticking out their paws between the wires, going out to grab the other volunteers in the room. 
“So all our kittens are about four to six weeks old, all siblings are in the same kennel. Feel free to open them up if you want,” she explained as she walked over to another male volunteer to talk to him. “All their names are on that white board, by the way!” 
There was a small brush against Yoongi’s pant leg. Glancing down, he made eye contact with an orange tabby cat; rubbing it’s head against his calf. The creature looked up and meowed at him, curious about the two new strangers who came in. Ever so slowly, Yoongi knelt down petting it’s head and letting it keen into his hand. Above, he could hear you coo as at the sight before getting distracted with another cat that came up to you. 
Yoongi felt like he was going to cry, he had to only take one home? When there’s so many here that all need homes? He was so close to just begging you to take them all home, but he knew that that wouldn’t be a good idea. Taking a deep breath, he got back up to his feet and walked over to one of the kennels and peered in, looking at the small fluff balls curl together for warmth. Carefully, he moved to open the wire door without waking any of them, but it appears his presence was enough to wake them because sure enough, small mewls added into the already noisy room as he opened the door completely. 
“Hi,” his voice was barely a whisper as he reached in and let the kitten sniff at him, getting adjusted to his scent before moving to touch any of them. A small white kitten with the bluest eyes reached up to grab at his fingers, its small claws digging into his skin. “Ow,” he feigned with a chuckle as he lowered his head to scratch at the fur balls ears. “You’re a curious one, aren’t you.” He lilted as he turned his attention to another kitten. This one was black, but strangely enough has small light grey stripes decorated its body. It was a bit more separated from the rest of the litter, smaller too. Intrigued, he moved his hand over to it and let the kitten sniff it. When it seemed to accept him, he let his hand curl around its small body, lifting it out of the cage and into his arms.
“You found someone, Yoongi?” He heard you ask as you approach him, a small gasp leaving your lips when you see the tiny creature in his arms. “Oh my goodness! Aren’t you precious!” You melted as you reached your finger out to stroke its head. 
“I see you’ve found the runt of the litter,” the volunteer noted as she walked over to you both, a smile on her face. “She’s all healthy, so if she’s the one you want, she’s ready to go home with you.”
Yoongi could feel your eyes on him, looking for an answer on if this was the one you were going to take home. He stared down at the small cat in his arms, who’s big eyes stared right back at him. He could feel it deep in his heart, this was the one. This was his baby. “Yeah, it’s her.”
“Okay, babe.” You kissed his cheek before looking back to the kitten still in his arms. “Hi baby, you almost match your daddy.” You giggled as you gave her one last scratch before confirming with the volunteer that you’ll be taking that one home. 
With a smile, she nodded, asking you to follow her to finish up the paperwork while telling another volunteer to help Yoongi with getting her ready to leave. He readjusted the kitten in his arms so she was now laying against his chest, rather than in his arms. The other volunteer held a cardboard carrier with an old towel in it out. Yoongi was hesitant at first, not quite ready to let his new found child out of his arms just yet. 
“Come on, buddy. She’s gonna be okay,” he encouraged Yoongi as he reached for the cat. Holding back the urge to swipe at him and carry the cat out in his arms, he knew you wouldn’t want him to make a scene. So he complied, letting him take the kitten from him and into the carrier. The volunteer handed it over to him; but instead of holding it by the handle, he held it by the bottom in both hands. Not wanting to jostle her around before getting to the car. 
The volunteer escorted him back out to the lobby, where you were finishing up. “Yoongi, what are you gonna name her?” You asked. The question caught him off guard, he didn’t know what he was gonna name his kitten. He’s wanted one for how long and he never thought of one? He quickly racked his brain for names, not wanting it to sound too cheesy or weird but none came to mind. 
“I, uh,” he was embarrassed at the predicament. But you merely laughed at him before placing a hand on his shoulder. 
“It’s just for the chip she got, I’ll just put down Min for now alright?” You looked to him for his permission. He nodded, the two of you will figure out a better name to call her in the meantime. But at least she’s got a nickname on her. 
Paperwork all done, and a car full of new cat stuff. The two of you drove back to your apartment, and all the while Yoongi was flinching with every confused little meow that came from the white box on his lap. Unable to take it anymore, he cracked open the carrier a bit, just enough to stick his hand in and sooth her of both his and her anxieties about the drive. You rolled your eyes at the action, mumbling something under your breath about coddling her before she’s even gotten to the house. But Yoongi couldn’t help it! He hated hearing the small and scared whimpers, he couldn’t just do nothing!
When the drive finally came to a stop, you handed Yoongi the key to the apartment. “Put her in our room, close the door and come back here to help me with the rest of the stuff. Okay?” You instructed, to which Yoongi followed to the T. Well almost to the T.
Once he got into the house, he opened up the carrier and pulled out the kitten. “This is your new home.” He started as he walked around, showing her the place. “This is the living room and the kitchen area, we’re out here a lot. Don’t try to scratch up the couch please, or Y/N is gonna kill us both.” He chuckled as he made his way down the hall, pointing at different photos and giving a story. “This is the bedroom, where we sleep. You can sleep here too.” He went on and he placed her down on the ground. “Now you can explore while we go get your things.” He said, but didn’t move. Watching how the kitten sniffed around the new place, getting a feel of it. A smile on his face, he slowly started backing out of the room, closing it behind him.
He rushed back out of the door, but before he made it to your car, he ran into you, an annoyed look on your face. “You got distracted with the kitty, didn’t you?” Yoongi looked down at the ground, feeling a bit guilty for putting the baby before his partner but thankfully you seemed to understand. “Fine, just get the cat litter. Couldn’t carry it all by myself.” You jerked your head in the direction of the car. Nodding, he ran down to go get the rest of the things.
Setting the majority of the cat stuff down, you quietly started towards the bedroom. Cracking open the door, you don’t see anything just yet. You push the door open a bit more, still nothing but there is a small little lump of poop on the floor, stinking up the whole room. “Gah,” you gagged as you quickly went to the kitchen to grab some paper towels and cleaner. “Knew I should’ve told him to get the kitty litter ready first,” you muttered to yourself as you cleaned up the little troublemaker’s poop. After being sure to toss it in a trashcan in the bathroom, you began looking for the little one.
Laying flat on the ground, you peered under your bed. The small outline of the kitten was seen in the middle of the bed, out of reach for you to grab. “Aww, come here baby. No ones gonna hurt you.” You stretched your arm out under the bed, the tips of your fingers barely grazing her soft fur. You could feel her lower her nose to your hand, sniffing you out before rubbing her head against your palm. 
“What are you doing?” You heard Yoongi’s voice called out from above you.
“She hid under the bed,” you explained as you pulled your arm out from underneath the space. 
Yoongi pursed his lips in thought as he leaned down, taking his turn to reach under the bed. “Come here baby, come on.” He made kissy noises, trying to lure her out. “Come to daddy.” But to no avail, she didn’t come out. 
Disappointment was written across his face as he sat up. “Aww, don’t be upset Yoon. She;s just scared. She’s in a new place,” you placed your hand on his cheek. “Why don’t we set up her stuff, maybe she’ll come out then.”
Begrudgingly, he agreed. You set up all the stuff in the room first, just to get her accompanied to the new place before the rest of the apartment. You had Yoongi handle setting up her litter box and opening up her toys while you set up her food and water. Cat stuff thoroughly thrown about the place, you saw small little paws peek out from underneath the bed. 
“Yoongi,” you nudged your hybrid to look at where you were pointing. 
Instantly, he began to lower himself to the ground, not breaking eye contact with her as she watched him slowly go down and down until he was laying flat on his stomach. Taking a few tentative steps, she got closer to him. Sniffing at his ear which twitched at the close proximity of her black little nose. “Those are my ears,” he stated simply as she started to swat at them and his hair. “Hey,” he chuckled, lifting his head away from her paws. “Don’t hurt daddy.”
“You’re really gonna stick with daddy?” 
“Got a problem with that?”
“Not at all,” you raised your hands in defense, not wanting to argue with him. He moved back to sit on the ground next to you and watch as the kitten curiously bounded around the room. She looked up at you before making slow steps over, before putting her paws on your thighs. You looked up at Yoongi who looked nearly green with envy. “Guess we know who her favorite is.” You teased. 
“No no no no,” he said as he leaned over before picking up the cat, plopping her on his lap. “She’s gonna be a daddy’s girl, if it’s the last thing I do.” You would’ve thought she would’ve hated being moved by force and would’ve jumped away, but she didn’t. She snuggled herself deeper into his lap and started purring. Now it’s your turn to be jealous.
“No fair,” you grumbled as you leaned forward to pet her again.
Yoongi only stuck his tongue out at you before turning his attention back down to the cat. “Moonlight.”
“What was that?”
“Her name is Moonlight. Moonie for short,” he said, his eyes never leaving her as he let his hand stroke her.
You leaned forward and pressed a kiss to the kitten. “Welcome to the family, Moonie.”
The rest of the day is spent with you and Yoongi on the ground, playing with her, completely ignoring the rest of the world. You took a lot of videos of her playing around Yoongi’s tail. It was precious to see how well he was with her; jumping into his new role as a cat dad. It warmed your heart. With each of her squeaky meows,  Yoogni would respond with one of his own; his deep voice making a low meow, sounding nothing at all like a cat. Yet she still responded, meowing back only louder and more pitchy.
As they continued to play, it became painfully obvious that Yoongi definitely bought those small mouse toys for him because he was playing around with them a lot more than her. Moonlight on the other hand, was approaching your bed. Pouncing on it in an attempt to climb up top. With a laugh, you helped her up onto the mattress, watching her as she waddled about the uneasy surface. 
Your stomach growled, hungry for some food. “I’m gonna go make something real quick.” You got up and kissed the top of Yoongi’s head before walking out of the room and towards the kitchen. You made a quick sandwich to refuel before getting back to playing. As you ate, you thought of how well this was going to be. Granted it was only the first day, but this was going to be good. Just by the look on Yoongi’s face you could tell. He was absolutely in love with that small little ball of fur, his baby. Your baby. 
Finishing up your little sandwich, you made your way back to the bedroom. It was quiet, you didn’t hear any more rustling or mewling. Brows furrowed, you opened the door and the sight you saw before you melted you. Yoongi laid curled up in the middle of the bed, similar to how he did when he first got comfortable with you when you got him. Moonlight was tucked close to his chest with an arm draped over her, fast asleep.
On your tiptoes, you made your way over to the bed to lay opposite of Yoongi. They both stirred as the mattress dipped beneath your weight, but both remained with eyes closed. You let your arm drape over Yoongi’s side, effectively sandwiching Moonlight between the two of you. There the three of your laid, tired smiles on your faces as you warmed the new addition of the family between you.
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"Picking husbandos for me has always been rather easy. It's asking the age old question "Where's the goofballs?" But finding my love of Zoro and Ace, I was still surprised that I fell in love with them."
Due to me getting 100+ episodes into a certain pirate anime, I just wanted to talk about the men in my life that were in this show. One of these men is kind of recent, like the last week and a half recent. But once I realized it... I was already in too deep. For the longest time, out of all the main four male characters I simped for Sanji. That was until last week I fell in love with Zoro. It sort of hit me upside the head during the Drum Island Arc.
I've always found Zoro to be this lovable goon, but hadn't fallen in love with him until recently. It took his antics during the Drum arc for me to realize that I was in way too deep (when he dove into the freezing ass water, tried bartering with Usopp for his warmer clothes, kicked the bad guys ass only to steal his coat) that I realized that I had a weakness for the himbo swordsman. He was just too cute for me to not love him. But at the same time he as everyone in the fandom knows has this power behind him. After I realized that brief scenario I had suddenly spiraled down this EPIC rabbit hole. After that I *loved* this dummy, I was gone too far. Zoro's personality just kept pulling me in deeper and now you've noticed my latest crisis. He turned out so, so, SO much worse than Sanji. But at the same time I realized that I didn't care either way.
But Zoro wasn't the only one, ooh no because that would be way too easy for me to deal with. No there had to be another himbo that stole my heart. That other himbo being something that is qualified as much more my type and that would be Portgas D Ace. Ace has quickly become everything to me in this series. At first I didn't really want him to be because I already knew how his story ends and it's the opposite of pretty. But he was just so cute, goofy, and he's voiced by Travis freaking Willingham, like Roy Mustang HELLOO?! What do you expect from me at this point? It was pretty much love at first sight for me. The minute that my best friend Gris encouraged that I did further research on the men that were coming I found that I had a problem. And that problem was only going to get worse. And once I got to him and it turned out to be so much worse than I could've ever imagined, I realized yet again that I didn't even care. All I knew was that was the love of my life and I was already in too deep to care. Just getting to laugh at his antics, scream with my friends that have watched portions of the show, and getting to just yell to the highest heavens about how much this man meant to me, it's been so much fun. That's part of the joy to me about having friends that have a similar tastes and interests. I never had friends that really encouraged this side of me before but once I did I found people that really understood me and I love all of them.
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It All Started With A Break
AO3: https://archiveofourown.org/works/31840603
Okay, so I have fallen down the rabbit hole known as MariBat and I just can't stop all the ideas I have because of this and decided that enough is enough and I am doing it.
This is my very first fanfic - or any fic actually - but I hope you guys like it and be WARNED that some of you may find some part of this story that's similar with another and that may've been because I really liked the idea when I read it and wanna have a kinda similar thing here and the same goes with some trope of this fanfic in the future, but I'll do my best to keep it unique. I am also new to the DCU, but I'm doing research and planning to binge watch stuff and if you could please help this poor soul find a way to navigate and somehow get an idea on how that universe work (especially abt the batfam), I'll be forever grateful to thy savior.
This fic is canon until S4 Ep 1&2 (Truth & Lie) of MLU and as for the rest, I'll let you guys know.
So yeah, that's all. Enjoy and hope you guys like it. (。•̀ᴗ-)✧
P.S. Sorry I kinda ranted, this is my first time actually posting smth so bear with me people
SYNOPSIS
It’s been four years ever since Hawkmoth, who now goes by the name Shadow Moth, began his reign of terror in Paris. Four years worth of akumas that have brought pain and suffering. Four years of no rest in controlling their emotions, afraid of what may come if they were controlled.
After four long years, the Miraculous Team can finally see a ray of light. Everything they have sacrificed for that one goal they all share is finally going to be repaid… Not.
Locating Hawkmoth was easier said than done, and the frustration is finally getting to them. With that, it was decided that they need a break from their hero lives — ok, maybe not. After all, Shadow Moth is proving himself to be a workaholic (like dude, don’t you have anything better to do than destroy everyone’s schedule?) — but anyways, it was clear. THEY. NEED. A. BREAK. Away from Paris. Away from Hawkmoth. Away from the frickin akumas.
So yeah, that’s how it was decided (more like forced) that they are going to America to relax, let loose, and have some fun. After all, who knows, maybe a break is all they need to get things to start getting better — or worse.
@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@
PROLOGUE
“Alright. So, we are going to take a break—”
“For two months.”
“For two months. And because it’s supposed to be a break, that means—”
“No thinking of anything Moth related.”
“No thinking of anything Moth rela— Moth related?”
“You know, Hawkmoth, Red Moth, Shadow Moth, those Moths.”
“Right. Moths. Aside from Moths, it also means—’
“No thinking of akumas.”
“No thinking of akumas. For this entire break, we’re not going to think about—”
“Anything Miraculous related.”
“Anything Miraculous related. Alya, do you really need to do that every time I’m about to say it?”
“It’s because she knows you. We know you. It’s ridiculous, utterly ridiculous, how you always promise not to worry about something, especially anything Miraculous related, just to break it the moment anything related to it comes up. So, yes. She needs to say it and repeat it as much as possible for it to go through that head of yours.”
“Guys, I swear, I’m really going to follow through with this plan. I did agree that we need to unwind ourselves since we’re getting way too stressed and that won’t help us focus on our job.”
“Only after we bugged you about it. Get it? Bugged. Pfft—”
“Hey! Puns are my thing. And you shouldn’t be saying it like that. You’re making it ape-solutely obvious and that makes it not punny anymore”
“Dude, do you really have to do that? That’s so not paw-some. Pfft—”
“All puns aside, it is true that we had to convince you, Mari-hime, to agree on taking a break. Although I rarely take a break from fencing, my Mother and I are aware of the importance of having one and may I also remind you that you were the one who taught us that.”
“And that’s why I told you guys to go have one.”
“But you plus the kitty are the ones who need it the most. Remember what future-me said? About you two always leading us and how she— or rather I am the last one called upon? That means you guys are always gonna work while the rest of us may or may not be needed in some fights.”
“There is a 97.6% probability of you two showing up in fights.”
“Because we have to. It’s our responsibility as the one leading our team.”
“M’lady’s right. Besides, there were only the two of us in the beginning and with all the akumas, we just got used to it.”
“But that doesn’t mean you don’t need to rest. The music I’m hearing from both of you is filled with the stress you guys have and it doesn’t sound nice. Maybe you two unwinding will help make it more beautiful and even more powerful than before.”
“Fine. We’re all taking a break—”
“Especially you and Adrien.”
“Especially Adrien and I, for a month. Now, does anyone have any ideas on how we're gonna do that?”
“Ooh! Me, me! I have a competition coming up this summer break so I can’t really go anywhere too far since I have some training to do.”
“I’m sticking with the ape. Gotta keep an eye on him if I don’t want him messing up with the timeline. Plus, it’ll be pretty fun beating him up every time he asks for a challenge.”
“Hey!”
“The same goes for me. Someone has to make sure the correct time is recorded with not a single millisecond of it missed. Kwami knows how many times he messes it up whenever he does the recording himself.”
“Okay. So Kim, Alix, and Max will be staying in Paris. Are you guys sure that you’ll be able to take a break even if you’re in the city?”
“Yeah, we're fine. And I am totally beating you next time, little bunny.”
“Whatever. There’s nothing wrong with dreaming, y’know.”
“Anything else?”
“Oh, I have an internship in America this coming summer. The one at the Daily Planet. I just got the email and I was finally given an invite!”
“Really? Cool! Told you you’ll get it, babe!”
“Yeah! That’s really awesome, Alya! So I’m assuming you'll be accepting that?”
“You got it, girl! I mean, this is the Daily Planet we’re talkin’ about. I’ll learn so much about writing and journalism there, I’ve just got to take it.”
“So Alya’s going to America. Anyone else with plans outside of the country?”
“There will be an upcoming world-class fencing competition this summer and Mother and I have discussed my participation in it. It will be held in the States as well, specifically Gotham, two weeks before the end of the summer break. Maybe you should participate in it as well, Adrien. That way, you’ll have an excuse for your father to leave the country. I’m sure Mother will be happy to convince him as well to let you participate in it. That way, at the very least, I’ll have someone I know who’ll be an actual challenge.”
“Really? That actually sounds great! I’m sure Father would agree if your mother’s the one who suggested it. Thanks Kagami!”
“Okay. Kagami and hopefully Adrien will have a fencing competition in America too.”
“My Dad is having a tour in America right now. He’ll be having the last one at Metropolis during the summer break. He actually wants me to go with him, but I declined. It’ll be great if we all could go there and see it.”
“Dude, that’s so cool! Maybe you’ll even get to perform with your dad on stage. You did make that song with him that reached the record chart’s top. I’ve even made a playlist based on it.”
“Okay then, that makes Alya, Kagami, Adrien, and Luka going to the States. Chloe, do you also have plans to go there this summer? Maman said your mother was thinking of inviting you to be one of the models in an upcoming fashion show there.”
“She did mention something like that, but I wasn’t really paying attention to details once I found out that it’ll be outside of Paris. I’ll discuss it with her again then I can have my much needed vacation in the States.”
“So now that makes five of you going to America. Nino?”
“Well, I don’t really have any plans this summer. Just chill out and relax, y’know, make some playlist, listen to some music.”
“Ooh! How about you come with us, babe? That’ll be so cool and not all of us will be doing something most of the time while we’re there. You can just chill and relax there and maybe you could even study the kind of music they listen to and make a playlist out of it.”
“I would love to go, but I don’t think I really got the money for it. ‘Sides, my parents might not allow me to go out of the country.”
“You’re already 18 and if your parents ever say no, just tell them that you want to really relax, without keeping your emotions in check and have the freedom to let it out. I’m sure they’ll understand and unlike my Father, they actually listen to you.”
“As for the money, I have some savings and if you want I can lend you some-”
“But-”
“Lend. I’m not just giving it to you. You will have to pay me back, alright? And if you try to say no again, I’m going to insist that you don’t pay me anymore.”
“You sure? You're the best! Thanks, Minette.”
“No problem. So now that makes six of them—”
“Seven.”
“What?”
“Seven. We’re including you.”
“Me? But Alya, I already got plans this summer.”
“Plans? What plans?”
“I was planning on working on my commissions this summer an— Guys, can you all stop rolling your eyes on me and no, Chloe. I don’t need you doing it again.”
“Girl! We all agreed that we’re going to take a break this summer. How does doing your commissions sound like a break to you?”
“You all got your own thing to do this summer and mine just happens to be those. Also, the break was for anything Miraculous related. My commissions don't exactly fall under that.”
“Nope. We actually all agreed that for you, commissions should be added to the list of things you get to take a break from.”
“Adrien! I thought you’re supposed to be my partner? So much for the two of us against the world.”
“He is still your partner alright. But also, as someone who truly cares about you, he decided that you really needed a break. And besides girl, this could be your chance!”
“Chance? What chance?”
“Your pen pal! Doesn’t he live in Gotham? You could go and finally meet him. Who knows? Maybe something might happen.”
“Ooh, he’s from there? That’s awesome! You should totally go meet him. Maybe you could even go on a date or two-”
“A date?! Kim, he’s just a frie-”
“You stop right there, Dupain-Cheng! It’s ridiculous, utterly ridiculous! All of us already had enough with Adrikins always calling you ‘just a friend’ when it’s pretty obvious how totally untrue that statement was. We don’t need you ending up just like him, thank you very much.”
“But he really is-”
“Yeah right. If he really is just a friend, then why do you guys stay up all night talking to each other? You always immediately check your phone whenever a notif comes up and you smile like a love-sick fool whenever you read his messages for you. And don’t get me started on the way you gush about him non-stop.”
“There is something beautiful in your music whenever you talk or even think about him.”
“Your smiles are much brighter compared to before the two of you got to know each other.”
“Markov and I also have a record of your heartbeat and we have observed your heart beating faster whenever we talk about this certain topic.”
“And it's been more than a year since you two have become pen pals. The two of you are now so close that it’s a wonder why you guys still haven’t video-called each other just because you insist for your first time seeing each other to be in person.”
“I think it’s rather romantic. They’ll look into each other’s eyes for the first time then BAM! They’re finally together. But I still plan on giving him a shovel talk the first chance I get. Can’t have him break my twin’s heart without him knowing I have the god of destruction on my side.”
“What do you mean shovel talk- I mean, what even gives you the idea that he thinks of me that way for you guys to assume that we’ll end up in… in that kind of relationship?”
“He’d be an idiot if he still hasn’t fallen in love with you.”
“Literally almost everyone I know had a crush on you or have you forgotten already that my boyfriend’s one of those people?”
“I know for a fact that that’s true since I’ve already admitted that one of my reasons why I began bullying you back then was because I had a crush on you.”
“I must admit, I think I also had the same feeling towards you at the beginning of our friendship until I really got to know Luka and you helped us get together.”
“Oh! There’s also that. Do you actually know just how many people you’ve helped get together, buginette? Alya’s even written an article about it at the Ladyblog of how you are also known as Paris’s own cupid and how all of the couples you’ve paired ended up living a happy life together.”
“Everyone’s been saying how Ladybug’s the next best person they can go to if they ever want to find love after Andre.”
“And yet every time you try to pair yourself with someone, the magic just doesn’t seem to work.”
“So we all decided that we’ll be Ladybug’s cupid and pair her up with the boy she just can’t seem to get off of her head.”
“Now, you coming or what? I won’t be taking the money you’ll be lending me if you say no. I’m only going with these dudes if you also come or else I’ll just end up getting bored when there’s no one who can go around the city with me.”
“...”
“““...”””
“Fine. You guys win—”
“““YES!”””
“So here’s the final plan for the break. Kim, Alix, and Max will be staying in Paris for Kim’s competition, while the rest of us will be going to America doing our own stuff—”
“With you finally meeting your pen pal.”
“Yes. Alright. I’ll go and meet my pen pal. And during the break, no thinking about anything miraculous related. If ever there’s an akuma, only those who’ll be needed will go. Max will bring us to the akuma’s location and if there is anything going on that we can’t be excused of or if the fight goes longer than expected, Alix will bring us back in time making it look like we just went to the toilets, the usuals. Any questions?”
“““Non.”””
“Good. Operation: Taking a Break is good to go.”
@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@
Yay! Finally got to post it. So comments? What do you guys think and who do you think who is saying what? I know there will be new holders in S4, but I decided I’ll either make them a temp or they still don’t know the other’s identities bc of stuff, so yeah. Still thinking abt it. Adios (。•̀ᴗ-)✧
AO3: https://archiveofourown.org/works/31840603
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lunar-wandering · 3 years
Text
horseback
okay so. i may have fallen down the rabbit hole and made. an OC to ship with Wukong and Macaque-
and. i might have been encouraged and written. an entire fanfic of. Wukong teaching her how to ride a horse for fun. (and also Macaque is here too)
so uh. take....this self-indulgent stuff i guess???
i havent actually ridden a horse in like 5 years hdfkjdlkfjlsksd
---
"Could you teach me how to ride a horse?" Sel asked- and proceeded to nearly choke on her own breath laughing at the expression that came over Wukong's face. "What's with that look?"
"...I'm trying to figure out if you're making fun of me or not." Wukong said, leaning back on his cloud. "Why, exactly, are you asking me how to ride a horse?"
"Because you're the only one around here, and you're the only person I know of who has some horse experience." Sel said, before adding, "No offense intended."
"....I mean...I do know how to ride." Wukong sat up straight, pulling a bag of peach chips out of nowhere (and really, where had he gotten those, Sel had thought she and Macaque had hidden all of them during their last prank war- he better not be eating his own hair again-) and munching on them as he thought. "Why the sudden interest? Did you watch a horse movie or something?"
"I'm a selkie, Wukong." Sel leveled the Monkey King with a flat stare. "I don't exactly encounter land animals much, of course I'm curious about it."
"...You did watch a horse movie, didn't you."
"It was the only thing on TV at the time-"
-
A week later, and the both of them stood in a clearing, beside a brown appaloosa horse, Sel softly running a hand down it's neck, quietly in awe at the texture of it's fur. Wukong gave her a small smile before jumping right into the plan of the day; teaching a selkie how to ride a horse.
"Right, so first you gotta learn how to mount the horse-" Wukong took one of his hairs, creating a small step stool with it. "Since this is your first time we'll use a step stool to give you an extra boost."
"Couldn't you just lift me up?" Sel asked, getting up onto the step stool anyways.
"You want to be able to ride even when I'm not around, don't you?" Wukong asked, "It's not really that hard anyways- well, this would be easier if we had a saddle-"
"Once again, you could just magic up a saddle."
"If you can ride bareback you can ride a saddle." Wukong insisted.
"Oh, so it's like the whole driving thing- if you can drive a manual you can drive an automatic." Sel said, a smirk on her face. Wukong just looked confused.
"...I....don't know what you're talking about."
"...Wait do you not know how to dri-"
"Moving on!" Wukong interrupted, backflipping onto his cloud so that he was the same height as Sel. "Now, you can grab onto the horse's hair if you want, just try not to tug, okay? Place your hand here- yes like that- now jump up and over in one smooth motion."
"Not a very detailed explanation I see...." Sel did, but still, through some means, she managed to do get up and onto the horse.
"Alright, good- you're a little bit too far forwards though." Wukong said, and Sel scooched back a little. "Perfect- alright, now you've just gotta sit up straight!"
The glare Sel gave him was downright lethal.
"....I wasn't told there'd be posture involved here." She said, attempting to straighten her back, not doing the very best job of it.
"It's necessary- look okay, just. Raise your shoulders." Wukong said, "Now push them back to just slightly behind your ears and set them down."
Sel followed his instructions- and she had to admit, she felt a lot more comfortable on the horse now than she had before.
"Think you're ready to try moving?" Wukong asked, creating a pair of reins, as well as a long rope to lead the horse with. "Here, you've gotta hold the reins like this-"
He softly put his own hands over top of hers, and Sel smiled, holding back her want to comment on the close contact as he gently moved her hands into the right position. She'd had practice- she'd long since started tuning out how close Wukong tended to get to her. She'd never considered herself as being touchstarved, and still didn't think she was now, but the Monkey King definitely was, and she found herself feeling almost...saddened whenever he would seem to rein himself in, pulling out of hugs and leaning away from contact he had initiated, as though he was afraid she would start to dislike it. (The result of a bad experience, or the result of 500 years by himself? Sel had no idea.) Still though, she decided to welcome any form of contact with welcome arms.
Wukong must've noticed her smile though, as she could just barely see the hints of a blush on his face as he pulled his hands away.
"Uh- okay, so um, now that you've got the grip right, it's time to try moving." He said, hopping off of his cloud to stand on the ground, holding the lead in his hands. "Just- follow the horse's movements, okay? She's a pretty easy ride, not as bumpy as some horses, but you'll still want to try and move with the rhythm of the horse, okay?"
"...Okay." Sel said, and Wukong started walking, clicking his tone to cue the horse into walking as well. It was a little...weird at first, but after a bit, Sel found that she was starting to get used to it.
...She did have one question though.
"Where did you even find a horse this obedient anyways?" Sel asked, "Surely she's not wild."
"Ah- no." Wukong didn't look back at her, nor did he stop walking, and Sel couldn't help but sense that the Monkey King seemed...almost sheepish. "I- stole her from a nearby stable-"
"You what-"
"It's fine! I'm going to bring her back!" He quickly added, "The people who work there know me- it's fine."
Sel had the sneaking suspicion that it was probably not fine, but kept quiet.
-
"So am I a bonafide horse rider now?" Sel asked, after two days of Wukong helping her.
"Psh, not really." Wukong said, "I mean, you are learning rather quick, but you can't be genuinely called a true horse rider until you've fallen off your horse at least like, ten times."
"Okay???" Sel confusedly started leaning to the side, intent on sliding off. Upon seeing this, Wukong dropped the lead, the horse stopping in it's tracks immediately, as Wukong rushed to grab onto Sel's wrist, preventing her from tipping to the side.
"Not like that." He hissed, keeping his grip steady around her wrist, only letting go once Sel had righted herself. "It has to be a natural, accidental fall, the kinda thing that just happens over the years."
"..Oh." Sel said, "...It would've been nice for you to lead with that."
"I didn't think I'd have to!"
-
"Well, she's certainly picked up on this quick." Macaque said, standing beside Wukong, the two of them watching has Sel rode the horse across the field. Over the course of two weeks, she'd managed to work up to a trot (she hadn't gotten to the point of attempting a canter), and could now ride without Wukong leading the horse.
"She's a fast learner." Wukong said, "Unlike you- don't think I've forgotten how you refused to let me teach you how to ride."
"I just didn't think it was important, that's all." Macaque leaned away from Wukong slightly, noting a recognizable glint in his eyes. "...And it's still not important, I don't really need to ride at all-"
"Hey, Sel- could you come here for a moment?!" Wukong yelled, and Macaque, realizing that the other was up to something, turned around, trying to get away. He was stopped as Wukong grabbed hold of his wrist using his tail, with a surprisingly tight grip. Sel slowed the horse to a stop in front of them.
"What's up?" She asked, either not noticing or purposefully ignoring how Macaque was struggling to get out his wrist out of Wukong's grip. Wukong summoned his cloud, stepping up onto it, pulling Macaque along with him.
"I'm gonna need you to scooch back just a bit." Wukong said, and as soon as Sel had followed through- "Perfect."
He grabbed Macaque by the waist (and Macaque would firmly deny squeaking, but both Wukong and Sel knew what they had heard), lifted him up, and safely deposited him on the horse, in front of Sel. For her part, Sel immediately adjusted, wrapping her arms around Macaque to keep her hold on the reins, smirking a little at how she could feel Macaque stiffen. She couldn't see his face, but from how tense his back was (as well as the shade of pink his six ears were turning), she could gander a guess. Wukong, who was now back on the ground, holding the lead he had just created, could see the other monkey's expression though, and he outright laughed at it.
"Man- Sel, you should see his face!" He giggled, seemingly ignorant to the fact that if he was in Macaque's position he'd probably react the same way. Sel rolled her eyes.
"I don't need to see his face." She said, "I can tell by his ears just fine!"
That comment seemed to smack Macaque out of whatever stupor he'd seemingly fallen into, as in one blink, his six ears had turned back into two, the pink colour vanishing with them. Sel couldn't contain her "aw..." of disappointment, she honestly liked seeing Macaque with his glamours down. (It had taken a long time for him to even be comfortable enough to be around her with his glamours down.....she knew how much trust he was giving to her when he did so. It made her heart feel warm and fluttery on the inside- and she knew Wukong also felt the same way whenever he spied the shadow monkey with his glamours down. Still though, she couldn't fault him for putting them back up now though.)
"I hate you." Macaque hissed, and even though she couldn't see his face, Sel could just sense the glare he was giving Wukong. "I hate you both so much."
Despite what he said though, he made no attempt at getting off of the horse, staying perfectly still.
"Heh, sure, we'll pretend any of us believe that." Wukong said, and, ignoring Macaque's indignant sputtering, he turned, clicking his tongue and starting to walk, leading the horse behind him. Macaque startled, slightly off balance, and Sel pressed her arms into his a little more, to keep him from falling off.
"Relax." Sel whispered, "Neither of us will let you fall."
"Unless it's funny, of course." Wukong added, and Sel had the feeling that if her arms weren't on either side of Macaque, he would slide off the horse just to tackle Wukong.
As it was, he stayed in his position, perfectly silent.
Sel, sensing that Macaque probably wasn't really in the mood for conversation (he was probably still recovering from the shock of how he ended up in this position to be honest), let herself start daydreaming, knowing that Wukong could easily lead the horse without her needing to steer. Wukong, not willing to let there be total silence, started humming a tune that Sel couldn't quite recognize, but was still pleasant.
The moment ended as Wukong suddenly froze, the horse obediently stopping with him. Sel jolted out of her daydream from the sudden lack of movement, feeling Macaque do the same.
"...Ah." Wukong said, turning to face the both of them with a nervous smile. "Um. Sorry but uh- I may have just remembered that I. Think I promised to train with MK today?"
Macaque snorted, while Sel pulled out her phone, checking her calendar.
"...You were meant to start training with him about ten minutes ago." She said, "If you hurry up, you can probably explain it away as just having been busy with the monkeys."
Without another word, Wukong was gone, Sel feeling a slight breeze rustle her hair in the Monkey King's wake.
For a moment, both Sel and Macaque remained sitting on the horse, staring at the spot Wukong had just been standing in.
"...Sel?" Macaque asked.
"Yeah?"
"....I don't know how to get down."
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liquid-luck-00 · 4 years
Text
Consolation + The “Talk”
Bio!Dad Bruce
Day 9: Consolation and Day 10: The “Talk”
@biodad-bruce-month 
Ao3 ~~~ First ~~~ Previous ~~~ Next
This got a little long, sorry not sorry
~~~~~~~~~~
One week, one week has passed since Damian started school in Paris. One week since the tower of lies that Lila has built began to crumble and fall. 
By the beginning of the next day she had backed off all her lies about the Wayne family but she just re-doubled all her efforts on lies that included Prince Ali, Clara Nightingale, and Jagged Stone. But the tower she had built was going to fall. 
And Damian was ready to bring an end to this liar’s reign.
So you can trust that he would find a way to avenge his sister without the use of violence against her, especially in Paris, and especially knowing his father’s mantra of vengeance not revenge. But revenge is needed. So, Damian made a few phone calls. Over the course of the next week he would have enough video and audio evidence to prove his little sister is innocent. But what would really put the icing on the cake is if he could convince the principal to hold a career day or week. Granted it shouldn’t be too hard, he is the only blood son of Bruce Wayne after all. So, telling his sister that he would meet her after fencing practice he went off early in search of principal Damocles. He found the man quite simply and was it far too easy to convince the man to go to career day parents of the students will be able to come in to do you demonstrations or speeches as well as anyone else who they would like to invite.
---
Damian left for his fencing practice which left me packing up my things getting ready to leave. I was one of the last ones out so of course something had to happen. Adrien came up to me then “hey Mari can we talk.”
‘Sigh’ “If this is about the highroad again Adrien. Her lies are hurting people it doesn’t matter if you think it’s right, she’s hurting people’s futures their chances it…” He cut her off, great this is going wonderfully.
“It’s not that, well it is that but that’s not what I wanted to talk to you about.” He was stumbling over his words and she softened her expression slightly “Marinette what’s the difference between infatuation and love?”
“What?” That was not what she was expecting. This is confusing, and where was this coming from anyways. Never mind why “can you explain it to me more I’m having a little trouble wrapping my head around the question.”
He had sheepish smile and started “I. I love ladybug but I’m not sure if I love her or what she represents more”
“You don’t know if you like the idea of her more than the person who she is?” Marinette asked him seeming to understand where this conversation was going. 
“before we go even further down this rabbit hole, Adrien why don’t we meet up somewhere more private”
“why? “
Marinette simply pointed towards the door “We seem to have gained an audience”          
There at the door was Alya filming but unknown to her someone else was behind her. “Bean we have to go” Alya you jumped at the sound of Tim’s voice.
“OK Tim I’ll be out just give me a minute,” Tim nodded and left Alya having scurried off when she was found out. “I’ll text you place and time to meet up and talk further that is if you’re still confused about your feelings about this girl”
“Sounds good and thank you Marinette” he whispered as she left the room. Once she got to the car she glanced at him oh no, was the only thing that went through her mind “you look like a cat who ate the canary Tim spill” she was moving in to tickle him to get the info out. “Fine, fine, fine I give I’ll tell, but” she shot him a look. “only if you make me some coffee, today feels like an all-nighter”
“Deal! Now spill”
“Damian set up that next week there is going to be career days for the entire week at the school.”
“Okay” she nodded her head understanding where her brothers’ train of thoughts were heading. “The career week will be the perfect opportunity to expose the rest of Lila’s lies. At least that’s what you and Damian are hoping to accomplish isn’t it.”
“Mari, you do know you’re my favorite sister” Tim replied with a smirk that would rival even Damian’s.
So, the two of them got to work. Damian may think he’s clever and the most discrete out of everyone, but he wasn’t able to pull off hiding the cameras and microphones well enough that Mari wasn’t able to figure it out. This means they are going to have plenty of video and audio evidence use against the liar.
Now when Damian got home from practice the three of them really set out to destroy the liar. With all the audio evidence as well as the footage proving it was Lila speaking Marinette made several phone calls.
Jagged and Clara were both on board completely and wholeheartedly, especially after hearing what was going on. With those two she called the principal and he had agreed to keep them as a special surprise for the last day.
She called her father and he was willing to fly out to speak on one of the first days. Her father also happened to be able to get into contact with Prince Ali, and once hearing of everything that was going on, he to agree to come and speak.
Damian had called the Kent’s so Lois Lane, Clark and, and Jon were all going to come to speak, well Lois Lane in Clark were going to speak, Jon was coming to hang out with his two best friends.
Once Mr. Kent heard it was going on well it wasn’t long afterwards for Barry Allen to come to speak about forensics science, Oliver Queen to speak further on different aspects of business, and several other members of the league who seem to have fallen in love with Mari.
Everyone knew that as soon as Lila saw the names on the list, she would be tempted to spread the lies about every single one of them, so they would continue to record everything that was said in the class.
And who’s to say that a couple of the heroes may or may not make an appearance was well, but it was to be determined if Lila lied about them or not. Within the hour the three Wayne siblings knew, oh they knew this liar would not have a chance to escape. And anyone left believing her by the end of the week, well they felt sorry for those poor souls who still believe her every word.
---
After about two hours getting our allies ready for the incoming slaughter of the liar I met up with Adrien. And that was different.
“Mari” Adrien seem unsure of how to start. We had we decided it would’ve been best to meet up at the Wayne Enterprises Paris branch that way we can have a conference room to discuss it somewhere private, I won’t have to worry about people eavesdropping. Well everyone except for my brothers but it’s a price I’m willing to pay. “This is the first crush I’ve ever had, I, I don’t know…”
“Adrien I’ve known you now for about a year. You are quite honestly still sheltered. Well that’s the best way I can describe it.”
“What I’m not! I’m no?” Adrien began to stutter because that was not where the conversation was originally going.
“Adrien you are still quite sheltered. The way you think things should be handles when it comes to lies or personal space is the same way that people deal with the paparazzi and those are not the same at all. But I’m saying that because it’s normal to be confused when it comes to a crush. I had a crush on you for the longest time and was unsure how to act on it. I got to know about you a bit more and the crush well it changed.” He was looking at me shocked by my proclamation.
“How? Why? What are you mean? I’m not.” Adrien seemed a little taken back before he finally decided what he was going to say. “You said had?”
“I had the biggest crush on you until I learned you were a coward, or what seemed like cowardace. You decided that someone you didn’t know was more important than the person you claim to be a friend. This past week has shown me that you are a pacifist, not a coward, but you strive for peace with everyone. but that’s not how everything goes. I learned that about you that’s what made me move on. So what is it about this girl that makes you stay or is there something about someone else who makes you want to stay with them instead?“ He was silent he wasn’t staring at me, but he was starting off into space. He seemed to not know exactly what to say, but the thought was there. 
“Ladybug she’s my…” He was about to say something but stopped himself, almost as if he knows her as more than just the heroine. But that is not possible the only ones who interact with her while in the mask are now her family and…
“Your Chat Noir” she said it’s so calmly and as such a fact that he just stared at her calm and unblinking until the inevitable freak out which cost him to pass out. Great now she’s stuck at a conference room trying to revive her partner who doesn’t know she’s his partner. Once he finally came to, she just watched as it to make sure he wasn’t about to faint again.
“I’m not! I can’t be! I’m not superhero, that’s crazy Mari your” he was rambling. In the past month she has perfected the Batman Glare and well Adrien was getting it, because she was not believing the bullshit that was coming out of his mouth.
“Are you paws-itively certain about that Chat.” He went silent, but doesn’t know if it was because of the pun or because she called him Chat.
“How?” Adrien whispered to her.
“Well I figured it out since it seemed like you knew Ladybug more than just a hero.” She stated hoping that her identity was not compromised. “anyways Ladybug’s your partner but what were you going to say afterwards”
“she’s my partner and my best friend. She’s the person who may know me the best out of everyone, except I think that goes to you now” he began to chuckle, but it evolved into full-blown laughter and Mari couldn’t help but laugh along with him.
“You know it makes a lot of sense of your Chat. Chat is always carefree and bubbly, but he always makes sure to keep it professional. Sure, flirting in the middle of the battle isn’t the best. But knowing Adrien and Chat Noir are the same person makes the whole so much more. What’s the word complete” she muses tapping her chin.
“Ladybug is the hero Paris deserves. But I don’t think I love her. I thought I did. I thought about this a lot, I love that when I was with her, I was free. I don’t know the girl underneath the mask. But I do you know the girl beneath the mask is strong and courageous. She is undoubtably amazing. But maybe you are figuring out my identity snapped things into focus, because I love the way I feel around her. But I also love the way I feel about my friends. Thank you, Mari.”
“For what I haven’t said anything this was all you.”
“Exactly, I needed someone to hear me, and not force me into a conclusion they thought was best. And at this point you are my first true friend. Can we. Can we be friends again Marinette?”
Mari looked at him for a second and then broke into a smile. “Of course, Adrien we’re friends”
“Good now let’s bring down a liar”
---
Of course the week leading up to career week was unexpectedly full of lies, all coming out of the Italians mouth. Oh, Barry Allen yeah she met him on Central city oh Oliver Queen she once saw him at a charity event in Star City oh she’s practically Lois Lane and Clark Kent‘s daughter, Jonathan their son, is her best friend. The list goes on and on. Everyone on the left side excluding Adrien do believe every word that came out of her mouth. The three in the very back on the right side, being herself, Damian, and Chloe couldn’t contain their laughter. This usually resulted in a Alya yelling at them from laughing that of course Lila wouldn’t be lying and then defending Lila as she began to cry her crocodile tears.
The entire school was informed that the entirety of career week was mandatory and missing a single speaker would be equivalent to failing a midterm for and class, meaning there was no skipping at all.        
 Monday
Today there were three guest speakers, them being Bruce Wayne, Prince Ali, and John Stewart.
Prince Ali was the first to go up go up and just let’s just say that many people we surprised that he did not do go green charities but in fact did children’s charities called a few things in the question specifically from Rose and Mylene.
Luckily for Lila she didn’t lie much about John Stewart, who spoke of his time as a marine and about currently being an architect, but that was a short-lived victory on her part, when he showed up as the final school guest at the end of the day as Green Lantern. He gave her a speech about honesty and the importance of discipline and hard work in order to succeed.
Bruce spoke about honesty and a hard work when building a company as well as the importance of working with reputable companies and brands.
At the end of the day she had two ceases and desists, one from Prince Ali and one from the Wayne family.
On the bright side a new Wayne charity was in the works alongside Prince Ali for children’s medicine.
 Tuesday
Was Barry Allen who spoke about pursuing forensic sciences and the work he does alongside the police.  
Wonder Woman who was speaking as an ambassador of Themyscira, and way at being an ambassador entailed. 
And Mayor Bourgeois spoke on what it means to be a part of the political and legislative sectors of the government.
Again, Lila received two cease and desists from Barry Allen and Wonder Woman respectively.
 Wednesday
Went similar to the previous two. Oliver Queen spoke about ways to modify businesses and expanding them in order to change with consumers.
Wang Cheng, Marinette’s uncle, spoke and gave a demonstration of cooking techniques for the school.
Tomoe Tsurugi, Kagami’s mother, spoke about fencing and also about ableism against disability, mainly that even being blind she can hand many fencers their asses without breaking a sweat.
Lila only received one cease and desist.
 Thursday
Nora, Alya’s sister, spoke of being a professional boxer and the training she does for it.
Lois and Clark gave a joint presentation, and of course Alya wanted her idols to review her blog. And well that did not go so well for her, Lois tore her interviews with Lila apart stating she gives no further evidence and simply takes what the girl says at face value. However other interviews she did provide more links to her information which prove she is a capable journalist, but there is room to grow.
The Kent’s also presented Lila a cease and desist, luckily for Alya she hadn’t posted anything in the past two weeks since Marinette’s return about anything Lila had said, and she was glad for that right now.
 Friday
Jagged Stone and Clara started Friday with a mini concert, that included a special duet with the two artists. Jagged spoke about Rock’n Roll and the changes and subcategories of the genre.
Clara Nightingale spoke on the pop side of the music industry and how she got started at a young age, as well as her background in dance and choreography.
Gabriel Agreste was the final speaker, we’ll he was on video call actually, and spoke on the fashion industry, the standards that come with the consumer market, and the way public opinion shapes brands and companies.
Gabriel was about to log off when Jagged walked in front of the camera.
“Too true Agreste, public opinion does shape the way many of those who have spoken this past week” many don’t know this about Jagged but mess with his family and he will not hold back. “That is why you should know, your model, Lila Rossi has had a total six cease and desists field against her this past week. As un-Rock’n roll as it is Clara and I will be adding two more to that list. I will also be suing for defamation of character as well. Clara?”
“Lies and cheats, make for poor feats. I will also be suing as well for defamation of character. This has made me so mad I can’t even come up with a rhyme.” She called out to the crowd.
“So Agreste, how will your totally not Rock’n Roll model affect your business?” Jagged asked. Everyone was watching the screen for Gabriel’s reaction.
“It would seem it is best we terminated contact Miss Rossi. Also, Adrien.” The poor boy practically jumped in his seat.
“Yes”
“There will be no contact between you and Miss Rossi until we are able to discuss this further. Goodbye”
The entire school was in a shocked silence. This final day as set up so the whole school would see it altogether.
Lila began to cry until she became furious. She jumped from her seat and yelled. “You did this! You set me up! You ruined my entire empire Marinette!” She was glaring daggers at me.
“If it’s any consolation to you Lila you made me miserable for eight months. You took my friends, those I’ve known since I was practically in diapers. You made my life hell and if that’s consolation to you fine. I will also be suing you for slander and defamation of character. But just know this I have people who genuinely care for me and I’m sorry if you felt threatened by me to blame all this on me, but I don’t care about your opinion or the opinion of those who turned on me without batting an eye not anymore.” It’s so liberating to say that to them. Oh, a weight has been lifted off my chest and so I walked out of the school side-by-side with Damian, Adrien, and Chloe with my head held high. And for the first time and I can’t remember when I could breathe. They weren’t going to hold me down any longer.
~~~~~~~~~~
Just for to clear this up Marinette is the youngest out of all the children. She and Damian are the same age but he is older by a few months.
Next
~~~~~~~~~~
Taglist:
@mochinek0 @justafanwarrior @abrx2002 @ranger-gothamite @fantasiame @moonystars14 @mochegato @bigbeautifulandfullofsugar @maribat-is-lifeblood @iglowinggemma28 @miraculous-ninja @talutah0 @vixen-uchiha @danielslilangel @witchsblackfox @pawsitivelymiraculous @lizziejay @marinettepotterandplagg @colorfulmongerpsychicranch @dast218 @sassakitty @miyla-lokidottir @lilkymilky @tazanna-blythe @tired-butterfly @lozzybowe @smolplantmum @queencommonsense @loopingtangent @chez-pezeater @paintedhope7 @technicallyburninggarden @meme991001 @wannajointhecrabcult @melicmusicmagic @trippingovermyfeet @greatcatblaze @fidget-eep @miraculouslydumb @iamablinkmarvelarmy @laurcad123 @hauntedwintersweets @fc-studios @fusser90 @madking-warqueen @buginetye
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hoedameronsworld · 3 years
Text
Battle Scars
Pairing: Captain Rex x Reader
Words: 2.4K
Summary: Everything has been tense after the events of Umbara. Rex does everything to return to normal, despite the weight he carries on his shoulders of his lost brothers. Not being able to sleep, Rex goes to the training room where he finds you and the new scars on your back
A/n: hey all! Enjoy this angsty fic as Rex tries to comfort the reader. This will most likely become a series with a romantic relationship developing between the reader and Rex. Slow burn. We’ll see what happens. PS, this hasn’t been edited yet so beware.
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{not my gif}
The bed was hard underneath his back. But then again, Rex doesn’t think he has ever experienced sleeping on a comfortable bed. Not that he’s sleeping now. He hasn’t slept in a long time. Not after watching the unnecessary deaths of his brothers. Not after he stood by and did nothing to aid his men when they needed help, when they tried to warn him.
Not after he shot down his own brothers.
If he even so much as closed his eyes, he was transported back to Umbara. So he laid in his uncomfortable bed and stared up at the blank ceiling, the same as what he has done for the past few weeks. After what had happened people spoke up for better treatment towards the clone troopers and now the 501st has been granted several weeks of break. Rex simultaneously loved and hated this freedom. This break meant he was not at risk of falling asleep during important meetings or missions. However, this free time meant he had nothing to do, and when Rex had nothing to do, his mind drifted back to the darkness of his most recent mission.
Just as it did now.
Staring up at the ceiling, Rex drifted. Drifted back to the dark planet, the general gone and him and his men putting their trust in the hands of Krell. Rex sat up and placed his head in his hands. Maker, he should have done something more. He should have listened to Fives, Hardcase and Jesse. He should have put more of an effort to stand up for his brothers. He should have had the strength to kill Krell himself.
He felt the burning sting of tears at the back of his eyes. He shook his head. He was not going to cry. Not even in the darkness of his own room where only he would know. No, he would not let himself cry. Not until he was crying for unselfish reasons. Not until his tears were for Hardcase and the rest of his fallen brothers and them alone. He refused to cry for his own selfish reasons.
Not wanting to fall down the rabbit hole of his dark thoughts, Rex climbed out of his bed and changed into some shorts and a t-shirt. He was headed for the place where he now spent most of his time; the training room.
The training room was the only place he could really forget the terrors, even for just a few hours.
Everything was silent as he made his way down the white hallways. It was late, most likely the very early hours of the morning. Rex was just glad that the rest of the 501st was getting some rest.
Well that’s what he thought at least, until he arrived at the training room. As he entered, he found you - Anakin Skywalker’s padawan - already there. Based on your appearance, Rex guessed that you had been there for some time.
Rex frowns to himself at this. He doesn’t know exactly what time it is, but he guesses it to be around one or two am. Had you even gone to bed?
Rex doesn’t move or say anything, deciding to watch you for a moment. He rarely gets to see the Jedi train or battle with anything other than their lightsabers, so he is interested to see your technique as you punch at a punching bag in front of you.
He folds his arms over his chest and leans against the wall next to him. He watches you carefully and studies each of your movements. He is debating asking you to spar with him, wanting to see what you are like in action, when something changes. Your punches are no longer calculated and smooth. They are now fast, rushed and angry. Rex stands up straight as you harshly beat the punching bag in anger.
Rex is not prepared for your frustrated scream or for you to hurl the punching bag across the room with the force. The room is silent except for your ragged breathes as you try to control yourself. Rex watches as you slowly drop to the ground and sob into your hands.
He has no idea what had you so upset, he just knows that he has never seen a Jedi act this way before and that he can not leave you on your own when you clearly need some comfort.
He takes a step towards you and gently says your name. Your head snaps up to him and you hastily wipe away your tears in an attempt to hide them from him.
“I’m sorry if I woke you or something” you say, your voice shaking slightly. You stand up.
“Are you alright?” Rex asks softly. You give him a sharp nod, but the firm look in your eyes tells him that you don’t want him prying any further.
“Fine. I was actually just leaving.” You walk past him and he turns to watch you leave. He freezes at the sight of your back.
You’re wearing a sports top that shows your shoulder blades. Rex sees two large scars, one on each shoulder blade extending down and disappearing under your top. Rex has seen you in this top before and he knows for a fact that those scars weren’t there before. They are recent.
“What. Happened.” Rex says through clenched teeth. He was angry that this had happened to you, but mostly at himself. Had he been so self-absorbed in his own struggles that he was ignoring everyone else’s?
“I told you I’m fine” you snap at him.
“I meant to your back.” You freeze in your tracks at that. You turn around on the spot to face him, but you don’t look at him. This time when you speak, all your frustrated and anger was gone from your tone.
“Rex…” you began.
“Please don’t evade me. You can talk to me. Those scars… they’re new. When did… how…?” Rex doesn’t know how to ask the question, worried that it might spark a large reaction out of you.
He doesn’t get an answer. Not right away at least. Instead the tears from before begin to fall again and you let out a broken sob. Rex feels his heart crack at the broken look across your face.
Rex hurries over to you and wraps you in his arms. He doesn’t know how to comfort you or what to say. He has never been very good at this sort of thing. So, he just hugs you and remains silent as you cry into his chest. He will let you speak when you are ready to.
Eventually, your sobs fade, your tears dry up and your grasp on Rex’s shirt loosens. Rex guides you until you are sitting on the edge of a treadmill and he is sitting on the ground in front of you. He does not say anything as you wipe away your tears and sort yourself out.
You take in a large shaky breath.
“On-on Umbara,” you pause, looking down at your feet and away from Rex. “On Umbara, I tried to tell Krell that the two of us should fight alongside you, not hide at the back. He refused to listen.
“I told him that I would go the front without him, he could stay back if he wanted. He once against denied my request. When I persisted, he began to threaten me.”
Rex sucked in a breath. His eyes were trained onto your face, not leaving you at all as you told your story. Rex remembered you in Umbara. You had remained silent most of the time and never seemed to leave Krell’s side. That was until you ended up in the cells alongside a few of his brothers, having been expelled from the Jedi academy. After Krell’s death, your expulsion was never mentioned again. Rex doesn’t even think Anakin knows about it.
“He told me that if I joined you, he would have me expelled. I stood up to him and I told him to do it. To expel me. At least I know that I left having saved the lives of the 501st and not as a coward who hid behind his men.”
“But you never joined us” Rex spoke up. You look up at this, your eyes meeting his caramel brown ones.
“No I did not. He ignited his lightsaber and slashed me down my back, from my shoulder to my hip. He then proceeded to tell me that I couldn’t possibly fight while I was injured.
“I was ready to tell him that I would still go down there and fight with you, even if I was injured. And if I died? At least I died fighting with my men.
“But I didn’t.” You had started crying again. The tears silently slipping down your face as you spoke.
“I was worried that if I spoke up or went to join you, that he would injure me further. I was ready to lay down my life for you and your men, Rex, but I couldn’t fathom the idea of being hurt again by Krell. I was selfish and I stayed silent.” Rex scoots closer to and places a hand on your knee as you sob into your hands.
“You were not selfish. Not at all. You needed to protect yourself in order to protect us. You were no use to us hurt or dead. You did what you had to. That does not make you selfish. We all do what we must in war” Rex says, trying to comfort you. You don’t say anything in response to Rex’s words, just send him a sad watery smile that seems to say ‘thank you for trying, but I don’t believe you.’
“He wouldn’t let me leave his sight after that,” you begin again. “I was to always be by his side so that I couldn’t ‘go against his direct orders.’ Once we reached the base I helped distract Krell in order for Hardcase, Fives and Jesse to escape. I trusted them to do the right thing. And they did. Someone needed to stand up to Krell, and it seemed it couldn’t be me. So I supported them in doing it.
“Upon their return, Krell locked them up for going against his orders. He locked me up as well for plotting against him and aiding in clones deserting. I was to be stripped of my Jedi title. He visited me and as added punishment created a matching scar on the other side of my back.
“I contacted Kix throughout the night and got him to bring some medical supplies. He patched me up as best he could and agreed keep quiet about the whole ordeal. You know what happens from there” you concluded.
Rex stared at you for a long moment, trying to process everything you had told him. He just couldn’t believe that while he was facing his struggles, he was being completely oblivious to the struggles of the people around him. He felt terrible.
“But… I don’t understand. Why would you keep this a secret?” Rex questions, finally finding his voice.
You look at him shocked.
“I needed… I needed to do something. As a way to make up my selfishness. After the events of Umbara was revealed to the public, people started to speak up for better treatment towards the clones. I knew that as soon as I spoke up about my incident, everyone would forget about you. It was the clones that needed this moment of spotlight, not me. So I didn’t tell anyone.”
Rex is silent after your explanation. He has never been good with words and he doesn’t know what to say.
The fact that you had risked your position as a Jedi, sustained two major injuries, kept quiet about your story in order to support the clones, and then blamed yourself for everything that happened shocks Rex. He never thought that someone would go to such lengths just for the clones. All he has known is that he and his brothers are meant to be expendable. And yet here you are, before him, revealing that you were ready to give your life and everything you lived for in order to protect the lives of himself and his men.
I’m that moment, Rex realises that while he blames himself for everything that happened on Umbara he isn’t the only one with those thoughts. You blamed yourself. He is sure that Anakin probably blames himself for leaving. That his brothers blame themselves for not standing up and doing something. However, in reality the only person to blame is Krell. It was only because of Krell’s actions that Rex now found himself seated in front of you at two am trying to mend yourself and himself as well.
Rex doesn’t know how to convey this to you. Not now at least. So, he does what he can.
“See this scar here?” He asks, pointing and a narrow scar on his forearm. You nod in response.
“I got that scar while trying to rescue Fives. He got injured once and I was carrying him, in the midst of heavy fire, to safety. Or attempting to at least.
“Anyway, in my rush, I stumbled over a tree root and I dropped him as I was trying to regain my balance. I cut myself on a chink of his armour as I was picking him up again. I never told anyone that story because I know that as soon as Fives discovers that I dropped him, he will have something to hold over me. And that is way to much power I would be giving Fives.” Rex chuckles slightly as he remembers the story. You giggle along with him.
He looks up at you with a faux panicked look.
“Don’t you dare telling him that story though” he warns. You laugh again.
“Don’t worry Rex. You’re secret is safe with me” you say, making an X over your heart to emphasise it.
Rex stands up and offers you a hand, pulling you to your feet.
“Don’t worry, we’ll get through this together” he says. You smile up at him softly and wipe away the last remains of your tears.
“Thank you Rex” you whisper. He hears it though and he smiles.
“Come on. I’ll walk you back to your room.”
Together, the two of you leave the training room, a large weight having being taken off of both of your shoulders.
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renjuseyo · 3 years
Text
pinwheel (2) ; woozi
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group: seventeen
pairing: lee jihoon / reader (gender-neutral)
synopsis: even if you get lost and it takes you a while, come round and round back to me.
genre: angst with a happy ending
warnings: explicit language, mentions of alcohol
part one got good feedback so here’s part two written in jihoon’s pov :) it’s almost one am where i am so this hasn’t been proof read quite yet! but as always, feedback would be greatly appreciated! <3 you can find part one here
title inspiration: pinwheel by seventeen other songs: i wish by seventeen
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there is a time, always, when jihoon closes his eyes and sees you in the center of his world.
when you two were in a relationship, thinking about each other was a given. wondering if the other had eaten yet or what they were up to was practically second nature, though in jihoon’s case, these thoughts were accompanied by his adoration for you. sometimes he’ll catch himself picturing you beside him, laughing so loudly that you’re snorting. it isn’t anything romantic; if he’s being honest, you have one of the weirdest laughs he’s ever heard. but as weird as it is, it’s both endearing and contagious, because it never fails to brighten his day a little more.
or he’ll picture you nagging at him, probably because he’s failed to take care of himself once again, whether it be because he accidentally skipped a meal or spent more time working on a project instead of sleeping. even if you may act like a parent more than a lover sometimes, you’re really taking care of jihoon, and in some ways, you’re the best one to do it. it brings him a sense of comfort, being able to shut his eyes and make you out so vividly in his head.
now, every time he thinks of you, pictures your boisterous laugh or your nagging lectures, all he can feel is hurt. he can’t hear your laugh without hearing your cries, nor can he see you nagging without picturing your painstaking silence. he knows it’s not right, not after he left you crying in your apartment, not even sparing a glance back. he doesn’t deserve to, anyways.
not many things can change all at once, he realizes, even if it’s already been two years. he still wonders how you are doing, sometimes if you’ve moved on, even. today is one of those days, it seems, because he’s supposed to be composing a piece for a project due a week from now. but instead of pumping out poetic verse after verse like the machine he is, he’s laying in bed, staring at the plastic glow-in-the-dark stars sprinkled against the ceiling as he goes down the inevitable spiral thoughts of you bring along. he isn’t quite sure why he hasn’t taken them down, considering how memories are drenched up just by staring at them for too long. even if they provide a dim glow amidst the pitch darkness, it doesn’t make things less lonely.
when he was dating you, he was an absolute workaholic, constantly pouring his all into his projects. ironically enough, now that you’re gone, he spends his days doing nothing instead of working to distract himself. he still goes about his day as usual, but he doesn’t put work above himself anymore.
he sighs, rolling to his side. time helps some and hurts others, but he finds himself somewhere in between in a grey area. he hasn’t quite moved on from the events yet, but the bitterness he felt is replaced with a subtle dullness in his head. it’s a blank feeling, almost as if it isn’t there.
but it is, to his dismay, and he’s reminded of it every time he stares at a blank space for a little too long. jihoon isn’t one to ponder on falling outs for a long time - “everything happens for a reason,” he always says. yet here he is, in the dullest area he’s ever known, being the most unproductive he’s ever been. his friends had long given up on him; even his friend jeonghan, who might be the stubbornest person he’s ever met, has stopped pushing him to hang out with their friends now. wonwoo still tries every now and then, but that’s because he feels a sense of duty as his best friend. besides, he probably has made more progress with you than him, if seeing him drop off coffee at your place each time is anything to go by.
the thought of you and wonwoo together creeps into his mind before he can do anything about it. he doesn’t have the right to feel jealous or uncomfortable - if anything, he’s a much better fit for you than he will ever be, even if it hurts to admit. wonwoo won’t break your heart like he did, and he’s thoughtful and observant, so you won’t have to worry about expressing your thoughts. jihoon knows you could care less about physical appearance, but wonwoo is undoubtedly one of the most attractive people he’s ever met, so that’s a bonus, too. you deserve someone that brilliantly shines like the sun, like wonwoo. not someone who cowers in the darkness like the moon, like him.
but even if wonwoo isn’t the perfect match for you, he knows you’ll eventually find someone who does, because you’re just magnetic like that.
(he isn’t quite sure how long he’s spent wallowing his insecurities. but by the time he comes out of his head, he seats himself at his desk with newfound inspiration, writing i wish at the top of a new page.)
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the four years jihoon spent dating you, and the several he spent as your best friend, has undoubtedly been the best years he’s spent. it isn’t like there’s a new adventure every day, because truthfully, you two spend more time being couch potatoes together than going out and exploring the world. but the sense of comfort and security he feels with you, the one that reminds him so dearly of home, is reason enough for him to spend each day contently.
if someone asked you how your relationship worked out as well as it did, he would say it’s because of your mutual respect for each other, and the confidence you had in your love for each other. your respect probably stems from your differences; if you’re loud and energetic, jihoon is quiet and reserved. when you relish in physical touch, jihoon resorts to subtle actions. some may even say you two are complete opposites, baffled at your compatibility, though others might argue that it’s these traits that made things just... work. truthfully, jihoon would argue that there couldn’t possibly be a more compatible pair that just got each other.
with such a perfect fit, how could you two have possibly fallen apart, some might wonder? he wonders this every now and then, too, though the answer to him is clear as day. and who else is there to blame except for himself?
having faith in each others’ love is the pillar to every relationship, and by doubting his, jihoon inevitably slipped down a rabbit hole of insecurities and what-ifs. and with these came the thought of you deserving much better than what he can offer, which eventually led to the mess that was two years ago.
now, if someone asked jihoon if he loves you, he would answer yes, in a heartbeat. but if someone also asked if he had any regrets, he would answer no, in the exact same time span. you deserve someone who won’t fall down said rabbit hole, even if it hurts him to think of you with someone new. love is a powerful motivator, anyways.
(jihoon’s perched on a stool by the bar, a glass of beer in his hand. moments later, wonwoo slides himself beside him, holding a new bottle. he raises an eyebrow in questioning. “bartender said it’s for you, from the girl in the blue dress.”
he scans the crowd until his eyes drift onto someone matching that description. she holds up her own glass in acknowledgement, sending him a flirty smile. he’s a little surprised considering how he rarely stands out like this. unsure of what to do, he sends her a polite smile before looking back at wonwoo. “no thanks.”
wonwoo shrugs, taking a swig of his own bottle. “suit yourself.” the bar is densely packed with people among their own cliques, eagerly engaged in conversation. it’s loud and reeks of alcohol, but jihoon feels like he’s in his own little bubble, save for wonwoo by his side. they both silently drink their respective beverages, taking in the crowd behind them, until wonwoo turns to face him. “care to tell me why you’re here, drinking your sorrows away?”
he rolls his eyes. “i’m not depressed, if that’s what you’re asking.”
he shrugs, holding up his hands defensively. “sorry. forgot you’re all sunshine and rainbows.” there’s a quick pause, and jihoon can tell he has something to say. “you know,” he begins, swirling his drink around, “(name) asked me how you’ve been.”
jihoon can feels his lungs contracting together, but he ignores the feeling, instead intensely staring at his drink. wonwoo continues, “i said you were doing okay.” he turns his head to give him a look of confusion, since wonwoo has experienced firsthand just how “okay” he’s really been. “well, you’re doing better than (name) is,” he explains. “i just thought you might want to know.”
he looks back at his drink, biting his lip. he supposes wonwoo does have a point, because he hasn’t turned into a sobbing mess like people had thought he would be. but then again, jihoon seldom cries, and he isn’t the most expressive, so no one is really surprised. he chooses to think of you instead. did you ask to see if he was still affected? did you ask to see if he was doing better?
his thoughts are running several miles per hour, but thankfully, wonwoo has known him long enough to read his thoughts, and he almost always gets them right. “(name)’s doing better compared to a year ago, but not much has changed.” he pauses to gauge jihoon’s reaction. “you know, i don’t understand why you don’t go back. you still love (name)-”
“no.”
it’s a simple response, really, but from the sudden edge in his voice wonwoo knows better than to pry. he knows it’s because of jihoon’s insecurities and because it would be a complete dick move to ask for your forgiveness two years later. not after he recklessly split your heart in two. you deserve better than a jerk like him, anyways.
jihoon knows this, and he knows wonwoo is only asking because he’s your friend as much as he’s his. he never gets less defensive, though.)
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for someone who claims to be laid back, wonwoo sure is stubborn.
jihoon knows this, having known him since high school, yet the observation dawns to him every now and then. now is one of those moments, he notes, having been dragged out of their dorms to the supermarket. he knows fully well that wonwoo is very capable of bringing those groceries in by himself; he’s personally seen him carry two bags loaded with groceries inside without even breaking a sweat. but suddenly wonwoo, who enjoys being by himself more than normal, suddenly craves company from the very person who’s tried to stay indoors more.
“stop frowning, jihoon. you’ll get wrinkles that way,” wonwoo tells him, browsing through the shelves of cereal. “have you seen the honey bunches of oats, by the way? the almond ones.”
jihoon’s still brooding, arms tightly folded across his chest. “you wouldn’t even have to look at my face if i could’ve just stayed home,” he snaps. “and they’re to the right. you missed them a while ago.
he heads to the right as told and makes a noise of satisfaction upon finding what he needed. “come on, jihoon, you need to get some vitamin d in you. staying inside all of the time is bad for you.” wonwoo holds up a box of cereal, grinning. “see? if you weren’t here, i wouldn’t have even found it.”
"it’s night time, and your eyes can’t be that bad,” jihoon snorts, shuffling towards him. he unfolds his arms and shoves them in his pockets instead.
wonwoo rolls his eyes. “you’ve seen me run into a wall because i didn’t have my glasses. i think that itself proves a point.” touche. “anyways, i think we’ve gotten just about everything. is there anything you need?” he asks.
jihoon pauses to think of things they need. “we’re out of ramen,” he answers.
and with that, the two start pushing their cart towards the aisle of asian foods. it’s not surprising to see the shelves of ramen covered by people their age - after all, ramen is practically a necessity for college students. they make their way through the throngs of people when suddenly, one person’s cart abruptly runs into a shelf. packs of ramen fall from the shelves, and they can see someone who seems very embarrassed, bending down to pick up the fallen items as fast as possible. there are people looking at the scene, though apparently none are helpful enough to help.
jihoon makes his way towards the person, helping scoop up the variety of ramen. his eye catches sight of a six-pack of samyang ramen, and he can’t help the bittersweet smile that rests on his lips. you used to compare him to the chicken, and it was funny at the time. now it just reminds him of memories he doesn’t want to recall.
“oh my god, i’m so sorry,” he hears someone mumble beside him.
he scoops an armful of ramen from the floor and sends you a reassuring smile. “don’t apologize, you’re all right.”
the stranger turns their head so fast that it startles him, when he looks up, he decides there and then the universe really might be out to get him. like some romantic drama, his eyes connect with your wide ones, and your initial nerves seems to intensify more. his smile falls, and he’s staring at you, trying his hardest to remove any signs of emotions on his face. it seems it’s working, because he sees you look away at an impossible speed.
(he hopes you didn’t stare long enough to notice the bags under his eyes, the number of sleepless nights he’s had because of you.)
before he can say anything, you hastily throw the fallen items onto the shelf, even throwing some into your cart. you throw out a quick thank-you before grabbing your cart and zooming down the aisle at an inhumane speed. he’s left alone, crouched on the floor of the ramen aisle, probably looking like a fool with his arms full of ramen staring at an empty space with wide eyes.
as soon as the pile on the floor has been cleared, wonwoo slowly rolls his cart towards jihoon. “was that...” he glances at him to see his reaction. jihoon must have some grief stricken look on his face, because for all of his stubbornness, wonwoo drops the question like hot iron.
they roll their cart towards the cash register, silence lingering in the air. thankfully, wonwoo doesn’t question it, only asking if he’s gotten everything he needed.
he also doesn’t question the six-pack of samyang ramen that had miraculously matieralized in the cart, inserting his card into the card reader. and for all of his frugality, wonwoo doesn’t tell jihoon to pay him back, either.
when they slide into wonwoo’s car after throwing their groceries into the trunk, jihoon turns to glance at him, who’s connecting his phone to the car. “hey, wonwoo?”
he turns to face him, raising an eyebrow in acknowledgement. “yes?”
inhale on five... exhale on ten... and repeat. now that’s not something he’s had to do in a while. he isn’t sure why he feels so nervous - it’s wonwoo of all people. he’s seen jihoon through his worst moments and even lives to tell the tale about it. shutting his eyes, he sighs. “thanks.” he awkwardly rubs his thighs, eyes trained everywhere but at him. now that he thinks about it, he has a lot to thank wonwoo for. for the times he helped him get through his breakup, for the times he’s checked up on you, for the times he forced him out of their apartment, for the times he bought food and groceries for jihoon even though he didn’t need to, for the times he brought coffee to your apartment. for not giving up on him.
wonwoo shrugs, turning the keys in the ignition. “i’d rather not deal with a zombie in my apartment. you still need to pay rent, anyways.”
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jihoon’s evening is supposed to look like this: buy groceries for wonwoo and two large bottles of coke-cola for himself, order pizza for the two of them, and spend at least an hour working on his latest project. he’s gotten one of the three parts down, having just come home from the supermarket.
he has two large bottles of coke-cola on the dining table, and if he’s being honest, they’re the only things he’s looking forward to tonight. he’s in the middle of putting carton of milk and fruits in their refrigerator when he hears soft knocks on his door. huh, weird. he sure wasn’t expecting anyone, and wonwoo has keys to their apartment.
he shuts the fridge and starts walking towards their entryway until the soft knocks are suddenly replaced with urgent rapping. he jumps and pauses in stunned silence, before quickening his pace towards the door. when he peeks through the peephole, he’s relieved to see it’s only his neighbor, lee dokyeom, and not a serial killer. he’s in the year below him and is a nice underclassman - nicer than the ones he knows, anyways. sweet, patient guy. definitely not the type to knock on doors so urgently.
jihoon cracks the door open in confusion. “is there something you need?”
dokyeom nervously looks left and right as if he fears something. so perhaps the possibility of a serial killer isn’t thrown out the window, he decides. “i saw someone on the first floor who was looking for you, and they looked really aggravated. just- be careful, okay?” he whispers. before he can say anything, dokyeom scurries away and darts back into his own home.
well he’ll be damned. he supposes this does add a little zest to his mundane routine, and what screams zest quite like an aggravated person looking for him? he shuts the door and locks it before contemplating the events that could have possibly led to this. looks like pizza and his project will have to wait.
a few minutes later, jihoon hears footsteps stoming outside of his apartment. before he can ready a weapon, loud knocks echo throughout his apartment, though they’re much louder and much more aggressive than dokyeom’s. unsure of what to do, he hesitantly peeks through the peephole. when he does, he fully expects to see someone that screams serial killer material. perhaps someone with a gun or a knife, or someone wearing all black with murderous eyes. saying he’s surprised to see you standing outside of his door, angrily clutching onto a sheet of paper, is an understatement.
wait... sheet of paper?
perhaps the potential of a serial killer is better than what he’ll soon face, he decides.
mustering all of the courage in him, jihoon nervously unlocks the door and cracks it open. you’re standing before him, eyes narrowed; if looks could kill, he would be a very dead man. if he’s being honest, this is definitely not how he expected seeing you again. the fates are a funny thing.
“is there-”
“lee. ji. hoon,” you growl, grabbing the collar of his sweater. you drag him into his apartment and kick the door close before pushing him into a wall. under normal circumstances, jihoon would be very flustered. a little turned on, maybe.
but in these circumstances, he’s very nervous and a little afraid. “yes?” he squeaks.
you glare at him, pointing a finger at the sheet of paper in your hands. “what the fuck is this?” so much for small talk. he doesn’t have time to answer, because then you shove the paper in his face. it’s his final song dedicated to you, the one he had written after breaking your heart as a desperate attempt to get over you.
it didn’t work.
“funny that you should ask,” jihoon nervously laughs. “because-”
“don’t act like a smartass right now. you-” you inhale on five... exhale on ten... and repeat. “you wrote me a song like this and a letter on the back trying to justify leaving me without any answers and expect me to just take it?”
looking back, he does realize it is kind of a horrible move. just more reason why he should never get back together with you, because as much as he yearns it, he doesn’t deserve to. “no, i suppose not.”
his nerves quickly disappear when he sees the look of hurt that washes over your face, all traces of anger gone. now he just feels his heart dropping all the way down to his toes. “i thought you left because you didn’t love me anymore.” your voice is quieter, a stark contrast from your yelling, though it’s the way your voice wobbles, the way it sounds so fragile that stands out to jihoon. he can feel the two years of grief hitting him in all directions, seeing you so hurt. “you just disappeared from the face of earth. why?”
you know the answer, having read his letter and analyzing the lyrics of his song. but you’d take the words out of his mouth than on paper any day, no matter how unreliable. jihoon can only give you his guiltiest look, though it can’t even begin to compare to the guilt eating at his heart. he doesn’t respond immediately, frozen in place. the silence hangs heavy between them, and he swears this is all a dream. because you aren’t real, standing before him, begging him for answers.
but the sharp inhale that leaves your mouth is a harsh reminder that this is reality. he’s the one who hurt you as you struggle to keep your composure.
“i’m not good enough for you,” he begins. “i don’t...” inhale on five... exhale on ten... and repeat. “i don’t love the way you do, with your need to touch and for constant assurance. i can’t easily hold your hand or easily tell you i love you, because as blunt as i am, it’s so, so hard for me to just go out and say it. you fall into step with people like soonyoung so easily, because they don’t shy away from touch like i do. and you both can say you love each other without batting an eye and still be genuine about it. but i can’t do any of those things.”
he doesn’t give you a chance to speak. he’s already spiraling down a rabbit hole, too deep to come back out. his secret’s already out, so there’s no stopping it. “i’m not good at expressing how i feel, a complete contrast from you considering how you practically wear your heart on your sleeve. you deserve someone who’s love comes in the form of warm touches and firm affirmations, the same way you love people. i don’t want you to adjust the way you express love just because i can’t.” he doesn’t realize he’s crying until he feels something wet roll down his cheeks. you’re just as surprised as he is, because he rarely cries. “you deserve better.”
his final words have some sort of domino effect on you, because as soon as he says them, you march straight up to him and squish his cheeks together as hard as you can. he makes a muffled noise of confusion, staring at you with startled eyes.
“you...” you’re already shedding tears, but it’s the fierce look in your eyes that catches his attention. “you stupid, fucking, dumb idiot!”
you’ve always had a colorful vocabulary. “who are you to decide who’s good for me and who isn’t? mind you, i’m only a month younger than you, and i’m quite capable of making my own decisions!”
you continue, “i’m not dumb, jihoon! i was your best friend before your lover, you dumbass! i know better than anyone how much you hate physical touch and how hard it is for you to put your feelings into words! do you think i jumped into this relationship completely forgetting that?” you don’t even try to hide the way your voice cracks anymore. “i’m in love with you because of how stupidly organized you are. i’m in love with you because you feel emotions more deeply than others. but what really made me decide to pursue you is the fact that you never tried to change yourself for anyone! so what happened?” you sob, loosening your hold.
jihoon’s heart clenches. “i thought... having to adjust to fit what i felt comfortable with discomforted you. i thought you would’ve been happier-”
“YOU MADE ME THE HAPPIEST, YOU DUMBASS!!” you yell. “do you not realize that this whole time, these are all things you thought? because you never once tried to talk to me about how you felt?” you let go of him and walk away, turning your back on him. “the only way we can ever resolve issues like these is if we talk things out. i know you don’t like to, jihoon, but look what the alternative did to us.” you gesture at the state you two are in: crying, guilty messes, letting lack of communication completely derail your relationship.
perhaps this was what wonwoo had been trying to tell him all along: communication is key. he realizes this too late, now standing in his apartment with your heart in his hands, and his in yours. the guilt of taking the initiative all by himself without consulting you and the fact that even after everything, you can still confidently say that you love him, is so overwhelming that his knees buckle and he slides onto the ground, tears silently falling down his cheeks. you really were right when you called him a stupid idiot and more. he deserves all of those names and tenfold for doing this to you.
a silence hangs in the air, and he wonders if you’ve gone, too afraid to look up. a part of him wants you to stay, though he can understand if you left. you deserve that much. but then you slide onto the ground before him with matching tear stains, and you cup his cheeks. it’s a silent question of consent, and he closes his eyes, letting himself sink into your hands.
you lean in and rest your forehead against his. it’s warm and makes him feel a fuzzy feeling he hasn’t felt in a long time. “you’re really fucking stupid,” you murmur. “what were you thinking?”
“of you,” he whispers. he can feel your breath fanning against his face.
“obviously not, if we had to take a detour to get to where we are now,” you respond. “you’re lucky i love you.”
at this, jihoon opens his eyes and removes your hands from his face, standing up. even after unnecessarily breaking your heart, even after making these decisions himself?
you’ve known jihoon long enough to read him, even if he prides himself in being a closed book. “i’m still very pissed, and i’m not stupid enough to just jump into a relationship and forget everything that’s happened. but...” you stand up and take a step closer to him. it’s careful and precise, like how you’ve always taken care of him. “you jump, i jump?”
it’s something you two always say when you’re about to do something stupid. you and jihoon are an inseparable pair; even if jihoon is the logical one of you two, he’ll still find himself being roped into another one of your reckless shenanigans. he can still remember the one time in middle school you were trying to get a very scared jihoon to ride a newly opened roller coaster at the amusement park you two had gone on for a field trip.
“i would rather keep my remains, thanks,” he remembers saying.
but you’re stubborn personified, and you’re very firm on having your partner-in-crime beside you. “you jump, i jump?” you had asked.
he knew you wouldn’t push him if you really knew he couldn’t do it, but apparently you just know what things he can do, given the right push. that push comes in the form of that phrase, because then he finds himself climbing onto one of the seats, nervously clutching onto your hand.
but this isn’t middle school anymore, and jihoon knows even with these cleared up misunderstandings, it’s going to take a while for both you and him to assimilate yourself into a proper relationship.
yet he’s never wanted anything so badly anymore. he’s yearned for your smile, your laugh... you, for too long, and he would be a fool to give up this second chance. he takes a step towards you and laces your fingers together. he seldom touches anyone like this, and he can tell you’ve missed it, tightening your grip. “you jump, i jump,” he repeats with more confidence.
everything’s a little blurry, probably because of the tears in both of your eyes, but the one thing that’s clear to him is when you dive into his arms, burying your head in his chest. the last time you had done this, he left with your heart in his hands.
jihoon wraps his arms around you. “i’m so sorry,” he mumbles, burying his head on top of yours. “i got a little lost on my way here.” it’s supposed to be a lighthearted joke, though he can hear you sniffle.
“you came back to me,” you quietly laugh, a little unable to believe that you’re in his arms again and that this isn’t just a dream. your voice is wet and raw from crying and yelling, but jihoon’s never heard a prettier sound. “that’s all that matters.”
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itsmeevie01 · 3 years
Text
A Moment in Time- Ch 11
MASTERPOST
wow, this took a while! in all honesty? it was the effort it took to get back inside Tim's head. moving on, please check the A/N at the end, for the rest of the going ons and comments on the...cannon compliance. or lack of, therefore. a warning? I threw cannon out the window before I started. oh! and this ch mentions kind of vague suicide? so, if that's a trigger, skip the headlines about Adrien. (don't worry, I haven't killed him..yet)
While Marinette was giving Adrien a heart attack, across the ocean, the girl was also giving Tim Drake one.
It had been almost 24 hours since he had heard from the very prompt Marinette. After their last email, he had gone to bed. When he had woken up the next day, he had lunged for his computer only to find that his inbox sat empty. When he had checked it again after his first coffee, Tim was again disappointed.
After that, he had set his inbox to notify him if something from his friend came in.
Now, as he sat in his car after work, Tim anxiously hovered his finger over the email icon. He had stayed late to distract himself and had fallen asleep at his desk.  It was 11 at night, and his phone had gone off with a call from Alfred. The butler had been trying to get in contact with him, concerned that he had been kidnapped again.
Hesitantly, Tim thumbed his way into the drafts of his email and looked over the top one.
Marinette,
I apologize if you feel that I have overstepped in the past 24 hours. I truly did not intend to find out from Jason. I had intended to ask you when you came for the Gala.
I know that we usually average 2-3 emails a day, but I wanted to give you some space to process if you needed.
I look forward to you joining us in Gotham, in a few weeks. I know that with all that is going on with Hawkmoth, you must be relieved to leave the city for some time. Alfred will probably reach out, but I was wondering if there was anything we could do to make your stay more enjoyable? Times around the galas are always a bit hectic, and I don’t want to make your life any more difficult. On another side note, will you be traveling alone? International travel can be quite hectic, especially if you are flying somewhere new.
It turns out that my father’s company likes to throw curveballs, and I will be flying to Paris in the next week. If you have time, maybe we could sit down and talk?
I was reading back through our emails and realized that you may not have heard. Jason and Gina have left on some sort of adventure. The only thing that they said was that we should start checking Italian news. Do you have any idea what that may be about?
I hope to hear from you soon.
-Tim
P.S. is the offer for the super coffee recipes still open? Those coffees are sounding more and more appealing.
After hesitating one more time, Tim hit send and watched as the message disappeared from his screen. With a sigh, the teen turned his car on, and made his way out onto the late-night streets of Gotham.
When he rolled out of bed the next morning, Tim blindly reached for his phone. Before he could open his email and look for a message from Marinette, a notification caught his attention.
ITALIAN GANG EXPOSED AS ROOT OF GOTHAM DRUG ISSUE
Rolling his eyes, Tim opened that headline. There the story went into more detail and the young CEO was able to see his older brother’s fingerprints all over the discovery. At the end, it mentioned two ‘biker vigilantes’ who had ridden through town and mostly done what they could to defend those who needed help. The author noted that the duo was gone by the time the gang had been brought to justice. It was rumored that they had been the ones to take the gang down.
With a roll of his eyes, Tim sent Jason a screenshot of the story and a good job, before flipping to his email.
There, sitting at the top of his inbox was…nothing from Marinette. A frown worked its way onto Tim’s face as he refreshed his email again. When nothing came up, he moved to his computer. As he navigated to the French news site he had bookmarked Tim reminded himself that there were heroes in Paris and that there was nothing to worry about.
He quickly revised the thought as he looked at the top headline.
ADRIEN AGRESTE MISSING.
The next one read very similarly.
GABRIEL AGRESTE CLAIMS SON RAN AWAY! IS HE HIDING THE INNER BEGINNINGS OF SCANDAL?
With a click, Tim opened another news site based in Paris.
A MOTHER’S SUICIDE. A SON’S DISAPPEARANCE. A FATHER’S ABUSIVE NATURE. AN UNFILTERED LOOK AT THE AGRESTE HOUSEHOLD FROM AN INSIDE SOURCE.
Worry settled in the pit of Tim’s stomach. If there were legitimate news sources running this kind of thing, something must be going on. Marinette hadn’t mentioned anything about the boy, and most likely they weren’t friends. Hell, they probably didn’t even know the other existed. He tried to brush off the headlines as the media overdramatizing things again. However, his gut just wouldn’t let him.
With a sigh, Tim opened a separate tab and set up his computer desk for the long haul. He was going to dig into the Agreste kid. After he checked on Marinette.
It had been a lot easier to find what he was looking for than he expected. Within the first hour, Tim had tracked down the people Adrien was close to because of his father and moved onto the boy’s school friends. When he had pulled up the school the missing teen attended, Tim froze.
It was the same Lycée that Marinette attended.
In a flurry of typing, Tim pulled up the school records. There was Marinette. A few familiar faces. And then…there! in the same class was the missing blonde boy. As the young vigilante stared at the class roster, Tim felt his stomach sink. Adrien and Marinette were in the same class.
While Bruce had shrugged off the worry that Tim had, the teen knew that he had a valid concern. There was a sinking in his gut, a tightness that he couldn’t explain. All Tim knew was that this connection between Adrien Agreste and Marinette was going to change the situation in Paris, drastically.
It was at three in the morning when Tim’s email box binged.
The teen’s head was resting on the keys, his arms slack at his sides. On the screen, where the cursor was blinking a line of unintelligible letters was running. As the bing went off again, louder, and Tim jerked up in surprise and blinked owlishly at the screen.
He had begged off patrol in favor of looking into a ‘case’. He had spent the entire evening camped out at his desk digging further into all things Paris. On one window, he had the files he was compiling on the names that kept coming up, while in another he monitored three different news sites known to report on Akumas. In one of the windows that was hidden behind piles of rabbit holes, was a file with one line typed
         MARINETTE DUPAIN-CHENG
As understanding ran over his face, Tim opened a new window and clicked into his email. There, waiting for him at the top of the inbox was an email from Marinette. 
Tim,
 I am so sorry that I disappeared! One of my friends had a family emergency and I have been spending time with him helping with the fine details.
I appreciate the apology, but I can’t really blame you when Jason was being an idiot. It feels good to know that you now understand why and how Jason and I know each other. As for my older brother, last I heard, he was coming back to Paris on his way to Germany. He promised to be back in Gotham in time for the annual Holiday Gala.
You mentioned that you were coming to Paris before the Gala? Is everything ok? I would enjoy meeting you if there is time. Of course, much of my schedule will be revolving around finals, so maybe an ice cream break would be in order? Let me know when you arrive, and we can make plans!
That reminds me, I won't be on my computer much and I've been enjoying talking with you. If you want, you can text me at XX-XXX-XXXX-XX.
Have a good day,
~Marinette
P.S. I was going to send you the coffee recipes, but it would be better if I gave them to you in person!
Tension ran out of Tim’s shoulders as he reread the email. Marinette was ok, she didn’t hate him. but, as the teen reread his friend's (were they friends?) email, he realized that there was something off with her email. He couldn’t pinpoint it, but the young vigilante chalked it up to his exhaustion.
With a sleepy smile, Tim clicked out of his email and stood from the desk. A moment later, he was tumbling into bed. For once, he was asleep before his head hit the pillow.
As Bruce Wayne climbed the stairs to the upper levels of the Manor, his eyes caught on a computer bag that had been left in a nook off the stairs. With a small smile, the billionaire picked up the bag and collected the notes that had been left from whenever Tim had last worked there. it was late, and the teen had begged off patrol tonight to work on his own projects in preparation for his trip to Paris. At this time in the early morning, it would be hit or miss whether he would still be awake. Many times, when Bruce would check on Tim, the teen was passed out at his desk or on his bed surrounded with projects.
Bruce knew that Tim was working himself to the bone before his trip to Paris. The teen had dug into the supervillain problem that Jared Stone’s niece had mentioned to him. Bruce really hoped that Tim hadn’t put together that Jason was related to the girl, because that could cause problems within the family. Not because of the actual connection, but the secrecy that he and Jason had used to handle it.
With sending Tim to Paris there was a certain media risk. The only reason that Bruce was willing to risk the media was the fact that his son was the most informed on the supervillain situation. That, and there was actual clean-up work that needed to be done after finding corruption in their Parisian office.
As the billionaire cracked open Tim’s door, a smile crossed the man’s face. The teen was curled up in bed, his desk cluttered with work, his computer still running. His shoes were kicked off to the side, and his skateboard was leaning against the wall by the closet door. At the end of the bed was his carry-on, open and partially packed. At the top of the bag, just visible from the door was a box that had been wrapped. In Tim’s (surprisingly elegant) script was the name ‘Marinette’. Bruce studied the box for a moment, before shaking his head and nothing to ask Tim in the morning.
Leaving the door cracked, Bruce stepped into the space and put his son’s bag and cacophony of papers on the top of his dresser, where he would look when it was time for him to pack his bags in the morning. With one last glance at the sleeping teen, Bruce closed the door to let the boy sleep.
Skater Tim? Skater Tim.
hiiiiiiiii! I'm back! what did you think of the look back into Gotham? I wanted to do something that would look at things from outside the little bubble of Mari and Tim, so we got some Bruce time. am I keeping Bruce as a good dad? yes, I am. I think that *technically* Tim didn't get adopted (I looked it up, but dudes, I got every version of yes and no out there. if ANYONE KNOWS FOR SURE, LET ME KNOW.). ANYWAYS I decided that I was throwing out any and all cannon early on, so if you know what the official version is, lmk, but it's really only so that I have references to work off of for character references.
now that we are expanding the miracusquad, should Tim get a Miraculous? which one? also, the reason that Mari is kinda...distant, is because she is planning on how to kick hawkmoth's ass.
Luka is getting his miraculous soon! will I actually follow cannon for once? Nobody knows!
tag list!  @moonlitceleste @redscarlet95 @ultimatetornshipper @mochegato @liquid-luck-00 @maskedpainter @trippingovermyfeet @nathleigh @m0chick0furan @susiej1118 @t1dwarrior-of-earth @sassakitty @remy-289 @solangelo252 @corporeal-terrestrial @woe-is-me0  @toodaloo-kangaroo
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