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queen-scribbles · 6 months

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The Long Burning Torch ch 8

Alright, here we go, continuing what might be (rip) the longest day of Xaeryn's life for my @shepherds-of-haven 20's AU. (And a big thanks to @emeraldgreaves for code diving for me again <3)

Wordcount: 8,350~

---

Xaeryn's knee-jerk instinct was to correct 'abducted, not kidnapped'. As if that made a lick of difference to the fact Red was gone because someone had taken him.

Closely on its heels came Sun above, this is my fault. It wasn't as if Red was involved with anything else that had even a sliver of a chance to put him in danger; it had to be the research he was doing for her, or something else related to the case.

She shook off both thoughts and made herself focus. Panic wouldn't help Red. Her detective skills might. Would. "Could I see his office?"

Pan gave her a concerned look--probably heard the slight break in her voice. "Xaer, are you...?"

"Crying about it won't find him any faster," she said brusquely, squaring her shoulders. "But if those responsible" --for abducting him--"left any clues, especially if there's something I could use to help scrying..."

He nodded, an understanding gleam in his eye. "I think security's done and didn't find anything to make them suspicious, but you deal with this sort of thing more than they do, so if you wanna take a gander..."

He gestured toward the office, then followed a pace or two behind her, hands shoved in the pockets of his trousers. He didn't say anything and let her take in the scene.

It looked the same, roughly, as the last time she'd visited, just sans one tall, charming headmaster to greet her with an easy smile and warm green eyes. It almost offended her that Red's office looked the same without him in it, which was silly.

But it looked the same. There were no signs of a struggle or a fight.

Xaeryn traced a finger along the edge of the desk, smiling slightly at the trio of books half on top of each other, the stack of six more haphazard next to the chair, the charcoal grey suit jacket hanging off one corner of the chairback. It was the sort of space she could guess belonged to Red Antiqua without ever seeing him in it.

The books open on the desk were familiar ones; Jalis desert tribes, pre-Castigation artefacts. The research he'd offered to recompile for her. She stared at the desk and chairs for a long moment.

"... a girl does need a job eventually, and I’ve always loved a good mystery.”

“Or even a bad one..."

She didn't like how hard it was to focus on the task at hand; she was behind the eight ball enough without getting distracted by their bull sessions here over the past sennight--

She straightened.

"Ryn? You need to leave?" Pan asked.

Xaeryn shook her head. "I'm fine," she said, voice steady. "There are books on the chairs."

"Yeah, that's Red for you." Pan shot her a questioning look. "You know the man's borderline incapable of putting away books he 'might need later', even if later turns out to be two months down the road."

She couldn't help a small laugh. "No, I do know that. The books are still on the chairs. Whoever took him didn't try to be chummy and draw out their visit. When he has company that's staying, he moves the books so they have somewhere to sit. So this was quick in and out, no signs of struggle, and they didn't try to play coy. This was a mission."

God help her, it was hard to stay and sound detached about this.

"Well, night watchman says he didn't hear or see anything odd and he's always been honest and faithful in doing his rounds. He does stay on the first floor, though, as there's no other access to up here than the lobby, and there's another watchman outside." Pan crossed his arms, looking thoughtfully around the office. "So either they knew his schedule, got blazing lucky, or... didn't come through downstairs."

"If they didn't come through downstairs, maybe they had a Traveler," Xaeryn mused. "But it would be a gamble to translocate into an unfamiliar space as small as an office." She frowned.

"Maybe they just scaled the outside of the building," Pan suggested. "Wouldn't take more than an hour of waiting to gauge the outside watchman's rounds."

"And figuring out which window would be unlocked?" Xaeryn countered, just to see how far they could follow this possibility.

Pan's eyes narrowed, and he swore under his breath before darting down the hall. She arched a brow at the abrupt departure and resumed examining the room until he returned.

"The corner office," he said, scowling. "It's unoccupied right now, so we use it when we need a break. Sela's always smoking charch in there, and then Bart opens the window to get the smell out but he never remembers to close it all the way. And if the door's mostly shut, you wouldn't see it from the hall. Hael."

"Even if we accept that theory for how they got in, how would they make a clean sneak with Red?" she pointed out. "He'd either be struggling or..." she wrinkled her nose at the phrasing even as she said it. "...dead weight."

Pan ran a hand through his hair, rubbed the back of his neck, and eventually shook his head. "Search me."

Xaeryn mulled it over for a bit, looking at the other books on Red's desk, smiling at the scraps of paper sticking out to mark pages. "What if... both idea are right? They came in through the window, but translocated out? Their hideout would be a familiar destination, thus safe to Travel to. It's an effective way to get an... unwilling or unconscious companion somewhere without much fuss."

"That means there probably were only one or two of them..." Pan sighed, worrying his lower lip between his teeth. "I offered to help him. With getting things together for you. I already know some of the details and I can keep my mouth shut. He said it was fine; this sort of thing is fun. B'sides, it wasn't like he minded doing it for you--"

Her heart squeezed. "He said that?"

"No, but, Xaer" --Pan arched a brow at her-- "I know both of you well enough to read between the lines."

She couldn't argue that. "How many times do I have to remind you you can call me Red?"

"Anyway, if I'd stayed, and there were only a couple of these toughs, maybe... maybe it would be an attempted kidnapping."

Xaeryn shook her head. "Depends how badly they wanted him." Her conversation with Briony and Darius was too fresh in her mind. "You might also be hurt or dead, and that's the last thing he'd want. Or that I want."

"Good point." He sucked the inside of his cheek. "Why would someone want Red that badly, Xaeryn? Is this... because of your case?"

"I think so." She winced. "I just don't know what part of his involvement would make him an appealing target." She hugged her arms in close against her chest. "If it was something specific or just because we were seen together and the people I'm after thought taking him would... hurt me."

They weren't wrong.

"I don't want to know all of what's going on, Ryn," Pan sighed, "but if that's the case, these sound like some pretty nasty brunos to mess with."

"They are." No point sugarcoating it.

Pan didn't reply, just leaned against the wall sucking his teeth as he watched her.

Xaeryn circled the desk again, hoping desperately for something that would be a clue or--

A curling corner of notebook paper peeked out from under one of the open books on the desk. She shifted the tomes aside and found a whole sheaf, covered front and back in sprawling notes. He'd even written in their shorthand, which made a small smile tug her lips despite the circumstances.

"He got a lot down," she muttered under her breath, the familiar shorthand making something twist in her chest. I hope you're okay.

"Yeah, I think he foisted his class on someone else so he could just work on this all day." Pan pushed off the wall and approached. "Not a shocking twist."

Xaeryn looked up from the paper, brow furrowed but didn't rise to the bait.

Pan, however, was undeterred. He sat back on the edge of the desk, giving her a skeptical look. "You two have always been thick as thieves, but it made him a special kind of dizzy to have you come waltzing back into our lives, y'know."

The twist in her chest went tighter. "I didn't know, actually. But it's always wonderful to reunite with old friends."

"Uh-huh. Old friends." Pan studied his nails a moment, then looked back at her with brows arched. "And what happened between you old friends the night of the gala to make him not say a gods-blessed word the whole way back to the hotel?"

Her fingers tightened, crinkling the paper. "That doesn't seem like a relevant line of inquiry, Panrachus," she said, gaze fixed on the page before her.

"It is to me," he countered with a knowing smile. "Maybe something in there relates to why he got nabbed."

She didn't like that thought. Even more than she disliked Pan's prying. "Nothing happened at the gala."

"And after?" Pan asked pointedly.

"...I might do something dreadfully improper."

"Also nothing." It came out sharper than intended. Thanks to your timing. Xaeryn cleared her throat. "Beyond what you already knew; I got jumped on my way back and Red helped patch up the result of defending myself." She waved the bandaged hand as proof. "I'm glad he was there; it would've been a nightmare to do alone."

"Mm-hm."

She shot him a narrow-eyed look. "Why do I feel like you don't believe me?"

"I dunno." Pan gave her a look that spoke volumes. "Do you feel like part of it shouldn't be believed?"

She looked him dead in the eye. "Nothing. Happened."

"Alright, I believe you," he shrugged. A beat. "Did you want it to?"

The whole messy torrent of emotions she been damming up since that night surged in her chest. God help me, yes.

She was saved from a moment of naked vulnerability by something gleaming on the desk, down among the books and paper. She dug for it and came up with an earring, amber bead transfixed on a small gold hoop.

"Hello there," she murmured, cradling the jewelry in her palm. "Last I checked, Red wasn't one for earrings."

Pan shook his head. "And he's the only one who's been in this office since we got back from Haven..."

There was always the chance it came from a student who'd visited prior to that, but it was the only lead she'd found. Xaeryn did not want to dwell on what she'd do it it was a dead end. If it was her fault he'd been abducted, the least she could do was save him, too.

No time like the present, she told herself, and with a deep breath sat in Red's chair. Part of her would rather have her full focus for a scry, but she didn't want to wait the two hours it would take to drive home. There was a driving, itching need to do something now. She pulled out the small bronze dish from her handbag. Scrying with so small a focus would give her a fearsome headache, but she didn't care if it let her find Red.

Pan watched from the other side of the desk, lapsed into anxious silence.

Alright, you bastard. Her hand curled around the earring. Where are you?

Scrying on the present was like sticking her head in a shallow pond to see what was on the bottom--blurry or shadowed at the edges, but she could pick up the detail she was after.

This time, however, was like trying to dive into a frozen lake.

She could see the potential for a vision, but slammed into something that blocked her from reaching it. Dead air.

Xaeryn broke the attempted scry, heedless of the dull ache starting at her temples. "No, no, no..." she mumbled, looking around the room.

"Xaer?"

"It didn't work," she said sharply. At least that confirmed the earring didn't come from a random Solhadur student, but that wasn't worth beans if she couldn't use it to find him.

Her gaze lighted on the jacket hanging off his chair and she seized it, fingers curling in the charcoal grey fabric as the smell of dusty books and his cologne filled her nose. She stared fiercely at the scrying focus, daring it not to work.

Dead air, again.

Her heart lodged in her throat and she tried to push it back down. Think this through logically, Xaeryn. It can't be coincidence, this implies it is indeed the people who have the Torch--Kaza and his allies--who took Red. They clearly have a VERY good Binder laying wards. Maybe Neon would know something; Pan said he's working in Haven now, I could ask--

"-ryn." From Pan's tone he'd repeated her name a few times at this point.

"I can't see him, either," she admitted, numb at having to say the words aloud.

"So... what next, then?"

What, indeed. There had to be something else. Something she could do, someone she could talk to. She couldn't be powerless, not now, not for this. She fought the desperation tightening her chest. Calm. Panic will only cloud your mind, and how will you help if you aren't thinking straight? It took a few moments of sitting in silence, absently rubbing the fabric of Red's jacket between her fingers as she forced herself to follow her advice.

"Well," she finally began, "given I got the same result attempting to look for Liefred or the earring's owner as I do for Solimer's Torch, it's likely they're together. It's the only times I've had this happen when I scry, so I feel it's a logical assumption. I have Thieves Guild in Haven keeping an eye out for unusual activity in Ashtown--the most likely hiding place for these hooligans. I can see if they noticed anything since I last spoke to them. Having a..." Hostage? prisoner? "...person to stash in the same building might've stirred some some activity."

"All the way back in Haven?!"

"That is where my prime suspect currently resides," she pointed out. "And I have an appointment with a pair likewise working against him; maybe they saw something helpful if the Guild didn't."

Pan sucked his teeth a moment, then cracked a small, wry smile. "Red would have a heart attack if he knew you'd made a deal with a Thieves Guild."

"He can fuss over my choices til he's blue in the face, long as it means he's safe," she retorted, pushing to her feet. "I'll ring with updates, do you have a direct number?" She scribbled it sideways up Red's notes as Pan rattled it off, collected her scrying focus to tuck that and the earring in her handbag. Maybe later she'd have better results than just a headache.

"Maybe I should come with you. Just back to Haven."

Xaeryn shook her head, resting a hand on Pan's arm. "Just in case the security teams figure something important, if you're here you can pass it along."

His expression said he saw through the excuse to keep him somewhere safe, but he nodded. "Fine."

"I'll be in touch," Xaeryn promised. She hesitated to return the suit jacket. "Do you think he'd mind if I keep this? To try again later."

"Not a drop," Pan said, shaking his head. "Find him, Xaer. And be safe, huh? I don't want to lose one friend, let alone two."

She nodded, not pointing out those request may well turn out mutually exclusive, and headed for her car.

---

Her head was awhirl the whole drive home, but she didn't have time to puzzle it out--or speak to Thieves Guild--when she got back. She was cutting it close on making her meeting with Briony and Darius. One-God willing, they'd know something that would help tie King Kaza to Red's abduction, or at least gotten something pointing to where he had stashed the Torch.

Xaeryn parked, made a brief visit to her office to lock the notes and earring in her desk, and headed briskly for the meeting. She turned the corner just in time to catch a flash of green hair as Darius ducked into the curiosities shop.

While smart not to visit the café so soon, especially since he and Briony rather stood out as customers, it made Xaeryn wish she'd warned them of the shop proprietor's eccentricities. Chandry was harmless but... off-putting to some, and Darius didn't seem the type to handle off-putting well.

But she had bigger concerns now. Xaeryn took a deep breath as she pulled open the door, but there was only so much her nerves were willing to ease.

Darius wasn't immediately visible when she entered, but he found her quickly enough. "You look riled, miss lady detective."

Xaeryn flashed a flat look for his tone. "It's warranted. Where's Briony?"

He craned his neck to look around the store. "Either on her way, or I guess she couldn't breeze on his majesty." His eyes narrowed. "You don't look happy 'bout that. What's tricks?"

She looked down, pretending to browse the curiosities on offer. "A friend of mine was abducted. I'm of a mind it's connected to our... suspect; this friend was helping me with research on the Torch."

Darius frowned, playing with a dinged up first aid kit. "That's the only connection?"

"I don't need anything else," Xaeryn hissed. She dropped the charch pipe she hadn't really been looking at. "He's a professor, for Heaven's sake! The only thing remotely dangerous he's tied to is this!" She gestured between them. "I wanted to ask Briony if she'd noticed anything in King Kaza''s behavior or visitors that might help me narrow down when he was... taken."

"We need to find the Torch," he growled in an undertone, "not your sweetheart."

"Friend," Xaeryn corrected tartly--and far too quickly, even she heard it.

"Can I help you find anything?" Chandry's arrival had been so quiet it made Darius flinch, whatever remark he was about to make lost in staring at the garishly made up--or painted, Xaeryn had never decided which side of the line it occupied--face of the shop's owner and namesake.

"Not today, Chandry," she said with a small shake of her head. "Just browsing."

"In that case... make sure you look at the new arrivals," Chandry said, patting the rolled up rugs on a nearby table. "And, smart as you are, maybe you can help me with something." He leaned forward, elbows braced on the topmost rug.

It was the fastest way to get their relative privacy back, and he had saved her from a rather embarrassing turn of conversation, so Xaeryn indulged him. "Oh?"

Chandry grinned. "I've been having a wonder this morning. Which streets," he began conspiratorially, " would have the most ghosts on them, do you think?"

Xaeryn pretended to mull it over, though the answer was obvious, even tapping her finger to her chin dramatically. "I guess it would be... dead ends?"

He all but clapped in his enthusiasm. "Correct!" A flourishing bow. "I shall leave you to your shopping." He bounded off.

"Took long enough," Darius grumbled.

"Chandry's not so bad," Xaeryn said defensively. "You just need to know how to talk to him." There are benefits to being on his good side. But they were here for a purpose. "Back to the matter at hand, I am aware of your deadline; I'm fairly sure my friend's being held in the same place as the Torch."

"What makes you so sure?"

"I can't scry on him, either!" She bit her lip. "It's the same dead air feeling as trying to do so with the Torch, and it's something I've never encountered before, so it seems a logical conclusion."

"Hm," Darius grunted. "Y'know, if Jarkyth sent the brunos who grabbed your friend, there might not be anything to glean from Ackshin."

"I thought about that. D'you know if either of them employ Diminished? Aside from Briony."

"A few, I think," he shrugged, "but you'd have to ask Bry for specifics. What about your friend; he a Mage? Put up a fight?"

"He is, but his specialization is Conjuring, translocation, not combat."

"If he's a Traveler, why-"

Xaeryn held up a finger to cut him off. "I'm trying not to think about that. None of the answers that spring to mind are pleasant, especially in relation to my best friend."

Something glittered in Darius' eyes but he didn't pursue the thought. "Didja learn anything new before you got distracted?"

She had to grit her teeth not to snap Red being abducted wasn't a distraction. Instead of giving him the satisfaction of getting under her skin, she relayed her deal with Thieves Guild and plan to talk to them when this appointment was done. "And you? Did your behind the scenes snooping turn up anything?"

"Yes and no." Darius did a double take at a fishbowl--complete with fish--before pulling himself back to the conversation. "I tailed one of Ackshin's toughs, all the way to blazin' Ashtown, but she gave me the slip." He scowled. "Felt like we were close to where she was goin', too."

Xaeryn stiffened. "What part of Ashtown was this in? I can have the Guild look more closely."

"South-eastern, I guess I'd call it," Darius said after a moment. "Almost plastered against the outer wall."

It made sense for them to be away from the main drag, though she wouldn't have expected quite that far. Unless they knew of some way out through or under the walls.... For now the important thing was having a smaller area for search.

"Alright," she murmured, half to herself, "I can work with that, provided the Guild will play ball."

"Don't suppose you have anything more actionable for me, miss snooper?" Darius interrupted her train of thought.

Xaeryn grimaced and shook her head. "No, just the deal with Thieves Guild. I'm afraid I've been a bit preoccupied by the abduction today. So unless them making a bolder move helps you in some way, I don't."

He grunted and glared at a table of kitchen paraphernalia. "Gods damn this twisted up kn-"

The door jangled forcefully as it swung open to admit a new arrival, familiar pink ponytail swishing as she looked around.

Briony's eyes flashed when she saw them and it clearly took effort to act nonchalant on her way in their direction. She called a polite response to Chandry's greeting without even looking, dodged a small table, and finally reached Xaeryn and Darius. "Glad I didn't miss you," she murmured, examining a display of commemorative playbills and paintings. "Kaza had a couple meetings where he wanted a show of strength an' I think someone might've been tailing me--"

"And you still came?!" Darius hissed. Xaeryn couldn't disagree; it seemed a terrible risk.

"I lost them first!" she retorted, flicking him an annoyed look. "I've been doing this as long as you, Darius Torren, I know how to lose a tail!"

"Oh, but they're so useful for swatting flies, why would you want to lose a tail if you had it?" Chandry interjected, and Briony looked briefly taken aback by both his sudden presence and appearance.

At least she recovered faster than Darius, showing a warm smile. "Oh, I mean a much less useful kind of tail."

Chandry shrugged at the explanation and disappeared between shelves once more.

"All else aside, I am glad you made it," Xaeryn said to steer them on track. She had to take Briony's word she'd truly shaken the tail. "Any developments for you?"

"Jarkyth came by for a bit before lunch," Briony said, after a quick glance to assure Chandry was moved off and there were no other customers in the store. "They shut themselves in the sitting room for near an hour. They're planning something with the Torch, and I feel like--"

"Any other visitors or messages this morning?" Xaeryn interrupted. "Perhaps that evoked a change in demeanor?"

Briony gave her a curious look but nodded. "He got a message during breakfast that prompted a very smug smile." Her brow furrowed. "Come to think, he did say something to the messenger that I didn't catch. Wonder if that's what made Jarkyth come over; they've been really careful about appearances. Why?" She crossed her arms. "You're being sort of intense, Xaeryn. It's scaring me."

Xaeryn explained the circumstances. Again. "And with what you say occurred, I think it's a safe bet our friends are responsible."

Briony's expression shifted aghast and she reached over to squeeze Xaeryn's shoulder comfortingly. It was a surprisingly hefty squeeze. "Are you doing alright?"

Xaeryn nodded. "Don't have the luxury to be otherwise."

"Anything I can do to help?"

"Actually, yes. Do you know of any other Diminished among King Kaza's entourage?"

Briony's face screwed in thought. "That came along? Just a few. It's funny; he's superstitious as hael, likes to flaunt me at every opportunity, but he's also nervous about trusting in magic too much. There's a Binder, to do his protective wards. Shy little redhead, I've never heard her speak and don't even know her name," she said regretfully, twirling her ponytail as she continued. "Heron's Ket, mostly here for his skill with battle magic, but he's a fair hand at conjuring--"

"Traveing?" Xaeryn's brows arched.

"He... probably could if he had to," Briony nodded, then gave a small gasp. "You think he's the one who took your friend?"

"Seems likely," Xaeryn said. If he was a full-blood Ket he could do it single-handed. "Are they the only ones?"

"For Ackshin, yeah. Jarkyth has a few 'judiciously placed servants' he's alluded to. Mostly things like Binding or Seer, useful but not dangerous if they decide to turn on him. Has a Shifter Heron won't stop nattering about." She smirked. "I think he's stuck on her."

Darius snorted. "Not important, Bry."

"You never know, D." She shrugged and turned to Xaeryn. "So, why do they want your friend?"

"I've been trying to figure that," Xaeryn sighed, trailing her fingers over a dark lantern. "Even from unpleasant angles. If they know I'm on their trail and want to keep me in the dark, I've already learned--and written down--near everything about the Torch, and there are... more final ways to remove him as a source.

"If they want to use him as leverage to make me dust on the case, you'd think they'd be more blatant or would have left a note-"

"Unless they're countin' on your big brain to fill in the blanks," Darius interjected sardonically. "An' you knowin' without them sayin' serving to make you more suggestible."

"Such a ray of sunshine, D," Briony groused, elbowing him sharply.

"He has a point," Xaeryn said, gritting her teeth at the thought. "But they'll be quite disappointed if that's their goal."

Briony flashed a fierce smile as she shifted to a shelf of knick knacks. "So, what's our plan, then?"

"Darius mentioned trailing one of the king's people to Ashtown. I'll have Thieves Guild watch the area more closely if they're amenable" --and she'd sweeten the deal if that's what it took to make them amenable--"you and Darius keep an eye for our friends' behavior so we can act swiftly if they do anything hinky." She tapped a finger to her lips. "I hate being stuck in so reactive a course, but I fear it's where our options lay."

Though if opportunity presented itself she would seize it with both hands.

"I guess you're righ- Oh, this is adorable!" Briony gave a delighted (and distracted) squeal as she snatched a small ceramic ahfuri off the shelf. It was adorable, but-

Xaeryn cleared her throat.

"I'll keep eyes peeled," Briony promised, cradling her find.

"How're we passing along anything we see?" Darius asked.

"Telephone or wire, I suppose," Xaeryn replied.

"Right." Briony nodded, wiggling slightly as she glanced toward the counter. "I'm gonna go pay for this." She darted across the store.

Darius fixed Xaeryn with a steady look. "You will tell us if you learn anything, right, miss snooper? Before you go harin' off after your friend alone?"

"Have you decided to worry about me in his absence?" Xaeryn said dryly.

He just arched a brow.

"I promise to pass along anything I learn, I don't promise to wait before acting on it."

Darius chuckled and glanced at Briony, who was chatting up Chandry with another warm smile as she paid. "Don't s'ppose I can blame you for that." He tugged on his cap. "See you soon, lady detective."

Briony noted him leaving and darted after him, barely remembering to grab her purchase.

Xaeryn smiled and browsed a few more minutes before heading for the door herself.

A hand on her arm stopped her just before she exited. "One moment," Chandry chirped, pressing something into her palm. "Don't forget your prize."

Xaeryn blinked at the bronze sun brooch. "Prize-?"

The riddle.

"To the victor go the spoils," Chandry proclaimed, releasing her arm to give another bow, and then ducked away. Rather than drag things out by protesting or trying to insist on paying--experience said he wouldn't take a danar--Xaeryn slipped the brooch in her handbag and headed for her office.

---

It hit her like a thunderbolt halfway up the steps--it was midafternoon and she'd not eaten since breakfast. As if summoned by the realization, her stomach cramped and her knees bobbled on the next step.

Xaeryn scowled at the reminder she needed to eat. There was too much to do, she needed to talk to Thieves Guild, she needed to poke around, she needed to find Red before--

Her stomach growled loudly.

I think there's still my half a sandwich left from yesterday, she surrendered--reluctantly--to her body's urging. After all, she wouldn't get much done if she fainted from hunger. The half sandwich. Perhaps an apple. Ten minutes to eat. She could spare that. Red would fuss if he knew she wasn't taking care of herself.

Xaeryn smiled wryly as she unlocked the door. That was better motivation than anything. She checked the back of the door as she closed it; no sigil showing, so no break-in attempt. She collected the sandwich and apple, opting to sit at her desk and review notes while she ate. Maybe there was something helpful she'd missed.

There was quite a bit to review, though less than it appeared by page count given Red's sprawling shorthand. He didn't doodle like she did, instead filling the page edge to edge. It didn't look like he'd found anything new while getting this together and it was easy to skim.

As she tucked the papers back in the drawer her gaze landed on the earring. She set down the small remaining portion of her sandwich and stared.

Couldn't hurt to try again...

She removed the earring, fetched her scrying disk, and cleared her mind to focus. The disk's surface clouded, cleared, and gave her nothing but the same dead air.

Xaeryn growled and glared at the earring. "Where is he?!"

She'd run into protective wards or sigils before blocking scries. This was different; just empty not blocked, and it kept happening on this case--

The telephone rang. She very seriously considered not answering. She needed to get to Ashtown. But that would be unprofessional, and what if it was Pan? Or Darius, or Briony, though this would be awful quick for one of them. So she sighed and picked up the receiver. "Xaeryn Shrike Investigations." Please be quick.

"Finally!" Ms. Aerin huffed on the other end. "I've been trying to reach you for hours, Miss Shrike!"

Really should get a secretary... "Apologies, there was a development and I was out of office." She ran a hand down her face.

"From your tone, I'd reckon this is not a positive development in the direction of recovering the artefact and arresting the thieves?"

"It might lead there," Xaeryn acknowledged. "But the actual occurrence is not. They abducted my friend who'd been helping with research."

"Ah. My condolences, Miss Shrike. Is there any chance of them learning compromising details?"

"Not if I've followed the trail to correct suspicions, no. He knows the history and legend around the Torch, but not the current state of my investigation." She shifted her grip on the telephone. "And my suspect is already familiar with all of that."

"Ah, so you do have a firm suspect."

"Mm." The brooch slid out of her handbag when she nudged it aside, and Xaeryn picked it up to toy with as she talked. "I was pretty firmly on his scent after the gala, but I met a couple... inside men, shall we say, who confirmed my suspicions. So I've found the man, I believe, I just need to find where he's stashed the artefact" --and Red--"and proof of his complicity in the matter."

"Excellent! Mr. Syndran told me you had some promising leads from the gala, I'm glad to hear one of them panned out," Ms. Aerin said. "The case has felt... treading water too long."

"Oh, yes, I suppose those developments did occur after we talked," Xaeryn murmured, tracing the bronze sun's rays.

"Talked?" There was a frown in her voice. "Miss Shrike, I wasn't there."

Something cold skittered down Xaeryn's spine to swirl in her gut. "What? I grant that it was a full night, but I distinctly remember talking to you."

"Then apparently I have a doppelganger," Ms. Aerin said tartly. "I didn't go, Miss Shrike. I was dealing with the effects of a traitorous sandwich at lunch."

Food poisoning?? "Then who..." The nagging sensation of just missing something was back. Followed like a bucket of ice water by the thought of the conversation she'd just had.

There's a Shifter working for Jarkyth.

"Did you inform Mr. Syndran you wouldn't be attending?" Xaeryn asked, willing her voice to stay level as her mind raced to incorporate this twist.

"Of course. I called the office." A pause. "I was honestly surprised to learn he attended without me. But the Hall is an important enough contract, I suppose it makes sense..."

Xaeryn shifted in her seat and cleared her throat. "Ms. Aerin, to all appearances, he attended with you."

There was a long silence as the other woman processed her words, followed by a snort. "Do you expect me to believe some impersonator managed to fool Riel Syndran into thinking she was me for several hours?!?!"

"Not for hours," Xaeryn corrected. "A few minutes for the drive to the gala, and then a short chat every so often throughout the evening. Mingling's the point of such an event, from my understanding. And at one point when I was chinning with him he mentioned 'you' were bustling about as if the gala was your responsibility instead of the museum's."

"That is the sort of thing I would do," Ms. Aerin sighed. "Still, I wonder how she pulled it off. And why."

"Information would be my guess," Xaeryn said. She idly clipped the brooch to her blouse and pulled out her notepad to page through. "My chief suspect is the king of Elinden, who has cultural and religious motives if he is indeed responsible, and at least a few high-placed political connections who could hire or employ someone skilled at disguise. The only motive I could imagine would be nosing around to see if there's information they missed. Or something they need that I have, or if there was worry I was too close on their trail." She flexed her bruised hand, evidence of the answer to that.

"And what would they have learned from your chat with her?"

"From me? That I had talked to Miss Aescar about people who tried to buy, claim, or steal the Torch. And that my notepad had been stolen. Nothing they didn't know already."

"They knew about the notepad?" Ms. Aerin said, arched brow in her voice.

"Oh, right." Xaeryn explained the reasoning behind that belief, the words trailing off as she reached a particular note from her inaugural meeting with Briony and Darius. She stared at it a moment, then decided to take a shot in the dark. "Ms. Aerin, did you go to the museum to oversee the arrival of the artefacts?"

"That was the plan," Ms. Aerin replied. "However, there were a couple... issues that arose requiring my attention, so I had to leave before they were done."

Got you. Despite the nagging sensation still growing at the base of her skull, Xaeryn smirked. "Thank you. Enlightening as this conversation has proven, was there a reason you were trying to reach me? I have a couple time-sensitive angles to investigate..."

"Just looking for an update; we hadn't heard from you yet today and Mr. Syndran is getting restless at how long things are dragging out."

"Believe me, I share his disapporval of that," Xaeryn said, running a finger over the notepad page. "I'm highly motivated to change it, and hopeful one of the new angles will bear significant fruit."

"Very well then, I'll leave you to it. Good day, Miss Shrike."

"Good day." The nagging grew stronger as she dropped the telephone back in its cradle. She was missing something, something right in front of her, and she couldn't help but feel it was something vital.

Deep breath and half a step back, she told herself. If Ms. Aerin hadn't stayed to oversee the whole delivery at the museum, and she knew from Darius and Ferrin's accounts nothing happened to the couriers' caravan on the way through the city, then it seemed clear the Shifter masqueraded as her to get access once the delivery arrived but she'd left. Xaeryn pulled out the photograph of Solimer's Torch. It wasn't even the size of her palm; easy to conceal in a handbag or pocket--or your blouse if you were feeling bold.

I know how they did it. The adrenaline rush at that victory was somewhat dulled by knowing these people--smart, bold, and desperate--had Red.

The Shifter had probably been emboldened by her success at the delivery--faking bad humor so people were glad to be rid of you was one off the oldest tricks in the book. Enough to attempt something more daring, like copying Aerin again for the gala--

Xaeryn sat bolt upright in her chair, the nagging turned to gut-wrenching revelation as pieces clicked. There was one more thing the Shifter had learned from her at the gala.

Red was the only other person who could read her shorthand.

Nausea twisted and she almost tasted her lunch again. It really was her fault. She'd relayed the damning information to the culprits with blithe ignorance.

And now that she knew, and was recalling the encounter with a more critical eye, all the clues seemed blatantly obvious. The chillier manner, the repeated 'Detective Shrike' rather than 'Miss', the vague prodding at topics they had already discussed.

Self-flagellation later, tracking down Red now, she scolded. The one silver lining to realizing her gaffe was that if they had abducted Red for such a purpose, they'd need him alive, conscious, and (mostly) unharmed.

The swift counter to that--and extreme incentive to hurry--was she had no idea how far they'd go to make him cooperate. Or what they wanted from her notes. Or if they would believe what he claimed about their contents.

There was not, however, any doubt in her mind what would happen once they had what they wanted.

She needed to talk to Thieves Guild. Now.

Xaeryn pushed away from the desk with vigor, only just remembered to lock up the case paraphernalia, and headed out the door, determined steps carrying her toward Ashtown.

---

She'd wound her way through the streets and was just in sight of the cat graffiti outside the Guild's warehouse when movement raked her peripheral vision and a lanky figure dropped off a low roof nearby.

"You're sure gettin' easy with navigating our streets, Miss Shrike," Chase said with a grin, shoving his hands in his pockets. Dust or dirt smeared the sleeve and front of his dark red shirt, and his green eyes twinkled as he examined her. "Quite the skill for a proper lady to develop; people will talk."

"An excellent memory is actually quite a useful skill to refine as a detective," Xaeryn corrected. "I need to speak with you."

"Oho, straight to the point." He was still grinning. "This about the deal you made with Ari?" One hand came out of the pocket to gesture toward the warehouse door.

"Yes." She gripped her handbag tightly more out of urgency than concern. "I wanted to talk about the terms."

"Changing them on us already?" Chase made a tsking sound as he turned into a room, smaller than where they'd spoken before, more of an office. "Not wise to play around with Thieves Guild, sunshine."

Xaeryn grit her teeth. Miss Shrike. But it wasn't worth it. "Not... changing in any way meant to be detrimental or unfair to you," she said, taking a seat when he offered. "You know I'd asked your people to keep an eye for anything hinky. I was wondering what the trade off would be for more closely examining a smaller area."

"So, rather than a general 'let me know if anything weird happens on your turf', you want us to poke around part of it for something specific?" Chase sat behind what approximated a desk as he spoke--planks balanced atop crates--and put his feet up.

"Yes. What change would that bring to our bargained price?"

He smirked and played with one of his rings, studying her face with a keen look in his eyes. "Well, seeing as we've already made a pretty lyss off you, which I'm sure you'll at least partly claim as a business expense, so Merchants Guild foots the bill" --he gave a Cheshire grin at the thought--"I don't want any more of your money."

She arched a brow. "No?" The hair prickled at her nape.

Chase slid a knife free of its boot sheath and stared at the blade nonchalantly. "No, I think for this I want a favor." His eyes flicked to hers. "Regardless of if we find what you're after."

"Accepted, but I won't do anything illegal," Xaeryn said without a beat of hesitation.

"Darling, this is Thieves Guild," he drawled, his grin unwavering under piercing green eyes.

"And I"m certain there's at least a few legitimate things you can think of to ask me," she countered. "Nothing. Illegal." She'd square anything else between her and the One-God, but she wasn't going to jeopardize her livelihood doing something that would turn the police fully against her. She was already sort of a grey area to them. If push came to shove, she'd look for Red and the Torch herself.

"If it has to be on the up, then two favors," Chase said. He was studying her with narrowed eyes and it made her wonder what he saw.

She didn't feel like playing games to get an answer out of him, however. "One regardless, two if you're successful. I'm interested now in just the south-eastern quarter, near the wall in particular. Looking for a building that's being used to stash at least one stolen artefact and a... captive. But before you shift into that, did your people see anything from the more general assignment?"

"Twiggy blonde in the northeast part of the district, just hanging around." He waggled his brows. Xaeryn knew as well as he did people did not loiter in Ashtown for their health. "But she didn't do anything much; lingered and left, so I'd wager she got dusted on by whoever was s'pposed to meet her."

It didn't seem relevant, but she filed it away nonetheless. "Thank you. I'll be checking soon to see if you've found anything with the narrowed area."

"Anxious, are we?" Chase said with a knowing smile. "And could I get a description of this 'captive'? In case we see them, we should know if it's the right person, wouldn't you say?"

"He's tall, red hair, green eyes, street clothes sans jacket and perhaps tie." He didn't always wear one. "I'm not sure how they've been treating him, so he might be roughed up." She stood. "And this is a time-sensitive case that has already drug out longer than desired, so perhaps I am a bit anxious for its conclusion."

"Hopefully we'll find something that can help with that goal." He swung his feet down. "Be seein' you, Miss Shrike."

"You certainly will, Chase." She made her way outside, blinked through the dim-to-bright shift again, and briefly considered poking around herself before deciding to return to her office. Perhaps scrying on Red directly would work this time... If she could just see him, it would help the worry gnawing in her chest. No matter how dire the straits.

---

It did not work. Still nothing. Xaeryn hated feeling powerless at the best of times, not being able to do anything now, with Red in harm's clutches, was pure torture. It was getting harder and harder to fight off the frantic, paralyzing dread as each avenue she explored dropped a dead end in her path. She even got desperate enough to poke around the king's hotel, but that, too, came up empty.

She wasn't truly hungry, but when dinner time came she didn't have anything else to do except pray and go over notes again. Wait for Briony or Darius to reach out, if they would have cause. So she fixed something small and made herself eat. She didn't taste a bite.

To keep herself from pacing a hole in the floor, she decided to give scrying with the earring one more shot. Third time's the charm, wasn't that the saying?

Yes, she was getting a headache from scrying so much in one day. (Or trying to.) No, she didn't care if it would let her find Red before something happened to him.

There was a sense of last-ditch finality to this attempt as she prepared. Logic would dictate giving up if it failed to produce result again. Xaeryn wasn't sure she could be logical about this.

She pinched the earring between her thumb and first two fingers, focused on the bronze scrying disk, and sent up a prayer. One-God, please.

The surface wavered, clouded, cleared on an image. A lightning bolt of desperate relief seared through her and she almost lost the scry before focusing greedy attention on what she could see. A tall man, well built, with silvery-white hair. She strained her concentration until pain lanced her temples and could make out the Ket tattoo on his wrist and earring the match of the one she held in his ear. The background was fuzzy, but she got the sense of generic grandeur, like a ritzy hotel. Another figure stepped into the bounds of her scry--King Kaza Ackshin.

Xaeryn struggled to keep her breathing steady as hope nipped at her soul. A solid connection.

There was another silhouette at the edge, just a shadow, but it might've been Briony. The posture and ponytail looked right.

Her subject--Heron, she'd guess--and King Kaza were exchanging words, which the silent nature of scries meant she didn't catch, and their positioning made it hard to read lips. But it was clear from body language they were preparing to leave. The toll was too much and the scry faded as the figures headed out of the room.

Xaeryn's heart pounded with adrenaline and exertion in equal share as she sat back.

A lead. Oh, blessed God above, she had a lead. They were heading somewhere, the gamble was if it was where she wanted to find or something unrelated.

She was on her feet and halfway across the room before she remembered her promise to Darius. If Briony was with King Kaza, did that count as one of them knowing? Did she really have time...

Xaeryn groaned, turned back the desk, and called the place Darius had said he was staying. No, "Mr. Thrace" wasn't in, did she want to leave a message for him? Deep breath through her nose. "Tell him to meet his snooper friend by the Ashtown gate. She's not going to wait for him long." She hung up before the desk clerk could respond.

If she hustled, she could pick up the king's entourage at the gates and follow. If that's where they were going. If it wasn't, she'd be out of the office, should anyone try to reach her, and miss a vital update.

She had to follow this. To be so close, have this dropped almost literally in her lap...

What she'd seen of King Kaza's expression was eager--he was looking forward to wherever this would lead. That thought alone tipped the balance. There was only one course of action for her and she knew it.

Xaeryn didn't even bother with a hat this time. She only grabbed her handbag because it held her dagger, and if she'd chosen correctly, she would likely need it.

Please let me be right. Please let him be alright. There was no way to ensure someone knew what she was doing--she really should get a secretary--so she'd just have to hope. Hope Briony was truly along, or Darius wasn't out long to get her message, or something. This might very well be the culmination of her case, and all she cared about was saving her friend.

"Nothing. Happened."

"Did you want it to?"

Her hands were shaking as she locked the drawer, locked the door, and hurried toward the Ashtown gates, thoughts on Red and a fervent prayer in her heart.

#queens fic #shoh #shepherds of haven #xaeryn shrike #liefred antiqua #panrachus #briony stormbreaker #chase trinaeste #tlbt #ryn/red

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ridiasfangirlings · 1 year

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Kuro suddenly gains the same time travel ability that takemishi from Tokyo Revengers have and arrives in the past a couple of months before Totsuka's death. What would he do and do you think he'd be able to make an "everybody lives" future?

Kuroh’s actually an interesting choice here because there’s a lot that goes on between Homra and S4 in particular in season one that he’s just not present for and may not have really strong knowledge of. Say this is an AU where Colorless actually won and at the last minute Kuroh is sent back in time, maybe this is like some kind of Slate shenanigans and Shiro grabbed his hand right before Kuroh time jumped. He knows he’s in Shizume and sees the date, realizing that he’s been sent back in time and needs to find a way to stop everything bad from happening. He’s aware that this all ‘starts’ when Totsuka Tatara is murdered on the rooftop of the Hirasaka building so I think that would be his time limit, he needs to find a way to change things before Totsuka is killed.

Kuroh being a straightforward and honest type I could see him initially trying to go to Homra directly and it doesn’t work out well, no one knows who he is and referring to himself as the clansman of another King just gets him a hostile reaction. Say he has the misfortune to show up at the bar when the Homra trio and Anna are all out, so he ends up facing a fairly hostile Yata, Kamamoto and the Homra alphabet. When he starts talking about ‘the death of Totsuka Tatara’ everyone is immediately on guard and he probably ultimately has to retreat, realizing that none of these people are going to listen to him.

His next consideration is he could go to S4, but then he thinks about it for a moment and decides maybe not, he doesn’t know if the Blue King would believe him either and even if Munakata did he might make plans on his own without telling Kuroh which could lead to more danger. That’s when it occurs to him that he’s been overlooking his most obvious allies all along and heads to Ashinaka. He finds Kukuri and convinces her that he’s an exchange student (he doesn’t like lying to her but this is an emergency after all), then once he’s secured use of a dorm he cooks some delicious fish and starts leaving it around, he knows Neko was on this island before Totsuka died so he just needs to feed her and be nice to her and he should be able to get her help. In the meantime he tries to feel things out amongst the students and that’s how he eventually learns about the ‘candle,’ a way to summon the person in the airship down. Kuroh isn’t sure that Shiro will believe him either but he feels like if he can at least get allies on his side he’ll be able to take care of this.

Kuroh finally manages to coax Neko into showing herself, she’s pretty happy to latch herself onto the weird person who keeps giving her all the fish. Together they go to the Hirasaka building and Kuroh uses the candle app, watching and waiting for the airship to land. When it does I imagine Weismann would be rather amused to see a Strain and another clansman waiting for him, he nearly leaves right there assuming that Kokujouji or one of the other clans is behind this until Kuroh introduces himself as ‘a clansman of the Colorless — no, a clansman of the Silver King.’ Weismann raises an eyebrow and then laughs sheepishly, he apologizes but he hasn’t got any clansmen and he’s not interested in having any. Kuroh looks him right in the eye and says ‘you did, in another timeline.’ Weismann thinks he’s joking but then he realizes that Kuroh is incredibly serious and finally he nods and welcomes the two of them inside, he isn’t sure how this happened but it seems they have a lot to discuss.

#k project #Talking K #I imagine this eventually culminates in like a big conference of Kings #and it seems like everything's going to be okay #but then Shiro takes Kuroh's hand and he's back in an even worse future #so he has to go back again and see what went wrong #continually having to save Totsuka so everyone can live

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spacefinch · 11 months

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Avengers + Star Trek AU

Ship name: USS Avenger, designation NCC-616

Senior Crew:

Commanding officer: Captain Steve Rogers or Sam Wilson (after Steve’s retirement)

First officer: Commander Natasha Romanoff

Second officer (and Chief Engineer): Lt. Commander Tony Stark

Chief of Operations: Lt. Virginia “Pepper” Potts

Chief Science Officer: Lt. Bruce Banner

Chief Medical Officer: Dr. Stephen Strange

Helm: Lt. Commander Carol Danvers

Navigation: Lt. Clint Barton

Chief of Security: Lt. Commander James “Bucky” Barnes

Other crew members:

Lt. Hope Van Dyne (security)

Lt. Phil Coulson

Ensign Kate Bishop

Ensign Peter Parker (Cmdr. Stark’s assistant)

Ensign Yelena Belova

Lt. Scott Lang (science officer)

Lt. Thor

Ensign Wanda Maximoff (command)

Ensign Pietro Maximoff

Notes:

This crew exists both in the 23rd and 24th centuries. They’re originally from the 23rd century, but they all get yeeted forward in time.

Steve and Bucky are originally from the 22nd century (Star Trek Enterprise era.) The “some people found Steve frozen in ice and thawed him out” applies to this AU.

Bucky is an ex-Borg drone in this AU. I don’t have much reasoning except it sort of fits his character narrative and he already has a metal arm.

None of these characters have their canon MCU superpowers, except for Steve, Bucky, and Vision.

Everyone thinks Dr. Strange goes by a nickname. No matter how many times he tells them it’s his real name.

Connections and other headcanons:

Steve and Bucky knew Captain Archer and his crew. Since I haven’t watched Enterprise, I have no further headcanons.

Yelena and Kate were in the Academy together, along with Pavel Chekov. They were quite the chaotic trio, and still are when they visit each other!

And yes, Nat and Yelena get to have a happier youth than they did in Marvel canon.

Scott and Hope are fairly new to the crew, being from the 24th century.

Peter Parker is another 24th-century crew member. Before his first assignment as an ensign, he had only read about Tony Stark. He couldn’t believe he got to meet him in person, much less serve on the same ship.

The USS Avenger is unique among Starfleet vessels for its advanced computer system, designed by Tony Stark himself. The original computer, JARVIS (also known as “Vision”) came to be regarded as a beloved crew member during the 23rd century.

When the crew traveled to the 24th century, it became clear they’d need a more up-to-date computer, so Stark created a new system, called FRIDAY. He kept Jarvis/Vision around though, this time as a sentient hologram. (Much like the Voyager crew’s EMH.)

#star trek #Star Trek AU #avengers #marvel

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fabseg-reader · 11 months

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Miraculous: Tales in the Opposite Universe (Inversed Personas AU): Chapter Two part 3

This story is a fanfiction (Not an official script for an episode of the TV show). Some characters result from Miraculous: Tales of Ladybug and Cat Noir (original title: Miraculous: Les aventures de Ladybug et Chat Noir). It contains some original characters (OC) but they're fanon. All rights reserved to ZagToon.

Part one part two

The duo looks on Alya and Nino who are discussing about event from yesterday. Alya: "Are you aware two other heroes made their appearances to Paris ? They are similar to Rouge Chance and Alley Cat. We get two Ladybugs and two Cats in the same world." Nino: "Yeah. I've already seen, Alya. These dudes could easily catch Lycène Bleue if they expand their team." Aly: "You talk about our superheroes. Their mission of removing the Butterfly miraculous to Lycène has gone on for too long. I've heard too it's Lycène who has stolen the Ladybug earrings." N (pessimist): "Tsst. They loose their Miraculouses. They retrieve them back after. They can retake them later. That's the circle of life, dudette." Aly: "Parisians are tired of Chance, Alley and Lycène anyway. They aren't both different from each others." N: "C'mon Alya. It seems you're talking the Fathom Company's speech." Aly: "Don't make the comparison, Nino. It's Fathom&Co. who are the true evil guys. I don't compare the heroes with them. We aren't inactive against Company's actions." N: "Okay. Just be careful." Aly: "You're the dude I love, Nino." At ten meters of Alya and Nino, Mylène and Ivan discuss about a plan: It's an anarchist action. Mylène: "How about we go tag the villa of Fathom together, Ivan ?" Ivan (enthoutiastic): "Oh yeah ! That's a great idea ! But the security agents ?" Myl: "We will make a diversion. They must be busy to the diversion while we vandalize the wall." I: "Cool. I love you, Mylène." Myl: "I love you, Ivan." Next couple is Nathaniel and Marc. A third person (a stawberry-blonde-haired and tan-ish skinned girl) is with them.

Nathaniel: "This meeting is really boring. If I want to draw, I will draw a cartoon about Fathom inside of a target." Marc (teasing): "You're really creative, Nath'. While you draw it, I will write the WORST critical article ever on the company. I can't imagine the anger of the CEO when he'll read that on medias." The third person takes the speak. 3rd person: "It seems you are both motivated, my pals. Are you dreaming ?" Mrc (to the previous): "I hope you have a better idea than ours, Mel. " 3rd p/Mel: "I have a dream for you two. What if you invent a power of hypnosis to control people? That would be practical in your stories." Nath: "You should say: A counter-hypnosis against Fathom Company. And the employees of Fathom could be freed from the grip of the company. We could force these guys to publish our comic. Marc and I had worked the masterpiece since a too long time and they still reject it. They must hate us." Mrc (tongue-dragging): "And we hate them." Mel: "I think about an hypnosis for reasoning them. Let's be pacifists." Wayhem comes to the three friends. W (enjoying): "And reasoning Lycène Bleue too. To redeem her." Mel: "Hey ! Bonjour Wayhem." Nath and Marc (simultaneous but evasive): "Salut." W: "How are you, pals ?" While Wayhem talks with the trio, Marinette and Adrien continue to pay attention to their next 'strangeful friends'. They look to Alix and Max. The Adrienette duo could be happy to see Alix again (since she is gone in time travel as Bunnyx for prevent Monarch to steal the Rabbit miraculous) but they figure out Alix isn't in her normal state: She seems like fearful (unlike her countpart who is brave, sportive) holding a rabbit plush in her shaking hands. Max (worried): "Are you sure you are okay, Alix ?" Alix (shaking): "Okay, Max I admit: I'm not fine." Mx: "Everything will be okay here. There isn't police on-site." Alx: "How would you like me not to worry ? I'm sure Fathom is sending their agents for spy all of us." Mx: "No one spy will come here, Alix. There is no wi-fi at the quai." Alx (going to panic): "Nobody believes me. Not even my dad. Not even my bro." Mx: "There's a lot worse than Fathom Company in the world. Remember this akumatized AI (Artificial Intelligence) that nearly neutralized Chance and Alley: I still believe this event is the proof AIs are a threat for the humanity. Meanwhile, it always exists an alternate against Fathom AND uncontrolled electronical programs: The struggle for the freewill." Alix relaxes after listenning his speech. Alx: "You always know how to reassure me, Max." Max smiles. The next seconds, the Adrienette duo looks on Kim and Ondine. Kim (exhausted): "I am not in shape today. Why have you invited me here, Ondine ?" Ondine: "Mel has sent me a SMS for a rally with everybody. (encouraging) Keep up, Kim ! That's not the moment for lie down. We retake the road later." Kim sighs. K (thinking): "We aren't yet in the end of the day." For each inspected countpart, Marinette and Adrien become both more confused. They suddenly hear a boisy dispute behind them: "Seriously, Chloé ?!" They look at what's going on: It's Sabrina. She's berating Chloé. Sabrina (rigorous): "You have forgotten the files ? I need this files for introduce the new ideas for the school." Chloé (submissive and a slightly intimidated): "I'm so so… sorry, Sabrina. What can I do to make you forgive me ?" S (disciplinarian tone): "You will clean up the Mr Damocles' office, next Monday." Chl (likely unsure, forcing a smile): "As you wish, 'boss'." The Adrienette duo is amazed to see how Sabrina had the high ground on Chloé: That's a role reversal ! M (thinking): "I hope Sabrina isn't a bully like the Chloé we know. I remember Sabrina WAS Chloé's best 'friend' (in reality, she was her sidekick)."

Twelve meters further, Juleka and Rose are talking. These girls had temporary turned their attention to the recent Sabrina's berating scene. Luka is discretly joining them. Juleka (acting like an aristocrat to Rose): "I guess Sabrina is always polite as usual. 'Ma chère'." Rose: "Pff… I don't care about our class representative, Juleka. She acts like a sergeant from the army and she scares to each bystander. I will say her: I don't give a s***."

J: "We're come here to prove we aren't thugs. So, be polite during the meeting. Just one time like for the previous times." R (annoyed): "Are you kidding me, Jul' ? I say you again: You're not my mom ! (calming down) F***, We are girlfriends. So, you don't need to do your Demoiselle's here. Nobody can force you to act like that." J (joyful): "You're really adorable, Rose." R (ashamed, thinking): "It will be terrible, today." Luka joins the discuss with the two girls. Luka (sarcastical tone): "You're making efforts ? Bravo." And Juleka seems upset in reason of her brother's presence. J: "I hope you don't come to trash another place. If you dare in there, I'm not available for you to make that, today." Lk: "This place was our home, Jul'. You must remember I will never trash the ship Liberty." J: "I mostly remember you've vandalized Bob's office at his recording company by using tag bombs with the help of Ivan and Mylène. It was the previous year. 'Mr Plagiarism' has been mad at you because of that." Lk: "He had just said too bad about our real father." In this moment, Marinette (who is already dumbfounded enough) pays the attention to the Couffaine siblings and Rose's conversation. M (whispering): "Adrien. Do you think we must talk to them ? I would like to ask some questions to Luka, Juleka and Rose." A (whispering): "Let's go to talk with them. The siblings are effectively related to the ship." While the two teenagers prepare to come approach the trio, Mylène and Ivan suddenly join the Couffaine siblings and Rose. Step after step, Marinette and Adrien advance but Rose immediatly heards the two guests coming. She calls out them. R: "Hey you two bast…" The 'Kitty Section' is collectively surprised. They look at the blonde-haired boy. They recognize 'him'. J, Lk, R, I and Myl/The Kitty Section gang: "Adrien ?!" The Adrienette pair is surprised too. Meanwhile, they rethink about Cerise's instructions. They must be vigilant what they're going to say. R: "What the f*** are you doing here ?" Adrien feels worried. He fears being hunted down again like yesterday. A (nervous): "Huh… Ye…" Adrien needs to corrects his words. A: "Huh… You must have me confused with someone else. My name is… Nathan."

The Kitty Section gang has doubts on 'Nathan'. They glower at him. Mylène (to Adrien): "You sound like Adrien, 'Nathan'. Is it one of your tricks for trying to prank us ?" Adrien tries to erase suspicions. A: "A prank ? I haven't accessories nor any phone on me. It's the first time I come at Paris. Wayhem is my guide for my journey. Interrogate him and you will know it's true." A short moment of silence happens. And after, Mylène answers. Myl: "I hope you're not a troublemaker like Adrien the Prince of Prankers." Mylène turns her look at the blue-haired girl. Myl: "And you ? What's your name ?" M: "I am… Germaine. I am a tourist, me too. Cerise is my guide."

#miraculous ladybug #miraculous au #opposite au #miraculous inversed personas #inversed personas au #my writing

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starsthatlinethesky · 2 years

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More Things for my Bones Au:

(Also just letting everyone know I’m going to be a little less active with updating and writing as I’m now back to school and have to get ready for my exams)

. Gwen will be popping in and out, she’s grown up as well and is a famous writer. She writes paranormal fiction and one of her books is getting adapted into a movie, so she does a lot of travelling.

. Billy and Finney are roommates and have been since uni. The two of them became friends in high school and when they went to uni they pooled their money together to buy an apartment.

. Vance is a moma’s boy (Also when he’s saying goodbye to his mom he’ll kiss her on the forehead, and vice versa) and starts bringing Bruce around for dinner with her every Sunday

. There will be three major investigations (with a few small ones along the way) in the story. The death of a journalist who was trying to find dirt on a politician, The death of an undercover FBI agent that Griffin worked with and an active serial killer case in which the killer targets investigative workers

. One of the couples get’s engaged during the story

. There will be a side chapter based around Vance having a coma dream (like booth) and what he thinks everyones jobs would be if they weren’t working for the FBI

. Griffin has a tendency to scare people because he’s used to sneaking into places without being noticed, so he unintentionally ends up scaring people when they turn around and just see him there. Billy makes him knock four times before he can come into his workspace

. Finney and Robin get sent to LA for part of the investigation to trace parts of the chemical compounds found on one of the bodies, and Robin ends up taking Finney on a whole Hollywood tour while their there

. There was only one bed- For at least two of the couples

. Vance actually likes watching Finney run experiments, he won’t admit it but he thinks the chemical reactions are cool. Bonus is that Bruce helps Finney run experiments a lot of the time.

. Finney wears a locket that used to belong to his mother, inside it has a picture of him and Gwen and an engraving that says ‘I love you, no matter where you are.’

. Terrence dies while drink driving and that becomes a subplot during one of the investigations

. During one of the investigations the lab trio (Bruce, Finney and Billy) find an integral piece of evidence but need to check out a certain area to make sure that they have it right, the other guys are at a meeting of some sort and instead of waiting for them and having some extra security with them they all jump in the car and go. The others get out of and this is the voicemail that Billy leaves Griffin. “Hey, Griff hope your meeting went well!! Just letting you and the others know not to freak out if were not in the lab if you go there, Finney found this really important thing on the body and to make sure he got it right we’re heading up muffled shuffling “where are we going Bruce?” More muffled shuffling and static that cuts Billy off “Yeah, so anyway that’s where we’re going, anyway I hope your meeting went well, and we should go out to dinner later don’t worry it’s on me this time. See you soon.”

. Someone manages to break into the lab during one of the investigations and Billy and Finney take him down before the agents even manage to get through the door

. Finney likes to read in his spare time and Robin ends up getting books that Finney mentions, Finney notices this and starts mentioning books he thinks Robin would like.

. Billy and Griffin have to go undercover together at a big socialite party, which results in a dance sequence as they scan the ballroom for the person their investigating. (They’re also undercover as an engaged couple)

. The lab trio and the agent trio have almost telepathic moments were they will say the exact same thing at the same time e.g Bruce: That means that :Billy and Finney joining in: The victim didn’t die at the lake , and the others will look at them like their crazy but later it will be like Vance: This looks just like, Robin and Griffin joining in: Operation G13

. Vance asks Bruce to a movie on the pretence the premise is similar to the case they’re working on, but to anyone beside themselves it’s clear it’s a date.

. Bruce gets ‘locked’ into a room with sensitive files regarding cases (relates back to Billy and Finney taking an intruder down) and he doesn’t have his phone so he has to try and figure out how to get out of the room which leads to several comedic attempts at escape, before Griffin opens the door that was unlocked the whole time, but was only jammed slightly.

. The moment Robin realises he’s in love with Finney, is when he comes to the lab late at night with Finney’s favourite coffee and food and walks into Finney’s office. Finney’s in there with his hair pulled back into a messy bun, some massive eye bags and was typing something on his laptop, Robin’s standing there in the doorway with Finney’s coffee and dinner in hand and is hit with the revelation Holy Shit, I’m in Love with Finney Blake

. Finney realises that he’s in love with Robin is over breakfast at the diner one day. Robin just looked at him and said “Finney Blake, you’re the best godamn person in the world.” This is said into response of Finney having ordered Robin’s usual breakfast, and Robin has come in after being on a stakeout he looks like an absolute wreck. His hair is everywhere, he’s wearing a stained hoodie and he’s wearing mismatched shoes. Finney just has this moment while Robin is chugging coffee like his life depends on it. This is the guy I’m in love with

. The moment Billy realises he’s in love with Griffin is when he was having a real tough time on an investigation, he was spending days at the lab working on a facial reconstruction and he finally got it.. But then Griffin comes in and sees that Billy is in the same clothes looks like he’s like about to be put in the morgue. So he drops Billy back to his apartment and tells him to be ready in two hours time. Billy takes a short nap, showers and changes his clothes. Griffin comes back and doesn’t tell Billy where there going. But they get to this park where a picnic blanket is set up and from the boot of the car Griffin pulls out a basket of food. It has all of Billy’s favourites in it. Griffin starts telling Billy some of his misadventures from working undercover, while they enjoy an afternoon picnic. It’s when Griffin’s telling him a story and Billy can’t stop laughing that he has the revelation I want to spend forever with him

. Griffin realises that he’s in love with Billy when they go out on a day trip, and Billy has brought his camera along and he’s taking pictures of the beach and stuff. Billy get’s this certain smile when he gets just the right picture, and he takes a picture of Griffin looking at the beach. Griffin looks back to Billy and his camera, Billy has that smile on his face. I hope I can make him look like this all the time

. Bruce realises that he’s in love with Vance when he’s staying late at the lab to do some work. He expects Vance to just head home but he pulls up a chair and just sits there quietly and waits for Bruce to be done. Vance asks him a few questions about the case and other then that he just sits there quietly and lets Bruce do his work. Then he finishes up saying goodbye without any prompting Vance kisses him on the forehead. And Bruce has the thought that I’d like if he did that every time we said goodbye

. Vance realises he’s in love with Bruce when they’re detaining a criminal the guy manages to get away from Vance. Vance tells Bruce to stay put while he chases after the guy. That does not happen. Instead Bruce catches the guy on the stair case, he’s on the set of stairs below Bruce and hasn’t caught sight of him. Bruce climbs over the railing and swings on the lower part, kicking the guy in the head Vance bursts through one of the doors right as he does this. The guy falls straight to the ground and Bruce lands right on his feet. “I got him.” Vance standing there with his gun in hand and a highly dangerous criminal groaning on the ground beside him has the revelation. That’s the man of my dreams

. Finney and Bruce working in the lab with dangerous chemicals: We’ve got to be careful. 5 minutes later ‘White smoke flooding out and alarms are going off’ BANG. Finney now on the ground: Who put the explosive acid in the non explosive section? Bruce also on the ground on the other side of the room: My money’s on Jack downstairs

#the black phone #bruce yamada #vance hopper #finney blake #robin arellano #billy showalter #griffin stagg #fanfic

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gray-isnt-real · 2 years

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I’ve figured it out- Detailed Roles for Kratts x Family!

Martin

Agent Blue is a spy based in the U.S., born and raised in New Jersey. Just like in canon, he’s that fun-loving, laid back, joking Martin we know through and through. He manages to find humor in and smile in every situation that he finds himself, whether it’s having to kill, defusing bombs, having to get close to his target, joining groups that threatened national safety. He takes on the alias Martin Kratt in this mission to stop Zach, Donita, and Gourmand.

Chris

Agent Cadmium is a Hungarian spy, born in Budapest and raised in various cities across Hungary and Austria, seeing that the two countries work closely together when it comes to trade and national security. Cadmium’s mother, Agent Jade, was a spy who mainly took missions gathering intelligence for other spies with missions more dangerous than her own, and as he grew up, Agent Jade and her supervisor took to training him for spy work when he came of age. He takes on the alias of Chris Kratt in this new mission, partnered with U.S. spy, Agent Blue.

Aviva, Koki, and Jimmy Z

These three are still the trio we know and love- an inventor, a mechanic, and laid-back pilot. The three of them met in college, Koki and Aviva being roomies and dual majors in biology and engineering, and Jimmy being an aero-engineering teacher’s assistant while going through pilot training. The three of them came together in the plans for the Tortuga, Aviva’s biggest invention yet, and have since been dying to achieve their dreams of traveling and advocating for wildlife conservation and research. When the Kratt brothers are introduced by a supposedly renowned conservationist, they’re more than happy to take the Bros onto their team, unaware of the spy antics that lay ahead.

For this AU, Donita and Gournand will remain ordinary. Zach, on the other hand...

Zach Varmitech is a “genius robotics inventor” by day, but when night falls, he takes on the alias of the Silver Prince, an assassin feared by all across the globe. He’s a master of the trade, skilled with weapons, combat, and poisons alike, all of which he can’t use on his new rivals if he doesn’t want his ass on the line. He’d be found out as an assassin in no time at all. So he hides behind the whiny, cowardly exterior, obvious to the fact that two spies have been sent to stop him from committing his crimes against nature.

Still not sure who our telepath is gonna be- I may just create an OC but we’ll see!!

#wild kratts #r-u-having-fun-yet #wild kratts au #chris kratt #martin kratt #gray’s kratts x family au #kratts x family au #wild kratts koki #wild kratts aviva #wild kratts jimmy #wild kratts zach varmitech

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secretsfromthegirlnextdoor · 2 years

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The Wrongside Up | Stranger Things Time Travel AU

Part One | Part Two

Description | On the way back to Eddie’s trailer, our favorite Hawkins teenagers go through the wrong gate, and it leads them even further down the rabbit hole than they thought possible. Time Travel AU.

Characters | The Hawkins squad (Nancy Wheeler, Robin Buckley, Steve Harrington, Eddie Munson, Dustin Henderson, etc.)

Main Masterlist

“Take a seat, the principal will be with you shortly” the older woman barked, stepping around the grimy foursome with her nose upturned and promptly shut the door behind her as she stepped back out into the front office.

They’d been apprehended without much fanfare after agreeing silently not to try and make a run for it when the security officers flashed their duty belts with every scary gadget possible hanging off the sides.

There was a bench pushed up against the back wall of the office across from the desk that each of the four teenagers dropped themselves down on defeatedly. “Okay what’s the plan here?” Nancy asked as soon as the door clicked shut.

“Out the window?” Robin suggested pointing her thumb in the direction of the windows behind the heavy wooden desk, causing Eddie to point too and nod at her, agreeing with the plan. “Those windows don’t open dipshits” Steve replied, plus there’s cameras all over this place, they know what we look like, we’ll be right back in a manhunt situation.” He added dejectedly.

“Then we need to come up with a cover story” Nancy insisted, turning from Robin back to Steve, “what was it those kids said in the hallway? ‘Another drunk driving assembly’?” She asked as Steve thought back on it and gave a slight nod. “Okay then we’ll go with that, we’re here to do the assembly and accidentally got our dates mixed up” she announced as if it was the simplest thing in the world, folding her hands in her lap.

She turned back to Robin and noticed that Eddie had gotten up from the bench and was now tinkering around the principal’s desk, perusing notes and tapping haphazardly on the keyboard to the ritzy computer. Nancy cleared her throat to get his attention, but Eddie was absorbed in thought, staring intently at one of the many framed photos that adorned the desk. He picked it up to inspect it closer, then flipped it around for any kind of identifying text.

“Guys…” he let out shakily, “did uh, did that lady happen to say what the principal's name is?” He asked softly, unable to tear his eyes away from the photograph. The trio on the bench all exchanged confused glances and shaking heads, muttering ‘no’ and ‘I don’t think so’.

At that exact moment they all heard footsteps approaching, and Eddie launched himself over the desk just as the door knob began to rattle, giving way for the door to swing open and a short man in slacks and a button down shirt with a bow tie entered in a flash and turned around to face the door.

The man side-stepped in and shut the door, engaging the lock into place, causing the group to look around at each other with worry. He let out a deep sigh and pressed his forehead to the frame, banging his fist against the panel. They heard a sniffle come from the man and a shaky breath as he started to speak, “when my hall monitor described you four I didn’t believe her…” he let out, slowly turning. “It wasn’t til I saw the security footage that I realized it really is you” the man choked out, lifting his glasses to wipe his face.

The four teens watched the man with wide eyes and mouths hanging open, as Eddie subtly shifted the framed photo to be in their line of vision. The four boys in the photo had on ghostbusters costumes and all smiled jovially at the camera, Nancy recognized it immediately as being taken at Halloween in 1984. They looked from the man to the photo and back, before Steve let out a howl of a laugh, and stood with his arms wide and a grin from ear to ear, “Henderson is that you, man?!”

“Holy fucking shit” Dustin exlaimed, releasing his bear hug grip on the four teenagers, “how is this possible? Where have you guys been?!” He questioned as the group expanded to form a small circle around him, all of them studying his face unable to believe that this was the same Dustin Henderson they’d just seen hours ago, but the man now standing before them has to be pushing 50 at least. His features remained, the curly mop of hair now slicked back, forming little ringlets at the base of his skull almost more gray than the blond it used to be; and his toothy grin, fully formed and looking normal as ever.

“An hour ago we were riding our bikes to meet you guys at Eddie’s, we saw another gate and figured we go through there to get out of the upside down sooner, but it spat us out here! It was insane we never thought something like thi-” Robin stammered on, eventually being cut off by Steve’s hand on her shoulder, “yeah sorry I could feel that I was rambling there” she admitted, dropping her head and shaking it slightly.

Dustin motioned for the teens to take their seats back on the bench as he pulled his desk chair out and plopped himself down in front of them, “this is truly unbelievable” he exhaled, “we always hoped you guys had made it out somehow, but when you didn’t meet us at the gate we just had to assume…” he trailed off as the four teens all nodded in understanding. Of course they’d assumed that the foursome had been lost to the upside down, maybe even killed by Vecna.

Eddie shuddered at the thought, “what happened man? To you guys, our families?” He asked, not so much for himself but for the rest of the group.

Dustin shrugged, breathing deeply and pushing his glasses back up to the bridge of his nose, “it was so long ago now, but I mean obviously it all worked out, El came to the rescue and some shit went down but Vecna’s long gone, we haven’t had any issues in years, and Hawkins built back better than ever.”

“Built back?” Nancy questioned, brows furrowing with concern.

“Yeah like I said, some shit went down, government swooped in, covered it up as earthquakes, fiery sinkholes, some crazy shit…” he shook his head, still in disbelief as to what some people would believe. He then sighed once again and gestured ‘oh well’ with his hands, “people bought it, and eventually everyone started coming back, rebuilding, the school is Hawkins ‘Memorial’ now”

“…and they let you be the principal?” Eddie asked incredulously with a smirk

Dustin couldn’t help but laugh, dropping his shoulders into a shrug, “I had to help all the lost little sheepies, man, just like you told me” he looked back up to Eddie, smiling warmly. The teen couldn’t help it, he had to bite his lip to keep his mouth from dropping open. Something dumb he’d said had shaped this man’s life? How could that be possible? He had to look away for fear of tears breaking free.

Nancy had been watching intently and jumped in to take the focus off of Eddie, “What about my brother? Our parents? Everyone else?” She asked, eyes wide.

They spent the next few hours talking about everything and everyone under the sun and all of the developments in the last 30 some odd years. Dustin told them with a giant grin about how Mike and El married right out of high school and lived in California with their four kids. He spoke animatedly about Lucas getting a basketball scholarship and starting his own business in Indianapolis. Will had been a New Yorker for almost twenty years and swore that he’d never live anywhere else again, while Jonathan had stayed near Joyce and El in Southern California and had a successful career as a photographer with a wife and kids of his own.

The group released tears of joy at the happy news, and leaned on each other as they struggled through the difficult realities. Max hadn’t survived Vecna’s evil grasp, and Dustin tearfully explained that they all gathered once a year to remember her and the sacrifice she made for her friends. Joyce was still kicking, spoiling her grandchildren every chance she could get, but Hopper had fought hard and ultimately succumbed to cancer fifteen years back.

They laughed and they cried, talking about the good times and the bad, and before Dustin even realized the time, the final bell of the day was sounding off and teachers and students alike were fleeing the building to enjoy their spring break.

“Shit guys, I didn’t realize how late it had gotten, we should probably hole up here until everyone is gone so we can sneak you out of the building…” he looked around and grasped at a device face down on the desktop, picking it up and tapping, illuminating the tiny screen. “I ought to text my kid, let her know I’m gonna be late”

“Kid?! Henderson you got a family, man?!”

“Yeah” he nodded, grinning from ear to ear, “Suzie and I got together, settled down, the whole bit” he paused and sighed contentedly, “We’ve got twin girls, Stella and Edith, Edie for short .” He paused and sniffed, wiping discreetly under his glasses, as he swiped again on the screen and held it out to the group. The handheld screen displayed a photo of the two girls as babies, dressed up as their respective namesakes then chuckled “closest girl names we could think of without outright naming ‘em Steve and Eddie.” His face crumpled momentarily, and he took in a deep breath, standing and reaching for a tissue on his desk to blot his eyes. “Losing you guys really wrecked me for a while there”

“Shit man, if we had known that gate was gonna drop is almost forty fucking years in the future we never would have done it” Steve sighed, resting his hand on Dustin’s shoulder, “we never meant to leave you alone, kid”

Dustin smiled, and let out a hearty laugh, “who are you calling a kid man? My kids are your age now!”

Robin shook her head in disbelief, “Dustin should you really be telling us all of this? I mean it breaks all kinds of space time continuum rules, when we go back we’ll know all of this future stuff that’s gonna happen, not to mention all of the technology and everything else! I mean we all saw Back to the future, I know it was kinda the reverse there but…” again she slowed as she noticed the confused looks on everyone’s faces, “sorry, rambling.” She added, then sat back down.

“She’s not wrong” Nancy added warily, “how can we go back to 1986 with what we’ve seen, what we know?” She said, shaking her head and shifting her eyes from the floor to meet Steve’s.

A few beats of silence passed as Dustin looked around uneasily, focusing on anything and everything to avoid the eyes of his friends.

Steve finally tore his eyes away from Nancy and set them on Dustin with a furrow in his brow, “Henderson, what aren’t you telling us?” he asked.

“I mean… I don’t know how we’re gonna be able to get you guys back there” he shook his head and shrugged in defeat, “I mean the gates have been closed for good, and El doesn’t use her powers like that anymore, I just…” he teetered back and leaned against the desk, folding his arms across his chest.

“Wait wait wait” Eddie groaned, waving his hands loosely as he stood, “Do we even want to go back? I’m wanted for murder,” he scoffed , gesturing at himself, then flinging his arm out to gesture towards the window, “that Vecna creep is killing at random… Everything seems pretty good here, why go back?” Outside the sky had darkened, school was way past over now, and yet they’d been so deep in their discussions that they’d missed the last bell.

The group sat in silence for a few more moments, taking in the reality of their situation and Eddie’s suggestion.

“We just need time, we’ll figure it out” Dustin said tiredly, moving to stand up and rounding the desk. No one responded as he rifled through his drawers and collected a briefcase and a set of keys. He pulled the rolling chair back to sit behind the desk and gestured towards the door. “We can’t do anything until we all get something to eat, get some sleep. you’ll come home with me and I’ll assemble the dream team.”

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harvestmoth · 2 years

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*SLAMS DOOR DOWN*

HEEERRRRESSSSSS ANONN

Anyways about the Necromancer Iroha au

How did Iroha get the hospital trio’s bodies?

I now have this mental image of Iroha and Sakurako stealing three bodies as security guards chase after them.

That aside it is story time :D

The news cut Iroha like a knife. She looked at the hospital room, the three young girls full of dreams and ambitions lay in their eternal sleep, resting until the end of the universe. She watched as the doctors noted the time of death and covering the girl’s face with a cloth. Iroha felt her knees give out from under her, as tears streamed down her face like a leaky faucet. She saw the nurses pick up several items.

Ui’s picture books and photo albums. Iroha remembers when Ui said she wanted to fill them with pictures and mementos of her and her friends travelling the city.

Touka’s Teddy bears lay on their side, their owner no longer holding them. Iroha remembers with each passing month the number of bears would grow, and Nemu joking that they probably grew on trees.

Nemu’s books and pen where laying open. The stories would never be finished and the characters would remain undeveloped. Iroha remembers when Nemu would spend nights writing her heart out, leading her to spend the next day out like a lightbulb.

She watched as these precious memories get packaged away in boxes, as nurses and doctors wheeled the girl’s bodies to the morgue. Iroha couldn’t even cry as she simply stood there, unmoving as she watched as the hospital room she held dearly become a cold and empty tomb of once was. She could still smell and taste the bentos they ate during cherry blossom season. She could hear Touka and Nemu bicker. She could feel the parchment of the textbooks Touka kept around. But she couldn’t see the memories anymore.

That room was no longer “Touka, Nemu, and Ui’s Room”. It was now simply, Room 205.

That night, Iroha didn’t shower. She didn’t eat dinner. She didn’t even sleep. She spent all her time sobbing on Ui’s bed. Clutching the photo album, her tears staining the bedsheets. She cried until her eyes were red and swollen. She sobbed until her throat went hoarse and dry.

She looked in the bathroom mirror. Her hair was a tangled mess and her clothes were wrinkled. She couldn’t even care at that point. She still felt a gaping hold in her heart.

One day, she walked to the library. It was the library where she would supervise the young girl’s adventures in literature. She could still see the stacks of books the girls never got to finish.

Then she accidentally kicked something. She looked down and saw a strange book by her foot. She noticed it was open. She then caught a glimpse of a page.

“REVIVAL”

She felt a spark of hope. She was desperate. She desperately wanted to hold them, to read Nemu’s stories, to hear Touka info dump, to hear Ui’s voice again. She picked the book up off the floor.

She’s going to bring them back. No matter the sins she must commit.

anon youve killed me like i killed the trio, how could you do this to me. had to scribble something again because your writing is killing me in the best way possible and the only thing i can do about it is scribbling hope you dont mind again

#youre paying for both the door and my emotional damage after reading this fantastic story #ow.#also to answer your question i honestly have no idea i was just gonna leave it like a zombieland saga situation #no one knows. but your image is much funnier #magia record #necromancer iroha au #anons my beloved :]#anon my everything dude your writing is so good

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fruit-salad-ship · 1 year

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Witcher au how did peach meet rai!

oof, hmmmm lets see what'd be fun. Peach was travelling from one town to the next, shifting around for paying work, up on the back of that big old shire of hers, sturdiest horse in the world. It didnt even flinch when another horse bolted out of the woods, atop its back a young boy, bound, shouting bloody murder for help. The horse he rides is stuck with arrows, just a little piebald, probably pulled a wagon or something prior to this. Peach turns and bolts after him, catches the reigns of his mount, slows it down, calms it with Axii and frees the boy.

She comes to learn this is Rei, a young and well trained squire who was travelling with a noble. He was however exchanged for goods, to be sold or utilised as a worker, his boss being a cowardly man who gave him up in exchange for his own life, along with treasure he had on hisperson. Rei ran when no one was looking and took the first horse he could find. The people who held him captive shot arrows, but otherwise missed him, sadly hitting his horse causing it to be chaotic and uncontrollable, but he did get away. At least he thought so.

More arrows flew, a swift dodge from peach, seeing three footsoldiers, rough bandit looking folk emerging from the woods. She tells her horse to run, a slap on the flank to get it to move, and the other horse follows instinctually, Rei still on it. They retreat to a safe distance and watch as Peach handles the trio of bandits, an additional two trying to sneak up on her, failing to handle the Igni sigile knuckle dusters she slammed into them.

Rei immediatly felt secure around the woman, and the two camped out that night. She made a quick healing salve, and patched Rei's horse up, hoping it may survive. They made it to town together and the boy expained that he was a squire, and that she looked like she needed help. She did not, not in the slightest, but he wanted to repay her kindness, and found her whole being intriguing, witchers were a rarity, and what a CV piece for him right?

It took no time at all before Peach realised this young kid was following her, endlessly asking to help, to learn, and she kept refusing. Rei however did not quit, and wore her down with pure irritation. With his horse recovering from its wounds, he had no boss, no job, and no direction. What better than to follow someone who coudl teach him so much? He endlessly asks questions and has a knack for people skills that peach lacks sometimes. he's proven very useful, and works hard.

#witcher AU #fruit salad

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scover-va · 7 months

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[ “ON THE COUNT OF THREE?” ]

You think Michael ever looks at Jeremy and just sees the product of his own guilt?

#scov.art #security trio time travel au #fnaf #michael afton #jeremy fitzgerald #crying child is implied here if that counts #blood cw #tw eyestrain #cw eyestrain #eyestrain #cw gore #artistic gore #uhh lemme know if i should add any other tags #must suck to frequently have hallucinations doesnt it mikey

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sennamybeloved · 2 years

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💞💗🤗🕹🎡🎆 FOR YOU, LUCIAN AND SENNA!! :DDD -Kittyboones/cafeiity

THANK YOU!!

💞: How did you all get together?

this is kinda a complicated question with a complicated answer, but in short, lucian and senna met before meeting me, and several months later, they both met me during a harrowing in the serpentine delta. we began working as a trio of sentinels of light, and over time, our reliance on each other blossomed into love. however, we did not get together at the same time. my first instinct was to third wheel myself and help them get together, which worked, but it didn’t last for long. a while later, they had a discussion amongst themselves about their feelings towards me, before kinda just absorbing me back into the relationship.

it’s the same for my modern fantasy au with us (which is of equal importance as canon to me) just minus all the shadow isles stuff.

💗: Was it always a polycule or did it start out as a monogamous relationship?

as previously stated, lucian and senna got together a little bit before the polycule was formed because i excluded myself from the relationship. i believed that they belonged together, and that my inclusion in the relationship would only ruin their bond. i also didn’t know if i’d function well in a poly relationship, and i was too scared to bring it up to them, because that would’ve require confessing.

🤗: Who gives the best hugs?

i don’t know, it depends; lucian is well over six foot and very muscular, he loves giving me and senna hugs but he’s kinda unaware of his own strength and tends to squeeze the air out of us, but it’s lovely all the same. he had a very tight and secure embrace. unless we’re in public or something, he won’t let go until we do. he’s berg affectionate.

senna, on the other hand, is less outwardly affectionate, but she gives such nice hugs. i headcanon her body type to be slightly different than how riot portrays her; she has more fat and WAY more muscle, giving her a very nice, strong body to hug. and she has big buff arms to hug you right back with! her hugs are usually short and sweet, but if i’m lucky, she’ll draw out our embrace while she strokes my back and plays with my hair, humming sweetly into my ear.

so i guess they both give the best hugs. i may just be bias, but i really can’t bring myself to choose between the two.

🕹: Do you play video games or tabletop games together? Which ones?

we play a lot of video games together! usually console games, and usually pvp fighting games. we try to find co-op games we can play together, but it’s really hard when most co-op games are made for 2 people. we usually just resort to games like minecraft or terraria, but none of us are particularly good at that style of game.

🎡: What’s your favorite place to go on dates?

we've always been a fan of picnic dates and dinner dates, but food and populated placed (ex: restaurants) are trouble areas for me, so we have to branch out sometimes. i like taking walks and they entertain that for me. we also occasionally go out partying together, but we're introverts and also old so it isn't our most popular date choice.

🎆: What other things do you all like to do together?

we have a garden in the summer! we also work on small indoor gardening projects throughout the year, such as mini flower gardens and other various houseplants (succulents, spider plants, etc…), as well as our (brief drug cw) honorary year-round marijuana greenhouse. we also make art together, go to a lot of shooting ranges/do martial arts and other various types of combat training, play video games, and travel, occasionally. we shop together more than we can afford, probably.

#lotus answers #* 💚 / death is drawn to life .#* 🖤 / a steadfast heart .#love us #ver y much #【 🌿 】 ✦ * · ˚ — i live to let you shine │ polyship: lucian + senna .

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potahun · 2 years

Photo

OK, and here’s the full ideas dump for the TSME4 get ‘Ingo’ed’ and sent to Hisui AU:

Where they wake up: Manon wakes up in the wild and gets picked up by the Ginkgo guild after almost getting mauled by Pokémon. Alan basically infiltrates Jubilife Village and the Galaxy Team, at a time when it is more open to outsiders. Meanwhile, Daigo wakes up near the Diamond Settlement, Mikuri in Cobalt Coastlands

Everyone has partial memories that are pretty easy to jog, except Daigo, who’s thoroughly forgotten even his own name, and somehow won’t get his memory jogged by anything? he seems pretty chill about it. the clan names him Steven

Mikuri forgot about Daigo, he remembers an important friend whose face is blurred

Mikuri could have taken on more roles and shown his skills with Pokémon, but chooses to keep a low profile and observe. People notice him regardless

Similarly, Alan tries to hide that he’s from the future and people think he’s just someone from another region who happens to be very good with Pokémon. He sometimes slips and refers to Professor Sycamore ( “this is just a tip that the Professor gave me”). People think he’s referring to Prof. Laventon but when this goes back to him, Prof. Laventon is like ?? did I say that? In the long run, Prof. Laventon thinks he has strokes of genius in his sleep

Alan “invents” Pokémon names when he has a slip of tongue. Rei finds it very fun. (“Haha me too, I’d like to catch a Charizard one day!”) Alan is both heartbroken and fond.

Alan and Manon first hear about a so-called “Steven” in Beni’s shop. The rumours are from a Security Corp who heard of a person like Alan in the Diamond Clan, who’s super strong and good with Pokémon and wanders around giving stones

Leader Adaman confirms that “Steven” refused the responsibility of being a warden, and instead wished to travel and collect “herbs” for the clan - or so he says but his bag is filled with more stones than herbs each time (x)

Alan and Manon have missing Lizardon and Hari-san sessions while camping out at night

Only Mikuri got warped with his Pokémon. His Milotic watches over him while living in the sea, and becomes known as a minor myth, with rumours gradually spreading that Mikuri is a siren who talks to weird sea creatures at night

Manon “scams” travellers and when Alan tells her she makes her goods overpriced (“they could have found this for free in the forest, they were heading towards it”) she replies that a girl needs to live and not everyone has a nice salary. Manon: “Also, how can you call me a scammer when you have Bagin at your workplace?” Alan: “…True.”

Both Manon and Alan suck at making Pokémon lures, for different reasons. Their lures stink and attract nothing good

Daigo gives Alan a Sky Tumblestone incrusted with Stardust because it’s exactly like your eyes

Daigo examines the Pokéballs made from Tumblestones. Alan wonders if it will jog his memory, but Daigo finds it “looks better as a stone”.

Daigo does feel like he is missing something, including a partner. Two partners, actually. One Pokémon and one human. He remembers someone with turquoise hair like aquamarine gemstones…

The trio runs into the Miss Fortune Sisters, and Daigo fends them off without even needing Alan’s help. He ends the fight with his “When it comes down to it, I’m still the strongest!” and Alan thinks, my God, even with memory loss his ego is massive

Daigo has befriended a Geodude which evolved all the way to a Golem, a Nosepass, and somehow, after beating it, an Alpha Steelix. Alan befriends a Bidoof at first, which he eventually releases to allow it to fulfil its dam-making dreams. He then catches a Growlithe

After much convincing and almost dying for the nth time, Manon finally accepts to let Daigo and Alan catch a Turtwig so she can at least defend herself if they’re not around for any reason ( “it won’t count as replacement for Hari-san though!” “no, no, it won’t.”) Anyway, she treats the little one very well

Daigo climbs Coronet Highlands cliffs without Sneasler’s help. When this becomes known to Alan and Manon, they both decide it is imperative to save Daigo from himself or he’s going to die young in Hisui

The trio parts ways again with Marisson still a duo. They are somewhat sad to separate (even Daigo admits that they feel familiar to him)

Alan and Manon are sent to investigate the Mikuri myth, and meet him as a duo. Upon realising he is the person with turquoise hair “like an aquamarine gemstone”, they make it their goal to have him meet Daigo

Upon meeting Mikuri, Daigo’s memory is, lo and behold, jogged

Somehow, they find a way to get back (I haven’t beaten the post-game yet, idek if its possible. I want to believe it is)

Not told, but Mikuri thinks this: the reason why only Daigo’s memory loss was so complete and so hard to undo must be because, subconsciously, his mind rejects the burdens linked to his real identity and his Hisuian lifestyle was ideal for him, without responsibilities and allowing him to just wander

#Steven stone #wallace #mairin #originshipping #incombustibleshipping #marissonshipping #but platonic #the strongest mega evolution #pokemon legends arceus #pokemon #alain #manon #trainer alain #tsme #tsme4 #my doodles #ok done now #back to completing the pokedex

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uglyshirtsinc · 2 years

Text

okay but fnaf au where rather than 2/3rds the afton trio die, Evan and Elizabeth died but only for a short time and within that period filled their respective robots with a ton of remnant but lived and as a trio tried to set the souls free and kill their old man, but while working as security guards slip through one of those time traveling ballpits and wind up in the future, specifically fnaf security breach

i say this solely because i really love the thought of them wandering through the halls in like their mid to late twenties fuckin yoinked from the year 2000 and dropped into SB, completely unprepared to run into a reckless child and his father bot (much to the pure HORROR of michael) and absolutely fuck shit up.

Mike would probably kick Monty down a flight of stairs, Elizabeth would climb the fazerblast walls when no one was looking and have to be dragged down by Freddy, and Evan would probably hyperventilate within the first 30 minutes. They have to visit the gift shop to grab those child backpack leashes for both Elizabeth and Gregory.

#fnaf #fnaf security breach #security breach #fnaf gregory #gregory #glamrock freddy #evan afton #fnaf crying child #elizabeth afton #afton family #michael afton #vanny who only signed up to kill one kid having to face a robot and three adults who turn out to be the kids of the dude she's workin for #'you think you can kill me?! im a fucking Afton you bitch!' 'wait wut'#mike is constantly disturbed by freddy meanwhile elizabeth loves freddy #evan suddenly remembers why he was terrified of the animatronics throughout his entire childhood because good LAWD monty is terrifying #lmao gregory goes to climb into freddy and they all screech in fear #elizabeth has the scar on her neck to prove that going to an animatronic when they open their stomach is NOT a good idea #and evan has the memories of children LITERALLY BEING SHOVED INSIDE THE SUIT STOMACHS to also know that is NOT a good idea #and mike's seen their dads blueprints if he didnt immediately grab gregory by the back of his shirt like you would a kitten by the scruff-#its a miracle in itself

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junghelioseok · 4 years

Text

clandestine. | 03

↳ forbidden fruit tastes the sweetest.

◇ jungkook x reader ◇ smut | fluff | brother’s best friend!au ◇ 9.2k [3/6]

notes: this will likely be my last update of this fic until the new year, because i have two (2!!!) other fics that i’m planning to post in december, including another jungoo one, so! please look forward to those, and enjoy this chapter in the meantime!

warnings: jk’s massive noona kink: a recurring yet warranted warning, me absolutely fucking up everything about korea’s geography probably, semi-public? fingering???, jungkook....... shall we say, rocks the boat, there is one (1) dick pic but no one’s complaining

⇢ 01 | 02 | 03 | 04 | 05 | 06

Monday - 11:27am

Kim Taehyung added you to the group: the great escape!!!!!! 🏝🚗💨

[11:27am] Taehyung: let’s gooooooooooo!!

[11:27am] Jisoo: ???

[11:28am] Lisa: go where?

[11:28am] Taehyung: parks lake house this weekend! we’re going on vacation!

[11:28am] You: hold up tae, we haven’t even asked our parents if we can have the house yet

[11:29am] Chimchim: oh yeah lmao

[11:29am] Chimchim: u wanna go ask noona??

[11:29am] You: nope

[11:30am] Chimchim: ugh, fine

[11:30am] Chimchim: u big baby

[11: 31am] You: 🙄

[11: 37am] Chimchim: they said yes!

[11:38am] Taehyung: LET’S GOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!

[11:38am] Minho: sweet 👍

[11:38am] Taemin: tight

[11:39am] Jungkook: dope

[11:40AM] Jisoo: you’re all idiots 🙄

Tuesday - 2:34pm

[2:34pm] Chimchim: i’ve secured the van

[2:34pm] Chimchim: for the trip i mean

[2:35pm] Taehyung: noice

[2:35pm] You: 10 people aren’t gonna fit in mom’s van, chim

[2:37pm] Jungkook: i can drive too

[2:37pm] Chimchim: 👍👍

[2:37pm] Chimchim: see? nothing to worry about

[2:38pm] Jungkook: yeah noona, nothing to worry about. nothing at all.

Wednesday - 9:49pm

[9:49pm] Taehyung: oh my god we need FOOD

[9:49pm] Lisa: you’re just realizing that now?

[9:50pm] Taehyung: shut up

[9:50pm] Taehyung: i have a cooler

[9:51pm] Lisa: and ice?

[9:51pm] Taehyung: ………… i will buy some ice

[9:52pm] You: there’s a grocery store on the way up that we always used to go to, we can stock up there

[9:52pm] Taehyung: 👍

[9:54pm] You: you also better remember to bring your own towels. and more than one change of clothing

[9:54pm] Taehyung: 👍👍

[9:55pm] Chimchim: yes, mom

///

The day of the trip finds you standing in the foyer, rifling through your purse to make sure you have all the essentials. Off in the distance, you can hear Jimin sprinting around frantically, catching the briefest glimpse of his ruffled blond hair before he disappears again into the depths of the house.

“Chim, I swear to god. Why didn’t you pack earlier?”

“I did!” your brother whines, poking his head out from the living room where his suitcase is lying wide open, belongings scattered in every direction. “It’s just that—oh, fuck. Do you have my toothbrush?”

“Why would I have your toothbrush?” you deadpan.

He ignores you, and not two seconds later, he lets out an excited shout. “Never mind! I found it!”

You sigh and rub your temples. The trip hasn’t even begun, yet you’re already feeling the beginnings of a headache coming on. “I’m going outside,” you call to your brother, who grunts in acknowledgement. Opening up the front door, you drag your suitcase out onto the sun-drenched porch, relishing the welcome breeze that caresses your cheeks and whispers through your hair.

The rare moment of peace is broken almost immediately by the rumble of a starting engine—the sound shuddery and wavering before it finally evens out into a steady, mechanical purr. It’s coming from nearby, and your gaze immediately travels to the neighboring driveway where a beat-up sedan sits, torn between exasperation and amusement when you see Jungkook waving at you from the driver’s seat.

“I’m coming to pick you up!” he calls through the open window, and you hold back your laughter as he reverses out of his driveway, rolls ten feet down the street, and pulls into yours.

“Was that really necessary?” you ask once he’s parked.

“Of course it was,” he replies, hopping out to grab your suitcase. You watch as he pops the trunk and loads it inside, and blanch when you realize what that means.

“Wait a second. Am I riding with you?”

Some emotion flashes across his face, but he wipes it away before you can identify it. “Would that be so terrible?”

It’s been one week since Taehyung’s party, and Jisoo’s warning still rings loud and clear in your brain. Still, you feign nonchalance and tamp down the uptick in your heart rate, offering him a shrug. “Just wasn’t expecting it, that’s all.”

He grunts. An awkward silence settles over you as he adjusts your suitcase in the trunk beside his, and you distract yourself by fiddling with your purse strap until he slams the lid closed.

“So…” you start after a few seconds. “Are we picking anyone else up?”

“Yugyeom,” Jungkook replies, opening up the driver’s side door and climbing in. Hesitantly, you make your way over to the other side of the car, wondering if there’s any way you can avoid sitting in the passenger seat without looking like a total weirdo.

“Oh! Jungkook’s here already?” Jimin exits the house at last, lugging his suitcase and a smaller backpack. He shoves both into the backseat of your mother’s van before coming over, frowning when he sees you hovering near the trunk. “Why are you just standing there?”

You make a face at him. “We’re waiting for you, dumbass. Who’s riding with you?”

“Tae, Minho, and Taemin,” your brother replies. “Didn’t you see the group chat this morning?”

“I muted it days ago,” you admit. “You guys were annoying as hell.” Then another thought strikes you, your brain belatedly registering the names Jimin listed. “Wait, what about the girls? Aren’t they coming?”

Your brother rolls his eyes. “Jisoo’s working as a camp counselor this summer, and Lisa has other vacation plans. Maybe if you hadn’t muted the chat, you’d have known that.”

He has a point, though you aren’t about to admit that. You’re also wise enough not to inquire about the third member of the trio, remembering Jisoo’s revelation at the party. It’s no surprise that Chaeyoung isn’t joining you for the weekend—you’d want to avoid extended periods of time with your ex-boyfriend too. At the thought, your gaze reluctantly flits back over to the ex in question, who raises an expectant brow when he catches your eye.

“Ready?” he calls out the open window.

No, you want to say. But Jimin has already clambered into the van and slammed the door shut, and Jungkook’s car is blocking the van in the driveway so you suck in a deep breath and slide into the passenger seat beside your dark-haired neighbor.

“Yeah. Let’s go.”

Jungkook nods and throws the car into reverse. One hand splays across the wheel while the other comes up to rest on the back of your seat, and your breath hitches when he cranes around to check his blind spots, his face suddenly too close for comfort.

He’s playing with you, you tell yourself firmly, leaning back until your back’s pressed against the door and you can safely breathe again. Chaeyoung. Think about what he did to Chaeyoung.

“Hey, I made a roadtrip mix,” Jungkook pipes up all of a sudden. He grabs his phone from where it’s resting on the dashboard, tapping at the screen until the first strains of a melody filter through the car speakers. “It should last us the whole way.”

You perk up when you recognize the tune. “Oh! I love this song.”

Jungkook watches out of the corner of his eye as you bob your head to the beat, before smiling down at his lap. “Yeah. I know.”

///

Yugyeom lives on the other side of town, in a sprawling, winding neighborhood that sends your brain—and your phone’s GPS—into a complete and total tailspin. “Wait, wait—hang on. I think you missed a turn. You must have.”

Jungkook’s face crumples in confusion as he slows the car to a crawl, drawing a few irritated honks from the cars behind you. “There weren’t any streets back there, though.”

“Are you sure?” you ask, twisting in your seat to get a better look. “The directions said to take a right in… oh, fuck, hang on. We’re not even on a digitized road anymore, apparently.”

Jungkook heaves a sigh, but when you glance up at him, he’s wearing a grin. “Come on, Noona. You’re supposed to be my navigator. I’m depending on you.”

“I only know how to get us to the lake house, not Yugyeom’s,” you sniff defensively. “This is way beyond my pay grade.”

Jungkook chortles and reaches out, extending an open palm. “Can I see your phone for a sec?” You nod, handing it over, and he clicks his tongue as he turns it upside-down—rotating it a full three hundred and sixty degrees before returning it. “We might be lost,” he declares.

“Gee, you don’t say.”

He chuckles again. Picking up his own phone, he swipes a thumb across the screen before handing the unlocked device over. “Here, call Yugyeom. Put him on speaker, yeah?”

You hum in acknowledgement and scroll down in his contacts until you find the other boy’s name, clicking it open. A photo fills the screen as it rings—clearly a group photo from the way it’s cropped, zoomed in on Yugyeom and the ridiculous face he’s making.

“Is this from graduation?” you ask curiously.

Jungkook blinks and tears his gaze away from the windshield. “Huh?”

“Yugyeom’s contact photo,” you clarify, tilting the phone screen so he can see. “He’s got robes on.”

“Oh.” He looks away again, cheeks flushing. “Yeah. It’s lame, I know.”

You shake your head. “Don’t say that. I think it’s nice.”

Jungkook doesn’t get a chance to respond, but it’s impossible to miss the grin that crinkles his face and settles there. There’s a staticky hum as the line connects, and then Yugyeom’s voice is filling the vehicle, sounding as if he’s just rolled out of bed.

“Whaddaya want?”

“We can’t find your fucking house, man,” Jungkook says bluntly, turning onto a street that you’ve driven down at least three times by this point. “Where do you live?”

On the other end of the line, Yugyeom sighs. “Okay, okay. What street are you guys on?”

That gives Jungkook pause. “Uhh, Cedar Street? Oak Avenue? It has a tree name.”

“Neither of those streets exist, dude.”

“Birch Boulevard!” you exclaim. “We’re on Birch Boulevard. I saw the sign a while back.”

“Ah, okay. You’re close, then. Do you see a sign for Linden Lane?”

You glance around until you alight on a signpost. “Yeah.”

“Turn right onto it. Then take the first left, go past the cul-de-sac, and another left. Do not pass Go, and do not collect two-hundred dollars. I’m the fifth house on the right.”

He ends the call before you can ask him to repeat the directions, and you send Jungkook a helpless look. “Did you get all of that?”

“Besides the overused Monopoly joke?” Jungkook asks.. “Yeah, I got it. Right, left, left. Fifth house. Shouldn’t take more than a few minutes to get there.”

And true to his word, you arrive at the house three minutes later. Yugyeom is standing on the front step with rumpled hair and a duffel bag at his feet, and you snort when he throws open the car door and flops across the entirety of the backseat.

“Rough morning?”

“Stayed up late packing,” he says by way of explanation, his eyes already beginning to drift shut. Jungkook immediately turns the music up, and you giggle when Yugyeom shoots upright at the bassline that’s now shaking the entire vehicle. “I’m up, I’m up! Jeez, man.”

Jungkook just sends him an innocent grin in the rearview mirror. You turn the volume back down to a reasonable level as Yugyeom directs Jungkook onto the best route to take out of the neighborhood, and it isn’t long before you’re merging onto the highway that leads toward the coast.

You’re just beginning to get comfortable, staring out the window at the passing cityscape, when your leg vibrates with an incoming text notification. Glancing down, you see that Jungkook’s phone has slipped between your thigh and the seat, the screen lit with a new message.

[10:21am] Minho: gonna be at the store in 10

“Minho says they’ll be at the grocery store in ten minutes,” you relay to your companions. “We have a little longer to go. Probably another half hour or so.”

“We wouldn’t be so far behind if Yugyeom didn’t live in a fucking labyrinth,” Jungkook remarks, but a glance at the young man in the backseat reveals that he’s drifted off despite your earlier stunt. Rolling his eyes, he turns to you. “Can you text him back, Noona?”

You nod and hold out his phone so he can unlock it with his thumb. “Hey,” you say once you’ve hit send on the message. “Do you have a contact photo for me?”

Jungkook stiffens slightly, his gaze skittering between you and the road. “Oh. Uh, yeah, I guess I do. But it’s nothing, really. It’s kinda lame. But you… you can look at it if you want.”

Curiosity piqued, you scroll down until you find your name, tapping on the image beside it. The photo is from several years ago, during a family trip to the lake house with the Jeons. You are no older than fifteen, your arm slung around a fourteen-year-old Jungkook as the two of you stand knee-deep in the lake, wearing swimsuits and bright smiles. In the background, you can just barely make out a blurry Jimin mid-splash.

“I remember this,” you murmur, zooming in on your smiling faces. “That was a fun summer.”

“Junghyun was grumpy the whole time,” Jungkook recalls with a laugh. “But we had a good time, didn’t we? We practically lived in the lake that entire week.”

“Or that old canoe.” You grin, taking one last look at the photo before locking his phone and handing it back to him. “Remember? We’d always row out too far, and our parents would scream for us to come back before we fell in and drowned.”

Jungkook snickers. “As if I’d ever let you drown. I’m a great swimmer.”

“Are you saying I’m not?”

He backpedals immediately, realizing his mistake. “Hey, don’t twist my words. I said nothing of the sort.”

“That’s what I thought.” Giggling, you turn to look out the window, propping your chin in your palm as you watch the scenery flash past. “And I want that photo, by the way. Send it to me?”

“As soon as we get to the store,” Jungkook promises. “Speaking of which, we’re getting close. Keep an eye out for the exit for me?”

“Deal.”

///

Jimin and the others are waiting in the parking lot when you arrive, perched on and around the van as they watch Jungkook expertly maneuver the car into a neighboring parking space. “Took you long enough,” your brother says once the engine is cut, hopping off the hood and landing lightly on both feet.

“We’re here now, aren’t we?” you snark as you join the others hovering near the grocery store entrance. Jimin makes a face at you, and you stick your tongue out in response. After a quick huddle—wherein you form a very haphazard game plan—everyone disperses. Jimin grabs a shopping cart and heads inside with Taehyung and Minho, the latter of whom is trying to clamber his way into the cart to hitch a ride.

Sighing, you grab a shopping cart of your own and scan the interior of the store for the produce section. They’ve rearranged the aisles since you were last here, but you quickly find what you’re looking for and begin picking your way over when Jungkook materializes at your side.

“So, what are you thinking for food?” he asks, nudging you away so he can push the cart in your stead.

You allow him to take over, gesturing toward your destination. “I know my brother,” you tell him dryly. “He’s going to buy meat and completely forget about everything else. And I don’t trust any of you to buy a single fruit or vegetable.”

“I like fruit and vegetables,” Jungkook defends.

“You like everything,” you correct, flashing him a teasing grin before leading him into the produce section.

Grocery shopping with Jungkook turns out to be surprisingly pleasant—comfortable, even. He proves adept at finding the ripest fruits and greenest vegetables, and when you ask him to find some apples, he trots off immediately and returns with a handful of sweet potatoes in addition to your requested fruit.

You raise an eyebrow. “What are you planning to do with those?”

Jungkook feigns offense, slapping a hand to his heart. “That’s cold, Noona. Don’t you think I can cook?”

“I’ve never seen you cook in my life,” you respond. “How am I supposed to know if you can or not?”

“I can,” he promises. “And I’ll prove it too, if you let me.”

You get the feeling he’s not just talking about cooking anymore, but he doesn’t give you a chance to answer. Dropping the apples and potatoes into the cart, he flashes you a crooked little smile before turning toward a display of cabbages, leaving you to wonder at what exactly is going through his head.

///

It’s nearly one in the afternoon when you arrive at your family’s lake house. The last stretch of the drive takes you through the forest along a winding, narrow road, but Jungkook is a capable driver and you know the way well enough to warn him about any upcoming hairpin turns. Piling out of the car, the three of you make quick work of putting the food safely into the refrigerator. By the time you’re finished, Jimin and the others have arrived as well, lugging their belongings inside and setting them inside the entryway.

“So who’s sleeping where?” Taehyung asks, glancing around the house. It’s modestly sized, with a living area on one side and a combined dining room and kitchen on the other. Three bedrooms and a bathroom branch off of the hallway between them, ending in a back door that leads out to the lake. Through the window, you can see the water glimmering in the sunlight, hazy and golden.

“We’ll have to share,” Jimin says. “ If Noona takes one room, that leaves two bedrooms and the pullout couch for the rest of us.”

Jungkook tilts his head. “Rock, paper, scissors?” he suggests, drawing a chorus of groans.

“I always lose!” Jimin complains. “And Taemin cheats!”

“Do not!”

Laughing at the indignant expression on your brother’s face, you decide to leave them to it and head to your bedroom with your luggage in tow. The room is just as you remember it, with a bed tucked against one wall and a dresser on the opposite. There are three doors in total—one that you just entered through, and another that opens into a small closet. The third leads to a bathroom—shared with the bedroom on the other side of the wall that usually belongs to Jimin. Vaguely, you wonder who will be sleeping there tonight, before setting your suitcase on the bed and unzipping it.

“Fuck!”

You jump at the sudden shout, poking your head out into the hallway to see what’s causing all the commotion. Yugyeom is kneeling on the floor with his head down, a crestfallen Taemin standing beside him. Meanwhile, Taehyung and Minho look supremely pleased with themselves, and you see why when they grab their bags and practically skip to the master bedroom across the hall, collapsing onto the king-sized bed.

“Have fun on the couch, losers!” Jimin singsongs, grabbing Jungkook by the wrist and dragging him into their newly won bedroom on your side of the hallway. “Lake in fifteen minutes, so get changed! Last one there’s in charge of dinner!”

The door slams shut behind him, and you roll your eyes before turning back to your opened suitcase and pulling out a book. There’s a perfectly shaded spot beneath one of the trees along the water, and you fully intend to capitalize on the last few hours of daylight before the sun begins to set.

Minho is the only one outside when you exit the house, standing on the dock in a pair of green swim trunks. He waves at you cheerily before cannonballing into the lake, and you squeak as the resulting splash sends water splattering across the front of your shirt.

“Sorry!” he calls when he resurfaces, shaking his hair out like a wet dog.

You wave off his apology with a laugh, settling down onto the soft grass at the base of your chosen tree and opening up your book. The other boys trickle out of the house one by one, but you barely notice. It isn’t until a triumphant shout pierces the air that you finally glance up to see what’s causing all the commotion, your gaze immediately landing on Taehyung standing on the back steps of the house.

“Trust me,” he says, unbothered by his apparent tardiness. “You don’t want me to make dinner.”

Minho pulls a face and straightens up from where he’d been floating on his back. “You know, he kinda has a point there.”

Murmurs of agreement all around. Taehyung gives Jimin a smug smile, who scowls from where he’s sitting at the end of the dock, his bare feet dangling over the edge. “So what now? Do we have to play rock, paper, scissors again?”

“Nah, I’ll do it.”

Every head whips around to face Jungkook, yours included. He’s standing a short ways from where you’re sitting—his approach so quiet that you hadn’t even heard him arrive. The last time you checked, he’d been diving off the dock with Minho and Yugyeom, water pooling in his collarbones and dripping down the ridges of his taut abdomen each time he resurfaced.

Not that you’d been looking, of course.

“Really?” Jimin looks aghast at his best friend’s declaration. “You can cook?”

Jungkook scoffs in disbelief and plops down beside you, leaning back against the tree trunk. “Why does everyone in your family seem surprised by that?” he asks, his lip jutting out in a petulant frown. “Do I seem like someone who can’t cook?”

“Yes,” you tell him honestly, marking your page and letting the book fall shut. “Don’t take it personally, though. Men only learn how to cook in college when they have to start fending for themselves. And sometimes, not even then.”

The noise that leaves Jungkook’s mouth can best be described as disgruntled, but he doesn’t press any further. Instead, he peers over your shoulder to get a look at the cover of your book, mouthing the title to himself before glancing at you. “Haven’t I seen you reading this before?”

“Probably,” you admit. “It’s an old favorite.”

He hums, slouching back against the tree again, and when you look over, you see that both his eyes have fallen shut. With his mouth parted and his dark lashes resting on his cheeks, he looks years younger than he is—and so much more like the Jungkook you used to know.

“Tired?” you whisper.

“Long drive,” Jungkook whispers back, his head already beginning to loll. “Lemme sleep, Noona.”

Smiling to yourself, you return to your book and leave him to rest.

///

“So, what are you even planning to make?” Jimin asks, swinging his legs. He’s seated atop the kitchen counter, taking up the majority of what precious little space there is to begin with, and Jungkook sighs deeply as he’s forced to dodge around him yet again to peer into the refrigerator.

“You’ll see.”

“I don’t think you even know yet,” Taemin pipes up from the doorway. The other boys are in the living room playing Mario Kart, but Taemin and Jimin have selflessly pulled themselves away from the game to help their friend in the kitchen—or so they say. As far as you’re concerned, they’ve been nothing but a nuisance thus far, but you don’t voice that particular thought aloud.

“Ramen doesn’t count as making dinner,” Jimin points out snidely when Jungkook pauses too long next to the box of ramen packs. “Anyone can boil water. And you don’t get to add an egg and call it fancy, like you usually do.”

“My ramen is delicious, excuse you,” Jungkook retorts, pointing a spatula at him. “And that’s not even what I’m making, so fuck off.”

Jimin shrugs, but shuts his mouth nonetheless. You take the opportunity to throw some pork belly at him, the meat wrapped neatly in paper and tied off with twine. “Here,” you tell him. “You could at least make yourself useful and start grilling the meat.”

“Okay, mom,” your brother grumbles under his breath, hopping off the counter. He and Taemin head out to the back porch where the grill sits, and you join Jungkook at the stove where he’s staring thoughtfully at an empty pan.

“Try twisting the dial. I’ve heard that helps.”

Jungkook snaps out of his daze and turns to you. “Huh?”

“The stove. It won’t light itself, you know.”

Chuckling, Jungkook twists the dial as instructed, adding a drizzle of oil to the pan. As it heats up, he turns and selects a knife from the cutlery drawer. The sweet potatoes he’d insisted on purchasing are already washed and peeled, and you watch as he begins to slice them, your gaze automatically flitting down to his exposed forearms, his muscles flexing with every movement.

“Hey, Noona? Can you do me a favor?”

You blink, tearing your gaze from the branching veins lining his arms. “What?”

Jungkook, thankfully, doesn’t seem to notice your distracted state. “Can you put the rice in the microwave?” he asks, and you can’t help but giggle.

“Why?” you tease. “Are you still scared?”

“Of course not,” he retorts, but you don’t miss the wary look that flashes across his face when you plop the rice inside and go to punch in the cook time.

The remainder of the cooking goes smoothly. Jimin and Taemin return with the grilled meat, and Jungkook rebuffs your offer to set the table, leaving his position at the stove to lay plates and utensils down on the table himself. “I’m just about done, anyway,” he tells you, gesturing at the plate of glazed sweet potatoes on the counter. “Sit down and relax, Noona.”

“Fine,” you relent, taking a seat. Jimin takes the chair beside you, and Taemin plops down on his other side. Jungkook sits down just to your left once he’s finished laying out the food, and for a brief, insane moment, you almost think that he’s going to repeat what he’d done at his graduation dinner. But the dark-haired young man remains on his best behavior, keeping his hands to himself under the table, and you aren’t sure whether you’re grateful or disappointed.

The meal flies by in a flurry of laughter and conversation. Jungkook discovers that his glazed sweet potatoes have adhered to the plate, and sends everyone into hysterics when he promptly starts spinning it around like a steering wheel.

It’s a good night. And at the end of it, you go to bed warm and content, with a belly full of food and a smile on your face.

///

You awaken to the sound of chirping songbirds and gentle waves lapping at the shore the next morning, thoroughly rejuvenated after an undisturbed night’s sleep. Stretching your arms overhead, you yawn and bask in the comfort of your bed for a few more moments before getting up and heading to the bathroom, thankful that you don’t have to fight anyone for sink occupancy. The toilet seat is even down, which comes as a welcome surprise, all things considered.

Before long, you are back in your bedroom, rifling through the contents of your suitcase. Belatedly, you realize that you’ve packed only one swimsuit—and a bikini, at that. Cheeks warming, you pull the two pieces out, holding them up against your body. Has it always been this small? You don’t remember. All you know is that Jungkook has two fully functional eyes, and there’s no way that he won’t be looking at every inch of skin you choose to expose.

In the end, you settle on wearing the bikini beneath a flowy, floral kimono-style robe, tied at the waist to form a makeshift dress. The ensemble reaches just past your knees and is sheer enough to still show skin, but you no longer feel as self-conscious going out into the view of your companions and that’s a victory as far as you’re concerned. Checking your reflection one last time, you adjust your sash before opening the bedroom door and heading down the hall for some breakfast.

Unsurprisingly, the kitchen is empty when you walk in, tiptoeing past a still slumbering Taemin and Yugyeom on the pullout couch. You savor the quiet as you start up the old coffeemaker, pulling a mug from the cabinet and rinsing it out to get rid of any lingering dust. The weather app on your phone promises that it’ll be a clear, cloudless day, and a glance out the window confirms it. Silently, you debate whether or not to crack a window.

Your musings are interrupted by the arrival of Taehyung, his brown hair sticking up at all angles. Blearily, he trundles to the fridge and grabs the orange juice, seemingly two seconds away from chugging it straight from the carton before you clear your throat and push a clean glass toward him. You think you hear him mumble a thank you.

As the morning wears on, the others slowly begin to trickle in. Breakfast is a disorganized affair that leaves bread crumbs all over the counter, and nearly causes a fight when everyone seems to want their eggs cooked a different way.

“Look, if you wanted your egg soft-boiled, you should’ve made it yourself!” Jimin grouches to Taehyung, the t-shirt over his head muffling his words. Everyone else is already in the water, splashing about, but you’re seated on the end of the dock with your brother and Taehyung, who looks thoroughly unfazed behind his tinted sunglasses.

“Maybe if I knew how to soft boil an egg, I would have.”

“Google exists,” Jimin says, finally freeing himself from the shirt and tossing it aside.

Taehyung nods sagely. “Exactly. So why didn’t you use it?”

Jimin is beginning to look positively murderous, so when Minho swims over and taps your submerged ankle, you are beyond grateful for the distraction. “Hey. What’s up?”

“Are you gonna swim, or are you gonna sit onshore the whole time?” Minho asks, raking his wet bangs out of his eyes. “The water’s not even cold, so get in here.”

Pointedly, you wiggle your toes. “Feels pretty cold to me.”

“Okay, fine. It’s cold.” Minho grins. “But you get used to it.”

You sigh at his easy admission. “All men do is lie. How am I supposed to believe you?”

He raises a brow. “Do I need to pull you in and dunk you under?”

“I will kick you if you even try,” you tell him, standing up and shrugging off your robe. An audible hush falls as the gauzy material pools around your ankles—Jungkook stops wrestling with Yugyeom and trying to dunk him underwater, and Taemin pauses mid-splash, his hair drenched and dripping.

It’s Minho who breaks the silence first, letting loose a low whistle of appreciation. “Damn, {Name}.”

Jimin grabs a shoe from the pile on the dock and chucks it at him, hard. “Dude, that’s my fucking sister!”

“Ow! What the fuck, man, that’s my shoe!”

“Quit ogling my sister!”

“I’m not!” Minho yells, just as Jimin chucks the other shoe and hits him square in the mouth. “Okay, I’m not anymore. Sorry, okay?”

Once he’s sufficiently sure that Jimin is done attacking him, Minho turns to you. “I’m sorry,” he says sincerely. “I didn’t mean to make you uncomfortable or anything. You know that, right?”

“I know,” you reassure him. “Honestly, it was kinda good for my self-esteem. And I don’t need you defending my honor, or whatever it is you think you’re doing,” you add, glancing over at your disgruntled brother.

“Men are pigs,” Jimin sniffs. “I won’t apologize.”

You ruffle his hair good-naturedly. “I know, Chim. You’re right.” Then your smile turns mischievous. “I won’t apologize for what I’m about to do, either.”

And then you grab him by the arm and drag him into the lake, the cold water submerging you in an instant and stealing the breath out of your lungs. You’re both gasping by the time you resurface, blinking water out of your eyes, and you squeal when Jimin takes the opportunity to splash you again.

Hours pass—the sun rising higher overhead. Around noon, Taehyung disappears inside the house and returns with an assortment of snacks and sandwich fixings, ushering everyone over for an impromptu lunch on the dock. You dip your feet into the water as you munch on a bag of chips, and Jungkook plops down beside you with a juice box in one hand and a ham sandwich in the other.

“Wanna go for a ride in the canoe after lunch?” he asks, jabbing a thumb back in the direction of the house. “I found it in the garage.”

You laugh. “Really? I thought for sure we got rid of that thing. Are you sure it hasn’t sprung a leak?”

Jungkook’s face crinkles into a grin. “Guess we’ll have to wait and see, huh?”

You grin back and raise your cup, the lemonade inside swishing around. “I’ll hang on to this, just in case I need to start bailing water out.”

Lunchtime winds down gradually. Jungkook polishes off his sandwich and trots off to fetch the canoe, waving off your offers to help before disappearing around the corner of the house. You watch him return a few minutes later from your seat on the end of the dock, resting your weight back on your hands and swirling your pruney toes in the water. He’s stripped off the loose white tee he’d donned during lunch, his golden skin cast in shadow by the canoe perched across his bare shoulders, and your gaze trails from his bulging biceps down to the ridges of his abdomen. The muscles flex with every step he takes, and you hastily take another sip of lemonade in an effort to combat the sudden dryness in your throat.

With a grunt, Jungkook comes to a stop at your elbow, heaving the boat into the water. The impact sends ripples across the lake and the butterflies in your belly into a frenzy, and you nearly fall off the dock when Jungkook touches your shoulder gently.

“Ready to go, Noona?”

You nod, not quite trusting yourself to speak. Jungkook holds the boat steady with one hand while offering you the other, and you gratefully grasp it as you step off the dock. The canoe rocks dangerously when Jungkook clambers in after you, but quickly steadies when he picks up an oar and jabs at the dock to push off into the lake. The glimmering expanse of blue water stretches before you, and you relax as you let your fingers dangle off the side of the boat, watching ripples form beneath your fingertips.

“I can help row,” you say after a few moments, casting a glance over at Jungkook. He’s settled into a rhythm now, the veins and tendons in his arm flexing with each movement, and you’re suddenly very aware of how close he’s sitting.

“You—” Jungkook says, fixing you with a playful stare, “—just enjoy the ride, yeah?”

Shaking your head, you smile and turn back around to admire the view. Sunlight reflects off the rippling water, lending a golden iridescence to the glittering blue depths. In the distance, the opposite shoreline rises up, crowned with rocky outcrops and majestic dark green pines.

With a start, you realize how far away you’ve gotten from the other boys. The shouts and laughter from the house are quickly fading into the background, and you nervously turn to look at Jungkook as he rows you even further.

“God, my dad would freak if he saw us right now,” you remark, trying to diffuse the sudden tension that’s settled. “I mean, we don’t even have life jackets. He’d lose his mind.”

Jungkook hums. He stops rowing, his hands stilling on the oars, and you’re just about to ask him what’s wrong when a warm hand glides up your thigh.

“You think you could maybe stop talking about your dad, princess?” Then he smirks. “Unless you’re into the whole daddy kink thing, because I’d be down to explore that at some point if you want—“

“Jungkook!” you hiss, scandalized.

“Yes?” the young man in question hums, his face the picture of innocence. It’s hard to muster up your vocabulary when he’s looking up at you with those wide doe eyes, but you somehow manage to prevail over your malfunctioning brain.

“We’re in public!” you whisper, glancing back at the shore where your brother and his friends have started an impromptu game of water polo.

Jungkook smirks crookedly at you. “Guess you better not scream too loud, then.”

And then, before you can open your mouth to protest—before you can even try to call his bluff—he’s slipped his hand into your bikini bottoms and found his way to your clit. Your entire body spasms when he presses into it experimentally, and the resulting snicker that escapes him is nothing short of infuriating.

“Careful,” he coos, laying his free hand on your thigh, his thumb rubbing nonsensical circles into the soft skin. “Don’t wanna rock the boat, now.”

Then he returns his attention to your clit, pinching the nub just to watch you jolt in his grasp and soothing you with a gentle kiss to the knee afterward. Your skin warms beneath the plush of his lips, and the pleased smile that curves them is all the warning you get before he sheathes a single finger in your clenching core. “Jungkook—” you gasp, shoving uselessly at his bare shoulders, but you can’t keep the edge of desire out of your voice. You can’t hide the growing wetness between your legs either—wetness that he most certainly feels as he slips another finger inside, pumping into you with ease.

“God, look at you,” he murmurs, his eyes trained on the way you clench around him. “So pretty like this. So pretty, getting fucked by my fingers. I could do this all day.”

“We—we don’t have all day,” you whisper. The last syllable dissolves into a moan as Jungkook eases a third finger into your cunt, and you scrabble to ground yourself when he picks up his leisurely pace. One hand settles on the edge of the boat, your fingernails digging into the wood, while the other finds Jungkook’s bicep. His arm flexes beneath your grip with each snap of his wrist, and you keen when he crooks his fingers just right and sends stars skittering across your vision.

He knows that you’re getting close. You can tell from the growing furrow between his brows and the hard set of his jaw, and you can tell that he won’t stop until he gets you off. Concentration etches across his face, and you gasp when his thumb finds your clit again.

“Oh, fuck, Jungkook—”

“That’s it,” he rasps, digging deeper and thumbing roughly across your bundle of nerves. “Cum for me.”

And you do. With one final flick of his wrist, Jungkook sends you hurtling over the edge that he’s so effortlessly built, a cresting wave of pleasure overtaking your body and spreading through your veins. Your leg kicks out instinctively, rocking the canoe dangerously in the water, but Jungkook catches you by the ankle with his free hand and presses a kiss to the inside of your thigh. He shifts his weight until you’re steadied once more, and only then does he ease his fingers out of you, raising them to his mouth to lick them clean.

“Think we can sneak away so I can fuck you properly?” he asks.

Your cheeks heat up at the lewd display, warming even more when his words register in your muddled brain. “Oh my god, Jungkook.”

“That’s exactly what you’ll be saying when I really get my hands on you,” Jungkook agrees. Flashing you a mischievous grin, he drops his hand over the edge of the boat, letting the turquoise water wash away any lingering fluids. “What do you think? The backseat of my car isn’t half bad…”

“I will literally push you into this lake,” you tell him, trying and failing to hide a disbelieving laugh. “Why are you such a perv?”

“You like it,” Jungkook defends immediately. “‘Sides,” he adds, casting a wary glance at the shore where Jimin and the others are still fully engrossed in their game, “I wanna kiss you while I fuck you. It’s not as good like this.”

At that, something dangerously close to affection blooms in your belly, winding its curious tendrils around your heart. Swallowing the feeling down, you pick up one of the oars instead, handing it over to him before hefting the other. “Come on,” you murmur. “They’re gonna get suspicious if we’re gone too long.”

Jungkook hums. “Yeah. Probably.”

And then he raises the oar you just handed him, lifting it until the paddle covers both of your faces, and boldly plants a firm kiss on your mouth.

“I’ll row us back,” he declares casually when he pulls away, as if he hasn’t just stolen all the oxygen from your lungs. As if your lips aren’t burning where he’s kissed you, your cheeks hot beneath his gentle exhalations. As if you aren’t positively thrumming with the desire to pull him back in, and maybe take him up on his offer to fuck you in the backseat of his beat-up sedan.

“Yeah,” you say instead, your voice hoarse. “Let’s go.”

///

What few remaining hours of daylight you have, you decide to spend inside. Jungkook gets roped into the water polo match as soon as the two of you return to shore, and you take the opportunity to slip into the house and clean yourself up. Safely locked away in the bathroom, you strip off your damp bikini bottoms and toss them in the sink. The top follows, and you give both a quick wash, doing your best to ignore the remaining slick from your orgasm that stubbornly coats the material.

Once everything is washed and hanging up to dry, you step into the shower. Warm water soaks your hair and slides down your back, and you tilt your head back to let the spray wash your worries away, relishing in the rare moment of peace and quiet.

By the time you’ve toweled off and gotten dressed, you can hear the boys beginning to traipse back into the house. From what you can make out, they’re making dinner plans, and you poke your head out curiously when Jimin mentions you by name.

“What are you saying about me?” you ask, narrowing your eyes accusingly at your brother.

Jimin whirls around, his cherubic face a perfect picture of innocence. “Nothing! I was just talking about your fried rice and how good it is…”

“You’re trying to get me to make you dinner,” you sigh. “I knew it.”

“No, we’ll help!” your brother promises. “I swear, as soon as I get out of the shower, I’ll chop all the vegetables.”

“Sure you will,” you snort, brushing past him and heading for the kitchen.

Much to your surprise, the kitchen is already occupied when you arrive. Jungkook and Yugyeom are at the counter—the former poised with a knife at the ready, about to slice into an onion. The latter is digging through the cabinets, and both turn at the sound of your footsteps.

“Hey,” Yugyeom says. “You probably know where the bottle opener is, right?”

You nod. “Left of the sink, second drawer down.” Then you turn your attention to Jungkook, peering curiously over his shoulder. “What’s the onion for?”

“Dinner,” he replies, flashing you a crooked little smile. “We’re making fried rice, aren’t we?”

Your heart skips a beat in your chest and races to catch up, thumping erratically against your ribcage. It’s hard to ignore the warmth blossoming in your belly—near impossible to ignore the butterflies that have made a home there—but you somehow manage to school your expression into something passably neutral and busy yourself with the other vegetables on the counter. “I see Jimin got to you, too. Is the other cutting board clean?”

Jungkook nods, jabbing a thumb in the direction of the dish rack. “Washed it last night, yeah. It’s all yours, Noona.”

You hum and skirt around Yugyeom to grab the clean board and another knife. Chopping vegetables goes a lot faster with two people, and Yugyeom does his part by cracking open two bottles of beer and plunking one down next to each of you before opening a third for himself. “Hydrate,” he orders, and you roll your eyes before picking it up and taking a sip.

It doesn’t take long to finish making dinner. As promised, Jimin joins you as soon as he’s out of the shower, plucking the knife out of your hand and nudging you aside so he can finish cutting the vegetables. You fire up the stove and drizzle some oil into a pan, and smile when Taehyung brings you the container of leftover rice and a large serving bowl.

“You know what we should do?” Minho asks as you’re all sitting down to eat. Yugyeom’s opened more beers, and Jimin’s brought out the wine as well. Jungkook is spooning out fried rice for everyone, and you accept the bowl he hands you with a murmur of thanks before looking at Minho expectantly.

“What should we do?”

“Go to the beach,” he replies, tilting the remainder of his beer back into his mouth. “It’s only an hour away, isn’t it?”

“Closer to half an hour without traffic,” Jimin corrects. “But, yeah, we should go. That would be fun.”

By the time dinner is finished, you’ve finalized plans to drive down to the beach in the morning. “Remember, we’re leaving at ten,” you tell Jimin, elbowing him in the ribs. “That means you have to wake up before ten.”

“I know!” your brother whines, rubbing the spot where you elbowed him with a grimace. “Jeez, Noona. I’m good at waking up. It’s Jungkook and Tae you have to worry about.”

“Says the punk who takes hour-long showers,” you snark. “What are you gonna do when you have to pay your own water bills, huh?”

“Shower at your place,” he replies smugly. “You can’t turn me away. I’m your brother.”

“Please, that’s exactly why I can turn you away, you little mooch.”

“You love me!”

“Really? You wanna test that theory?”

The remainder of the evening passes in a blur of booze and board games, unearthed from the closet in the hall. Despite your collective agreement to go to bed early, it’s past midnight when you finally bid everyone goodnight and crawl underneath your covers. Shutting your eyes, you will your brain to settle and your limbs to relax, and you’re on the verge of drifting off when your phone suddenly buzzes. Lazily, you roll over and snatch the device off the nightstand, taking in the late hour before your eyes flit down to the new notification and go wide.

[1:02am] Jungkook: IMG_497

You freeze, thumb hovering just above the message. Even when your screen goes dark again, you can’t erase the sight of his name lighting up your phone, the attachment sitting there like a taunt. You shouldn’t open it. You can’t open it.

But curiosity gnaws at your belly, fraying the edges of your resolve. Slowly, you wake the screen, watching as Jungkook’s name fills it once more. You hesitate, bottom lip finding its way between your teeth.

And then your phone buzzes again, several times in quick succession.

[1:04am] Jungkook: i miss you, noona

[1:04am] Jungkook: miss your pretty face

[1:04am] Jungkook: miss how tight your pussy felt around my fingers

You drop the device as if scorched. It takes several moments to gather your wits again, but when you do, pick up your phone, clicking on his name and scrolling up to the attachment. In the darkness of your bedroom, you watch with bated breath as it downloads.

“Fuck.”

The expletive slips past your lips, unbidden, but you can’t help it. Jungkook stares out at you from the photograph illuminating your screen, his eyes hooded and his lips curled into a devious smirk. He’s in the shared bathroom between your bedrooms, and even though it’s dark inside, the flash of his camera is just enough to illuminate the distinctive palm tree patterned shower curtain behind him.

But, you aren’t focused on that.

No, your focus is zeroed in on the foreground of the photo, where you can perfectly make out the head of Jungkook’s cock, sticky and leaking copiously from between his fingers.

“Fuck,” you repeat, louder this time.

And as if reading your mind, another text flashes onto your screen.

[1:07am] Jungkook: wish your pretty little pussy was stretched around my cock right now, princess

You aren’t sure what possesses you to send the response you do, but your thumbs are moving before the more rational side of your brain can catch up and stop you.

[1:07am] You: why don’t you come over and make it happen then?

You’ve only just hit send when the bathroom door swings open, revealing Jungkook standing there in nothing but sweatpants. His face is illuminated in the stark white light shining from his screen, his eyes dark and his smirk even darker. Every movement drips with intent, from the way his lips quirk upward to the way he saunters over to join you on your bed, dropping his phone somewhere amongst the rumpled sheets. The room goes dark.

And then…

“Hey, princess.”

His lips are at your ear, hot breath caressing your cheeks and sending shivers down the length of your spine. The mattress dips beneath his weight as he joins you, a hand finding your bare thigh before sliding up to grasp your hip. Only an oversized t-shirt and a thin pair of cotton panties shield you from his roving fingers, and you can tell from the pleased curve of his mouth that he isn’t going to let either stand in his way. One hand slips beneath the hem of your shirt, dancing along your ribcage, and you let out a breathy gasp when he trails up and skims along the soft skin just below the swell of your breasts.

“Been thinking about you all night, you know,” Jungkook whispers, pushing up your shirt and peppering kisses along every inch of newly revealed flesh. “Been thinking about how pretty you looked, cumming around my fingers, and how much prettier you’d look cumming around my cock.”

Your shirt is long forgotten by this point, tugged overhead and thrown carelessly over his shoulder. Jungkook hauls you closer, slotting himself between your spread legs, and you shiver when he presses the pad of his thumb against your clothed clit, the material uncomfortably damp as it clings to your folds.

“Jungkook—” His name escapes you in an airy whisper. “Please.”

Even in the darkness, you can see the satisfied, self-assured tilt of his lips. “Such a good girl for me,” he croons, leaning down to press a kiss to your waiting mouth. His free hand comes up to cup your cheek while the other remains between your legs, and you gasp sharply when he digs his thumb a little harder against your clit, circling the sensitive bud.

Jungkook seizes upon the opportunity to slip his tongue past your lips, licking into your mouth with unrestrained ardor. Your panties are peeled away, the cottony material disappearing right alongside the pressure of his thumb, and the inadvertent whine that escapes you has him chuckling darkly in his throat.

“What is it, princess?” Jungkook rasps, his voice dipping several pitches. “You have to tell me what you want, remember?”

You clutch at his wrist weakly, tugging it back between your legs until he finally indulges you and resumes his lazy revolutions around your clit. “Want you,” you whisper. “Want you inside me.”

Jungkook lets out a pleased hum, rewarding you with a single finger that he slips into your sopping entrance, your juices aiding the smooth glide as he curls it up in search of the spot that’ll have you seeing stars. “See? That wasn’t so hard, was it?”

“No, it wasn’t,” you agree shakily. “But it looks like you are, so why don’t you let me help you out?”

Jungkook chuckles softly, his lips ghosting across the swell of your cheek. “Oh, yeah? And how exactly do you plan on helping me?”

Slowly, you reach down, letting your fingers graze the sizable bulge in his sweatpants. “You said it yourself, didn’t you? Me, stretched around your cock?”

A low groan escapes him when you give him a firm stroke, your fingers barely meeting around his length. “On your back,” he commands hoarsely, nudging you backward until you’re nestled into your pillows. Freeing his erection from the confines of his sweatpants, he settles comfortably between your spread legs, the mattress groaning in protest at the shift in weight.

“Wait,” you whisper, grabbing his wrist. “Did you hear that?”

His face scrunches in confusion. “Hear what?” he asks, as if he’s never heard that particular string of words before. “Are you sure it wasn’t just—”

He stops mid-sentence, and you both hear it again—the unmistakable creaking of bedsprings from next door. “Shit!” you hiss, scrambling back on the mattress until you’re nearly pressed against the headboard. “Oh, god. That’s Jimin. He’s going to kill you if he finds you in here—”

On the other side of the wall, the door to the shared bathroom opens, the light flickering on and illuminating the crack beneath your door. You hear your brother cursing sleepily under his breath as the toilet lid clatters open, and nearly shove Jungkook off the bed in your haste to get him out of your room.

“You have to go,” you whisper frantically, herding him toward the door that leads out into the hall.

Jungkook hurriedly pulls his pants back over his hips, and you can practically see him willing his erection to go away. “What am I supposed to say if he asks?”

“I don’t know! Pretend you were going for a glass of water or something!”

With a final push, you shove him out of your bedroom, leaning against the door with a relieved sigh when it clicks shut behind him. You hear Jungkook shuffle off just as Jimin flushes, and cast a prayer up to any deities that may exist as you listen to him wash his hands. And it seems your prayers are answered, as quiet descends over the house once more. Off in the distance, you think you hear Minho snoring.

Letting out another sigh, you return to bed, crawling beneath the covers and getting comfortable. And when sleep finally takes you, you dream of Jeon Jungkook.

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