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bellofthemeadow · 10 months

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The Road Ahead - ch 5 | Frankie Morales x female reader

Series Masterlist

Previous Chapter

For most of your married life, you dedicated yourself to waiting for Frankie. After each deployment, you patiently awaited his return, longing for the moment when he would be by your side again. During those nights when nightmares consumed his thoughts, you yearned for him to open up to you, hoping that he would find solace in sharing his pain. And as his addiction spiraled out of control, you held onto the hope that he would recognize his problem and seek help. However, despite your countless protests and pleas, you now find yourself waiting for him once more as he ventures off to Colombia, engaged in God knows what.

But this time is different. Determined, you make a solemn promise to yourself: You will never wait for Frankie again.

Rating: M for Mature (18 + no minors allowed)

Word Count: 4.3K

Warning: Applicable for the entire fic / PTSD, drug use and addiction, postpartum depression, abusive familial relationships, self-hatred, unhealthy coping mechanism, explicit sexual content, violence, mentions of suicidal thoughts, super angsty

Chapter Summary: An unexpected Sunday morning visit unveils the true meaning of family.

Notes: Hello my lovelies, thank you so much for all the likes and reblogs and comments! I love you all so much <3! Here is new chapter fresh out of the oven, I hope you all enjoy it!! A lovely mix of angst and fluff, exactly as I like it!

Also, I apologize but the next chapter won't come out until later next week as I have some assignments due for the summer semester I am taking at university. After this chapter, I am planning 2 more regular chapters and 1 epilogue.

Let me know what you think, and I hope you are all ready for an extra soft Will Ironhead Miller (Top tier Will Miller imo)

Family

As the door closes behind him, Frankie can hear you sob from inside the house. His first instinct is to turn around, rip the door open, and take you in his arms. He wants to hold you close, apologizes a million more times, and make a thousand promises to you—anything to make you stop crying. He knows he isn't worth your tears. You've always deserved so much more than him. You've given him everything, but all Frankie has given you is pain.

Numbly, Frankie walks toward his truck, his footsteps heavy with all that occurred in the last couple of hours. He mechanically opens the door and sinks into the driver's seat, his gaze fixed ahead toward the house. With tears streaming down his face, he reaches with a trembling hand into his pocket and retrieves his phone, fingers hovering over the familiar buttons.

His heart pounds in his chest as he contemplates dialling the number, knowing that the next few moments could shape the course of his future. The weight of his mistakes and the desire for redemption clash within him, battling for dominance. Taking a deep breath, he musters the courage to press the digits, each number feeling like a heavy decision.

"Catfish? Well, that's a surprise. Good to hear from you, man."

"Pope," he says the name with broken sobs.

"Catfish?! What's going on? Did something happen to the guys?" Pope's voice immediately loses its friendly tone as he switches into military man mode.

Frankie's voice quivers, his words barely holding back the flood of despair that consumes him. "I messed up, Pope," he confesses, his tone broken and defeated. "I messed up big time... with the coke. I couldn't stop myself, no matter how hard I tried. Fuck, Fuck, Fuck!" His frustration erupts.

Pope's tone softens, carrying a blend of compassion and determination. "Alright, Fish. Take a deep breath. You know I’ve got your back, brother. Tell me everything. We'll figure this out together." His words offer a lifeline, a promise of support amidst the chaos that has engulfed Frankie's life in the past hour.

The weight of his failures hangs heavy in the air as Frankie continues, his voice tinged with remorse. "I promised I'd get better, Pope, but I'm so fucking lost. I've ruined the only good thing in my life, and now I’ve got nothing." The room seems to darken as he confesses his deepest failure, his words laden with self-condemnation, “I don't know what to do Pope. I don't know how to claw my way back from that fucking hole we dug ourselves back there!”

“I know that what happened in Columbia was…” Pope begins empathically, but Frankie cuts him off “FUCK COLUMBIA! It's not just about that. I mean, it is about that, but it's more than that. Her and Ella are the best thing that's happened in my life, and I couldn't talk to her. I was so afraid she'd see me as that... as that monster that I became back there, that I ended up becoming that monster with her. Fuck Pope, I brought Coke into my home. Can you believe that!” Frankie hits the front dash of his car in anger “I BROUGH COKE into the home where I have a baby. The place my wife made into a home for us. How could I do something like? What is wrong with me?!?!"

Silence greets his outburst. Barely audibly, Pope asks, "Where are you right now?"

“I am in my truck, parked in front of my house.” Frankie's voice trembled with helplessness. "Pope, I don't know what to do," he confides, his words echoing the magnitude of his loss as it engulfed him, leaving him adrift in a sea of uncertainty. "Without her and Ella, what am I supposed to do? They are everything to me, my reason for pushing forward. I am nothing without them," Frankie admits, his voice tinged with resignation. The burden of past mistakes, tangled with the relentless hold of addiction and the haunting memories of PTSD, has reduced him to a mere shadow of who he once was.

"I'm just a washed-up coke addict," he confesses, the words carrying a mixture of self-loathing and regret. The image of his own deterioration gnaws at him every day. His grey reflection in the mirror is a constant reminder of the battles he had fought and the battles he had lost. The tendrils of addiction weaved their way into every fibre of his being, leaving him stripped of his former identity.

Pope’s heart breaks, hearing the words of his best friend. His brother. But Santi was always a pragmatic man and effusive shows of emotions were always more of Benny’s realm. "Can you make it to Will? Or Ben.."

"Not Benny."

Tense silence fills the air, "Did something happen?"

"I can't deal with Benny right now, not after... What happened today."

"Alright, are you able to drive yourself to Will?"

"Yes, I should be." Efficient and precise, Frankie resorts to the mode that comes easiest to him.

"Then drive to Will, and I'll meet you there. I'm jumping on the next plane that leaves today

"Pope, wait. What about your girl?"

"Hey, how long have I known you, Catfish?" Pope's voice is filled with unwavering support. "If my brother needs me, I'm going to be there. Besides, most of what happened is my fault. You wouldn't have touched that shit again if it weren't for my dumbass coming up with a shit plan that went to hell."

“Pope, you can't blame yourself for everything. The fuck ups I caused in my marriage and the fucking coke aren’t your fault. Those are my crosses to bear. But I appreciate you being there for me, brother. It means more than you know."

There's a brief pause on the other end of the line, as Pope takes a deep breath before speaking again. "Listen, Catfish, I can't change what happened, but I can promise you this: we'll do whatever it takes to make things right. We'll find a way to fix this mess, for you, for your lady and for your family. You're not alone in this, brother."

"Pope..."

"Don't say anything. Drive to Will, and I'll see you as soon as I can. Understood?"

"Roger. Pope?"

"Yeah?"

"Thank you."

"It's the least I could do. I know how much you love your lady. And you know how it goes with us, we leave no man behind."

1 week later

You had always been more inclined toward solitude. Even as a child, you found solace in playing alone with your dolls in your room, rather than engaging with your siblings. It wasn't as if your brothers had any desire for you to join their activities. With their significant age gap, they viewed you as an everyday nuisance at best or, at worst, the cause of all their problems. Your mother's words still lingered in your mind at times: "Sorry, boys, we can't afford a vacation this summer. Money is tight with the extra kid." "Sorry, boys, you'll have to share a room because your sister is a girl.” “Sorry boys, your sister needs to go on a diet so we can’t have cookies in the house, otherwise she’d pig out on them.” These constant barbs had shaped your life and fueled resentment from your three older brothers. Even to this day, they seldom reached out to you. When you got married to Frankie, the eldest didn't even bother attending, despite RSVPing for his wife and five kids. Your mother simply glanced at you and remarked, "Well, what do you expect? It's just a backyard wedding. No reason for your brother to disrupt his life.”

So yeah, you never minded being on your own. But, as you reflect on your years with Frankie, you realize that you had become unaccustomed to being alone. Although you were physically independent for most of your relationship, mentally and emotionally, Frankie was always there with you, sharing your life in the deepest and most meaningful way. But now, you find yourself truly alone in a way you haven't experienced in a long time. Frankie is not here, and you're uncertain if you should allow him to linger in your emotions. If it weren't for Ella, you don't know how you would cope. You feel like an automaton, mechanically going through each day's motions: waking up, feeding Ella, tending to yourself if time allows, taking Ella next door, going to work, completing your shift, returning home, feeding Ella once more, putting her to bed, pumping milk, squeezing in dinner if you're not dozing off on your feet, taking a shower, and going to bed. Then Ella would surely wake up at least 4 times during the night. As if your peanut could feel your distress and the absence of her father.

You had briefly considered taking a second job after Frankie's departure until you noticed the usual pension deposit from the army. While not a significant amount, it would be sufficient to sustain you and Ella without needing to work two jobs. Tears had welled up as you realized Frankie hadn't cancelled the deposit. Right after that thought, guilt had set in for even entertaining the thought that Frankie would do anything to harm Ella. You tried to convince yourself that Frankie had made that choice for the sake of Ella's well-being and preferred not to let your mind wander into other possibilities. And what they would mean for you and for you-and-Frankie. Better not to dwell on them, you think.

But today was Sunday, a day meant for being at home with Ella. Normally, Frankie would be by your side, flipping pancakes in the kitchen while cradling Ella and singing along to the radio. His singing voice might have been terrible, but you adored it, just like everything else about him. Once again, you suppress the budding regret that has threatened to take root within you multiple times over the past week. You couldn't allow it to grow and taint the decision you had made. It was the right decision—for yourself and for Ella. It was also the right choice for Frankie. He deserved a chance to heal, and you know that you were no longer fit to help him in that journey.

As you held Ella to your chest, she began to fuss. You cooed softly, and miraculously, she settled down, closing her eyes and nuzzling against your upper breast. With a smile, you planted a gentle kiss on her soft, fuzzy head, whispering, "Papa and I love you, my little peanut."

Suddenly, three soft knocks interrupt your tender moment with Ella. Glancing at the clock, it reads 8:15 am. Your heart skips a beat. Frankie? You can’t help but wonder. Carefully, you place Ella in her portable pram and quietly position it next to the couch.

Hurriedly, you make your way to the door and swing it open. "Will? Is everything okay? Is Frankie all right?" you gasp, trying to catch your breath.

Will looks at you with a sad smile. "I'm sorry for disturbing you so early on a Sunday. I don't think we should have this discussion in your doorway. Do you mind if I come in?"

Your grip tightens around the doorknob as anxiety courses through you. "Will, please," you pleaded. Seeing the desperation in your eyes, Will's expression softens. He extends his hand and places it gently on your shoulder. "Fish is okay," he reassures you.

Relieved, you let out a shuddering breath and open the door a bit wider. "Come in," you say softly.

Will steps into your house, and he hesitantly asks, "Should I take off my shoes?"

"It's alright. I need to vacuum later today," you explain awkwardly. Will hums in understanding.

"Would you like coffee?" you offer. "If that's not too much trouble, I'd appreciate it. Thank you."

"It's no trouble. I have a pot going. I always make enough for me and..." You stop yourself, clearing your throat and suppressing your tears. "I always make enough for two."

Will smiles sadly, expressing his thanks once again.

Pouring a second cup of coffee, you join Will at the kitchen counter. After a minute, he speaks up. "Ella seems well," he offers.

"She's doing alright, as best as she can be. She decided to be a little angel this morning, so you chose very well," you reply with a small smile.

"And how is work treating you? Do you need any help around this place? Benny and I could lend a hand if you need anything—mow your lawn or fix screws here and there," Will offered.

"Thank you, Will. That's really kind of you. If something comes up, you'll be the first to know," you respond. A moment passes before you ask, "Is this why you're here, Will?"

Will sighs softly, taking a long sip of his coffee. "I guess there's no beating around the bush. First, I wanted to apologize for Benny's behaviour last time. He was way out of line, putting himself where he shouldn't have. I apologize."

"It's okay. I was angry, but not at you or Benny," you assure him.

"Regardless, this should have been a private conversation, not one held in a bar," Will admits. You fix him with a soft smile. "Thanks, Will."

"I came for two reasons. And, yes, before you ask, both concern Fish," Will begins, his gaze shifting towards Ella, who remains thankfully quiet in her pram. "Fish checked himself into rehab on Friday morning."

A gasp escapes your lips. "He did? By himself?" It was almost hard to believe. The possibility had been discussed before, especially after he lost his license. You had thought that seeking in-care help would be the best course of action. However, Frankie had been resistant, insisting that he could quit on his own. He didn't want to be separated from you, especially during your pregnancy, and felt he couldn't be away from you during such a crucial time. Reluctantly, you accepted his decision, believing it was the right choice since Frankie had managed to stay away from cocaine. Or so you had thought, until a month ago.

"And... is he alright? How was he?" you ask, concern evident in your voice.

Will looks pensive. "It was tough, not gonna lie. Pope flew in from Australia the day after... after the memorial. I think Fish called him. I wasn't there when Pope arrived, but whatever he said, it got through to Fish. The night after the bar, after it all went down, Fish crashed on my couch, and... Look, are you sure you want me to tell you? I don't want to make you uncomfortable or make you feel like any of this is your fault. For what it's worth, I think you showed remarkable patience, more than most people would have. None of what happened was your fault— What happens in the field, when we are out there fighting some enemy, really messes with the best of us. And Fish, well, he was always the most sensitive among us. He never meant, he never wanted to hurt you. But in the end, it happened, and I know he despises himself for it. He used to walk around the base, showing your picture to everyone, telling them how lucky he was to have his soulmate waiting for him at home. And you know… Shit, sorry, I don't mean to make you feel sad."

A small, teary laugh escapes you at Will's words. You reach for a tissue, dabbing at your eyes. "It's okay, Will. I want to know what's happening, for my own peace of mind."

"If you are sure, then alright. But stop me if ever it gets too much. So, when Fish got to my place that night, he must have cried from the moment he stepped into my apartment until Pope arrived. They went for a drive, and when they returned, Fish wasn't crying anymore. He looked me in the eyes and, honestly, that was the most transparent I’ve seen him be in a long time, he said: 'I am checking myself into rehab. I am getting my shit together for Ella and for my wife. That's what matters, nothing else,'" Will recounts.

You gnaw anxiously at your bottom lip, your eyes shifting to Ella. "He really said all that?" you inquire, seeking confirmation.

"Affirmative," Will responds. “You’re such a dork, you know that, Will Miller?” You snort at his overly formal answer.

Will smiles before his gaze turns to a now fussy Ella. "He left you with these as well," he adds, reaching into his old brown leather bag that had been resting at his feet since his arrival. With care, he retrieves an envelope and what appears to be a... recorder? Memories of your university days flood your mind, recalling how you used a similar device to record your professors' voices during lectures. "Those are ancient," you can't help but think, considering how iPhones have now made them somewhat obsolete.

"What's all that?" you ask, curiosity piqued.

"That," Will says, gently pushing the envelope toward you, "is a letter Fish wrote for you. He said you should open it when you feel ready."

You accept the envelope with trembling hands, fixing Will with an uneasy look. "Do you know... Do you know what's in it?" you inquire, seeking any insight Will could provide you with.

"I'm afraid I don't," Will responds with a sincere expression. "Fish wouldn't say. He was really secretive about it. He made me promise not to open it before giving it to you, as if I would do that. He said it's for your eyes only and that you would understand why he wrote to you."

"Frankie and I used to write letters to each other for years," you reveal to Will. "Even when he came back for good, we continued writing letters. It was our way of showing we cared. But we stopped writing them... It must have been around the time we realized I was pregnant with Ella."

"Then maybe Frankie wanted to show you that he still cared," Will cautiously suggests. "Maybe he wants to demonstrate that he wants to move forward, and that letter is the first step."

"Should I open it now?" you ponder aloud.

"Fish was adamant that you open it in your own time. If it takes you a year, he said he'd wait for you," Will explains.

You close your eyes briefly, but Ella's little scream pierces the room's silence, prompting you to rise and gather her in your arms. With a smile, you softly rock her. "Well, someone's a fussy lady," you comment, nuzzling her nose. Then, you turn Ella around to face Will. "Look who's here, peanut! It's your Uncle Will!"

Will smiles warmly as you approach with Ella, who continues to fuss in your arms. He makes some faces at her, and Ella seems enchanted by her handsome uncle. You settle back down in front of him, gently rocking Ella as you resume your conversation.

You gesture toward the other item in front of you and inquire, "What about the recorder?"

Will smiles gently before reaching for it and pressing play. "Hola Estrelita," Frankie's voice resonates from the small device, causing you to freeze in place. "I hope you're being good for your mama. You know how much she loves you. I love you so much, mi corazon. Papa loves you bigger than all the stars in the universe because you are Papa's favourite star!"

Tears stream down your face as Ella's fussing ceases, and she looks at you with curious eyes, as if silently asking, "Papa?"

"Frankie recorded around two hours of his voice on there. He said it was for Ella, so she wouldn't forget his voice while he was at... while he was away," Will explains. "You know how sentimental that old fish can be."

Overwhelmed with emotions, you struggle to find the right words as the recording momentarily stops, then resumes with Frankie's voice saying, "Hey Ella, mi amor..." In a rush, you press the stop button, needing a moment to collect yourself.

"This rehab... How long is it?" you finally manage to ask. "Frankie wouldn't have recorded 2 hours’ worth of content if it were just for a two-week stint, would he?"

Will takes a deliberate sip from his coffee, his gaze thoughtful, before he responds, "It's a four-month program. No outside contact for the first three."

You close your eyes, feeling a surge of anxiety as you tighten your grip on Ella. Sensing your unease, she pouts unhappily in your arms. "Four months? That... That's really long," you express, your voice filled with concern.

"It is," Will acknowledges, his tone understanding. "Frankie wants to make it stick. He doesn't want to half-ass it. When he sees you and Ella again, he wants to be worthy of you both. He wants to be worthy of this family."

"Is that what he told you?" you inquire, searching for clarity.

"His exact words," Will affirms, extending his hands towards you and placing them gently on your forearm. "Look, I know Frankie better than he knows himself. We served together for more than 10 years, and I genuinely consider him as another brother. But as much as I love him, I can see when Frankie is going down the deep end, just like I know you can. I guess we're all guilty of letting Frankie fall too far. We've always been accustomed to Frankie being the quiet, responsible one, so when he can't cope, we don't know how to help. But..."

"Will, please, you and the guys can't carry all that burden. I am his wife," you sniffle, your voice trembling. "I am his wife, and he has never come to me for anything. I thought I could help him heal, but I couldn't. It was my one job as his wife to take care of him. I even told myself that on the day we got married, you know," your voice wavers as you try to steady yourself for Ella's sake. "I told myself, 'You're going to care for that beautiful, kind man and you are going to make a home for him; he's been through enough.' Now tears stream down your face as you try to hide in Ella's tiny neck. "I couldn't help him, Will. I couldn't help him."

The sound of a chair scraping against the floor fills the room as Will makes his way around the table. He sits down next to you, pulling you close and wrapping his strong arm around you. "Come on, honey, let it all out. I'll hold you for as long as you need," Will says gently. And cry you do, releasing the pent-up stress, anger, and sadness of the past months, dissolving into Will's embrace. He remains sturdy, as he always has, holding you tightly while making sure not to disturb Ella, who rests quietly between the two of you. As you cry, Will softly hums, and strokes your upper back. Will has always felt more like a brother to you than your actual brothers. His love and kindness aren't contingent on anything. He is simply kind and understanding and oh-so wise. These days men like him, men who really listen are a rare breed. You know you can cry in front of Will without any judgment. In moments like this, when everything is dark and engulfing, it feels like the most precious gift to be heard and to be seen.

When your tears begin to subside, Will continues quietly. "Fish didn’t talk to you because he loves you," you can’t help but scoff at his words, but Will continues, steadfast as ever. "Now, wait, listen. I'm not saying it's right, or that Fish couldn't have handled things better. What I'm saying is that the things we've seen, the things we've done—it changes a man. The person we become out there, it's not the kind of person we want to bring back home. It's not someone we want to show to the ones we love. And you know Fish, he was never very good with words. But I do know one thing: Frankie loves you more than anything." Will lifts your head gently, meeting your teary eyes. "Fish made a lot of mistakes, and I'm not excusing any of them. It was unfair to us and unfair to you and Ella. But I know Fish, and you know Fish. I'm not saying you have to give him another chance once he's out of rehab.” Will continues

"All I'm saying is that it's really hard for people like us, and I know that even if you can't take him back, he will never regret striving to better himself for your and Ella’s sake" Will assures you. "And know that whatever you decide to do in 4 months, or in 6 months, or in a year, you'll have me and Benny in your corner, alright? We won't let shit go too far this time around. Yes Frankie will have us, but you'll also have us. We'll take care of you, and while Frankie is gone, Benny and I will hold down the fort. You won't be alone in this, I promise you."

His words wrap around you like a comforting embrace, offering solace and support. The weight on your shoulders feels a little lighter knowing that you have Will and Benny by your side. You glance up at Will, gratitude shining through your tear-streaked eyes.

"Thank you, Will," you whisper, your voice filled with emotion. "Thank you for being here, for understanding, and for taking care of us. I don't know what we would do without you."

Will's grip tightens around you, his voice filled with sincerity. "You don't have to thank me, sis. We're family, and family looks out for each other. We've got your back, no matter what. We'll weather this together."

As you nestle back into his comforting embrace, a flicker of hope begins to burn within you. Maybe, just maybe, with Will and Benny's support, you can find the strength to face the uncertain future and make the best decisions for yourself, Ella and for Frankie.

Next chapter

#fanfic #fic #triple frontier #triple frontier fic #frankie morales x you #frankie morales #francisco morales #frankie morales x reader #francisco morales x reader #francisco catfish morales #frankie morales fanfic #frankie catfish morales #pedro boys #pedro pascal characters #pedro pascal fandom #pedro pascal fanfiction

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dysthanasia-series · 6 months

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Phagophobia Pt. 20

Word Count: 1,701

Summary: It's rushed and not quite right, but I guess that's why they call it a rough draft.

This will serve as the ending to Phagophobia for now. What can you expect from here? I've started on an actual outline for the rewrite, so keep an eye out for posts of that as I go along. As for actual new chapters showing up, I'm estimating six months out? In the meantime, there should be some bonus stories and more detailed field guides for Coven agents to look forward to.

Whether you've been following this story from the beginning or came upon it recently, know that I appreciate the heck out of you. Seeing others get excited over the characters or show interest in bits of lore, as rough as this project is at the moment, helps keep me going.

Like Isaac, we still have a long road ahead of us but we'll keep working toward a brighter future. Together.

Content Advisory: Awkwardly witnessing an argument between exes, alcohol mention

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It was the longest walk he’d ever endured. The only mercy was Dimas staying a couple paces ahead so they didn’t have to speak. Luckily, whatever message Dimas had received on his tab proved accurate. An elegant, familiar model of black car sat in the shoulder of the main road with its hazard lights blinking. The driver side door popped open. A blonde person tall enough to comfortably lean one elbow on the roof watched their arduous approach. Black lipstick made it easy to track the smile growing across the stranger’s pale face.

“Well. You boys look like hell, but I have to say you smell delicious.” Vestiges of a drawl closely related to Kinslayer’s softened the edges of each word.

“Before you even try, Mergus already said no to eating anyone.” Renato reached for the handle of the front passenger door.

The driver snapped their fingers and glared at him. “You get in the back. Your boy-toy can sit shotgun. I’m sure we’ll have plenty to chit-chat about.”

“He’s not—”

Trademark bloodborn fangs appeared in the newcomer’s glossy goth smile as they turned to Isaac. “Did he stab you yet? Shove you off a building? Although I guess it’s still pretty early in the relationship for that, isn’t it?”

“You’ll have to excuse Oleander,” Dimas cut in. “She’s still bitter over me being happier with a goldfish than I ever was with her. And, apparently, because I shot her once just to kill someone about to stake her in the back.”

“Oh, so the whole shoving me from three floors up thing was just for funsies. Glad we cleared the air.”

A wave of nostalgia for riding to his death with Quinn and Zamora washed over Isaac. He sighed and gingerly slid into the front seat. The squabbling bloodborn followed suit shortly after. Thankfully, the crushing percussion, wailing guitars, and guttural lyrics that blared from the sound system saved them all from further conversation as Oleander flipped the car into an illegal u-turn and sped back toward the city.

When Isaac snorted awake again they’d parked in front of the clocktower. Oleander unclipped her seatbelt, but Dimas interrupted.

“Don’t bother. We won’t be more than fifteen minutes.”

“Hm. Awfully quick turnaround for both of you washing up and packing. Or are you going to scrub each other’s backs in the shower to save time?”

“We’ll have to stop somewhere before dawn anyway. We can clean up then. For now, we’re just grabbing a couple of bags.”

“Yeah, right. More like grabbing each other’s—”

“Ollie, wait in the fucking car, all right? Please?”

She twisted around to pin him with a basilisk-grade glare while Isaac pretended to be part of his seat. From the corner of his eye, he watched her reach out, wipe or scrape a sample of blood off of Dimas’s cheek, then stick that finger into her mouth. Whatever she tasted made her snort and turn back around.

“Fine, whatever. One second over fifteen minutes, though, and I’m leaving your asses behind. You can explain to Mergus why you’re running late.”

Isaac followed Dimas’s lead in exiting without comment. It wasn’t until they’d passed through the revolving glass door and into the privacy of the elevator that the wall of silence between them crumbled.

“Ollie will rip your throat out just to spite me,” Dimas blurted as they passed the seventh floor. “Don’t get caught alone with her.”

Isaac flinched as he reached into his pocket, cuts on his fingers and bitemark on his arm throbbing. “Would you rescue me if I did?”

In the shiny brass-plated doors Dimas’s reflection twisted like he’d swallowed something slimy and still wriggling. “I think we both know the answer to that already.”

The lines of his face relaxed, though, when Isaac nudged his arm. Dimas looked down to see his folding knife and rosary being offered back to him. He reached for them. Logically, Isaac recognized his cue to let go. Instead, he held on, their fingers a hair’s breadth away from touching. Dimas’s expression thawed fully as their stares met. He took a breath, lips parting.

A shuddering stop and cheerful ding announced their arrival. Isaac’s hand jumped away like it’d been stung. He fled the elevator the moment the doors opened.

And ran straight into another conversation he wasn’t ready to have.

“Oh, you were right!” Dorian told Kinslayer from where the two of them sat side by side on the loveseat. “They’re home. And they look terrible. Please tell me most of that blood isn’t yours.”

Kinslayer polished off the last of Dimas’s vodka before slamming the bottle down on the coffee table. They pushed themself onto their feet and flung their arms wide, grinning. “My favorite cousin and bookworm! How good to see you, alive and in one piece even.”

Renato lifted his eyebrows at Dorian. “You let them in?”

“She had the elevator code and seemed to know both of you.” They folded their arms across their belly. “Plus, I had no idea when…if…you’d be back. Ott made for good company while we waited. Even if she did drink all the vodka.”

“Aw, I’ll make it up to you, freckles. I’ll bring you some moonshine good enough to open up your third eye, even if it’ll be seeing double the whole time.”

“Or some mimosas and a big breakfast to keep it sleepy and closed instead?”

“Ain’t as fun, but sure, suit yourself.”

“As much as I’d love to stay and chat,” Renato interrupted, “Agent Soto and I on a tight schedule. We’ll explain later, but Ki—Ott. May I ask another favor of you?”

“You know you can, cousin.”

“Help me protect Dorian. They’ll be following Soto and me north but need to stay out of sight. Between the two of you I’m sure you can more than manage.”

Kinslayer glanced over at Dorian. “How about it, freckles? Mind if I tag along?”

“Not at all. I’m doing the driving tomorrow, though.”

“Not much of a plan, but it will have to do for now.” Shoulders slumped, Renato rubbed his hands over his face. A crimson snowfall of dried blood drifted to the floor. “I’m going to pack a couple of bags and then we’re off. I’ll contact you both as soon as I can.”

Then he disappeared up the stairs, leaving Isaac with the other vampire who’d almost-but-not-quite eaten him. At his own insistence maybe, but still.

“Bookworm,” they said.

He kept his eyes on their sand-sprinkled hiking boots, but his body was already rooted to the spot. “Uh. Hi.”

The boots went into motion, headed right for him. Isaac’s palpitating heart plugged up the back of his throat. He knew, somehow, that Kinslayer wouldn’t hurt him. They weren’t the one he couldn’t trust.

Kinslayer’s next step stumbled. Another spike in his pulse spurred Isaac out of his silent panic. He helped steady them with one hand on a shoulder and the other below their ribs. The smell of brine, liquor, and rain rolled off of them, salty, sharp, and sweet. Their dark shirt stuck to their skin, soaked with something hot and wet. Isaac’s palm came away smeared in red.

“You’re hurt,” he whispered.

“I’ll live,” they replied. “Jury’s still out on you, though. For a squishy little bookworm you sure pick a lot of fights.”

“What happ—”

“Not enough time, like your bloodborn said. It’ll have to wait.”

“Even if you still owe me an answer?” Isaac sucked in a breath when he realized he’d said it out loud. Apparently, it was going to take a while before the filter between his mouth and brain grew back.

Kinslayer let out a low laugh. “Brat. This isn’t a simple transaction anymore.”

Right. When was anything? “What is it then?”

A hand gripped him under the chin, forcing him to look up at last. Their eyes were still as black and lightless as staring into the barrel of a rifle. A wave of warm numbness dissolved the bundles of tension across Isaac’s shoulders. His breathing slowed.

He blinked. Then again in surprise. Isaac put a hand to his chest. His heart continued to beat, relaxed but steady.

“It’ll be what we choose to make of it,” Kinslayer told him. “Together.”

They released his chin and took a step back as footfalls came down the stairs. Dimas, wearing fresh clothes, reappeared with two suitcases probably worth more than Isaac’s entire wardrobe in hand.

“Agent Soto? Ready?”

“Oh. Um, yeah, ready.” He gave the most awkward wave of his life to a beaming Dorian and gulped at the smirking Kinslayer. “I’ll, uh, I’ll see you around?”

Getting into the elevator again came as a strange relief, but he took it.

As the lights for the floors counted down, Dimas half unzipped one of the suitcases and pulled out a dark blue shirt with mother-of-pearl buttons.

“Here. You might be a tad wider across the shoulders and narrower in the hips, but it should fit.”

Isaac hesitated. The shirt looked like it might curl up and disintegrate like a rare flower if he so much as breathed on it. Dimas, misinterpreting, mustered a smile that managed to be equal parts annoyed and amused. He turned his back to give Isaac privacy. Or as much as the shiny brass walls would allow anyway.

Shit. Path of least resistance it was. Just this once—he was too tired to explain. Isaac gingerly peeled off his old, blood-saturated shirt and shrugged into the new, fresh one. It wrapped around him, soft and light as the wings of an angel (though, a little snug when he stretched his shoulders, true). He finished buttoning it to the collar before the elevator doors slid open.

Dimas turned around and looked him over. Amusement won total control over his smile. Lightning-quick, he reached out and popped open the top button of the shirt.

“Live a little, Agent Soto,” he said, stepping out into the lobby, luggage in tow. “If nothing else, it will spite everyone who wants us dead.”

Isaac tried to glare, decided it wasn’t worth the energy, and threw his ruined shirt into the trash on the way out.

#dysthanasia #urban fantasy #writeblr #fantasy #vampires

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aoharushiyo · 1 year

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naniwa'n way / naniwa danshi [eng translation]

TITLE: NANIWA'n WAY ARTIST: なにわ男子 (Naniwa Danshi) COMPOSITION: 川口進 (Kawaguchi Susumu), Cypher LYRICS: 川口進 (Kawaguchi Susumu) ARRANGE: Peach OFFICIAL MV: (from youtube)

ENG:

I piled on the radiance I saw from afar onto myself, believing that one day, I'd be standing up there too The footsteps we leave behind as we walk together… Please let me call them our very own pathway

After struggling through long nights, I realised that dreams aren't something you can draw by yourself Yeah, that's right, I want to share both my tears and smiles with you forever and ever Let's walk at our own pace towards the future that shines in seven colours like we've been doing up to now, and from here on out too (Let's get going!)

No matter when, I promise you forever that (Let's go) we'll be together no matter what, (Don't stop) [1] so let's keep running on this one way road (Let's get it) Oh baby, these bonds we've built will never disappear, because there's only one such light in this entire world (Let's go) that continues to shine on and on (Don't stop) as we reach for our respective dreams (Keep going) On my way! It doesn't matter if it's a good or bad day, we'll keep going (Going) Come on, let's go without looking back!

Juice up, Get up, I've charged enough, OK!! Come on, let's dance and yell! Hey everyone, are you ready?? We'll be together no matter what, so let's fire it up together with Naniwa Danshi!

We might've met in this wide world by chance or because of fate, but yeah, that's right, I wanna stay right by your side even more and dream the same dream as you (I'll be by your side) We might not know what lies up ahead but I'll try to believe in you as many times as I have to Let's etch these days together into our memories (Let's get going)

Tomorrow we'll surely go even further, (Let's go) and we'll be together no matter what, (Don't stop) chasing each other down this one way road (Let's get it) Oh baby, even if we reach a dead end, we won't give up, because that soft smile gives us strength (Let's go) and pushes us forward (Don't stop) We aren't scared of anything any more! (Keep going) On my way! The future we saw together is where we're going (Going) Come on, let's keep moving now!

There's nothing such as a 'promised tomorrow', but because you were always by my side, let's keep running!

No matter when, I promise you forever that (we'll be together no matter what) Let's keep running on this NANIWA'n WAY road (Let's get it) Oh baby… (We'll keep chasing those beautiful days) and it'll never disappear, because there's only one such light in this entire world (Let's go) that continues to shine on and on (Don't stop) as we reach for our respective dreams (Keep going) On my way! It doesn't matter if it's a good or bad day, we'll keep going (Going) Come on, let's go without looking back!

JPN:

遠くに見える　輝きに　自分を重ねたいつかは　あの場所に立っているはずと肩を並べて僕らが残した足跡全てを　君と僕の　軌跡と呼ばせて

長い夜を越えて分かった夢は一人で描くモノじゃないそう　ずっと　ずっと涙も笑顔も　分け合いたい七色に輝く未来へ僕らの歩幅で進んでいこうこれまでも　これからも (Let’s get going)

君とずっと　どんな時も (Let’s go) なにわともあれ (Don’t stop) 走ってゆく One way road (Let’s get it) Oh Baby　培ったこの絆は　決して消えやしないこの世界に　たった一つ (Let’s go) 光り続ける (Don’t stop) それぞれの夢目指し (Keep going) On my way 楽しい日も辛い日も Going (Going) さあ　振り向かずにいこう

Juice up, Get up 充電はOK！！アガれ　踊れ　叫べ　さあ、みんなAre you ready？？なにわともあれ　また友と盛り上げるなにわ男子と共にあれ

広い世界の中、出会ったこれが偶然でも運命でもそう　もっと　もっと君のすぐそばで (I’ll be by your side)　夢を見たい先のことは誰も分からないだけど信じてみるよ、何度でもこの日々を　刻んでこう (Let’s get going)

明日もきっと　この先へ (Let’s go) なにわともあれ (Don’t stop) 駆け抜けてく One way road (Let’s get it) Oh Baby　たとえ道が途切れても　決して諦めないその笑顔が　そっと強く (Let’s go) 背中押してる (Don’t stop) もう何も怖くない (Keep going) On my way 君と見てた未来へと Going (Going) さあ　今、進んでいこう

約束された明日なんてないけどいつも隣に　君がいるから　走り続けてくよ

君とずっと　どんな時も (なにわともあれ) 走ろうよ NANIWA’n WAY road (Let’s get it) Oh Baby (また駆け抜けるBeautiful days) 決して消えやしないこの世界に　たった一つ (Let’s go) 光り続ける (Don’t stop) それぞれの夢目指し (Keep going) On my way 楽しい日も辛い日も Going (Going) さあ　振り向かずにいこう

TL NOTE:

[1] なにわともあれ (naniwa tomoare, literally 'together with naniwa') is a play on the phrase 何はともあれ (nani wa tomoare, meaning 'no matter what' or 'in any case'). they're spoken the same way!

#song: naniwa'n way #artist: naniwa danshi #en lyrics tl #holy shit also another one of my favourites #“en every bright nanidan song is your favourite” yes i have taste that's what it's called #naniwa'n way literally The protagonist-core song. this is a compliment #literally this song is just so fucking bright. peppy. cheerful. it feels like a tailwind blowing from behind you how could you not love it

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trash-monkey · 2 years

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Sunkissed Days

Chapter 5

I take a deep breath before stepping through the door of the Chiefs hut with (Friends name) behind me, both Chief Ukai and Takeda are sitting before the fire. They smiled once they saw me and gesture me to sit.

"Would it be ok for (Friends name) to help you this morning." Takeda beams as he nods while (Friends name) also beams with happiness.

"Eat before you get dress, the road will be long and we'll never know what will happen but hopefully it works out in the end. I also wish for you to find your happiness along this journey, don't be shy to turn away a man you don't like or can never love. Live the life you have now to it's fullness." Chief Ukai may not be that old but he dose have his wisdom and hopefully it stays with him as his old age comes.

"Thank you and I hope you will always carry your wisdom into old age." He chuckles and we all began to eat our fill for the long days ahead of us. Takeda, (Friends name), and I moved into the back bed room to put together clothing that I'll wear at each tribe before getting ready for the long ride to the first tribe and we decided that I will put on the clothing right before we arrive at the tribe so I don't get over heated with the layers of cloth.

🌸🌹🌺🌻🌼

"I'm going to miss you so much." (Friends name) said while frowning in sadness causing me to chuckle.

"I will to and I will be expecting you to find yourself a partner next time we see each other, if you do you can have my hut to start your family." She started smiling again as she glances away.

"Oh...you have already have your eyes on someone." I wishpered to her with a smirk and quickly she started to blush as she shyly nods her head.

"Just don't wait for him to make the first move forever." I said as I walked away to where everyone is waiting for me.

"Everything ready?" I asked Takeda who is watching Tanaka and Tsukishima fixing things on the horses backs.

"Yes, their just checking to make sure everything is secured." I smiled as I pet a horse closest to me.

"We're ready to go Takeda." Tanaka called out to him from his horse causing everyone to hop on theirs, slowly we made our way to the crack and once we arrive I can see that everyone in the tribe is waiting for us. They yelled and cheered for our long journey that awaits us, they throw flowers and petals as we pass by. I wave goodbye to everyone, Hinata waves both arms with a bright smile as he stands with his hunter frineds and (Friends name).

"I'll see you soon." I mouth to them, they nod before I look forward and pass through the cracks to the outside world.

_______________________________________________

#fanfic #male y/n #male reader #anime #haikyuu #haikyuu au #reader x various #haikyū!!#haikyuu!!#haikyu x reader

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gametech-horizon · 11 months

Link

#Concord #game #news #PC #playstation #ps #update

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jensensb · 1 year

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Shoulder to shoulder

Amidst life's winding road I tread,

A path with twists and turns ahead,

Through joys and sorrows, highs and lows,

A longing deep within me grows.

For though I walk with steady stride,

And carry on with noble pride,

I cannot help but yearn to find,

A heart to share my thoughts and mind.

Someone whose presence by my side,

Will make the journey feel less wide,

Whose strength will lift me up each day,

And help me find my heart's own way.

A friend to laugh and cry with me,

To share the highs and lows we see,

To lean upon when times are tough,

And revel in the good times' stuff.

A shoulder to rest my weary head,

When I am filled with fear and dread,

A voice to soothe my troubled mind,

And help me leave my cares behind.

So let us walk this road together,

Through every kind of stormy weather,

And know that through it all we'll find,

A love that's true and unconfined

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smileygoth · 2 years

Text

13. We Gather Here Tonight (Vamptober 2022)

Find the full list of chapters here.

Jazz and Lucas try to cover their tracks, but it backfires horribly when they bump into some unexpected neighbours.

CW: Slight mention of dead bodies, otherwise nothing.

Word count: 1,684 words.

Image by BelleDeesse.

Jazz woke up to Lucas knocking timidly on the bathroom door. "Jazz? You okay?"

She blinked and groaned. She'd fallen awkwardly against the sink, her head propped at an odd angle, and there she'd stayed until now. She sat up, rubbing her stiff neck. "Yeah," she replied. Then she remembered. "Are they ... still out there?"

A pause. "Yeah. We'll ... deal with that, don't worry. But first we need to get out of here. You ready?"

Jazz staggered to her feet, clinging on to the edge of the sink to steady herself. One of her legs felt numb. "Be right out." She looked in the mirror and saw the bloody smear on her cheek again. Grimacing, she ran the tap and splashed water on her face, washing the blood away.

When she came out - before she came out, if she was honest - she caught the stink of split blood. The bodies lay exactly where they'd been when she'd gone into the bathroom, but somehow, with the passing of those few hours, they seemed to have lost something vital. They seemed less real somehow.

Or maybe that's just your mind playing tricks on you to make it easier for you to do what you know is going to have to be done.

Jazz ignored the voice and looked for Lucas. He'd taken down the windscreen shade and was sitting in the driving seat, idly flicking a switch back and forth. She went to the passenger seat and sat down. "You're going to break it," she said quietly.

"Doesn't do anything with the engine off," he replied.

"Then you'll break the switch." She tried to smile, but couldn't quite make the muscles in her face work. "What's the plan?"

"We drive," Lucas said. "Away from here. We find somewhere to dump the bodies. We keep driving." He shrugged. "That's it."

Jazz nodded. "I want to add a couple of steps to that, if you don't mind."

"Sure," Lucas said, nodding back. "What do you need?"

They drove. When Lucas felt they were far enough away, they stopped at a supermarket and Jazz went in and came out with bags full of cleaning supplies. Lucas kept driving, and Jazz scrubbed the blood off the walls while he drove. She also looped a bungee cord through the handle on the side door and tied it tightly closed, since the lock on it no longer worked. At some point they stopped at a river and threw the bodies in to be washed away by the current. Then they drove some more. They checked the maps and timed it so that when dawn came, they'd be passing a large forest. And when they got there, they drove the van off the road entirely, forcing it in through the treeline.

"What happens if we can't get it out tomorrow?" Lucas asked as he turned off the engine.

Jazz shrugged. "Then we've got a long walk ahead of us."

"But we might not find shelter from the sun in time," Lucas protested.

"Doesn't seem much riskier than what we've been doing," Jazz retorted.

"Hey," Lucas snapped angrily. "This was your idea!"

"And you're the one who broke the rules and got the Camarilla pissed at you so we had to leave town," Jazz yelled back. "So don't start!"

Lucas fell silent, glowering at her.

Enjoying the rest of your life yet? the Voice teased. The two of you, together forever?

Jazz ignored the Voice, getting up from the passenger seat to have another go at cleaning the van. She'd managed to scrub away all the visible blood, but every time she sat still the faint scent of it still crept into her nostrils. There had to be a bit she'd missed somewhere. If she didn't find it, it might drive her insane.

Lucas stopped her as she was pulling out the bucket of cleaning supplies from where she'd stored in one of the cupboards. "I'm sorry," he said, wrapping his arms around her waist from behind. "I'm just stressed out. What happened today ... I try to act tough, but ... it still gets to me too."

Jazz turned her head to look at his face. "Really?"

"Of course," Lucas replied. "I mean, little kids ... I'm sorry you had to go through it too." He trailed a line of kisses along her neck. "You don't have to clean again. Let's just go to bed."

Jazz tried to repress the shiver of pleasure that ran down her spine. It didn't seem appropriate, somehow. "We still have to check the windows first."

Lucas groaned. "We're far enough in the trees that I'm willing to take the risk," he muttered, his fangs grazing her skin just above her pulse.

Despite herself, Jazz squirmed restlessly. "You going to make it up to me?" She let the bucket drop from her fingers to sit on the floor.

He turned her to face him. "Just trying to make sure the day isn't totally terrible."

By the time the sun rose, they were coiled together in the bed, naked and streaked with blood, and Jazz was just starting to feel better again.

Got your blood fix and popped those rose-coloured glasses right back on, didn't you? the Voice whispered faintly. Or should that be blood-coloured glasses?

Jazz snuggled closer to Lucas and closed her eyes to the Voice, and let the dawn sleep take her away from it.

She woke up when the van was rocked abruptly by something bumping into it from outside. She shot up in the bed, looking around for the intruder. Lucas was already up and dressed and standing by the side door, listening intently. His eyes were wide and his nostrils kept flaring like he was smelling something.

"What is it?" Jazz asked.

He shook his head and put his finger to his lips. I don't know. Quiet.

She got up and dressed as quietly as she could. Now she could hear something snuffling around outside the van. As she joined Lucas by the door, the van was rocked again. Whatever was outside, it had to be big. She opened her mouth to ask Lucas what they should do, and then the thing outside growled. They both froze, their eyes widening. Jazz felt an icy trickle of fear wind down her spine and coil in her gut. Then the snuffling began again, moving along the length of the van. The thing growled again, more quietly, then they heard it moving away.

"What the hell was that?" Jazz hissed. "It sounded huge!"

"I have no idea," Lucas replied. "But I think we should get out of here as soon as possible."

"How? It's still daylight out!"

"I know," Lucas said, "But it's late. The sun's going down. Can't you feel it?"

Jazz hesitated. Now that he'd brought attention to it, she could feel that heavy drowsiness slowly seeping away. She nodded. "How soon can we take down the shade?"

Lucas glanced at the windscreen, then down at his feet, which still had raw red patches on them from the day before. He sighed. "There's only one way to find out."

Positioning himself awkwardly between the driver and passenger seats, he unpicked the tape on the bottom corner of the shade. "Get over to the side," he warned her. She scooted over, and he hooked his finger beneath the shade and lifted the corner up. A fat ray of sunlight immediately shot into the dark van, and he hissed in pain, pulling his finger back. "Not yet," he said with a weak laugh.

They waited for fifteen minutes, then tried again with the same result. Fifteen minutes later they tried again, and the ray of light seemed weaker. Another fifteen minutes passed and when they tried again the light was faint. Lucas gritted his teeth and put his finger into the light. He grimaced, but his finger didn't blister. "It's not pleasant," he said, "But we should live."

They pulled the screen down, letting in the last grey light of day. The world outside looked dark, but Jazz could clearly see the silhouettes of the trees against the sky. Her body itched and buzzed as if she was suddenly having an allergic reaction all over her exposed skin. "Ooh," she grumbled. "This sucks."

"It'll stop once the sun finishes going down," Lucas replied. "Let's get going."

Climbing into the passenger seat, he started the engine and flipped on the lights. The forest ahead of the van was brightly illuminated, and in that light they both saw something large dart rapidly behind a tree.

"What the fuck!" Lucas cried, recoiling in his seat. "Did you see that?"

Jazz leaned forward, eyes searching the treeline ahead. "Yeah. It looked ... big. And fast. Lucas, do you smell that?" She was picking up a strange, musty, primal scent from outside. It made her think of monsters and teeth and ... rage.

Lucas nodded. "Yeah ... never smelled anything like it. You ready to go?"

Jazz jumped into the passenger seat and pulled on her seatbelt. "More than ready."

Lucas turned the wheel and set the van turning in a tight circle. As the headlights swept over the trees, something else was caught in them. And this one didn't hide behind a tree. They had a glimpse of something tall, muscular and furry, with a long snout and large, sharp teeth bared at them. Its eyes gleamed red in the headlights.

Jazz shrieked. Lucas bared his fangs, his eyes wide and horrified, and pressed down on the accelerator. The van swayed drunkenly as it struggled to complete the turn at speed, barely missing colliding with trees as it went, its tyres sticking in the soft earth. Lucas spun the wheel to straighten the van and send it speeding back the way they had come. They both shrieked again as another of the monsters leaped out in front of them. Jazz thought they were going to hit it, but at the last moment it jumped to the side. They heard a sickening squeal of rending metal along one side of the van. Then the wheels crashed onto the gravel of the road and they picked up speed, dashing along the trail as quickly as the vehicle could manage and leaving the forest and whatever was in it behind.

#vamily #vampire the masquerade #vampire #vampirism #dark pack #world of darkness #vtm #vamptober #malkavian #werewolves

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tubbohno · 2 years

Text

when the seasons change

sbi & child!gn!reader

1 // part 2 of 4

a/n : welcome to the fall special pt 2! thanks to everyone for showing so much interest in this little series :) I've decided that this series will span 4 separate parts (this is subject to change, of course.) ((ALSO its practically December by the time I post this but...yes....fall...))

warnings - mentions of death (minor character), abandonment, child neglect(...technically), situational angst

notes - tommy is around six / reader is a bat hybrid, and eight years old / techno and wilbur are 19 / art above by austinpardunart on Instagram! check out their stuff, its super snazzy!

p.s, I am not a Chiropterologist, and therefore my bat knowledge is limited </3

As planned, Phil and the boys set out toward the familiar clearing just as the sun rose entirely above the horizon. For all his previous worry, Tommy was pouting at having to walk so early - even though Phil had waited as long as he morally could.

"Phil," Tommy whined, "how much longer?" Phil grinned at Tommy's sleep puffy eyes glaring up at him from where he clutched onto Wilbur's hand.

"Not much longer, mate. Here, walk in front of me, and I'll fix up your feathers." Phil invited, slowing his pace slightly to allow the boy to rush in front of him. Phil gently straightened Tommy's small feathers, colored almost like pearls in the soft early morning light. He was not exactly preening, as Phil always made sure to groom Tommy's wings at home. Preening often overwhelmed Tommy, and they found it safer to take care of the younger's wings in a secure environment.

Techno traveled just ahead of them, hands occupied by a dark oak crate. The young hybrid was also notably sporting a grey cape lined with winter fox fur. Phil eyed the fabric as it bellowed softly behind the pink-haired boy, amused by the dramatics of the younger. Techno would never admit it, but he could be just as dramatic as his brothers.

Wilbur sped up a bit, setting his pace to match Phil's. Wilbur struggled for a second; mouth pressed in a thin line as he thought of what to say. Phil let his son collect his thoughts, used to Wilbur's pauses. He had not always had a vocabulary big enough to express his feelings, after all.

"Phil...what do you think happened to Lucielle?" Wilbur asked, gaze glued to the dirt road beneath their feet. Phil sighed, giving one last pat to Tommy's wings and letting the younger blonde run ahead to bother Techno.

"Not sure, Wil. Last we both saw her she was happy and healthy. We'll see if she's home once we get there, all right? She wouldn't just leave a child alone for more than a day." Phil replied, rubbing Wilbur's back softly to soothe the piglin hybrid. Wilbur nodded, furrowed brow relaxing just a touch.

Wilbur fell into step with his brothers, all three boys traveling ahead of Phil. Tommy and Wilbur quickly found something to argue about, Techno silently continuing his pace even as Tommy hung from his arm to scream at Wilbur.

Phil smiled tiredly at the familiar sight of his boys and their antics.

He hoped Lucielle was okay.

━━━━ ̥◌୭˚➶.

The clearing is as Phil remembered it, if not a bit messier with its long grass and piles of fallen leaves. Puddles scattered around the area, mud and murky water gathering in uneven areas of the grass.

"Woah," Tommy gasped, eyes glued to the rickety iron lanterns that lit up the area's perimeter. Tommy stepped forward, wings fluttering behind him as he took in the small decorations scattered around and the old, wooden cabin.

The cabin itself was quiet, windows dark and creaking in the soft autumn wind. The wood looked dark with moisture; the storm no doubt testing its capabilities.

"…The windows are dark again," Techno noted out loud. They had moved closer, now standing at the cabin's porch as a group, with Tommy huddled near Wilbur and Techno.

"That they are… I'll knock first, okay? You three stay out on the porch and stick together." Phil instructed, patting Wilbur on the shoulder. Minute grumbles arose in response to his command, but his boys stayed in their positions.

Phil's knock echoed through the clearing, and he couldn't help but swallow nervously. Even as he strained his hearing, he couldn't hear any noise from inside the cabin.

"Can I try?" Tommy whispered, tugging on Phil's coat. Phil smiled at him and nodded, letting the boy closer to the door to knock.

Tommy's hand struck the wood quickly and much louder than Phill would have liked, and it seemed the sentiment was shared as Tommy's brothers flinched from the loud bang the boy produced.

"Hellooooooo? Is anyone there?" The blonde hollered, deciding Phil had been too quiet in his approach.

"Tommy, have you ever heard of subtlety," Wilbur hissed, pressing his fingers into his temples. Beside him, Techno shook his head quickly with a soft snort. Tommy responded only by blowing a quick raspberry in Wilbur's direction.

Phil motioned to settle the two (who would no doubt break into a spat any second) when a rustle from the cabin startled him. Quickly, he put a finger up to his lips and motioned for them to quiet down.

Another rustle sounded from inside the home, and Phil quickly pulled Tommy behind him when he heard soft footfalls staggering toward the door.

The door opened slowly, small grunts accompanying the creaking hinges. Phil felt his heart ache at the sight — a small bat hybrid stood precariously at the doorway, hands gripping the mahogany door as best as they could with the tremors racking their frame.

"Hello?" They croaked, blinking slowly at Phil and his sons. Their eyes fell on Techno eventually, and they quickly straightened themselves.

"Hello Phil, I think I left your potions somewhere..." The child reassured, letting go of the door to stagger into the house. Techno followed after them carefully, after idly waving a hand at Phil's expression.

"Hey, Mate. How long have you been alone for?" Phil asked, stepping into the cabin with his other two sons.

The house was a mess - books and pages strewn across the floor forced you to step over them precariously, dirty dishes piled high in the connected kitchen, and dust collected on higher appliances, cupboards untouched, and top bookshelves dusty.

"Uhm, I dunno. The seasons changed..." The kid responded eventually, trailing off as they struggled to climb up a step ladder in front of a wall of potions (which he noted as half-empty). Phil grimaced as he watched their frail arms shake from the effort exerted.

"Are they labeled correctly?" Wilbur asked gently. The little hybrid startled at the sound of his voice but nodded anyway. Wilbur stepped closer to them, a soft smile on his face.

"I'll grab it for you." He reassured, waiting for the child to nod once again before skimming the potions on the wall, flipping their tags over to read them idly. Eventually, he pulled two bottles off of the wall and stepped away from the collection entirely.

"Who are...you?" They asked, squinting at them. Phil figures they must have just processed the three extra people present.

"I'm Phil, the boy with wings is Tommy, Wilbur helped you with the potions, and the one with pink hair is Techno." Phil clarified, watching the smaller one nod along. Then, groggily, they turned to Techno.

"Not Phil?" Techno shook his head slightly, still holding on to the crate he'd carried from home.

"Not Phil."

"Ah…" They nodded, blinking blearily. Phil realized with a slight frown that their eyes were glassy, unfocused.

"What's your name?" Techno asked, taking the potions from Wilbur and setting them in the padded crate.

"Y/n." The hybrid muttered, not looking up. Their tiny wings were almost limp behind them, making Phil's worry increase.

"Y/n, do you know who Lucielle is?" Wilbur's tone was gentle, with a bit of urgency. The hybrid blinked slowly but nodded. They shakily made their way over to the kitchen table a few feet away, the rest of them following slowly as not to crowd them. Phil could tell Tommy was getting antsy, twitching at every opportunity and pulling on the edges of his clothes.

"She...she's in her room. Won't let me come in." They mumbled, resting their head on the table as they spoke.

"Phil," Tommy whispered, pulling on his pant leg. Phil shushed him softly, patting his head.

"In her room?" Phil asked, looking over to the door shut down the hall. There are claw marks near the doorknob, dark wood peeling away to reveal lighter peels of wood, coarse and unsanded.

"Said she was sick...told me I couldn't get sick, too. So." The hybrid shrugged, eyes drooping. Phil nodded, watching them worriedly. They weren't in the best condition either, it seemed.

"Phil!" Another hiss from Tommy, and this time Phil just placed a hand on the boy's shoulder to stop the kid from pulling any harder on his coat.

"She...magic..." The kid slurred, closing their eyes. Wilbur placed a hand on their back, panic seeping into his expression. A quick press to their neck allowed Wilbur to relax, pulse thudding gently against his fingertips.

"They're out cold." He hummed, looking back up at Phil with a frown.

"Phil!" Tommy was shouting now, hand gripping tightly onto Phil's arm.

"Yes, Tommy, what is it? I think they're hurt..." Phil finally addressed the youngest, trailing off in concern. From the looks of it, the child had just passed out.

"They're a bat, right?" Tommy asked, approaching the sleeping hybrid.

"That's right, their wings match, and so do their claws," Wilbur confirmed, staring at the thin, pointy wings draped across Y/n's shoulders. Tommy approached the table, staring curiously at the hybrid.

"Wilby, you said some bats hibernated when it got too cold," Tommy said, poking the hybrid's cheek. Wilbur stopped short, mouth ajar just an inch.

"It would make sense...but there's no heat in here; they must be freezing," Techno spoke, crate settled in his arms once again. Phil shot a look at the mangled door a few feet away from them - it was clear that the kid had tried to enter the room by force. From what they had said, Lucielle had sealed herself into the room about a season ago. Could she have slipped out when Y/n wasn't looking?

The witch Phil had seen grow old would have to wait - now he had a sickly kid to take care of.

After ushering Wilbur to the side, Phil gently scooped the hybrid into his arms, wincing at the feeling of their cold, clammy skin in his hands. Their clothes were far too thin for any child, let alone one that relied on warmth this time of year. Phil shifted his wings so they would cover y/n, at least marginally. He did not want to think about what would happen to them if he carried them through the bitter cold in their current clothing.

"Come on then, boys; we'll come back as soon as we know Y/n's healthy again," Phil instructed, inclining his head toward the doorway. He observed his sons - and the way they hesitated—Techno and Tommy, still curious about the cabin and the story it held. Wilbur, still bearing a furrowed brow as worry surrounded him in a suffocating aura. Phil sighed softly at the way his boys stared silently in response.

"Come on, let's go home." He said - softer this time. This time, he seems to jolt them out of their heads, and they quickly file out before him. Tommy closes the door after they've exited, and Phil watches as he slips his small hand back into Wilbur's.

tag list: @imuziawi @orkwardx0 @chaoticotaku <3 (feel free to send me an ask or anything if you'd like to be part of the tag list!)

#dsmp #tommy dsmp #tommyinnit #technoblade #techno dsmp #sbi au #sleepy bois inc #philza dsmp #wilbur #platonic wilbur soot x reader #platonic tommyinnit x reader #platonic sbi x reader #platonic technoblade x reader #dream smp #gender neutral reader #gn reader #written <3

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better-than-one · 2 years

Note

Awww, orchid....

Get- girl, c'mon.

Nnf.

Why?? Are you scared? You're not scared of lynels but you're scared of ice?

Fff!

#*orchid vehemently denies this.*#rowan ryd #orchid the horse #anonymous fairy #there's a long road ahead of and behind us and we'll walk it together

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one-boring-person · 3 years

Text

Requested by: @phantomshadow13

Someplace.

John Rambo (First Blood) x reader

Warnings: anxiety, mention of death

Masterlist

My leg jitters slightly as I watch John interact with the woman at the washing line, my lip between my teeth again as I bite more and more marks into the chapped skin. A dull ache has spread through my body from the long walk, but I've managed to keep it at bay and ignore it, having gotten used to doing this years ago, when it was more than necessary to do so. Despite this, I find myself hoping that our journey is finally at an end, and that we'll have found John's old comrade here, and that he'll let us stay with him, until we figure something better out. Looking at the way the conversation is going, however, I'm not too confident in this.

Quietly, I follow the discourse with my eyes, glancing around every now and then, distrusting of my surroundings, even though I have no reason to be, trying to ignore the gentle tremor that's started to set into my hands. A metallic taste lingers on my tongue from my near-constant lip chewing, a little dried blood encrusting some of the worst areas, but it's not noticeable, at least not to a stranger. John, of course, has noticed, and asked about it, too. I'd made up some excuse, but I know he sees right through it, like he does with all falsities.

Across from me, I catch sight of John's shoulders slumping, his lean form losing some of the energy he had before we got to the tiny village. Swallowing, I know instinctively that something is wrong, my leg jittering much more noticeably as I shift where I stand, watching as he comes over. The dark-haired man briefly makes eye contact with me, before he jerks his head, gesturing for me to follow, leading me away from the settlement. His expression is solemn, lidded eyes bright with a new sadness that wasn't there before.

Worried, I follow after him, staying silent as I hurry to keep up with his faster stride until we've reached the road again, leaving the picturesque village behind. Immediately, John starts off in the direction we were previously going, feet dragging a little as he goes, hands shoved in his pockets again.

"John?" I call out to him, my voice shaky, "John? What happened? Where's Delmar?"

John glances at me, noticing my uneasy state as he always does, his eyes softening a little at this.

"Delmar's gone." Is all he says, waiting for me to fall into step beside him.

I frown a little, tilting my head as I try to ignore the small jump in my pulse.

"Gone? Gone where? When will he be back?" I query, pushing my own hands into my pockets to conceal the tremor from my observant companion.

A flash of a wry smile goes across his face, some unknown thing briefly amusing him before he replies.

"He ain't coming back. He's dead." The veteran murmurs to me, knowing I'll hear his slightly slurred speech and be able to understand him perfectly.

I'm left speechless, my head struggling to grasp at something to say, unable to understand.

"D-dead? How?" I can't help the stammer in my voice, very much aware of the tension flooding my body, further accentuating the tremor in both my leg and hands.

"Cancer, apparently." John informs me, looking down at his boots as he continues on along the path.

"Cancer…" I mumble to myself, stopping momentarily as I feel a cold sweat break out across my forehead, a sense of hopelessness flooding me now. What are we supposed to do? There's nowhere we can go, nowhere we can stay. Neither of us have that much money, and we have barely any food on our person at this moment.

Already, I can feel my breathing picking up, the air coming out in short, sharp bursts, my pulse thumping heavily now as I try to keep it all at bay, failing in this as I feel the tremor get worse. Unable to focus, I don't quite hear John calling out to me, my eyes fixed on the road ahead, unseeing as I stand there, shaking like a leaf in the wind. Vaguely, I notice him come over to me, the lean man carrying an expression of worry and concern, his head tilted to get a proper look at me.

"(Y/n)?" His voice breaks through the haze in my head, somewhat pulling me out of the state of panic I'm in, jerking me from the fog in my head.

I don't respond, my muscles continuing to tremble as I fight to control myself, each breath harsh and nearly painful as it rushes into my lungs, the sweat now coating the back of my neck. Tense, I stand, almost rigid apart from the shaking, where I am, staring blindly at a point on the horizon.

"(Y/n), look at me." John tries again, dropping his stuff as he reaches out to me, not quite touching, his dark eyes fixed on me.

Somehow, his rough voice manages to somewhat snap me out of my trance, my eyes flicking up to meet his, swiftly dropping to the floor again. Seeing this, John places his hand on my arm, glad to see I don't flinch away from him anymore, like I had the first time this happened, the muscular man dipping his head down a little to reach my level. Unable to avoid him, I make eye contact again, easily losing myself in those near-black depths, finding safety there.

"Look, (Y/n), I'm here. You're ok, we're gonna be ok. Nothing bad is gonna happen to you, or us. We'll be totally fine." He murmurs to me, his tone soft as he gently pulls me to the side of the road, his other hand coming up to rest on my other arm, his thumbs rubbing gentle circles into my tense muscles.

I don't say anything, my breathing still ragged as I stare at him, reassurance from his touch seeping into me.

"Come on, (Y/n), breathe for me." John softly orders me, "In and out, nice and slow. Take your time, stay focused on my voice. In...and out. Good."

Breathing in time with his words, I start to regulate my exhalations better, tension starting to lessen slightly, the tremor sulking a little as I feel myself fall into a better pattern.

"There, you're doing great. Keep going, in and out…" He keeps this up, encouraging me until my breathing is back to normal, meaning I'm able to speak.

"Th-thanks." I stutter, embarrassed at myself, still trying to calm my racing mind, pushing back the plaguing thoughts from before.

"Anytime." He gives me one of his rarer, gentle smiles, the crooked expression sending butterflies through me, as it always has.

"I- I'm sorry, I shouldn't...that was stupid…" I try to apologise, groping for words again, only for him to cut me off.

"Don't apologise, (Y/n). It isn't your fault." He assures me, tilting his head momentarily, noting the tension still lingering in my body, "C'mere."

My eyes widen as he pulls me into him, wrapping his arms around me to crush me into his chest, his hands splayed on my body. Instinctively, I reciprocate it, a feeling of warmth flowing through me as he rubs my back, his face burying into my hair as he tightens his grip, trying to get me to relax into him. Knowing this is rare, I allow myself to melt into his embrace, relishing in the comforting scent that surrounds me: sweat, fresh air and crushed evergreen needles from the trees we passed a couple of hours ago. Pressing my face into his chest, I sigh, the last of the tension dissipating along with the tremor, his soothing movements drawing out any painful knots. His dark hair brushes against my face as he holds me closer, making sure I'm totally relaxed before he pulls back a little, keeping one arm around my waist as he lifts one to my face.

With a slight frown, John lightly draws his thumb across my lip, pulling it away to inspect. A thin layer of blood coats the pad of the sight, my lip stinging now to let me know I bit it much harder than I thought I had. He doesn't say anything, only making eye contact with me again as he leans in, pressing a gentle kiss to my forehead. Heat rises along my skin where his lips touch me, my eyes briefly closing as he lingers there, clearly as unwilling to let go as I am.

The sound of a honking truck snaps us apart, the taller man pushing me behind him out of instinct, ready for action. He soon relaxes as he remembers there is no danger letting go of me as we watch the large vehicle roar past, the driver shouting something at us as he goes. Frowning, I swallow and glance back at John, wishing we hadn't been interrupted.

"Where do we go now?" I ask quietly, stepping up beside him as he picks up his stuff again.

John looks back at me, starting to walk off in the right direction with me following on.

"Someplace." He replies, smiling at me again as I fall into step beside him.

After a moment, his hand slips into mine and his fingers loop through mine, squeezing me gently as we walk. Reassured by his touch, I manage to keep my slight anxiety at bay, knowing we'll be fine as long as we're together.

#rambo x reader #rambo imagine #rambo #john rambo #John Rambo x reader #sylvester stallone #sly Stallone

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kpop-s-akura · 3 years

Text

Back to You | Chapter One

Pairing: Lee Suho x OC

Genre: fluff, angst, romance, comedy

Warning(s): strong language, mentions of violence (nothing too bad since I suck at writing), smoking, slight sexual harassment

Word Count: 6.6k

(Gif is not mine; credits to rightful owner)

"This is stupid and unnecessary."

"You're stupid and unnecessary!"

"Real mature, Junie."

"You just said that meeting my friends is 'stupid and unnecessary', what did you expect?"

Chaewon rolled her eyes, very well knowing that the boy had a point, but still unable shake to her nerves.

Meeting new people has never really been in the girl's forte; no matter how confident she seemed in a crowd, "properly" meeting new people turned her into an entire new shade of shy and introverted.

And the fact that these specific people were important to one of the most important people in her life, didn't make her or her anxiety fare any better.

Seojun noticed and stopped to turn to her.

"Don't be so nervous. These guys are really nice, you'll be fine."

Chaewon nodded, still unsure, but followed his lead up the staircase that led to Suho's house, one Seojun's friends she was meeting.

Seojun spoke in a soft and comforting voice, "I really think you'll like them, Chaewon-ah."

She smiled.

❀❀❀

"You're an idiot!"

"Shut up! You're the idiot!"

"I'm not the one who messed with Yongpa High thugs and got them to chase us right now!"

It would be an understatement to say that Han Chaewon was pissed when her post-noraebong bliss with her brother was very quickly squashed afterwards when the two siblings were approached by delinquents from Yongpa High.

Though to be fair, the siblings themselves were both kind of delinquents themselves; but the girl's anger was more directed towards her twin brother, Han Seojun, rather than their chasers for her current mood.

"Well-!"

"Just shut up and get on the damn bike!" Chaewon ordered as she did so herself as well as securing her helmet.

"Yah! I'm older than you, don't tell me what to do." But despite the elder's words, he put on his helmet and sped off alongside his sister on their motorcycles.

With Lee Seongyong right on their tail.

Chaewon led her and her brother through various roads and alleyways, knowing this part of town like the back of her hand; Seojun riding just a couple feet behind her, trusting that the younger would get them out of the mess he created for them. She always did.

It seemed like an endless cycle between the two: Chaewon getting Seojun out of trouble while causing chaos herself and leaving him to clean it up and vice versa.

They were quite the chaotic neutral duo, if you would.

And the majority of the time for them, it was fun. Even the slight life-risking aspect of it; although "life-risking" could be a bit of an exaggeration.

It was fun as long as you weren't alone, and Chaewon always managed to snag a sibling or friend (not that she had many of either) and rope them into being her partner in crime.

But as much as she enjoyed the trouble-maker lifestyle, she thinks of it's disgraces. She thinks of Seyeon.

Seyeon and how much he disapproved of her trouble-making since she was much more frequent in doing so compared to her twin counterpart.

Even when he would (un)willingly take part in his friend's mischievous shenanigans, it was something he loved about her. Something he loved about all of them.

Chaewon was aware of this, but what would he think of the current me? She would constantly ask herself questions like these; though the "he" could be any of the three boys that were constantly on her mind.

The thing is, she already knew the answer. It saddened her to think of it, but what else could she do?

"Chaewon!"

She briefly looked back at her brother, wondering what that was about, before realising what he was warning: a girl was straight ahead, and she was about to hit her.

The unknown girl braced for impact while the twins jerkily swerved to each side of the obstacle.

Avoiding her, but not avoiding falling on the ground along with their bikes.

"Shit..." They cursed simultaneously.

The girl recovered from her shock and went to go apologise to them.

"Excuse me, are you two okay? What should I do?" She muttered the last part to herself. "Are either of you hurt?" Seojun irately pulled off his helmet, shaking his hair out while breathing heavily and glared at the woman who stood behind him.

Hearing a moan of pain from Chaewon, still lying on the ground, he rushed over to her and pulled off her helmet as well.

"Chae-ah, are you okay?" Seojun searched for any injuries, spotting g several messy scratches and gashes on her legs.

"I'm fine." The girl grumbled. Seojun lightly brushed over the bleeding wounds, causing her to wince and smack his hand away.

"Sorry..." He said half-heartedly. Seojun could never handle seeing someone he loved in any sort of pain or hurt in any way.

Still somewhat blinding with anger, Seojun carefully helped his twin up before angrily walking towards the worried and now scared Im Jugyeong.

"Yah!" But before the temperamental boy could chew her out, he spotted the group of motorcycles after them and quickly dropped his and Chaewon's helmets to the ground.

He took his sister's hand as they ran away, not realising that they had left Chaewon's fallen sword hair sticks on the ground.

She was struggling to keep up with him, but her adrenaline was going full force and it soon felt like there was never an injury in the first place.

She wouldn't let him carry her, knowing it would just slow them down even more.

They got to a certain point where they decided to split up, Seojun going left and Chaewon going left. A bit of a last ditch effort.

But as some of Seongyong's boys gained on her, Chaewon realized she couldn't run from them forever with her injured legs. So she stopped, putting her hands up and feigning surrender.

The boys caught up with her and grabbed at her shoulders, only for Chaewon to grab one of their wrists and flip them over her shoulder.

She turned to the other guy and back kicked his chest, causing him to take a tumble backwards and onto the ground. Chaewon started walking over to finish him off, not noticing that the first guy was up again.

He kicked her square in the back, causing her to fall onto her injured knees with a pained yelp.

She squeaked slightly when the second boy stepped on her back to push her fully onto the floor, putting more and more pressure every second.

"Not so tough now huh, princess?" One of them taunted before they both grabbed her arms and did their best to keep her under control. The boys brought her to the rest of the group where Lee Seongyong had Seojun cornered.

"Look what we found, boss."

Seojun's eyes went wide at his sister's slightly beat state as Seongyong turned to his underlings and smugly smirked at the captive girl.

"Well, well, well. I thought it was weird when the Han Twins weren't together."

"She put up a bit of a fight."

"I'd expect nothing less." The head gangster (if you could even call him that) chuckled to himself and lifted Chaewon's chin up with his index and middle finger. Seojun growled lowly as he started towards the two but was almost immediately stopped by two boys "guarding" him.

"Such a pretty thing," the slimy boy said, trailing a finger to a loose strand of hair, "perhaps you can be accepted as payment." He brushed it out of the way, only for Chaewon to savagely bite at his finger, Seongyong only just pulling away in time. Seojun chuckled at his reacted while shaking his head.

"You're a delusional bastard to think for even a second that Seojun would agree and that I would allow that." Chaewon narrowed her eyes and glared at the still slightly shaken boy. But nonetheless he went back to being smug.

He walked back over to the male twin while cracking his knuckled. "Well then I guess I'll have to find another way to get even with your brother." Chaewon gasped as Seongyong punched Seojun in the stomach, causing him to fold over.

"Oppa!" She rarely used the term "hyung" or "oppa", but when she did, it was usually blurted out on accident or during a time of distress.

"Hey, when I think about how, because of you," She screamed again when Seongyong kneed him in his stomach, bringing him to his knees. She could feel the pain of her twin almost vividly, she wanted wanted to throw up at it. "I have no money left, I just..."

He brought the boy back up by his jacket.

"Hey. You didn't come out that day intentionally to backstab us, right?" All Seojun did was scoff with a mocking smile. "Did you think we wouldn't do anything if you ignored and avoided us?" Seongyong went in to land another punch, but only ended up hitting air as his target shifted slightly over.

"Don't hit the face." Chaewon mimicked her brother's reaction from earlier in chuckling while shaking her head.

The teenage bullies just started to scoff in disbelief at the boy's brazenness.

"Yes, you avoided it. Okay, you're dead today." Just as Seongyong placed his hand on Seojun's shoulder with his other fist poised for another punch, the sound of a siren alerted the group: causing Chaewon to stop her struggling.

"Hey, the cops are here."

"Let's go quickly!"

Chaewon shook off the boys that held her hostage before straightening out her clothes.

Lee Seongyong however was hesitant before finally letting go.

"We'll meet again, Han Seojun."

As soon as the boys ran off, Chaewon ran up to her brother and practically jumped into his arms with a hug to the best of her abilities. Seojun returned the affection, whispering sweet nothings into her hair and assuring that they were okay now.

"Are you okay? Does anything seriously hurt?" Seojun smiled at the girl's concern for him and just opted for kissing her forehead.

"I'll survive. Are you okay? Did they hurt you?" Chaewon smiled back and shook her head.

"I'll survive."

Im Jugyeong, who had turned on the siren, came out of her hiding place and stared in the direction of where the group of boys ran off.

She slowly backed up with Seojun's helmet in one arm and Chaewon's hair sticks in the other hand, gasping when she distractedly bumped into said boy's solid chest with said girl beside him. The two were staring down at the bewildered girl.

She turned around and became even more intimidated by the twins' height. Although Chaewon wasn't much taller than her, Jugyeong being 5'7 and the other girl standing at a strong 5'9, her stare was enough to make her quiver.

"What's with you?" Seojun said with a blank look on his face.

"Uh, about that... Oh, there!" She pointed at a space between the twins who did nothing but turn their heads slightly at her finger in synchronisation before rolling their eyes.

"What are you doing?" Chaewon said with the same bored look on her brother.

Jugyeong bit her lip, realising she was pretty much screwed before turning to run away, almost falling on her face.

Chaewon caught her by her backpack and brought her back up, causing the girl to slam into her surprisingly also firm figure. Jugyeong slowly turned to look at her.

Chaewon tilted her head. "What do you think you're looking at?"

There was a slight silence before Seojun spoke up, "Run."

The girl seemingly snapped back into reality, running away. "Oh, oh, bye!" She ran away screaming.

"Saebom High School?" The twins pondered in unison.

"What an odd girl..." Chaewon wondered as Seojun scoffed at the interaction. She brushed her hair out of her face and ruffled it when she realized something.

"My hair sticks..."

Seojun stopped as well.

"My helmet!" They looked at the fleeing figure of the girl realizing she possessed their personal items.

"Hey!" But she was pretty much long gone.

"Aish..." He cursed.

"Want me to go get them?" Chaewon offered, ready to go sprint for her and her brother's possessions. They were both of fairly high emotional importance.

"No, you're injured. No more running for you." She rolled her eyes, but conceded.

"Let's go home; Gowoon is probably worried about us." Chaewon patted Seojun's shoulder, he looked at his sister and nodded before they started on their way back to where they left their bikes, the girl relenting in letting her brother carry her via piggyback ride.

❀❀❀

"Gowoon-ah! We're home!" Chaewon called out into the mostly empty house.

"Hey! How was noraebong?" Gowoon was sitting at their kitchen table with her schoolwork spread out.

"Good! Until Seojun was an idiot..." Said idiot glared at her.

"When is he not an idiot?"

"Yah!"

Chaewon laughed and placed her bag on an empty space on the table when Gowoon noticed her wounds.

"What happened to you?!" Chaewon looked down, she nearly forgot about her messed up legs.

"Consequences of Seojun's idiocy and a little bit of my own." She vaguely said before taking a seat next to her younger sister.

"Need help with anything?"

"Nah, I'm good. But you should clean those up and get some sleep."

"Eh. I'll pass." Chaewon winked with a smirk before getting up.

She's gotten into enough trouble and enough accidents that she's gained quite some knowledge about injuries and how to treat them.

"Imma patch myself up a little and then go out."

After cleaning and bandaging her plethora of scratches on both of her legs, wiping off the little makeup she had on, and changing her clothes, she grabbed her bag and made for the door.

"See you later!" She called out to the other two, though Seojun was probably asleep; that being a major reason as to how Chaewon was allowed out of the house at that moment.

Seojun trusts Chaewon to handle herself, but with everything that had happened earlier that night, his big twin brother instincts were skyrocketing; they have him either keep his counterpart in the house after a certain time, or demand he go with her.

"Be safe and don't get into too much trouble!" Gowoon cautioned.

"I make no promises on either of those things!"

❀❀❀

Having decided to take a nice walk instead of rising her motorcycle, Chaewon entered Prince Comics; a place that she's called her safe haven since...

Anyways, the atmosphere of the comfy bookstore had helped her more than she though it would.

She'd spend most of her free days there whenever she just needed a break.

She rarely actually ever read the books, only when she was really bored but not tired enough to nap-- so she just took cat naps.

2-3 hour long cat naps.

The Ahjussi didn't mind though, he liked the company and personality of the young girl. He even put a bean bag, pillow, and blanket especially for Chaewon. He was always happy to see her enjoy it.

Like right now, Chaewon nestled her head further into the bean bag; setting aside the blanket and pillow since she had since changed into short sporty shorts, tucking her exposed and bandaged legs into the warmth of her oversized hoodie.

Lee Suho entered the area with couches and chairs that were bathed in the light yellow-orange light, taking in the place he hadn't come to in awhile.

As he was about to go search for his desired book, he noticed a small, curled-up figure to his right-- face covered by their hood.

He turned to the body, studying it for a second. His eyes roamed over the person before spotting sliver of a certain tattoo on their ankle-- a tattoo he knew all too well.

It was of a key.

"Chaewon...?" He whispered in disbelief. The girl opened her eyes at the all too familiar voice.

Though Chaewon has always been a heavy sleeper, there was one voice that always seemed to get her up and moving besides her brother's.

"Suho?" She said in a similar tone to his. He froze.

God how he missed his name coming from her lips, only she could have that effect on him.

They tried to keep their eyes from checking the other out (in a non-sexual way. sort of.), though their voices and facial expressions already gave away their shock.

It's been so long since she's seen Suho. She noticed how he seemed to get even more handsome, if that was even possible.

But there was something else. Something obvious. But at the same time, Chaewon couldn't quite put her finger on it. Or maybe she didn't want to.

Because this new thing about the boy before her wasn't something good.

She wasn't a fan. Then again, she wasn't a fan of Suho in general.

"What are you doing here?" He asked in a monotone voice while holding a cold façade, Chaewon decided to do the same.

Her expression hardened and became slightly agitated. "Well I was taking a nap before someone so rudely interrupted me." She began stretching out her limbs like a cat, getting prepared to get the hell out of there.

"This is a comic store to read, not a motel to sleep in." He scolded.

"What's it to you where I sleep?" She snipped getting up. The boy slightly blushed at the double-meaning of her words while the girl hadn't cared to notice.

Her new position had exposed her injuries, Suho's eyes notably widening at the sight before quickly going back to indifference.

"What happened to you?"

Chaewon scoffed.

"Since when do you care about me or my wellbeing?"

"Well it's kind of hard to miss all of that." He gestured to her legs. "It doesn't mean I care about you."

Ouch.

The girl just scoffed again and rolled her eyes for what seemed to be the billionth time that night before going to leave.

She didn't need this, not after the day she had.

But she was suddenly pulled back by her hood and stood in front of a puzzled Suho once again.

"The hell?!" She brushed his hand off her hoodie. There was a jolt of electricity when their skin met, though neither addressed it and settled for just staring (glaring) at each other.

This went on for another minute or two when the Ahjussi came back from his bathroom break and went to see if Suho had gotten his book or not.

"Yah, Lee Suho. Did you get the-" He stopped short, noticing the position of the two and their tension.

"Am I interrupting something?" Suho and Chaewon looked at the owner, stepping apart after noticing how close they had gotten. Chaewon cleared her throat before bowing to the Ahjussi, thanking him for letting her stay as always, and then scurrying out of the store.

"Is Chaewon-ie okay?" Suho couldn't bring himself to answer.

He just stood there as he replayed their interaction in his head; wondering what the hell just happened.

❀❀❀

"Motorcycles! Motorcycles!" The friend group turned around to see two motorcycles heading right towards them, jumping away just in time.

The twins continued to clear a path for themselves, parking in the designated area for bikes.

The bustling students continued to stare and chatter amongst themselves in awe and shock.

Chaewon and Seojun took off their helmets, shaking their hair out while doing so.

She tugged and tightened her high ponytail as he brushed his fingers through his hair a couple of times.

When they got off their bikes, Jugyeong froze, recognising the two siblings from the other night.

"They're..." The memories replayed in her head as if they were on tape. "They're from out school?" The girl couldn't believe the unbelievable coincidence.

"The Han Twins are back," Sua remarked.

"Why are they here?" Sujin rhetorically asked, Taehoon echoing her. The group watched as Seojun and Chaewon started to walk to the school's entrance; the elder's arm around the younger's neck.

"The Han Twins?"

"Like how there are the Bermuda Triangle in the Atlantic and black holes in the universe," Sua began, "there are three charming students at our school, whom if you fall for once, you can never exit and get out: The chic, cold beauty God Lee Suho; the rough, wild horse God Seojun; and the dangerous, seductive Goddess Chaewon. Just like deciding between three of your favourite foods is so mind blowingly hard, they're the three ethereal beings at Saebom High School. They're the three top ones!"

Jugyeong's eyes comically widened upon hearing Chaewon's description.

Dangerous? She wanted to facepalm herself for already making an enemy out of a girl who was known to be not-so-friendly.

Meanwhile, the Han duo and Lee Suho had finally come to a stand-still at the front of the building, the two boys looking at each other intensely.

Although Chaewon was able to keep her poker face upon seeing Suho, she kept looking everywhere but him.

She didn't know if the feeling she was getting in her stomach from seeing him again were butterflies or knives.

"Forget the top three nonsense, I hate them. Though I can't really say too much for Chaewon since she can be more enigmatic than Lee Suho or her brother at times. And yet they're still the heartthrobs of Saebom boys and girls alike."

Despite the tension between the three being completely visible to anybody and everybody, the students kept chattering away, loving how this was going.

"The Han Twins returned!"

"They'll get into a fight again."

"Oo, it's already so loud!"

"I love it!"

But as Jugyeong and the group started getting nearer towards the three, she could see how they didn't really seem like friends.

"What's with them? They don't get along?" She asked, turning her head towards Sua.

"They used to be best friends, but they somehow fell apart. When they meet, the atmosphere gets so cold. It's especially weird since everybody thought that Suho and Chaewon were together during that time since they acted much closer than the other." Jugyeong was shocked, trying to process and imagine the two together.

In her mind, they fit pretty well look-wise and personality-wise.

Suho saw how Chaewon's eyes could never quite meet his own and kept his eyes on her.

Seojun took notice of this and roughly brought her closer into his side and raised an eyebrow at the boy who had since then turned his attention back to him. Chaewon's eyes traveled to the ground while Seojun turned his head and scoffed before eying his nemesis once again.

"So annoying."

Chaewon, wanting to escape from the situation, started tugging at her brother's hand that was still hanging off of her shoulder. "Let's go, Jun." Seojun kept his eyes on Suho for another second or two before complying with his sister's wishes.

The frozen exterior of Suho's heart cracked a bit as Chaewon's expressions burned and lingered in his mind, watching the siblings walk off.

The girl in question fighting the urge to look back at him.

❀❀❀

"Hello!" The teacher greeted the class who greeted him back while walking into the room with Seojun and Chaewon in tow.

Suho slightly perked up as they went up to the front of the room, both with their heads held high and looking bored as ever.

This time it seems, Chaewon had no problem in locking gazes with Suho before looking over the class again.

"Alright, Seojun and Chaewon are back now. Good to see them, right?" The class answered back 'yes' before giving a round of applause as instructed by the teacher.

"Bravo!" Cheers kept ringing throughout the classroom, Seojun looking off to the side in faux embarrassment while Chaewon just kept a blank and cold face, intimidating some of the students into silence.

"One of you can sit next to Suho—" The twins looked at each other in alarm, though not particularly showing it.

"What?"

"What now?"

They looked at the teacher.

All eyes were either on Suho, who just looked straight ahead, or the twins, one sighing before walking to where Jugyeong was sitting.

Chaewon watched him kick the leg of the desk, startling the girl.

"Yah. You go."

Jugyeong was just as bewildered as when they first met, only being able to point at herself and ask, "Me?" in a meek voice.

"This was originally my sister's spot." That alone was almost enough for Jugyeong to jump out of the seat, not wanting to test the girl's 'dangerous' reputation.

"Oh, Jugyeong has weak eyes, so she's sitting there." The teacher explained, causing Chaewon to quietly scoff and mumble to herself, "'Weak eyes' my ass..."

Though the teacher had heard her, he elected to ignore it before asking Taehoon to move.

"Taehoon. Our handsome Taehoon, can you switch spots?" The boy, of course, readily and excitedly accepted; the class laughing from his antics.

But before he could get up and walk to his newly appointed spot, he noticed that Seojun had still not moved from his place near Jugyeong's seat.

Chaewon walked up to Seojun, noticing that he was about to refute his senior and demand that she have her seat back.

But she was tired and didn't feel that it was necessary; even if it meant having to sit next to Lee Suho, it was better her than her twin.

She nudged him, getting his attention before nodding to the seat in the corner of the class, "It's fine, Jun."

The seat she motioned to was perfect for napping and not paying attention, she really knew how he was in school. But that didn't matter to Seojun if his sister had to sit next to his rival. He started mumbling about how her sitting next to said rival wasn't happening, but Chaewon was persistent in her glares, slightly pinching him and making the boy wince as he felt her sharp, ruby-red stiletto nails.

He conceded, but not before throwing a sharp and dangerous look at Suho, though the boy wasn't phased.

The twins split ways; Seojun going to his new seat in the back, Chaewon taking the one next to Suho's with Taehoon two spots behind her.

She felt Suho's gaze burn into the side of her face, but paid no mind and rested her head on the desk as her brother was doing for a nap.

Not even 5 minutes later, the sound of a door slamming open caused Chaewon to wake up, looking to the side instinctively. She didn't quite know how to feel when she didn't see Suho there, but quickly turned her attention back to the source of the sound that disturbed her sleep.

A group of boy entered the room, crowding around Seojun who still had his head on the desk.

"Yah, Han Seojun. If you and your sister returned, at least one of you should've shown your face and said hi." Chaewon suddenly stood up from her desk, the object making a horrible screeching sound that had all eyes on her. Seojun banged his fist on the desk before doing the same, exchanging looks with his sister once he felt her presence beside him.

The siblings had a stare off with the taller boy, causing the students to tense up.

This continued outside the school, Seojun and Chaewon standing a couple feet in front of the group of boys when the big one spoke.

"Hey, brother. Today's such great weather for you to die." Seojun rolled his eyes.

"Are you guys a girl group or something?" He scoffed.

"Seriously. Why are you standing like that?" Chaewon questioned, but the boys just sneered and chuckled mockingly among themselves.

"Why? Are you going to hit us? Okay, come in. Come here!" They all got into fighting stances.

"Yah, Kim Chorong!" Seojun's voice boomed, the two stepping up to the boys intimidatingly before he spoke up in a mock bravado tone.

"Your joke was a bit too much." That's what did it for all of them. Everyone started laughing, Chaewon even turning to her brother and playfully punching him before mocking his words.

"Hey, great acting for a pair of trainees." Chaewon playfully rolled her eyes at the boy while smirking.

"Ex-trainees, thank you very much." Chorong just stuck his tongue out at her to which she did the same.

"This is so childish." Seojun said, feigning irritation, "How much longer do I have to play around?"

"Yah, brother!… it's honestly fun, you know?” Chaewon started to laugh harder at the sound of their joy and the sight of seeing her brother teased further.

“Have you guys been well?” She asked.

“Yeah.”

“Woah!” Seojun suddenly exclaimed. “Kim Chorong, I think you gained more weight. Did you bulk up?” The victim of the taunting was staring at the taunter with incredulity while the rest started to crack up again. Chaewon rolled her eyes and shoved her brother’s shoulder, going to wrap her arms around the bigger boy.

“Yah! Leave him alone, Junie.” She pouted.

“Thank you, Chaewon! And for your information, I lost 10 kilograms!” Chaewon giggled at the banter as one of the boys commented that he could see the muscles.

Chorong turned to look down at the girl who was still clinging to his side.

“If your mother better?” He asked. She smiled fondly at her friend’s concern and nodded her head.

“She’s a lot better. Thanks, Chocho.” The two exchanged eye-smiles as the rest let out relieved sighs.

“What a relief. I’m sorry I couldn’t make a munsang.” Chorong said, turning back towards the other twin.

“Yah, what do you mean by munsang, you fool?” Seojun scolded. “It should be munbyeong.”

“Hey, hey, hey.”

“Smart!”

Chaewon smiled as her brother proudly pulled her towards him, wrapping his arms around the girl and resting his head on top of her head, both smirking.

It was good to be back.

❀❀❀

Chaewon decided to break off from the group to get food from the cafeteria, having forgotten money to go to the snack bar.

While in line, she spotted Lee Suho.

He’s so different... She couldn’t help thinking the obvious, but it felt so unsettling for her to see the boy she once thought she knew so well to be so... cold.

But under the circumstances that occured, it was understandable. And she couldn’t be a hypocrite by saying that he was the only one that changed.

Then all of a sudden—

“That girl...” Im Jugyeong had come to the lonely looking boy and gave him a red ginseng juice.

His favorite.

How did she know it was his favorite?

Why did she give it to him?

Why did I care?

Why am I asking all these questions?

“The hell?” Jugyeong walked away as Chaewon started placing food onto he tray.

Later that day while Chaewon was looking for her brother and friends, she saw Suho sitting on a bench looking at his phone with earbuds in, when the girl came up to him again.

This time, she was holding a large bag and took out one of his earbuds before whispering something to him and quickly running off.

Ah, so she’s another one of his fangirls. I should’ve known. Chaewon rolled her eyes, starting to walk again.

Only to stop again, seeing Lee Suho actually get up and seemingly follow the girl.

Chaewon couldn’t contain her curiosity and decided to quietly follow him, ending up at the rooftop.

She stayed by the door and watched their interaction. She almost felt bad for Im Jugyeong, knowing how harsh Suho could be.

It seemed to be worse this time around though since Jugyeong decided to flee from the rooftop, not even noticing her eavesdropper.

“Wahhh, you’ve really changed, Lee Suho.” Chaewon said walking out from her hiding place.

Suho turned to her and looked irritated, but also somewhat guilty and surprised. He didn’t want her to see that.

“Did you follow me or something?”

“Mm-hm.” He was quite surprised by her honesty, but he should’ve seen it coming. “I was quite curious when that girl was so brazen as to do what she did. I had to see what would happen.”

Silence stood between the two for a moment before Suho sighed and brushed past Chaewon and back into the building. She continued forward to the edge of the ledge and placed her hands on it, observing the view and breathing it in before pulling two things from her pockets.

Suho watched from the entrance as the girl took a cigarette from the box and lit it with her lighter.

“You still do that stuff?” He couldn’t help but to ask. He, Seyeon, and Seojun always hated whenever she smoked, even though it was a pretty rare occurence. But it still came to a point where they organized an intervention and her family had almost sent her to rehab. After that, he thought she was sober, or at least got better at hiding her actions, but things change he supposed.

Chaewon didn’t answer, seemingly unbothered by his still being there and instead blowing another puff of smoke.

“Does Seojun know?”

“I don’t see how that’s any of your busine-”

“I’m making it my business because I’m not going to stand here and let you ruin your life doing that shit!”

“Oh please, Lee Suho. I’ve done plenty of other stuff that’ll ruin my life, and I’m not going to start giving a fuck just because you say so.”

Suho internally cringed at the stuff implied by her words. He knew she was reckless and liked trouble, but he didn’t know how bad it might’ve gotten over the time they’ve been apart.

Seeing and interacting with her now made him question how close they really were back then.

“Besides, as if me dying wouldn’t make you happy.” Chaewon softly spoke, it almost sounded sorrowful; though it still held some hot resentment.

Suho felt his facial expressions go awry.

I wouldn’t be happy. I’d be devastated.

“Maybe I should do it more often. Speed up the process, put us both out of our misery, finally put a smile on that frustratingly, emotionless face of y-”

“Don’t.” He interrupted. Neither noticed how close Suho had gotten while she was talking.

“Don’t say those things.” He whispered.

Chaewon didn’t know what to do. She didn’t know what to say. And all she could hear was her heartbeat about to break out of her chest.

“Why not? It’s not like you care about me, right...?” Chaewon shakily asked with an almost mocking undertone.

He didn’t say anthing and neither did she.

After about a minute of nothing, Chaewon turned back around to face forward. She closed her eyes, trying to reel her emotions in. Bringing the cigarette back up for another hit, Suho took the death stick from between her lips and threw it onto the ground, putting it out aggressively with his shoe.

She was too shocked to even scold the boy and his actions, seeing how he had seemingly gotten even closer.

Suho stared intensely at the girl. His eyes were full of caring and warmth. Yet at the same time, they were full of cold nothingness. But Chaewon could see under that, she always could; that’s one of the things that made them so compatible.

She just didn’t know if her senses were trust-worthy or not this time around.

They could always tell how the other actually felt. But times have changed.

They changed.

They weren’t Suho and Chaewon anymore.

They weren’t anything anymore.

❀❀❀

It was the next day during gym.

The students were outside playing dodgeball while Chaewon had her tracksuit jacket wrapped around her waist, exposing her normal clothes, and sat on the sidelines watching her brother play.

She could feel a certain pair of eyes on her every so often as she felt herself do the same, but nobody else seemed to notice it.

“Yes! Han Seojun, out!” Chaewon laughed at the fact her brother was eliminated, especially with it being by the hands of Lee Suho and Yoo Taehoon.

As he walked off to join his sister who was now standing up, the ball from the girls’ side traveled to where the twins were, Seojun stopping it with his foot before Im Jugyeong could grab it.

“Yah. You’ve seen us before, right?” Jugyeong laughed awkwardly as the twins stared down at her.

“What are you saying?” She tried taking the ball only for Seojun to press harder on it.

“You ran off with my helmet and my sister’s hair sticks.” She looked back up at him.

“Did you not?”

Jugyeong’s eyes went to the space beside him and pointed at something, “Oh! Over there!”

“We didn’t fall for that last time either-“ Before he knew it, Seojun was shoved to the side as a ball collided with the back of Chaewon’s head who although wasn’t in any pain, was pretty pissed.

Several noises of shock and disbelief sounded from the boys’ side.

“Chae-ah!” Seojun rushed back to his sister’s side and held onto her. “Are you okay?” Before she could answer, he turned to the culrptiy and glared at him with flaming death and growled, “Aish!”

“S-S-Sor… T-t-t-the class president! It was the class president.” Ahn Hyungyu tried explaining in extreme fear.

Jugyeong stood up with the now free ball. “I’m sorry. I’ll give them both back tomorrow.”

It felt like déjà vu when the girl turned around again about to fall on her face; only this time, no one was gonna help her.

Lee Suho, who was watching the whole thing in silent anger, stalked off, but not before roughly shouldering the boy who accidentally injured Chaewon and stepped over Jugyeong’s sprawled out body.

The show was over and Seojun went to scold Hyungyu who was still apologizing profusely, but Chaewon stayed where she was, staring at the boy who was walking back into the school’s building who wanted nothing more than to ask if she was okay.

❀❀❀

Chaewon, Seojun and the rest of their friends walked down the hallway; some girls and boys passing by whispered in awe and silently fangirled/fanboyed.

The twins walked beside each other and smirked at the attention. It was amusing to say the least.

This continued in an almost slow-motion fashion when all of a sudden—

“Wait.” Seojun dropped down to the floor and started re-tying his shoelaces. Chaewon chuckled and jokingly pushed his shoulder, making him lose his balance and making her laugh even more.

“MOVE!” The group looked forward to see Im Jugyeong running down the hallway with a face full of cake.

Although it was a weird sight, Chaewon stayed where she was and stood in front of the panicked girl.

Jugyeong came to a halt with wide eyes in front of the taller girl who had a questioning look with a perked up eyebrow.

She slightly bowed with a quiet “excuse me, sorry” before running past her and jumping onto Seojun’s back and catapulting herself forward.

“Yah!” Chaewon squatted down onto the floor beside her brother who was now sprawled on the floor. “Are you okay?”

“I’m fine.” He gritted looking at the direction of the runaway girl.

But it didn’t stop there; the rest of their class following Im Jugyeong, also in a panic.

Chaewon hurriedly brought Seojun back up to his feet and pushed them both to the wall for safety.

“What the hell is going on?!”

They waited for a couple of seconds to see if anymore people would go stampeding down their way, being relieved when it seemed to be over.

“Are you sure you’re okay, Jun?” Chaewon looked over his body for any injuries.

“I’m fine, Chae. Really.” She smiled at him and linked their arms to start walking.

Then Lee Suho came from the other side of the hallway, the side where they had originally come from and where everyone had gone to.

And he wasn’t alone.

Hiding underneath his jacket was Im Jugyeong, still cake-faced.

The twins had to stop and stare at the unusual scene; neither knowing how to feel at the sight before them.

❀❀❀

🌸A/N: Yay! I can’t believe I finally published this. I’m going to start working on the second chapter as soon as possible. Also, I realize that Yeji is also 5’7, but I looked at the height of the other characters and decided that 5’9 was good. Besides that, please excuse any typos or mistakes. I hope you enjoyed!

BTW: The picture below is Chaewon’s outfit. The white dress shirt part of the uniform is unbuttoned and tied in a croptop way, showing the bralette. I tried finding a good picture of Saebom’s uniform but it was pretty hard so I just cropped Sujin’s. Sorry for it’s pretty low quality😅

#true beauty #cha eunwoo #hwang in yeop #moon ga young #fanfic #kdrama #han seojun #han seojoon #Lee suho #im jugyeong #im jukyung #true beauty fanfic #romance #comedy #angst #fluff #yeji #itzy yeji

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itsmypeach13 · 3 years

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[Read only if you are okay with female &female relationships. Warning because of strong language, fighting scenes. Rating is +18]

[Hello my ravens! ❤️It's been an eternity but please welcome my second chapter of my Soma POV fanfic, things will get messy and entangled full of angst and more angst. I hope you'll like it, I spiced things up with flirty Valka and women fighting🤭 Let me know what you think in the comments any opinion/thought is welcome🥺❤️]

TALES OF THE BEAR-HEART: SOMA

CHAPTER II.

Battling Hearts

The soft crackling sound of fireflames embracing hardwood woke me up tenderly. I slowly opened my eyes and saw Revna sitting by the fire sharpening her dagger, preparing for the battle ahead of us. Her raven-black long hair was braided at the sides and neatly It must have been around dawn, but it was still pitch-black outside. Busy voices surrounded us, swords clinked, horses were running up and down impatiently, some people shouted over to the other with instructions. Valka's magical sleep potion put me so well to sleep, that I was surprised at myself how late I could join onboard the ship towards the brewing sea of bloodshed. I had to pull myself together and that only worked with some ice-cold river water and some excercise.

'Good morning Revna'-I greeted my warrior as I swiftly sat up and put on my stone-hard armor.

'To you as well.'-she wiked at me playfully and lifted up the pair of the iconic hammers fixating them on her sides. ' Now you slept well for sure, how is that you sleep the soundest when battle is so near?-she laughed a little and took a sip of water from the table.

'Valka's hand in that.-I raised my brows slightly. 'Sorry, I didn't plan to start like this Revna. I have to go now and freshen up. Shall we meet at the entrance of the longhouse?'

'You're such a womanizer you know that right?'-she held up her tusk. ' Valka is a fine woman, I am happy for you now. I will meet you there nevertheless.'

'Ha!..You're absolutely misunderstanding, but I have to rush now.'- After this conversation, the fine shilouette of Valka's back flashed through my mind from last night. I quickly stepped into reality once I was out of my hut. The Raven warriors painted their faces with red and white strokes, most of them were saddling the horses.

I hurried to the shores of the river nearby, finally allowing my flaming skin to meet with the freezing waves of water. I gathered some liquid in my palms so that I could splash it onto my face over and over again. It felt like a hit on my cheeks that put me into the right battling spirits, and imagining Randvi's head on the enemy's helped a lot also.

I did some stretching and sprinting in the shores, while sloppy waves embraced the land. I was sharpening my axe and asked for Thor's strength and blessing, when I heard cat-like footsteps from behind approaching me.

'Your blade is already sharp enough, Bear-heart'-said Valka smirking, while she walked up to me.

'I could cut down a village with it yes. I guess it's just my ritual before I actually do it.'

'I bought you some food, here, some died figs with bread and a slice of boar meat from last night.'- she kindly handed over the plate.

'Thank you Valka, the gods bless your kind spirit. This will help me to do my best today. For Ravensthorpe..and Eivor.' While I started eating quickly, we sat by the shore and Valka carried on.'

'Soma, you have to remember, whatever happens today, you can count on me, you know where to find me. I saw into your soul last night and found loneliness there. But you are not so alone.' -she stroked my arm then stood up and disappeared in the crowd of warriors.

I was startled a bit, the last piece of bread almost choked me. Was that a friendly invite to her hut? I mean, private hut? I guess she needs cleaning there if you know what I mean. Who would have thought.

***

When I rode to the longhouse, a massive crowd of warriors have gathered in front of the building. The golden locks of Eivor showed up with that deadly, stern smirk on her face. She was riding a snow-white mare with her armor glistening in the awakening morning sunrays. A huge hunnish bow spread on her broad back and two axes were fixated on her sides, one can never be so sure with just one, right? Randvi followed her closely, rumour has it that she is going in battle after long years spent in the map room. I was curious how she would perform outside these walls. Revna joined me swiftly and we quickly caught up with Eivor and other leaders riding in the front.

As if she sensed my closeness, the wolf-kissed greeted me with a wide smile.

'Morning Soma, I hope you are ready to spill some blood today with me.'

How could she know I was ready to do anything with her, my eyes wandered on those rosy lips talking to me. She looked stunning with freshly dried warpaint framing her ocean eyes.

'I will smash skulls today, as my father taught me'I assured her. ' You don't want to make it a contest, I am the champion in this.'

'We'll see, I will beat your ass.' Eivor uttering those words brought me to the depts of my wildest fantasies for a moment. Holy mother of.. A shiver went through my spine as I actually pictured this. 'Okay, whoever wins this beheading game will pay for the best ale in land for a week.'

'That's a deal, officially.'-Eivor agreed playfully.

As we left Ravensthorpe Randvi joined us to briefly go through our plans , and of course to keep an eye on her drengr.

'Hi Soma..I hope you haven't lacked the care and wealth of Ravensthorpe.'

'Thanks Randvi, I had everything I needed' except for Eivor in my bed last night, but I guess that's the VIP package. It’s good I didn’t say this out loud.

'Good. Now our plans are the following. Eivor and you will hide in the thick bushes of the main road on both sides with our archers. When Birna's army is well inside the trap, Eivor will sign you with her horn, then both of your teams will fire and wipe out as many as you can. I will wait for Eivor's horn and join with a group on horsebacks to push them back towards the hills where their camp is. We'll follow them and burn it down to force them out of mainland.

Cheolbert's army will be only used if necessary. They are stationed on the right side of the forest.'

'Smart plan Randvi, I am sure we can protect our people, which is the most important aim, I feel honoured to be here today and lead this army' -Eivor answered then we positioned our forces in the thick undergrowth of the main road. Some archers even hid high on the old oak trees to have a nice and deadly view on the road. Our eyes met with Eivor and I was once again stunned by those piercing blue eyes, radiating godlike power and trust in me. She made me weak with one stern look, this feeling was brand new for me..Soma trembling like a leaf in the autumn breeze? My eyes wandered lower, on Eivor’s bulging arms holding those big, heavy axes.

Revna positioned herself right beside me like a protective bastian ready to spill blood, her hands firmly gripping the two hammers.

’They will eat my hammer for breakfast.’-she whispered to me, keeping her voice down.

A medium group of soldiers were nearing our forces, all of them on horseback.

They were led by a young woman with blood red hair, riding on a pitch-black horse. Just before Eivor could use her horn to give the sign for us to attack them, the enemy started throwing flaming throving balls into the thick and completely dry undergrowth that caught on fire in no time. They knew exactly where we were hiding, forcing us to be distracted for a second and be stunned by their unexpected moves. Revna quickly brought me back to reality with her loud roar she jumped out of the bushes and ranted at our enemy. As if she were a deadly panther, she pulled a man down from his straddle , threw him on the ground finally smashing his face on both sides with her double hammers. What left off that head was forming an unrecognizable mixture of broken bones and flesh.

I joined her swiftly and shouted at all of my men:'Don't just stare, cut all of the bastards down and burn their flesh!' The archers could perform a swift attack from above before the flames got to the upper branches, then joined us from behind our shield wall Eivor was forming with the Ravens.

I quickly got on my horse and joined at the side of Revna, who was sandwiched between two twin shieldmaidens fighting with swords. Just before the bigger one could plunge her longsword into Revna's spine, I trapped her with my axe, agressively pulled her body to mine from behind holding her still for a moment shouting in her face: 'I will burn your whole village for this.' -then I slit her throat and pushed the body down to the dust. My face became sprayed with fresh blood, and I could see Revna kept herself busy, the other one joined her sister in death.

-Thanks Soma, I am glad you have my back, literally -Revna shouted at me with ave.

-I am never late, you know me.-I winked at her assuringly. -someone betrayed us Revna..we have to find that son of a bitch. -I shouted back while I saw a huge man charging at me with a poisoned axe.

-You will die bitch-his deep growl ecoed in my ears as I prepared for defense. I thought I would end him with my wit instead of my valuable strength, I slipped between his legs and cut right into his balls leaving him a suffering mess falling on his knees, and finally collapsing in the bloody pond forming underneath.

-Not today, bastard.-I stated. While we fought our way a little further with Revna I quickly looked behind my back to see how Eivor was holding up. Then I saw the blood-haired war-chief woman charging on her horse at full speed towards the wolf-kissed, she wanted to end Eivor. Her plan was to cut the head of the snake, I saw her green eyes burning with ambition, fury and wrath, she jumped off of her horse slamming Eivor to the ground. Unfortunately, the charging horse killed several men around Eivor failing to hold the shield wall.

I felt my heart beating in my throat , as both Eivor and that killer bitch disappeared from my sight behind the crowd of clashing soldiers.

-Revna, you have to hold this mess, I will be back!-I gave my clear orders to my right hand , and with that I ran into Eivor’s direction as if there was no tomorrow. Many men tried to stop me on my way, but I cut them all, roaring like a beast, both of my arms were drenched in blood. The inner bear has awoken. I saw Randvi charging on her horse towards the same spot, my worry mirrored in her desperate eyes. She fought like an amazon, a tiger let out of her cage , she was never really tamed behind that map table after all. I must admit she fought fiercely. Her long copper braid was dancing around in circles as she slain anyone who got near her. Unexpectedly, her horse got an arrow in the front leg, causing Randvi to fell foward harshly, she was flying several meters from the saddle. The killer-witch had supporter archers at the top of a nearby rock, they were backing their leader and her evil plans.

I didn't have time to care for Randvi, I slammed into the shield wall to see what was happening with Eivor behind it.

The blood-witch was strangling Eivor with her strong arm, Eivor had deep cuts on her own arms and her side. Fuck.. she really didn't see it coming.. oh that fucking bitch ! Eivor wanted to kick her in the face but her legs were entangled in strong hold by that serpent. She fought differently, wrestled her enemy, held the body in position to slowly end it with deadly cuts. I couldn't let her finish her work..my heart would break in two for an eternity..

I grabbed her hair pulling her upwards, while I watched her cry out from the pain.

-Hey, you blood whore, don't you dare to move or I will cut your pretty head off. Eivor broke free swiftly, but instinctively put her right hand on her ribs. I saw a considerable blood stain growing there, which felt like a punch in my stomach. It seemed I actually got one, as the redhead tried to break away. Just before I could end her, I felt a powerful but blunt hit on my back, an arrow's burning head fought it's way into my flesh. I instantly fell on my knees then I started to crawl on the ground ghasping the dust.

Eivor didn't give a fuck about her serious wound on her side she ran towards that sly whore to avenge this mess. Randvi arrived just in time her huge smash with her shield put the escaping rat onto the ground. The blood-witch was cornered and there was no way out. My sight became blurry and I wanted to vomit from the pain that radiated into my chest and my back.

'Tie this one up quickly, we'll inerrogate her at Ravensthorpe. Randvi instructed two soldiers. -Oh God..Eivor you're bleeding-she mumbled with care as she stepped to the wolf-kissed, her eyes wandered on the huge blood stain. Randvi's bottom lip was craked and bleeding, probably from a huge stroke.

'I am fine Randvi, bring our forces left to safety, we have to retreat, now' Eivor's raspy voice echoed, turning to Randvi. 'I can only thank my life to Soma' Eivor hurried to me while Randvi called a retreat to Ravensthorpe, we could defend the way from the woods but it was clearly a trap. Somebody gave valuable information to the enemy, Birna and Ivarr could attack any moment.Both sides lost countless men, the woods was in flames around us.

'My poor bird..' Eivor whispered calmly, holding me in her arms in a second sitting on her knees on the ground. She turned my body really slowly to spare me from the additional pain, I could have screamed out loud in my despair, but I couldn't show the slightest sign of weakness while she was around me.

'I m have to get this out now' she said apologetically, furrowing her brows.

I couldn't speak as I felt my power leaving me, I was close to fainting, so I just nodded and let myself concentrate on those strong arms being folded around me. This was the closest Eivor ever got to me.. my heart was burning and beating fast both from the trauma I endured and the excitement that was ruling over me inside.

'I will be as quick and gentle as possible'Eivor promised with a light smile.

I held onto her arm and mumbled a few words:'Just do it, please..' I closed my eyes knowing what will come.

Eivor clearly had pratice in this, as she firmly held onto the arrow, turned it slightly in my flesh, then pulled it out with a powerful move.

It felt as if a burning blade was turned inside me ripping out my flesh. The pain was undescribable with words, I cried out, my eyes became blurry with tears.

'Fucking GOD' I shouted.

'The worst is over Soma, I promise. I can thank my life to you, so I am in your debt, I will help you through this and bring you to Valka.' Eivor lifted me up, placed one of my arms around her neck and holding my weight with her arms below my knees. ' 'I got you now -she gently stroked my arm and carried me to her horse, we headed back to Ravensthorpe with our forces left , following Randvi's soldiers.

As we rode along those old oak trees I could feel the sweet scent of Eivor's skin around her collarbone as I laid my head on her broad chest. Small sweatdrops were glistening on her perfect face while her ice-blue eyes stayed focused on the road, I could watch this living statue of perfection all day.

Spring breeze played on my cheeks while I closed my eyes to just feel the bumps and turns of the road.

I couldn't get a peaceful monent as my thoughts caused me an inner turmoil. Where the hell was Revna? Did she join to Randvi and her forces? How am I supposed to fight like this? The hardest part of this battle is still ahead of us..I came here to defend Ravensthorpe, not to behave like a whining child. And who was that blood-haired shieldmaiden?

***

#ac eivor #eivor #eivor wolfkissed #female eivor #lady eivor #assassin's creed valhalla #eivor wolfsmal #ac soma #somabearheart #soma jarlskona #eivor x soma #randvi #ac valhalla fanfic

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bellylivesthepoguelife · 3 years

Text

i need you. [part 2]

Note: I can’t say “THANK YOU” enough to @mbabystein for beta-ing this! I sent it when I was *thought* I was done, and she said, “hang on a sec.” After discussing, I added 1,000+ words to it, and it is SO much better than what I initially wrote! I can’t WAIT to hear what y’all think of this one! ;)

Also! I got this request a few days ago and it fit SO perfect that i HAD to use it for part2!

Request: Hey can I request "I just want you to hold me." with jarah b??!💗

Word Count: 2.8K

(Part 1)

It's an hour later when their tears stop, and a numb, tingling sensation creeps into their bones. They don't speak for the longest time, each unable to escape the funnel of thoughts ringing too loud in their heads. Sarah is the first to break the silence. Sitting up straighter from where she was slouched against John B's chest. She doesn't look at him as she speaks.

"How mad are you." It's not phrased like a question even though it is.

She feels him swallow and clear his throat. "I'm not mad, Sarah."

Her eyes almost roll, and she's thankful that they're not looking at each other. "What are you then?" Silence. "I know you're feeling something."

His head makes a soft thud as he rests it against the wall he's leaning against. She'd bet a good amount of money that his eyes are closed as well.

"So many things."

She tries to ignore the thumping of her heart, tries to even out the quickening of her breaths. "Please tell me." She whispers. "I need to know what you're thinking."

There's more silence as he forms his thoughts. "I'm scared." He confesses.

She wraps her arms around him, hoping she can make him feel some of the comfort he'd been providing her. "Me too."

"How are you feeling?" His hands run up and down her arms, his unconscious way of comforting her.

"I'm terrified." A kiss is pressed to her hair, and the tenderness of it catches her off guard. The tears come before she even realizes, and she sits up straight, wiping at her eyes. "And I want to stop crying!"

John B smooths her hair back a couple times. "It's okay, you can cry."

"I don't want to cry. I want to talk."

He pulls his knee up to rest his arm it so he can still play with Sarah's hair or rub her back. "So let's talk."

She's quiet for a long time, staring straight ahead. John B stays silent, allowing her the time to think and gather her thoughts but he's still the first to break the silence. "You know if you want to talk about things, you have to actually say the words you're thinking?" He smiles and plays with a piece of hair before tucking it behind her ear. "Don't shut me out, Val. Please. Let me into that pretty head of yours. Let me help you carry some of this." Sarah turns to look at the man sitting on the floor with her, the only thing he wants is to help her. "You can start from anywhere, and we'll work our way through it."

Nodding, she takes a breath and allows him into the hurricane of her thoughts "Okay, well obviously I'm going to get fat--bye-bye bikinis..." She rolls her eyes and John B has to focus on not letting a smile break out on his face; because of course that would be the first thing out of Sarah Cameron's mouth. "...and I'm going to get sick all the time, which is obviously no fun." John B echoes something that sounds like "definitely no fun" and the commentary makes her smile. "Then there's telling everyone, and--fuck--what is everyone going to think." She runs a hand through her hair. "Who even is everyone? I don't exactly have the best parental figures in the world. My dad and my brother are in prison. How am I going to be able to even look at Wheezie." John B nods. "We obviously have to tell JJ, Pope, and Kie, and they're just gonna give us even more shit for being irresponsible."

"I think they may surprise you."

"Really?" She deadpans. "You really think they're going to be excited about this and not give us any shit?"

He sits up straighter. "I don't know about any shit, especially knowing JJ, but he'll just give it to me. I think they'll be nicer than you think."

"They're gonna be weird about it I know it." John B doesn't comment, and she shakes her head to herself. "Can you get me a drink?"

"Of course." He knew better than to push. Especially given the current high-stress environment, he decides changing the topic might be a better route. "When did you find out?" He stands up to stretch before walking over to the mini fridge in the corner to grab a couple waters that he knew would be stashed inside.

She pulls her knees to her chest, and rests her chin on top. Her arms come to hold each other in the pyramid of space her legs make. "This morning."

"Before you called me?" He clarifies, walking back over and handing her a water before moving to sit on her bed.

She nods in agreement as she takes a sip of water, standing up and stretching before moving to sit next to him.

They sit side by side, against the wall that the dorm-standard twin bed was pushed up against, legs extended out, Sarah's head on his shoulder, while John B's arm rest across her thigh. Sarah rubbed his arm, giving him time to process.

"We should probably get you to a doctor," is the first thing to come out.

Her body tightens when she realizes what he might be insinuating. She tries to seem nonchalant, aloof, as she gauges him warily. "Why?"

"I mean, isn't that what you're supposed to do?"

"I guess..." The impulse to narrow her eyes at him is intense.

"Well, I'm assuming there's some medicine, or something that you have to take, right?" His eyebrows furrow together, and he looks at where his hand rubs circles into her thigh. "Or something to help you with getting sick all the time?"

Sarah looks up at him as he continues, but she's more comforted knowing that his only concern is her.

"There's tests you have to get too, right? Like--I don't know blood tests or something? I don't really know a lot about this." He looks down at the water bottle he's playing with in his right hand.

"Neither do I." She admits. Sarah Cameron knew how babies were made, obviously, and even had thought about having them with John B one day. One day that was years down the road, not when they were only 19. She didn't even know if John B even wanted kids. Sure, they had talked about it in passing but never with any serious intent. He and JJ were the free spirit, fly-by-the-seat-of-your-pants, don't-make-plans-more-than-a-year-in-advance kind of people. She wasn't expecting him to be excited by the news by any means. Hell, she's not even thrilled with the idea right now. But he's still here, with her. She knows he loves her. Has to keep reminding herself so the fears of "he's going to be so pissed" and "he's going to leave you" stay far away. Having him here helps reinforce it.

His breath hitches, and breaks her train of thought. "I mean, they have to make sure you're okay, right?" His words are coming a bit quicker now. "That you're okay. That you and- and..."

She meets his eyes, and sees nothing but fear and concern there. Her hand rubs against his on her leg. "You can say it, John B, it's okay."

His eyes close, and he clears his throat. "That you... and the baby... are okay." He whispers. His breath jerks again just before she sees the first tear slide down his cheek.

"John B." She has to wonder if this is how he felt this morning, when he was still unaware of the situation. Only knowing that she was hurting. She straddles his legs, gently pulling his shoulders from the wall and into her embrace. "It's okay. We're going to be okay."

"I know." It comes out sharper than he probably intends, but he's quick to cover it up. "Sorry." He pulls back, running a hand over his face. "Anyway, what else did you want to talk about."

"I want to talk about you."

He gives a humorless laugh. "We're not talking about me, Sarah."

"You're a part of this situation, too." She gives him a look that dares him to defy her. "So, yes, we're talking about you."

"I'm not the one going through this."

He's deflecting and she knows it. "Maybe not, but you're involved just as much as I am. This is half of you, too."

"Dammit, Sarah!" His outburst startles both of them. She sits back on her heels, legs still on either side of him. "I'm trying to help you! Trying to--be strong for you because I know how scared you are. I don't care about how I feel--I don't want to talk about me because I'm the one that put you in this situation in the first place! So just--just let me take care of you! Please!"

As painful as it is to watch him break, she knows that this is what he needs. Sarah immediately pulls him into her, again. This time his hands wrap around her back, squeezing lighter than usual. She holds his head to her and plays with the hair at the nape of his neck, taking on the supportive role, and allowing him to be the one to break down for once. "I'm so sorry."

She pulls back enough to place a kiss to the side of his head. "It's not your fault. Vlad, we're going to be okay, I promise. It'll be okay." She's not sure if she's trying to convince herself or him, and she doesn't know who needs to hear it more.

It's as if the tears shed stimulate the need to make the fear known because he's pulling away to put his hand on either side of her face. "Sarah," there are still tears falling, and Sarah thinks there's no way she deserves the man sitting in front of her. "You're already getting sick. You're probably only going to get worse! And you're here, and I'm in the OBX, and I don't know the first thing about any of this! I don't know how to take care of a baby! I know they're expensive, so how the hell am I going to be able to support one when I've never even held one! And now there's one inside of you, and..." the thought seems to remind him of something else, because all of a sudden he's frantic. "And you're going to have to go through labor to get it out--oh god. Oh god--"

"John B." He's going to have a panic attack if she doesn't interrupt his spiraling thought process. "John B, look at me." His hands have moved to his head. She's pulling at them, hoping that looking at her while she speaks will ground him.

"You didn't ask for this, Sarah!" He pulls his hands away, and the anguish in his eyes brings tears to her own.

"You didn't either!" The short laugh that leaves her throat is unexpected even to her. "Babe, I love you, but you are completely freaking out. You make it sound like I just told you I only have 6 months to live."

He doesn't respond, and she feels a tug in her chest.

"What do you need, JB." Her voice is soft as she brushes a thumb under his eye. "What can I do to help you?"

There's a ragged breath, another couple moments of no one speaking. "Can you... I just want you to hold me. Please." Sarah's arms are locked around him in an instant, and the confession brings both of them to tears. Just like earlier, they allow themselves to feel the push and pull of the emotions that come in waves.

"This isn't a death sentence." She breaks the silence thinking maybe he needs the clarification. He said he doesn't know anything, but she hopes he at least knows this much. "I'm pregnant. Not dying." She kisses his shoulder to reiterate. "Yeah, you live in the OBX, but I can take a break from classes--"

"I don't want you to have to do that." He interrupts.

"It wouldn't be forever." She concedes. "And if I didn't want to do that, I could always switch to online. Point is: there's ways around that." She runs her hands through his hair, giving him another grounding technique. "Babies are expensive, yeah, but we've got some of the gold money to hold us over, and that's more than enough to support us and a baby." There's a pause, and he nods, rubbing a hand across his face to wipe his cheeks. The tears have subsided for the most part now, and Sarah's hoping that her words are getting through to him. "And yes, I will have to go through labor. But that's way down the road, and we will be able to talk through all of this so we will know what to expect, and make plans so we're prepared."

His eyes slide closed, and he mentally prepares to be his most vulnerable. "Sarah, I can't lose you."

"And you won't." A kiss to his forehead brings a smile to his lips. "You're not."

His arms wrap around her torso again, holding her like his only lifeline. "I'm just--I guess I'm scared that you're going to be upset with how this is going to change everything... you'll blame me... resent me..."

Sarah presses her forehead to his. Looking in his eyes so he knows she's serious. "That's how I felt this morning. I thought you wouldn't want it... wouldn't want me. I mean it's not like this is something we planned on." He starts to explain himself, most likely in disbelief that she would think that of him, but she cuts him off. "But now you're here. Holding me... and we're talking... and now that I know you're not angry and resentful... I don't know. There's a part of me that might be a little excited." His face softens then, her confession easing the tension that had taken a permanent hold on his body. "Do you think that maybe... maybe at some point down the line you might be excited, too?"

He kisses her then, hard and long, like there's a time limit. "I can be excited." He breathes. "I just can't handle the thought of you suffering, or hurting."

She kisses him this time. "I'm pregnant." She repeats. "I'm not dying. There's going to be some hard things, sure, but there's going to be some really beautiful things, too." He smiles then, and she thinks they might be okay.

"Do you think..." He starts, but then thinks better of it.

"Do I think what?"

He shakes his head and looks a bit embarrassed. "No, it's dumb."

She smiles at the change in their conversation, wondering how they both aren't suffering from emotional whiplash. "No it's not. Please ask me. What do you want to know?"

John B plays with his signature bandana and takes a minute to gather his courage, though it comes at the price of making sure there is no chance of eye contact when he asks. "Do you think... that maybe... I might be able to see the test?"

Whatever it was that she thought her boyfriend was going to ask, it sure as hell wasn't that. She just stares at him while her brain takes a minute to process the request. "You..." When she realizes what he's asking, she immediately jumps up to retrieve the piece of plastic from her desk drawer. "yeah. yeah, of course." She scrambles back on the bed, and sits on the edge of where he now had his legs folded underneath him. She hands over the test, and watches warily.

His hands are on both sides of it as he studies the two lines that shifted their whole lives. "Wow." He breathes, glancing up to see her smiling back at him. "Wow."

"Yeah." She agrees. "It's kind of crazy, huh."

"Crazy..." It's as if he can't stop looking at it. "So there really is a baby inside of you."

She nods, though he can't see it because he's still staring at the test in his hands. "There is. A baby that is half of you and half of me." He looks embarrassed again, and she can't help but wonder what's going through his head. "Penny for your thoughts?"

"Can I..." He doesn't elaborate and doesn't look at her.

Here eyebrows furrow. "Can you what, John B?"

He doesn't answer, but moves to sit beside her, even though they're facing each other. His hand reaches out hesitantly, and her throat tightens with emotions that she refuses to let show. "Can I?"

She closes her eyes to stop the tears from falling, and nods silently. She can sense his presence close to her, and the feather-light pressure of his hand on the stomach forces a whimper to escape her throat. She feels his other hand brush the side of her face, and leans into the touch.

"I love you, Sarah Cameron." is the whisper that leaves his mouth before he presses it to hers.

#i need you. part2 #i need you.#jarah b #john b x sarah cameron #obx writing #outer banks writing #john b routledge #sarah cameron #protective john b #jarah b angst #jarah b fluff #belly writes

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