#was saving this piece for november but in light of uh | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

jamaisjoons · 3 years

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lavender skies II ⤑ knj | m.

rewrite of the original titled ‘intro: her’

⟶ 𝑠𝑢𝑚𝑚𝑎𝑟𝑦:〝 namjoon comes into your in one of the most unexpected or ways. but even though you are immediately smitten, he comes with some heavy baggage: a failed marriage, three children, and a company left to him by his father. will you able to stay? 〞single dad au. domestic au.

❥ 𝑝𝑎𝑖𝑟𝑖𝑛𝑔: ceo!namjoon x marine veterinarian!reader

❥ 𝑔𝑒𝑛𝑟𝑒: angst ∝ fluff ∝ smut

❥ 𝑤𝑜𝑟𝑑 𝑐𝑜𝑢𝑛𝑡: 12.5k

⟶ 𝑤𝑎𝑟𝑛𝑖𝑛𝑔𝑠: toxic relationships, depictions/mentions of child neglect and abuse, pregnancy, brief allusions to abortion, infidelity, explicit discussions of divorce and failed marriages, somewhat arranged marriage, mentions of familial pressure, mentions of alcohol/brief depictions of drinking, i think that’s everything but if you spot anything and want me to add it, please do !

⏤ thank you to my loves henny @hennessyjeons , kat @yeoldontknow , trice @tricethecharm , miss C @nightshadevinter and dita @oftenderweapons for proof reading this!

➵ 𝑎/𝑛: the angst is heavy in this one theydies 😎 but it is somewhat balanced by the fluff/playfulness of some scenes! so hopefully this isn’t too bad and i hope you enjoy it!

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The next weekend, you find yourself standing in front of Namjoon’s apartment building, gawking at the large piece of construction. It towers over you, made of glass and steel and glimmering darkened argent in the light of day. It’s a simple design, blending in with the other skyscrapers that loom on Seoul’s skyline, and yet, everything about it screams luxury. With your neck straining to glance at the topmost part of the building, you wonder if this is a good idea. You currently stand outside the building, a bag of gifts in one hand and your phone in the other - Namjoon’s text confirming you’re at the right address - as you nervously fidget about. It’s the twins’ birthday and, though you had promised to attend, a part of you wonders if you should turn around.

You don’t belong in this world.

Just the affluent atmosphere of the building reminds you of that. Namjoon is rich. There’s no sugarcoating it. There was no other way to put it really. He’s completely loaded. Most likely made of money. To the point that living in a building like this, in the penthouse flat, in the middle of Seoul, was nothing to him. But it’s something to you. Of course, you aren’t poor by any means yourself. You have a well-paying job at the aquarium-cum-museum. And considering you’re the second in command to the head veterinarian, your future looks bright. But still. Even if you saved up every single bit of won you had made throughout your life, you still wouldn’t be able to afford the rent in this building. Not even one of the lower apartments, let alone the penthouse.

Hell, even dressed in your nicest pair of jeans and a thick jumper - it’s the middle of November, after all - you’re completely out of place.

You don’t belong in this world.

Nervousness settles in your stomach, your palms turning clammy and, taking a deep breath, you gather all the courage you can muster up before walking through the front lobby’s door. The doorman greets you curiously, not having seen you before, but doesn’t say anything else as you walk past him. You navigate through the palatially decorated lobby and towards the reception, where a smartly dressed man greets you with a tight smile. Discreetly, his eyes sweep over you, as if sizing you up, only for his smile to turn condescending, as though he’d decided you didn’t belong here either.

“Are you lost, ma’am?” he asks. You shake your head in response.

“Uh… No. I’m ____. I’m here to visit Kim Namjoon,” you reply, following Namjoon’s directions. Taken aback by your words, the man looks at you in what can only be described as a perturbed surprise.

“You’re here to visit Mr Kim?” he repeats, making you nod in response. The man pauses, once again looking you over before reaching for the phone on his desk and quickly dialling a number. Patiently, you wait for him.

“Hello? Ah. Mr Jung? There’s a Miss ____ here to see Mr Kim,” the receptionist informs whoever is on the phone. He waits for the man to respond, and then, after a few short moments, “Very well. I will let her know,” the receptionist concludes as he puts the phone down. “You may wait here. Mr Jung will be down momentarily,” the man says, gracing you with a curt smile.

“Ah. Thank you,” you reply with a short bow of your head. Moving to the side, you grasp the handle of your bag with both hands, your foot nervously tapping on the pristine marble as you wait for Mr Jung to arrive — whoever he is.

Thankfully, you don’t have to wait for long, because all of a sudden, you hear someone call out your name. Head snapping to the direction of the sound, your eyes widen at the man exuberantly waving at you. He’s dressed casually, a white button-down with the first couple clasps undone, exposing his tanned, golden skin, and a pair of light-wash blue jeans, the material clinging loosely to his skin, accentuating the shape of his legs. He approaches you with a friendly grin, his eyes smiling from under the honey-brown locks that frame his forehead. You snap out of your reverie when he’s right in front of you, and with a sheepish smile, you hesitantly wave your own hand.

“____, right? It’s nice to meet you. I’m Jung Hoseok, Namjoon’s personal assistant and secretary. Please follow me,” Hoseok says, his voice laced with effervescence, as he turns on his heel and walks back to the lift.

Quickly, you fall in tow with him, and within moments, you’re both stepping into the small box. Hoseok hits the topmost button, labelled ‘PH’, before stepping back. Silence clouds the atmosphere, broken only by the soft whirring of the lift climbing up the building. That is, until Hoseok speaks.

“So, you’re the infamous ____,” he expresses coolly. Despite his nonchalance, your features twist into a frown. Your confusion must be palpable, and obvious because, even though you don’t say anything, Hoseok lets out a soft laugh.

“Namjoon’s children haven’t stopped speaking about you since they met you. I think it’s slowly driving him crazy,” he explains with a laugh. Your mouth forms an ‘o’ at his words, unsure of what to say. “But… in a good way,” he continues, flashing you a reassuring smile. The easiness of Hoseok’s demeanour has your anxiousness melting. Relaxing, you grace him with your own smile.

“I didn’t think I made that much of an impression,” you joke, causing him to chuckle.

“Well, I can certainly assure you that you did. Jungkookie has been pestering Namjoon nonstop all day; constantly asking him when you were going to arrive,” he replies. You bite your lip at that, the corners curling into a smile at the thought of the young boy who’d unknowingly stolen your heart with his cuteness.

“He’s a cute kid,” you gently intone.

“He is. Though it’s surprising he’s taken a liking to you so quickly. I’ve known him all his life and he’s always been shy around strangers. Yet… lately, you’re all he talks about,” Hoseok continues.

“You’ve known them that long?” you ask, turning to him in surprise.

“Mhm. I’ve been working for Namjoon for six years now,” he hums.

“And you’re close enough to be invited to his son’s party?” you blurt out, only to freeze. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to say you can’t be-” you quickly begin. However, Hoseok soon cuts you off.

“No, it’s okay. We’ve known each other for a long time. He’s more a close friend I just work with than anything,” Hoseok waves you off, causing you to nod. It makes sense, you guess. It would be pretty hard not to befriend someone after working with them so closely for all that time. Before you can say anything else, however, a soft ‘ding’ rings through the air, alerting you of your destination.

The doors to the lift slowly open up, revealing a short corridor with a door that you are sure leads to Namjoon’s penthouse. All of a sudden, a wave of anxiousness flitters through you and, sucking in a breath, you steady your nerves as much as possible while following behind Hoseok. The older man confidently strides to the entrance. Without so much as a thought, he opens it as if it were his own home, guiding you inside. The moment you enter, your eyes widen in the slightest. You’re just in the entrance and yet, even that spacious corridor boasts wealth: expensive portraits line the walls, the gold or wood-framed artwork contrasting against the stark creamish-white paint.

As Hoseok leads you towards the end, the boisterous sounds of children’s screams and laughter filter through the air, mixing with the more subdued chatter of what you assume to be the adults. Your suspicions are confirmed when you enter the large, minimalistic living room. A mix of neutral tones surround you - plush leather couches in a soft shade of tan, dark hardwood floors, white walls, and a mix of cream and deep brown furniture - and for a moment, you wonder how this could be a family home. It looks more like a bachelor pad than anything. Which only leads you to wonder whether Namjoon is a single father.

Nonetheless, the luxurious harshness of the neat — borderline clinical — room is somewhat broken up by the undeniable evidence that three children also live here. Brightly coloured toys are strewn sporadically over the room, the TV cabinet boasts a range of different DVDs — most being either Pixar or Disney — and child-drawn artwork displayed in random places of the room. Colour banners and balloons litter the area and a huge sign reading ‘Happy Birthday’ meets your eyes. Unintentionally, you find yourself scrutinising the home. That is, until a rambunctious scream breaks through the air, causing you to blink in surprise and turn your gaze.

A small group of children run rampant, screaming and yelling as they chase each other. Taehyung is at the forefront of it all, a huge boxy smile on his face as he lets out a sound that’s a mix of a screech and a laugh. Behind him, is a giggling Jimin, the two faithfully holding hands as they run away from their friends. They’re both dressed as pirates, it seems, large hats — far too big for their skulls — sitting atop their heads, one of their eyes covered by an eyepatch, and a long sword held in their free hand. A small group of children, somewhere around eight to ten, follow them and yet, Jungkook is nowhere to be seen. Your eyebrows furrow at his absence and, gaze flicking over the room, you look for him.

It doesn’t take long, though, because immediately you find him glued to his father, clinging to Namjoon’s jeans as much as he can.

Namjoon stands beside Seokjin and another man and woman that you don’t recognise, the three of them casually sipping drinks. Every now and then you see one of them glance at the kids, no doubt trying to keep an eye on them. Inclining his head towards you, Hoseok sends you another calm, reassuring smile before gesturing you to follow him once again as he walks towards the groups of adults. Within a couple of moments, however, Jungkook spots you, and his previously reserved face immediately lights up. Not wasting a moment, and to your complete surprise, he lets go of his father’s leg and instead runs up to you. Seconds later, his small body collides with yours, and with tiny arms wrapping around your legs, he grins at you with a bunny-esque smile.

“Noona! You came!” Jungkook cries, unbridled happiness lacing his voice. You grin at him; then, placing down the bag of presents, you reach out and pet his head gently.

“I told you I would, didn’t I?” you intone brightly. Your response has Jungkook’s grin widening and nodding his head furiously, his hands tightening around your legs.

“Wow. I don’t think I’ve ever seen Jungkook look so excited to meet someone,” the woman jokes. Angling your head to them, you greet them with a shy smile, your cheeks tinging with heat. For a moment, your eyes lock with Namjoon’s, and as you watch him smile — his dimples indenting — you can’t help but feel your heart twinge.

“This is ____, the one I was telling you about,” Namjoon says as you approach them.

“Ah. The infamous ____ who stole Jungkook’s heart,” the woman jokes, causing Seokjin to laugh.

“Ignore her,” Namjoon whispers gently. His warm breath fans against your ear, causing your spine to shiver. Unaware of your reaction to the smooth husk of his voice, Namjoon straightens up. “This is Amara, Seokjin’s fiancee. And you’ve already met Hoseok,” Namjoon introduces, causing you to nod and greet them each.

“No, no. Don’t ignore me. I’m just curious about the woman who Jungkookie can’t seem to stop talking about,” Amara intervenes, looking between you and the three-year-old mischievously. Then, lowering her voice, “After all, it took me months to get him comfortable around me,” she whispers conspiratorially.

“Mari-noona,” Jungkook whines from beside you as he stomps his little foot in frustration. You look at the usually quiet boy in surprise, your eyes widening at the light flush dusting his cheeks.

“Nochu… don’t you wanna go play with your brothers?” Namjoon suggests, trying to shoo the young boy away. However, Jungkook simply shakes his head and inches closer to you.

“I don’t want to,” he pouts. Then glancing over at the group of children, “There’s too many of them,” he explains quietly while shuffling from foot to foot. Namjoon’s face softens at the telltale sign of his son’s shyness. Crouching down to Jungkook’s eye-level, Namjoon takes his son’s small hands into his much larger one.

“Nochu… if you’re uncomfortable being in a big group, then you can stay with us,” Namjoon gently concedes, causing Jungkook’s eyes to light up. However, instead of stopping there, “But… I’m sure your brothers would miss you if you do that. And that if you want to, they would love it if you joined them,” he continues. At his father’s words, Jungkook’s eyebrows scrunch slightly, and with a hesitant look — Namjoon nodding at him reassuringly — Jungkook nods.

“Okay. I’ll go play,” he intones lowly before running off. You watch as he shyly approaches his brothers, Jimin and Taehyung grinning brightly at him. If they had noticed his absence, or thought anything of it, they don’t say anything. Rather, they grab him by the hand unhesitantly — dropping their swords without a second thought — and drag him along with them.

“Wow. I can’t believe you actually got him to leave your side,” Hoseok snorts, making you turn your attention back to the group of adults. A light flush dusts Namjoon’s cheeks, the rest of the group laughing at him.

“What’s that supposed to mean?” he sputters. Hoseok gives him a knowing look in return.

“That you baby the hell out of that boy? To the point that he’s quite literally glued to your leg half the time,” Hoseok deadpans. His words cause Namjoon’s flush to deepen, and nose crinkling, Namjoon tuts.

“He is a baby. He’s only three years old,” Namjoon protests.

“Oh, come on Hoseok. Cut him some slack. He can’t help it if Kookie is his baby. He is the youngest, and ever so shy,” Amara intervenes, taking pity on Namjoon. “Besides, it wasn’t too long ago that he was an actual baby. Ahh… he was so cute then. Even the twins,” she coos while reminiscing. At that, Hoseok concedes with a smirk. Their easy interaction causes you shift from foot to foot, unsure of what to say, and a little uncomfortable. After all, it was clear that they were a close group of friends. Noticing your discomfort, Namjoon quickly turns to you with a smile.

“Ah, sorry. Amara actually used to be Jimin, Taehyung, and Jungkook’s nanny. She’d just moved here and was looking for a job. That’s how we met,” Namjoon informs. With a slight ‘ah’ you nod your head. From beside Amara, Seokjin winds his arm around her waist and pulls her closer to his side with a grin.

“And that’s also how I met Mara,” he says proudly, his fiancee simply rolling her eyes with a fond smile.

“Are you not their nanny anymore, then?” you ask, curiosity laced in your voice. Amara smiles at you gently before shaking her head.

“No, not anymore. I still help every now and then, but with all the boys in daycare or school, Namjoon doesn’t really need me all that much,” she explains, causing you to nod your head in understanding once again.

“That doesn’t stop Namjoon from calling you when he needs to work overtime though,” Seokjin says, mockingly glaring at his cousin. Namjoon simply raised an eyebrow.

“And whose fault is it that I work overtime?” Namjoon challenges. Turning around to you, “Sometimes, Seokjin wants to leave work early so he can go see Amara. But that always means I’m left with even more work for the day,” he clarifies.

“And so your response is to call my fiancee of all people and make her work?” Seokjin sputters in indignation. A sly smirk crosses Namjoon’s face at his cousin’s outburst, and casually sipping his drink, he shrugs.

“Well, of course. I get a wonderful babysitter my sons love, and I get to inconvenience you. It’s a win-win situation, really,” comes his cool response. “Besides, it’s not my fault your fiancee loves my sons more than she loves you,” he purposely antagonises.

“Y-You-” Seokjin tries, only for Amara to butt in.

“Well… I mean he’s not wrong,” she playfully chimes. “The boys are so cute, so really, who’s going to say no to watching over them? And plus...” She rounds on Seokjin, narrowing her eyes. “You shouldn’t be using your lovely fiancee to get out of work in the first place,” Amara chastises, poking her finger into his chest. The sepia-skinned woman is much shorter than Seokjin, and yet, with the fierceness of her onyx eyes, her fiance is quickly surrendering to her.

“Okay, okay. I’m sorry,” Seokjin apologises — though there’s no real remorse in his voice — his hands held up while he smiles at her affectionately.

“Good. You shouldn’t be giving Namjoon even more work than he already has,” she berates. The interaction between the two of them has a wistful smile curling at your lips. It was clear that the two loved each other very much. “Anyway, enough about us. ____, tell me about you! I heard you're a veterinarian at the Aquarium?” Amara prompts.

“Ah! Yes! I’m the deputy head veterinarian,” you respond. Then, with a small hum, “Though, that’s more of an assistant position to the head vet, really. He’s basically training me to take over his post,” you expand. Amara and Hoseok’s eyes widen in impressed surprise.

“Oh wow, that sounds really cool,” Hoseok says. The corners of his heart-shaped lips twist into a knowing grin. “No wonder the boys love you so much. Namjoon also loves marine life. Something he’s almost religiously imparted onto his children,” Hoseok jokes.

“It’s not that bad,” Namjoon murmurs, sending a scathing glare at his secretary - even if there’s no real heat to the gesture.

“Hmmm… I wouldn’t be too sure about that. After all, one of the first things Jungkook asked me was if we had crabs because ‘Daddy likes crabs’,” you reveal. Namjoon’s head snaps towards you, an almost betrayed look crossing his face. The astonished sight of him has you giggling while throwing him an apologetic look, the rest of the group bursting into laughter.

“Ahaha, well, there you have it. ____ barely knows you, and even she agrees,” Seokjin quips.

“Hm, well Jungkook definitely knows how to pick them,” Hoseok jokes.

“Oh, _____, I like you,” Amara says while wiping a fake tear from her eyes. “I like you even more because now I’m not the only woman here,” she grins, making you return her friendly smile. The easiness of the conversation has you relaxing, the comfortable atmosphere calming your earlier nerves of being in a foreign place with foreign people. That is, until you’re interrupted.

“Oh. What are we laughing at? What did I miss?” a newcomer questions as they join the group. Turning your head around, however, you instantly freeze. Because standing there is Gloss, your favourite rapper and producer.

“Uhhhhhhhhh.” Unintentionally, the sound spills from your throat, your mouth ajar as you stare at him in awestruck astonishment.

“Well, it seems we’ve found a Gloss fan,” Hoseok quips. Quickly snapping out of your stupor, you square your shoulders, your cheeks quickly flushing with intense heat.

“Oh- I’m so sorry, I just… wasn’t expecting to… see Gloss here…” you reply, trailing off in between words as your mind tries to parse the situation.

“Ahem,” Namjoon clears his throat. “This is Min Yoongi, one of my closest friends,” he introduces, drawing your attention back to him. Beside him, Seokjin glances over at his younger cousin, only for a thrill of amusement to course through him at the slight — almost indecipherable — frown on Namjoon’s face.

“You must be ____, Namjoon and Jungkook have mentioned you. It’s nice to meet you,” Yoongi says with a small smile.

“I-It’s nice to meet you too,” you stammer shyly.

“So you’re a fan of Gloss?” Seokjin questions, causing your cheeks to heat as you nod.

“His music really helped me when I was going through some stuff,” you answer vaguely. At your words, Yoongi’s own cheeks heat slightly — the slight tinge to the apples of his cheeks giving him away — as the corners of his lips twitch in appreciation.

“Thank you. It means a lot,” Yoongi replies, the two of you exchanging another smile. Again, Seokjin watches as Namjoon looks at the two of you, an unreadable expression on his face.

“Anyway… I think that’s everyone. Should we cut the cake?” Namjoon says, in a bid to change the subject.

“Oh? Is their mother not coming?” you question, the words spilling from your mouth before you can even ponder them. The moment they fill the air, however, regret splatters through your being. Because in an instant, the light, airy atmosphere shifts. The playful smiles on Seokjin and Hoseok’s faces disappear, their shoulders squaring as they draw up to their full heights. Next to Seokjin, a look of alarm crosses Amara’s face, and swiftly, she looks at Namjoon in worry, while Yoongi winces, his face turning passive.

Silence shrouds you, an uncomfortably terse tension gripping the air. Unaware of the atmosphere, the children continue running around, their joyous chatter and squeals a stark juxtaposition to the oppressive awkwardness surrounding the adults. A couple of moments pass with no one saying anything, and shuffling from foot to foot, you internally wonder what the chances of the ground opening and swallowing you whole are. You just had to put your foot in it. Licking your lips, you move to apologise. But, before you can even begin to utter the words, Namjoon speaks. He turns his gaze to you, and the sudden coolness he levels you with has you freezing.

“They have no mother,” comes his curt, laconic response. Then, without waiting another moment, he turns on his heel and walks away. Shocked by his reaction, you stand dumbfounded. Hoseok smiles tentatively at you before running after him, Yoongi letting out a little sigh. You shift your gaze to Amara and Seokjin, stuttering as you try to find something to say.

“Sorry about that. The boys’ mother… it’s a touchy subject,” Amara says, taking pity on you. Beside him, Seokjin smiles kindly.

“Come on, let’s get you a drink and we’ll tell you about it,” Seokjin offers. Nodding, you follow the man, placing your bag of presents down as you pass the table of gifts. It doesn’t take you long to get to the kitchen, Seokjin holding out two different bottles. “Peach Bellini or Bordeaux? What’s your choice?” he asks. You choose one and Seokjin pours you your drink.

“That’s the only upside to these parties. I don’t know how I’d deal with this big group of children without a good drink,” Amara jests as you accept the drink from her fiance. The two of you take a seat at the kitchen island, Seokjin opting to stand instead. For a few moments, none of you say anything, silence once again befalling you as you take a small sip of your drink.

Finally, when the terse tension gets far too overwhelming, “Umm… I’m sorry but… is Namjoon okay?” you ask timidly, breaking the stillness. Seokjin lets out a small sigh and rubs the bridge of his nose.

“Yeah, he’s fine. It’s just… his ex-wife is a sore topic for him,” he responds. Guilt instantly speckles through you, the queasy feeling gnawing at your stomach. Though, a small, minuscule, part of you flits to life. At least you know he’s single. You think.

Sensing your guilt, Amara places a comforting hand over yours. “Don’t worry about it. You didn’t know,” she placates with a gentle smile. Once again, you slip into an awkward quiet. A small part of you wonders what happened between Namjoon and his wife. But, for the most part, you know it’s rude to ask. After all, you barely know Namjoon.

“Are you not going to ask about it?” Seokjin prompts, almost as though he’d read your mind. Eyes widening, you look at him in shock.

Quickly gathering your wits, “Ah. No, it’s okay. I know I don’t really have the right,” you refuse. Seokjin exhales in amusement at your answer.

“It’s okay. If it’s you, I’m sure he won’t mind,” he replies cryptically. His words confuse you, and you almost question him on them.

However, instead, “Oh no, you really don’t have to tell me,” you protest. “And I really am sorry. I shouldn’t have asked about her,” you apologise once more.

“Stop apologising. The fact that you didn’t know, means you don’t have to be sorry,” Seokjin reassures. “It’s just, Namjoon tends to overreact when she’s mentioned… Granted, for the right reasons. She…” he pauses for thought, almost as if he were trying to figure out a way to describe her, “Wasn’t the best mother,” he goes on.

“She was a neglectful bitch, you mean,” Amara jeers, surprising you. Despite the harshness of her words, Seokjin laughs lightly and presses a fond kiss to his fiancee’s temple.

“Mara isn’t wrong. But even with their history, his reaction was unwarranted and he shouldn’t have treated you like that. But, again, he’s a little hot-headed when it comes to her. He’ll get over it soon and when he does, he’ll feel bad and apologise,” Seokjin explains. Despite yourself, his words have you relaxing. His sentiments placate the unreasonable feeling that you’d already ruined whatever friendship you’d begun to form with Namjoon.

“Would… would you mind telling me about her?” you ask, now more curious than anything, “But, you don’t have to obviously! I understand it’s not really my place to ask about it,” you swiftly follow, turning sheepish as your gaze lands on your glass.

“Hmm… should I?” he asks playfully, and just like that, he lightens the mood. He exaggeratingly ponders the question more, only to nod sagely. “Well, it’s best if you know. Especially if you’re going to be a constant in his life,” Seokjin finally relents.

“Ah, what? I don’t think I’m-” you begin to object.

“If there’s one thing I could tell you about Namjoon as a father, it’s that he’s overindulgent. He spoils them to no end,” Seokjin cuts you off, immediately bringing your words to a halt. “But since Jungkook is his baby, him especially. And Jungkook likes you. Which is saying a lot, because he’s not one to like strangers in the first place. But you,” he pauses for a moment and levels his steady gaze on you. “He hasn’t stopped talking about you this entire week and it honestly almost drove Namjoon mad. Jungkook likes you, he’s attached to you, and that means, no matter what, Namjoon will make sure you’re in their lives,” he clarifies. His words rattle you, and trying to digest the information, you simply nod your head, unsure of what else to do.

It comes as a shock: being suddenly thrust into Namjoon’s life. Not to mention, it’s wholly daunting. At the age of twenty-eight, he’s already a successful businessman running his family company, while simultaneously being a single father to three children under the age of five. It can’t be easy. So, suddenly being swallowed by that chaos, has you feeling a little overwhelmed. However, when you think about Jimin, Taehyung, and Jungkook, you can’t help but find the intimidation dissipating away.

And then there’s Namjoon.

Handsome, breathtakingly beautiful Namjoon.

With smooth, sun-kissed skin — that gleams bronze under the gilded light of day — and sharp eyelids hiding obsidian eyes — their deep, fathomless depths displaying an almost unbearable warmth. Not to mention his plush lips, like two freshly-bloomed velvet rose petals, and his easy smile that displays a pair of deep dimples. And that’s all excluding the way the man is built: like a marble statue of Adonis carved by the gods themselves.

He was the most unnerving part.

But, if you really thought about it, you don’t mind being in his life either.

In fact, if you’re being honest, you want to be in his life. Mostly because, the moment you’d laid eyes on him, and the second your gazes fell upon each other, you’d felt drawn to him.

“Namjoon’s ex-wife is Noh Hyejin,” Seokjin blurts, his words careening you out of your thoughts and back to reality.

You stare at him in wide-eyed astonishment, your mouth involuntarily falling open as you try to rationalise what you’d just heard. “Noh Hyejin?” you repeat, her name falling from your lips in perplexion. “Noh Hyejin, the actress and model, Noh Hyejin?” you question in incredulity. Beside you, Amara snorts.

“Yeah, her,” she gripes bitterly, her features contorting in a grimace.

“I… didn’t even know she was married to Namjoon. Or anyone in general. I didn’t even know she ever had children,” you respond. It wasn’t like you majorly kept up with her. However, considering she was a high profile celebrity, she was almost always in the news. And thus, even if you didn’t follow her, you’re sure there’d be some news of her having three children. Seokjin merely nods knowingly.

“It wasn’t a simple divorce,” comes his laconic answer. “Their entire marriage was annulled. And in order to protect his sons from the public, Namjoon paid a hefty sum to stop any news breaking out about them or his previous marriage,” he continues in explanation. “Plus, this all happened before she was famous.”

“She’s also not allowed to talk about their kids or marriage. There was an NDA in their annulment papers on her side,” Amara adds, causing you to nod.

“I don’t know why or how she’d talk about them in the first place. She neglected and abandoned her children. She didn’t want anything to do with them even back then,” Seokjin sneers. The venom in his voice surprises you. Mostly because, for the most of it, he’s kept a cool facade. Still, hearing his words, you find your eyebrows furrowing. You’d only known Jimin, Taehyung, and Jungkook a short time, but even then, you couldn’t fathom anyone not loving the wholly adorable children.

“How did they meet? And why did they get married? And... Why did they break up?” you find yourself thinking out loud while trying to wrap your head around the new information.

“They met at Yonsei University. Namjoon studied Business while Hyejin studied Philosophy. She was never really that interested in it though. She just picked it on a whim because her family had pushed her to attend Yonsei, when really, she’d always wanted to go into the acting industry,” Seokjin remarks.

“Her family?” your lips quirk in thought.

“Ah. Hyejin is the third child, and the only daughter, of Noh Janghyun - a fairly prominent business tycoon,” Seokjin explains. Mouth falling open in an ‘Ah’ you nod your head and gesture for him to continue. “Anyway, I think it was exam season in the first year? In the library? There weren’t a lot of seats available and they ended up sharing a table. Hyejin was flicking through a book for her course and Namjoon, having read it, struck up a conversation.” His eyebrows crinkle in thought, “At least, that’s what I remember. And well… from then till they graduated, they were together.”

“Till they graduated?” you splutter, not having expected that at all.

If they’d been together that long, and then even gotten married, how had it all suddenly fallen apart? And how could Namjoon so vehemently detest his ex-wife? Was it solely because of his children? It couldn’t be. Namjoon adores them, anyone could see that. You could see it even from the few times you’d seen him interact with them. But, for some reason, you have an incessant inkling that there’s something deeper as to why they’re so estranged now.

“Mhm. Hard to believe, right?” he hums.

“What happened?” you prompt. Opposite you, Seokjin runs a hand through his loose, dark chestnut locks.

“Honestly? It was a mixture of many things. A lot of it to do with familial pressure,” Seokjin answers, a deep sigh emanating from his mouth. “As I said, Hyejin’s father is a business tycoon, and because our family also owns a successful conglomerate, both sides saw an opportunity in their relationship. They were practically pressured into getting married. Straight out of university too.” Seokjin purses his lips, a look of distaste crossing his features. Clearly, he didn’t agree with either family’s stance.

Neither you, nor Amara, says anything. Instead, you wait for Seokjin to gather himself and continue with his story.

“I honestly have no idea if they’d have been together for so long if our families didn’t constantly interfere in their relationship. They were happy, sure, and at one point, they definitely loved each other,” he admits, his voice slightly quiet, and distant. “But as time progressed… I think they just got used to being with each other,” he speculates out loud. “Because that was expected from them. So they got married after they graduated, and Namjoon entered the company while Hyejin…” he trails off. Only to then continue after a short pause, “Well, Hyejin just did what she wanted, really. As the third child, she didn’t have to inherit the company if she didn’t want to, and since she wanted to get into the film industry, she chose to focus on that. And for a while, they were happy like that.”

Suddenly, his demeanour shifts, and eyes turning limpid, he levels his obsidian gaze on you.

“But that all changed when Hyejin got pregnant,” he states, almost forebodingly. The incisive sharpness to his voice has a chill running through you as apprehensiveness settles in your stomach.

Five years ago; April 2017.

Namjoon sits in his new office, his back slightly hunched as he flicks through the newest business proposal. He’d only just recently graduated from the School of Business at Yonsei University, almost a year ago now, only to be thrown directly into a directorial role at one of the main companies in his family’s conglomerate. Thankfully, he’d been groomed to inherit the company from a young age, so at least the work wasn’t all too bad. Though, it would probably be a lot better if his wonderful (read sarcastically) cousin didn’t show up every day to annoy him. Glancing up from the leather-bound file casually resting in his hand, he raises his eyebrow as Seokjin continues prattling on.

“... And then, when I told her I really couldn’t remember her, she threw her water at me! Can you believe it?” Seokjin animatedly recounts, his words trailing from his lips a mile a minute. Only catching the end of whatever he was droning on about, Namjoon cocks his eyebrow.

“She threw her water at you? Why?” he questions. However, when Seokjin turns to him, his features an expression of disbelief, Namjoon winces. Well, that was a mistake.

“What do you mean ‘Why’? I just told you why! Were you ignoring me? Hey! How could you do that to your favourite cousin?” The older man yells in indignation, his cheeks flushing pink with ire.

“Only,” Namjoon murmurs. Though, that only has Seokjin yelling once more. And if Namjoon didn’t know better, he could swearSeokjin was rapping. Namjoon lets out a sigh, and dropping the file back onto his glass desk, he levels a steady, but exasperated, gaze at the older man. Nonetheless, before he can even attempt to placate his cousin, his office doors swing open. Both men snap their gaze towards the entrance, only for identical expressions of confusion and interest to colour their visages.

“Hyejin? What are you doing here?” Namjoon asks, standing up from his seat and walking over to his newly wedded wife.

They’d only recently gotten married, almost half a year ago - at the behest of their family - and within those short six months, Hyejin had yet to step into his office. Usually, she’d just call him home. Or meet him just outside their destination. Albeit, as he looks over his wife, he notices the slight signs of distress that plague her. Her hair is messy, almost as if she’d been running her hands through them repeatedly, and her eyes are slightly puffy, the redness only slightly noticeable. Alarm quickly flushes through him, and stepping away from his desk, he rushes towards her.

“What’s wrong?” he asks, concern gleaming in his eyes as he takes her hand in his — a small act of comfort on his part. Then, remembering that she hadn’t been feeling well recently, “What did the doctors say?” he prompts.

Hyejin grits her teeth for a moment, the corners of her jaw clenching. Then, letting out a deep exhale, she tries to calm herself down. “I’m pregnant,” she bluntly states. Instantly, Namjoon’s body freezes, every single one of his muscles locking. Her words hang heavy in the air, filling the empty silence, and leaving it thick with tension.

“Pregnant?” he repeats, the words sound foreign in his mouth.

Sure, he and Hyejin had spoken about kids. Of course, they had. With both their parents constantly breathing down their necks for an heir it had been a topic that had come up often — though Namjoon never understood why it fell onto them, not when Hyejin had two older brothers, and he himself had Seokjin. Both of them had agreed to have them. However, far into the future, and only when they were both ready and more settled into their respective careers. Thus, Hyejin announcing her pregnancy now, when they haven’t even been married all that long, definitely comes as a shock.

“How? You’re on the pill,” he remarks, his face carefully stoic. Nevertheless, despite his calm facade, internally, his mind whirs —the gears spinning out of control — as he tries to rationalise the situation.

“Do you remember a few weeks ago? I had that ear infection and had to take some antibiotics? Apparently, it must have fucked with my birth control because I’m a few weeks pregnant. Eight to be exact,” Hyejin responds.

“Fuck,” Namjoon breathes out. A terse stillness enshrouds the room as the news finally sinks into his brain. Then, letting out a steady breath, he looks up at his wife. “Okay. That’s okay. I mean, it’s definitely early, and way before we’re ready. But on the bright side—” Namjoon begins, only to be cut off.

“No.” Hyejin snaps.

“No?” Namjoon repeats, dumbfounded.

“Namjoon, I just managed to get a secondary role in a drama. This couldn’t have come at a worse time. I don’t want this child now. It’s easy for you to look on the bright side because you’ve had a foot in your career since you were born. I’m just getting started. Do you know how much this is going to set me back?” she fumes. With each word, she only seems to wind herself up, getting angrier and angrier. Until, suddenly, “I don’t want this child. Not now,” she protests once again, the words vehemently tearing through her throat.

“I mean… There's not much we can do about it now. I know this is really bad timing, and neither of us were prepared. And I know you may not want this child, especially since your career is just starting… But in a few months, we’re going to have this child,” Namjoon tries to reason, his voice low, and gentle, as he attempts to assuage his wife. All of a sudden, however, a thought comes to his mind. Throat tightening, “Unless, you mean…” Namjoon breathes out, barely able to utter the words. But, he doesn’t need to, because Hyejin swiftly catches on.

“No… Maybe? I don’t know. I just… I don’t know,” Hyejin exhales indecisively, her shoulders deflating. Features softening as tears well up in Hyejin’s eyes, Namjoon tentatively approaches her, only to take her into his arms and pull her into his chest. Gently, he rubs soothing circles onto her back, ignoring the rigidness of his wife’s body in his arms.

“Hey, it’s okay. We’ll get through this somehow. It’s only a few months. We only have to get through the next few months. Then, once our child is born, we’ll figure it out,” Namjoon soothingly murmurs.

“I’m going to have to turn down that role…” Hyejin sighs, her body drooping further.

“I’m sorry,” Namjoon gently intones, not knowing what else to say. Hyejin simply nods her head. Then stepping back from him, she wipes her eyes.

“I’m exhausted, I’m going to head back home,” she says.

“Do you want Hoseok to drop you home?” Namjoon offers, only for Hyejin to shake her head.

“No. It’s fine. I’ll see you later,” comes her lackluster response. Then, with a small nod, she turns on her heels and trudges away. Namjoon watches his wife leave, and only when her figure completely disappears from his line of sight, does he let out the heavy breath of air he’d been holding in. Dropping to the sofa with a thud he stares at the glass coffee table, his eyes simultaneously focused and unfocused on an unassuming speckle of dust that mars the crystalline surface.

“Fucking hell… Pregnant...” Namjoon murmurs. Then, carding his fingers through his hair, he looks up at Seokjin; though, he’d be lying if he said he hadn’t completely forgotten about the older man’s presence. “We’re having a baby… I’m going to be a father,” he mumbles, awestruck.

Seokjin stands up and, smoothing out the wrinkles in his suit, he approaches the younger man. “I think we need to get you a drink,” Seokjin offers, placing an encouraging hand on Namjoon’s shoulder.

As Seokjin finishes recounting the story of when Namjoon had first found out about Hyejin’s pregnancy, a look of thought colours your countenance. “Well, I mean. She doesn’t sound too bad? I can understand why she was upset, especially since they were young and not ready. Plus, her career,” you try defending. Seokjin only sends you a rueful smile.

“Sure, you’re not wrong. And, if I didn’t know about her behaviour later on, I would be inclined to agree with you,” Seokjin concurs. “But it didn’t just stop there. It..” he continues.

“Got a lot worse,” Yoongi substitutes as he walks into the kitchen alongside Hoseok. The three of you turn towards the two newcomers, both of them smiling gently at you.

“Where’s—” Amara begins to question.

“Oh, reception buzzed him downstairs. I think the cake is here, so he went to collect it,” Hoseok supplies before she can even finish her sentence. “Really, I think he just wanted to cool off a bit,” he remarks, lowering his voice almost conspiratorially. When he sees a look of guilt flash clearly across your face, however, “Don’t worry. He’s really not mad at you. It’s just, the mention of Hyejin brings up bad memories, you know?” he offers kindly.

“Ah, okay…” you respond. Though, from the reluctant intonation in your voice, they all discern that you still feel responsible.

“Anyway. Where were we? Oh yeah. She honestly wasn’t that bad from the start, and after the initial shock faded, she seemed to grow used to the idea of having a child. Was she happy? I don’t think so, but we were never close, so I can’t say for sure,” Seokjin begins, continuing from where he left off.

“I think I’d have to agree,” Hoseok nods.

“Yeah. From what Namjoon told me, she was fine with one kid. But when she found out she had twins? There was a huge blow-out over it,” Yoongi recollects.

“Didn’t she disappear for a week after that appointment?” Hoseok questions.

“Yeah, she did. She was barely fine with the one. But then finding out they were twins? It really set her off. Though… In all fairness, it could have just been the pregnancy hormones too,” Seokjin adds. “Luckily, her older brother had the mind to let Namjoon know she’d gone back to her family home, because she certainly hadn’t let him know.”

“She blamed him for the twins?” you question, putting two and two together. Seokjin turns to you and nods.

“I guess in her mind, he’d gotten her pregnant so it was his fault? I don’t know. She did have a really bad case of baby brain. And that with her hormonal temper? God, her entire pregnancy, Namjoon walked on eggshells around her,” he answers.

“Yeah, I’ll never forget that. Namjoon worked so much overtime, I almost died of exhaustion,” Hoseok wallows, his shoulders hunching dramatically. Although, his self-pitying tone doesn’t last long, because he flashes you a cheeky grin. “But, at least my paychecks were huge. If it wasn’t for her pregnancy, I don’t think I’d have been able to put the deposit down for my apartment,” he jokes lightheartedly, causing you to giggle despite the seriousness of the conversation.

“But… her resentment towards Namjoon didn’t stop there, and when the twins were born… it passed onto them. Especially since the drama she was supposed to star in became pretty big,” Seokjin confides. Having kept quiet most of the time, Amara suddenly speaks.

“Do you remember New Year’s 2020? When she finally came home?” she questions, Yoongi letting out a small whistle before nodding.

“I don’t think I could ever forget, to be honest,” he returns.

“What happened?” you inquire. The four of them swap a knowing look, and nodding at each other, they turn back to you.

“It was about four months after Jungkook was born, and I’d been working with Namjoon and his kids for roughly three months already. Hyejin had already gone back to work and was filming various different commercials,” Amara explains.

“Because the kids were so young, we didn’t celebrate much. Namjoon just wanted to have a small party with us, his sons, and of course, his wife,” Yoongi continues. “But, Hyejin had decided to go to a party some director was throwing — because she wanted to make contacts or whatever. The only problem was, she didn’t come home until New Years Day, hungover as hell.”

Almost Three Years Ago; New Years Day 2020

Namjoon sits on the floor of his living room, surrounded by his children. Jimin and Taehyung, at two years old, sit and play with their new toys, and Jungkook, only four months old now, lays on his back while playing with a small plastic rattle. Considering it was New Year, his cousin and his two closest friends were also spending the day with him, Hoseok and Yoongi having a conversation on the sofa opposite him; while Seokjin followed his new nanny around, trying to flirt with the younger woman. Of course, for the most of it, Amara simply ignored him, choosing to focus on cooking instead.

“Dada, twain!” Jimin babbles, waving the new toy in his hand as he calls out to his father.

“Twain! Twain!” Taehyung joins in, running the train car back and forth across the carpeted floor.

“Twain go wound?” Jimin asks while pointing at the circular tracks that had come with the toy.

“Yeah, it can! Look, let daddy show you,” Namjoon indulges, slowly taking the sticky, saliva-coated toy from his son’s hand. Why his sons felt the need to stick everything in their mouths, he’ll never understand. But, at least, he was now used to the tackiness of all their toys. After all, it could be worse. It could be a wet, soggy cloth toy that they’d slobbered all over.

“I don’t think I’ve ever heard of children getting presents on New Years Day, you know. Especially since it’s so close to Christmas,” Hoseok remarks. Amusement drips from his voice as he watches Namjoon place the remote-controlled train car onto the tracks before showing his son how it works. “You know if you continue like this, they’re going to grow up spoiled,” he warns. Namjoon simply shrugs off his friend, choosing to focus on the toy instead.

“To be honest, I don’t know if he bought the toy for his sons, or for himself,” Yoongi conspiratorially stage-whispers to Hoseok, loud enough for Namjoon to clearly hear him. At Yoongi’s words, Hoseok lets out a deep-bellied laugh.

Eyes glistening with mirth, “You know, you may be onto something, Yoongi,” he grins in response.

“Shut up, both of you,” Namjoon grumbles, shooting them a scathing glare. Though, that only seems to cause both his friends to laugh harder. Before they can say anything, however, the front door to Namjoon’s house opens, and Hyejin steps in.

“Oh, you’re finally back?” Namjoon asks, looking up at his wife from his seat on the floor as she walks into the living room.

His nonchalant gaze sweeps over her haggard state. She’s still dressed in the sequined, black dress she’d left the previous evening; her silver stilettos hanging by the straps from her hands. However, her hair is a complete mess — almost like a bird’s nest atop her head — and though she’d removed most of her makeup, the faded remnants of her eyeliner and mascara still darken her eyelids. A ripple of annoyance flickers through him at her clearly hungover disposition, but rather than saying anything, he simply squashes it down while pursing his lips. It wouldn’t do well to argue in front of their children.

“Hng,” she grunts back, the sound disgruntled and guttural.

“Are you going to come and join us?” Namjoon offers. “Amara was kind enough to offer to cook us a meal for New Year.” Hyejin’s eyes sweep over the living room, and Namjoon doesn’t miss the way her eyes cloud at the sight of the twins, nor the way she blatantly ignores Jungkook’s existence. Rather, she levels him with her detached eyes and apathetically shrugs her shoulders.

“No, I’m exhausted. I’m going to bed,” comes her laconic response.

“Hyejin,” Namjoon calls, his voice hardening slightly as he stands up. Approaching her, he grabs her wrist. “It’s a New Year, you should try and spend some more time with your children,” he hisses, his voice low so as not to alert the twins. Hyejin cocks her eyebrow and scoffs.

“Like I said, I’m tired,” she responds whilst slapping his hand away.

“You can’t keep doing this. They’re your sons too and they barely know you exist, or who you are to them. You need to be here for them more, you’re their mother,” Namjoon attempts to reason. However, from the lackadaisical air surrounding her, Namjoon already knows she doesn’t care.

“Mother? Don’t make me laugh Namjoon. I’m twenty-four years old, I don’t even want to be a mother right now,” she sneers.

The viciousness of her words has Namjoon reeling, and he looks at her in complete surprise. He’d always known that Hyejin wasn’t exactly certain about her pregnancies, he’d had enough nights where he had to console her distressed state of being. But he’d never known she was this loathed to be a mother. After all, even when they’d been dating, they’d discussed the idea of children. Though, of course, more so when they were older.

Her words were louder than he’d like them to have been, drawing the attention of the entire living room, as well as Amara and Seokjin from the kitchen. Dread sinks deep into his bones, and inclining his head to the side, he glances at his children. Jungkook, at four months old, barely understands what is happening, far too invested in the jingling sound of his rattle — something he is immensely grateful for right now. However, the twins, while only two, are currently watching them with curiosity, their innocent eyes flicking between him and Hyejin.

“Mama?” Taehyung calls out, his voice filled with the naivety of a toddler.

Nonetheless, Hyejin’s eyes simply turn cold, and ignoring her middle son, “I’m leaving,” she announces.

“Hyejin-” Namjoon tries to stop her once again. However, his calls fall onto deaf ears, because Hyejin simply exits the living room and the house once again.

“Dada?” It’s Jimin this time, and turning on his heel, Namjoon feels his heart cinch at the identical expressions of forlornness displayed on the twins’ faces. “Where mama go?” Jimin questions innocently.

Sucking in a sharp breath, he plasters a smile onto his face and walks back to his sons. “She just had to go out, baby. But it’s okay, Daddy’s here,” he comforts, gathering them both in his arms.

“Dada play?” Taehyung asks, looking up at his father with wide eyes. Namjoon swallows thickly, and smiling brighter, he nods.

“Yeah, we can continue playing,” he replies while pressing an affectionate kiss to the top of both their heads.

“I hadn’t really known her that well before. Obviously, I’d only been working for Namjoon for a few months by then, and so I didn’t know her too well. But gods, that one day, changed my entire perspective of her,” Amara seethes.

You keep quiet, not really knowing what to say. Or what you can say. You want to try and rationalise Hyejin’s actions; she was young and thrown into motherhood against her will. Yet, even with that, you can’t excuse, or even fathom, her behaviour. Whether she wanted to be a mother or not, taking out her resentment on her children was completely uncalled for. In fact, the largest part of you bristles, and abruptly, you understand Namjoon’s visceral, and vehement, reaction to the mere mention of her. If you’d gone through something like that, you’d probably react the same, exact way he had.

Suddenly, something in your mind clicks. Head snapping up, you look at them in perplexion. “Wait… I don’t understand. If she didn’t want to be a mother that badly, and she resented the twins that much… Why did they have Jungkook?” you question.

Once again, the solemn air in the room shifts, an air of uncertainty falling over the room. For a second time that day, you wonder if you’d put your foot in your mouth.

“If it’s something you’d rather not talk about, then it’s okay. I don’t need to know,” you quickly refuse.

“No, it’s fine. It’s just… The circumstances of Jungkook’s birth aren’t something we like to talk about,” Seokjin replies. With how deeply he sighs, you wonder just how bad it could be; an uneasy fuzziness rippling through your abdomen. Silence befalls the room again, each of them waiting for someone else to speak. Realistically, it lasts a few short seconds, you know that. Yet, with how incisive, and terse, the atmosphere, it feels like it drags on forever.

Then, finally, long, agonising moments later, Hoseok breaks the quiet. “The reason why Jungkook was born is the exact reason why Namjoon finally took the kids and walked out on Hyejin,” he admits.

Almost Three Years Ago March 2020

It’s the middle of the afternoon when Namjoon bursts into his house, the sound of his crying sons sending him into a state of panic. Usually, at this time of day, he’d still be at the office. However, Amara had called him not half an hour ago, distressed because all three had a slight fever. Following the sound of his children’s bawling, Hoseok not too far behind him, he quickly finds them in the playroom; Jimin and Taehyung sitting on the floor and screaming while Amara bounces a shrieking Jungkook in her arms. Not wasting a moment, Namjoon closes the distance and takes his youngest into his arms.

“What’s wrong?” he asks, turning to Amara, who’s now bent over and tending to the twins. She lifts up Jimin’s top, exposing his plump belly now marred with small red spots.

“I think they have chicken pox,” she speculates.

“It’s not serious, is it?” he questions, trepidation coursing through his bloodstream. Thankfully, Amara smiles reassuringly, the gesture immediately assuaging his fears.

“Do you need me to drive them to the hospital?” Hoseok asks.

“No, no. It’s pretty common in children. And it doesn’t look to be too serious. They’ve got a slight fever and they’re extremely fussy and uncomfortable,” Amara explains. Turning to him, she looks at him apologetically, “I’m sorry to call you from work, I didn’t realise it was the pox until just a few minutes before you walked in.”

“No, it’s fine. I’m just glad it’s nothing serious,” Namjoon replies. “Wait… Where’s Hyejin?” he questions. Amara stills, a guilty look crossing her face. Namjoon watches her pull her lower lip between her teeth, her eyes downcast as she avoids his gaze. “Amara?” he prompts, a sense of apprehension flitting through him.

Amara sucks in a sharp breath, and then, steeling her nerves, she looks at him resolutely. “Look, I know I’ve only been working for you a little over half a year now, and I know it’s probably not my place to say this or even get involved,” she begins, her words only causing Namjoon's pulse to quicken as anxiousness bubbles up within his being. “Hyejin is cheating on you,” she blurts out.

Immediately, his blood runs cold.

“W-What?” he sputters, unable to believe Amara’s words. Ever since they’d found out Hyejin was pregnant, Namjoon had known his and Hyejin’s relationship was strained. It had only gotten worse after she’d given birth. However, despite the distance between them, they had loved each other at one point, and he couldn’t fathom the fact that she was cheating on him. “Are you sure?” he asks, his voice quiet and disbelieving.

“I’m sorry, but I’m sure. She… Whenever you’re not home, a man comes to pick her up. The same man and she always greets him with a kiss. I’m so sorry,” she confesses.

“I- I don’t know what to say,” Namjoon mumbles under his breath.

“I think you need to call her and speak to her,” Hoseok suggests, Namjoon turning to his friend. “I can help Amara look after them. You need to speak to her,” he implores. Namjoon only nods, left speechless by the admission.

“I’m gonna go call her. Can you both stay over? I’ll pay you triple,” Namjoon offers, looking between Amara and Hoseok.

“Yeah, sure,” Amara agrees.

“You got it, boss,” Hoseok concurs.

With both of them agreeing, Namjoon passes Jungkook back to Amara — the six month old having quietened down and falling asleep in his father’s arms. Leaving his sons in the care of their nanny and his secretary, Namjoon pulls his phone out and texts his wife to come home as he climbs down the stairs. Then, moving to the living room, he waits for Hyejin to return home.

Despite the solemn gravity of his text, Hyejin doesn’t return until hours later, Amara having cooked and fed him in the meantime, much to his gratitude. With every moment that passes, Namjoon’s initial shock over the revelation of his wife’s infidelity fades. Rather, it morphs into anger and, as time continues to pass, finally acceptance. In Hyejin’s absence, he considers their relationship. There was no doubt to anyone who witnessed their interactions that there was no longer any love between them. In fact, he’s sure that the only reason he’s stayed so long was because of their children, and because he’d grown accustomed to their marriage. But he didn’t love her anymore, and at this point, it wasn’t healthy for him, or their children, to stay together just for them.

It’s almost four hours later when Hyejin finally slinks into their home. For the first time in years, Namjoon takes a moment to really look at his wife. Only to not recognise the person standing in front of him. No longer is she the nineteen year old he had fallen for when he’d been twenty. Sure, she looks the same. She has the same hairstyle, even if it’s a little shorter now, and her eyes gleam the same way. Yet, he finds he holds no affection for her.

“Are you cheating on me?” he questions, staring dead into her eyes. She doesn’t need to respond. From the way she stiffens, a look of trepidation colouring her eyes, he already has his answer.

“Did the nanny finally expose me?” she sighs, stepping into the living room and facing him head on. Namjoon grits his teeth.

“Her name is Amara. You could at least show some respect to the woman who takes care of our children,” Namjoon bristles. Hyejin simply rolls her eyes.

“Better her than me,” she mutters under her breath.

“Who is he?” Namjoon questions, choosing to ignore her response.

“He’s an actor. I met him at a party,” she admits, knowing she’s been caught. Namjoon scoffs.

“Is that why you neglect your own children? To fuck another man?” Namjoon hisses, unable to stop the vicious words from spilling from his mouth. Hyejin reels back, only to look at him in incredulity.

“Are you genuinely asking me that? You know how I feel about being a mother,” Hyejin argues. Despite his acceptance over the situation, Namjoon can’t help but feel a scorching ire rise to the back of his throat.

“That’s no excuse to neglect your children,” he backfires. Hyejin sucks in a sharp breath, and eyes narrowing, she rounds on him.

“That’s the problem, Namjoon. Children. One kid. I would have been fine with one kid. But twins, Namjoon. Twins. I never wanted more than one child. And now we have three. And you expect me to simply play mother to them. But I don’t want that,”she fumes. “I want to enjoy my life, I want to go to red carpet events and go out partying and get drunk and not worry about having to come home to crying children who want me to play with them or look after them. That’s not who I am. Not right now. I’m twenty-four, I want to live my life the way I want to,” she finally blows up, each confession falling out of her mouth one after the other, until she’s left breathless and panting for air.

“Hyejin. We couldn’t control the fact that we had twins. Neither of us is to blame for that. And Jimin and Taehyung are definitelynot to blame for that. I don’t care if you resent me for getting you pregnant with twins,” Namjoon chastises. Then, taking a deep breath, “But whatever resentment you have towards them, you need to get rid of it. They’re children. They don’t know better. They’re completely innocent in this and you cannot keep blaming them for their existence, nor for circumstances out of their control,” he continues.

“It’s not as easy as you think it is. Every time I look at them, all I can think about is that I was pregnant with them when my career was taking off. And how much being pregnant with them slowed down my career,” Hyejin disputes.

“And what about Jungkook? Why do you hate him so much? To the point that you don’t even acknowledge his existence. He’s a baby. You only ever wanted one child. So why did we have Jungkook?” Namjoon challenges.

“Because I felt guilty!” Hyejin shrieks, Namjoon’s eyes flicking towards the top of the stairs.

“Be quiet. We don’t need the twins hearing this,” he hisses, his voice dangerously low. Hyejin scoffs, but concedes, causing Namjoon to let out a steady breath. “You felt guilty? For what?” he prompts.

“Because the first time I cheated on you, wasn’t recently. It was before Jungkook was born,” she confesses. Namjoon sucks in a sharp breath, and interlacing his fingers, he squeezes his palms together — a poor attempt at trying to keep himself calm.

“You felt guilty about fucking another man, so you had another child?” he hisses, glaring up at the woman he’d married through his thick, dark lashes.

“No. It wasn’t because I felt guilty about fucking another man. I felt guilty that I enjoyed fucking another man; that I enjoyed the freedom of being able to sleep with who I wanted to,” she reveals.

“If you enjoyed it, why the fuck did you feel guilty in the first place?” he snaps.

“Because despite all our problems, I loved you at one point Namjoon! And the guilt of doing that to you ate away at me! And I was young, and stupid, and I thought that maybe if we had another kid it would solve our problems,” she cries, tears suddenly welling up in her eyes. In any other circumstance, the sight of her glistening eyes would fill him with concern, and he’d attempt to console her. Yet, Namjoon finds himself on his last tether, and with every revelation, any dregs of affection left within him fade to nothing. “But it didn’t! Fucking hell… it didn’t,” she shakily breathes out, finally taking a seat on the sofa opposite him.

“What the fuck is wrong with you, Hyejin?” Namjoon snarls. Then, something clicks within his mind. Bile rises to the top of his throat, and esophagus muscles tightening, “Is… Is Jungkook even mine?” Namjoon forces out, suddenly feeling sick. Hyejin smiles at him ruefully. While she had no love for her children, she knew that they meant everything to Namjoon. More than she ever had, and ever would.

“He’s yours,” she admits bitterly. “He’s definitely yours. Woojin… he doesn’t want children either. And when he found out I was pregnant, he made me promise to get a paternity test. So Jungkook is definitely yours.” Her words have the doubts within him dissipating, and relief washing through him, he closes his eyes: thanking whatever deity there was out there. He loved his sons more than life itself, and the thought of them being anyone but his nauseated him.

All of a sudden, a wave of exhaustion wafts through him, and shoulders deflating, Namjoon sighs. Rubbing his temples, “I think you should go,” Namjoon quietly murmurs. Despite the softness of his voice, Hyejin hears him clearly.

“Are we—” she asks, but not wanting to hear another word from her, Namjoon shakes his head.

“Just— Just get out,” he heaves out.

“I’ll come back to get my stuff,” Hyejin chokes out. Namjoon merely hums in response. With his eyes closed, he hears Hyejin shuffle on the couch, only for the sounds of her heels to echo through his living room. As she walks away, the sound slowly fades, and when he hears the front door shut close, he lets out another heavy sigh.

“Oh wow,” you breathe out, not having expected that. Now, more than ever, you understand Namjoon’s fury.

“Yeah… After that, Namjoon had their marriage annulled, got full custody of the boys, and moved to the States. He only moved back recently so he could take over the vice presidency,” Seokjin explains.

“Why did he move?” you question, a frown of thought twisting onto your lips.

“Hyejin’s career started taking off. Woojin got her a role in one of his films and her career blew up,” Hoseok offers.

“And no one knew about the annulment or anything? How did she even manage to cheat while married?” you wonder out loud. Yoongi rolls his eyes at that.

“She didn’t tell anyone she was married. As far as everyone there was concerned, she was single. Apparently, her agent told her it would be better to keep her marriage a secret. Easier for her to get roles,” he clarifies.

“God, after knowing all of that… I feel even worse for even bringing her up,” you lament quietly. Beside you, Amara places a comforting hand on your arm and smiles genially at you.

“Again, you didn’t know. And Namjoon will get over it,” she consoles. You return her smile, thankful for her soothing presence.

“Still, he did overreact,” Yoongi remarks, and before you can open your mouth to defend him, Namjoon walks into the kitchen holding a large cake box.

“He’s right. I overreacted, and I’m sorry about that. I shouldn’t have gotten angry at you,” Namjoon apologises. You quickly wave him off.

“No, no! It’s okay. I’m really sorry you had to go through that. I’m sure it must have been hard for you, Jimin, Taehyung, and Jungkook,” you respond. Before Namjoon can reply, Amara intervenes.

“Are we going to cut the cake? I’ll go roundup all the children. Can you all help me?” Amara asks, gesturing to Seokjin, Yoongi, and Hoseok. The three of them nod eagerly, and before either you or Namjoon can protest, the four of them exit the kitchen. Left alone all of a sudden, you and Namjoon look at each other in surprise.

“Well, then,” he chuckles sheepishly. After a few short moments of silence, “Also, you don’t need to be sorry about anything. After the twins were born, Hyejin and I were pretty estranged. She was barely around for us to have a relationship. Consequently, the boys’ didn’t really know her either. I mean, the twins sort of knew who she was to them, but even then, they’ve never known what a mother is,” Namjoon reasons.

“Yeah, I get that,” you nod. With a faraway look in his eyes, Namjoon hums.

“I know everyone thinks I spoil them, but can you really blame me? I’m just trying to give them the life they deserve. They’ve only ever had me, and sometimes I can’t help but feel like they’re missing something from their lives,” Namjoon confesses. The despondent intonation to his voice has your chest caving in. Without thinking, you reach out your hand and place your palm within his. The gesture stuns Namjoon, and eyes turning clear, he looks at you in surprise.

“For what it’s worth, I don’t think they’re spoiled. I’ve only known them a little while but they’re honestly wonderful children. The fact that you spoil them and they’re not bratty, is genuinely a testament to how amazing of a father you are. They may not have had a mother, but they’ve always had you. So I don’t think they’re missing anything,” you answer, squeezing his hand in reassurance. The earnestness in your voice has Namjoon’s face softening, and the corners of his lips tugging, he smiles gently at you.

“It does. Mean something, that is. Thank you,” he responds sincerely.

With that, another silence falls between the two of you. However, unlike the previous ones, this one isn’t awkward. Rather, it’s comfortable, and relaxed. Nonetheless, the peace doesn’t last long, because suddenly, the twins run into the kitchen, followed by Jungkook. The moment Taehyung spots you, his eyes light up with happiness and he runs toward you. Within moments, he barrels into your legs, his twin choosing to scurry towards their father.

“Noona! You came!” Taehyung shrieks in happiness, a large, boxy smile beaming on his face. Suddenly, he frowns, and looking at his father, “Daddy, why didn’t you tell us?” he accuses whilst stomping his foot. Namjoon merely laughs.

“Sorry, Tiger. You were so busy playing with your friends, I didn’t want to disturb you,” Namjoon says, causing Taehyung to pout.

“Not fair, Daddy. You have to share. We wanna play with Noona too,” he whines. As he speaks, he latches onto your leg and glares up at Namjoon. Though, between his chubby cheeks and his slight sulk, he’s more a picture of adorableness than intimidation.

“I’m sorry, Tae,” Namjoon indulgently apologises. A chorus of snickers resound through the air, and snapping your head to the side, you spot Seokjin and Hoseok watching the four of you from the doorway.

“Yeah, Daddy. You need to share,” the two of them sing-song. The knowing grins on their face has heat flushing to your cheek, causing you to look away from them. Noticing your sheepishness, Namjoon glares at his cousin and friend.

“Alright, alright. That’s enough. I think it’s time to cut the cake, don’t you? I even got Jiminie’s favourite,” Namjoon declares, trying to distract his sons. It works without a fault, because instantly, the older of the twins is bouncing up and down.

“Cake!” he squeals, his little hands trying to grab at the box laid on the table. Before Jimin can grasp it, however, Namjoon pushes the box away from the edge.

“Calm down, Jimin. You don’t want to accidentally throw the cake down, do you?” He gently chastises. At his father’s words, Jimin’s eyes widen in horror, the thought of no cake making him instantly settle down.

“Jimin be good,” he innocently asserts. The soft whine to his voice has your face scrunching and you suppress the urge to coo at him.

“Good boy,” Namjoon praises, his son preening under his father’s words. Carefully, he takes the box back into his hands, and turning to his sons, “Come on then, let’s go and cut the cake,” he says.

“Yay! Cake!” Taehyung shrieks, his hands thrown into the air as he runs past Seokjin and Hoseok, and into the living room.

“Cake! Cake!” Jimin cheers, following after his brother. Despite their boisterous yells - the loud sounds causing you to wince slightly - you let out a tinkling laugh. They really were far too cute for their own good.

“Make sure you don’t drop it,” Seokjin teases, watching as his younger cousin cautiously carries the cake out the kitchen.

“Yeah, yeah,” Namjoon rolls his eyes. Once he’s out of sight — Hoseok following after him — Seokjin turns to you with a mischievous smile.

“So… Taehyungie wants his daddy to share, huh,” Seokjin smirks. The mirthful twinkle in his eyes causes you to eye him sceptically.

“I guess?” you reply slowly. When his grin widens, you narrow your eyes at him in suspicion.

“So… you don’t happen to have a daddy kink or anything, by chance?” His daring question has your eyes bugging out, a look of horror colouring your visage. Instantaneously, the heat of embarrassment floods your cheeks. Seokjin takes in your appearance, and squeaky laughing emanating from his throat, he quickly runs away, leaving you alone in the kitchen.

As soon as he disappears through the doorway, you pull yourself together and smack your cheeks. You shake your head, almost as if physically willing his words out of your mind. Nonetheless, as much as you try, you can’t seem to get over Seokjin’s comment. So, instead, you suck in a deep, steadying breath. Then, composing yourself, you follow him out and back into the living room. You’d previously thought that you wouldn't mind being consumed by the chaos that is Namjoon’s life. However, now, you think you do mind.

Especially if it means you’re a constant victim of his friends’ teasing.

a/n: that’s all folks ! i really hope you enjoyed it 🥺👉🏼👈🏼 im so so sorry it took so long but july was a hectic month and it took me an entire month to write this... no but seriously i started writing this at the start of july :’))) as always, please don’t forgot to reblog and comment 💖

#btshoneyhive #bts smut #bts fluff #bts angst #bts x reader #namjoon fluff #namjoon smut #namjoon angst #namjoon x reader #kim namjoon fluff #kim namjoon smut #kim namjoon angst #kim namjoon x reader #bts namjoon fluff #bts namjoon angst #bts namjoon smut #bts namjoon x reader

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under-the-cherrytree · 3 years

Note

Heya! Thank you for answering my request! Now, can I get yandere big bro. Not an incest obviously l. teru, kou and tsukasa and hanako with little sis/bro gn s/o?

Now the thing is s/o usually got a mistreat at school due to people jealous of them (kou,teru) on tsukasa & hanako case (a yokai seems to wanting tsukasa & hanako beloved dead)

However s/o seems to not mind it at all. Btw, s/o is student at the school. And seems to be reincarnated after they die, and seems to believed hanako & tsukasa after they said they were s/o ghost brother and s/o reincarnated.

Now what would be the scenario when they find s/o is sitting on the floor. Wet around their hair and their clothes seems to be been damaged. When they Ask what happen s/o said.

"oh, big brother, I'm sorry...i'm really is...today is your birthday...but..." S/o keep cry and then said this while sobbing so hard "today, there's a girl who want me to introduce her to you. But I want to give you the gift and reject her, the girl obviously didn't take it well and...she make her group do this" "i-i...keep...trying to saving money to buy you this caused i want it to be secret...but-i..guess..there's nothing to give to you" while showing a blue (blue sky) (blue light) kou.

Tsukasa & Hanako Case

"big brother...since this is your both birthday I thought it would be better to get you both a gift. But there's a girl who hate me. I didn't even knew why?" And then s/o just said while sobbing "I..know big brother hanako love donut, and and I'm sure big brother tsukasa loves it too...so I baked a homemade donut, but that girl destroy it...she...she said my cook is the worst and people who eat it will puked and not even a ghost want it" "also she steal the necklace that I buy for you two since she say I did not deserved that"

Green (hanako) red (tsukasa)

Headcannon and oneshot again please!

The Minamoto brothers and the Yugi twins with a bullied younger sibling❣︎

Warings: Hinting to murder?, bullying, abuse, slight cursing

A/n: Hey! Of course of course, I try to answer requests to the best of my ability!

I did this with the siblings combined so hope you don’t mind shshjsh

Heehee hope you enjoy, my love~

Teru was your older brother and he made that known to the school

You loved the fact that you were known as Teru’s younger sibling

You loved your brother

But you knew you would be used for it

People would fake being your friend just to get close to Teru

Then once they got rejected, they always blamed you

You didn’t mind, you still wanted to be Teru’s younger sibling

Teru slowly picked up on this

He knew something was up so he told Kou

Those two tried to keep a close eye on you

But while they were there, it look like you had lots of friends

But when they left the bullying begun again

But sooner or later, the other girls true colors will start to show

Teru and Kou are protective brothers

The girls in your class should have known to not get on your brothers bad side

“Teru-nii! Looks like you got a lot of presents!” Kou called out, running to his older brother who was standing at the entrance of the school. Teru chuckled and looked back at his backpack which was full with presents from fangirls.

“Well, I guess I do...” Teru patted his younger brother on the head, making him smile brightly. “Where’s Y/n? Aren’t they supposed to be with you after cleaning the bathroom?”

“They are…” Kou's expression turned into a slightly worried one “but they said they had to go early. They told me something about wanting to get something prepared to give to you for your birthday…”

Teru sighed, he was worried. He already had suspicions that you were getting mistreated in your class but he didn’t know for sure so he never confronted you about it. He has confronted Kou about this and he had the same suspictions as well.

“Well let's go get them!” Teru clapped his hands and made his way towards the building.

“Do you think it's…” Kou didn’t want to finish the sentence.

“Let's hope not.” Teru’s carefree expression lowered at the thought. “Do you know where they went?”

Kou thought for a moment.

“No, but I know they aren’t in the old school building…”

Teru and Kou walked around the school for a while, looking for you in no avail. Kou pointed out little droplets of water that slowly got bigger reaching to the school's lockers. The boys froze when they heard sounds of sobbing. They turned the corner to see you facing your lockers drenched in water. You leaned onto your locker, closing it.

“Y/n..!” Kou called out, making you turn to him. “What happened?!”

“Who the hell did this to you…?” Teru asked, examining your ripped close and abused appearance. You looked at him and only cried more.

“I’m sorry big brother Teru…”

“Y/n, you don't need to be sorry, this isn’t your fault..!” Teru hugged you “What happened..?”

“I-its your birthday today… but there was this girl who wanted me to introduce you to her... but I said no, she didn’t take it too well and did this…” You sobbed into his shoulder. Teru’s grip on you tightened thinking about how this only happened while he was outside with Kou.

“I-I saved my money… to buy you a nice sky blue necklace… and I even got big brother Kou light blue one as well… b-but she destroyed it and I don’t have anything to g-give you…”

“Y/n that’s so sweet! We are extremely thankful!” Kou tried to lighten the mood a bit, giving you a gracious smile. You could see tears pricking the corner of his eyes. Teru was still angry that his suspicions were true, he was praying they weren’t.

“Who did this?” Teru sternly asked.

“I-it’s fine Teru…” You kneeled to the ground picking up pieces from the necklace she destroyed “She already left… there is nothing I can do now…”

“Y/n… please…” Kou kneeled down next to you and put his hand on yours.

“Guys, what would make me feel better is if we got home… can we please go home?” Your voice was begging. You just wanted to be in a warm blanket watching T.V. with your siblings.

That's all you wanted right now.

“Okay… I’m sorry Y/n, let's go home okay!” Teru gave you his jacket which you happily accepted.

“Even though I couldn’t get the gift, it meant the world to me!”

----

You sighed walking to your classroom. It was early and you were tired. You were happy your brothers didn’t ask you about it for the rest of the night, you didn’t want them to worry. You thought you would get a load from the girls who did this to you yesterday but you were shocked when she bowed in front of you instead.

“Y/n! I am so sorry! Please forgive me for what I did to you yesterday! It was very rude of me and I am very sorry!” She was shaking.

“Oh, uh, it’s alright..! No need to bow, I forgive you…” You put your hands in front of your chest, genuinely confused. Once she stood straight up you saw a big red mark on her cheek. She had tears in her eyes but ran to her desk before you could get a better look at her. You looked to Tsuchigomori who only nodded with an apologetic look on his face.

‘What happened this morning…?’

----

“Teru? You still look down?” Kou faced his brother as they both walked to class.

“Sorry Kou… just a little upset by the person who did this to Y/n…” Teru apologetically smiled.

“Well you slapped her, that taught her a lesson!” Kou encouraged.

“Trust me Kou,” Teru’s smile turned into a frown

“If a teacher wasn’t there, I would have kicked her ass.”

Amane found it unforunate you were caught in the crossfire of him and his brothers conflic causing you too kill yourself as well

Tsukasa thought it was great that his younger sibling was now dead too

Gosh Tsukasa-

But what they didn’t expect was for you to get resurrected

You were able to see supernaturals yourself and you couldn’t age from the day you died but you weren’t a ghost like your brothers

Tsuchigamori helped you establish a somewhat normal school life

It was all good for the most part, you were back in school, Hanako was the leader of the 7 mysteries, and Tsukasa was just crazy happy

The fact you are getting mistreated is mostly Tsukasa’s fault

Like he can make a lot of enemies so when the fish yokai (that he killed) saw how close you and Tsukasa were, of course they wanted to kill you

It was also a perk that you were Hanako’s sibling since they wanted to get back at him as well for stealing their princess Yashiro away from them

You were weak and had a human body, you were perfect

Amane had no idea about this, Tsukasa didn’t know you were being abused but he did know he pissed off those fish AND HE PISSED EM OFF GOOD-

You figured you would be a target for yokai since your older brothers are powerful

Of course, you didn’t mind this

You knew this would happen so it’s alright!

But the thing was, it wasn’t so alright with your older brothers

Hanako watched the cherry blossoms fall from the tree that he sat under. It was November 25, his birthday, and you said you wanted to have a talk with the two boys. Normally you would talk to them separately because you knew how Amane felt towards his twin brother, but today you wanted to talk to them together. Hanako cancelled his normal cleaning duty and waited where you said to meet up.

“Amane!!” He heard a scream from behind him but before he could turn around he felt someone hug him, wrapping their legs around his waist.

“Oh, Tsukasa…” Hanako said softly, personally finding this kind of awkward.

“Where’s Y/n?? It’s been so long since I’ve seen them!” Tsukasa removed his head from Amane’s neck looking around for you.

“Oh, they aren’t here yet, and I remember them saying they saw you two days ago…”

“So long ago!” Tsukasa whined and Amane sighed at his childish behavior. It went silent but thankfully Tsukasa quickly broke it.

“Didn’t Y/n say to meet them here 15 minutes ago??”

“Yeah they did…” Amane started to get worried.

“They're late!” Tsukasa pouted.

“You’re late as well Tsukasa… And we should go look for them.”

“I’ll lead the way! I know where their last class is!” He stood up and started marching, Hanako closely behind him.

They walked around the school for a while, watching students run across the halls to their clubs, laughing and gossiping with one another. Tsukasa continued to march, not losing the bounce in his step. They came closer to the sound of someone crying, sobs getting louder as they approached a classroom. The twins looked at each other before Tsukasa opened the door.

You jumped slightly, removing your head from between your legs to look at who came in. You only began to cry more realizing it was your two brothers.

“Y/n…?” Tsukasa slightly whispered to himself, staying at the door's entrance.

“Y/n! What happened?!” Amane ran to you, fearing you were hurt in any way. He put his arm on your wet shoulder, looking around to see if there were any visible bloody wounds. He looked at your uniform which was damaged and had a few cuts in it. Your hair was also wet like if someone poured water on you. Tsukasa slowly made his way over to you, examining you up and down. You couldn’t make out the expression on his face but you knew anger was there.

“I-I’m sorry…” You said a little above a whisper.

“You’re sorry for what..?” Amane asked, moving the wet hair out of your face to get a better look at your soaked, tear-stained face.

“Big brothers...since this is both your birthdays... I thought it would be better to get you both a gift. But there are these fish yokai who don’t like me..!” You picked up a couple red and green gems from the floor. Hanako’s eyes widened.

“I... know big brother Amane liked donuts and I assume big brother Tsukasa likes them as well… but they took the donuts I made you saying my cooking was t-the worst and you wouldn’t want it..!” You continued “And they took the necklace I bought for you guys saying I don’t deserve it…”

“Were they talking fish..?” Tsukasa's voice was cold, eyes wide with rage. You only nodded your head.

“Amane, will you stay with y/n? I have something I need to do.” Tsukasa turned to Amane. Hanako already knew what he was going to do.

He was going to go after the mermaid and her fish. There was nothing he could say to stop him.

“O-okay… do what you have to do…�� Amane nodded and Tsukasa left the room.

“W-wait… where is he going..?” You started to get up but Amane sat you back down.

“Hey, don’t worry Y/n… older brother Tsukasa is going to take care of this okay?” Amane hugged you.

“But I don’t mind the fish… it’s fine-”

“No. It’s not.” Amane’s aura grew darker before his loving brotherly smile appeared again.

“And hopefully by tomorrow, you won’t have to deal with those disgusting fish!”

----

“Y/n! Amane!” Tsukasa called out as he walked down the halls. When he approached the door he opened it revealing you and Amane laughing. You were somewhat dry and you stopped crying.

“Tsukasa!” You got up and gave him a hug.

“What happened to those fish…?” Worryness in your voice.

“Don’t worry about it Y/n! You don’t need to worry about them anymore!” He childishly smiled, bringing ease to you.

“Amane approached you two, smiling. He looked to see Tsukasa’s hand that was behind his back covered in blood. Hanako's smile dropped and he went silent. He quickly regained his composure and turned to you.

“Yeah, Y/n you don’t need to worry about those fish. Your big brothers will kill any other supernatural that dares hurt you!”

#teru minamoto #kou minamoto #minamoto brothers #yugi twins #yugi amane #yugi tsukasa #tsukasa yugi #toilet bound hanako kun #toilet bound x reader #tbhk comfort #tbhk #jshk #yandere

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mrsluthordanvers · 3 years

Note

lena has cold feet during winter and uses kara legs to warm up

Read on AO3

It doesn’t seem to matter what Lena does; replacing her pencil skirts and blouses with three-piece suits, setting aside her summer dresses for jeans and cashmere sweaters. Nothing seems to work. When faced with the cold winter air that envelopes National City, Lena’s naturally cool touch only seems to grow colder.

Her only saving grace seems to be Kara.

Her hands find their way to the crook of her elbow when they’re in public like they have a mind of their own. Naturally seeking out Kara’s body heat like a moth to the flame. In private they settle under the hem of Kara’s shirts, short nails scratching lightly against soft skin.

During movie nights, she likes to slide her toes under Kara’s thigh, wiggling them with satisfaction. When she stays the night, she presses them against Kara’s calf or tangles their legs together as she tucks her nose under Kara’s jaw.

“What’s your ideal temperature?” Kara asks when she starts to pick up on Lena’s new habits, collecting both of Lena’s feet into her lap while they watch TV to give them a light massage. Slowly working the blood back into Lena’s toes.

“What?” Lena raises her head off the back of the couch to look at Kara, her eyes fluttering at Kara presses into her arch.

“For the thermostat.” Kara says casually as she starts to work her way up to Lena’s ankles. “What temperature would you like me to set it at when I turn it on?”

“When you turn it on?” Lena blinks a couple times. “Is your heater not on Kara?”

“Not yet.” Kara shrugs, “I have reminder set to turn it on at the end of November but I can always turn it on early.”

Lena watches her girlfriend for a moment, eyes still stuck on the TV as she watches Dorothy walk along the yellow brick road as she fingers glide over Lena’s lower calf. Lena’s mind drifts to the little sticky note stuck to the wall reminding Kara not to forget her scarf. Or the times she has woken up during the night seeking out Kara for warmth. Or how Kara never seems to need anything more then her suit when she goes to the fortress of solitude.

“Kara…” Lena starts slowly, “Do you not feel the cold?”

Kara’s thumb circles Lena’s ankle bone. “I can. But not the same way you do. I, uh, I can feel when temperatures change? Like going from a hot room to a cold room. But neither makes me uncomfortable.

Once when I first got to Earth, I left a window open during winter and Alex yelled at me when she woke up freezing in the middle of the night.” Kara lips twitch as she shakes her head. “And I learned that you get noticed when you’re not dressed for the weather. So, I always set myself reminders now, because I still forget sometimes.”

Lena smiles to herself as she slides lower onto the couch as Kara starts rubbing her feet again. Watching her through lowered lashes as she tries to imagine a younger Kara tromping through her first snow in just a t-shirt with a younger, angrier Alex following behind her with an extra coat.

“70 degrees.” Lena murmurs, as her eyes start to drop under Kara’s ministrations.

“What?”

“70 degrees,” Lena repeats, a little clearer this time, “for the thermostat.”

“Okay.” Kara replies as she releases Lena’s foot to grab her phone, making Lena smile as she types in a reminder.

#supergirl #supercorp #kara danvers #lena luthor #nemo writes #fanfiction #im sorry there haven't been more prompts this month #this month has been a little draining and i've been struggling to write #im trying #in the mean time thank you for all the comments/kudos/likes/reblogs #i apprecciate them all #this fandom is amazing as always #I hope you like this one #Anonymous

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idiopath-fic-smile · 3 years

Text

hey hi I've been trying to write something, anything, and what came out is like 3k of an extremely stupid supervillain/superhero story that I’d been kicking around in some form like over ten years ago. it doesn’t map onto any kind of an AU so I guess it’s original fiction? enjoy?

Cityton Chronicles, part 1

The problem with carrying out an evil scheme, thought Edmund, was the scheme part.

Anyone could nurse a sinister thought or two; it wasn't that hard to shake one's fist at the sky and murmur, “You'll pay for this. With God as my witness, oh, you will pay” and then maybe cackle a little. That much was child's play. (Literal child's play; he had witnessed more than a few dire pronouncements from his classmates at Hawthorne Grimmsbury's Academy for Ominous Boys, especially when recess was threatened.)

Actually going through with a plan was a whole different story. There were logistics to manage. There were people to manipulate, details to babysit, hypotheticals to anticipate. The nitty-gritty, as it were.

Edmund was not destined for the nitty-gritty.

Although, wasn't that what useless people always said? “I'm more of a big-picture person.” Maybe he was useless. Maybe that was the issue. Maybe Edmund Malarkey, heir to Malarkey Industries, was simply not cut out for masterminding.

Case in point, he had a terrible feeling he was about to make a complete hash of the Ritual.

The parameters were clear enough: full moon—check. Chalk for pentagrams—check. One hundred lit candles—check. (Some were scented; the store hadn't had enough plain tapers in stock, but the text of the Ritual had been written well before the notion of pumpkin spice was a cozy twinkle in some godless marketer's eye, and so Edmund figured this would probably not disqualify him.) Thirteen hooded figures, all in black...

This was where things got dicey.

The first sign of the trouble to come was when Carl showed up in navy fucking blue.

Edmund pinched at the bridge of his nose and sighed loudly, breath crystalline in the late November air. The invitations had been so specific.

“It looked pretty dark online,” Carl offered as the wind whipped at them atop the roof of the Cityton Natural History Museum.

“Pretty dark? Pretty dark? Did it look like the blackest black?” said Edmund. “Did it look like Anish Kapur's most haunting nightmare? Did it look like a raven's wing in shadow at the stroke of midnight, Carl?” Carl stuck out his chin. “It's almost black.”

“Yes, and bananas and humans share about sixty percent of their DNA, we're almost cousins,” Edmund told him, dangerously quiet, “but fortunately for you, I'm not going to peel you and eat you in a fruit salad, you buffoonish optimist.”

Edmund should never have relied upon his father's former henchpeople. They were loyal to his father; they looked upon him with bemused tolerance. He should've just gone ahead and recruited all of the necessary twelve people from Craigslist. He'd held off due to a suspicion that anyone he found on the internet would assume the Ritual was fundamentally a weird sex thing, but at least a bunch of kinksters would have probably taken the rules seriously.

He sighed. “Carl, there's a bodega down on the corner. Go buy two black trash bags and make yourself a garbage-robe.” Carl frowned. “Is there time?”

Edmund checked his phone. Eleven fifty-three. “Hurry. And save the receipt.”

Another gust of wind kicked up. Edmund shivered. He'd been smart enough to request a fabric swatch ahead of time from the Etsy store where he'd custom-ordered his own set of hooded black robes. He hadn't stopped to consider how warm—or not—a single layer of said fabric would feel well into autumn, completely unshielded by the elements. Theoretically, he could've crammed a coat under the robes, like a child wearing a Halloween costume in an unseasonably cold October, but no, he hadn't wanted to look bulky.

He checked the candles again, for want of anything better to do.

“Boss,” said a hesitant voice behind him.

“What is it, Stephanie,” said Edmund.

Stephanie had clearly repurposed her teenager's old Hermione costume as her robes, but she had bothered to remove the Hogwarts branding, which was something, at least. Beyond the fact that Edmund didn't feel like giving a repellent transphobe any extra attention, there might have been copyright issues.

“Is that thing about bananas really true?”

“Yeah,” said Edmund. He had read it many years ago, in a book titled 2002 MORE WACKY FACTS TO BLOW YOUR MIND AND AMAZE YOUR FRIENDS, which didn't seem especially pertinent. He did a quick headcount. Even without Carl, they only numbered eleven. “Where's Donna?”

“You should call her,” said Stephanie. “Donna never answers her texts.”

Edmund had been halfway through tapping out a text. Ugh, Boomers. Calling was for emergencies only; everyone knew that. Unfortunately, this qualified. He gritted his teeth and dialed.

Donna answered on the fourth ring. “What?” She sounded groggy.

“Did you,” said Edmund, still through gritted teeth, “forget what night the Ritual was?”

“Oh shit,” mumbled Donna. “Are you sure? I thought it was at noon tomorrow. Carl told me twelve o'clock.”

“At night,” said Edmund. “Twelve o'clock at night, this is a dark incantation to a primordial god, it does not overlap with daytime television.”

Just then, Edmund's phone beeped with another call. “Can you hold, Donna,” he hissed.

“Hey boss,” said Carl, “the bodega only has white or green trash bags, what's my next step?”

“HOLD,” Edmund shouted, switching calls again. “Donna, can you grab an extremely dark-colored robe and be here immediately?”

“Like a bathrobe?” said Donna, sounding lost.

Of course Carl had not bothered to relay the dress code. Of course he hadn't even managed to hand her the painstakingly crafted invitation. Edmund had used the nicest card stock available to him, not that it mattered.

“Uh, boss?” Leroy called over the roar of the wind. Edmund flexed his stiffening fingers.

“One second, Donna,” said Edmund.

“How much longer is this gonna be?” said Leroy. “Because I was gonna catch the late show tonight—”

“Watch it on YouTube the next day like a normal person!” Edmund snapped. “Donna—”

“I can be there by 12:40,” said Donna through the tinny phone speaker. “There's some errands I wanna run first.”

“It's the middle of the night, what errands!” said Edmund. “Donna, hold—” He switched back to Carl. “Listen, are you sure there aren't any black trash bags?”

“White or green only,” Carl affirmed. “Some of them are scented, do you think that would make a difference?”

“Boss,” said Frank from the other side of the roof, “we lost the chalk?”

“Hold on, Carl,” said Edmund. “What?”

“It was here a second ago!” “Did you secure the chalk against the wind?”

“What?” said Frank.

“The chalk, it's cylindrical!” Edmund managed to shout. “Did you do anything so it wouldn't just roll straight off the roof?”

Somewhere above the din of wind came the sound of a half dozen pieces of sidewalk chalk landing on the street five stories below and shattering.

Edmund buried his (cold) face in his (frozen) hands.

“Uh boss,” said Stephanie. “It's 12:01.”

Edmund sighed. The primordial god K'h'gg'ragel might have allowed for some creative interpretations on Ritual-adjacent matters, but everyone knew K'h'gg'ragel was a stickler for punctuality.

“Alright,” said Edmund, pitching his voice to carry. “Pack it in, we'll try again next full moon.”

“Phew,” said Leroy, who was wearing a thick downy jacket over his robes, and a hat with earflaps, and mittens. “It's cold out.”

“I FOUND A BLUE ONE!” Carl shouted from the speaker. “IS THAT ANY BETTER?”

Edmund turned his phone off.

Lighting and strategically placing one hundred candles had been something of an undertaking. Blowing them all out alone and stuffing them back into a series of duffel bags was somehow worse. Edmund was about half-done when he heard a distinct whirring buzz. He looked up.

It was Dragonfly. Of course it was Dragonfly, heading right for him.

Great. Edmund's first-ever showdown was going to be a one-on-one against a superhero armed with a jetpack, one hell of a punch, and electrified darts. Edmund was going to get flattened, and all before he even got the chance to point out that the darts and for that matter the punching didn't fit with the overall insect theme.

“Hey man,” said Dragonfly, dropping effortlessly down to the roof of the museum. “I saw the lights from the sky, thought I'd investigate.”

They weren't fighting yet. Why weren't they fighting? Edmund's whole body fizzed with adrenaline. Also, cold. Either way, he was shaking a little, and bouncing on the balls of his feet.

“And what, strike another heroic blow against the terror that is a bunch of sweater-themed Yankee Candles?” said Edmund.

Dragonfly shrugged. His costume included a bottle-green moto jacket and gloves. It looked warm, in a way that made Edmund feel even colder. “Sweater candles? What, like burning wool?” he said.

Privately, Edmund had wondered about that too. This, he decided obscurely, was another strike against Dragonfly.

“Maybe burning wool smells phenomenal,” said Edmund instead, rocking forward. “There's no way you could possibly know, unless you're here to tell me you've lit a sheep on fire, which seems well outside your whole—” he waved his hands vaguely “—moral compass.”

“Word travels fast,” said Dragonfly gravely. “I am foursquare against sheep-burning. Always have been.”

Edmund squared his shoulders. “So, are we doing this, or what?”

From behind his signature oversized goggles, Dragonfly's brow seemed to furrow slightly. “Doing what?”

“Fighting,” said Edmund. He had to grind his teeth together to keep them from chattering.

“Ah,” said Dragonfly after a pause. “Oh. Um. Okay. Here's the thing?” He steepled his fingers. “You seem unarmed. You're not hurting anyone. You're also not committing any crimes.” Edmund opened his mouth to protest, and Dragonfly continued, “Or, okay, you're trespassing on the museum, I guess, technically, but it's not like you're even trying to sneak into an exhibit without paying.”

“I am here,” said Edmund firmly, “to perform a terrible and arcane Ritual which will summon—”

“Yeah?” said Dragonfly. “Where's your followers? Where's your summoning chalk? It's well past midnight and the only sign of any occult activity I can see is the candles, but for all I know, you were just up here trying to have a little me-time, which, like, on some level I get, you know?”

“So,” said Edmund blankly, “what now?” He had given up on trying to tense his jaw. His upper and lower teeth clacked rhythmically against each other.

“I give you a stern verbal warning about what's probably a minor fire hazard and recommend that you enjoy the museum from the inside, during business hours, with a ticket,” said Dragonfly. “I hear they have a great exhibit on prehistoric mammals. In the meantime, get somewhere warm, okay? Your lips are turning blue.” “Fuck off,” Edmund more or less managed to say through his shivers.

Dragonfly spread his hands, placating. “Fair enough.” He began to walk away. At the edge of the roof, he hesitated. “Uh, do you have a way down?”

“Obviously,” said Edmund.

“Yeah,” said Dragonfly. “Uh, okay.” They regarded each other. “What is it?” said Dragonfly after a few seconds.

Edmund froze. Or well, he was already half-frozen. Edmund stopped moving, was the point.

Apparently interpreting Edmund's silence as helplessness, Dragonfly offered dubiously, “I could carry you down?”

“How,” said Edmund, flat. It was the wrong thing to say, in that it wasn't 'No,' or 'Fuck off' again, something sensible like that, but damn it, he was freezing, and if he gave up the way he'd gotten everyone onto the roof, then this whole fucking evening was going to be a wash. He had tried so hard. It wasn't fair.

Dragonfly took a step closer. “Fireman or bridal?”

Edmund tried and failed to parse this three separate times in his cold-fuzzed brain. “Is that a meme?” he settled on finally.

“Do you,” said Dragonfly, “have a preference on how I carry you.”

“We haven't even established that you're going to,” Edmund said. Clackity clackity clack went his traitorous teeth.

Dragonfly sighed. “I can't leave you up here,” he said. “One, if I let you keep hanging out on the roof of the history museum, then technically I'm kinda aiding and abetting your whole trespassing situation. Two, it is really fucking chilly up here, and if you freeze to death, then that's on me. Which is also not, like, great for my conscience.”

“So I don't have a choice,” Edmund spat.

“You totally have a choice,” said Dragonfly. He tilted his head to the side. “Hell, you could do me a solid and just exit using whatever secret method you entered with, but I have a feeling mum's the word on that particular angle.”

This Dragonfly character was smarter than he looked. Of course, he was a grown man who fought crime dressed as a giant insect. The bar was not particularly high.

“Mum's the word?” Edmund echoed. “What are you, ninety?”

“I'm an old fucking soul, dude,” said Dragonfly. “Point being, you don't trust me not to watch you leave the roof. Which is hurtful, frankly. I'm not sure I trust you not to stay up here out of pure stubbornness. If I give you a quick boost down, then it's problem solved and we can both go about our nights. Crime-fighting for me, and for you hopefully a pile of blankets and whatever warm food rich people eat. Mashed potatoes? With...caviar?”

This clearly did not merit a response. Dragonfly knew who Edmund was, apparently. Most people did.

“What if you drop me?” said Edmund.

Dragonfly laughed. He had a nice laugh. It was yet another point against him, somehow. “Don't you think that might go against my whole—” he gestured with both hands “moral compass?”

Edmund recognized his own words being used against him. On the other hand, the thought of a hot meal and, moreover, central heating beckoned.

“I don't care,” Edmund said at last.

“What?” said Dragonfly.

“Bridal or fireman's carry,” said Edmund. “I don't care.”

Dragonfly nodded sagely. “Let's get this over with, then,” he said. “Hey, d’you want help with your candles?”

Did he? He didn't want to want help with his candles, but that was another question. On the other hand, if Edmund accepted Dragonfly's aid, it would shave off valuable minutes of this excruciating headache. The backs of Edmund's knees were cold. It was absurd.

“Fine,” said Edmund.

“Huh,” said Dragonfly several minutes later. “This one's rain-scented, and this one's Ocean Spray, and yet they smell nothing alike.”

Dragonfly had without fail commented on every single scented candle in the bunch. Edmund looked up from his umpteenth taper candle, momentarily distracted from the knifelike chill.

“Rain and ocean are two completely different things,” said Edmund. “The surrounding environment, the vibe, the salt content.”

“The vibe, I grant you,” said Dragonfly. “But salt, really? Have you ever smelled salt before?”

“The ocean has a smell,” Edmund insisted. His family had summered on the coast every year before—well. Before last year. He mostly remembered the sea as having a whiff of fish about it, which didn't sound promising for a candle, but it was the principle of the thing.

Dragonfly shrugged. “You've got me there,” he said. “Never been.” Cityton was only about an hour's drive from the beach. Edmund wasn't sure he knew anyone who had never visited at least once, for a long weekend at least. Of course, it wasn't like Edmund knew Dragonfly. He didn't even know what Dragonfly's eyes looked like.

Edmund blew out another few tapers.

“This one's just called Singing Carols,” Dragonfly announced. “Guess what it smells like, I dare you.”

And so on.

In the end, Dragonfly carried Edmund off the roof of the Natural History Museum scooped under the armpits, the way you might hold a cat if you were engaging in some light cat-related horseplay. The mechanical dragonfly wings were well-made, Edmund could admit that much; Dragonfly didn't seem to have any issue bearing Edmund's weight or the combined weight of the candles, and their feet gently touched the ground after only a few seconds. It was already slightly warmer—or at least slightly less freezing—on street-level.

Dragonfly let go and stepped back immediately. This close, Edmund could see that his lips were pretty badly chapped. It made sense that someone who donated all their time to—again—flitting around town trying to right every minuscule so-called wrong while dressed like a bug wouldn't be experienced enough with self-care to be acquainted with a good lip balm, but the thought made Edmund weirdly a little sad.

His sense of deeply ingrained politeness warred against the equally powerful urge to be a real bastard about the whole thing. In the end, politeness won out, by the very skin of its mannerly little teeth.

“Thank you for not dropping me to my almost certain death,” Edmund gritted out with extreme reluctance. He stared over Dragonfly's shoulder as he said it.

Nevertheless, for some awful reason, for just that moment, it felt a little like the end of a date.

“Right,” said Dragonfly. “Right. Well then. Happy trails.” He seemed to consider this. “Or you know, if doing crimes is what makes you happy, then for the sake of Cityton, let's say, mediocre trails. Do you wanna borrow my gloves?”

“Why,” said Edmund flatly.

Even though the goggles completely obscured much of the upper half of Dragonfly's face, Edmund had the distinct sense that a disbelieving stare was being leveled at him.

“For your hands? You know, the traditional office of gloves?”

As the scion of Malarkey Industries, Edmund was long accustomed to being hated for who he was. Hated, feared, not-too-secretly envied. And lately: mocked, dismissed, his family name transmuted into a juicy, low-hanging punchline for lazy late night writers.

He wasn't sure he'd ever been pitied before. It did not sit well.

“I'll warm my hands on the fires of hell while I plot your demise, you miserable fool,” growled Edmund.

“Yikes,” said Dragonfly easily. “Well, I'm off.” And with that, he took to the sky.

Edmund curled his fingers into the sleeves of his stupid, summer-weight summoner's robes and started back towards what remained of his home.

#original fiction #cityton chronicles #I'm sure that in some obscure way the fact that I'm thinking about this now is due to mainlining The Untamed #but this is definitely. not that.#warning for an extremely brief mention of transphobia that the main character condemns #also apparently there is a dragonfly-themed superhero in a 2008 superhero spoof movie?#let's say that movie exists in this world too and Dragonfly has taken a lot of shit for it #that sounds about right

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beanie-beebo-writes · 3 years

Text

Unnoticed

Dean x reader (gender neutral)

Warnings: Slight mention of vomit, grossness of a full on catharsis, detailed description of depression/self-wallowing

Summary: The reader has been hiding their demons around others for as long as they’ve known, but one surprise sends them tumbling down. With a little pushing from the Winchesters, they finally have to face them head on.

You were okay, you always had to be okay. It wasn't like anyone cared, right? Why would they? You were a miserable, self loathing, steaming pile of unwanted baggage. Everyone always had something more important to worry about, and it was never you. Everyday, you would plaster on the most genuine smile you could muster, and went about your day, not that anyone would give it much notice anyway. When you felt that reserve crack, you ran elsewhere before anyone could notice. You had already burdened the boys enough throughout the years, so why add on?

It was a day like any other. You had rolled out of bed around 5:45 AM, usually before everyone else. If it had been the day of a hunt, you would quickly dust yourself off and put on a show. But on "normal" days like today, you had some leeway. You could quietly cry in the shower if you wanted to and no one would notice your blotchy face. You could slowly seep into your coffee and imagine what today's antics would look like. Hell, you could even sleep in... If your body gave you that chance anyway.

You were mid-cup of the way through your morning routine (which today was self-wallowing at 6) before Sam's sudden appearance almost made you spit out your stale coffee. You rubbed your eyes and took a deep breath before settling yourself into your usual chipper role.

"You're up early." He said, fixing himself a light breakfast.

"Yeah uh, couldn't sleep." You said.

"Everything alright?" He asked, sleep still evident in his voice.

You swallowed a small lump in your throat. "Yeah, I just had a case of the "night after a hunt" syndrome; nothing new."

"Alright. Well, I'm here if you want to talk."

"Thanks, I'm good though. Nothing I haven't handled before."

Sam nodded, looking up to a drowsy Dean padding into the kitchen, clad in his usual grey robe.

"Damn you guys are loud." He said, still blinking the sleep from his eyes.

"Sorry." You said sheepishly.

"Cooking up anything good?" Dean asked.

"We usually don't start pancakes until nine." Sam said.

"Well, I mean, I figured... Never mind." Dean said.

Thankfully, the rest of breakfast was mostly just sounds of enjoyment as caffeine slowly simmered into your veins. You had finished off your mug and excused yourself to the bathroom before anyone else could have the chance to use it. Upon examining your rough appearance in the mirror, you sharply exhaled and allowed yourself to deflate. Mornings were never a charming look on anyone, unless if you were a Winchester of course, but you appeared even less flattering than usual. Your unusually puffy eyelids drooped and your dark bags were even more prominent than usual. It looked like you hadn't slept in weeks, which was a half-truth, nonetheless. Even with a fake smile, today was going to need a miracle to be survivable.

You were caught off guard, something that almost never happened. For some reason this time, you couldn't shake it off as quick as usual. It could have been the fact that this last hunt reminded you of how your life used to be. The life you had before it was ripped away, just like this family's. You blinked back tears and tried to force a smile. For once, it was the hardest thing you had to do.

You were scarce throughout the day, blaming it on not sleeping well when the boys called. You had hoped no one would catch on, but for once, you felt they did. The facts laid right in front of them, and no matter how far you drove, you couldn't hide. After going out for a supply run late afternoon, you decided it to be safe to return to your room before anyone could notice. As a plus, you could keep the lights off in your room and sit alone. You knew eventually the boys would notice you had returned by a simple check in the garage, and would likely peek into your room as a reassurance. You had some time before that, as you knew Sam and Dean like the back of your hand. For now, you stared at the ceiling and ruminated until your energy melted away. You didn't even bother to look at the clock before you had slipped unconscious.

~~~~~~~~~~~

You awoke to a burning light at the back of your eyelids, causing you to groan in annoyance. Upon opening your eyes and painfully lifting your head, you noticed someone had opened your door. Usually it wasn't left ajar, especially when the boys knew you were asleep. You made an attempt to get up and close it, but had resorted to laying stiffly in discomfort after numerous attempts. It wasn't really a surprise that your body disobeyed you, again. Yet again, it had been a while since you had felt this terrible. You sighed and rubbed your face frustratedly.

You didn't know how much time had passed, but the boys hadn't answered your calls to close the door. Every scenario possible began to run through your head, and you no longer worried about your body's act of rebellion. After frantically searching the halls, you wound up in the kitchen. Sam and Dean were just lounging around, as if you hadn't been calling for them. You would be fuming if it weren't for your mind still running in five million different directions.

"Hey, everything all good?" Dean asked.

"I... uh. Yeah. Peachy. You guys didn't hear me calling?" You asked, out of breath.

"No? Why, what's wrong?" Dean asked.

"Nothing, just noticed you left my door open." You said.

"Okay, how are you?" Sam asked suddenly.

"I'm fine now, just annoyed. Why?" You answered.

"You mind telling the truth this time?" Sam asked.

"What?" You asked.

"You can kill the act, (Y/N)." Dean said.

"What act? You lost me." You said.

"This one. The one you're trying to pull right now." Dean said, standing up.

"I have no idea what you're talking about." You said.

"I think you do." Sam said.

Had they had caught on?

"If you think me calling out for you two, and getting worried when you don't answer, is me pulling an act, then you need to reevaluate." You said.

"You think that's what this is about?" Dean said. "We didn't answer because we knew you would come find us anyway. It's not like you would have gotten out of bed any other way. We need to talk."

You were at a dead end, and there wasn't really a way you knew how to escape. Your last saving grace would be to tuck and run in the other direction.

"About? It's probably pretty late, and unless if the world is at stake again, I would like to go back to bed." You said. "I'm sure you two could hold off for a few hours, unless if of course you truly need me. I'm still kind of worn out from yesterday."

"Yesterday?" Dean asked.

"The hunt? The rougaru? I don't know about you guys, but after being half thrown down two flights of stairs, I'm still kind of worn out. And don't even get me started on food." You said.

"(Y/N), today is Tuesday." Sam stated.

"..What?" You asked quietly.

"Hun, the hunt was on Saturday. Today is Tuesday." Dean said

You felt your stomach drop and the room began to sway nauseously.

"So why don't you sit down," Dean continued, guiding you to the table. You had not even noticed he had made his way over to you. "Have a sandwich, and we'll talk this over, huh?"

You blinked, not daring to look anyone in the eyes. They had to be playing some sort of sick joke on you. That, or you were going insane. There's no way you could have slept for almost three days, surely you would have woken up at least a few times. Even at your worst, the longest you could be under was around 8 hours. Although, you were absolutely famished, almost more nauseous at the thought of food, more so than the other day. Dean sat next to you as Sam went to prepare a quick meal. You creased your brow while trying at to look as stable as you possibly could at this given moment.

"Enough of the mind games, you had your fun. What's this really about?" You asked.

"(Y/N), this isn't us messing with you." Dean said.

"And I know you're not lying how?"

Dean pulled his phone from his pocket and lit up the lockscreen. In a big bold font, the time read 10:21 pm. The date beneath? Tuesday November 24th. Dean wasn't up to date on newer technology, so there was no way he, himself could have pulled this off. If Sam had so even touched his phone, Dean would never live with himself. They were serious.

New tactic, complete avoidance.

Dean put a warm hand on your back, causing you to shiver lightly. "So what's really going on, (Y/N)?"

You just stared at the patterns on the wooden table, knowing he would just continue to pester until you answered anyway, or at least until you could will yourself to come up with something believable.

"Talk to me. We can't help you unless you spill." Dean said.

You remained silent as your insides quaked in fear; you were so far off the map now, you didn't know your way back. You knew if you uttered a single sound, that was it for you. The fasaad would crumble, and no one would be there to pick up the pieces, not even you. You'd gone this far without them knowing, and you knew that it was better that way. There's only one way this ended every time, with either them looking at you like the broken mess you were, or abandoning you like everyone else. You felt Dean's soft hands turn your head towards him, and you quickly averted your eyes before you broke.

"(Y/N),"

You felt the emotions bubble inside you; you didn't dare speak.

"Hey." Dean lowered his head to meet your gaze.

That was all it took. You closed your eyes to block out Dean's expression, willing your mind to stop. Tears leaked from your now scrunched eyes like a cracked basin. Dean sighed and pulled you to his chest. You sank even lower, crying so hard that snot began to mix into the falling tears. You couldn't hold back, you were too far gone. You felt Dean's chest vibrate, but couldn't hear anything over the agonizing pain. It was a pain you tucked away for so long; you couldn't stop if you tried. Your stomach churned with every sob, only adding to the turmoil. Your body began to rock gently with Dean's as the pain continued to roll out in waves. Everything was so messy, and yet he still held you as you fell apart. Even though he had no idea what was wrong, he just sat there. After what seemed like forever, your shuddering breaths evened out slightly. You sat up and looked disgustingly at the front of Dean's shirt.

"Don't worry, I've got more." Dean joked lightly.

You apprehensively looked at his eyes, not failing to notice the crease between his brow or the gloss in his eyes. Your stomach lurched. You scrambled towards the hallway before retching violently onto the linoleum floors. Before more bile could make its way out, you stumbled into the bathroom, still turning your stomach inside out the whole way. By the time you had tripped and practically crawled to the toilet, there was nothing left to bring up. Your cheeks flushed in both embarrassment and overexertion as you realized two pairs of footsteps had trailed behind you.

"Leave." You rasped.

"(Y/N)-"

"No, I will not let you see this side of me. Leave." You cried.

"Sammy," Dean began.

He then communicated something to Sam you could not hear, and crouched down beside you.

"Don't," You said. "I can't afford to lose you too."

"We aren't leaving, (Y/N). We're still here."

You sniffled, gagging at the taste in your mouth. "For now."

You spat and brought up some more bile before weakly resting on the toilet.

"Take a deep breath for me," Dean said softly. "I need you to calm down."

"Why, so you can leave me outside without causing a scene?" You huffed.

"You do realize even if I wanted to, we are in the middle of nowhere. There would be no scene to make." Dean said.

Your stomach dropped again, causing you to dry heave. Dean gently placed a hand on your back.

"Hey," He said, hoping you would turn his attention to him. "That's not what I meant. You do know we've known something has been off for a while, right? So if we wanted to kick you to the curb, we would have done so already."

"How long have you known?" You asked, your voice breaking.

"About a few months now. I don't know how long this has been going on, but I wished we had said something sooner." Dean said.

"What, that you don't want me?" You asked.

"No, God no, of course not. I know you don't see it, but you're one of the strongest people I know. To have something unseen going on and still acting like everything is okay around everyone else? That takes strength. You don't have to put a face on for us, I know you better than you think." Dean said.

"No, you don't."

"Well then, enlighten me."

You bit your lip and looked over to Dean. Now without a lot of those emotions from before crowding your mind, you began to see some things for how they really were. Dean wasn't angry. His expression was filled with concern, with love. He wasn't pushing you away. Even at Sam's worst, Dean always came back. So why would it be any different for you? You were practically family; the only thing not tying that knot, was the absence of a ring on your finger.

"It's..It's a lot." You said.

"No matter how much it is, I'm here. I will be here to listen. And if you aren't ready to talk right now, that's okay. I just want you to know that I always have and always will be here." Dean said as he leaned over to flush the toilet.

"Even if you can't handle it? Or me?" You asked.

"Honey, I've handled God himself. There's nothing I can't handle." Dean said with a smirk.

"..Even if it's years of unresolved trauma?" You asked, squinting one of your eyes nervously.

"Even that, yes. Although, I think Sam might be better equipped in that department." Dean admitted. "But, that doesn't mean I will support you any less. Even if I get frustrated, it's only because I care, so much."

You smiled and practically toppled Dean to the floor. Luckily, his cat-like reflexes saved the both of you from tumbling down. He giggled and returned your tight embrace. After a few beats, you looked up.

"So, you ready to face this together?" Dean asked.

"Yeah." You said. "I guess."

"That's the (Y/N) I know. Now, let's say we have some toast or something. What do you say?" Dean said, pulling the two of you off the floor.

For the first time in a while, you smiled; you really smiled. Not everything felt right, but deep down, you could at least trust the words of a Winchester.

"Yeah, that sounds good." You said.

Dean beamed and rested a hand on your lower back as the two of you followed the aroma of freshly fried grilled cheese.

Tags: @akshi8278

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writings-of-a-daphodil · 3 years

Text

Fire Keeper: Chapter 21

Douxie x fem reader

Masterlist in Bio!

Series Summary: You are Jim’s older sister who is taking a break from college and has moved back home to Arcadia. You end up joining Jim and his friends on their adventures.

Chapter 21 summary: You're back in the future, but things don't go well.

Warnings: temporary death and grief

A/n: Wow, last chapter for a while, cue bittersweet emotions. I hope you like it!(sorry for any typos)

Jim’s words echoed in your head. “We need an edge. I'm sorry.”

You and Claire had protested, but he wouldn’t listen. “It's the only way!”

Then he had turned into that beast and told you to run. Which you did, and you regretted it. You couldn’t have stayed, but how could you leave? Guilt haunted you and you knew Douxie wasn’t doing any better.

His aura was overwhelmed with his own guilt over Merlin’s death. “It's all gone. Everything. The Heart of Avalon, Camelot...Merlin.” Douxie looked away, but you could see tears shining on his face.

“Maybe we should say a few words?” Claire suggested.

You nodded. “That’s a good idea.”

“Yeah, okay. Ahem. Battleship. November. Fruit punch.” Steve sobbed. “Purple!”

Douxie sniffed, turning around. “Oh, what can I say about Merlin? He was... he was, uh... He was everything. He was all that we had.”

“We'll get through this, together. We need you, Doux, now more than ever,” Claire consoled, handing Douxie Merlin’s book. “The world, our friends are in danger.”

“And the Order's about to kick off an arcane apocalypse,” Archie added, nuzzling Douxie.

You took a seat next to him. “In our line of work it’s hard to find the time to grieve and now it’s harder than ever with this new threat, but we’ll overcome it. We’ll figure out a way together.” You gave him a hug.

Douxie leaned into you and opened the book. He sighed. “But Merlin didn't tell me anything. And of course, he gave us a book that I can't even read. I mean, what is that supposed to be? Orcish? Elvish? Naga snake tribe?”

Archie gasped. “It looks like...Ancient Draconic.”

“Draconic?” Steve’s eyes widened in panic. “Dracula! Oh, no, Dracula!”

Claire rolled her eyes. “No...as in dragons.”

“As in...” Douxie trailed off.

“Charlemagne, the Devourer,” Archie finished, leaping into the air and transforming into a Dragon.

“Charlemagne, the Devourer. Keeper of the most sacred stones and treasures. A vicious dragon,” Douxie elaborated for yours, Claire’s, and Steve’s sake.

Archie circled the clearing landing on top of a piece of Camelot. “Which is why we shouldn't trouble him. Maybe someone else can translate.”

Douxie shook his head. “Come on, Arch! This is clearly about the Genesis Seals. And if the Order finds them first-“

“Yes, yes, yes, we're all doomed.” Archie proofed back into a cat. “I suppose we'll have to pay Charlemagne a visit.”

“What about Jim?” Claire asked as Douxie called the flying ship to him. “I need to find him.”

“I’m worried about him,” you added.

“Go back to Hex Tech. Research any dark magic that can help him,” Douxie advised.

“Claire, do you think you can handle that alone?” You asked. “I think I should go with Douxie.”

“Of course. I’ll save Jim and you keep Douxie from doing anything crazy.” She made a waving motion. “Okay. Let's go, Steve.”

“Aw! But the dragon quest!” Steve protested.

“What're you going to do, get eaten again?” Claire sassed and you laughed.

“If I can I’ll get you some pictures, Steve,” you promised.

“Thanks, Y/n,” he said, but you could tell he was still kinda pouting. Claire rolled her eyes and sent him through a portal.

“Also if it’s not too much trouble, could you have Toby feed Mao?” You asked her before she could disappear into her own portal. You had left your familiar back at Hex Tech with Toby and Nari seeing as it didn’t seem like a good idea to bring a kitten into the Arcane Order’s Castle. You couldn’t wait til this was all over so you could spend some quality time together.

“Will do,” Claire said, hoping into the void.

Douxie helped you onto the ship. “Well, let's hope we get some answers... before the Order does.”

You went over and leaned on one of the rails as Douxie put his staff in the key. The ship hummed to life and flew into the air.

“Here goes nothing,” Douxie whispered, turning the staff. The ship lurched forward and you fell against the rail.

“Do you know who to drive this?” You asked.

“Of course,” Douxie said at the same time Archie mouthed “No.”

Douxie turned the staff again and the ship shot ahead. You couched the rail, afraid that if you let go you’d fly off.

Douxie didn’t really talk and so you retreated into your thoughts. You were worried about Douxie. Sure, he was distracted now, but you knew Douxie and he was an open book. With you able to read his aura you could clearly seem the grief in it. It was so overwhelming, you were tempted to stop looking for auras, but you also wanted to understand how he was feeling.

Not only was their grief, there was blame and you knew he was blaming himself. Douxie liked to shoulder the world, you recalled how Strickler used to call Jim ‘Young Atlas’, but to you, the nickname seemed to fit Douxie perfectly. You wished he would let you take some of the weight.

His sadness was another overwhelming emotion and you wondered how he wasn’t curled into a ball and crying. You had a very strong instinct to go over and hug him and promise him that things will get better, but you were a little scared to let go of the rail, you would do it later though and you’d make him a pie for good measure.

Archie shouted directions and it wasn’t long before Douxie was lowering the ship to the forest.

You looked ahead to see a rogue tree sticking out of the canopy, but Douxie didn’t seem to notice.

“Douxie!” You screamed. “There’s a tree there!”

“I see it, love.” The ship made a sharp turn and you fell to the other railing, taking Archie down with you.

“Sorry, Arch,” You apologized.

“He may know how to drive everything from a car to a stagecoach, and he may have learned how to drive this, but it doesn’t mean he’s good at it,” Archie grumbled.

This time you held on a little tighter and the cold rail bit into your skin. You didn’t have to be uncomfortably gripping the rail for long though. Archie gave one last direction and the ship shot down, making a surprisingly gentle landing.

Douxie helped you down and looked to Archie. “You've told me tales of Charlemagne, the Devourer, for centuries.”

Archie hopped down. “The truth may be stranger than fiction.”

“Who is he?” You asked.

“Oh...I've heard terrible tales-whoever stole his treasure got baked alive into a blood pie,” Douxie explained.

“And burned, and singed,” Archie added. “Oh, here we are.”

“Sounds like this’ll be fun,” You muttered, shivering a bit from the cold night air.

Douxie looked down into the old well Archie had gestured at. “I really don't want to be a blood pie.”

“Let’s try to avoid that then. We aren’t here to steal his treasure, we are here to ask for help,” you said, looking into the well for stairs or a ladder.

Douxie stood on top of the well. “How do we get ther-“

Rocks slid and Douxie fell into the well. You winced as you heard him tumble.

“Oh, no!” Archie flew down after him and you hoped in as well, but instead of free falling like Douxie you levitated.

You touched down to see Douxie lying on the floor as Merlin’s staff hit him. “Ugh! All this...ugh-“ the book hit him “-for a book.”

“A very important book,” you reminded me, lighting your hands up with orange flames.

Douxie moved his staff around and screamed. You went to help him stand and you looked down to see the two of you were standing in the middle of a giant foot print. “Oh fuzz buckets.”

You heard and growl and you yelped. You and Douxie looked around for the source, ready to defend yourselves. “I do not want to be baked into a blood pie!” Douxie repeated.

THe ground shook and something stomped up from behind you. The two of you and you whirled around to see a huge white dragon.

“Oh...fuzz buckets,” Douxie whimpered and you grabbed onto his arm.

“We can do this,” you whispered. “We’ve battled a Nyarlagroth and won.”

Douxie didn’t respond, but the dragon did. “Look what the cat dragged in. Get it? 'Cat drag-in'! It's a play on words!” He laughed a big hearty laugh that made you smile despite your fear. “I slay myself! Archie? My cuddly little shapeshifter. Come here.”

“Oh, Father!” Archie touched his face to the dragon and your eyes widened. Not that you knew they were related, you could see it, they had the same eyes.

“When did you get so big?” Charlemange asked.

Archie rolled his eyes. “Very funny, yes. You don't see me talking about all those grey scales, do you?”

“What? Charlemagne, the Devourer, is your father?!” Douxie concluded, lessening his tight grasp on your arm.

“Dad, these are my dear friends, Douxie and Y/n,” Archie introduced and you gave a small wave.

“Nice to meet you, sir.”

“So, I finally get to meet your wizard familiar. Mm! Which one is it?” Charlemange looked between you and Douxie.

“I am.” Douxie cleared his throat. “Um, pleased to make your acquaintance, Mr. Charlemagne, the Devourer.”

Charlemagne laughed. “Please. My friends call me 'Charlie'. Let's retire to my dragon's den.”

As you walked you gently nudged Douxie. “And you thought you were gonna get eaten.”

“This guys is the most feared dragon out there, you can’t blame me.”

“Don’t worry, your screams were cute.” You kissed his cheek and went to stand next to Archie.

Charlie lit the fire. “I'm sure Archibald told you all about my famous blood-berry pies.” He set a gigantic pie down in front of you and you admired the craftsmanship.

“'Blood-berry'?” Douxie asked, shaking his head. “There's no time for tea! The Arcane Order is back. They-“

“Killed Merlin,” Archie finished.

“Merlin's...dead? So, you're after the Seals, hmm?” Charlie asked.

Douxie nodded. “And we think this will tell us how to find them.”

“Hmm. Of course.” Charlie took the book and opened it. “He never wrote anything in large print. Mm. Ancient Draconic.” He gasped. “The first letter is an 'H'.”

“Aw, come on! We don't have forever! The world's at stake here!” Douxie shouted, frustrated.

“I'll need my reading glasses. Be back in two shakes of a wyvern's tail.” Charlie promised. “Where did I put those things?”

Douxie snapped to Archie. “Oh, a 'real monster', eh?”

Archie licked his paw. “You think you're the only one with father issues, hmm?”

“Archie, why did you make your dad sound like a terrifying beast?” Douxie asked.

“They're here somewhere!” Charlie yelled from across the room.

Archie sighed. “Truthfully, I was embarrassed. Dad's a walking pun factory. The legends seemed better than the truth. Then again, compared to Merlin, who was...”

“Not the type to make tea and biscuits,” Douxie finished.

“Yes. And now that he's, well, gone, I'm more worried about you. You know you can talk to me, right?” Archie asked.

“We’re here for you, Doux. I know what you’re going through,” you added.

Douxie took a seat and you followed suit, wrapping him into a hug. “I can't help but think...what if Merlin was more like Charlie? If he hadn't saved me in that alley-” Douxie sighed “-would I be a completely different wizard?”

“We don't get to choose everyone that comes into our lives,” Archie said.

Douxie looked down. “Or when they leave.”

You gave a small smile and Archie came over to join your hug. “You’re exactly who you should be, Douxie,” you consoled.

“Ta-da!” Charlie said, coming back over. “Would you believe they were on my head the whole time?”

You gave a small chuckle as Douxie held up the book. “Please. Just tell me what it says.”

Charlie looked at it thoughtfully. “Mm. 'Hisirdoux, if anyone could figure this out, it'd be you. Since you're reading this, clearly, I'm dead. I kept many secrets close at hand, but now I entrust you with this, my final one. The Genesis Seals can be reached by destroying my staff.'

Douxie jumped to his feet, retreating away from everyone. “What? Wait, destroy his staff?”

“There's no time to waste, my boy. You've got a world to save!” Charlie said

Douxie clutched the staff. “A wizard's staff is everything to them. Look, are you sure that you translated it correctly?”

Charlie swiped at Douxie, trying to get the staff. “Uh!” He yelped, coming to the edge of a small cliff.

“Hey!” You yelled.

“Dad!” Archie scolded.

“Wait! Don't rush me!” Douxie begged, raising his hand, a spell ready.

“Douxie, Dad, play nice!” Archie called, trying to mediate.

“Guys! We can talk this out!” You added, ready to use your own magic to stop any fighting.

“Careful, boy. You're playing with fire,” Charlie growled, letting out a string to show Douxie he wasn’t kidding.

“Oh, dear,” Archie whispered.

“Never challenge a dragon,” Charlie roared. You and Archie rushed to stand between the two.

“Father, Hisirdoux, I miss him, too. But you know, Merlin's not the only family you had,” Archie pointed out.

Charlie sighed, baking down. “He's right. Family isn't only who you have. It's also who you're with. Did you know, Archibald used to be the cutest little dragon you've ever seen?” Charlie turned around and showed you a picture frame. You squealed. It was a picture of Archie as a baby nestled in what you assumed was his egg, wearing Charlie’s glasses.

“That is just too cute!” You squealed.

Archie gasped. Father, please! Burn that!

Charlie shook his head. “Archie always wanted to explore the world, even before he took his first form. And when he chose a cat, that broke my dragon heart. He became a familiar- a lower profession. But if a cat is what he wants, a cat is fine with me. I realized I had to let him go, so he could spread his wings and soar. And accepting that set me free. And r-r-r-right now, your people look to you-to stand up, to lead.” Charlie let out a breath and a sort of brownish mist swirled around Douxie. Smiling figures of Steve, Claire, Jim, you, Archie, and Merlin appeared in it.

“I know you're still grieving.” Charlie continued. “I know this is too much. But in order to save your family-to save the world-you must let him go.”

The mist cleared and Douxie looked up to Charlie, determination burning in his eyes. “Do it. Destroy it.”

Charlie nodded and Douxie held up the staff as flames engulfed it. Douxie braced himself against the ground, tears streaming down his face. He screamed and the staff shattered, letting out a blast of blinding green light. The light faded, but Douxie was nowhere to be found.

“Douxie!” You and Archie yelled.

You rushed over to the pieces of the staff and picked up the remains. “What happened?”

“If I had to guess, he went into a wormhole Merlin created to store the seals in,” Charlie said. “We just have to give Douxie his time.”

You nodded. “Okay...”

Charlie came up from behind you. “I have more baby pictures of Archie to show to pass the time.”

“Father!” Archie complained as you moved back over to the pie.

“Feel free to have some,” Charlie called over his shoulder while he looked for the pictures. You did as he suggested and got yourself some. Honestly you were shocked when you bit into it. It was warm and gooey and utterly amazing. The crust was perfect and flaky as well. The pie was perfect and you said as much.

Charlie thanked you as he came back over and handed you the photo album. You went to open it but paused. “Could I take a picture of you please? My friend, Steve, wanted to meet you, but he had to go with our other friend, Claire. It’s a long story.”

“Of course,” Charlie beamed and you took out your phone. “Say cheese!” You called, snapping a picture of Archie and Charlie. You took a few more for good measure and then sat down to look at the baby pictures.

You had no clue why Archie was so embarrassed of them. He was the most adorable baby dragon you had ever seen, though you hadn’t seen many of them. The pictures of him learning to fly were your favorite. Charlie was in the background of some of those, encouraging Archie. Seeing how cute baby Archie was really cheered you up.

You were only on the seventh page though, when a cloud of green fog billowed out of nowhere from the corner of the room. When it cleared away Douxie was standing there.

“Douxie!” You yelled, immediately jumping up.

“Mordrax's miracles, you found them!” Archie exclaimed and you looked at what Douxie was holding.

Charlie smiled. “Well done! I knew you'd do it, little buddy!”

Douxie admired them. “The Genesis Seals! Now we just need to get back to Hex Tech and regroup.”

~~~~

“Um, Doux!” You called as you looked down to the street Hex Tech was on. “You need to see this.”

Shards of ice were all over the place and bits of everything was burning. There was no sight of your friends.

Douxie gasped as he hopped out of the ship. “No! No, no, no. No, no, no! No!” You all rushed over to Hex Tech, but the lights were off and ice was everywhere. “Claire! Steve! Nari!” Douxie called. “What happened here?”

You heard someone groan and you rushed over to see Krel. He was trapped in ice and looked on the edge of consciousness.He wasn’t the only one you saw though, Mao was licking away at the ice trapping Krel. You grabbed her and waited for DOuxie to free your Akiridion friend.

“Krel! No.” Douxie blasted the ice that was trapping Krel and you moved to heal him.

“Where is everyone?” You asked.

Krel groaned. “Couldn't stop them. Took Nari. Oh, wait! He can show you.” He stood up and grabbed the head of a glitching robot with a human face. You shivered a bit at the creepy sight.

“Wahoo! How are you, buckaroo?” The robot head asked. Krel pressed a button and a video of Krel screaming and running appeared on a big screen. There was a lot of screaming as the camera was rolled around until Toby grabbed it.

“This looks like the end!” He cried. “I leave my classic VHS action movie collection to my nana and my warhammer to Y/n!” The video was taken from Toby and showed the fiery person from the Arcane Order who crushed the camera.

With that the video cut out. “That's all fo-beep-boop,” the robot said.

You continued looking at the screen in horror. “Not them too.” You squeezed your eyes shut as tears ran down your face. You hated the Arcane order. Gumar had already taken so much from you and here they were to finish it off.

“No, no, no, no, no, no, no! This wasn't supposed to happen! No! Oh, please tell me there's something in here to help,” Douxie begged, setting Merlin’s book on a table leafing through it.

Archie put his paw on it, covering some of the words. “You don't need the book to tell you the answer, Doux. Merlin was clear. If the Order has Nari, we can't let them get the Seals, or it's arcane Armageddon.”

“But I can't just leave our friends to die!” Douxie protested.

“No we can’t,” you stated, determined. Your friends were not going to die. You weren’t gonna lose anyone else.

“It's not easy being a leader,” Krel said.

“The Order will never stop coming after the seals,” Archie reminded and you nodded.

Douxie sighed. “We'll spend the rest of our lives running.”

“Save our friends or save the world? You have to make a decision. We're out of time!” Krel complained.

Douxie’s head snapped up. “Or maybe...time is all we have.”

“What do you mean?” Archie asked, but it hit you.

“We send the Arcane order through time,” you concluded.

“It’s a crazy idea, but it just might work. Arch, remember how before we met Merlin we used to do the Lad of Fortune trick with the cup to earn money? We do that, but inside the cup is a smaller heart of Avalon. Krel you mentioned something about magic and Acaridian tech earlier, can you fashion something out of the heart of Avalon that will send the Arcane order through time?”

Krel shrugged. “Maybe.”

“Well, ‘maybe’ is all we’ve got right now. We can only hope this works. Let’s get to work!” Douxie exclaimed.

You turned to him. “I’m gonna go leave Mao with my mom, but I'll be back to help soon, okay?”

“Okay, stay safe.” He kissed you and you wished you didn’t have to go. You wished you and Douxie could just hang out and date like a normal couple, but alas, the fate of the world was in your hands.

~~~~

You made it back just in time for Douxie to explain his plan to you. He, Krel, and Archie had gotten a lot down in the short amount of time you had been gone and were ready to put the plan into motion.

You watched as Douxie closed his eyes, projecting himself so he could talk with the Order. “Arcane Order, Hisirdoux is here!” He spoke. ”Ah-ah-ah-ah--! Hold your hexes if you still want these.” He held up the seals and you realized how weird it was to be on the other side of astral projection. “You want them?” Douxie asked. “Well, come and get them. I'll be at the cafe.” Douxie’s eyes opened and gave you a thumbs up before he turned to walk over to Krel.

“Your designs were complicated, but I'm 98.442 percent sure that this will work.” He set the device down and it spun to life. “Akiridion tech and magic are so compatible! Who would have thought?” Krel laughed.

“No turning back now,” Archie said as Douxie picked up the little-yet very important-trinket Krel had made.

“Wasn't planning on it. Arch, pass me those salad bowls, then head out. Y/n, prep the airship,” Douxie requested.

“I'll always follow you, Doux, but this could be a huge mistake,” Archie warned.

“'A wizard doesn't make mistakes-he makes unexpected possibilities,'” Douxie quoted, courage and determination ringing through his voice.

You smiled at him nervously as you walked out the door. “Stay safe and don’t forget you still owe us brunch.”

~~~~

“Hold on, big guy. I'm about to bust you out. Agh! Cheap lighter!” Steve whined as you entered the room. You nodded to Archie and he sent his own fire to free Aaarrrgghh.

“I did it! Sir Steve is your savior!” Steve cheered and you rolled your eyes.

“Helpful as always, Steve,” Archie said as he flew around freeing everyone. You sent your own blasts of fire, but you were distracted by Jim, or what was supposed to be him. You knew your brother had to be in there somewhere, but whoever was in control of him was not your Jim.

The beast roared at Archie, ready to fight and you got ready to protect, but Aaarrrgghh stepping, punching Jim. “Please stop, Jim!” Aaarrrgghh growled. “Don't make me hurt you, Master Jim!”

“Stop it, Jim!” You scolded, your big sister instincts kicking in as he hit Aaarrrgghh .

“Wingman, no!” Toby cried as Jim punched Aaarrrgghh again, knocking him down. Toby ran over there, ready to face the beast if it meant saving his wingman.

“No!” Claire called as Jim got ready to punch Toby. You were ready though and sent a shield their way. An orange sphere blossomed protecting them, but Jim never attacked.

A guitar riff played and you knew that Douxie had arrived. Jim covered his ears and you laughed, your Jim wouldn’t enjoy this type of music either.

“How about a little music to soothe the savage beast? Is everybody all right?” Douxie asked, knocking Jim out with his guitar-staff.

You rushed over to him. “Did it work?”

Douxie nodded. “So far so good. Now we just need to get everyone out. Is everyone all right?”

“Douxie!” Toby exclaimed. “I'd hug ya, but I can't move my arms.”

“Where is the Arcane Order?” Claire asked, getting to her feet.

“I have them preoccupied.” He gasped. “What's the Queen of the Apocalypse doing here?”

“What I should have done long ago-deal with my brother,” she said, moving past Douxie. “Get your injured to safety.”

You moved to help Aaarrrgghh up. “We need to find Nari.”

“Nari!” Douxie exclaimed. “She's not here with you?”

Claire shook her head. “They locked her up somewhere. Douxie, did you get the Seals?”

“Uh...” Douxie hesitated. “I'll explain later. Let's go.”

“Grab Jim,” Claire requested.

Aaarrrgghh grunted. “Got him!”

You raced out of the castle and to a ledge were Douxie whistled. The ship rose out of the clouds, hitting the castle. You winced and covered your ears as metal on metal screeched.

“Whoa, whoa! Whoo-hoo! Whoa! Sorry, sorry! I'm still getting the hang of it,” Krel apologized.

“All right, everyone on board. Krel will take you down to Arcadia. I have to get Nari, see my plan through to the end,” Douxie explained.

Douxie held out his hand to help you onto the ship, but you didn’t take it. “I’m coming.”

“No, you go with them. You need to keep them safe.”

“Fine.” You took his hand and hopped on. As he walked away you could only hope that he would be safe. You hated not going with him, but you also knew he was strong and could handle himself. The Arcane Order were still going through time anyways.

You went to take the steering staff from Krel, hoping you’d be a slightly better driver.

“He’ll be okay,” Claire soothed and you nodded.

“What should we do about Master Jim?” Blinky asked.

“Restrain him,” you replied, raising your hands to perform the spell, but before you could his eyes snapped open.

“Oh, no!” Claire yelped.

“Oh! No, no, no! Go back to sleep, Big Jim!” Steve yelled, trying to whack Jim with his axe. Jim caught it and sent Steve flying over the edge.

“Steve! No!” Claire yelled as Jim sent the axe flying right at you. Toby pushed you aside and the axe hit the staff instead, sending the ship spiraling out of control.

The ground grew closer and closer and you sent a spell to slow your fall. “Hold on!” you screamed. The ship bounced on the ground and you all fell from it.

You did your best to shield everyone, but you still had a nasty fall. You were very glad you hadn’t been impaled by a branch from the tree you had somehow landed in.

"Y/n! Claire!” Toby screamed and you hopped down from your branch to see Aaarrrgghh and Jim fighting.

“Jim!” Claire cried.

“Aaarrrgghh remind Jim who he was.” Aaarrrgghh pinned Jim to the ground.

“Master Jim, snap out of it! We are your friends,” Blinky tried.

“Your family!” You added, blasting him with a stun spell. It only seemed to enrage the beast though and he threw Aaarrrgghh onto you, Krel and Blinky.

Your back hit your old tree and you felt the wind get knocked out of you.

“Oh, no!” You heard Toby gasp. “Come on, Jimbo. It's Toby, your best friend. Oh, no, oh, no!” Jim roared turning to Toby, but Claire sent a portal and Toby popped in next to you.

“Jim Lake Jr., I know you can hear me! I know you're still in there!” Claire yelled as you got up. Her eyes glowed purple and Jim’s golden outlining turned the same color.

“Get out of my head!” Jim roared, attacking CLaire who portaled away.

“I promised I'd come back for you! Now fight it, Jim!” Claire begged sending a swirling blast of magic at Jim when he continued to charge.

“No! My soul belongs to the king!” Jim growled. You got ready to take over the fight when a blast shook the ground, knocking you back down.

“Morgana!” Claire yelled, but her voice turned into a scream.

“Jim, no!” You got up again, already chanting a spell.

“Oh, no!” Toby cried as Jim squeezed Claire.

“Claire!” Blinky called.

“I love you, Jim. We all do. Please...” she begged and his markings once again faded to purple.

You were soon distracted though by a piece of the castle crashing to the ground on top of Morgana and Arthur.

Another blast almost sent you to the floor, but you braced yourself. As the energy faded you looked over to Jim.

“Claire? Y/n?” He asked.

Claire smiled. “There you are!”

Jim beamed, but your euphoria faded when you saw stone spreading over him.

“Oh, no!” Toby cried.

“Claire!” Jim panicked. “Y/n?!”

“Jim! Jim!” She sobbed. “No! Jim! No! No!”

You sank to the ground. “No! Not again, This will not happen again. We’ve already lost too much.” You buried your face in your hands as sobs wracked your body. In the few seconds that Jim had been yours again, hope had built itself inside of you and now it was getting destroyed. It felt like your heart was getting ripped out of you.

Jim was gone again, and unlike last time you had seen him die. It was. over, there was no way you could get lucky enough to get your brother back again. It was over now and this time you’d actually half to tell your mom.

You sobbed harder, it just wasn’t fair. Jim couldn’t be gone, he had barely lived his life. Sure he had his fair share of great adventures, but that didn’t make it any better. You may have your memories, but all you wanted was to have Jim back.

You only stopped sobbing when you heard a crack.

You looked over to see Jim breaking apart. You began to sob even more, angry at the world that wouldn’t let him be. You couldn’t even have his statue apparently.

After a while you felt a hand on your back and you looked up, expecting it to be Claire, Toby, Steve, or even Douxie, but who you saw shocked you even more. Jim, human Jim was smiling at you. “Y/n...”

You stood and wrapped him in a tight hug. “You’re okay! I missed you so much!”

“I missed you too.” You stayed there, hugging him for a while, trying to soak up all the happiness you were feeling from your brother. You couldn’t believe he had lived, but you were so so happy that he had.

Now to make this day even better Douxie would come. Nari and Archie had already arrived, you were just waiting on your boyfriend to figure out the next phase of the plan.

You looked up though when a blast rocketed across the sky. Your eyes immediately found Douxie’s body falling through the debris.

You barely registered Steve and Toby shouting as you and Nari took off. The forest blurred behind you as you ran. This could not be happening. You had just gotten Jim back and now Douxie was free falling to his death. The world could be so cruel.

A flash of blue light briefly lit up the clearing in front of you and you raced to its source. Douxie was lying on the ground and you could barely sense his aura. You dropped to your knees and searched for a pulse and though you found one, it was so small there was nothing you could do, not that both you and Nari wouldn’t try.

You placed your hands on his chest and went through every magical healing spell you knew, even trying normal things a human paramedic would do, but nothing worked.

Your emotions were thrown right back into the dark lands of grief.

“I can’t be too late. Come on Douxie. You’re gonna be okay. You can’t leave me here. I can’t do this without you. You can’t die now. I need you,” you sobbed, tears soaked Douxie’s jacket as you mourned.

You couldn’t even process it. Your emotions had been thrown through a blender and it hurt so much. Your heart ached with the pain of knowing that this time you had actually lost Douxie. There was a small part of you that was still hoping though, maybe today was a day of miracles and Douxie would live?

The demons that had taken over your rational thoughts laughed at that idea. More tears fell as you sank deeper and deeper into despair, grief and guilt. Maybe if you had run faster or convinced Douxie that you could take on the Arcane Order with him, then he would still be with you.

You barely heard your friends talking and were only relieved from your dark thoughts by the impossible, Douxie’s chest was moving.

“Y/n...?” Archie asked and you realized that he had been on your shoulder, lying on Douxie with you.

Douxie coughed. “Eh...?”

“You’re okay!” You cried, jumping into his arms.

Archie copied you. “Douxie! You brave, foolish boy.”

Douxie groaned. “But everything hurts.”

Claire smiled. “I can't believe you're okay.”

Archie laughed. “Barely! Seems you're the one with nine lives. And don't you ever do that again.”

“Happy you're alive, Teach,” Claire said as the two of you plus Steve helped him up.

“Easy,” Douxie rasped. “I just came back from beyond the grave. But wait, where's Jim? Mordrax's miracles. It seems I've missed a lot.”

“Same, but glad to be back,” Jim said.

Douxie looked around. “What about Arthur?”

“Squished,” Aaarrrgghh grunted.

“Indeed,” Blinky confirmed. “And I'm afraid with their demise, Excalibur...”

“Is right over here!” Toby yelled, racing over to try only for the sword to not even budge. “Okay, I just had to try. It’s kinda fun. Y/n you should try.”

You chuckled. “Thanks, but I’ll pass.” Honestly you just didn’t want to let go of Douxie.

“What of you, Master Jim?” Blinky questioned.

“What?” Jim asked.

You helped Douxie forward. “Jim, Blinky's right. With Arthur gone, someone needs to wield Excalibur.”

“Who better than the Trollhunter?” Claire pointed out.

Jim looked down. “But without the amulet, am I still the Trollhunter?”

“This means nothing, Jim. If I've learned anything, it's that we don't draw strength from magic artifacts like amulets and swords. Our strength is something far less enchanted, but no less special—our friends. We are the protectors of this world. That's why I made the gamble I did: because the only way to stop the Arcane Order and save this world...is to do it together,” Douxie explained.

“Are you sure our Douxie came back from the dead? This one is super sappy,” Claire joked.

“Cheeky,” Douxie said and you all laughed, but you noticed Douxie stopped soon after. “It's time Nari and I got a move on, before the Order catches up.”

Claire frowned. “You're leaving? Already?”

“Yeah, you just finished a whole speech about saving the world together,” Steve reminded, as Douxie, Nari, and Archie got onto the slightly damaged ship.

“Where are you going?” Jim asked, coming up to stand next to you.

“I promised Merlin I'd keep Nari safe, which means taking her far away from here. Don't worry, I'll be seeing you champions of Arcadia soon enough,” Douxie reassured.

“We’ll make sure to visit, we just have to keep moving. Staying in one place too long will give them time to catch up to us,” you added, climbing onto the ship.

“We?” Douxie asked and you took his hands.

You gave a small smile. “Yeah ‘we’. You’re gonna need me.”

“What if you get hurt?”

“We’ll have each other's backs,” You said, petting Archie. “It’s gonna be okay.”

You turned to wave goodbye to your friends and family. It was a bittersweet ending, but like Douxie had said, you would see them again soon.

****

Yay! It's done-ish!! I can't wait for the movie so I can finish it!! I really hope y'all enjoyed this series and I can't wait to write more for Douxie. Thank you all so much for your kind comments and I hope y'all will have a fantastic and safe weekend.💙 And happy Halloween!!

P.S. if you want to be on the taglist feel free to ask. I hope it works and please message me if it doesn’t.

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wheezy-kasp-brak · 4 years

Text

Team Zero (Hargreeves Siblings x Sibling Reader)

Summary: After being sent back in time and finding their father, the eight academy kids have ‘A Light Supper’ with him.

A/N: This is a really gross, unedited page because I really wanted to write this scene. I wrote this in only a few hours and I think I could’ve done a crap ton better but I really wanted to post this so...

Warnings: season two spoilers, mild swearing

Word count 2589

gif credit to @tuagifs

After the draining argument with their siblings, the last thing y/n expected to receive was a letter from their father.

To my pursuers,

I, Reginald Hargreeves, request the pleasure of your company for a light supper on the 20th of November, 1963, half past seven o’clock, 1624 Magnolia Street.

They had received the letter from a strange man in a black car. At first, y/n hesitated to believe it was really from their father but they knew their father better than anyone, even Luther despite what he thinks.

The level of extra Reginald went through to get this letter to them told them all they needed to know so, on the 20th of November, 1963, they arrived at 1624 Magnolia Street just before half past seven.

The building was a tall hotel and the decor very much fit the era they were living in. They wandered towards the back where they slipped in an elevator next to their brother five. Not too soon after, their other siblings joined them in the small box.

“Good, you’re all here” Five face sported his usual smirk and his body language screamed cocky arrogant asshole however, everyone remained quiet on the lift up to the highest floor.

That was until a rather rancid smell reached their noses. “Ugh.. Luther!”

“Sorry, I’m nervous.” The group covered their noses until the doors finally opened, allowing them to take a deep breath of fresh air.

“Alright, when dad gets here, I’ll do the talking.” Fives natural attempt to assert himself failed quickly when Diego snapped back.

“I got a few questions for him myself.”

Y/n rolled their eyes. The seven of them never seemed to be able to enter a room without starting some kind of fight or argument. “Hey, we don’t wanna scare him off alright, he might be able to help us stop doomsday, get us home.”

“No Five, we need to figure out why he’s planning to kill the president.” It’s amazing how hung up on the presidents assassination Diego is, why can’t he just let this go?

“This is a matter of life or death you imbecile.” Sensing that their other siblings were about to chime in, y/n zoned themselves out. Y/n isn’t exactly what you called a team player. They chose to stay quiet and disassociate themselves from their family. Sick of the overbearing weight of having to save the world when they could be doing other things, like being a normal person.

Unfortunately for them, they were soon snapped out of their focused state by a loud crash. What appeared to be some kind of decoration was found shattered in small pieces on the other side of the room.

“Classic.” Allison spit. They all turned their heads when they heard another noise. The doors to the ‘Tiki Lounge” swung open revealing a younger Hargreeves. His posture stood tall and didn’t give them a single glance until he sat at the table, adjusting his sleeves.

“Not only have you burglarized my lab, set my chimp loose, conned your way into the Mexican consulate, repeatedly stalked and attacked me, but you have on numerous occasions, called me...”

Klaus finally joined the table with what seemed like some alcoholic beverage. “Hey Pop. How’s it hangin’?

“...dad.” His voice was stern, slightly scary, but more just assertive. The seven children took a moment to all create eye contact before returning to their younger father.

“My reconnaissance tells me you’re not CIA, not KGB, certainly not MI5, so...” he paused to slam his pen to the desk, “who are you?” Everyone stayed silent trying to find the right words before five cut in again.

“We’re your children,” Reginald gave him a displeased look, “We’re from the future.” Dear old Reggie didn’t seem all too happy with the idea of having children, so when the group stayed silent once again y/n finally spoke up from their seat.

“In 1989, you adopted us all and trained us to fight against the end of the world. You called us the umbrella academy.” The sudden joining of the conversation brought all the attention to them. It surprised the rest of their siblings, seeing as y/n normally just minded their own business. However, they supposed this was their business.

“Why on earth would I adopt seven-”

“Eight. One of us isn’t here.” Allison corrected.

“Dead. One of us is dead.” Diego filled in the answer to what they assumed Reggie’s next question would be.

“Yeah, ba-ba-ba-ba-ba-ba. Enough of that now.” Klaus spun in his seat, talking to what looked like an empty chair to the rest of them.

Could he just be quiet for FIVE MINUTES.

When he spun back he noticeably shuddered and then it clicked in Klaus’s head. Ignoring the attention from everyone at the table he pushed his chair out and violently pointed his finger at y/n.

“Hey! Get out of my head!” Everyone now turned their looks back to y/n. They had no response other than slouching down into their seat and turning their head to focus back onto the decor.

Reginald took the silence as an invitation to begin speaking again, “Regardless, what would possess me to adopt eight ill-mannered malcontents?”

“We all have special abilities.” Five explained.

“Special?” Reginald Questioned, “In what sense?”

“In the super power sense.” Luther finally joined in on the conversation.

“Call me old fashioned, but I’m a stickler for a pesky little thing called evidence. Show me.”

“Everybody wants to see powers all of a sudden.” Allison proceeded to scoff before she was cut off.

“We’re not circus animals, okay? We’re not gonna bounce balls on our noses and clap like seals for your amusement.” Luther attempted to accentuate his point by literally clapping his hands together. That’s when Diego pulled out a knife and allowed it to slice through the air and around Reginald’s head, sinking into a support post behind him.

Reggie decided to pull out his pen and begin writing in one of those god-awful leather bound notebooks he constantly wrote in when they were younger. They all leaned in, upset that he was doing it again.

“What’re you writing?” Diego asked.

“You are zero for two, young man.” At that statement Diego immediately pushed out of his chair, lunging towards their father. However, Five was much faster using his spatial jumps. He managed to flash in front of Diego, effectively preventing him from being shanked by their dad again.

“Stop!” Fives voice was no louder than a whisper although they all still heard him.

“Now that is interesting.” Reginald noted aloud. Once Diego was 'calm’ again. Five relaxed, walking back to his seat.

“All right, uh, quick rundown-”

“Luther, super strength. Klaus can commune with the dead.” As they gestured to Klaus once more their siblings shocked glances paused them once more.

They’re face scrunched up. “What? We all know Five’s definition of quick.” Their sass earned them chuckles from everyone at the table apart from their very loving brother, Five, and their very loving.... father.

“Anyways,” They continued, “Allison can rumor anyone to do anything-”

“Yea, except she never uses it.” This time it was y/n who was cut off by Diego. That comment caused Allison to give him a pointed look.

“I heard a rumor, you punched yourself in the face.” Diego’s eyes turned white and his fist soar through the air and hit his nose straight on. His groan from the pain echoed through the room and Reginald adjusted himself in his seat, clearly unamused and slightly concerned.

This time, the academy kids held in their laughs worried Diego might be the one shanking them.

"And y/n has the power to read minds.” Five attempted to finish the conversation however they all forgot about the sibling who most recently discovered their powers. “And you?”

To this, Vanya lifted her head and everyone’s amused looks soon turned nervous.

“Uh, maybe we don’t take Vanya for a test run.” Luther’s voice was laced with fear and the table tried to agree with him however Vanya seemed to think differently.

“It’s fine. I can handle it.” She reached forward for a fork and glass.

“Handle it?” Allison asked, “Last time you handled it, you definitely blew up the moon.” This time, the six siblings tried to stop her and braced themselves for the impact of what might be the end of the world... again.

Once the fork hit the glass she focused in on the ringing noise and allowed herself to blow up the fruity centerpiece, sending chunks of pineapple and mango flying everywhere.

While they all tried to wipe away the fruit on their clothes Vanya just let out a small “oops.”

“Look, we know you’re involved in a plot to assassinate the president.” To that, Reggie quipped back at Diego.

“You were recently hospitalized, isn’t that correct?” Diego sputtered at the statement. “You still appear to be suffering from delusions of grandeur and acute paranoia.”

Diego, pissed off, pulled out a photo of him. “Am I?” He asked, standing up. The photo revealed to be-

“That’s you. That’s two days from now on the grassy knoll at the exact spot the presidents gonna get shot.” Reginald slowly picked up the photo, looking at it for a moment.

“Well... I suppose you’ve solved it. You’ve single-handedly unearthed my nefarious plot.” Y/n was taking it in. They supposed that’s what Diego wanted but, there was sarcasm. A lot of it at that.

“Is that what you wanted to hear?” They knew it. “You fancy yourself a do-gooder? The last man who will save us from our descent into corruption and conspiracy? This is a fantastic delusion. The sad reality is that you’re a desperate man, tragically unaware of his own insignificance, desperately clinging to his own ineffectual reasoning. More succinctly, a man in over his head.” At this the table was stunned into silence.

Diego allowed one tear to slip out. It rolled down his cheek in solidarity. “You’re wr-r-r-wrong.” He managed to finally stutter out.

He’s right.

Diego’s body shivered. He quickly whipped out another knife and flung it across the table, stabbing y/n’s upper arm. “Didn’t anyone tell you it’s rude to eavesdrop?” His voice was laced with venom and seemed to shut them out of his head.

They pulled the knife out of their arm and pressed a thick napkin to the wound. The knife clattered back across the table. “Didn’t anyone tell you it’s rude to stab your sibling?”

The group stayed silent until Five spoke up. Shocker. “Look, forget about the president. We have a catastrophic war coming in five days. We need to figure out how to stop it.”

“Why? Men will always be at war with each other.” Reggie tried to reason.

“No, this isn’t just some war. I’m talking about a doomsday. The end of the world.”

“Well.. You’re the special ones aren’t you?” The group proceeded to glare at him. “Why don’t you band together and do something about it?”

Unbelievable.

The siblings collective annoyed thoughts were soon cut off but their brother, Klaus. His body was suddenly jolted forward, shaking violently. His air way seemed to be cut. They all sat concerned and puzzled.

“Y/n is that-”

“No, I don’t know what that is.”

“Is he having a seizure?”

“Overdosing probably.” Diego muttered. All of sudden a voice and thoughts flooded Y/n’s mind. They were so loud. Y/n pushed their chair back, standing up. Their hands flew up to their ears, as if covering them would stop the words flowing through their head.

“Klaus, Y/n. Now is not the time. What’re you doing?”

The noises only got louder. “I’m...” His voice was strangled and chalky.

Reginald had quite enough of whatever was going on. “Well, out with it boy.”

Klaus took a deep breath and finally spit out, “...Ben!” He soon gasped and fell out of his chair. He continued to shake here and there and allowed a few groans to get out but none of the above concerned any of his siblings enough to do anything.

“Well...” Reggie trailed off, “thank you for coming. I’ve seen about enough.” He stacked up his books and climbed over Klaus’s convulsing body.

“No, I-” Luther tried to speak up, however Hargreeves kept walking. Luther, upset he didn’t get to say anything the whole time he was here, slammed his fists down onto the table. That certainly gained the room attention.

He ripped his shirt open revealing his ape like skin. “Look at what you did to me! Look at it!” Allison nearly spit out her drink and and Five let out an “oh, shit. Why?” with a solid eye roll and slouched into his chair.

“Okay then. Anybody else wish to embarrass themselves this evening?” Nobody moved, obviously not wanting to embarrass themselves. “I guess I’ll-”

“No.” Y/n shook their head. “You don’t get to walk away after that. You don’t get to just leave after destroying our lives and blaming it on us. You forced us to dedicate everything to saving the stupid world and the stupid people who live on it. I never.. We never wanted to do that. We didn’t get a choice to be who we are, so, because you are the one who disfigured our existences, you are going to be the one who helps get everything back on track.” Out of breath, they finally looked up and locked gazes with their father

“If anyone disfigured your lives, it was yourselves.”

“Really? That’s all you have to say?” They paused before continuing the rant, “You know, Reginald, I don’t think I’m the one who forced myself to become afraid of people because their thoughts were so loud. Leading me to dissociating myself from my siblings and the people around me. In fact, I don’t think any of us would be this fucked up had you just allowed us to be our own people with a family and parents who actually loved us. Who wanted to dedicate their time to furthering us in life, not just using us for their own advantages.”

“I’m sure whatever I did was to further you in life. I wouldn’t waste my time on something that I was sure to fail.” Hargreeves looked around the room, noticing the mess of a ‘family’ sitting in front of him. “Clearly, I had a miss in judgement.”

At that he finally turned to leave the room. “You in the culottes?” He motioned to Five. “A word, in private?” Five followed suit leaving the six of them disheveled and wondering what to do next.

The ring of the elevator doors sounded around them. “Well, that went as good as any Hargreeves family function.” At that Y/n zoned out again. Maybe they didn’t want to but that’s what they had practiced after so many years. Pretending like their siblings weren’t even in the room with them.

“Where’d that whole speech come from, Y/n/n?” Allison added them into the ‘conversation.’

“Oh, um, I suppose I was just sick of allowing him to get away with whatever he wanted to.”

“That’s one way to put it.” Diego harped on their response, clearly still upset about Y/n entering his head.

The elevator doors finally opened once more, letting them escape the hellhole of a family meeting they just adjourned. They all flooded into the hallway not making any eye contact. “Team Zero my ass.”

#tua #the umbrella academy x reader #the umbrella academy #klaus hargreeves #ben hargreeves #allison hargreevs #luther hargreeves #vanya hargreeves #five hargreeves #diego hargreeves

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everything-person · 3 years

Text

Coming Out to Dinner

A/N: HAPPY THANKSGIVING! Okay so this maybe a little late but in my defense my parents are divorced so I had second Thanksgiving today with my mom. This plot has been in my head for a while and it just felt appropriate to make it a Thanksgiving fic. Hopefully even if you don’t celebrate the holiday you can still enjoy this fic.

Summary: It’s November in Storybrooke Thanksgiving just around the corner. The Swan-Jones family is celebrating in a special way this year. (takes place after season 7)

🦃🦃🦃🦃🦃🦃🦃🦃🦃🦃🦃🦃🦃🦃🦃

“What are we doing for Thanksgiving next week,” Hope asked as munched on a waffle on morning.

Killian looked up at his wife waiting to hear the answer as well. He still didn’t really understand the holiday or why they celebrated it even after all these years living in this realm.

“Well,” Emma said as she chewed on a piece of bacon, “Your grandparents are in charge of cooking. Your grandpa is cooking the turkey. Then grandmas making roasted carrots, greenbean casserole, brussel sprouts, broccoli with cheese, sweet potatoes-”

“What about the mashed potatoes and stuffing?” Hopes face was full of concern over her favorite sides.

“I’m making those,” Emma stated taking another beat of her bacon.

“Grandma’s letting you incharge of not one but two sides?!”

Emma rolled her eyes, “I can boil potatoes, and the stuffing is coming from the box. I can follow instructions.”

Hope eyed her mother, “Okay but where we having it whose all coming?”

Emma swallowed the last bit of her bacon, “I think this year is gonna be smaller then previous ones. Regina said she probably won’t be able to make it this year. I think Henry and Ella are planning on surprising Regina with take out but they maybe over for dessert. Granny is staying open on Thanksgiving so shes busy. Zelena is Zelena. So I think its just gonna be us with your grandparents and uncle.”

“We will be hosting this feast this year,” Hopes father finally spoke up, “and you are free to invite someone if you’d like, love.”

Hope looks as if she about to say something before she decides against it. She bites her lip and turns her attention back onto her breakfast. Her parents gave each other a look before returning to their own food.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

WEEK OF THANKSGIVING

Hope sat on her bed reading the newest book Henry brought over for her when her phone rang. Her face lit up when she saw who was calling her.

“Hello beautiful,” Hope answered.

“Hello to you too gorgeous,” a femmene voice replied.

“To what do I owe the pleasure of receiving your call, milady.”

A giggle came through her phone that warmed Hopes heart. “I just wanted to call and see what you were up to.”

“I’m just hanging out in my room. Henry brought over a new book for me.”

“Oh I’m sorry if I’m disturbing you from your reading.”

“Not at all. I’m sure it’s a fine book but I’d rather be talking to you.”

“Well aren’t you one smooth talker. I bet you can do more than just talk with that silver tongue of yours.”

Hope starts choking on her own spit.

Laughter once again rings her ears, “I’m only teasing. Your so cute when you get flustered.”

Hope clears her throat trying to regain her composure, though her cheeks still felt warm. “So uh what are you doing for Thanksgiving?”

“If this is your way of asking me to Thanksgiving dinner with your family, I accept.”

“No. I was-”

“I don’t think my family are dong anything they might be going to Grannies.”

“But I-”

“Don’t get me wrong I love Grannys. But it’s Thanksgiving your suppose to have a home cooked meal. Plus being able to finally meet-”

“I’M NOT INVITING YOU TO DINNER,” Hope all but yelled.

The silence that followed was deafening. Hope realizing what she did covered her mouth wishing she could take it back.

“Oh.”

Taking her hand away from her mouth Hope spoke, “I am so sorry. I didn’t mean to yell and I didn’t mean for it to sound like that. I would love for you to come over-”

“It’s okay. I get if its a just the family thing.”

“No its not- Its not that.”

“Okay so what is it?”

Hope squeezed her eyes shut as she prepared to say this next part, “I haven’t told my parents.”

“You haven’t told your parents what?”

“About us. That I have a girlfriend.”

“... Are you embarrassed by me?”

“No! No. This has nothing to do with you and everything to do with me.”

“I’m not following.”

The tears Hope was holding in began to fall, “I’m-I’m scared. I don’t know how they will react or-or if they will even accept me. I don’t want to hide you or our relationship but I also don’t want my parents to hate me.”

“Aww babe.”

Hope began crying more as panic set in, “What if they tell me I can’t see you anymore? Or-or they make me go to therapy? Or they kick me out?”

“Baby you don’t really think they would kick you out, do you?”

“I don’t know,” Hope sniffled, “My dad is over 300 years old so he’s really old fashioned. My mom doesn’t talk about stuff so I have no idea what my mom thinks. Trust me, there have been so many times I have almost told them. So many times I have wanted to tell them about my beautiful funny girlfriend but I’m so scared.”

“Hey hey its okay. I get it. Tell them when you feel comfortable and safe to. okay? I don’t want you to feel pressured.”

Hope wiped her nose before replying with a soft “okay.”

“So... I’m your beautiful funny girlfriend am I?”

The conversation turned back to light teasing. Both females blissfully unaware of the figure moving away from the door and heading back downstairs.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

THANKSGIVING

After a relaxing morning sipping on hot chocolate with cinnamon and watching the parade the Swan-Jones family split up. Emma getting the kitchen ready to be cooked in, Killian setting the table and Hope upstairs to change for dinner and wait for her grandparents and uncle to arrive.

“Hope!”

Hope her her father call for her from downstairs.

“Come down, love. Guests should be here any minute.”

Hope marches downstairs and heads to the kitchen to see if there’s anything she can help with. Thats when the table caught her eye. Her brows furrowed as she counted the place settings.

“I thought just grandma, grandpa and uncle Neil were coming over. Why are there so many plates?”

Just then the doorbell rang. Hope turned her head and watched as her father opened the door greeting their new arrivals.

“Lady Ruby. Lady Dorothy thank you for joining us today. Happy Thanksgiving.”

“Happy Thanksgiving Captain. Thank you for for inviting us.”

Hope quirked up an eyebrow, “Aunt Ruby?”

Ruby turned, her polite smile turning into a shit eating grin, “There’s my favorite lemur.”

Ruby quickly approached her niece wrapping her arms around her in a big hug. “It feels like forever since I’ve seen you. One of these day we are gonna go out just you and me.”

“What are you doing here? I thought Grannys was staying open.”

“Oh it is. Granny said she and the rest of the staff could handle it.”

“Ahem.”

Ruby finally released her niece stepping away so Hope could see the dark haired woman standing just a step behind her aunt.

“OH sorry babe. Hope I don’t think you two have met. This is Dorothy my signifcant other.”

Hopes eyes blown wide, she’s so in shock she nearly misses when Dorothy extends a hand to her.

“It’s nice to finally meet you Hope.”

Hope shakes herself out of it to grab the offered hand and shake it.

“Um yeah you too. So how long have you two been together?” she asks hesittantly.

“Um I think maybe a year or two before you were born.”

“WHAT?! How am I only hearing about this now?”

Ruby chuckles before offering an explanation, “Well unlike your parents or grandparents we don’t feel the need to be together all the time. Or to talk about our relationship. Dorothy is also very busy being in charge of the OZ section of Storybrooke and the munchkins that live there.”

Hope was at a lost for words, thankfully she didn’t need them as the couple excused themselves to go say hello to her mother. Not long after that her grandparents and uncle. Soon the house smelled of food and light chatter.

The door bell rang and a curious Hope answered. She opened the door to find two men standing now their porch. One had brown hair with green eyes and clean shaven, the other had brown eye with salt and pepper hair with matching beard. “Um, hi. Can I help you?”

“Sorry to disturb you. Does Captain Hook live here by any chance?” asked the bearded one.

Hope eyed the men before turning her head and calling for her father. When he saw who was at the door he greeted the men with a smile. “James! Thomas! Glad to see you two could make it. Come in please.”

Killian opened the door wider allowing the men to step through, closing the door behind them one they entered. Killian wrapped an arm around his daughter before introducing everyone.

“Hope I’d like you to meet some of my old crew mates.”

“Hi.” Hope gave both of them a small wave.

“This here is James,” he introduced the bearded man.

“Its a pleasure to meet you, Hope.”

Hope nodded giving him a polite smile.

“And this,” her father gestured to the clean shaven man, “is his partner Thomas.”

“Husband actually. After all these years we finally got hitched.”

“Well congrats gents. That’s marvelous. Come on let me get you both a drink and introduce you to everyone.” Killian droopped a kiss to his daughters hea before unwrapped his arm from around her leading the couple further into the house. Leaving Hope standing their stuck in her own head.

Two hours later the food is almost ready and everyone is starting to gather around the table when the door bell rings again.

“I got it,” Emma called. She came back a minute later with Alice and Robin in tow. “Look what the cat dragged in everyone.”

A chorus of greetings followed.

“Hi everyone. Sorry if we are late but we brought chocolate covered strawberries.”

“No worries at all foods almost done so take a seat,” Emma waved away their apology, taking the plate and placing it in the fridge to save for later.

“And don’t worry Alice. We are making a plate for your father so you can take to him. Robin we can make one for you mother too if you’d like,” David offered.

“Thank you,” Alice smiled.

“Yeah thanks. I think she would appreciate a little plate.” Robin replied.

As everyone settled at the table, Snow and David began to fill it with all the sides and dishes that were created. Hope took a moment to look around the table to all their guests. Seeing all the friendly faces, and feeling the warm atmosphere, in that instance she made up her mind.

Turning to her mother she asked, “Can I barrow the car?” Not bothering to wait for an answer as she put on her shoes and jacket.

Emma raised an eyebrow at her daughter. “And where are you going?”

“Theres someone missing,” She said as she closed the door behing her.

Twenty minutes later Hope is back but this time she is holding hands with a dark skinned girl.

“Mom. Dad. Everyone, this is Celine. My girlfriend.” Her voice trembled slighty when she spoke.

Squeezing Hopes hand in what she hoped was a comfortng way, Celine smiled and waved at evryone. “Hello. Its a pleasure to be here.”

The small silence was broken by the sound of Killian pushing his chair back. He approached the young girls stoping in front of them. He offered a gentle smile before reaching forward. “Thank you for joining us Celine. Its an honor to meet you.”

Hope let out a breath she wasn’t aware she was holding in, one lone tear escaped the corner of her eye sliding down her cheek.

“Please come sit we were just about to begin dinner.”

Dinner went on smoothly. Filled with friendly chatter and compliments of the wonderful food. After dinner Henry, Ella, and Lucy all made an appearance for games then dessert. After dessert people started to had home. When it was down to just her grandparents and uncle left, who always stay to help clean up, Hope approached her mother from behind. Wrapping her arms around her in a hug, Hope whispered a ‘thank you’ inot her mothers shoulder.

“You have nothing to thank me for. You should talk to your dad though. He was the one who insisted we invite evryone.” Emma dried off her hands before turning around and returning the hug.

“I don’t care who you date. As long as they treat you well and you are happy. No matter what you will always be my daughter and I will always love you.”

Once they let go Hope went to find her father which didnt take long. She found him sitting on the front step enjoying the calm night. She sat down next to him leaning against his arm and laying her head on his shoulder.

“How did you know?”

“I heard you on the talking phone earlier this week. I thought it best to show you evrything was alright then to tell you.” Killian looked at his daughter, “I am a 300 year old pirate there isn’t anything I haven’t seen before. I fought to hard for my happy ending to judge others on their own.”

Hope nodded understanding what her dad was trying to say.She cuddled into her father more whispering ‘I love you dad,’ into his neck.

Killian kissed the top of her head, “I love you too love. And nothing you do will ever change that.”

#ouat #once upon a time #Captain Swan #cs fanfic #cs ff #cs fan fiction #emma swan #killian jones #hope swan jones #cs holiday #CS Family

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according-to-the-laura · 2 years

Text

StackedNatural Day 48: 8x06, 15x04

StackedNatural Masterpost: [x]

November 7, 2021

8x06: Southern Comfort

Written by: Adam Glass

Directed by: Tim Andrew

Original air date: November 7, 2012

Plot Synopsis:

Sam and Dean team up with Garth, who has taken over Bobby's job, as they hunt down a Specter that's possessing innocent people who have a grudge against someone.

Features:

Garth is the new Bobby, murders over old wrongs, more Amelia flashbacks, Dean tries to kill Sam, Garth’s chill nature saves the day.

My Thoughts:

Garth my beloved! Garth is the most emotionally intelligent character in this entire show, not to mention the fact that he’s the best (only?) example of non-toxic masculinity. I’m a bit obsessed with how when he was introduced it was because they wanted to make fun of a guy who wasn’t a manly man and by the end of the series he and Cas are the only good dads and he’s got the life that Dean unironically wants for himself. Also, Garth is a better hunter because he hunts solo and he isn’t dead yet, and he has the lore knowledge to take over for Bobby.

Paralleling Amelia and Benny is so funny. How are we supposed to think of Benny if not as Dean’s dirty little secret Purgatory hookup? WHY ELSE WOULD THEY NAME THIS EPISODE SOUTHERN COMFORT?

I love when Sam has to interrogate milfs, and also love that the Amelia scene after they had sex comes right after so at first it looks like Sam hooked up with the milf. Also, he was kind of into her, or else visiting her wouldn’t have triggered an Amelia memory specifically of sex. Insane show for insane people.

The funniest thing to ever happen on this show is Dean smugly saying “we won” as he burns the bones of a confederate soldier.

Notable Lines:

“Bobby was gone. You two were MIA. It was a weird time. Somebody had to step in and take up the slack.”

“What's up with all the, uh, hillbilly hankies? These people know the Civil War's over, right?”

“Bobby belonged to all of us, Dean – not just you and Sam. Now, I'm just taking what he showed me and trying to do something with it. That's all!”

“It just seems like you and Dean are talking but nobody's listening to each other.”

“Benny has been more of a brother to me this past year than you've ever been! That's right. Cas let me down. You let me down. The only person that hasn't let me down is Benny.”

Laura’s (completely subjective) Episode Rating: 7.7

IMdB Rating: 8.0

15x04: Atomic Monsters

Written by: Davy Perez

Directed by: Jensen Ackles

Original air date: November 7, 2019

Plot Synopsis:

Sam and Dean investigate the mysterious death of a girl and the disappearance of another.

Features:

Sam’s nightmares, killed and kidnapped cheerleaders, parental protection, Chuck visits Becky, God’s shitty ending to his story.

My Thoughts:

It is so funny to watch an episode that is objectively very good but spending the entire time being SO mad about what it sets up and fails to follow through on. Like WHAT is going on here? Did Dabb and Singer even read this script before it went to production? What on earth did Davy say to get them to film those Chuck scenes?

Truly Davy Perez has our backs in this script so hard. He says actually the fans are not cringey, they’re creative and intelligent. Actually the leviathans were a stupid looking monster. Actually, the ending of this 15 year show should have been so much better. God, and by extension the writers, is a pathetic ex-boyfriend with nothing to offer.

The problem with season 15 is that it is so good right up until those last two episodes, and then it veers so hard off the road after Despair that it might as well be a different show entirely. I am SUCH a strong Chuck-won-truther and this episode is one of the strongest pieces of evidence for it.

I think Jackles did a great job directing this episode too, aside from the weird jumpy zoom in and outs that I have to imagine were partially the fault of the editors. The whole opening scene is really great, especially the bold lighting and extended fight sequences. I have to respect the man saying “I’m directing this scene and I am going to make myself look so hot that it will be unbearable”. And then the Jack parallels with Billy - he literally dies on his knees in the same position Jack was in during the season 14 finale.

Notable Lines:

“It’s feeling a little… thin? Low stakes? It’s fun to hear the boys’ voices, but a story is only as good as its villain, and these villains are just not feeling very… dangerous? Not to mention, there’s no classic rock. No one even mentions Cas. The climax is a little stale. Boys tied up again while we get the villain’s monologue, which, frankly, isn’t one of your best.”

“You don’t have children, do you? Because if you did, you would know, that to see your child in pain rips your heart out. And you’d know that you’d do anything. You’d die for them.” “Or kill for them.”

“It’s awful! Horrible. It’s hopeless. You can’t do this to the fans. What you did to Dean? What you did to Sam?”

Laura’s (completely subjective) Episode Rating: 9.3

IMdB Rating: 8.5

In Conclusion: Stacked says that Benny was an important part of Dean’s life and we need to acknowledge that.

<< Previous Day | Next Day >>

#Stackednatural #supernatural #spn #8x06 #Southern Comfort #15x04 #Atomic Monsters

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queen-scribbles · 3 years

Text

Double Special

SO. Remember the 3k-ish words of birthday fluff I wrote AJ in November? Yeah, Janine decided she was not going to be outdone. Annnnd since a) her birthday is Valentine’s Day and b) she’s dating FELIX HAUVILLE she got her wish. This is almost 6k, y’all, they wouldn’t shut up. :D

----

The hands that settled over Janine’s eyes would have caught her slightly more off-guard if their owner had managed to keep from snickering on his approach.

“Guess who-?” he whispered, and she smiled at the endearment he just managed to keep himself from including.

“Hmmm,” Janine mused in exaggerated thought. “Tina?”

His hands shook with his held back laughter. “Nope. Try again.”

She chuckled and tapped a finger against her chin. “Verda?”

“Uh-uh. C’mon, you’re supposed to be a detective,” he teased, breath whispering against the shell of her ear in a way that made her spine tingle.

Janine bit back a grin and pushed out of the chair, impressed when his hands stayed close over her eyes without throwing off her balance as she stood and stepped sideways so the chair wasn’t between them. “Oohhh. Mason?”

“Janine.”

She laughed as she spun on one heel and wrapped her arms around his neck. “Ah, Felix. Why didn’t you say so?”

Felix rolled his eyes and tried to pout, but couldn’t even hold it a full two seconds. It turned to a grin as his hands trailed down to settle on her waist. “Are you always so bad at guessing games, babe?”

“Only when I’m teasing,” Janine said with a wink, hands cupping his jaw to pull him in for a kiss.

Felix leaned into it, and they both gave soft moans as the gentle kiss went deeper and more passionate than she’d initially intended. “...Fireworks,” he murmured through his breathless grin when they parted. “Still like fireworks.”

She gave a breathless laugh of her own in agreement as she rested her forehead against his. “So, to what do I owe this lovely surprise?”

“Surprise? Janine, as you are aware”--a pointed glance at her candy heart-patterned dress and cheerful red cardigan-- “it’s Valentine’s Day.”

“So it is,” Janine smiled, her fingers rubbing lightly over the nape of his neck.

“Our first Valentine’s Day.” Felix emphasized, then leaned in for a quick kiss before continuing, “And also your birthday.”

She snorted a quiet laugh. “Every year, yes.”

“But the first one since we started dating. So are you really surprised I wanted to see you today?” He grinned playfully and kissed her forehead. “With it being all double special for us and everything, I thought maybe on such a special day, you’d want to spend part of it with me after being cooped up in your office wading through paperwork all day.”

“Hmm, that does sound appealing,” Janine said lightly. “Since today’s just the specialest of days. Did you have any ideas?”

“Eh, one or two,” Felix said, unmistakable mischief in his voice.

She grinned at the thought of what that mischief promised and stole another kiss. “Just let me save this report and turn off my computer and we can go.”

Felix let his hands slide from her hips so she could sit at her desk again, nearly bouncing in anticipation as he waited. Janine didn’t hold them up long; today had been the sort that dragged ridiculously, and she was all too happy putting it behind her. She finished the sentence she’d been working on when he walked in, saved the report, and grabbed her coat off the back of her chair as she stood.

“All set,” she confirmed when he looked at her expectantly. Felix was halfway across the station before she had her coat on. “All set but not as fast as you!” Janine called after him, catching Tina’s laugh and giving one of her own as she hurried after him.

“Sorry,” Felix said with a sheepish chuckle. “Just excited.”

“You two have fun!” Tina called after them as they exited the station, grinning in a way that made Janine think she knew something.

Maybe, she mused a few moments later, that something had to do with the gigantic white teddy bear stuffed in the passenger seat of her car. After a few seconds gaping at her stowaway, with a ribbon tied round its neck and I LUV U embroidered on one paw, she whirled around to face her once-again grinning boyfriend. “Felix, how-?”

“Tina knows where you keep you emergency key, babe,” he reminded her. “And loves helping with cheesy romantic stuff.”

“Ah, that’s why she was ten minutes late for her shift,” Janine said with a laugh, looking back at the bear, which barely fit in her car.

“Yeah, it was tougher getting him in there than I expected,” Felix admitted, looking briefly concerned at her expression. “Too much?”

Janine shook her head and laughed again as she leaned in to kiss him in reassurance. “No such thing, babe.”

The grin came back, his eyes sparkling. “Good to know.”

The lilt under the words had her peering more closely at the bear--it truly was huge--until she followed the ribbon around its neck to a large origami heart folded into an envelope. “Felix...” Janine fumbled out her keys and opened the car door to more closely inspect her new furry friend’s necklace. She bit back a smile as she pulled free the unicorn tucked inside the heart, this piece folded from pink and purple paisley paper. “Clever,” she chuckled, then saw the marker scrawl on the unicorn. Clue #1. She looked between the unicorn and Felix with a slowly growing grin of her own. “Clue... as in scavenger hunt?!”

“Uh-huh!” Felix nodded gleefully, rocking up on his toes. “I know how much you love them, and I was hoping you wouldn’t be too tired after work--”

Janine’s fingers sank into his scarf and dragged him in for another kiss, longer, deeper, warming her straight to her toes as it trapped her against the side of her car. “This is perfect.” You’re perfect. She wrapped an arm around his waist. “We should sit in the car, don’t you think, while I work out this clue of yours.”

Felix shivered as the wind picked up, shuffling closer to her for warmth. “The unicorn is the clue, there’s not more to it or anything.”

“Well, in that case...” There was only one strong unicorn-related memory that came to mind. “I’d rather drive to the carnival grounds than walk in this weather, wouldn’t you?”

The gleam in his eyes and quick kiss he brushed to her cheek said she’d guessed right.

This was going to be fun.

---

It took both of them to manhandle the giant bear into the backseat so Felix could sit up with her.

“When we’re all done with this adventure, you get to figure how we’re fitting that thing in my flat,” Janine said with a laugh as she started the car.

“Okay. Worst case you can keep it at the warehouse,” Felix pointed out with a grin.

“Sit it in my room for you to hug whenever you miss me?” she teased. “It’s almost as big as I am.”

He took the gentle ribbing with a grin. “I’d be hugging it all the time, but it’s nowhere near a good substitute for you.”

Her face warmed and she bit her lip, hands curling tighter on the wheel and gaze studiously on the surroundings as she pulled out of the space. “I’m flattered. Now, don’t distract the driver, or we might crash before we get there.”

“Wouldn’t want that,” Felix’s eyes twinkled mischievously. “I’ll behave.”

“There’s a first,” Janine couldn’t help but tease. She leaned over to kiss him on the cheek, then merged with the traffic--light as it was--to head for Hollow’s Peak.

It was a bit of a drive from the station, and they shifted between playful banter and idle chatter until Janine pulled into what served as a parking lot when the field was in use.

“So, how hard am I gonna have to look for the next clue?” she asked, shifting into park, excited but mildly daunted by the odds she could remember where the apple bobbing had been without tents or anything to use for reference.

“Oh you’re still at the beginning, babe,” Felix said. He grinned and waggled his eyebrows at her. “I wouldn’t make it too hard.”

“What a relief,” Janine said dramatically. She playfully tugged his hat down over his eyes, then stepped from the car. The warmth of his laughter faded into February chill and she shivered. Where would he leave a clue..? Hopefully she’d find it before she froze to death--

Janine grinned. The framework for the ticket booths was always there; a more permanent structure as they were needed by all who used the space for events. She headed that direction with surer steps.

Her guess proved correct. In the middle of the center booth’s counter sat a pale purple gift box tied with white and pink ribbon. Her grin widened even as the wind made her shiver again and she picked up the box. She retreated to the warmth of her car with it hugged to her chest.

Felix smirked as she scrambled into the driver’s seat and yanked the door closed behind her. “Little cold out there, babe?”

“Dunno, babe, what do you think?” she retorted, and slid one of her gloveless hands around the back of his neck under the scarf.

He yelped and jerked away with a laugh. “You’re terrible!”

“Oh, yes, absolutely awful,” Janine agreed cheerfully. “I can’t be totally irredeemable, though, or you wouldn’t like me.”

“Touché,” Felix said with a wink and tugged her closer by the front of her coat. “I do like you just a little” --he kissed her, a gentle peck on the lips-- “tiny” --another peck-- “bit.”

“Today on understatements of the century...” Janine murmured with a smile, pinning him against the car door for a deeper kiss. The gearshift was poking her, but she didn’t care.

Felix laughed, a little dazed. “Don’t you still need to open the box?” he murmured, their lips bare centimetres apart.

She took the hint and settled back in the driver’s seat to tug on one end of the ribbon. Inside the purple box sat a flat, square jewelry box--probably a necklace, she guessed from the shape--and a pair of origami cupcakes scrawled with Clue #2.

She opened the jewelry box, gasped, and nearly dropped it. It was a necklace. Nothing terribly fancy; a slender chain supporting a dark silver heart-shaped locket with an amethyst in the center. But it was beautiful, and so very her, and it was from him.

“Felix, I love it,” Janine said softly. She balanced the larger box on her knees so she could free the necklace and put it on. Her hands shook, just enough the clasp gave her trouble, and she let him help her “Thank you.” She smiled and caught his hand to give it a squeeze. “You’re really nailing this first Valentine’s Day thing, darling. Or is this birthday?”

“Oh, no, birthday will be separate but no less awesome,” Felix said, beaming at the compliment. “This whole hunt thing is Valentine’s, babe.”

Janine arched a brow and grinned as she rubbed the locket between her fingers. “Speaking of...” She turned her attention to the cupcakes. “First of all, these are adorable. Second...” She bit her lip in thought. There were a few possibilities on this one, but the strongest... “Haley’s?”

“Yep.” Felix smiled in relief. “I couldn’t find a good example for any other baked... thing, at least not that I could make, and I got tired of wasting paper--and time--so I just was hoping this would do the trick...”

“And it did,” Janine chuckled. She closed the jewelry box, tucked it back in the gift box with the origami, and dropped it in the backseat with her bear. “To Haley’s, then.”

---

Felix came with her for this one, trailing just a little as they stepped into the blissful warmth of Haley’s Bakery. Janine wondered if it was the more inviting atmosphere that caused the change, or just being bored of sitting in the car.

On second thought, maybe it was the two large mugs of hot chocolate Haley pushed across the counter toward them with a wink.

“Having a good Valentine’s, Janine?” she asked.

“Oh, the best,” Janine said, looping her arm through Felix’s as they each picked up a mug. “Thanks.”

“You’re very welcome,” Haley replied, darting an unsubtle look toward Felix as if to indicated where her gratitude should truly go. “Enjoy!”

“We will!” Felix winked, already tugging Janine toward the back of the cafe. “We need to warm up.”

Only a few of the tables were occupied, and she briefly wondered why they were headed toward the back--before she saw the large paper bag, emblazoned with Haley’s logo, sitting in the middle of one table, replacing the decorative flowers.

“You are such a keeper,” she whispered through a grin as she kissed him on the cheek, being careful not to spill the hot chocolate. “Not that there was any doubt.”

“Yeah, at this point, you’re pretty much stuck with me, babe,” Felix joked as they sat down.

“Good,” Janine replied, emphatically and without hesitation. She scooched her chair over until they could sit with shoulders pressed together while they drank the hot chocolate and thawed out. The first sip was deliciously warm, heady and rich, and she giggled.

“What?” Felix asked, arching a brow.

“You’ll be buzzing from this, darling,” Janine informed him, amused.��“I may have to tie you down.”

He waggled his eyebrows. “Fine by me.”

“Felix! Not like that!” But she was laughing as she slapped his arm. She turned to look over at the bag. “Someone’s gonna have to help me eat these if it’s half as full as it looks.”

“Have someone in mind?” Felix asked with a grin as he took a drink. “Yum. That is good.”

“Tina, of course.” God, it was hard to keep a straight face. “I have to stay on her good side in case I need her to cover for me sometime.”

Felix rolled his eyes, still grinning. “Oh, sure. Tina.”

Janine opened her mouth to retort, but got sidetracked by what was clipped to the folded over top of the bag.

A light orange origami mouse. Clue #3

She smiled as she slipped it free and cradled it in her palm. Another easy one, but, “Felix?”

“Yeah, babe?”

“How much time do we have for this scavenger hunt?” She ran her thumb over the mouse. “You’re supposed to have patrol soon, aren’t you?”

“Usually would, yeah.” He smiled in faux-innocence when she narrowed her eyes. “But I can be really persistent, and Mason hates being around me when I’m mopey.”

She tried for disapproval, but was laughing too hard. “Felix Hauville, you did not--”

Felix reached over and playfully covered her mouth with his hand. “We swapped, Janine. Now I’m doin’ the wee hours of the morning. I’m saving him from bitching about the cold.”

“You’re such a helper. Though I suppose this means no sleepover?” Janine asked coyly.

Felix laughed. “Not tonight. Maybe tomorrow?” He leaned over and kissed her cheek. “If I beg dramatically enough I can probably convince Natey to cover for me juuuuust once.”

She grinned at him over the rim of her mug. “Now who’s terrible?”

“Can’t be too bad; you still like me,” he said mischievously.

Janine laughed and kissed him, tasting the hot chocolate. “Perhaps just a tad,” she murmured as she lingered close.

“Today on understatements of the century...” Felix mumbled, eyes sparkling with mirth.

She laughed again, the reluctantly sat back to finish her hot chocolate. “Wonderful as this is, we probably shouldn’t dawdle or it’ll get dark.”

“True.” He swallowed a huge gulp of his hot chocolate and blinked at the sugar rush. “It’s definitely better for you to be able to see.”

“That does help with scavenger hunts,” Janine said, fighting a smile.

They finished, waved farewell to Haley on their way out the door, and Janine deposited the bag of pastries with her other gifts before heading back toward the police station,

---

She barely had to get out of the car for this one; the large box, dark pink and heart shaped, was propped conspicuously against the exterior wall. Janine retrieved the chocolates and hopped back in the waiting warmth of her car.

“Trying to fatten me up?” she joked, running a finger around the edge of the box and shooting Felix a grin.

“Hoping you’ll share,” he corrected with a matching grin, leaning in for a kiss. “With me.”

“Nice clarification,” Janine giggled. Not seeing any origami attached to the outside, she opened the box. Atop the waxy sheet protecting the chocolates sat a trio of flames, that--like the unicorn earlier--showed evidence of repeated folding attempts before they cooperated. She smiled at the mental image of him concentrating so hard on something for her as she mulled over where this clue might point. Her thumb absently brushed the Clue #4 as if it would make things click.

She was just about to admit being stumped when Felix grinned--”Maybe this’ll help”--and leaned in to kiss her, long and sweet and deep, then whispered, “Your heart’s racing.”

Click. Janine smiled, cupping the side of his jaw with one hand. “So’s yours.”

Still smiling, she handed him the box of chocolates and started driving for the warehouse.

---

They didn’t pass many people as they wound their way through hallways until they reached the living room, which was both odd--it wasn’t that late--and not--the warehouse was a big place. Janine glanced over at Felix as she reached for the door handle. The grin plastered across his face made her smile as well, undisguised glee and anticipation shining in his eyes. It was just so damn infectious, like every time he smiled.

She opened the door. “...Wow.”

“Is that a good wow? That’s a good wow, right?” Felix wiggled between her and the door frame to get into the room.

Catching the note of anxiety in his voice, Janine nodded, fingers curling around her necklace. “Yes, good wow. Slightly stunned,” she admitted with a laugh,” but very good wow.”

The vase sitting on the coffee table looked like it was straining to hold at least three dozen roses, most red, but a few accenting pink and lavender ones as well. The heady aroma was strong enough she was willing to bet Mason was grateful he had an excuse to not be in the same building, and the bouquet large enough she wasn’t sure she’d be able to carry it. “I love them, but Felix. Darling. How the hell are we fitting them in my car?” Even without the bear taking up so much space, it wouldn’t likely work.

He grinned, trepidation gone. “Oh, you don’t have to! They can go in your room here.”

She arched a brow. “And they aren’t going to bother you all?”

“No-” He sneezed. “We’ll be okay.”

“Are you sure?” Janine sidled closer, wrapping her arms around his neck as she leaned in. “I can take some of them home so the smell’s not as strong.” And Mason doesn’t kill you in your sleep.

Felix bit back his widening grin and pressed into their forehead touch. “If you really want to, you can. But they’ll look better all together, won’t they? And unless they’re magic, they won’t last forever, so we’ll survive.”

She took his word for it. “Alright, but I do want to take at least one...” She tipped her chin up to nuzzle her nose against his, then stepped away and approached the table. She tugged one of the vibrant red roses free, slipped the penknife from her pocket, and bit her lip in concentration as she cut off the stem short enough she could tuck it through her bun. “There.”

Felix leaned against the back of the couch, his gaze fixed on her and a smile pulling at his lips. “And here I thought you couldn’t get any prettier.”

Janine blushed, her answering smile so wide it hurt her face. “Thank you,” she said softly, turning away to look around the flowers for origami, if there was any.

And there was. Tucked between two pink roses on the side facing the fireplace, she found a light brown origami house, freckled with small blue dots. Clue #5

She freed it, studied it a moment, then, “Home?”

“Yeah,” Felix laughed, leaning so far over the couch he started to slide. “It was a tricky one to pick something for, and apparently origami doors are an actual thing that people have? I didn’t know that, so there were no this size patterns and I couldn’t do that, and house was the next best thing I could think of, so I went with that.” He caught himself and grinned. “And you figured it out pretty quick, so it must’ve been a good choice. And you’re just a good detective.”

“So, finally to my place, then?” Janine asked with a smirk, twirling the paper house between her fingers and slipping it in her pocket.

Felix matched her smirk as he straightened. “Finally to your place, babe.”

Her pace wending back out to the car had him trotting to keep up with a grin he didn’t even try to hide.

---

Felix made her stop at the bottom of the stairs. “Okay, wait. If it wasn’t so cold, we’d be doing this on the roof, like you did for me, but since it is, we’re just going to your apartment. Close your eyes.”

Janine chuckled as she acquiesced, holding out the hand not burdened by gift boxes. “You’ll have to get me there without tripping.”

He took her hand but didn’t move aside from his thumb rubbing over her knuckles. She cracked one eye and found him looking at her with shining eyes and a lopsided smile.

“What?” She asked with a laugh.

Felix shook his head and leaned in to give her a quick peck on the cheek. “Nothing. Eyes closed, or you’ll ruin the surprise.”

Janine obligingly shut her eye again, and this time he tugged her hand, gently guiding toward and up the steps. The hesitant pace made her glad they’d left the bear in the car for now. Juggling that would have made this even more complicated.

She knew the building well enough to not trip on the stairs, and was holding out her keys for Felix to take by the time they’d reached her apartment.

He laughed as he did--”You read my mind, babe”--and carefully guided her through the doorway. The floorboards creaked and she bit back a smile at the mental image of him bouncing in excitement too great to contain. “Okay, now you can open ‘em!”

Janine’s jaw dropped open not far behind her eyes. Her apartment had been transformed, or at least, the living room and kitchen. Strings of fairy lights lit the room, the occasional twinkle of purple or blue adding to the soft golden ambiance. A scattering of balloons--all brightly colored, most emblazoned with birthday messages--had drifted up to the ceiling, curled ribbons just barely in reach. The kitchen table was decorated with sparkly silver and gold confetti and another vase full of flowers, smaller than the rose bouquet at the warehouse, but varied. She could see lilies and violets, at the least, but she’d have to circle back for a closer look; her gaze was already on the cheerfully wrapped box--complete with a huge yellow bow--and scrumptious chocolate frosted cake.

“Now we do birthday,” Felix said with barely restrained glee after giving her a moment to take it all in.

Janine wheeled, shoving the door closed with one hand as she pinned Felix against the wall next to it. He was laughing as she kissed him, clearly pleased with himself and her reaction. Her hands curled into a tight grasp on his clothes, and she kept the kiss going until she started to feel lightheaded.

Felix gave a single breathless chuckle when she finally pulled away. “...Whoa,” he mumbled through his dazed grin.

Janine let out a breathlessly giddy laugh of her own.“Too much?”

He shook his head. “No such thing.” Stole a kiss. ”I’m glad you like it.”

“Felix...” A wave of overwhelming emotion rolled through her chest--He did this, all of this, for me--and she briefly rested her forehead against his shoulder before meeting his gaze again. “The Agency’s gonna revoke your expense account if you use it for spoiling me like this,” she teased, voice wobbling. She rested one hand against his jaw and traced his cheekbone with her thumb.

Felix chuckled, using one finger to swoop a loose lock of hair back behind her ear before tipping her chin up. “I mean. You’d be worth it.” He kissed her, and Janine shifted half a step back from the fervency of it.He smirked when he pulled back. “But between Nate’s expensive tastes, Mason’s cigarettes, and Adam’s bill for damages, I’ve been the easy one up til now,” he said, hands rubbing gently up and down her arms, “and you deserve someone to spoil you on your birthday.” Another kiss, his fingers digging into her hair, another ceded step. “And Valentine’s Day.” Another kiss, another step back, the arm of the couch pressed against the back of her knees. “And every day,” he finished, forehead resting against her temple, “because you’re just that amazing.”

Janine grinned, curling her hands lightly around his wrists. “So are you, love,” she whispered, leaning into him. They stood there a moment before the mood was broken by Janine’s stomach giving a very quiet gurgle and they both laughed.

“Sounds like we got back here just in time, babe,” Felix teased, kissing her temple as he eased back.

Janine rolled her eyes and swatted his arm as she bent to pick up the boxes she’d dropped when she backed him against the wall. She hastily tossed them on the couch as he caught her wrist to tug her toward the kitchen.

“You’re not planning on cake for dinner are you?” she teased right back. “Awesome as that might be...”

“Thought about it,” he returned with a lopsided smile, “ but nah. Dinner should be in the oven” --he peeked to be sure-- “to keep it warm.” He pulled out the chair from the one clear space, then grabbed a towel to pull whatever dinner was from the oven.

Janine sat, stomach giving a louder rumble at the delicious--and familiar--aroma that emerged with the food. She was grinning again--had she ever truly stopped since he showed up at her office?--when he placed the plate in front of her with a flourish. “Have I mentioned recently that you’re the best?”

Felix laughed and pulled out another chair for himself, plopping down so he faced her rather than the table. “I think so, but you can always say it again to be safe.”

She giggled, poked the chicken and shrimp alfredo with her fork. “Felix, you’re the best and I love you.”

His smile put the sun to shame. “Thanks, babe. It’s what you deserve.” He waggled his eyebrows playfully. “The cake’s strawberry, by the way. And because I love you, I didn’t make it myself.”

Janine arched a brow.

“Okay, I tried,” Felix admitted, scratching the back of his neck and grinning sheepishly. “Almost lit the warehouse on fire. After Adam finished scolding me--”

“Nate made it?” she guessed with a laugh.

“Yeah.” He wrinkled his nose, then the grin came back in full force. “But I did decorate it!”

Janine peered at the cake’s decoration; a large, uneven heart outlined and filled in pale pink and “Happy Birthday” that did indeed resemble his handwriting. “And you did an excellent job.”

“Only the best for you, babe,” he winked, but there was a sincerity under the words that made her breath catch.

On a hunch, she set down her fork and reached over to poke the side of the cake gently. The chocolate covering it gave but didn’t smear, and she gave a quiet gasp of delight. Fudge frosting!

Felix watched her experiment with a grin. “Pays to be friends with the one of us who actually likes to bake,” he joked, swiping a finger through the frosting and holding it out to her. “Want a preview, babe?”

Janine looked at him, then the frosting, and leaned forward to slowly lick his finger clean. She sat back, savoring both his expression and the chocolate taste. “So, any other accomplices, or just Nate?”

Felix blinked. “Huh? Oh, Tina helped me decorate here, and with a couple of the scavenger hunt steps. She seemed very smug, learning I have a key to your flat.”

“Let her be,” Janine laughed, well aware she’d be getting interrogated the next day. She took a bite of the alfredo, groaned softly in pleasure, and then tapped the wrapped gift. “And when can I open this?”

“Oh, whenever you want.” He rested his chin on his palm. “I just figured you would wanna eat first.”

He was right, to a point, But she was curious, so she only made it halfway through the meal, delicious as it was, before pushing the plate aside so she could reach for the box. The ribbon and paper both came away easily. Inside the shallow box was a framed picture.The frame was nice; dark wood with a curling silver overlay, but the picture was what made her chest ache and a smile catch her lips.

The two of them, sitting on her couch. Janine’s legs were curled up over Felix’s lap and they were snuggled close, her temple pressed to his cheek as they smiled wide at something off-camera. Felix’s expression was like joy captured on film, and she smiled as she brushed her fingers lightly over the glass.

“Tina again,” Felix volunteered. “She was showing it to me to tease we’re cute enough to make her doololly and I asked if I could have it. Y’know, a copy. Because, I mean, look at us.” He grinned. “We are cute.”

“The cutest,” Janine laughed. She set the picture down. She’d have to find somewhere good to display it. “Thank you, Felix, for everything.”

“You’re welcome,” he said brightly. “Oh, wait, there’s one more thing!” He twisted around to get in the pocket of his coat, hanging over the back of his chair, and carefully pulled something out. “Nothing special, just made me think of you when I saw it. This is everything.”

And he handed her the tiniest glass ballerina figurine she’d ever seen. It was tinted pink for the tutu and shoes, but clear otherwise.

“Felix...” Janine stared at it for a moment, completely lost for words. It was beautiful, delicate and charming, somehow conveying an air of grace despite its small size.

“Too much?” he asked, voice quiet and brow furrowed.

She shook her head and laughed “I told you, there’s no such thing..I love it,” she said softly, then cleared her throat and grinned at him as she gently sat the ballerina on the table. “And now that I’ve been drowned in affection and gifts, did you have any plans for the rest of our time?”

Felix grinned back and stole a kiss. “Watch movies and cuddle on your couch?”

Janine chuckled. “You read my mind.”

“With cake?” he hinted, still grinning.

“Oh, obviously.” She smirked, sliding one hand up his thigh for balance as she really leaned in for the next kiss. “Gotta have dessert.”

A few minutes later found them curled up close together on her couch, one fairly large slice of divine cake shared between them, as they started a movie. Janine took a bite of the cake and nearly groaned; it tasted every bit as good as it looked. She let Felix tug the plate toward him as she savored the taste, fingers absently toying with her necklace to occupy themselves.

Driven by belated curiosity, and not particularly interested in the movie’s opening credits, she flicked the locket open. Her brow furrowed in surprise. “It’s empty.”

Felix glanced over at her quiet confusion. “I wanted-” He finished chewing his mouthful of cake. “I wanted you to pick what you keep in there,” he explained, his hand not holding the cake plate rubbing arcs up and down her shin.

Janine smiled and clicked it closed again. “I’ll have to think on that.” She had some ideas, but would have to see if she could get decent quality pictures in the right size. “In the meantime...” She tugged the cake back.

Felix chuckled as he let go and settled his arm around her shoulders. “I don’t need any more. Just wanted a taste of the finished product.”

“Mm, can’t blame you,” Janine mumbled another bite. “I need to think of a good way to thank Nate; this is just ridiculously good. Are we sure he’s a vampire and not some kind of baking witch?”

“I’m gonna tell him you said that,” Felix laughed, pressing a kiss to her temple.

“Fine, just make sure you’re clear it’s a compliment,” Janine retorted, grinning.

That got them though the credits to the actual movie, so they quieted, settling in even more comfortably, their hands linked and resting in Felix’s lap as Janine balanced the plate on her knee while she finished off the cake. Despite what he’d said, she did share a couple more bites, which Felix didn’t refuse.

“You know what?” she murmured as she settled back in after scooting the empty plate onto an end table.

“Mm?” He turned to look at her rather than the screen.

“I didn’t do anything for you for Valentine’s.”

“Yes, you did,” Felix contradicted softly, even his smile more gentle. “You’ve spent time with me, and you let me spoil you.”

“Felix-”

“Janine.” He squeezed her hand. “Maybe in the future you can spoil me back, but for this one, our first one, I really wanted to show you what you mean to me.”

The light from the television accentuated the planes of his face, and the look in his eyes, and god, she wanted to kiss him. So she did. “Mission accomplished,” she murmured when she pulled back.

His smile was too much, too happy, too sweet, too smitten, and she kissed him again. And again.

And he laughed as he kissed her back and they spent a good twenty minutes not paying much attention to the movie. Only each other.

“We’re missing a good part,” she mumbled against his mouth.

“Pretty sure this is better,” Felix returned as his fingers dug into her hair, but it was only a minute or two more before they broke the kiss and returned to watching the movie.

Even with that excellent bit of sidetracking he’d done, Janine made a promise to herself as they settled back in, hearts racing and matching smiles on their faces. Next year, she was going to spoil him. Next year was his turn. He deserved it every bit as much as she did.

For now, though she was going to cuddle, watch a movie....

....and maybe steal just a few more kisses.

#queens fic #janine elder #felix hauville #the wayhaven chronicles #OH MY GOD Y'ALL THEY KILLED ME #janine/felix #otp: origame mice

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myonechicagoworld · 3 years

Text

CHICAGO FIRE – MERRY CHRISTMAS, ETC (S01E10)

[door slams]

Joe Cruz: [breathing heavily]

Where is he?

Where’s Leon?

Flaco: Where’s my money?

Joe Cruz: Okay, look… I have a grand, but…

[door opens]

Joe Cruz: Leon.

Flaco…

[door shuts]

Joe Cruz: Listen, man… I

Flaco: The deal was for ten grand, Joe.

Joe Cruz: I… I can make payments

Flaco: You know how this works. I give you a break, word gets out,

and everybody else wants a break. And I spend half my day

explaining to people why they ain’t gonna get one.

So no breaks.

Do you have the money or not?

Joe Cruz: No, I don’t.

[gun clocking]

Joe Cruz: No!

[door slams]

Joe Cruz: [panting]

Kelly Severide: Hey, yeah… is, uh, Renee Royce there?

[chuckling] Leave…uh, leave what?

Word? Uh, yeah, sure.

Yeah, go for it. Leave word. Thanks.

cutscene

Peter Mills: Good morning, ladies.

Leslie Shay: Peter Mills, it’s the saddest thing. Christmas lights at

the north gate got blown down.

Peter Mills: What? We are gonna have to do something about that.

Leslie Shay: The fireman that saved Christmas.

Peter Mills: Mm.

Gabby Dawson: [laughs]

You think if I asked him to my cousin’s Christmas

party, he might take it the wrong way?

Leslie Shay: Family functions are usually reserved for serious

suitors, so shouldn’t you be asking Casey?

Gabby Dawson: [clears throat] I just need a date so that my cousin

doesn’t make any more comments about how I’m

gonna die alone.

Leslie Shay: So you afraid Casey will say no?

Gabby Dawson: Bitch, please.

Peter Mills: Hey, hey, Cruz, you give me a hand here?

Joe Cruz: In a minute.

Peter Mills: Okay.

Joe Cruz: You said ten minutes.

Leon Cruz: Yo, I don’t even want to be here. Why you calling me?

Joe Cruz: Come on inside.

Leon Cruz: What? So a bunch of fat firemen can make jokes about

my face?

Joe Cruz: Look, this is a daily police bulletin. We get one of these

every day.

Leon Cruz: That’s what ‘daily’ usually means.

Joe Cruz: “Expect increased violence in neighbourhood of

Humboldt Park due to an escalating gang conflict.”

Leon, this is some serious business you’re getting

wrapped up in. I don’t know how else to say it, man,

I’m worried about you.

Leon Cruz: Then pay Flaco his buyout and be done with it. Oh, but

you don’t got ten grand, right? So why are we still

talking?

Look, just keep your nose out of my business before

you get my ass kicked again.

Joe Cruz: Leon, man.

Leon!

[grunts]

[station alarm buzzes and blares]

(Over PA): Shift 51, Truck 81, Ambulance 61.

[indistinct radio chatter]

Lady 1: I was deep-frying eggplant. I turned my back for a minute

and there were flames everywhere. I… I tried to beat it out

with a towel, I just…[continues indistinctly]

Matt Casey: Let these two take care of that hand.

Chief Boden: (into radio) Truck 81 is on the scene.

[smoke alarm beeping]

Christopher Herrmann: Aah… turn off that smoke detector.

[fire extinguisher spraying]

Matt Casey: All right, let’s do a quick walk-through, open some

windows, get this place vented.

[beeping stops]

Mouch: Holy moly. These folks must be the 1% I keep hearing

about.

Otis Zvonecek: Oh, you guys! This priceless piece of artwork has

been destroyed.

Oh, wait. Nevermind. It’s supposed to look like that.

Mouch: [chuckles]

Gabby Dawson: All right?

Lady 1: Thank you.

Matt Casey: Probably need a new countertop, but everything else is

okay.

Lady 1: Oh my God, thank you.

[kissing sound]

Lady 1: Thank you so much.

(Over radio): Truck 81, are you available to assist at a pin-in

accident?

Matt Casey: (into radio) Truck 81 responding.

Pack her up. We got another call.

[siren blares]

[horn honks]

Lady 1: Come back! Somebody stop them!

Chief Boden: Ma’am, what’s the problem?

Lady 1: My diamond necklace was sitting right there on my dresser,

and now it’s gone. And one of those firemen took it.

[siren fading]

- Title -

Christopher Herrmann: [groans]

Matt Casey: What’s the matter, Herrmann?

[truck door shuts]

Man 1: Matthew Casey. How about that?

Matt Casey: What are you doing here, Griffin?

Man 1 (Ted Griffin): I’m with Internal Affairs Division now.

Christopher Herrmann: What’s the IAD doing here?

Otis Zvonecek: CPD too.

Matt Casey: What the hell’s going on?

Man 1 (Ted Griffin): A woman on Green Street said somebody

walked off with her diamond necklace.

Mouch: What?

Otis Zvonecek: [grunts]

Matt Casey: This is a joke, right?

Man 2 (Detective): No joke, Lieutenant.

Matt Casey: My men aren’t thieves.

Man 2 (Detective): All the same. We’re talking about a 50,000 dollar

piece of jewellery.

Man 1 (Ted Griffin): That’s a class 2 felony.

Chief Boden: Casey, the police need to take statements from you

and the men.

Man 1 (Ted Griffin): And I’m gonna need you to fill out a form too.

Basic stuff… where you worked in the fire,

who you worked with, if you saw the missing

item or anything else at all suspicious.

Matt Casey: Can I have a minute?

Truck Firefighter: Man…

Chief Boden: I know what you’re gonna say.

Matt Casey: On my best day, I’d have to fight the urge to choke that

guy out. Today’s not my best day.

Chief Boden: The possible theft of a 50,000 dollar necklace

supersedes any concerns about your personal

feelings toward Ted Griffin.

Matt Casey: Chief, you know as well as I do, none of my men took

that necklace.

Chief Boden: I hope not, ‘cause I don’t want to see any of them

lose their job and face criminal charges. And I don’t

want to see their Lieutenant get a black mark on his

record, so let’s just play this one by the book.

Matt Casey: [exhales]

Chief Boden: Good.

cutscene

Kelly Severide: Yeah, stop right here.

Squad Firefighters: Go ahead, lover boy.

Yeah, go break her heart, huh?

[squad door shuts]

Squad Firefighter: Never thought I’d see the day.

[chuckling]

[knocks on door]

Kelly Severide: Uh, hey. Um, does Renee Royce live here?

Man 3 (Renee’s Assistant): [scoffs] Renee, there’s a fireman here

for you.

Renee Royce: Excuse me, gentlemen.

Thanks, Ray.

Hi.

Kelly Severide: Uh, don’t mean to interrupt. Um, I know you said

you worked from home on Fridays, and uh…

Renee Royce: And you just pictured me all alone answering emails

in my underwear?

Kelly Severide: Well, I am now.

Renee Royce: Mmhmm.

Wow, these are, um, gorgeous. Thank you.

Kelly Severide: How about dinner tomorrow night? No interruptions

this time, I promise.

Renee Royce: Okay. All right.

Kelly Severide: Okay.

Renee Royce: Okay.

Kelly Severide: I’ll see you then, Royce.

Renee Royce: Okay, Severide.

cutscene

Gabby Dawson: [chuckles] Wait, so what exactly do you have

against Mills?

Leslie Shay: Not a thing. He’s adorable. He’s like a harmless little

puppy dog.

Gabby Dawson: Yeah, a puppy dog with a little wolf blood in him.

[chuckling]

Gabby Dawson: Hey, what’s up, Chief?

Leslie Shay: Hey, Chief [clears throat]

Chief Boden: Sit.

Leslie Shay: Uh, Chief, is this about the diamond necklace Dawson

stole at the residence…

Gabby Dawson: Hey.

Chief Boden: Someone from another shift apparently just told your

field chief that sometime in November, four units of

Toradol went missing from your rig during your shift.

Gabby Dawson: What?

Leslie Shay: Hm?

Gabby Dawson: Who’s saying this? I bet you it was Lowell.

Chief Boden: Don’t you worry about who said it.

Gabby Dawson: And why are they waiting till now to say anything?

Chief Boden: That’s probably because they heard IAD is sniffing

around our house. They want to cast the blame if

any more narcotics turned up missing.

Gabby Dawson: You know some junkie probably stole it off the rig

when we were busy saving his friend.

Chief Boden: That may be so. But it’s on you, Dawson.

So the two of you knock your heads together,

get back to me with your official version about what

happened by the end of the shift.

Gabby Dawson: Yeah, we’ll figure it out, Chief.

Chief Boden: You better.

Leslie Shay: [exhales] Thanks.

Chief Boden: You’re welcome.

cutscene

Peter Mills: We saved this lady’s house. Where does she come off

accusing us of stealing…

Mouch: It’s not like it’s without precedent. Back in the day, I worked

with Pat “The Pinch” Osbourne. Had fingers like flypaper.

The roof could be caving in on us, and Pat would take a

moment to rescue the silverware.

Peter Mills: So… what’s the deal with the Lieutenant and the guy

from IAD?

Christopher Herrmann: Uh, eh, bad history. They went through the

academy together.

And… there was an incident.

Peter Mills: What kind of incident?

Mouch: The kind that ends with Griffin getting his face punched in.

Peter Mills: Wait, why… why did the Lieutenant hit him?

Mouch: He was talking trash about Casey’s family.

Um, but, see… we don’t talk about that.

Otis Zvonecek: Whoa, whoa, whoa, guys, here we go. Here we go.

Hey, Lieutenant. Lieutenant, check this out.

The people with all the artwork… Sandra and uh,

Richard Vaughn… they’re selling their entire art

collection at auction.

Matt Casey: I already finished my Christmas shopping.

Otis Zvonecek: No, no, no, no. Think about it. You don’t sell your

art collection. Your children sell your art collection

after you die, or… you sell it if you need the

money.

Matt Casey: Otis, I have things to do.

Otis Zvonecek: The… the diamond necklace, it’s an insurance

scam.

Matt Casey: So this woman nearly burned down her home in some

elaborate scheme to get firefighters in there so she

could accuse…

Otis Zvonecek: No.

Matt Casey: ‘em of stealing a necklace?

Otis Zvonecek: She didn’t set the fire. But when it happened,

she saw an opportunity to cash in.

Matt Casey: Yeah. You should write that down.

Otis Zvonecek: [sighs] Okay, I will.

cutscene

Christopher Herrmann: All right.

Gabby Dawson: Shay, your ride’s here.

Christopher Herrmann: There you go. Thanks.

Otis Zvonecek: Great.

Christopher Herrmann: Yeah.

Gabby Dawson: [chuckles] You going to the prom, Herrmann?

Christopher Herrmann: Hey, this is the flagship for Caesar

limousine.

Your chariot awaits, ma’am.

Gabby Dawson: Ooh.

Christopher Herrmann: This guy, he’s liquidating his company.

I can only afford one vehicle to start,

but I figure I roll the profits of this one

into the next, and then the next,

and before you know it, I have a

whole fleet.

Airport runs, weddings, prom season.

Otis Zvonecek: Really, Herrmann?

Christopher Herrmann: Hey… I was smart enough to bring my own

mechanic to the negotiations. Severide got

the guy to knock 1,500 dollars off

the price.

Kelly Severide: You’re gonna have to spend some of that money to

fix this charging issue. And you definitely need to

replace the timing belt.

cutscene

Leslie Shay: And I thought I replaced every vial I gave you, but I

must have lost count.

Kelly Severide: Hey. How can they bust you for something that

somebody said happened a month ago?

It’s their word against yours.

Leslie Shay: If it were my ass on the line, I’d put up a fight.

But Dawson’s the PIC. It’s her ass on the line.

Kelly Severide: Well, I don’t know what to tell you.

Leslie Shay: No, you’re right.

It’s not your problem. You got what you needed.

Kelly Severide: That… Shay.

[station alarm buzzes]

Kelly Severide: Shay.

[station alarm blares]

(Over PA): Ambulance 61, Truck 81. Gunshot victim,

67 North Avenue.

Matt Casey: Capp, move this thing, will you?

Capp: You got it.

[engine sputtering]

Christopher Herrmann: Oh, please, please start.

[engine starts]

Christopher Herrmann: Yes!

(Over PA): Be advised. Reports of multiple gunshot victims,

Humboldt Park.

Matt Casey: Humboldt Park. As predicted.

[truck engine starts]

[door shuts]

[siren wails]

[truck door shuts]

Matt Casey: Everybody back up. Give ‘em some room.

Gabby Dawson: Hey, Shay, let’s get a “C” collar on her. Get her in

the back of the ambo and start an IV.

Matt Casey: Is this the one?

Police Officer: The other two are DOA. It was a drive-by vehicle to

vehicle. Girl was hit by a stray. Shooters are long

gone.

Matt Casey: Check these two, just in case.

Joe Cruz: I’m on it, Lieutenant.

Gang Unit Detective: What colour was it? The car, what colour?

Was it an SUV, a Sedan… what? Hey,

come on, man, my partner heard you say

you saw the other car.

Man 4 (Eyewitness): Not really. I mean, it all happened so fast, man.

[music playing from car]

cutscene

Leon Cruz: Yo.

Joe Cruz: Yo? Leon, I left you like four messages.

Leon Cruz: Busy day.

Joe Cruz: Yeah, no kidding. We just got a call on a drive by on

Augusta and Pulaski, and your boy Flaco was

behind it.

Leon Cruz: Yo, can I call you later?

Joe Cruz: Are you with him right now?

Leon Cruz: Mmhmm.

Joe Cruz: It don’t matter. I’m gonna do the talking.

There’s gonna be retaliation, Leon, and I know you know

that. You gotta put some daylight between you and

Flaco.

[locker door shuts]

Joe Cruz: Listen, Leon… I know you think you don’t got a way out

of this life, but you do. I can help you. Not… not right

this minute, but I can help you get out. Just say the

word. You want my help, just say so.

Leon Cruz: So.

cutscene

Leslie Shay: There you go, sweetie. Get in there. Have a seat.

You’re gonna catch a cold out here.

Gabby Dawson: [sighs] Okay, James, I’m gonna take your blood

pressure. Is that okay?

Man 5 (James): Will it hurt?

Gabby Dawson: I do it every time, and you always ask me if it’s

gonna hurt.

Man 5 (James): You never know.

Gabby Dawson: I don’t know, it’s just too soon to ask Casey.

This isn’t the first time his relationship with

Hallie flatlined. And if it somehow gets revived

again, and she finds out that I asked him on a

date…

Leslie Shay: Won’t you regret it if you don’t ask him, though?

Gabby Dawson: [sighs] It’s gotta be Mills. He’s just the more

appropriate choice.

Leslie Shay: I guess you’re right.

Oh, for your dress, there’s this new shop on Damen.

Gabby Dawson: No way. I sprained my credit card Christmas

shopping. I’ll just recycle something.

Oh, 110 over 60! James… you’re like a triathlete.

Leslie Shay: You’re good to go, sweetie. We’ll take you in and get

you your meds, okay?

Gabby Dawson: Oh, James, that reminds me. Did you steal any

Toradol from us last month?

I’m totally kidding [laughs]

cutscene

Gabby Dawson: Hey, give me a minute.

Quick question [clears throat]

Saturday… what are you doing?

Matt Casey: Depends. What do you got?

Gabby Dawson: Um, my cousin, the poster child for better homes &

gardens, throws this really super fancy Christmas

party every year. There’s a string quartet, plum

pudding, nutmeg sprinkled on the eggnog. It’s so

perfect you want to vomit.

Matt Casey: Sounds awesome. And you need a date?

Gabby Dawson: Yeah. I mean, I just need a friend to bring along,

really.

Matt Casey: Oh. Then maybe you should ask Mouch.

If you’re up for a date, tell me what time to pick you

up.

Gabby Dawson: 7 o’clock?

Matt Casey: Great.

Gabby Dawson: [whispers] Yeah, I need a new dress.

cutscene

Christopher Herrmann: Chief, are you just gonna let these pretend

cops violate our civil rights?

Otis Zvonecek: Yeah, don’t they need to show us a warrant or

something?

Chief Boden: They are well within their authority to search firehouse

property.

Peter Mills: Even our personal lockers?

Man 1 (Ted Griffin): You mean the department’s lockers?

Besides, it shouldn’t bother you if you’re not

hiding something.

Matt Casey: Griffin, can I have a moment with you?

Chief Boden: Locker room, guys. Come on.

Man 1 (Ted Griffin): What? You want to punch me again?

Matt Casey: When’s the last time IAD searched an entire house?

Man 1 (Ted Griffin): A firefighter stole a 50,000 dollar necklace,

and it’s my job to find out who. But don’t

blame me if you suddenly regret assaulting

a fellow classmate.

Matt Casey: Regret it? I’m glad I did it. You weren’t the first idiot to

make a crack about my family. You’re the last.

No one’s brought it up again since I laid your ass out.

Man 1 (Ted Griffin): Sucker punched.

Matt Casey: You saw it coming.

Man 1 (Ted Griffin): The only ones who saw it were your buddies.

None of whom had the integrity to say what

really happened.

By the way… how is your mom?

Chief Boden: Hey! Hey!

Man 1 (Ted Griffin): Whoa, whoa, whoa. Casey blood sure runs hot,

don’t it?

Chief Boden: Do your job.

cutscene

Leslie Shay: Remember that one call we went on at D and

University?

Gabby Dawson: Which one?

Leslie Shay: We got a block away, and we realised the jump bag

was sitting on the curb. I think that’s when the vials

went missing.

Damn girl, you wear that dress, I’ll be your date.

Gabby Dawson: I don’t know. I feel kind of naked.

Leslie Shay: It’s perfect.

Excuse me. Ring this up.

Gabby Dawson: Oh, no, um, I need to think about this one for a

minute. Thank you.

Is everything okay?

Leslie Shay: Yeah. Why?

Gabby Dawson: You seem more worked up over this Toradol thing

than I am.

Leslie Shay: No, I’m not worried.

(Over radio): Ambo 61, what is your location?

Leslie Shay: (into radio) Ambulance 61. We’re at Armitage and

Damen.

(Over radio): Take in a working fire. 1100 block North Hamlin.

Gabby Dawson: Okay, I’ll take the other one.

[station alarm buzzes & blares]

(Over PA): Engine 51, Truck 81…

[cheering]

Matt Casey: Let’s go.

(Over PA): Squad 3, Battalion 25, Ambulance 61. House fire,

1100 block…

Man 1 (Ted Griffin): This house was supposed to be taken out of

service.

Chief Boden: You never made that request. So now you guys are

gonna have to sit tight…

[locker door shuts]

Chief Boden: Until these men get back.

[engine starts]

Otis Zvonecek: That address is Humboldt Park again, isn’t it?

[sirens blaring]

Chief Boden: This is Battalion Chief Boden at 1140 of North Hamlin.

Police Officer: We responded to a call of a gang shooting into the

building. They torched it and fled before we got

here.

Chief Boden: Who’s inside? Another gang? Any civilians?

Police Officer: You know as much as I do.

Chief Boden: Could be gang members inside. I count six

mailboxes. That fire has reached the structure.

Victim 1: Help me!

Matt Casey: Mouch, Otis, on the aerial. Get ready to vent the roof.

Herrmann, Mills, Cruz, with me.

Chief Boden: Be careful.

[siren wailing and comes to a stop]

[gunshots]

Firefighter: Get clear! Get clear!

Matt Casey: I got you, Herrmann.

Christopher Herrmann: [grunts]

Chief Boden: (into radio) This is the Chicago Fire Department.

Lay down your weapons. We are trying to help you!

[gunshots]

Chief Boden: Cruz!

Joe Cruz: [speaking Spanish]

We’re not police. You’re gonna die if you stay in there.

Let us help you!

I’m coming in.

Matt Casey: Cruz!

Joe Cruz: Don’t shoot!

[door breaking]

Joe Cruz: [speaking Spanish]

Chief Boden: Cruz!

Joe Cruz: [speaking Spanish] Don’t shoot!

You the Kings?

Insane Kings. I’m Leon’s brother. Where is he?

Where is he? Where is he?

Christopher Herrmann: That’s the shooter. Get over here,

you punk. Take a look at him.

Joe Cruz: Hey, we’re in! Let’s go!

Matt Casey: Take the infrared. Mills, catch up with Cruz.

Herrmann… you okay?

Christopher Herrmann: I’m gonna crack one of those punks upside

their head.

Matt Casey: No. You’re gonna sit this one out.

Severide.

Kelly Severide: Let’s go.

[ladder raising]

Joe Cruz: Here you go. Put your arm around me.

You’re doing fine. Keep going.

Come on, just take it easy. You’re almost there.

All right, here we go.

Hey, somebody take this guy.

Christopher Herrmann: We got him.

We got you.

Shay!

Gabby Dawson: We got you, sir. Here you go.

[chatter on police radio]

Victim 3: [coughing] Help us! [coughing] Help up!

Chief Boden: (into radio) We got a woman and a kid on the second

floor. Front, center.

Matt Casey: (into radio) We’ll get ‘em.

Victim 3: Help us.

Kelly Severide: Fire department! Call out!

Victim 3: Help!

[coughing] Help us!

[coughing]

Matt Casey: Let’s go.

Victim 3: [coughs] My little one. I don’t know where he is.

Matt Casey: Severide’ll find him, but we need to go.

Victim 3: You don’t understand, I need to find him.

Matt Casey: Ma’am, we need to go right now.

Victim 3: Marco!

[doors breaking]

Peter Mills: Hello! Anybody in here?

Joe Cruz: Anybody in here?

All clear.

Peter Mills: Clear!

Matt Casey: Come on. Come on, buddy.

Victim 3: Please.

Matt Casey: We’re gonna find him.

Victim 3: [coughing] Marco! Marco!

Matt Casey: Ma’am!

Kelly Severide: I got him!

Joe Cruz: Get this guy out of here!

Peter Mills: Cruz, hold up. I’ll be back!

Come on, buddy. Up. I got you.

[knocks on door]

Joe Cruz: Fire department! Clear the door!

Anybody in here? Call out!

Victim 4: [coughing]

Peter Mills: Come on.

Victim 3: [coughing]

Chief Boden: Got two minors, smoke inhalation. Get ‘em to the

ambos.

Christopher Herrmann: Let’s go.

Chief Boden: What do we got?

Kelly Severide: First and second floor are clear.

Victim 5: My leg!

Peter Mills: Watch your step here.

Victim 5: [groaning and grunting]

Matt Casey: Mills.

Peter Mills: Yeah?

Matt Casey: Where’s Cruz?

Peter Mills: He’s still up there.

Joe Cruz: (over radio) This is Cruz on (into radio) three. All clear.

Headed up to four now.

Matt Casey: (into radio) Cruz, wait for me. I’m coming up.

[infrared beeping]

[bangs on door]

Joe Cruz: Move away from the door.

[grunts]

Fire department! Call out!

Victim 6: [coughing]

Joe Cruz: Leon!

Victim 6: [coughing]

Joe Cruz: Leon!

Victim 6 (Flaco): [coughing]

Thank God. Joe… help me…

[coughing & wheezing] Help me!

[coughing] Please!

[coughing] Please! Help…

[wheezing] Joe!

[door shuts]

Joe Cruz: (into radio) This is Cruz up top. All clear.

cutscene

Chief Boden: [exhales] Hell of a job you did out there, Joe.

Hey… we missed one.

Don’t beat yourself up about it. If you hadn’t gotten us

through that gauntlet, we might have missed them all.

Otis Zvonecek: Casey. Hey, you’re not gonna believe this.

So I ordered a background check on Sandra and

Richard Vaughn…

Matt Casey: Otis I don’t…

Otis Zvonecek: And they are leveraged up to their eyeballs. It’s one

judgement after the next. They… They’re staving

off bankruptcy. They’re in financial ruin. And

Mr. Vaughn… investigated twice for wire fraud.

236 subscribers are gonna hear about this on my

next podcast.

Man 1 (Ted Griffin): Well, Lieutenant Casey. Four hour call, huh?

That was… pretty convenient.

Matt Casey: It’s insurance fraud. The woman with the diamonds?

They’re broke.

Man 1 (Ted Griffin): What do you do off-shift, drive around in a van

solving mysteries?

[door shuts]

Matt Casey: Ugh.

[knocks on door]

Man 1 (Ted Griffin): Lieutenant Casey. You’re up.

Matt Casey: What is it you’re hoping for, Griffin?

Man 1 (Ted Griffin): Toss the room. Search him.

Matt Casey: Seriously? Come on.

It’s all yours.

cutscene

Leslie Shay: It was extremely careless on our part. You leave a bag

of full medication on a curb at a college campus,

you’re asking for trouble.

Chief Boden: And you are gonna be so much more careful in the

future, right?

Leslie Shay: Yes, sir.

Gabby Dawson: Absolutely, Chief.

Chief Boden: Hmm. Okay.

Just write down what you told me. Don’t sign

anywhere until you bring these back, because I

have to witness your signatures. If you would

like Mouch to go over it with you as your union

representative, you do have that right.

Gabby Dawson: You want us to sign it in blood, or will blue ink

suffice?

Chief Boden: Don’t you drag your heels now.

Gabby Dawson: No, we’ll get it right back to you, Chief.

Chief Boden: Shay… one moment.

Leslie Shay: What is it, Chief?

Chief Boden: Nothing. Go on.

cutscene

[R&B music playing]

[panting, kissing sounds & moaning]

Renee Royce: Skinny margaritas.

Kelly Severide: What?

Renee Royce: Skinny on the calories, not the alcohol.

Kelly Severide: Ah! Ahh.

You have a really nice place.

Renee Royce: Mmm, thank you.

Kelly Severide: Guess it pays to work in… foreign financial…

Renee Royce: International finance law. Yes, it does. But I want to

hear about you and how you fight fires every day.

Kelly Severide: It’s not every day. On 24, off 48.

Renee Royce: Oh yeah?

Kelly Severide: Yeah.

Renee Royce: I didn’t know that.

Kelly Severide: Uh, huh.

Renee Royce: And then what do you like to do on your off days?

Kelly Severide: I repair boats up near Monroe Harbour.

Renee Royce: Um, do you go out to the lake much?

Kelly Severide: Yeah, more in the summers, but…

Renee Royce: Mmm. I haven’t been out in a while

Kelly Severide: I’ll take you some time.

Renee Royce: Oh, will you now?

Kelly Severide: Any time you want, Royce. Just say the word.

Renee Royce: Hmm.

Kelly Severide: What?

Renee Royce: Who was she?

Kelly Severide: What do you mean?

Renee Royce: The Renee that ruined my name.

Kelly Severide: She was my fiancée.

cutscene

[car door shuts]

[knocks on door]

Matt Casey: Evening, ma’am.

Lady 1 (Sandra Vaughn): Can I help you?

Matt Casey: I just wanted to apologise on behalf of Truck 81 for

your missing item, and to let you know we’re going

to get to the bottom of it.

Lady 1 (Sandra Vaughn): Well, I should hope so.

Matt Casey: This is a thermal imaging camera. It’s a really great

piece of technology. It helps us see through the

thickest smoke.

Lady 1 (Sandra Vaughn): Okay.

Matt Casey: We all carry them, and we leave them recording the

whole time we’re on a call. And actually I’m on my

way to drop all our cameras off with the police so

they can review the footage, and see exactly what

happened the entire time my men and I were inside

your home.

So don’t worry.

Lady 1 (Sandra Vaughn): Okay. Is that it?

Matt Casey: Yeah.

Lady 1 (Sandra Vaughn): Great. So maybe you should leave now.

[door shuts]

cutscene

[locker opening and things falling out]

Man 1 (Ted Griffin): Son, you’re a slob.

Man 6 (Man in uniform): Got something.

Man 1 (Ted Griffin): Oh yeah. Oh boy. Gimme that. Gimme that.

Oh, false alarm. Just an adorable pair of kitty

cat cufflinks.

Mouch: It’s the maneki-neko, a Japanese good luck charm.

And those were a Christmas gift if you don’t mind.

Man 1 (Ted Griffin): Hey, domo arigato, Mr. Roboto.

Mouch: That doesn’t even make sense.

Man 1 (Ted Griffin): Chief Boden, have you been able to locate

Lieutenant Casey?

Matt Casey: I’m right here.

[cell phone rings]

Man 1 (Ted Griffin): Griffin.

Is that a fact?

That’s very interesting.

No, thank you.

The diamonds slipped down into a heat

found ‘em.

Mouch: You gotta be kidding me.

Christopher Herrmann: What a surprise.

Man 1 (Ted Griffin): Less paperwork for me. Hallelujah. Let’s go.

Do say hi to your mom for me.

Matt Casey: Door’s that way.

[door shuts]

Christopher Herrmann: All right… so what’d you do?

Matt Casey: Nothing. I just told her we recorded the whole thing on

our thermal cameras, you know.

Christopher Herrmann: Yeaahhh…

Peter Mills: Wait, thermal cameras don’t record.

Christopher Herrmann: [gasps]

Peter Mills: Oh. That’s good.

Christopher Herrmann: Ooh.

Capp: Casey, you have a visitor in the briefing room.

Matt Casey: Chris. This is a nice surprise. Merry Christmas.

[kissing sound]

Christie: Yeah, Matt. Merry Christmas.

Almost done shopping [chuckles]

I couldn’t remember if you’re a large or extra large,

but there’s a gift receipt in there.

Matt Casey: Oh. That’s really sweet. Thank you.

Christie: Since we saw you at the cemetery… Violet’s been pretty

flipped out. “Why doesn’t Uncle Matt ever come to see

us? And does he not like us? Do you not like him?”

And she shouldn’t have to be asking those questions.

And… that’s on you and me.

Matt Casey: Absolutely it is, yeah.

Christie: I feel like she’s been without her uncle, and… I’ve been

without my brother for too long.

Matt Casey: Yeah, I want nothing more than for us to be in each

other’s lives. The last time we talked about it…

Christie: I know. I remember the conversation.

Matt Casey: [sighs]

Christie: [exhales] So you’re still defending her?

Matt Casey: I’m not gonna turn my back on her.

Christie: Don’t you miss dad?

cutscene

Matt Casey: Yeah, but there’s something.

Gabby Dawson: Excuse me one second. I need to steal him.

Matt Casey: Um, uh, bye.

Drink?

Gabby Dawson: Oh, thank you.

Oh, I can’t wait to show you this room.

Matt Casey: Okay.

Ooh.

Wow.

Gabby Dawson: It’s nice, right?

Matt Casey: Yeah.

Gabby Dawson: [clears throat] Oh, and hey, I promise I won’t let my

aunt corner you again [chuckles] like that.

I’m sorry.

Matt Casey: [chuckles] It’s okay. She’s… she’s fun.

Gabby Dawson: Yeah, she’s better when you’re drunk.

Oh, better learn how to keep up, buddy boy.

Matt Casey: Yeah.

Both: [chuckles]

Gabby Dawson: I mean… are we just here as friends, or… is this a

date?

Matt Casey: I can’t. I mean…

Gabby Dawson: No, yeah. I get it.

Matt Casey: It’s not a good time.

Gabby Dawson: [clears throat]

Matt Casey: Because it’s worth doing right.

Right?

Lady 2: Oops sorry. Don’t mind us.

Gabby Dawson: [clears throat] Uh, you ready for dessert?

I’m ready… for dessert?

cutscene

Leon Cruz: This is crazy, bro. I was just up there, like, ten minutes

before it all went down. Flaco sent me to get Shorty.

Otherwise… I don’t know…[sighs] Somebody’s gotta

be up there looking out for me.

Joe, you okay?

Joe Cruz: I can’t. I can’t do this. I can’t do this. I…

[breathing unsteadily]

cutscene

Kelly Severide: You’re up early.

Leslie Shay: You know I love you, right?

Kelly Severide: Okay, what’s going on?

Leslie Shay: I love you because I know you’d stick your neck out for

me the way I have for you.

Kelly Severide: Of course I would.

Leslie Shay: And I did that to get you over the hump.

Kelly Severide: Which you totally did.

Leslie Shay: And then I found these in the trash.

Kelly Severide: Those are ol… they’re old.

Leslie Shay: I perjured myself for you, Kelly.

Kelly Severide: Shay…

Leslie Shay: I’m out.

Kelly Severide: Whoa, whoa, whoa. What do you mean?

Leslie Shay: I mean I’m out. We had a deal… we wouldn’t get in

each other’s business, but I can’t hold up my end.

So I’m out.

Kelly Severide: Shay, it’s okay. I got it.

I got it. I got it.

Leslie Shay: No, you don’t got it!

I’m not gonna sit here and watch you… just fool

yourself.

I’ll get the rest of my stuff later.

Kelly Severide: Shay, hey, please don’t go.

Please don’t…please don’t do this.

[door opens and shuts]

Kelly Severide: [sighs]

cutscene

Joe Cruz: [breathing unsteadily]

[cell phone vibrates]

Voicemail (Matt Casey): This is Matt Casey. Leave it here and I’ll

call you back.

Joe Cruz: Lieutenant, it’s Joe Cruz. Um… Casey, man, I need to talk

to you. Uh… It’s really important. I, uh… [sighs] I, um…

cutscene

[whistle blowing]

Gabby Dawson: Here we go. I’ll make my brother get the rest of

your stuff tomorrow. And you are totally welcome

to stay with me as long as you want.

Leslie Shay: Thanks.

Gabby Dawson: You gonna tell me what he did?

Leslie Shay: No. You gonna tell me how your date went?

Gabby Dawson: Nope.

He’s good.

Police Officer: Thank you.

[dispatcher chatter over radio]

Leslie Shay: Come on, give me something.

Gabby Dawson: [chuckles] Well, I was right about Casey. He’s still

into Hallie. And I’m an idiot.

cutscene

[whistle blows]

[door buzzes]

Matt Casey: Hi, mom.

cutscene

[traffic]

Leslie Shay: Tomorrow night, you and me are gonna have a few

margaritas.

Gabby Dawson: Heh! A few pitchers, you mean.

Leslie Shay: Yeah, that was implied.

[horn blaring]

[cars & truck skidding]

Shay & Dawson: [gasps]

[truck and ambo crash]

- end -

Definitions:

Buyout = Purchase of the target’s outstanding debt.

Internal Affairs Division = A division of a law enforcement agency which investigates cases of allegations of misconduct and complaints against any member of the fire department, and the necessary actions taken.

Toradol = Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug. It works by reducing hormones that cause inflammation and pain in the body. Toradol is used short-term (5 days or less) to treat moderate to severe pain.

PIC = Paramedic in charge

C-collar = Cervical collars (C collars) are used to support your spinal cord and head, and to limit the movement of your neck and head. They’re typically meant for short-term use while you recover from an injury, surgery, or pain.

DOA = Dead on arrival

Drive-by vehicle to vehicle = Shooting someone in a moving car from a moving car

Thermal imaging camera = Type of thermographic camera used in fire fighting. By rendering infrared radiation as visible light, such cameras allow firefighters to see areas of heat through smoke, darkness, or heat-permeable barriers.

Maneki-neko = Common Japanese figurine, which is often believed to bring good luck to the owner. The figurine depicts a cat, traditionally a calico Japanese Bobtail, with a paw raised in a Japanese beckoning gesture.

Domo arigato = Japanese phrase meaning “Thanks a lot”. The Japanese phrase said in this episode is part of a Japanese song.

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