#...maybe i'll do that over the week...........

[pearlfull]

party on u ( part of u knew )

⋆✴︎˚｡⋆ SYNOPSIS: 〝 You know that I've been waiting for you. 〞 Batboys x Reader. ⋆˚࿔ A/N: Heavily inspired by Charli XCX and the devastating edits to this song lol. Dick's is the most literal interpretation of the song. Jason's weird. I love Tim Drake. Yearning bro. I'm taking requests + commissions! More details on that soon. Help a college girl save for car repairs<3

ᯓ★ DICK GRAYSON.

IT WAS SOMETHING UNSPOKEN YET PRESENT. You weren’t just friends. But you didn't call it love either.

It started with shared takeout food.

Shaky laughter while pinning you on the ground during training. Late night text messages. Sleepless nights spent on the same couch. Dick's hand laced yours in the dark, and he tried to match your breath's rhythm as you fell asleep on his chest, fingers curling into your sleep shirt.

Eventually, there were white tulips he brought after work and Bruce was asking about you.

He was always careful with you.

Because he'd done the song and routine before. Been left with the kind of bruises in places you couldn't see.

There were nights when he'd leave before you woke. He'd left you coffee on your nightstand like it was a consolation prize. And you let him. Let him stay his welcome way too long, and then let him disappear for a couple days. Maybe it was stupid, but it was better than nothing.

wonderboy i didn’t want to miss you tonight i already do when you’re still in the room

You hadn't seen him in weeks. Not out of anger, not resentment. Still. It was on purpose. On both ends.

You'd stop asking if he wanted you to pick up candy for him at the grocery store and he had stopped asking when he could see you again. Maybe he had thought if he pulled away it would go away.

The invitation felt like a test. An unspoken, come if you still care. Or come so I know you haven't stopped.

It's his birthday, and silver balloons litter the hallway, and Donna laughter is already ringing through as you step in, and Roy's throwing gummy bears into Wally's glass.

You're wearing something that made you feel braver than you were, black fabric clinging to your hips--looking through the crowd with a tight chest.

His grin was the center of the room. His bright blue eyes found yours, and he didn't come over. His pupils were blown.

Kept staring, almost comically. Wondering if whether he still had the right to do that, even though he'd invited you. And you came. And he had worn that cologne you'd mentioned you'd loved, and even had tried to make his hair fall nicely. He kind of felt like a thirteen year old boy getting ready for his first Sadie Hawkins dance. It was wracking to feel like that again.

But maybe he was remembering just how much he'd hurt you by staying so close and never choosing.

You crossed the room slowly. Talked to Donna, and let Roy grab you a drink.

“I didn’t think you’d come.”

Dick's balcony's always been cold. Maybe he'd overstepped by draping his jacket over your pretty shoulders.

(But neither of you cared, and the lining was so nice!)

“I didn’t think you’d ask.” Your voice doesn't come out quiet, and you're surprised by its steadiness.

Dick looked down at his shoes. “I didn’t know if I deserved to.”

Your smile was glossy, close lipped. “You don’t get to disappear and then expect me to ask you to show up. It's mean.”

“I know.” A beat. “Uh, when I was halfway, I could pretend I wasn’t scared.”

“Were you?”

“Terrified.” He laughed, shaking his head. “I know that seems like such a shitty cop out. The whole, commitment phobe thing. But I still wanted you to come tonight.” Dick stopped. Cracked his knuckles. “I’ve missed you.”

“I don't believe in love that waits.”

Dick's brows are knit closely. “I know.”

“I'm not gonna be waiting.”

“I don’t want you to. I'll meet you where you are. Sorry I didn’t sooner.”

His breath clouds in the air. His voice cracks as he adds, “I get why you stopped asking.”

“Didn’t want to keep asking for something that wasn't fully ours.”

“That’s on me.”

“You were scared?”

“Still kinda am.”

He shifts beside you, steps closer. Adjusts his jacket, so the collar doesn't look rumpled. Dick's fingers brush the side of your throat.

Inside, he doesn't reach for your hand. Just walks close. As close as you'll let him. Close enough that it’s obvious.

You walk back to your car. Your phone lights up.

wonderboy thanks for coming beautiful you didn’t have to

you don’t thank me happy birthday 💙

ᯓ★ JASON TODD.

JASON IS ALWAYS AROUND. Your brother's second shadow. Not because they're attached at the hip. Roy is one of the few people that lets him stand beside him without flinching.

Initially, he barely acknowledges you.

He'll grunt a greeting when you grab a glass of juice, nods from across the kitchen. He always leaves his bike helmet on the counter tile like it's a centerpiece. It smells like gunpowder and iron, and you definitely think it says way more than he ever does with his mouth. Gun oil. Boots on the carpet. Pride and Prejudice folded in his back pocket.

You were studying journalism at university. Doing some stories. Freelance. An open notebook tucked under your arm. You asked questions too fast sometimes--half Harper nature--about everything, about nothing.

And Jason didn’t like it. Said so.

“Why do you talk to people like you’re digging for something?”

“Cause people lie.”

He didn’t say anything after that.

It was Roy’s fault! He left his phone out on the sofa. You didn’t care to look, but the cracked screen had some picture of you and Roy. Jason sent it.

jaybird when was this is she dating someone?

roy tf do you care lmao don’t be fucking weird

jaybird just asking.

roy that’s my sister.

jaybird shut up.

You noticed him staring more after that.

One time at breakfast, you spilled coffee on the edge of your sweater sleeve, cursing under your breath. You didn’t think he was even awake. Jason was slumped at the table over a bowl of cereal. His hoodie pulled up like he hadn’t slept at all. He passed you a paper towel before you even asked. Didn’t even look at you.

Later, your old press badge was pressed against the counter. It was lost for weeks. Bent but clean.

“You found this?” you turned to Roy, eyes glittering.

Roy rubbed his mouth. “Huh?”

Jason starts asking you things. Small things.

“Where’d that article of yours go? The vigilante case?”

“Sleep last night?”

He asked them like it didn't matter, like he didn't already know the answers. His fingers drummed while waiting for your replies, and he seems to drink in every single thing you say.

An interview that went south. A CEO with yellowed teeth called you doll. You bit your tongue till it stung.

Jason's in the garage, with a wrench.

“[Name], you okay?”

“I'm fine, Jay.”

“Don't lie.”

You set your leather bag on the hood of your car.

The wrench drops. “Wanna go hit something?”

You blinked. Slowly. "Sorry?”

“Gym. Pads. Gloves. I'll hold them for you.”

A smile stretches and he swears he feels like he's being lit from the inside. The way it's just for him. “Is that your version of like, a hug?”

“Take it or leave it.”

Roy didn’t pick up tonight. After a date that made your head ache, where the guy with a cheap haircut only spoke about himself, forgot his wallet, you stood outside alone. Cold.

Jason showed up instead.

His hoodie half-zipped, breath fogging in the air, from jogging, car parked across the street, his white streak a little matted. Green eyes scanned your face, and he grabbed the heels dangling from your fingers.

Your purse slipped off your shoulder, and Jason took it mid slide too.

He held both all the way home in his lap as he drove.

You let him walk you to your building, and the air had seemed to have hit you harder this time. Jason still had your bag and heels, and the space between you seemed to buzz.

The stairwell was bright, and the front light hummed over your head. Your throat was tight as you croaked out a "Thank you", softly and every word you wanted to say seemed to taunt you as you realize you rather liked his green eyes, and the golden rings inside them.

He seemed to notice your observation, and his eyes fell to the floor, the corners of his lips lifting so slightly. So, you let your hand fall between you, barely. So his could brush against it. Fingertips, then your pinky hooked his.

He turned his hand, observing the way they fit. Held it tighter, tighter than you expected.

ᯓ★ TIM DRAKE.

YOU'VE ALWAYS LIKED QUIET. Which is a good thing, because you have little else but that in a gas station working a graveyard shift. It's mostly peaceful. As peaceful Gotham can get. Little customers. No noise. Just you, and the fluorescents and the freezer that groans when it turns on.

Sometimes, you leave the counter to stand under the overhang light.

You see him for the first time at 3:24 AM.

The red and black suit. The insignia. A cowl that didn't cover his lips. Red Robin.

He doesn’t say anything. Just lands on the roof like he belongs there. Kinda freakish.

He was gone before you could look again.

The second time he shows up, he taps on the bulletproof glass with a gloved knuckle and gestures to the vending machine near the left of the entrance.

"It ate my dollar," he says.

You blink. "For real?"

"Swear on the mask."

Pretty big swear. So, you open the door. He's taller than you thought he would be. And younger. Same age, or around from what you can make of him.

You slide an energy drink and a bag of chips across the counter. "Next time you save the city bird boy, ask for some change."

He laughs. And you hate how much you like the way his lips curve.

He comes back after that. Not every single night. Although, that'd be fun. But it wasn't enough for you to expect him.

He never buys anything from you. He leans against the counter and asks how your shift was, and you hand him a bottled water and piece of bubblegum. He asks about the books you read behind the register.

"Jane Eyre?" he'd asked with a raised brow. "Sort of a dramatic choice for a Tuesday."

"Says the guy in a bird costume."

He laughed again. Now you hated how familiar it sounded.

But you didn't think much of it. Not until the week Tim stops coming to class.

He was in your study group. Quiet. He had the most gorgeous smile you think you'd seen. All toothy and boyish, despite the dark circles shadowing underneath his eyes.

You liked him more than you meant to. Still do. You swore not to, because there was something about him that seemed like if you reached out, he'd disappear like smoke. And it was getting ridiculous. You'd worn a skirt to class and curled your hair and hoped he'd notice. Forming a crush on someone because he had asked you how your day was and always helped look for your pen underneath your seat during lecture. But he was always noticing things. Listening to you, and he said your name like it was a secret that you both shared.

When he misses study group, then class, then that dumb open mic night you invited him to, you tell yourself it's nothing.

But then Red Robin shows up that same night, again.

He's chipper. "Long night?"

You let the silence stretch, doodling on some scratch paper.

He tilts his head, rocking on his heels. "Have a bad shift?"

"No," you say slowly, "Just kinda missing someone."

The mask twitches. You don't notice.

He starts coming around regularly.

You talk. About stupid shit, important stuff. Your morals. His commentary on the mayor.

You mention how sometimes you wish had a different life. How you want to graduate university already.

He's quiet as he nods, locking eyes with you.

Then he says, “I think you’re doing way better than you think.”

That's not fair to you. Because that sounds like something Tim would tell you over text casually. It makes your stomach twist and you wonder if you're falling in love with a mask, a voice, because he reminds you of someone else.

And he doesn’t even know that.

Tim knows.

He talks to you at night with a different voice, he holds himself differently and pretends that he’s not the same guy who used to try to make jokes clumsily to make you laugh. He loves your laugh.

He watches you watch him and says nothing.

If he tells you, it’ll ruin the quiet connection you’ve built. The thing he keeps crawling back to when the city’s too heavy.

[manariee]

ACT LIKE IT

𝗧𝗔𝗞𝗘 𝟬𝟰 ★ you have to make it believeable

enemy situationship (?) 박성훈 & fem!reader wc 522 ◜ᯅ◝ implied harrassment, implied situationship, mentions of drinking, slow burn-ish, tension

REBLOG4AKISS

MANA: a bit rushed but this may be the only fic before i dissapear for a week !!

The club was packed, you told yourself one night to yourself would be good. That your friends were right about a break.

Now your friends were long gone, phone had no signal, drink cup empty. And the last guy who got too close had made your skin crawl.

You were desperate - for ANY help.

So when you saw another one of those nasty drunk men walking over with a smug grin, you knew you had to think fast. You looked around EVERYWHERE for someone who you might've could've known would help. And there he is.

Park. Fucking. Sunghoon. Of all people.

The one guy who you swear lives to make your life miserable, sometimes in a good way, sometimes in worse. The one whose smirk you wanted to slap off his face. Most days..

You swallowed your pride and pushed your way through the crowd, his own brows furrowing the second he locked his eyes with yours.

''What?'' He asked flatly as you stopped in front of him.

''Pretend to be my boyfriend,'' you whispered, low and urgent, already grabbing his wrist.

Sunghoon blinked once, then twice.

''Are you drunk?''

You were taken aback before scoffing. ''What? No what the hell are you talking about?''

You then glanced back, spotting the guy from earlier then looked back at Sunghoon. ''Please.''

Sunghoon’s brow furrowed. You never said please to him. That alone made him pause.

He then glanced over to the guy and quickly tugged you closer to his chest.

''Is he still looking?'' you whispered.

''No,'' Sunghoon said. ''But he is walking over.''

You didn’t have time to process. Sunghoon turned to face you fully, tilted his head down - and wrapped both arms around your waist like he meant it.

''Look at me.'' he murmured low. ''If we're doing this, we're doing it right.''

You looked up - and suddenly you forgot how to breathe.

He leaned down, lips brushing the shell of your ear. ''You owe me for this,'' he whispered, almost smug.

You almost shivered, though Sunghoon's eyes narrowed on the other man, his intense gaze scaring the guy away.

But you noticed the way his hands remained on you, for longer than necessary.

''You okay?'' he asked, snapping you out of whatever trance you were stuck in.

''Yeah.'' you answered back, heart beating so loudly you could hear it in your ears, and you just knew he could too.

He pulled back just enough to meet your eyes. ''You look like you're about to combust. Didn't realize pretending would get you this worked up.''

''Shut up,'' you hissed. ''You're enjoying this.''

His grin turned downright devilish. ''Maybe. But I'll admit something-''

His hand cupped your jaw, tilted your head so you couldn't look away.

''You asking me for help?'' he murmurs. ''That’s kinda hot. And a bit cute.''

You turned and walked away before you could embarrass yourself further.

But your phone buzzed an hour later.

P.SH [DNI]: y'know if you ever need another boyfriend again..

P.SH [DNI]: what i mean is you can just walk over and kiss me

P.SH [DNI]: fuck it i'm coming over

lovliezᡣ𐭩: @chrrific @saemisic @heeaara @ltfirecracker @woniefication @lezleeferguson-120 @rikifever @chaeneu @jjennuine @callikari @yuuuraaa @wondoras @koiiqqqq @orimuraa

NETS: @k-films

[kawaiigirly21]

Our Little Soda Pop: Chapter 4

You want to do what?” Natasha grumbled while she sat up from her couch. Sleep still clinging to her body and papers laid out around her. “We want to do an impromptu concert to advertise ourselves.” Jinu replied with a matter of fact tone. “Ugh fine… give me like… 10 minutes…” Before she could get up from the couch, she was pushed back by Mystery who then draped a blanket over her. “Rest. You've been working hard for two weeks now.” He mumbled while Romance and Baby helped organize her paperwork.

“We'll take it from here today, boss lady. You focused on getting some well deserved sleep.” Abby smiled as he followed the others out the door. “We'll be back soon.” Mystery whispered in her ear before placing a sweet kiss on her lips and leaving behind Abby. Falling back to sleep, Natasha snuggled into the blanket over her body. “You're trying to get some of that sweet candy huh Mystery?” Abby smirked as he slapped his friend's back. The man only nodded slightly in response.

“Dude, her mouth is like the closest thing to heaven I'll ever know. Maybe she'll go down on you too.” Abby smirked. “Her hands are just as good. The way she worked my cock was something I never thought I'd feel.” Romance added. Mystery listened to his friend's words but he had his own idea for what he wanted his reward to be. After running into the hunters and their mini concert, Mystery used some of his cash to stop by a store to buy something for Natasha.

A small gift to show his appreciation for dealing with him and his friends on a daily basis. “Oooh what'd ya get?” Baby tried looking into the bag only to be shoved away by Mystery. “It's not for you.” He mumbled as the group walked back to the penthouse. “Can you guys like… not bother her tonight? She really needs to rest.” He then added as the 5 of them climbed into the elevator. “Sounds like someone is planning a romantic night with just the two of you.” Jinu teased as he tried to peek into the bag Mystery was carrying.

Once the doors of the elevator opened to the penthouse floor, Mystery made a beeline to Natasha's room and headed straight for the bathroom. “Hey. I saw everything. You guys are going viral.” Natasha replied as she yawned from her place on the floor. Papers once again sprawled out around her. The sound of her pen scribbling on a paper was lots enough for the boys to groan. “You're not supposed to be doing that. You're supposed to be resting.” Jinu sighed.

Suddenly, Mystery emerged from Natasha's room and scooped her up from the floor into his arms and walked back to the room. Locking the door behind him. “Um, I can walk Mystery but thank you for that. Why'd you lock the guys out?” Natasha asked as Mystery sat her down and led her to her bathroom where she was greeted by a hot bath and a glass of wine waiting for her. A few rose petals were scattered across the floor and the scent of a lighted candle filled her senses.

“Oh Mystery… you did this for me?” The man nodded shyly before reaching for her. “May I undress you?” After Natasha nodded, she nearly made a noise of surprise with how quick the introverted demon idol moved to pull off her clothes. His hands lingered on her bra and panties though. He tried taking deep breaths to steady himself. “You're doing such a good job staying in control of your instincts Mystery. Such a good boy.” The man swallowed heavily after a while and continued undressing the woman before him.

He then helped her into the bath and listened to her let out a sigh of comfort. “I really needed this…Thank you hun.” After her bath, Mystery helped Natasha to her bed where he had laid out clothing for her as she dried herself off. Looking back at the man who stood in the corner of the room fighting his demon form from coming out, Natasha smiled and dropped her towel. Leaving her naked in front of the man. “Mystery? Come here honey.” Natasha called sweetly. In an instant, Mystery appeared in front of her and leaned down as she placed a hand on his cheek.

“Let it out darling. I want to see it while you fuck me.” Taking in a deep breath, the man before her released his true form and nearly ripped his clothes from his body before taking Natasha in his arms and laying her onto the bed gently. That would be the last gentle thing he would do that night however because as soon as he was able to sink into Natasha’s warm wet walls, he let out a deep growl and thrusted as fast and deep as he could. “Oh fuck! Mystery! Shit!! Mm! Fuck! Fuck! Don't stop!”

Elsewhere in the penthouse, The rest of the boys could feel the shaking of the apartment and hear the delicious sounds of Natasha's moans. “Tch no fair! How come he gets to fuck her first!?” Abby groaned. “To be fair, I kinda saw this coming. He's the most attached to her and he's not as…chaotic as the rest of us are. I have a feeling though, I'm gonna be next.” Baby replied before downing an entire bottle of hot sauce. “You gotta stop drinking that crap. It's gotta be doing something to your stomach.” Jinu added.

“Mystery! Mystery! Fuck!! It's so deep!! Keep going!” Natasha continued to moan as Mystery pounded into her while holding her in a nasty mating press. The only noises that came from his mouth were the occasional grunt followed by demonic growls. This was the first time Natasha really began to feel her control slip. The boys could somehow sense it as well. As Mystery was pistoning his cock into her, Natasha had attempted to stop him. To slow him down.

But he was too far gone and so much stronger than her. “Stop moving and take it whore. You've held control over us long enough. It's time we claim what's rightfully ours. So stay still~” Whining loudly, Natasha tried desperately to push Mystery back but her efforts were fruitless and soon, overcome by pleasure, she reached her very first orgasm in a long time.

“Good mate. Cum on my cock like you were meant to~” Mystery growled before he himself lost himself in pleasure and spilled his seed deep inside the woman under him. Suddenly, the door to the room opened to reveal the others. As they entered the room, Abby smirked at Natasha who was still trying to catch her breath.

“Safe to say it's our time to take charge?” Jinu asked to which Mystery nodded, slightly annoyed with how they managed to get in even though he locked the door. “I can't wait for my turn. Imma beat that pussy up.” Baby smirked.

@lovelynyah

@danielle143

@prettygirlkiki

Chapter 5

[indecisive-gm]

Jaren awoke with a start. Sitting up, they quickly looked around. The room looked like some kind of study, with scrolls and books filling the shelves along the walls. The paper walls seemed week enough; maybe they could escape from--whatever this place was--before their captors noticed.

Captors. They must be fairies, right? The last thing Jaren could remember before waking up here was going out into the forest to gather herbs and hearing a muffled voice as the forest around them faded to black. It wasn't a drug--that would have been recognizable with Jaren's experience as a healer. The darkness had been some kind of illusion magic like that which the fair folk use. They must have chosen Jaren as their next victim, having seen them come to the forest so regularly. If Jaren had been kidnapped by fairies, they would need to keep their wits about them to avoid falling further into their traps.

Tearing through the wall, Jaren was ready to make a run for it, but had to quickly stop themself from falling off a cliff. This couldn't be right, the fair folk never stray far from the forests. If her captors had taken her up into the mountains, then they couldn't be fairies. But then, who--

"It would be rather rude to run off so soon."

Jaren turned around. The building was farther back than it should have been, and a robed figure now stood only a few paces behind them. This was the person who had kidnapped them? Jaren readied a spell, hoping the old man wouldn't recognize it for the harmless show that it was. "Stay back! I've studied the magical arts well. I don't want either of us to get hurt, so don't move, and don't try to follow me."

The figure shrugged. "Alright. I'll stay right here. Though I would appreciate if you would stay and talk over coffee."

The man's words meant nothing. Even if he actually had such a rare plant as coffee, it seemed like too convenient an excuse to drug Jaren into being an easy captive to be ransomed off to the nearest magic university or to be sold to some warlord who was looking for a new mage. They backed their way to the cliffside, then jumped. They had never really wanted to go adventuring or fight in wars, so they never actually studied any flight spells or spells to soften a landing, but hopefully strenthening their bones would hold them together well enough after hitting the ground to mend the damage from the fall.

Thud. Fortunately, the pain of the fall was somewhat masked by having all the wind knocked out of them. The plan had worked, but as Jaren looked up, they saw that they were in the same place as before, with the man and the tower standing before them as if to mock them.

The man shook his head. "That was a rather clever use of your healing magic, though if I may ask, why didn't you simply fly away?"

"None of your business." New strategy. This time, Jaren strengthened the muscles in their legs before jumping as far as they could. Being lost in the forest wouldn't be ideal, but it would be better than being someone's prisoner to be used for money or as a weapon. As they were about to hit the ground, Jaren closed their eyes and braced for impact.

Again, they had landed back next to the tower in the mountains. "As impressive as your skills are," the old man said, "you're just going to tire yourself out like this."

Jaren was learning to hate this guy. "Let me leave, or I'll kill you!", they shouted.

The man simply stepped forward towards them. "I think we both know you won't." Jaren was stunned. "I've been looking for an apprentice for some time. Coffee does it's wonders, but eternal youth isn't one of them. And you." The man pointed a finger at Jaren's chest. "I've been very satisfied with the care you show in your magic."

"Apprentice? Who do you think you--"

"The world needs witchknights, after all." Witchknights. Jaren had taken them to just be stories for children. Masters of the magical and martial arts, some of whom had supposedly conquered vast lands or worked as advisors to powerful rulers, while others had fought against the powerful to give back to those with nothing or even abandoned the world altogether.

The man sighed. "Fine. I see you need proof." Suddenly, there was a sword stuck through Jaren's leg. The bone was still strong enough from their spell before to not be cut through, but the pain was horrible. Before they even had time to scream, a portal opened beneath them, and they fell through what must have been a layer of the underworld before landing in the open top room of the tower with various animated suits of armor pointing swords and pikes at them.

The suits of armor walked to their displays by the stairs, and the witchknight came to Jaren to help them up. Jaren was about to cast a spell to heal their leg, but felt the familiar feeling of a healing spell already taking effect on it. "You know," said the old man, "dispite the stories I'm sure you know, violence is actually a small part of being a witchknight. Now, about that coffee."

--

Finishing the mug of coffee, Jaren spoke. "So to make sure I'm understanding this, witchknights exist, and you've basically kidnapped me to get me to preserve your ancient form of the magical and martial arts?"

"That sounds about right," the man responded. "Though I would like to say, I didn't have much choice in the matter. If I were to try to teach some other mage, how do you think that would go? So many of them nowadays are too absorbed by power and where that can take them. It would be next to impossible for me to teach them, and there would be a serious risk of having a new story like those about witchknight conquerers abusing their power and ignoring the world around them."

Jaren still felt wronged by the whole situation, but this old witchknight was right about that much: A lot of Jaren's former classmates probably would have learned what they could and run off to use their abilities for power for themselves. Still, there were always calmer ones. Jaren didn't know any others who were completely pacifist, but surely the witchhunter wasn't that strained of options.

At that moment, there was a flash of light from down the stairs and the sound of someone approaching. Jaren started to get up, but the witchknight just gestured for them to remain seated. "Mjorgan! Mjorgan you bastard, where are you!", a voice called as footsteps came up the wooden steps. A tall, slender man in a suit and cape reached the top of the stairs and turned to the witchknight. "Mjorgan! There you are! I-- who is this?"

"Excellent question, Archsage!" The witchnight--Mjorgan, apparently--glanced towards Jaren. "My friend, would you like to introduce yourself?"

First a mythical witchnight, now the archsage was here? "I'm Jaren, sir... I'm Mjorgan's new apprentice." The room was silent for a moment. Moreso than when Jaren and Mjorgan had been drinking their coffee.

After a few seconds, the archsage spoke. "Well, I suppose it's about time you picked an apprentice, but why now? I've come here several times before to try to convince you to take any of the brightest mages our universities have to offer, but you choose now of all times?"

"I believe I chose the right time to do so, Alfred," Mjorgan responded. "Now, what business did you have with me? I'd like to get to lessons for my student sometime today."

"Ah, yes." The archsage gave a curt nod, showing some annoyance at his treatment by Mjorgan. "I came here to ask if you would join my advisory council for..." A glance in Jaren's direction told them not to get involved. "...necessary audience."

"It must be serious if you're coming to bother me."

"It's about her."

Mjorgan suddenly looked incredibly serious. "...Alright. I'll meet with you tomorrow morning to discuss this further." He waved his hand, and the Archsage disappeared in a puff of smoke.

With how the archsage spoke and Mjorgan's response, Jaren could tell that this was probably something very bad. "Should I know what that was about?"

The witchknight looked up at them. "No. Maybe some other time, but for the time being, it's best that you not get involved in this. Besides," he stood up and headed towards the stairs, "we need to start your training."

OK,

I didn't realize I was going to be writing so much (good prompt), but I'm probably going to need to stop here for now and hope that I can get myself to continue this story later.

witchknights are unmatched in magical and martial arts. Unlike the rest of your peers you wanted to study healing magic and medicine not war and violence. So when the witchknight chose you everyone was confused, Even the archsage himself.

[owe-143]

Hi, if ur not too busy I was hoping I could request something for the saja boys?? Basically reader(fem maybe) is a human manager for the boys(kinda cliche, ik) but they the boys are demons and doesn't rlly care, because they have do manager stuff, but with how mystery was acting durring the meet and greets carries a spray bottle of water around, and gets abs a shirt the actually fits(kinda, don't wanna disappoint the fans) and at one point jinu is like "🤨 where/when did you get all that" and reader is like "🥲You boys stress me tf out, shud up. "

Any who sorry if this is too long, love your work!

✦Stressed tf out✦

A/N:Ty for requesting! I love this idea!! Thank you for reading my stuff hahaha

Warnings: swearing, kinda not proofread

Oneshot fic💗✨

Saja Boys x Manager!Fem!Reader

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You scribbled final notes in your journal for the days events. The silence of your office was comforting and you could think. It wouldn't last long as a loud scream echoed the building. You couldn't help but sigh. You lift your fingers, slowly counting down

3

2

1

"Y/N! " Jinu burst through the door. His eyes were panicked. "Mystery, he is-"

"Biting Abby! I know! " You cut him off, shooting out of you seat. You slide the desk drawer open. A few necessities for the boys slept in the drawer. For any occasion. Hair brushes, fidget toys, spare devices and a ton more. You grab the spray bottle and signal Jinu to follow

Jinu's eyebrows raise. "Why do you have all this anyway" He asks. You scoff. You walk faster, approaching the lounge where the other boys were. Another scream erupted from the room. "Because no doesn't seem to work for you boys! " You snap, kicking the door open

The scene in front of you is nothing from the usual. Baby's sitting on the table even when you've told him multiple times not to. His eyes focused on his Nintendo ignoring the scene unfolding on the other side of the room

Mystery stands opposite Romance who has Abby right behind him. You stomp over, spraying Mystery with a reasonable amount of water. He stumbles back and growls. Romance rolls his eyes. He steps away from Abby to sit back down on the sofa.

"Thanks" Abby sighs. You glance over at him. You suddenly spray his face. Abby jumps back "Hey! What did I do?! "

"Nothing. Just felt like it" You say with a grin. You strut over to Baby. You raise the water bottle then spray the side of his face. "Get of my damn table" You hiss. Baby squints his eyes at you. Although, he doesn't dare to protest. Last time he did it was the bottle that hit is face. He slid of the table and sat beside Romance

Jinu dragged his hand down his face. "Sorry" He spoke "Didn't mean to bother you. Again" You shrug. "It's fine" You smile. You watch Baby and Romance have a back and forth with the Nintendo. Mystery sitting in a corner with his arms crossed. Abby was focused on a mirror trying to fix his hair.

The boys are more difficult to handle than you anticipated. Of course, being a manager is never easy for anyone. The Saja Boys were quite normal at first. Relaxed when you started managing them. That only lasted about a week.

You glance around the room. "You all have a meet and greet in the next hour. " The statement causes Romance to groan "Seriously? Can't we do it tomorrow?" Romance has been snappy as of recent. He has an attitude issue in general but it's gotten ridiculous. Abby snickered "What's your problem? " He asks looking over at Romance.

"You're his problem! " Mystery responds. You could sense an argument breaking out. Which would lead to more physical attacks. "That's enough. Meet and greet is today and that's fucking final" You grab the Nintendo from Baby's grasp

"Hey-"

"You've played this thing the whole week. Take a break" You walk over to the door. "If I come back here and you guys are still fighting, I'll start banning stuff"

None of the boys says a word. One thing they won't do is test your threats. When you sat you'll do something. It's most likely to happen. Like the one time you took away anything sweet. Baby lost it that week but it did teach him to stop throwing wet toilet paper at his members

You look over at Jinu, pulling the door open "Help them calm down, please? Not mad, just stressed. And extra help would be amazing" You say. Jinu opens his mouth to speak but closes it again. He smiles and nods. "Yeah. I can do that"

Hopefully Jinu, would be able to calm them down. For about 10 minutes top. But hey, gives you time to rethink your life choices

[chara-cat5]

lads isekai ch 3

reader is gender neutral, warning: swearing, mdni

chapters 1, 2, 3, 4, 5

adjusting to life here was hard. the technology was way higher tech then you were used to and you were forced to act like you knew what was going on 24/7. like, you had to learn all the futuristic vocabulary for this world. even with the help from your memory of the game, you still had a lot to learn. history, vocab, technology. at least you knew how to add...

but you did adjust with time. within a week you could do everything you needed to on your own. you even cooked a few meals for you and mia. socially, you could fall into easy conversation with mia and tara or do serious reports for jenna. the three women were easy to get along with. mia had this special draw though. a force you could only assume was just pure main character energy. you wanted to be around her. you were starting to wonder if it was you or something else.

training your evol was another problem. you had been putting it off, but there was alway this buzzing of power under your skin and you would have to take care of it or you'd explode. maybe. thats what if felt like anyway. control over plant life. it hadn't done anything like that first night. the growing under your feet or blooming cuffs around you and mia's wrists. you mentioned it to mia that you wanted to do some training and that's how you ended up here.

sweaty, aching, and frustrated.

you glared at mia as she paced around you, holding her sword at her side, looking just as perfect as she did at the start. she frowned at you, her eyebrows pinched together.

"did you eat something bad? usually you are way better then this. you haven't even used your evol."

you let out a groan, shifting your grip on the polearm in your hands. apparently it had been your weapon of choice, but you figured it was just cause it wasn't one of the 'taken' weapons by the love interests. you narrowed your eyes at mia, shifting your stance.

"i'm just having an off day, lay off."

ignoring her sassy response, you closed your eyes, digging into the buzzing under your skin. it wasn't unpleasant necessarily, but it was building a pressure beneath the surface. it grew into a full vibration and as soon as you slammed your spear butt hit the ground, plants forced through the concrete ground. a jagged line of vines and flowers went straight for mia, leaving her to yelp and attempt to dodge. you cried out in panic, blinking and she was gone, a scuffing of shoes to your right drawing your attention instead, drowning you in relief. there a tall blond was just unwrapping his arms from mia, a cold feeling running through you at his glare though...

"jesus! remind me to never piss you off again."

mia jogged over, her hair and expression frazzled. looking back to your 'attack' you saw the uncontrolled growth. geez, were you really that strong?? you felt a wave of exhaustion hit you, quickly realizing, hey no, you just used all your energy on one attack. not over powerful, just uncontrolled.

"how did you even become a hunter?"

your shoulders stiffened at the deeper voice, meeting blue eyes. he had followed mia, his guard clearly raised. mia, the great friend she is, shot him a glare, poking his shoulder.

"how did you become a hunter? don't be rude, xavier."

you glanced at the plants, lifting your spear from the vines.

"... no, he's right. this is pretty bad..."

mia let out a sound of distress, looking back to you. xavier merely kept his gaze on your face, expression unreadable.

"i don't have control over it and that needs to change. i'll focus on solo training, mia. i don't wanna put you in danger again."

you finally met her gaze, a pout already rising to her lips.

"you said it yourself, it's just an off day. i'm fine. you don't have to shut yourself out."

xavier scoffed next to her, narrowing his eyes at you.

"you're fine cause i stepped in. but as for you, training on your own isn't gonna fix this. you need teaching. from the basics."

he stepped back, turning his back to the two of you to leave the room. mia perked up, grabbing his arm before he could get far.

"you should teach them!"

you both stiffened at that, blinking at her like she had grown another head. mia just turned to you, completely unbothered.

"xavier would be a great teacher for you. he helped me with my sword skills and his evol is also really strong. he'd totally be able to help you get back your grove if you won't let me help."

you made a face, but before you could argue, xavier spoke up. great! you wouldn't have to hurt mia's feelings. you really didn't want to deal with her pouting back at the apartment.

"you want me to train them?"

she nodded happily, squeezing his arm with her hand and tugging him closer.

"yeah! it'll be great."

you huffed, shifting on your feet as you waited for his rejection.

"... alright. i can train them."

you snapped your gaze back up, shock filling your expression. what? why? what?-

"wait really? you're gonna train me???"

he looked to you, his expression still unreadable.

"i will. it shouldn't be difficult. i've heard you're decent."

you made a sour face at 'decent' following the budding lovers out the room. mia was already thanking him and chattering on about ideas. he happily listened, that small smile on his lips he reserved for the mc. this was gonna be a thing now, wasn't it?

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

it was a thing.

xavier was a cruel trainer, making you run drills over and over again. okay, maybe that was dramatic, but still! you felt exhausted after a few days. he had you fix your fighting stance, teaching you the proper way to use a spear, no evol involved. then, without a directing weapon (aka, your spear) he'd have you focus on the energy of your evol. one plant. he made you grow and focus all your energy on one little daisy. grow more and he made you drain your energy then try again. that wasn't helping with you being exhausted at all.

"slacking off isn't gonna help you get better."

"i'm not slacking off, i'm connecting with my roots."

you were laid on your back on the ground with your eyes closed, limbs sprawled out like a starfish (fuck off with 'sea stars'-) rafayel would be proud of. xavier let out a sigh, standing over you with his arms crossed. with a sigh, he sat next to you, making you peek open one eye.

"then do it properly. sit up and focus."

with a groan, you did as he said, sitting criss cross facing to him and mimicking his pose. you couldn't help but take in his features, noting just how long his lashes were against pale cheeks. despite how short with you he had been thus far, he was being helpful. you were learning better control over your evol and even fighting stuff. power of having mia as your roomie, i guess.

a slight snort brought you out of your thoughts, focusing back on xavier. he wasn't moving, eyes still closed and yet...

"did you fall asleep?"

his lack of response was a dead give away and you furrowed your eyebrows at him. and he had scolded you for slacking off. you reached out and poked his shoulder, causing his eyes to flicker back open.

"hey, wake up. you can go home if you're that tired. you can't just sleep here."

he sighed, rolling his shoulder out.

"why not? i've done it before."

"that doesn't make it alright. what if someone else wants to train? or if someone sneaks up and steals your stuff?"

"i would wake up before anyone got close to me."

you made a face, tilting your head as you gazed at him. he stared back before standing up, pulling out his sword.

"let's get back to training."

.

.

entity [user] encounter entity [xavier]

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.

affinity level [3]

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taglist: @sleepisfortheweakpooh @plzdonutpercieveme @young-adult-summer @mentaltrouble2201 @noxus123 @asakiyu @leftpoetrymoon @hon3yydew @anemobabygirl

thank you so much for reading!! (seriously, y'all are bringing out so much motivation with each comment!! i read every one!! i'm sorry i don't respond, i just don't know how T-T just know i appreciate it!!)

-chara <3

[fallen-w1ngs]

'' PINKY PROMISE ,,

|| pairing : roommate!james "bucky" barnes x reader

|| warning : hurt/comfort , bucky's js a roommate but teases to romance in the future, you'll see

|| wc : 0.8k

The stresses of everyday life came crashing onto you, it wasn't a dramatic show that had screaming or crying. No yelling or coming to your knees dramatics. It was quiet, a silent scream if you will when you let yourself curl up into a ball on the couch. There weren't even tears that came down your face, it was silent, balling yourself up around the throw pillow you'd purchased through an impulse decisions a few weeks ago.

You thought the apartment was empty, it usually was. Your roommate, or the fossil you lived with as you lovingly called him, usually was out. With Sam and Joaquin or off to some quiet place.

But of course he was home, of course he came into the living room to greet you. And of course the second he saw you curled up into a ball he got to work. Muttering a small "Stay right there" when he retreated back to his room. You assumed he'd hide in there until your small menty b finished, but no. He came back out within a few seconds with his weighted blanket.

"I've got you, hun," he whispered as he draped it over you. "I'll get some ice cream and we can do whatever y'want, okay?"

He stayed there, sitting down right besides your laying form. Waiting for a response. If you rejected the idea and wanted to hide out in your room, he'd respect that-- no, he'd understand it. The modern world was too loud and he's guilty of hiding out a plethora of times before.

The moment you gave a small nod, he patted your arm and stood up from the couch, beelining to the kitchen as if he was a soldier sent to war.. Again.

While he was gone for the few seconds, you sat up, staring at the black tv screen. Seeing your reflection, damn you looked broken. But Bucky just walked back over and handed you a bowl and spoon and put the tub in front of you, treating you as if you hadn't just been shattered into a million pieces.

You whispered a small "Thanks." when you dug into the ice cream as Bucky turned the tv on and picked out some light hearted sit-com on. He'd grown fond of Brooklyn 99.

"You don't have to talk about it," His voice was gentle as he kept his eyes on the tv, keeping himself as casual as he could. But he was worried, he always worried. "But I'm here.. If you need it. I'm always here for you."

You smiled at this, genuinely smiled and nodded. "I know.. Thanks, Buck."

"Anytime, sweetheart." He wrapped his human arm around your shoulders, pulling you close. It wasn't forceful, no. If you wanted to pull away, it'd be okay.

You didn't want to pull away though.

The next few hours were spent finishing the tub of ice cream, laughing at the jokes made on the tv, and feeling Bucky's thumb make small circles into your shoulder. A nice way to ground you, a small sign of 'you made it through the week! good job!'

"If I aged normally, maybe I would've ended up like Scully" Bucky joked, and you laughed.

"No way, you'd be like," You tapped your finget against your chin, feigning thought. "a hot grandpa the grandma across the street would gossip about."

"Oh god," The soldier snorted and leaned close to you, resting the side of his head against yours. "Don't even say that."

"You're close to it, I've already heard Gladys talk about you at the laundrymat"

"No." He grinned wider.

"Careful, they might sweep you off your feet!" You pulled away from him and lifted your arm off, trying to flex underneath your oversized hoodie.

"I'd rather just have you do that."

"How romantic"

You both leaned into eachother again, resting against eachother and a satisfied sigh left your lips. It's as if the world had faded away to the back. This was your safe haven, the tv, the empty tub of ice cream, and your roommate and best friend; James Buchanan Barnes.

"Thank you.. For this." You whispered, only just loud enough to go over the noise of Boyle saying 'Yippee kayak other buckets!' on screen. ".. Today was rough. I.. I don't wanna talk about it but:. This helped, a lot. You helped a lot."

His grip on your shoulder tightened. "You don't have to thank me, really I- I want to help you. I care about you.. A lot."

Bucky pulled away and grinned at you, the softest look in his eyes as he took you in. All comfy under his blanket and in your hoodie. Still cradling the empty bowl in your lap. "I'll always be there for you. I promise."

You put your hand out, sticking your pinky out. "Pinky promise."

A small chuckle left Bucky's lips as he interlocked his finger with yours. "I pinky promise."

|| now this is what i call therapy

[fennecfoxfavouritefox]

I hast been summoned from the depths of my Tumblr Pit! @runestonefox

Favourite Color: So many good colours to pick from, I would have to say pink

Last Song: 學貓叫 - 群星 I've been subjected to it for the last few weeks and I want you all to hear it too

Last Read: A Random Walk Down Wall Street by Burton Malkiel. All the way back in Winter. I need to read more books Aaa

Last Watched: How to Train Your Dragon Live Action

Currently Craving: The end of the current social-economic system that is leading to the sixth mass extinction, climate change, and untold suffering. But fried rice would work too.

Coffee vs Tea: Tea. I don't vibe with coffee. Every time I'm tired, I'm like maybe I should try coffee, it works for everyone else, right, right, RIGHT? Instant regret. My hands start hard shaking, I'm just as tired, if not more. My thoughts race just as hard as before. And I still cannot focus, and now cannot rest. And I spend the next few hours in absolute agony.

I have relatively few mutuals so I'll boop the few I do have @gbfmi1 @prairie-chimera ^w^ (Darn I should talk to you three [including runestonefox] more but I've been busy freaking out over nothing)

Pride Month is almost over and I haven't even wished you all a Happy Pride Month yet. So Happy Pride Month, in case I don't get around to a more direct wish. I am proud of you all ^w^.

Get to know your mutuals!

Coping with some shit rn and being tagged by @atlasspade honestly helps! Thank you very much!

Favorite Color: Yellow and periwinkle blue and do not make me choose between the two

Last Song You Listened To: I Always Wanna Die (Sometimes) by The 1975

Currently Reading: The Odyssey. I know, I mentioned reading it like two months ago, it's going slow.

Currently Watching: Another comfort piece... Ugly Betty

Currently Craving: hugs and reassurance

Coffee or Tea: Black tea

Don't be a stranger <3 @lilsnatch @pinkberrytea @mercymaker @steel-valiant @not-those-kids and @song-writer-melo-wrath (even though I have a feeling I know answers lmao)

[nicheshameless]

Niche Shameless: Intro Post

The goal of this account is to share and promote the parts of Shameless US fandom that tend to get less love and focus. Both by hosting events and reblogging creations (art, fic, vids, gifs sets, meta, crafts, etc.).

I want to encourage people to create more things about the niche aspects of Shameless. And, in return, to make those creations easier to find so we can support creators with reblogs, likes, kudos, and comments.

As a bonus, I'm hoping this account makes it easier for followers to find others who love the same character, pairing, sibling duo, etc. There's nothing better than finding people with the same obsession so we can hype each other up!

What do you mean by "niche"?

Currently, that means everything other than Ian/Mickey* as a pairing.

There's a great variety of events in the fandom, but all of them are focused exclusively on Ian/Mickey. It's similar when you look at the fics posted under the Shameless US fandom on AO3: 91.9% are tagged with Ian/Mickey (yes, I did the math).

So, as a result, the "niche" side of fandom becomes everything else. I wanted a place to talk about those aspects of the show where they wouldn't get drowned out.

*This account will still have some Ian and Mickey, but the goal is to focus on them as characters (not as a couple), and on their other relationships. Those relationships can be sexual, romantic, or platonic. They can be canon or not. So if you have fanart you've been dying to share for Mickey/OC Mexican boyfriend, that's welcome here!

Can you give me some examples?

A non-exhaustive list of "niche" topics:

Gen (as in: not focused on a sexual or romantic relationship)

Friendships

Mentor & mentee

Familial relationships (found family included)

Canon ships

Non-canonical ships

Plot-focused works

other? Maybe you really love that rooster mug from the Gallagher's kitchen and want to make a gif set about it? (To be fair, it is very cute.)

Wait, so no Gallavich?

Not here, sorry.

But there's tons of fun events specifically for the pairing sprinkled throughout the year. @gallavichthings has a calendar up in their pinned post for easy access.

And on AO3, there's currently over 18000 fics for the pairing. If that's what you're looking for, there's plenty to enjoy. (Don't forget to leave kudos and a comment!)

I have more questions / something wasn't clear.

If you have questions: great! The ask box is open. Also, I'll try to put together a FAQ in the next week or so.

If anything was unclear, please let me know and I'll see if I can clarify in my answer and/or edit this post to make it easier to understand. Small disclaimer: English isn't my first language. If anything is unclear, or if I use run-on sentences, I'm sorry. I re-read this post at least a dozen times, but grammar was never my strong suit. I'd love if anyone else wanted to contribute to the admin of the blog, even if it's just beta-reading my posts so they're clear to English speakers.

💙 🐓 🥱

If you've read this far, thank you. Here's a cute photo of sleepy-morning-toussled Kev and that rooster mug as a reward.

[mortalscience]

criminal minds 18x08 Tara thoughts behind cut (SPOILERS)

oh, my sweet, sweet, Tara. MY GIRL. I knew this would be an emotional journey for her and it was. ;_; also could like, the show chill on the dead parent trauma for five minutes though? LMAO. i really loved it though, i saw a lot of myself in tara in this episode. i cried like 3 times hahaha. "how can you all just go on? the world needs to stop and feel what i'm feeling." <- REALLLLL. "they don't want to know what it was like for me: a motherless daughter" <- OH OKAY JUST COME FOR ME. tara coming to terms with her anger and grief regarding her mom, probably the one lingering issue she had, so that it would free her up to move forward in life, was a wonderful journey. <3 couldn't be me tho, i'll never get married hahahaha.

which, dude, I thought everyone was lowkey reaching about the tarbecca engagement, how did y'all predict that? LOL. i just went along for the ride cause it was a cute idea but damn. props. you guys called it. it was so sweet! and everyone was so happy. rossi shouting in italian! and that cut to jj - i think it was lowkey a little healing for her to see this for tara. and penelope about to explode from joy lmao. nothing she loves more than a BAU engagement. it was really great for the team to have a nice, happy moment. (and i'm sure it's the calm before the storm of whatever the hell is gonna go down in the last two eps of the season.)

hooray for the return of the codependent BAU team, having all their major life events happen in front of or with each other, LOOLLL.

GARVEZ MOMENT!!!! luke and penelope standing next to each other during the proposal and a shoulder bump :D :D :D :D :D my cutiesssssssss!

not me partially predicting some stuff in this episode in this fic i wrote hahaha. sadly, instead of luke wondering why he couldn't get ahold of penelope, it was emily. hilarious though, when emily walked into voit's room and saw penelope and was just like aughhhghh. the groan of long suffering acceptance.

poor penelope feeling guilt over tate andrews and equating herself with a serial killer. and it was strangely sweet how voit kind of connected with her in a paternal sense. and it makes sense that voit would like penelope cause she's the only one that's been kind to him. but i am glad that emily, while obviously feeling a little bit frustrated by penelope, told penelope that she didn't need to explain and that she didn't sound crazy. <3 <3

loved emily's 'tired' speech at the BAU. girl we're all tired, this season has been WIILLDDDD

luke and jj showing up at the hospital and luke shooting eye daggers at evan while he hugged rebecca was so funny to me. he was like STAY AWAY FROM MY BESTIE'S GIRLFRIEND. ASSHOLE.

FRANKLY i'm not entirely sold on evan's innocence - aside from just being a jerk who tried to move in on rebecca while her girlfriend was in the hospital. i feel like the likelihood is low that he is involved - i'm like 95% sure he really was just a red herring all along - but it just still seems off. could be because the actor is playing him so smarmy. haha.

the unknown potential maria jones connection has got me about ready to go back and watch that episode to look for clues myself hahahaha. I NEED TO KNOW!

voit referenced "collateral damage" - meaning all the people who died because they crossed paths with him - of which 'CollateRal' is the name of next week's episode. what does it meannnn. someone will die next episode? or maybe it's to do with whatever's going on with maria jones' case.

what else did voit want to tell tyler about alison?????

tyler thinking penelope's computer wouldn't be locked and touching penelope's stuff. ahaha. that scene made me laugh.

there sure was a lot of stuff pointing the finger at ochoa as the disciple this episode.

we have: ochoa being strangely concerned about voit going back to prison and him needing to "accept" it, the statement of "I believe you are different" in a slightly reverent tone, the suspicion about the disciple being someone who knows all about voit's memory issues so hospital staff are high possibilities and yet emily hand-waving ochoa as a suspect because of her "reputation", ochoa thinking it would be "the best thing for the both of them" for tyler and voit to work together (maybe with the hope that interacting with tyler would revert voit). INTERESTING.

there also sure was a lot of stuff making tyler look bad this episode.

tyler went SO HARD on this evan theory, which if had turned out to be true would have been a point in favor of him not being the disciple. but since evan was framed, it just makes tyler look like he totally went after the guy. D: D: we're not gonna know who the disciple is until we know!! they are throwing so much evidence at both ochoa and tyler at this point hahaha. DAMNIT!! (but omg I am loving this! WHO IS ITTTT. what a great mystery!!!)

all in all, another BANGER EPISODE from what is shaping up to be a legendary season!!

[scorpioriesling]

Temptation Island - Episode 6

･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:* ✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:* ✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:* ✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:* ✧･ﾟ: *

Pairing(s): Xaden, Liam, Ridoc, Bodhi, Aaric, Dain, Garrick x reader

Warning(s): none

Summary: Four couples come to Temptation Island to test the strenght of their relationships -- relationships built on rocky foundations, that is. Will these couples survive? Will these individuals be tempted during their stay on the island, or stay true to their partners? Only readers decide -- find out what happens next in this juicy, dramatic series!

SR’s Note: I continue to listen to y'all... even though sometimes I HEAVILY disagree!!! (I'm just kidding, I still love every one of you) I hope this episode brings people the clarity we ALL need lol... or maybe things will continue to complicate. mua ha ha ha

Tags: @mellowmusings @rcarbo1 @lilah-asteria @whyucloudingmymind @bookofriverr @kitsunetori @velarisdusk @nctsawrus @lreadsstuff @paintedbyshadows @woollybread786 @invisiblepixies @freakishfandomfiend @littleemissperfecttt @luvly-writer @fiahtheteaaddict @loveofmychips @bodhidurrans @notnowkittenwhisker @emmiwolfsworld @acourtofbatboydreams @lanamyersismywife @bookishbishhh @bangtanxberm (inbox me or comment if you'd like to be added!)

･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:* ✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:* ✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:* ✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:* ✧･ﾟ: *

Episode 5

The next few days passed in a blur -- for some reason, your world felt off, as though your gaze had been shifted. Everything you thought you knew had been fractured at once; it wasn't like you didn't understand the cause, but more questioned what you could do to solve everything.

When Friday came around, you got ready for the bonfire alone. An ache squeezed your heart as you listened to the girls giggle and sing along to whatever music was playing down the hallway; but you didn't entirely feel right going and hanging out with them. After the way you spoke to Cat, and then catching Sloane in a rather compromising position after...

Let's just say there were wrongs to be righted. But, maybe not right before yet another gruelling bonfire.

"Which dress are you wearin' tonight?"

You sighed, glancing toward your closet. Ridoc had made himself comfortable on your bed, his arms reached behind his head as he longed atop the duvet. He, at least, dained you with some colmpany as you got ready -- even if he claimed to only come up here due to boredom.

"I think I'll go with the tiffany blue tonight," you decided, turning back to your vanity. It was nearly seven, and the sleek black cars would be here in minutes to pick you all up; it was the one night you were happy to have your own car for the ride.

Ridoc loosed a breath as he pushed up off the bed, striding over to your closet and thumbing through your outfits until he found your selection. One positive from the last few days was your improvement in relationship with the tanned male; he'd initiated a casual enough conversation that you didn't feel pressured, but rather invited to express your feelings and intentions with him. All in all, the two of you decided you'd be better off friends; and boy, what a good friend he'd become lately.

"This will look fantastic with your eyes," he observed, draping the gown over the back of your chair. You grinned, swiping the last of your mascara on before rising from your seat. He backed up, allowing you some space as you prepared to dress the best you had all week.

* ✧･ﾟ: *

To say the bonfire was awkward would be the understatement of the century.

Your driver hadn't spoken during the ride (he never did), but when all four of you met up and strode in toward the flames, the air shifted between you all. You could feel that you were the outsider right now, and it only added to your growing anxiety of what you'd watch Drake do in the upcoming video.

Mark greeted everyone warmly as always, not noticing the tension in the group or if he did, he didn't comment on it. It must have been your lucky day as you were up first, the screen glowing to life as Drake's form came into focus.

His actions were... shocking, almost.

Clip after clip, the damage continued to grow. Not only was he kissing Mira and allowing her to sleep in his bed; no, he was doing far worse. Worse than the physical stuff, worse than anything he'd done so far -- the sting of it was like a punch to the gut.

He was opening up to her.

You listened as he spoke with her, really opening himself up and discussing issues in your current relationship. He told her private things, details you wouldn't think he'd need to bring up with others, but althewhile he continued to express how upset he was that you were with other guys.

As the video ended, you were surprised at the absence of your tears. It hurt, it really did; but were you sad, really?

Mark waited patiently as you met his eyes, shaking your head slowly.

"I don't feel like he deserves tears," you said, and you could feel the weight of the other's stares on you as you spoke. "He's crossed so many lines, but... discussing our private affairs? That's... well, honestly, at this point it's just despicable, I guess."

The area was silent aside from the crackle of flame on wood. Slowly, the girls turned back to Mark; however, Cat laid a gentle hand on your shoulder.

Though you wouldn't allow Drake to upset you, the simple touch meant more to you than she'd ever know.

"Do you feel like you deserve to be let on by him, knowing and seeing what you have now?" Mark asked. You shook your head, clarity finding it's way into your head.

"No," you said simply, realizing all along what you should've from the start. "No, I deserve much better."

Mark nodded in approval.

"And, you think you can find it on this island?"

You grinned, a faint blush covering your cheeks as one male came to mind.

"Mark... I think I already have."

* ✧･ﾟ: *

The rest of the affair was more of a dumster fire than you could have imagined, save for Cat and Traeger's (again, uneventful) bit.

Sloane watched in horror as Jack was featured growing closer and closer with Nadine. Your heart ached for her as she revealed her innermost insecurities before the group, questioning if she herself could deserve any better than she had. After a long discussion with Mark, she was drying her tears once again and setting her shoulders. You honestly had to fight the urge to pull her in for a hug; those reparations would have to wait.

Violet's segment was the worst of all. Halden was shown saying how much he loved and respected Violet, in a variety of clips actually; but then came the dreaded shower footage. This time, pink-haired Imogen followed the cheating bastard into his bathing chambers, followed by who you assumed ot be a new arrival. The slim blonde was later revealed to be known as "Caroline" -- the moaning and filthy shower dialogue confirmed that.

Tears streamed down Violet's face as she took in Halden's actions, his loyalness to her clearly dwindling. However, when Mark pushed for more conversation with the silver-haired woman, she refused to discuss it.

Mark finished the bonfire aiming to lift everyone's spirits, it seemed. He rose before the group, a sad smile on his face.

"I truly do apologize for the distress you may be under; all of you," he said, looking each girl in the eye. "I hope that footage like this will remind you of who you are, and how you want to leave the island; perhaps clips like these will aid in your decision making."

He was right about that; after tonight, after everything Drake had so willingly thrown out the window in reguard to you -- there was no possible way of redemption, in your eyes.

"I do want to clue you in on a little addition to the villa," Mark continued, bringing your wandering mind back to the present. "You'll find a tent suite set up a few hundred feet from the main villa. Inside, you'll see we've set up a romantic, private getaway for whomever chooses to use it."

Your brows rose at this, and Sloane's eyes lit up at the mention of it.

"However -- there are still microphones in the tent, but absolutely no cameras. That is something important to keep in mind when using it... I don't think I need to elaborate." This made the group share a chuckle, but Mark went on.

"I want you to understand that the guy's villa has this option as well; and, when the tent is in use, a red alarm signal will go off in the other groups villa, alerting the group that it is in use."

Violet nearly gasped at this, and you fought to hold your tongue.

"This is to let the other group know the temptation haven is being used in the other camp, however it will not be revealed who at the time is using it. Only that someone is."

The four of you looked to eachother, really looked. Sloane looked excited at the new addition, where Violet only appeared worried. Cat seemed excited, if not for her own use, but for the war to begin between the others.

It was like a big game of roulette had started -- and each group would just have to wait for the other to make the first move.

* ✧･ﾟ: *

The following day, Mark had instructed for yet another date to take place; this time, you had an entire day to invite someone. You were particularly excited for this date, though it was shorter, it would take place in one of your most favorite spots: the beach.

That morning wasn't as awkward as you thought it'd be. You'd been clinging to Ridoc the past few days, your friendship growing with each passing hour. When you opened up to him not only about your relationship, but your ruined friendships with the other girls, he did what any good friend would do; he encouraged you to make it right.

So, you did -- sitting with them for meals wasn't as bad as you'd expected, and they actually talked to you more than they had been before. Violet was clearly confused about the awkwardness between you other three, but she didn't care or notice enough to comment on it.

By dinner though, you still found yourself conflicted. Your eyes flitted around the room, first noticing Garrick, then Liam, and then Xaden. Dain was in the corner, sipping his beer and listening to something Aaric was saying though his gaze was tilted in a particular blonde's direction.

"I already asked Ridoc," Cat said, which brought you back to the conversation being had at the girl's table. Well, you thought. So much for going the friend-route tomorrow.

"I was planning to ask Dain," Sloane said, her eyes glancing at you. In a silent moment, you met her stare, and gave her an encouraging nod.

"What do you guys... think... what do you think it says if, I ask Xaden again?" Violet asked quietly. Cat smiled softly, and your heart seized. You could see the conflict in her eyes, choosing loyalty to Halden versus exploring the deeper relationship between her and Xaden. His words came back to you in that moment, the way he asked your permission essentially to continue things with Violet. It was clear they were interested in one another, but you didn't realize the extent until now... you could only hope a quiet fascination like theirs would find you one day.

Placing a hand on her knee, you stared into her eyes.

"I think he would be the best choice for you, Violet."

Dark eyes met yours from across the room, Xaden's head tilting in silent question.

"You think so?"

You nodded, your gaze flickering between her and possibly the most perfect man for her standing a few yards away. He smiled softly as he nodded back, understanding that your decision was final.

"I really do."

* ✧･ﾟ: *

It was nearly noon when your toes sunk into the white beach sand, the wind brushing small strands of hair across your face. Liam stood yet again beside you, his blue eyes squinting as he peered out at the ocean.

"You sure you're ready to do this?" He asked, turning his stare to you. Nodding, he took your hand in his, leading you out toward the water. Once you'd reached the crashing waves against the shore, your heartbeat began to quicken.

"Alright, first things first," he began, lying his surfboard flat on the sand. He stepped atop it, bouncing his knees in a surf-stance.

"The waves will get pretty bumpy out there -- so don't lock your legs, and make sure you keep your feet flat on the board."

You nodded in understanding, watching as he stepped off the surface. Extending a hand to you, graciously you took it, allowing him to help you up onto the flat plane.

"Good, now bend a little more," he instructed, and you did just so. Bending at the knees, you held your arms wide, working to balance atop the surface itself. Once you adjusted your stance, finding the best and most central place to balance atop the polished board, Liam gave a clap of approval.

"Think you're ready?"

You laughed, jumping off the board's face and landing softly in the sand beside him.

"I think I better watch you do it first."

He grinned, his pearly white teeth gleaming in the mid-day sun. He bent to pick up the surfboard, nudging it beneath his arm before heading out into the crashing waves. You sat, resting one hand behind you to prop up on while the other sheilded the relentless island sun from your face. Liam waded out into the waist-deep water, his eyes scanning the horizon for an incoming wave. About 30 reconds later, he found his mark.

You watched in awe as he swam for it, his lean body balanced atop the orange and cream board as he swam. Every muscle in those lean, tanned arms surged as he cut through the water, and once he'd gotten to the base of the wave...

"Whooo!" You cheered, raising your arms in victory as Liam hopped up onto the surface. His abs flexed and moved with the rhythm of the ocean, his feet guiding the board this way and that as he rode out the wave. Once the water dwindled, he jumped from the board, splashing in the ocean upon landing. You could only smile when his blonde head resurfaced, the sweetest grin plastered to his face.

Out there, it was as though he was in his element; just Liam, the water, and his board. It was beautiful to watch, really -- you could only hold out hope that you'd soon find such happiness as Liam did out there in the ocean.

* ✧･ﾟ: *

It was nearly dinnertime when the two of you made your way back to the villa. The sun had began to set, and after hours upon hours of gruelling hip and ab movement; to say you were exhausted would be saying the least.

At least Liam seemed to get a kick out of your attempts, though.

"You did better than you think!" He assured you, still reminiscing on your final try before calling it a night. You'd actually gotten up on your two feet this time, however as soon as you stood... you flew right off that damned board.

You nudged him playfully, biting back your own smile.

"At least I got up on my feet, right?"

He nodded, rounding the corner to the showers. "That's what counts!"

You dropped your beach bag on the other side of the stone wall and followed Liam as he tugged you beneath the silver showerhead. The bleached stone bricks came up around you, enclosing the small wash space from all sides but one. The open side allowed you to see out toward the villa -- and any onlooker to see right in.

He reached for the shower handle with one hand, twisting the knob until cool water rained down on the two of you. You practically moaned at the feeling; though the water was colder than you'd prefer, it felt good as it dripped down onto your sun warmed skin.

Liam seemed to feel the same, closing his eyes and tilting his head back as the water rained down over his shoulders. The apple of his throat bobbed, and a flush coated your cheeks as your mind wandered. The other night, his lips were so soft and gentle when he kissed you, sweetened by the remnants of his ice cream. Would they be as sweet now? Would you still crave his touch, long after the date ended?

That's when the crushing realization hit you; Garrick. After your wonderful, beautiful time with Liam, Garrick had to come right back into your life and ruin everything. Why was it that he had begun to take up so much of your headspace? You couldn't bring yourself to take him on a date today; after everything the other night, time alone was not what the two of you needed. If he wanted things to work, he'd need to be clear on his feelings; and spending the day together, pressed up against one another atop the soft sand-

"What's on your mind?" Liam asked, and your eyes flashed open. You hadn't realized you'd closed them, your thoughts clearly getting the better of you. Liam looked down at you now, his eyes radiant in the afternoon sun. His blonde hair was soaked, small droplets dripping down his shoulders and over his chest. And his lips...

But somehow, Garrick's were the ones that came to mind when you thought too hard about it.

"Kiss me," you said, your voice breathless as you stepped closer. His hands were quick to rest against your waist, the strong feeling of them sending a rush down your spine. A flash of confusion crossed his face, but as quickly as it came, it was gone.

Over Liam's shoulder, you watched as a few of the others headed to the patio for dinner. Dain walked past, then Cat, and that God-forsaken Aaric too. The last in the line stopped, his gaze zeroing in on the scene before him.

Without another thought, you wrapped your arms around Liam's neck, tugging his mouth toward yours. He didn't object, in fact he leaned into the kiss, his soft lips sliding against yours. His fingers flexed against the skin of your waist, and a small groan of approval left his throat as he drank you in.

You didn't even need to open your eyes to gague Garrick's reaction to the two of you; his stare alone was telling enough.

* ✧･ﾟ: *

Everyone turned in rather early that evening, as a late-night storm blanketed the skies above. You were quick to shower, hoping to beat the impending storm and not let your superstition get the best of you.

As you were leaving your bathroom, brush in hand -- an alarm began to sound. Frightened, you pulled the brush from your locks and fled for your bedroom door, running out into the hall. Sloane peeked out from her room, and then Cat and then Violet; silent looks of horror were shared between the four of you as the alarm continued, now accompanied by red flashing lights.

Violet motioned for everyone to come to her room, so the three of you did. You hadn't paid mind to the confused shouting coming from the boy's end of the hall -- in that moment, the four of you huddled up on Violet's bed.

"What's going on?" Violet asked, squeezing shut her eyes and covering her ears. Sloane's eyes were wide as her body went still, her gaze focusing on Cat and then you.

She swallowed.

"It's... the haven. Someone in the guy's villa has set it off."

Cat's shoulders shook, small trembles coarsing through her body. You reached out in that moment and wrapped your arms around her, circumstances be damned.

"I pray it's not Traeger," she said, her voice hollow. Violet finally opened her eyes as the alarm halted, though the lights continued to flash. Sloane breathed out a sad sigh when she realized Violet had begun to cry, and pulled her close to her chest.

"It's not," Violet wept, curling into Sloane's arms. "It's Halden again, I just know it."

You and Sloane shared a look, her wide-eyed gaze relaxing as she realized all four of you were in the same boat. Who's boyfriend was it? Who wanted to be alone with another so badly, they'd venture out into a thunderstorm to use the haven?

In your own mind, you begged a different question; was it Drake? If so, was he really so desperate for change, for something so not-you that he'd bring a girl to the haven so quickly? Was it Mira he brought there?

Cat drew in a shaky breath, rising from the sheets and standing.

"I think I need to be alone right now," she said, emotion clogging her throat. You nodded in understanding, and Violet let out another long sob.

"I think I'll stay here with her for just a bit," Sloane said quietly. You nodded in understanding, rising yourself and heading for the door. Your head swam with a million unsaid thoughts, each one darker than the last. What was it that Drake wanted so badly, that you couldn't provide for him? Why would he willingly seek out someone else, when he'd always had you right there?

You hadn't realized you'd wandered all the way down to the outdoor kitchen until a crack of thunder startled you in your tracks. All around the covered pavillion, rain crashed down and splattered against the ground, the sound being the most peaceful thing you'd heard all week. You stood there, heaving as you worked to control your breathing; placing a hand over your heart, you realized you'd begun to hyperventilate.

Continuing on, you ventured further out into the open, hoping the growing storm would calm you down and clear your head. Stepping fully out into the storm, you sighed, feeling every drop of rain pelting down on you.

"What are you doing out here?!"

Your peace was short-lived as Garrick emerged from behind you, having taken the same path as you to get here. Squinting through the falling drops, you watched as he charged closer, a hand shielding his face from the raging storm.

"I needed to clear my head!" You shouted over the chaos around you. Once he finally reached you, his expression hardened, his eyes near slits as he stared down at you.

"Out in a fucking tropical storm?" He shouted, his hand taking yours and pulling you back toward the villa. "Come on! We need to get inside!"

You huffed a humorless laugh, your mind fuzzy at the small touch. You stood your ground, prompting to turn and look at you incredulously.

"It's not safe out here, Y/N! Come on, let's go in!"

You shook your head defiantly.

"Almost sounds like you care about me," you said, your voice quieting as he stumbled closer to you. His chest heaved, and yours matched it; and staring up into his unyielding brown eyes, you watched his internal battle play itself out.

He sighed at once. "You're... you're crazy, Y/N."

You grinned, the look more feline than you'd ever intended.

"Maybe... you ready to talk about it yet?"

He scoffed, his free hand coming to push a lock of dripping wet hair behind your ear. The other still clutched your hand.

"No."

You shook your head once, closing the gap between you in an instant.

"Me either."

His mouth wasn't soft. His lips weren't sweet. His kiss was demanding, punishing in the way it overtook you. His fingers squeezed at your waist, grasping at your soaked clothing to bring you as close to him as humanly possible. Rain beat down around the two of you as his lips laved against yours, a small groan of appreciation slipping through when you tangled your fingers in his brown locks. You moaned into his mouth, pulling him closer, closer, closer...

His hands were scooping beneath your ass, hoisting you up into his arms as you wrapped your legs around his waist. He carried you with little effort back to the villa, ending the journey when your back pressed against the concrete outer wall. Just around the corner, the two of you would be safe, dry, and covered from the elements. All he'd need to take would be two more steps and the both of you would be sheltered once more.

But, as you kissed him back just as hard, you realized you didn't want that. No safety, no protection, nothing. You reveled in the way his mouth tangoed with yours, hot and messy and fucked up beyond belief. The storm continued to rage on, but with Garrick... it was as if nothing else in the world mattered in that very moment.

* ✧･ﾟ: *

[werezmastarbucks]

U N18

U N7 masterlist 13/14 + 2 extra chapters

word count: 7420

music: fall in love again by aleph, then by gaho and villain, i swear i'll never leave again by keshi, truth untold by bts

when he tells you that you need to come to Seoul with him, he is ready to fence off your immediate reaction.

"why?"

"to keep an eye on you, nothing more".

he thinks a little, his serious, heavy-lidded stare examining your face.

"how many friends do you have in Busan?"

"i have my neighbour".

"isn't she around eighty though? she will feed Komangi while you're gone".

you flare your nostrils. don't look at his hands held out, offering you rice. his heart-shaped lips show you how you need to open your mouth, but you refuse to.

"i mean actual friends?"

"i don't need friends".

he's feeding you carefully; in the morning you found one hand is not good for opening palm because of the abrasion, and the other hurts after falling.

"i have my Seoul friends".

"nobody to come over if something happens?" he presses. "from university? no one?"

"why are you rubbing it in, man? i am too old to make new friends".

he backs off, a :] on his face. looks like an axolotl. he spoons more rice and puts a piece of kimchi on.

"you came over when something happened", you admit, displeased.

he shrugs with unease.

"it was so lucky".

he shakes the hair off his face and looks up, keeping in the sunlight from the window. he said he got cold at night.

you look around the kitchen to see if your perception of the world changed after last night. you got a little more jumpy, if anything. head hums, you can feel the cut up there, and the big, round bandaid on the knee makes it impossible to bend or unbend it. you sigh shakily, tired again. you'd rather sleep a little more.

"what about Holly?"

"he'll live".

"duh, but what was up with him?"

he looks at you curiously, chewing. the sun is warming up his broad shoulders, and golden dust floats around him like it's his fairy powder. atrociously soft sight.

"well, he's almost blind now and his hip is bad".

"sounds salvageable. but you still came to Daegu?"

"my..." he pauses, frowns, calculating. his brows go - one up, the other down, "first cousin once removed died, as well".

your brain pretends to compute.

"i saw him once, maybe twice in all my life".

"wow. i would be pissed if i was him".

you scratch behind your ear. can't believe it's been twelve hours and you resorted to these well-hidden, dry compliments, again.

"why isn't the police calling?"

"they're calling. me".

silence is only broken by Komangi noisily drinking his water next to the window.

you measure your breathing, keeping your face expression in check.

"a bit yandere of you, no?"

Yoongi punches his cheek with his tongue, pretends to be chill.

"when i google what it is, i can tell you yes or no".

"aren't you learning Japanese?"

"not anymore".

he adds,

"i'll handle it. you won't see him again".

"i don't feel comfortable about it".

it's clear that he's also treading carefully not to snap.

"you could simply say thanks".

another pause.

"you never thank me for anything".

you go back in your head, trying to remember instances when you didn't thank him. it's no use. your brain is currently an egg on a pan, sizzling when poked to work.

"thanks, oppa", you blurt under your breath, mouth curling in disgust.

he nods. it never occurred to you that maybe he doesn't see himself as this impending cloud of eternal happiness and eternal doom as you do. probably not... saying things like please and thank you is one of those gestures you generally struggle with. you prefer to repay in services. you sometimes even forget to pass him things with both hands, and he never mentions it.

"for a week", he says, "to see if you feel worse all of a sudden".

you agree. even the home doesn't feel safe for now. the aftershock still vibrating somewhere deep. you know you will pay for this peace later, when Yoongi is not around.

after unhurried preparations, you knock on eoreusin's door and explain to her the state of your face and the need to take Komangi under her care. she quite likes the little cat; he's well-behaved, doesn't steal anything from her garden and looks cute. you wish you could take him with you, and Yoongi asks if he has papers to travel by plane. you give him a look in lieu of an explanation.

you drive to Daegu to return the father's car. his Santa Fe is heavier looking and grumbles louder, with a forgotten drinking tumbler in between front seats. Yoongi's parents are intense people; you spend your time bowing to them even though it hurts your head, wonder if they have any idea of your existence at all; you prefer to spend time with his brother in the garden, saying that you don't feel well inside the house. now you have the injury card to get out of conversations even if politeness calls for them. can't stand being surrounded by his family, it's like he's doing it on purpose even though it's unlikely. you used to try to imagine what it would be like to be introduced to them, and it always horrified you. the Min clan, even in pictures, has the energy of royals who are going to spare you one indifferent look and pass you by. the old self-esteem problem.

his father takes you and your bag sitting on Yoongi's lap to the airport, and you suffer with your head for an hour, groggy and weak with painkillers. flying further away from home; and the only thing keeping you happy is the thought of his big, light house with dark green plants and the nice thick garden in the yard.

"you know how, Tae, stop, you know how... ahhh... Tae here's your spoon, don't bite my hand. you know..." Jungkook winces, pinching the bridge of his nose.

"i forgot what i wanted to say".

the intensity with which you sometimes have to listen to him is torturous. Jungkook's hyperactive, easily shattered speech is gasoline to the fire of your adhd. sometimes you want to knock his teeth in for dragging thoughts like that, never delivering. you feel your blood boil.

"remember".

"i can't".

"it's something about Istanbul", Yuri helps. it's no use: the idea skipped his mind like a calibri. you put the hand to your face, and Taeyang starts crying upon seeing your bloody flesh.

"why aren't you wearing a bandaid?" Yuri exclaims, not out of concern for you. Yoongi's hands place a new bowl on the table. he's waiting on people who visit his house, sparing you of his company.

"they need to breathe..."

"are you very hurt?" she asks finally, handling her son. Jungkook wiggles his tattoed fingers in front of his face, and the boy forgets the horror. he is two years old, and he already jumps. crawling from Yuri's lap, he walks over to Yoongi who senses him like a cat. he lifts the boy to his shoulder and shows him the inside of the dishes rack, asking which plates he wants to put next.

"green. white. yellow. grey. white", Taeyang replies clearly.

"he already knows so many colours?" you whisper over the table. Jungkook nods,

"Namjoon reads to him a lot. it's scary".

your brows shoot up. then there's pressure behind your eyes: angsty, heavy heat travels to your nose. you put a fist to your mouth and pout with sobbing. they exchange glances. you recall Taehyung's sore messages when Jungkook says,

"job still good in Busan?"

you nod. job still good. weather, too. house pretty. people nice. Seoul is moving while Busan is frozen in time, beautiful like a postcard. Jungkook lets it be, tucking his curiosity away. you turn your head to look at Taeyang.

"isn't he a bit too tall, as well?" you ask, slightly choking. finally, the real horror strikes. Tae is growing at an alarming rate. you're missing it. Yoongi turns to you.

"he'll be taller than you in no time", Jungkook handles everything that revolves around his son. "Tae, come here".

Yoongi lets him down and Taeyang's hand unclutches his hair. it's growing out pretty long again, soon to ask for a wolf cut. the boy now runs towards you, forgotten all about your scary hands.

"how tall are you, Tae?"

he looks at his parents for aid.

"almost ninety centimeters", Yuri helps.

"that can't be right", you crawl down on one knee that doesn't hurt, carefully put the other on the floor. "you're a big guy, huh?"

"i am big like tree", Taeyang says. you point out the glass wall into the garden:

"that tree?"

"yes".

"or that one? or the plum tree?"

he bites his plump, shiny lower lip. Jungkook's tapioca eyes are staring outside with concentration his father rarely masters. you can feel your heart shatter in a thousand pieces.

after they leave, Yoongi finds you by the wall between the living room and the guest room. you're staring at the divider, measuring ninety centimeters with your finger. crying is bad for your head now, even the light sobbing makes it hum and puts pressure inside, like your brain inflates inside your skull.

"when i was little, my mom used to mark my height every year on the wall, like this", you whisper. his hand lies carefully in between your shoulder blades like he is afraid you'd push him away.

"mine did, too".

he takes your hand and adjusts it a little higher, showing you the ninety one centimeter that Tae has grown to.

you switch feet, relieving your injured knee. Yoongi's house fucking rocks. you entertain yourself by imagining outworldly scenarios on how to steal it from him or at least stay here forever. you could die and become a ghost and haunt this dwelling like in the movie about the ghost. when the evening comes, the whole space of the first floor is woven with the golden sunlight. it crawls off the light walls, turns them golden and beige, lights up the cosy furniture pieces, brings out the shine of the wooden floors, makes the succulents glow in emerald. it's beautiful like home that you never knew. once the darkness falls, the small lights in the kitchen ceiling are lit, and in the depths of living room, the floor lamps give the perfect golden-beige shine. you can tell Yoongi took the interior design of this place very personally. the house insides are as gentle, smart and relaxing as he is. that's what he is, that's his shade, you think. he used to be pink and white to you, like the moon and the cherry blossoms. but inside, he is really amber sand of the safe touch.

you cut the vegetables, holding the knife only with your fingers to engage the injured half of the palm as little as possible. the technique is not perfect. by the evening head booms and aches, especially because you made attempts at reading in the afternoon. this is what you do here: read, lie in bed, look out the windows and waddle.

the door beeps and clicks, and you hear his steps in the other side of the house in the corridor. he must hear the music immediately. kicks off his shoes. something's rustling gently. he turns up in the kitchen without a hurry, a plastic bag in his hand. cheap package, clutched by the hand wearing a silver Rolex. his hair is ruffled, he's been raking his hand through it a second ago. he's full basketball today, team bomber thrown onto a stool at the invisible line signifying the beginning of kitchen. there's fear in his eyes.

"what are you doing?"

"salad".

Yoongi exhales a little. your cooking is not that atrocious, he is being dramatic.

"you want sushi?" he raises the bag a little. you're quiet, so he shakes it again.

"yeah".

he's pretty good at making simple sushi. you know that because he has made them for you eight years ago one morning, at the countryside getaway house, when he got up earlier than everybody and found you in the kitchen. probably recalled seeing you cry on the lake the night before (everybody did). you sat at the counter staring into the white body of the fridge as if it could start cooking for you. well, instead you summoned Yoongi. he had shorter hair back then. just a day earlier he has devastated your whole soul by casually, politely mentioning his new girlfriend. recently started going out. yeah, she is Japanese. also an idol.

then, clueless, he silently started cooking upon seeing you. only said 'good morning' in the rusty, sleepy voice. that was such a long time ago. his quiet presence soothing the wound that he himself inflicted was like a loop of a trauma. you watched him neatly cut the fish, plop the small balls out of rice and shuffle with the nori with bangs covering his eyes. he also made you tea. it put him firmly into the category of good people, that morning. the silent caregiver. the friend whose existence near you puts literally no pressure, he has that rare aura. the sushi were good, and you said you needed soy sauce with them, and he crunched his nose but complied. back then you were going through a surgery, your heart tearing itself into pieces.

tonight he rests the bag at the end of the counter and goes to wash his hands. soon you are quietly chopping next to each other, without speaking. sex is almost completely off the table, and he hasn't asked for it. at nights, he only helps you adjust the broken knee onto his hip because that way it doesn't rub against the mattress.

it's late, but Yoongi has never been an early sleeper, always in a habit of spontaneously starting to work at one in the morning. the dinner comes in the dead of night, with summer salad and sushi. you drop a chrysanthemum flower bud into the teapot to let it bloom yellow.

"remember when Taehyung kept complaining how you put too much parsley in it?" he asks, grinning. chuckle comes out of him in chunks. he swirls the chopsticks above the bowl. you nod.

"it irritates his gut".

"i never got why he was so mad at you".

you nearly ended each other that day, shouting over the table, which led Namjoon to be very upset.

"he also said i didn't chop it properly. you're not supposed to chop herbs at all. just open your freaking mouth".

he chews with a smile. shoulders hunched over the table out of habit.

"Taehyung's often mad at me".

"i know. but why?"

"cause i left. cause i breathe and walk wrong. cause i taught Jimin wrong English", you rub your chin, smirking. because he was projecting his own failures onto you, becoming desperate that you wouldn't make your move on Yoongi. he always wanted at least one of you two to have the person that you yearned for.

"we kissed once, did they tell you?"

Yoongi pauses for a moment, his face elongating.

"how's that work?"

"we were immensely drunk at the club. i am surprised i remembered it at all".

someone's expensive car bangs with exhaustion outside, beyond the fence. there, covered by the wall, street is quieter, but it's still an audible pop, and you suddenly jump, surprised by your reaction. oh, there. ptsd kicks in. Yoongi's eyes stay calm, his reactions are generally slower in daily life and startling him is almost impossible. he sips tea. he also has an invaluable quality of keeping the peace when there's chaos around him. he is the shelter.

"you think you'll need to talk to somebody?"

"nah", you adjust the strap on your top, a little humiliated. "i only have one regret, that i didn't square him in the face".

you sincerely believe you could've handled the situation better. suddenly, a picture of the top of Yoongi's head on your knees makes you want to bring your knees up to your chin.

"i saw you did kick him".

"that was weak".

"that was weak, man", he parodies in English. probably a line he heard in a movie. reaction immediate, a tagline his brain brings up for the occasion. you snort quietly.

"your pronunciation is further improving. are you studying now?"

he shakes his head. there was a time Yoongi hated word endings. they simply didn't exist for him in English. yes, i like it a lo-; you don't wanna see thi-; they are barber-.

now you hear all three of your former students speak fluently and want to attribute it all to yourself but you're also aware of other tutors and their own natural, inevitable improvements.

after dinner and tea are over, Yoongi takes the salad bowl off the table and goes to wrap the leftovers in the film to put them in the fridge. he opens the door and you relax on the chair a little, thinking about which shower to take: the first or the second floor. the second floor bathroom is bigger, but the one here is cooler, has a jungle vibe with grey stone walls and that window.

"what's that?" he calls from the fridge.

"i made you skewers. for breakfast", you say.

"you can cook?" he is horrified, impressed. you don't look at him but hope he's not too disgusted at their sight. actually, they turned out okay. visually the same as the pictures on the internet.

head aches. you need to take painkillers and go to sleep. today you already have dark circles under the eyes, a sign of concussion. but it's surely light; the world doesn't spin and there's no sickness.

"what are you doing tomorrow?"

your stomach drops a little.

"i don't know? Hobi's not in town yet, Jimin is the day after tomorrow".

"will he come over?"

"can he?"

"sure. i'm asking because tomorrow i need to play video games".

you turn around, surprised and amused. Yoongi moves things around on the counter to put away the dirty dishes.

"huh?"

"i need to write a song for Dark Pictures. but i have no idea what the game is about".

"i was planning on lying down all day. i cooked today and feel too tired".

he nods into the fridge. you take the shower upstairs because fatigue takes over, and slip into bed, neglecting the night routine.

Yoongi says the next day that you cried in your sleep. you brace for the onset of consequences of your little adventure. you wonder how you'd feel without his shoulder to lean on at night, so soon after the attack. you hear (from the yandere) that Kim Seongjun has been transported to Seoul and there's a chance you will be called to court to testify. he had been fired from Hybe last month for coming to work drunk.

the timeline is this: he had let you go when you left to Busan, clocking other women in the company. but when you came back in May and didn't recognise him, Seongjun felt the old flame rekindled. started spiralling. felt like it was his unfinished business. got kicked out. followed you, angry.

that's what you theorize at least.

Yoongi sleeps until almost one in the afternoon and you do, as well. tiredness, stress coiling in your body in the head, belly and limbs, keep you in bed, a pillow between your bodies pressing into his side. when you finally get up, the sun is high, and he's hungry like the wolf. the fabric of his home pants stretched with morning erection, he groans sleepily and retreats into the bathroom and you fall back asleep, feeling guilty for some reason. you're also falling, period. balancing in between, and refusing to think about it even. never thought the comfort, the tenderness, peace, could be so devastating. in the past, Yoongi's disarming and indifferent friendliness was the blunt weapon. his current gentle non-invasiveness, quiet care, the overwhelming, muted love is akin to that now. it's like that invisible maze from one Lovecraft story where the astronaut got lost, bumping into transparent walls.

inescapability.

you meet on the couch in the living room where Yoongi is playing the buggy test version of the new game and you read while the eyes are still fresh. Yoongi likes sitting on the couch monkey style, feet up, with his knees below chin, wiggling his toes to help himself. he doesn't curse as he plays, but instead whimpers a little, like he's begging the game to comply. hair gets in his face too often and you sigh, biting your suggestion to get a haircut before it leaves your mouth. back in winter, you had no problem commenting on his appearance, talking about his body, because it didn't matter. now this again: should i say something, or will he think something. you keep chewing on your cheek, biting dry, tortured lips. this whole arrangement was a trap, of course, but of what nature, and what you should've done instead, you don't know.

the day is short and painfully pleasant. you don't get into each other's faces instead just moving around the couch, touching only accidentally. a foot to a hip, shoulders, a hand to a butt. the last couple of hours you feel too tired to read so you watch him play. he's surprisingly bad at this, although you're sure you'd be even worse. it takes him a whole day to finish a six-hour game. he keeps his little notebook on the coffee table and sometimes writes something down if it catches his attention.

you realise it has been a glimpse into the alternative life you could've had if you had been normal and he, ordinary. Yoongi stands up from the couch and stretches his back, moaning like a big cat. he walks slowly across the living room with his old man walk, to the shower, and in a minute calls out your name. it always sounds like rain when he says it.

"y/n!"

you heave yourself up. had been lying great, in the shape of a shrimp, big cushion propping your back, about to doze off. you come to the bathroom to find him standing at the mirror with a bottle in his hand.

"you know oils?"

"cooking oils?"

"no. my hairdresser told me to use rosemary and coconut oils but i don't know the proportions. and what's a carrier oil?"

he looks up at you simply.

"you don't know what a carrier oil is?"

he shakes his head. unreadable.

"rosemary is too concentrated, it should be used in drops and mixed with a fat carrier oil like coconut or almond".

"how much do i need?"

he looks quite helpless. his hair is fine, though. thick, dark, two silver strands on top.

you take over the bottles, heat up the coconut oil and mix them together, explaining it to him, slightly surprised he'd never had run ins with this thing. Yoongi sits down in the kitchen as you sink your fingers in the bowl and put the warm concoction onto his scalp. you think that people generally have no idea about the true shape of each other's heads. it's all mystery covered by the hair. you massage him gently, adding the oils, rub them in, then go for the hair.

"i need to cut half of it off", he murmurs as your hand keeps sliding down to reach the ends. it's easily spreadable, not like your constantly tangled long hair. you find the spot at the base of his skull where the hard turns softer and the muscles begin, and press on the depression between. Yoongi hums, too eager to tilt his head forward, used to the quick massages to relax the neck. you find a birthmark on the back of it that you've never seen before, and frown. one little renegade, trying to hide from you, but you eventually got it. the abrasion on your palm pulls painfully. you brush over the birthmark with your finger on your way to rub his neck lightly. then return to the hair and what's beneath it. hands hurt. wrap him in the food film and let him go for thirty minutes. the book has put you in a cranky, tired state, so you retreat to the bathroom upstairs, take the shower and go straight to bed before nine in the evening. Yoongi warns that he's going to work in his music room until night. it doesn't matter. his presence in the house is enough.

Seongjun finally catches up with you. it's a shaky, quick, violent dream in which he slams you onto the ground. you've never been attacked before so you had no idea ptsd dreams are just reenactments of what happened, but at x2 speed. Yoongi has to pull you out of it by the shoulder and you come back to the dark bedroom, feeling the cry still hanging on your lips like saliva. you woke him up with a sob probably, and he woke you up in turn. his hand pulls on you from across the bed, his body turning, and you don't think, you race to him, press yourself into his broad body, burying the face in his neck. he smells like shampoo, rosemary and home. your lips stick to his skin as you place a small kiss of gratitude for being Min Yoongi. and he decides against something. his knee kicks the blanket away and his arm tightens around you, and his mouth searches for yours.

the kiss is slow, as usual, but less hungry, which is atypical. it's tender, it takes a while to gain the heat like there's introduction first, with the words you need to decipher. you have never misread each other's silent cues, even when your acquaintance was relatively new. it's hard with Yoongi as he has all these trenches, booby traps and walls around him that one needs to cross before he lets someone in. but you always managed to read each other pretty well from a distance. you just decided to be steady with him from the very beginning, sensing his natural calm. with others, you have always been louder, more energetic. you are the peaceful twins. doodling three chairs away from each other, sharing one couch in harmony, driving home listening to music, without the awkward silence ever disrupting the moment.

you pull down your pants a little, hate sleeping in them because as soon as there's some action in between your legs, it all gets onto fabric and bothers you. Yoongi doesn't mistakingly take it as a call to undress you, but instead makes his way down slowly, fingers tracing the line of your stomach, warm palm on top of your belly button in a weirdly protective gesture. for once, the tips of his fingers are soft. no blisters.

only after does his hand slip inside, plunging them in your wetness. this is the first time he doesn't get possessive or kinky but instead just loves you silently. it cracks the night. feels like there's someone else in the house for whom you have to be really quiet, and this play pretend keeps you right at the center of the bed, under him, engulfed in the rosemary smell. you touch the side of his face, your hand small against it, and he closes his eyes and leans into. there's still ample chance to ruin everything, you think. you don't know what this everything is, either.

you stand against the glass wall and look at green trees plaguing his garden, and ponder whether it's possible to fall in love with someone because of their house. when the dwelling is so expressive and hypnotizing that it gives away the owner's character. especially these trees, small, underdeveloped baby fruits spotting the thickets of the leaves. there's still two days to go because you have a week's worth of sick leave. don't think concussion will cease by then, but it's still better than nothing. Hoba comes over, and you dance together for hours, as you try not to shake your head too much; he shows you the moves that only employ the lower part of your body, and he's burning to record another short video, a recreation of the old one. you think it's sweet, nostalgic. Hobi has that easy agender elegance about him, he always dances in and out of your day, calling you that bitch, grabbing your waist and leaving you better than he found you. the old you it trying to crack her way with a stick out of this hard egg shell, you can feel it. the overenergetic you, the loud you, the y/n that laughed too noisily and kept her eyes too open, and ached too sharply. the y/n that had fun instead of peace.

it's been a great while since your last getaway with the Bangtan boys, and you heard they didn't stop renting houses when you left. out of courtesy they admit that yes, without you the weekends seem quieter (more peaceful, big Tae adds), with fewer bursts of laughter (and the number of bloody accidents dropped to zero).

it feels immensely nostalgic to be in front of a rental, knowing how little time you have before you need to fly back to Busan, and seeing how, as the family grows, the houses become bigger. now there are more people than you can count on the fingers of both hands; everybody makes it. Jin takes a day off to ride with you, and Hobi extends his stay because suddenly they all feel the forties approaching and say, oh, yeah, we actually haven't spent time together in months. the seven of them are big men who can barely fit in one elevator anymore; plus there are three women: Nari, Yuri and Yuna, and even a child. Nari's belly is still too small to tell anything but Jimin touches it like he alone can hear what's going on inside.

you sit with your injured knee bent a little and the toes of the other foot grabbing at the long grass, in a garden chair. and watch not one, but two pregnant women chat, flipping bread on the grill. they both have cravings, Yuna and Nari. they both have vanilla ones. bread on fire. fat sausages. coconuts.

you still reel from the news.

"it's like a crowd effect", Jungkook mutters.

"chain reaction", Jin helps. Namjoon licks his lips, thinking about, well, what can he be thinking about? his big tanned thighs are spread so wide that you had to scoot over towards the eldest.

"sheep phenomenon", Taehyung helps. you wince at that.

"you're calling my wife a sheep, Taehyung?" Namjoon asks calmly but with the hint of exhausted annoyance in his voice.

"i thought we're searching for the term?" Tae makes an innocent face, brows up. his getting-out-of-bottle face. Namjoon glares.

"it's nice", he adds, "they will all be almost the same age. i think it's perfect".

Jungkook sighs. little Tae's shrieks are close by, Yuri is showing him something in the water. if there's a house, there's always a lake. funny how Taeyang, the oldest of Bangtan children, is the son of the youngest of them. this all brings you to tears too easilly now; you know it's just the fragile time. but it twistedly makes you scared you are pregnant, too.

"i don't wanna be the one to bring this back up again", Jungkook begins.

"then don't", Joon chimes in, but the maknae ignores him.

"but you're the only one left without a belly. gotta be careful".

you snort quietly.

"don't specifically have anyone to inseminate me".

Tae winces at the word and puts the ginger beer bottle to his thin, curved lips.

as if to mock you, Yoongi steps out of the house with Bam at his side trotting patiently, dog's eyes fixated on the meat in his hands. he crosses the line between your viewer seats and the girls. he throws you one bored glance and continues towards the grill.

"uh-huh. and what if hyung accidentally does this?"

"there's no way to accidentally do this. if he does, i'll break his jaw".

Taehyung throws his head back, his voice coming out in gulps.

"ha! ha! ha! you?"

you don't let him get to you. should you react to his provocation, you'll end up rolling on the grass, clawing at each other's eyes.

"i am so confused..." Jin is whispering into his rice bowl like he's praying to it. nobody helps him.

"you? break his jaw?"

"he himself taught me how to do it", you grumble.

"why didn't you apply this skill with Kim Seongjun then?" Tae demands, his voice on the verge of shrieking, egging you on.

"he didn't stand stillyouknow", you drop your head to your chest, grumpy.

Jungkook chuckles and tries to hide it, not to make you feel too bad. Yoongi helps the pregnant ones adjust all the food on the grill and Yuna feels sick and steps away. she stopped eating meat, Namjoon explained earlier, as soon as she got pregnant. morning sickness and dizziness came right away and hit her hard. it's a bit worrying, so he's constantly racing from elated to alarmed.

there's nobody to jump on the trampoline anymore; Yuri never liked it, and your head is not healed at all yet. so it's standing on the side of the house, abandoned. Taeyang tried once and fell badly and doesn't approach it anymore. he is sensitive, remembers things. when he saw you today, his eyes darted to your hands, and he visibly braced himself and didn't cry anymore. but his big eyes told you everything. he's only two and he already feels for the others. you wonder what it's like for Namjoon to have raised Jungkook and so seamlessly move on to his son. it brings stinging tears to your eyes. you also want to be the aunt who takes Tae to his classes when he's a bit older. whom he sees hanging out with his mother. you've never been over the moon about kids, but now it hits you like a train, this natural female urge, the feeling of love for a baby. it must be Jungkook's toddler aura magnified tenfold. this baby alone is an argument heavy enough for you to start shyly thinking about Seoul.

Jimin's head pokes out of the window on the first floor.

"rooms distributed? there's fewer rooms than us!"

"Jiminie", Jungkook calls, "those of us who have partners sometimes sleep in the same beds with them".

"oh, right", he gives out a charming giggle.

"including you".

"right".

Hobi's clapping laughter is heard from the kitchen.

they don't say it, but they circle around you when you're in the field of vision. throw glances. Jungkookie offers his hand at the two-step porch of the house as if all your bones are broken, and Taehyung bickers with you with a smile, brings you water and pokes you painfully in the shoulder. Hoseok gives you a long stare and caresses your head like you're a piece of art. Namjoon cranes his neck to speak to you, quietly, like you two are scheming. Jin silently cuts you fruit in cubes. Yoongi is just the same, weightless comfort around. you compartmentalize. you feel happy around them. you have a place at the table and it's been a while since you questioned if you deserve it. you don't feel like an imposter anymore.

now Yoongi takes a chair from the grill side after Yuna and Nari join Yuri and Tae on the shore, and drags it towards all of you idle spectators. he doesn't get in line but instead places it in front, becoming the view.

"what are you talking about?" he puts one foot on his knee.

"hyung's thighs are finally growing", Jungkook says with a laugh. Jin nods absent-mindedly, his eyes on Yoongi's legs. Yoongi winces, dismisses him with a hand.

"i'm on a new course".

"only took you twelve years".

he keeps waving his hand.

"i'm thinking", you say, "once the babies are born, you'll have to rent even bigger houses".

"we should start renting several country houses next to each other", Namjoon says.

"no, hyung, the point is to all live together", Jungkook nags. he finishes his beer and places it on the grass next to himself. Tae kicks it lightly to knock the bottle over.

"haven't you had enough of living together?" Namjoon glares, a little frustrated.

"first rule of a getaway?" he demands.

"no making out", Jin replies. "the only rule".

"can't even do that. so, separate little houses, and one big house to eat together".

"who keeps breaking the rule?" you ask.

three fingers point at Jungkook and Tae.

"him and Yuri".

"we don't anymore".

"and now Taehyung and Haneul".

your eyes grow bigger.

"is that why he hasn't come today? have you banned him?"

they shake their heads.

"he's out of the country", Taehyung explains. he pinches his nose. you're dying to see his boyfriend but of course the mean tiger is going to drag it out until one day you won't be able to wait anymore and break into his apartment.

dinner is loud, long and hot. the days are only getting more humid and unbearable, the weather is raging. all windows in the house are open so that any little of big bug can penetrate it and scare Hoba to death. half of you go dipping in the lake at nightfall to regulate body temperature, the others take cold showers in the house. Yuri and Jungkook with little Tae retreat earlier to put him to bed, and don't come back; it's now their ace plan on just saying, fuck everything, and going to sleep. they do everything together: feed him, walk with him, wash him. they want him to see both of their faces. it's a whole struggle between all of you, to get Taeyang's attention: too many people want to hold him. and everybody has a reason to go first:

Jin is the eldest and he already started his campaign of winning the boy over by buying him presents.

Taehyung demands him because it's his given name right.

Hobi competes for the role of the rich uncle with Jin.

Yoongi says he is the only uncle who hasn't dropped him even once.

Yuna and Nari claim they need to practice for their own children.

Jimin just whines in a tiny voice.

Namjoon claims he spends his time tutoring the boy.

you, you play your victim card that beats everybody else clean tonight. one look at the bruise on your forehead, and everybody feels bad. you even mewl about how distressed you are after the attack, how ptsd is killing you, and a child would de-e-efinitely help elevate the anxiety. Yoongi at least doesn't say anything not to ruin the pretence. as you walk around the house, heavy, 91 centimeters big Taeyang in your arms, Bam is also at your side, and you feel like a princess, the chosen one.

there's nothing to complain about, except the heat, as you lie in bed at night, a phone in your hand, scrolling through the old pictures from years ago. when you compare them like that, you can even see the differences in your own face. the jawline getting more defined as you lose the remaining youth fat. Jin is right on track of turning from the oldest one into the hottest: he now has a face of a fifties' movie star.

the door hisses open, and you turn around and see Yoongi's shoulder in the dark. his hair is in a ponytail on the back of his head.

"no making out rule", you whisper. he frowns.

"maybe i want to watch a movie".

"do you want to watch a movie?"

the mattress caves in under his knee as he slithers into bed quietly, swiftly.

"no".

he lies down on his side, and you watch his face. head empty, no thoughts. just his crescent eyes. this is all that is going on. him in your bed, no past, no future.

"you'll have to be really quiet".

your finger touches his cheek and traces it to the chin.

i will never fully get over you, you think. like you used to confess your love to his back, before. it's so loud he might hear the echo of it. his hand catches your wrist and then finds the other one and pins them above your head. Yoongi is determined to test you, there's a suspicious spark in his eyes that excites you. his free hand crawls down, without a hello, without petting you first, almost aggressive, and your thighs shudder at his touch.

every time you produce a moan, his mouth bares teeth and bites you in the nape of the neck. you have no idea what exactly during the day triggered such a wild response that he is pushing you into submission so harshly; thoughts curl into unrecognizable shapes as he works your body. there's only one place to push your buttons and he has mastered it to the point where he has the full control. by the time he finally decides to pull down his own pants, you are covered in sweat, all but begging, only holding on to the shreds of your pride which he, perhaps, wants to destroy. knowing that even the pain won't shut you up, his hand lies on your mouth to at least make it quieter. you try to cut your voice off; it's sending the chunks of pleasure back down the throat and into the stomach, turning it into a hot ball coursing your body. Yoongi keeps thrusting into you and you finally relax, your wrists released, numb, and itchy to pinch him. abrasion hurts. he slows down as soon as he feels your back arching too much; he is toying with the emotions that drip out of you like tears. rage kicks in and you land your hand on the back of his head, tugging on the hair. he is having quite a trip. thrusting, then stopping with a low hum, the muscles on his back flexing painfully, then fast again, then to a full stop, wearing you thin. it's a power play designed to force you into complete capitulation; he couldn't not have noticed the barriers you still have in your head. even when you're spread underneath him, you still hide your eyes as you call his name. the walls you yourself have raised up against him in the past years are so massive that you can't even be sincere when you're orgasming. the sincerety is like a ghost tail he's chasing, employing various methods of torture. you don't know what he expects from you: to blurt something out when you're completely subjugated? isn't it a bit cruel? it's a bad case of alexithymia where both of you push each other to admit it first but when you start feeling for words, there's nothing there. only doubt. only fear of being now shoved away. so far into obscurity that hope will get evaporated into nothing.

you move your hands lower and grab his hips with all four limbs to keep him from stopping. the abrasion on your knee, the one you'd been so careful with, tears with an almost audible sound. you feel the blood bubbling under the bandaid patch. Yoongi produces a low chuckle; he's stronger than you.

"let me come", you gasp through the gritted teeth.

"what do you say?" the breezy whisper against your chin. taste of cherries, petals, ocean.

"i say let me come".

another chuckle.

"no".

you put your arm around his neck, trying to get him into a chokehold, but your limbs don't really agree with you now. the shock of pleasure travels across every inch and the body actually prefers to betray you. you're layered.

"why are you so stubborn?" his arm hooks up your leg and raises it, and you open your mouth to let the breath out, instead of yelling.

"because i hate you", it takes time to gather all the words together.

"i hate you, too. promise to keep hating you".

you freeze because he starts gaining speed again, and this time the determination is evident. his breath gets shaky, you feel his shoulders tense; when Yoongi is about to cum, he throws his head forward to find a hiding place in your neck. the wet t-shirt sticks to him like second skin.

he hasn't broken you out just yet. you have severe trust issues, mainly with yourself. the heat is making it impossible to sleep pressed into each other, so you grab his fingers and both crawl away from each other, kicking the blanket down.

the knock on the door grows a little more aggressive and turns into a rapid ta-ta-ta-ta-ta, and you dream about Hoba clapping at someone's joke before you wake up completely.

Yoongi slides off the bed like a robot, swaying from side to side, and opens it.

"ah-ha. i knew it", the frustrated grumble. "found your room empty".

"what are you, twelve?" Yoongi mutters, his voice still asleep.

"you got my cleanser".

"i didn't take your cleanser".

"everybody's up, it's almost one".

"Koo, go away".

you sit up slowly, clutching the pillow against yourself. you're wildly hungry and thirsty.

"come, Taeyang is asking for you".

Taeyang is going to reign his ass soon. Jungkook will spoil him to the point that he's going to become a bad person, you think. it's so hard not to spoil adorable children like him.

in the kitchen, there's pleasant smell of cooking. Bam is lying on the floor between the cooking counter and the island and makes everybody watch their step. Taehyung is battling with something in the deep pan with a red apron on.

"were you bothered?" Yoongi punches into the maknae, "did we wake anybody up? what's the problem?"

"there's a baby in the house", he hisses.

"you?"

Taehyung crunches his nose and laughs.

"yeah, you're getting insane, Jungkookie".

Bam raises his head and looks at his father. the father glances back and sighs. you dive into the fridge, waiting for Jungkook's frustration to dissipate. no idea what got him so worked up, you are sure you were quiet.

the day is too short; before the sun starts setting, you need to leave them and ride to the airport to go home. you ask Yoongi to stay behind so that you can think. he understands and settles in, part of the memory, part of the ship. after saying your goodbyes, you take a moment to watch them, wandering around the yard, cooling themselves in water. Jimin lost his slipper, and Jin is walking around white-faced with three layers of spf on. even now, Yoongi doesn't stop you from leaving, you realize he will always give you space if you ask for it. he will never chase you through the airport or follow around, because that's not what he is like.

but he did drive from Daegu in thirty minutes.

before you turn around to get into the taxi, you catch him staring from across the lawn. he waves his hand goodbye.

sweet, beautiful, kind, funny boys. they have no idea that U N7 stands for "you and seven".

you have no idea how much they really love you. that they all stayed up almost all night when they heard about the attack. that every autumn, they are waiting for the pear confiture. that they speak about you casually, like you're a limb. that Jungkook isn't the only one who writes a song about you; that they placed you in their minds in the family category. that there are other songs about you; born out of their observations of you, equipped with advice and consoling word and confessions. wandering thoughts, easy, friendly and loving lyrics. someone will be consoled by looking at your thorns for sure. it's really stupid of you to not know, to have no idea that Yoongi has written a whole album about you. they are musicians after all.

taglist: @ktownshizzle , @benyhime , @ryryvna , @amarawayne , @mar-lo-pap , @lili-spots , @kiki-zb

[do-you-like-this-mha-ship]

I'm going to stop posting on here for the time being

Alrighty, now that I've hopefully gotten your attention, I've got some bad news, and some kinda good news maybe?

I wanna first start by saying I'm really really sorry about the inconsistency in posting over the last while. Mental health hasn't been the best lately, to say the least lol. And I know it's likely not a big deal and I apologise a lot for this, but I said I'd be at least relatively consistent, and I have not been at all, and I feel like absolute crap for that :(

Apology out of the way, I am going to stop posting polls here, at least for the next several months, though that may extend much further

The main reason being I am currently working 2 jobs, so I'm working a lot more than I had been, and it was hard enough to keep up then lol. And with all the other things going on in my life rn, unfortunately they take priority over Tumblr. Out of all my blogs, this one is by far the most mentally and emotionally draining to run, so if I have to cut one out, it's gonna be this one

I feel like I've gone through the vast majority of ships here, though, so we had a pretty good run, I'd say

Now, I may come back to this when I have my life somewhat sorted out or at the very least, when I have more time and energy. If that happens, I'll likely do a blog restart of sorts. Nothing is guaranteed, but I'd like to return to this someday!

And I will still continue reblog ship art/fics/other media when I find it, so this blog won't be entirely empty lol

I've finished off the rest of the ship requests in my inbox, and any future ship submissions will be deleted

I will, however, keep my inbox open, just in case anyone has anything important they need to tell me (An unlikely scenario, but not an impossible one)

I've known I had to make this post for over a week, but it still makes me sad to do it lol

(If you want, you could also check out my main, @call-me-chips, I'm much more active there and post mha art sometimes, if you wanna see that)

[kurama-maria]

Shadamy week day 6: Shared interests

Amy is into fixing cars and the adrenaline that come with driving them and Shadow finds out. She invites him to a car show she's going to and he agrees.

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She thumped her fingers against the steering wheel. Maybe taking a back road wasn't a good idea. She thought it was going to get her to the car show sooner but it was about the same time as the regular route. Amy sighed, leaning against the door. The gentle rumble, as well as the rocking back and forth of her car assured her it would be okay, MJ and Bon Jovi in the background however made it feel the opposite. "Well. I should get going."

She reached over for the gear shift when she heard a rumble next to her. "Amy?"

That... that voice. She turned again and there he was. She felt her cheeks heating up. "Shadow! Hey!" She lifted herself slightly from her seat and poked her head out, smiling at the midnight colored hedgehog.

"You..." He eyed the pontiac and she could see the ever so faint look of admiration. "Uh..."

Amy chuckled, "at a loss for words? That's a little surprising coming from you." She gave him a teasing smile and he scoffed, letting go of one of the handle bars and leaning against the cycle.

"Not when I'm with you." Now it was Amy's turn to get stumbled. Shadow smirked as her eyes danced back and forth, her cheeks becoming rosy. "Anyways, is this a rental...?"

That caught her attention. "Excuse me?" She feigned hurt, putting a hand against her chest, shyness gone. "You wound me so, Ultimate Lifeform. This is no rental-- this is my beloved baby!" Along with a few others at home. She took silent pride as she watched Shadow’s pupils dilate a smidge as she revealed that piece of information.

"You're kidding," he said at last, giving her a smirk and raising a brow. Oh, Gaia, was he handsome when he did that-

The pinkette shook her head, smiling. "Not at all, I love to work on cars. It's not common knowledge though, only Tails and Knuckles know that I do it. They come over every now and then to watch, offer advice or help. Now you know too, I suppose. It's kind of my... little get away." She looked to the dash of the Judge and gave it a small rub. She wasn't opposed to Shadow knowing she worked on cars, but she wasn't ready, well, prepared to share that slice of life with him, a little afraid she was going to ruin the image he had of her.

"That's great," came his voice. Her brows shot up in surprise and she looked at him. His crimson eyes held a warmth that rivaled the hot day, making her heart melt. "Maybe one day I'll call you for help if I ever need it with Dark Rider. Or if I just want to see you in action."

Shadow watched as her face brightened up, leaning back out the window. "Anytime! You're always welcome Shadow. I love spending time with you--! Ah!" Amy yelped in surprise as her phone began to ring, she apologized to Shadow and quickly answered. "Uh, yeah? About... Twenty? Maybe ten if I step on it? Okay, calm down, calm down. See you in a bit."

Amy sighed as she hung up and put her phone down. "Sorry, I gotta go." She offered him a sheepish smile. "That was my friend, Rusty. He's a car junkie, like me. He's waiting on me."

Shadow felt his ear twitch and his left hand gripped the handlebar a little tighter. "Oh? Where to?"

"To a car-- hey!" Shadow jumped at the sudden loudness that came from her, but she looked even happier. "Come with me! My car is going to be in a car show, there will be sports cars, muscle," she patted her car, "and motorcycles! What do you say, Shadow? We could even..."

Amy gave him a mischievous smile and the pontiac's engine rumbled in warning, "have a small race there." Shadow watched her, this fluttering feeling in his stomach growing, jealousy forgotten. He returned her smile, inching forward.

"Alright, Rose. Let's go." Amy smiled and blushed hearing him call her Rose.

Amy smiled, leaning back and lightly grabbed the gear shift, jiggling it back and forth ever so slightly. "Do you need a head start?"

Shadow chuckled and revved his motorcycle. "You'll pay the consequences for that," Shadow replied, and Amy met his gaze evenly, no signs of adoration in her gaze. This new side of her excited him, albeit as unexpected as it was.

"Oh, I can't wait to see." The last thing Shadow saw was the rose colored hedgehog winking before leaving him in a cloud of dust. He smirked, turning the handle bars and taking off. Oh, he couldn't wait either.

[eleni-cherie]

among thieves ✨ || bts • pjm

- bonus epilogue

"what even am I to you? your rival, your lover, an obstacle or am I supposed to be your coffin?"

about two thieves who can't live with nor without each other. and a joint past that comes back to threaten them.

© 2023 | eleni_cherie

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masterlist: here

— genre: thief au, gangster comedy, adventure, romcom, humour, angst, fluff, very flirty jimin, friends/rivals/exes to lovers (it's complicated, ok?!) f2l e2l ex2l all members play a role in this story!

ALTERNATIVE UNIVERSE. CHARACTERS NOT NECESSARILY LIKE THE REAL PERSONS. ALSO VERY UNREALISTIC PLOT LOL - JUST PRETEND READING A MANGA/COMIC OR WATCHING A FILM, REALLY.

SUGGESTIVE THEMES. MENTIONS OF VIOLENCE & BLOOD (BUT NOTHING TOO GRAPHIC, IT'S STILL A COMEDY!)

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three months earlier Nice, France

"Bella-baby? C'mon, I know you're in there! Open the door!"

A defeated groan left Arabella's lips. 

She should've seen it coming and in a way she did. She just expected it to take longer for him to find her in that purposely chosen small hotel. 

Arabella was avoiding Jimin or at least had tried to, but of couse Jimin had managed to find her anyway. That was the disadvantage of having a masterthief as your lover, he knew how to search for something and find it.

It had only been a bit over a month since they'd last seen each other. Almost 7 weeks, 46 days to be exact. And she'd know, oh, she did know it exactly. She had calculated it over and over again after all.

And if her irritation over the overall sudden pivotal situation she'd found herself in wasn't enough, he had to add to it now by randomly showing up and knocking on the door of the hotel suit in Nice she'd been hiding in for the past three days.

Frankly, she wasn't only avoiding him but the whole world right now. Everything felt confusing and exhausting and somehow she thought by avoiding everything and everyone and just being by herself could help her clear her mind.

So far nothing had changed though.

Another knock was heard even followed by permanent and annoying ringing.

He was persistent she knew. But he was also understanding and kind, as annoyed as she felt in that moment, she knew sooner or later she had to talk with him about it anyway. After all, he had been involved in creating this situation - and he'd get to hear the telling off about it soon.

The phone on the floor buzzed, interrupting her train of thoughts and she picked it up annoyed.

chim (6:47pm):i know we said to lay low for some time after dubai

chim (6:47pm): but i meant for pops! i didn't mean from each other T-T

chim (6:50pm): or did i do smth??

chim (6:54pm): it's ok if you don't wanna see me for whatever reason, but at least give me a sign you're ok. I'm getting worried here

chim (6:58pm):i give you 5. otherwise I'll get a keycard and check myself!

She groaned again. Her eyes briefly fell onto the silver bracelet gracing her wrist before forcing herself to stay up, pushing her body off the warm mattress, the duvant she'd been rolled in like a wrap falling from her torso.

With delicate steps she walked to the door as some kind of calmness took over, reducing her unrestness. Truth was, she wanted to see Jimin. She'd missed him and quite frankly, in this situation he was the only one who she wanted to see and talk to. Not that she had anyone else, she didn't. Well, except maybe Cassandra and she'd need someone like her as well, whatever her decision to deal with it might end up being. And yet, when her hand wrapped around the door handle, she hesitated.

What would his reaction be?

Would he be as panicked and scatter minded as her?

Would he be uninterested?

Mad?

Upset?

Scared?

Or even.. happy?

She didn't know. She didn't even know how she felt herself. Probably all of the above.

What if they couldn't agree?

A lump formed in her throat at the possibility of them falling apart because of this. With a deep inhale she eventually opened the door in a swift move. Not knowing Jimin had been sitting against it, causing him to promptly land with his back on the floor in front of her legs. However, he didn't even acknowledge the unexpected fall or ache in his shoulders. His only reaction being a beaming smile spreading over his features when catching sight of the familiar pair of beautiful hazel eyes. Staring down on him, perplexed seeing him laying there on the ground. 

Her hair was shorter than he remembered, the blond-colour fading into the edges. Matching his own honey-dyed one. Frankly, every hairstyle suited her really, she'd always look hot, but this one might be one of his favourite ones.

"Finally, love! I was worried sick."

She ignored the statement, lightly pushing his shoulder with her toes. "Get up already, Jiminie."

But Jimin didn't move, his irises sliding from her eyes down to her barely covered legs and his smile became a smirk filled with mischief. "Enjoying the view from down here though." "How did you even find me?" He huffed and gave her a lopided smirk. "That offends me. After all it's my job to find hidden treasures." She only rolled her eyes at his flirting, making him giggle. Wordlessly she walked back inside, returning under the bed sheets. Jimin quickly followed, closing the door behind him only to spot her in her newly created hiding spot. And he frowned.

"Are you sick?"

"You could say so," she laughed out from under the sheets.

The crease between his brows deepened and he dragged a chair to the side of the bed. Sitting down right in from of her face with an adorable pout.

"I came all the way from Marrakesh, I think I deserve to know what I did to upset you."

"You didn't do anything."

"I didn't?" he was surprised.

"Well you did, but it wasn't on purpose," she mumbled, her cryptic answers only confusing him more. He watched her rolling herself into the sheets like a child hiding from the world. "Will you tell me what exactly I did or didn't do?" he chuckled and set on the edge of the bed beside her, poking her nose with a grin. "You're confusing me quite a lot, love, but I wanna understand."

She had a weak spot for his dumb puppy eyes and he knew that, so with a dragged sigh she propped herself up on one arm. Her usually fierce eyes now lacking confidence when she stared at him with a straight face for a moment or two. Her cheeks turning crimson when she eventually muttered, "I'm pregnant."

She said it so casually that it took him a moment to process. His expression going blank.

"You're pregnant," he repeated, monotonously.

"I'm pregnant."

"You're pregnant."

"I'm pregnant." With a light grumble, she laid back down, resuming her previous spot.

A few seconds of silence followed until Jimin's lips parted again, realisation seemingly dawning on him as he stared at her blanket-burrito bewildered. "You're pregnant!" His unexpected excited voice made her flinch and curl more into the sheets, leaving her unprepared for his weight that almost crushed her when he fell over her. His arms around her, squeezing her into a tight hug. 

"Ugh, let me breath!!" she whined. He was giggling when she was struggling turning around and wiggling free from the wrapped sheets. As soon as her arms were out, she tried pushing him off of her and he let her, his giggles having turned to a full on laughter, eyes disappearing fully. Amused by her habit of pretending getting annoyed over his display of affection when he knew she secretly liked it. And how could he not show it in a moment like this?

The thought simply didn't fit his mind. Arabella Valentine, one of the greatest thieves and spies of the world, internationally wanted by law enforcement agencies and criminals, wrapping men around her little finger and crushing them only by her charms, wit and dazzling beauty - pregnant. Unimaginable. Ironic even.

He pulled back just a little to give her the space to breath, but his arms remained around her back. His bright smile faltering to a straight one as his crescent eyes got bigger by shyness and hesitation.

"Wait, it's.. it's mine, right? I mean.. " He narrowed his eyes.

He knew that there had been a time where she'd lulled men into her trap to gain information or importent documents for a job, by making use of her female skills. It had been in the past but he'd never had the courage to ever clarify that. He only assumed she'd stopped after the first time they'd got together because frankly, that was what he wanted to believe. After all, the woman he loved was hard to catch, it was in her nature to be free as a bird. Hence why they'd never been officially together again after the first time which hadn't worked out. That was almost a decade ago. 

There was simply this mutual understanding that despite not being tied to one another, they still belonged to each other. It was an unspoken agreement, something that came naturally when loving someone. They could flirt all they wanted with others to gain information, sneak into places - or out of pure habit of character like in Jimin's case - but at the end of the day, that was it. Nothing beyond this. And he trusted her. Yet, in this moment he felt the need to clarify for good that his feelings hadn't deceived him and both of them had shared the same sentiment.

Arabella only scoffed then, giving his chest a playful push. She wanted to be offended but couldn't. After all she knew where that unusual insecurity came from. With a pout on her lips, her hazel irises wandered up to meet his. "Of course it's yours."

His bright grin immediately returned to his lips as relief washed over him and he squeezed her closer to him. "I know, I'm sorry, love. I just had to make sure," he quietly said, kissing her temple. "Don't you trust me at all after all these years?" "Not with jewels, but I trust you with my life, love." And even Arabella couldn't help biting back a smile at that view. He was beaming, his face was beaming of joy. He was actually excited? It seemed weird, this whole scene seemed surreal. Still unable to comprehend how she'd found herself in such a strage situation.

"So.. you're not actually freaking out?" she slowly asked, just to ensure she didn't get ahead of herself. With his arm still slung around her shoulder, he was propped up on her side, now arching a brow at her from above. "No, why? Are you?" And to his surprise he watched her making a vague gesture. "Wait, is that why you disappeared for weeks? You were afraid of my reaction?" "No.. yes.. no.. it was everything." 

With a groan, she averted herself from him and laid on herback. Staring up at the ceiling. Despite the closed curtains, enough light came through due to them being see-through. The afternoon sun projectinng their pink colour onto the white surfaces. "I just never saw myself as a mother, getting pregnant was not on my bucket list so it just.. caught me off guard really. I didn't expect it and got overwhelmed. And then of course, I also didn't know how you'd feel about it, adding to the whole distress."

Jimin was listening intently to her spilling her inner conflict, occasionally humming along understandingly and nodding here and there while observing the movement of her eyes and lips.

"It's not like I thought about it myself, you know," he said with a gentle smile, his free hand caressing the soft skin of her arm. It was cool despite the warm temperature. For a moment, he observed absendmindedly the movement of his fingers before continuing in a low voice, "It's true that in our profession.. that's not a top priority. Making plans for the furute.. We usually don't think that far ahead."

Arabella laughed under her breath and closed her eyes. "No, we surely don't."

Thieves lived for the moment. Of course, they had to plan out coups. But that was the only plans for the future they made. Heists. What and how they'd steal next. Anythinng else, especially when it came to their private life, was too risky and blurry to even dare considering making any plans.

Her eyes fluttered open and she glanced up at the soft edges of the face she loved the most. His friendly eyes were spacing out, partially covered by the longer becoming dark waves.

"So, what now?" she quiely spoke up, breaking his daze.

He blinked, a small chuckle forming on his plush lips. "Good question." The faced her, skimming her features in an attempt of reading her mind. Despite his excellent analysing of the human nature, his skills often failed when it came to Arabella "Do you wanna keep it?"

"Good question," she sighed, repeating his answer. "But I.. I think so? Is that weird? I mean.. I'm not sure, I'm afraid and worried but.." She paused, searching for his face out of habit. And suddenly a wave of serenity overcame her as she saw the love in his features.  

Yeah, she had tried running away from any decision-making the past weeks because she felt scared and insecure. However, looking at the only man she'd ever trusted now and the sparkle in his eyes along with his calm smile, made something inside her switch. The thought of holding something that was half her and half him unexpectedly made her heart swell.

She shook her head. The hormones must've already been at full work for her to suddenly become so sentimental and sappy.

She shrugged nonchalantly then, looking away briefly only to raise a brow at him. "Do.. do you even wanna be a parent?"

Jimin took a moment to simply look at the woman he had called his lover, his nemesis, his partner in crime The love of his life and favourite menace.

"If it's with you, then yes."

Arabella wanted to roll her eyes at his corny remark but she realised quickly that it wasn't one of his usual flirt or charm tactics. She could see in his expression that he was serious, he meant it. And it made her swallow.

"Wow," she whispered, her gaze falling only to meet his again, "You really mean it, huh? You'd actually be interested in settling down and all that? I mean, we tried it once and it didn't work.."

He huffed out a laugh, his lips tugging into a smirk then as he leaned closer to her face. "Of course it didn't. We were too young and did it all wrong. Like the main couple in season two of a tv show, it was never meant to work out back then."

Her eyes grew round at his words. Truth was, it always unsettled her how uncomfortable and strained they both had been in their first try. It was one of the reasons which kept her from persuing another committed relationship with him, even if technically they were in one for years now. Just without the official labels and all that. And the reason she feared of ever making anything official again was rooted by that first initial failure. She'd feared a second one might be enough for them to fall apart and she'd dreaded that thought.

Maybe Jimin was right though. Perhaps it simply hadn't been the right timing eight years ago. They'd been naive and impulsive, forcing themselves to follow what they'd seen everyone else doing. What they'd thought they had to do. That wasn't their style.

"You think the first time was meant to fail?" Smiling, he run his fingers through her silky hair, combing it back. "Think about it, love. We tried acting normal, but Bella, we're anything but normal. It didn't make sense." He placed a kiss on her forehead.

"When did we ever make sense.." she muttered to herself before rising her voice again, "So you mean we should just stay true to ourselves?" He nodded, earning a sarcastic laugh from her. "Thieves and conartists. Great qualities for parents," she retorted. "Oh please, we'll be the coolest parents ever! We just have to be more cautious with our little.. tricks." Wiggling with his brows earned him a genuine giggle from her and he scoffed, pretending being offended. "No, I'm serious, Bella! We ain't that bad after all, we've changed, haven't we?"

Arabella paused, musing over his arguments. They'd indeed changed. She wasn't the ruthless and opportunistic loner nor was he the immature and reckless womaniser anymore. Both had outgrown those old habits, perhaps even thanks to the other.

And if there was a 'first' try, there had to be a 'second' one, as well. Especially after having gone through countless adventures and dangers, binding them together.

"What about pops and his minions though?" she countered, "I don't think growing up on the run would be too great for a child."

However, Jimin only shrugged, seemingly having a solution even for this concern.

"I heard Taiwan's very nice, especially for children."

"Taiwan?" Now it was her turn to repeat his words as confusion was written all over her lovely features. Surely, they'd been there for a couple of peaceful thefts over the years as interp- And then it dawned on her. Of course. One of the few places on earth that wasn't an interpol member. They'd be unbothered there by the agents who'd strangely grown on them over all these years running from them. And surely dealing with local police would be a piece of cake compared to Seokjin, Skylar and Jungkook.

Her lips curled into a grin.

"Taiwan huh? Heard it also houses one of the world's greatest art collections."

And Jimin couldn't help but smirk when imagining all the future heists ahead. And there'd be enough, he was certain of that. "Surely we - I meant, our child can benefit from that."

Suddenly a fuzzy feeling spread inside her chest. Their child. Hers and Jimin's. It was still surreal. And he could read her mind and laughed at her anew panicked expression. "Don't think too much about it now, we still have time to get used to it," he said and squeezed her shoulders, bringing her closer to him. Their lips met and both smiled into the kiss that felt like sealing the deal.

None of them had dared to ever imagine something like this, not even fleetingly, considering their risky lives. But if they had, it wouldn't have been with anyone else but the person in their arms right now.

Arabella didn't know what reaction she had expected or hoped for back then after the first five tests - just to be sure - or when finding him in front of her door earlier. However, for the first time in her chaotic and trauma-marked life she felt light. Lighter then she'd ever felt before.

THE END

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-thank you all for reading this story! it was fun writing something totally new for once, so hope you also had fun reading it!

💜check out the whole "thieves collection" series or my main bts masterlist for other members' stories in this universe or in general💜

Don't forget to like, reblog & leave feedback!♡ It motivates me to keep writing :)

[yayasvalveplay]

Thinking about Velocitron again and more cultural stuff, especially with how Velocitronians are Warframe-Adjacent.

Casual flings, especially amongst racers, are a common occurrence because sometimes they have that post-race buzz of excess charge that needs to be released or else they will run the risk of having a heat or rut kickstarted which would be bad news for a racer if it's a heat and they get sparked from it.

They also have a lot of measures put in place to prevent accidents from happening because if a racer winds up becoming a Carrier, then that risks their entire career as a racer. Because of how fast-paced everything is on Velocitron, by the time the Sparkling(s) emerge, the Carrier would be considered old news and a washout, made to retire from racing altogether.

Only a dishonorable racer would try to knock up a rival like that, but that doesn't mean those who have bets on a favorite racer won't try to get any potential rivals out of the way.

Generally a racer would pick the one they have the fiercest rivalry with to release charge with because they know they can trust that rival to do the honorable thing and not try to cheat. Because they want to win the races fair and square.

So safe to say, even on Cybertron Blurr is extremely picky about his interface partners. Some people wonder how Longarm was able to manage to snag Blurr like that.

"We don't share sparks and I follow the rituals he set forth to prevent getting sparked. Though one day, maybe we will create Sparklings of our own."

(Meanwhile Goofball refuses to interface with anyone from her team, she just locks herself in her quarters and uses some toys. She's arguably even more picky than Blurr is)

OMG GOOFY I love this idea. I love it so much!!!!

I'm, i'm imagining IAA Shockblurr meeting like this. He's dragged to Velocitron to see a race, and there is Blurr.

"Ohh You are going to love Blurr Longgie." Cliffjumper pats him on the back. While the bot in question look as the bots are being called onto the race. And then theirs Blurr. His Bio lights are beautiful, covering almost the entirety of his body. Sure some of the others have beautiful coloring and biolights. But there is something about Blurr that just changes his wave length.

He watches intently as Blurr wipes the floor with everyone, he gets surrounded almost immediately by bots not from here, asking for his picture. Blurr is obviously still charged up, his biolights glowing, dancing up his frame.

He then spots Cliffjumper, and right beside him a chubby mech whos covered in bio lights. He ignores everyone else to walk up to them. "Cliff Glad you made it, and who's this?"

"Ah this is Longarm, the new Prime for our sector."

Blurr salutes him as best as he could but he's starting to loose himself to his charge. " Agent Blurr. It is nice to meet our new Prime at last, Sorry I haven't been around racing season is a must for me. I will be back fully in a (week)."

"It was nice meting you too Agent Blurr."

Blurr was about to say something else when another Mech, the second place winner came, grabbing blur, and slinging him over his shoulders.

"Sorry mechs got to take this little shit out on a test drive."

"Do nbot be so mean. Sorry Prime sir. But i uhh. Must do something really quick. I'll hopefully see you when I get back. Unless you watch mored of my races."

And then he's being carried off to get fragged. And Longarm has a rumble deep within his chassis, That he wants to Snatch Blurr back. But stays quiet. It seems like those two do this sort of thing often. Doesn't mean he can't like it.

They officially meet when Blurr walks into his office, Body polishes, any dents and scraping gone. His Biolights a smooth soft glow. "Reporting for duty Longarm Prime Sir." Longarms bio lights brighten upon seeing him there in his office. He can not wait to see what this mech can do.