#HeartBeat Catalyst
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viciogame · 1 year ago
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🎮 Outback Joey (Sega Genesis)
Complete Gameplay: https://youtu.be/TSRUM4Zqp2U
#OutbackJoey #SegaGenesis #MegaDrive #Sega #Genesis #HeartBeat #fitness #WesternTechnologies #HeartBeatCorporation #HeartBeatCatalyst #PersonalTrainer #kangaroo #blastem #TecToy #canguru #Outback #Australia #Matilda #Joey #Tasmania #Viciogame #Gameplay #Walkthrough #Playthrough #Longplay #LetsPlay #Game #Videogames #Games
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jaycatalyst · 6 months ago
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In Someone’s Arms
I feel it every day— the absence of warmth, a hollow space where comfort should be. It keeps me awake, drains me, wears me down.
I push through, always, a strong smile on my face, another day, another effort, never complaining, never venting. "I’m okay." Please don’t pry.
But the truth lingers in my silence. I don’t want to cry. I don’t want to admit how much I miss being held, how much I miss safety, protection— the feeling that I don’t have to do it all, that I can stop being the strong one because someone else will step in.
Being strong all the time is becoming bad for my health.
And yet, I can still remember— the feel of arms wrapped around me, a steady heartbeat beneath my ear, the scent of warmth and familiarity, reminding me: I am seen. I am safe. I am home.
I chose to be alone. I stand by that choice. But some days, I long to be in someone’s arms, to feel a strong hold and, just for a moment, let myself rest.
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kingofmyborrowedheart · 2 years ago
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Since I know y’all can come up with a more thought provoking question than the one that the new dedicated reporter would ask, reblog and put in the tags the three questions regarding her career, craft and/or songs you would ask Taylor if given the chance.
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shadowbriar · 3 months ago
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Bob Reynolds — Catalyst I
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Pairing : Robert "Bob" Reynolds x (she/her) doctor!Reader Word Count : a lot, idk how many exactly cause I'm drafting this on my phone. Warning : Thunderbolts spoilers. Sets during Bob's Project Sentry era. Mentions of medical procedures. Not proofread cause I'm doing this on my phone. Synopsis : For once, he actually let himself grow comfortable in the gentleness of another. Notes : we love Bob, Bob deserves the world. I kinda want to make this a mini series but idk how the plot should go. I'm open for ideas if you have any suggestions! also, please donate to my kofi so I can get a new laptop and write properly cause drafting though phone is hell, i tell you.
"Breath in for me,"
Bob tries to control his breathing as her gloved hands sneak under his pyjamas. His eyes were everywhere, but her, trying to distract his mind from how the close proximity has made him able to get a whiff of her faint perfume, or see the pendant of her necklace dangling as she leans a little to put the stethoscope on his chest.
"Your heartbeat is peaking," she highlights as the heart monitor beeped a little louder "Are you feeling any pain?"
"No, I'm just startled from the cold metal," he lies through his teeth.
Her brows were still furrowed once she stepped away from him, making notes of his monitor on her pad, "It looks like you're having frequent rise of heartbeat, especially whenever I try to listen to your insides. Are you sure you're feeling okay, Bob?"
He nods, unable to say any word.
"No headaches? Heartburn? Pain anywhere?"
"No," he says in a tiny voice "I'm feeling great,"
"Okay, let me see your eyes then," she says before placing her hands to his jaws. Her thumbs pulling the skin under his eyes a little to see if there's any foul colour on it. Bob's fingers were now gripping the thin sheet of his bed tightly as he tried to calm his nerves. The heart monitor is once again betraying him as it beeps more frequently, erratic to the point that it worries her "Your heart is beating so fast, are you sure you're feeling okay, Bob?"
She places her hand on his chest, feeling the rapid beating of his heart. Her face was filled with worry now, as the beads of sweat on Bob's forehead started to fall. Colour was starting to fade from his face, as well. He was turning pale.
"I'm nervous," he confessed shyly, taking a small gulp.
"Of what?"
You, he wanted to say, but he knew that it would be too inappropriate to utter. He was one of the many patients she's taking care of, one of the many test subjects for the project, and though he wants to believe that she's treating him a little kinder than the others for the same sentiment he hoards for her, he knew that at the end of the day, she was only doing her job and what matters for her was the drugs' progression, not him as a person.
"What if it doesn't work? Will you kick me out of the lab?" Bob asks instead.
The corners of her lips curled upwards, smiling to him as she takes a seat on the edge of his bed, "Do you mind if I sit here?"
Bob shakes his head.
"You're my friend, Bob. Where ever these drugs would lead us to, I will always take care of you, I can promise you that," she reassures, giving the most gentle squeeze on his arm as she continues "I will never, ever, let anything bad happen to you, okay? You're my favourite person in this whole lab and I would never let anything hurt you. But in order to do that, you need to help me out a little. You need to tell me if you feel any pain or anything strange, really, so I can help you and stop it from happening again,"
"I'm not feeling any pain," he says with eyes glued on hers "I promise,"
Her eyes scanned for any trace of lies on his face before nodding, smiling in understanding, "Okay, then, let's get back to those beautiful blue eyes of yours. Try to relax, okay?"
Bob nodded like an obedient little kid. This time the heart monitor didn't beep as frequently when she places her hands back to his face. The grip he has on the sheet have loosened, and his breathing has gone more at eased. For once, he actually let himself grow comfortable in the gentleness of another.
"Your pupils are a little dilated," she noticed as they stare into each other's eyes "Perhaps because of your nerves, but we'll still put that in the chart for future references, okay?"
Bob nods, "So, everything else is good?"
"Yup, so far so good," she answers with a nod, putting her pad down "I'm not supposed to share this, but you're our strongest subject and I'd like to think that it's because you and I are more than just doctor and patient. We're friends,"
His smile grows, still timid but it's brighter than she's ever seen before.
"You look really cute when you smile. You should do it more often," she compliments.
The rouge on his cheeks bloom. Bob looks away, trying his best to hide his bashful face from her. The long strands of his hair falls to his eyes, but he knew that it wouldn't be enough to hide just how red his whole face is.
Noticing his embarrassed self, she smiles to herself and stood from his bed, "Well, I'll leave you to rest then,"
"Wait," Bob calls before she could leave the room "How much longer do I have to stay here?"
"I'm not sure, Bob. We're still monitoring everyone and you still have that rising heartbeat issue that we need to take care of," she notes, placing her hands in the pocket of her coat "Why, do you have anywhere else you need to be?"
"No, I just— I'd like to see the city," he answers, that very uncertainty returning to his voice again "I was wondering if you could show me around, cause I didn't have much time to wander before admitting to the lab,"
"Oh," she notes, a little surprised to hear his vulnerable reasoning. With silent steps, she walks closer to him again, smiling as she proposes, "Well, I haven't done much wander myself because we have a lot of things to do here, but.. Why don't we try to get you back in shape as soon as possible, and then we can start our little adventure throughout the city?"
Bob's heart swells in his chest. He was never this happy, never this optimistic about life, and the promise of having something to look forward to. He flew himself to South-East Asia to try on new drugs without a care of how it might affect him because truly, no one ever cared. His mission was just to see this new drug and try it himself, bonus point if he doesn't die in the process. But now that he's met her, now that he's felt how good it is to have someone who cares for him, Bob wonders if he should let himself hope for tomorrow.
"Bob?" she calls softly, snapping him out of his thoughts "Would you like that?"
He nods eagerly, grinning, "I'd love that, yes,"
"Okay, well, it's a date, then,"
—-
Being a doctor for a human test laboratory is certainly different than working for hospitals. Most days, she finds it hard to still call herself "human" after all the experiment she's seen before her very eyes. People would go to extreme lengths just to prove something, disposing of other innocent souls as a cost they're willing to pay.
She's considered to free herself from such occupation. Rebuild a life that is more mundane and ordinary, perhaps to move back to her hometown and build a small clinic there, but if she wasn't here, who would fight for a humane treatment for these poor subjects? Who would spare their own personal time to do research for the new batches of the serums, making and taking more samples before actually injecting them to human beings, if not for her?
"We lost subject SE-37 this morning," Dr. Houston says as they have their morning meeting "It's such a shame, because she was showing great progress up until yesterday,"
"Her name was Grace," she seethe on her seat "Stop calling these people with their serum labels, they have names,"
The rest of the doctors remained quiet, watching her with conflicted expression.
"This is our seventh loss this week," she continues with a heavy sigh, rubbing her temples from the stress "We have more casualty than progress, we have to stop the research for now,"
"But Valentina—,"
"I don't care what Valentina says. She's not here, alright?! She doesn't see these patients wither and die before her own eyes. We're the ones who do, and as much as all of you hate to admit it, I know that it's taking a toll on us. It would be unwise to continue this without a clear and steady head, so we're putting a halt to this project,"
"Until when?" one of them asked.
"Until we know exactly what it is that is failing our patients and found a way to fix it,"
The rest of the doctors shuffled away from the room as they figured their meeting has come to a bitter end. This wouldn't be the first sour argument they witnessed between Dr. Houston and her. She might be the smartest and most brilliant doctor OXE Group has ever employed, but her benevolence often times came first before her duty to the company. That's why Valentina appointed Dr. Houston as her co-chief of research. Houston might not be as smart, but he's experienced and she respects him just enough to not jeopardise the research whenever things went south.
Exactly like how things are looking like right now.
"You're a bright kid," Houston starts when it was just the two of them left in the room "You and Valentina can do great things together, but this compassion.. It's misplaced, right now,"
"Yeah, and who am I supposed to feel more sympathy for? Valentina, because she's lost billions of dollars from this research?" she scoffs "I don't think it's my compassion that is misplaced here—it's your loyalty. You're a doctor, you're sworn to protect your patients,"
"I'm a citizen of this planet first before a doctor, and what we need most now is a protector," Houston argues, his face stern and unwavering "If Project Sentry fails, then we've failed everyone on this planet, not just those we've lost during this research,"
She remained quiet, looking back at him with the same resolute expression.
"We'll take a week of break from taking new patients. Let the doctors calm down as you said, and then we'll start a whole new batch,"
"But—,"
"No buts, I'm trying to save all of our heads here, Kid," Houston cuts in "Now go do your rounds, I'm sure your patients are waiting,"
"Patient, I only have one left," she corrected bitterly.
Dr. Houston kept his silence as she walked out of the room. It was a hard sight for him as well, to see the light dimming out of her this way. Had she worked for a hospital or some ordinary vaccine lab, she would've thrived and helped so many people by now, but OXE Group needs her. If Project Sentry was to ever success, it would need her wit and cleverness, or else they wouldn't even stand a chance on developing anything before the threat comes terrorising the Earth.
—-
"Good morning," Bob greets as she enters his room, his smile wide and blinding "I was wondering where you were,"
"I'm sorry, we had a late running meeting for the doctors," she apologises, sitting on the edge of his bed with a smile that never seemed to reach her eyes "How are we feeling this morning?"
"Great. I've finished my breakfast and I'm feeling real good today," he answers with a beaming smile.
She nods in acknowledgement, starting her assessment with him, "That's good to hear. No more fast heartbeat, yes?"
"Nope, all good,"
Smiling to his respond, she puts down her pad and looks at him closely, "Bob, I need you to promise me something, okay? If you feel anything strange, anything at all, you push that assistance button there and alert me, okay? I don't care if it's 2AM in the morning or if it only feels like a persisting scratch on your back, you tell me right away, okay?"
Bob frowns, trying to digest her insistent words.
"Please, promise me, Bob," she begs, taking his hand to hers and squeezing them gently "You don't have to feel bad if you're not sure about it or if the timing feels a little odd, just alert me at once, okay? And I'll come right back here in an instant, I promise you,"
Bob nods fast, blinking rapidly as he's still fazed from her urgency, but agreed nonetheless, "Of course, I promise,"
"Thank you," she whispers, putting her head down and placing the back of his hand to her forehead "Thank you, Bob,"
Bob watched as her head rests on his hand now. His other hand was itching to pat on her head, maybe run his fingers through the loose strands of her hair that falls out of the hair tie, but he was too scared of over stepping it. He doesn't know what it is that's making her this distraught or how to help her calm down. He's never had anyone to show him how, and the last thing he'd like to do is to make it even worse for her, so he just stayed there, eyes glued to the back of her head and let her have her moment to calm down.
With another squeeze, she finally puts his hand back down, "Alright, then, I'll let you back to rest,"
"I've done nothing but rest these past weeks, honestly," he answers bluntly "I don't think I can rest much more than I already did,"
She smiles, a soft chuckle escapes her lips and it felt like an earthquake to his heart. She looks down to her pad, scrolling through his charts and looking deep into it as if she's debating something in her head.
"You know what, you're right," she says as she puts the pad down "You've been in this bleak room for weeks without any sunlight. Why don't I try to talk with the other doctors to get you an hour or two permission outside of this room? Maybe we can stroll around the building? I hear there's this hawker place nearby that has really good food. Maybe we can go and try something there?"
Bob was unblinking now. Her proposal seems too good to be true, too fast to be offered. He's always thought about going out of this room, feeling the bustling road once again and seeing the people, but he didn't expect it to come this soon. He didn't expect that the date, though he knew it wouldn't be the kind of date he was hoping for, will happen in just mere days. Just how much luck has he scored eversince joining this drug test, honestly?
"I can't promise anything. I have to fight with the other doctors to give you this pass, but I will try," she continues "If you'd like, of course. If you think it's too fast—,"
"Please, I would love that," he says fast "I'd love to get out of this room with you,"
She smiles, this time a little more tender than the usual. She stares deeply into his eyes, looking at this bashful, yet charming man that has been the softest, most gentle soul she's ever come across. She watches as he fidgets a little from the gaze, undoubtedly feeling embarrassed again for no reason, yet she finds it hard to peel her eyes off of him. He was just too beautiful to not be admired at, too endearing for anyone to not fall in love with.
And Lord, she has fallen alright.
"Okay, I'll try and find Dr. Houston right away," she says softly.
Grabbing her pad and standing from her seat, she was about to walk away before Bob grabs her hand again, this time holding it gently and rubbing her skin with his thumb, "Thank you.. For everything,"
Turning her hand so that their fingers could interlock properly, she smiles at him and nods, "Thank you for everything too, Bob,"
—-
Having different style of work has made her and Houston have different labs on different floor of the building. She hardly ever visit his lab as she's the one who's done more progress and he's the one who needs to do the catching up, hence the more frequent visit of him to her lab, so tapping her ID to his now feels a little bizarre. She could still count with one hand the many times she's stepped foot on this floor over the years of them working in this building. She has never had any persisting matter to discuss with him until now, and seeing that the subject would certainly require a little back and forth argument, she reckons it would be best to just come to the old man's lab and bring the topic to his table.
Now that she's here, she observes the contrast difference of her lab compared to Houston's. Houston's lab is cleaned on the counter, stacked of papers placed neatly on the corners, while her's were more cluttered. The only messy part of the lab was Houston's work table, covered in leaves of papers and reports that she couldn't be more careless about.
Until one name caught her eyes: Robert Reynolds.
She picked up the report and began scanning the information. It looked similar to her reports, charts of his biometrics data, and progress through the experiment, but there's a strange folder on the back of this report, banded with a red clip.
"Confidential?" she whispers to herself, wondering why her reports were lacking of this document.
And that's how she found out. How none of the patients could survive the drug. How her samples, despite each success of previous tests, kept on failing on human subjects. How everyone seemed to be reaching their peak before succumbing the very next day with no prior symptoms.
Her serums were altered.
"I'm sorry, Kid," Houston says as he sneaked behind her and knocked her unconscious with a syringe of tranquilliser.
—-
"Good morn— You're not my doctor,"
The man steps closer to Bob's bed. His hand shoved deep in his coat pockets as he introduced himself, "My name is Dr. Houston, I will be taking care of you from now on, Robert,"
"Where is she?" Bob asks for her, calling her name "I don't want a new doctor, I want her,"
"She's.. Unavailable right now, but worry not, she's entrusted me to take care of you," Dr. Houston replies with a small smile "You have nothing to worry about, Robert. You will hardly feel her absence,"
Bob's brows furrow, obviously not welcoming this man, especially with his last words, but he has no other choice but to keep quiet this time, "When will she be back?"
Dr. Houston who was looking at his pad for Bob's charts stopped a little to look away, not meeting Bob's eyes as if he's trying to find the right answer before looking up with another smile, "Your charts are looking very great, Robert—"
"Bob," he cuts in "Just call me, Bob,"
"Bob," Dr. Houston repeats as if he's trying to see how the word lands on his tongue "You're looking very healthy from these charts, Bob. Are you ready for the next step?"
Bob raised an eyebrow, confused, "Next step? What next step?"
"Your exercises," Dr. Houston explains "We've stabilised you for the past weeks from the drug, and it looks like you're ready for our exercises,"
"What kind of exercises?"
"Well, you know, just basic physical exercises, like running, cycling, just the basic cardio for now. We don't want to push you too much, you're our most precious patient,"
Bob could hardly hear the next words Dr. Houston speaks of. The bitterness in his chest grew. He has so many questions, so much confusion as to why she would just leave him without a word, especially after promising to get him that pass to leave the building. He thought that she wanted to escape this room with him, even for just an hour or two. Whatever happened to that promise?
"Tomorrow, the nurse will help you to get to the gym. We'll monitor you throughout the exercise and after that, we'll do some blood test. We haven't done that in a while with you, have we?"
"No," Bob answers "Can I— Can I get out of the room after the blood test? She promised me she'd talk to the other doctors to give me some pass to go outside of this room, has there been any decision for that?"
"Oh, I didn't know we have that discussion, she didn't tell me anything," Dr. Houston says, making Bob's disappointment to grow even bigger "But let me see if I can do anything about that. For now, we just have to make sure that you'll pass the physical exercise tomorrow,"
Bob nods to himself, but his mind is evidently elsewhere. He stared at the wall as Dr. Houston excused himself. The voices in his head were loud now, much louder than they ever did before. The room suddenly feels more chilly, like it was void of life, and the gloomy storm was hovering above his head. He was drowning deeper and deeper into this dread until the glass of water by his side table suddenly broke, shattered to the ground with water pooling the floor.
He reached for the assistance bell. His thumb hesitated to press the button, wondering if he should just wait for the nurse to check in on the next hour to tell about the broken glass, or if he should just press and get it over with. See if she would really come running to him like she promised just the other day.
Everything was just fine, perfect, in fact, yesterday. One minute, she was here, holding his hands and making him feel like he mattered for once, and the next, she disappeared without a goodbye. A little voice in his heart told him that she must have a good reason for this abrupt farewell, but he's lived his whole life being left alone with no closure, no explanation as to why no one ever paid him any regard.
And so he closed his eyes and pressed the button. He kept his eyes shut until someone entered the room, hoping that when he opened them, he would see her standing by his bed and ease his mind like she always would.
"Yes, Bob?" Dr. Houston asked as he peeked in the room through the door "Anything wrong?"
"I— I broke the glass,"
"Ah," Dr. Houston says as he looked at the floor "We'll get someone to clean that up,"
Bob slumps back to his bed as Dr. Houston shuts the door. He pulled his knees close to his chest, hugging them as he felt the loneliness creeping right back up. The last few weeks with her have been so lovely, so full of warmth and love that he forgot how painful it is to be left alone once again. Or perhaps it was the fact that he never knew how it feels like to hope and be let down. He never had the privilege to hold any fraction of faith before. No one ever gave him a reason to have one until she came. Until she gave him the very desire to see the sun rise tomorrow. Until she gave him the very desire to leave this place alive. Until she gave him the very desire to have something more permanent in life.
And yet once again, Bob was left all alone.
↠ Part II
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magic-shop-stories · 13 days ago
Note
bts reacting to you fainting in front of them/slipping in the shower
💌 Reply:
hi there💜 first a massive sorry this took an eternity. life avalanched me and this draft lived half-finished in my tabs for weeks while I wrestled with it. I’m still not 100% happy (my inner critic won’t shut up ever...), but I missed writing for you all so much I had to set it free. I truly hope it still hits right for you, even if imperfectly... if it doesn’t? my DMs are wide open for tweaks, or just talking. your comfort matters more than my pride. — c — 💜
BTS Reacting to You Fainting in Front of Them - HC
Pairings: BTS (solo) members x you Rating: PG 13 - R Genre: Hurt/Comfort, Angst, Medical Drama (is that a thing? idk) Warnings: Graphic Injuries, Medical Trauma, Light Substance Abuse (Yoongi), ED Implications (Jimin), PTSD (JK)
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KIM NAMJOON (RM)
"PHILOSOPHER’S PANIC"
“Beauty is peace. I forgot that. She reminded me.”
Where/When:
a crowded contemporary art gallery opening in Seoul
he invited you to join him
as his "muse of metaphors"
Why You Faint:
sensory overload
= strobe lights in an installation, stuffy room, skipped lunch because "art feeds the soul"
Catalyst:
a violently flickering piece titled "Capitalist Dystopia Dreamscape" 
HOW IT HAPPENS
you’re debating the symbolism of a melted clock sculpture when your vision tunnels
you grip his arm
slurring
“Joon-ah… floors… tilting...”
His First Thought
"Did I bore her? Oh god, was my Nietzsche reference too pretentious?"
you collapse backward like a felled tree
HIS REACTION
Physical
drops his exhibition pamphlet
lunges too fast, knocking over a champagne flute
“SHIT!”
catches your head just before impact
scraping his elbow on the floor
Verbal
voice shifts from booming panic  to hushed urgency against your ear
“EVERYONE BACK UP! SHE NEEDS AIR!” “Stay with me. Breathe in… 4, 7, 8… like we practiced.”
Actions
cradles your head in his lap
frantically loosening your scarf (knots it in his stress)
presses two fingers to your wrist
counts beats like a metronome
texts Jin: “Gallery 3. Fainted. Bring sugar and car. NOW.”
 INTERNAL MONOLOGUE (During Crisis)
“Idiot. You knew she looked pale by the Basquiat rip-off. Should’ve forced her to eat that muffin. Was it the lights? The existential dread radiating from that taxidermy duck? Focus. Pulse weak but steady. Elbow bleeding? Irrelevant. Why is everyone staring? Should’ve rented the private viewing...”
AFTERMATH
At the Hospital (Waiting Room)
paces like a caged bear
reciting Sylvia Plath under his breath
buys 3 protein bars from a vending machine
“Eat this. I won’t discuss Kant until you do.”
Guilty Confession
“I curated this exhibit. The strobes… they were supposed to challenge comfort. Not hurt you.”
At His Apartment
sets up a nest of blankets and poetry books on his couch the same night
plays “moonchild” on low volume
“The bassline regulates heartbeats. Scientific fact.”
Quiet Breakdown (3 AM)
researches “sensory processing disorders” until sunrise
finds a study linking strobe lights to syncope
emails the gallery director a 10-point safety manifesto
"EYE-OPENER" REALIZATION
next morning
hands you noise-canceling headphones
“For galleries or grocery stores. Your sanctuary.”
handwritten note:
“Art shouldn’t demand sacrifice.
Next exhibition: botanical gardens.
No clocks. No ducks. Just us and quiet trees.
(And I packed sandwiches).
– Joon”
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KIM SEOKJIN (JIN)
“BIRTHDAY RESCUE OPERATION”
“My heart can’t take encore scares. Eat the damn rice.”
Where/When:
his extravagant birthday dinner at a Michelin-starred hanwoo restaurant
you helped plan it for weeks
Why You Faint: 
exhaustion (coordinating surprises)
low blood sugar (forgot lunch)
claustrophobia (overcrowded VIP section
Catalyst:
the 7th round of soju toasts
heat from the tabletop grill
HOW IT HAPPENS
you’re clapping as staff bring his “birthday crown” 
the room spins
you grip his chair
“Jin-ah… too loud...”
His First Thought
“Is she drunk? No, she only had water. Did Hobi drag her into dance practice again?!”
you slump sideways into the grill tray
HIS REACTION
Physical
slams crown down
sends kimchi flying
leaps up, catches you milliseconds before your arm hits the grill
 “YAH! MOVE!” 
shoves a waiter aside
Verbal
booming Panic
“SOMEONE CALL AN AMBULANCE! And cancel the cake... PRIORITIES!”
hushed Urgency
cradling your face
“Hey. Look at Oppa. If you die, I’ll revive you just to kill you myself.”
Actions
fails to undo your jeogori tie
rips it with a frustrated growl
forces sugar water between your lip
“Swallow or I’ll sing ‘Super Tuna’ in your ear.”
texts Manager:
“VIP room NOW. She fainted. Bring IV drip or peach juice. FIGHTING.”
INTERNAL MONOLOGUE
“Idiot. Why did I let her organize everything? Saw her skip breakfast. Should’ve force-fed her like that trainee in 2014. Is she breathing? Yes... shallow. Grill’s off... good. Why is Tae filming? I’LL MURDER... Focus. Pulse? Weak. Cake can wait. Her lips are blue. NEVER AGAIN.”
AFTERMATH
At the Hospital (Waiting Room)
paces in his beef-stained designer shirt
ranting to Yoongi
“If the doctor says ‘stress,’ I’m deleting her work emails!”
buys all vending machine snacks
dumps them on your lap
“Protein bars are energy grenades. Pull pin with teeth.”
Guilty Confession
“This birthday was perfect… until you dropped like a drama heroine. Next year: just us and instant noodles. I’ll cook.”
At His Apartment (That Night)
builds a “recovery fortress” on his couch
= silk blankets, Squishmallows, and Dragon Ball DVDs
plays “Epiphany” on loop
“This song cures 78% of ailments. My scientific thesis.”
Quiet Breakdown (3 AM)
googles “how to make someone immortal”
rewatches your fainting moment (from Tae’s video)
cries secretly
"EYE-OPENER" REALIZATION
next morning, he serves seaweed soup with a “survival kit”
custom air-horn: “Blast if dizzy. I’ll hear it from Mars.”
embroidered headband: “World’s Okayest Planner”
handwritten note:
“New Birthday Rule: you eat with me, no surprises (except my face), if tired? SCREAM... P.S. I rehearse bridal carries now. -Your (Handsome) Lifeguard”
His Final Thought
“Best gifts aren’t beef. It’s her rolling her eyes at me… alive.”
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MIN YOONGI (SUGA)
“SILENT ALARMS”
“You hid it. I see it now. Never again.”
Where/When: 
his private studio
3 AM
you brought him coffee
claiming you "couldn’t sleep"
truth: migraines for 3 days, hidden behind painkillers
Why You Collapse:
overdosed on otc pain meds
chronic pain flare-up
(later) reminding him of his own years of silent suffering)
Catalyst: 
reaching to adjust his monitor = a wave of dizziness hits
HOW IT HAPPENS
you sway mid-sentence about his new track
“Yoongi, the bassline is... spinning...”
His First Thought:
“Sleep-deprivation. Or lying. Her pupils are too wide.”
you crumple against his synth rack
HIS REACTION
Physical
slams laptop shut
lunges, catching your waist before your head strikes the desk edge
lowers you to the floor
cushioning your neck with his hoodie
Verbal
Biting Calm
“Look at me. Did you take pills? How many?” 
his voice is like ice
Hushed Urgency (on phone)
“Studio. Now. Bring a blanket. She’s cold.”
Actions
checks pulse, pupils, breathing
hid hands tremble
finds empty painkiller pack in your pocket
crushes it in his fist
texts Manager: 
��No hospital. Call Dr. Kim. Discretion.”
INTERNAL MONOLOGUE
“Fool. Both of us. Saw her flinch when I hugged her yesterday. Let it go. Like I let my shoulder go until it snapped. Pulse 110. Shallow breaths. How many pills? Two? Six? Should’ve thrown mine out years ago. Stupid. Stupid. Her skin’s gray. Not again. NOT AGAIN.”
AFTERMATH
At His Apartment (Couch Vigil)
wipes your face with a cold cloth
repeats: “Idiot,” but his thumb brushes your cheek
forces honey-water between your lips
“Swallow. Or I’ll dissect your playlist.”
Guilty Confession
“I knew. When you rubbed your temples for 20 minutes yesterday. I... walked away. My fault.”
3 AM Breakdown (Alone in Kitchen)
smashes his own painkillers in the sink
researches “chronic pain management”
books migraine specialist appointment for you
watches you sleep
replaying his injury in his head
“Shoulder gave out mid-concert. Hid it. Couldn’t lift my arm for months. You watched me. Now I watch you.”
"EYE-OPENER" REALIZATION
leaves a few things for you =
replaced painkillers
herbal tinctures, CBD oil in labeled jars
burner phone
= pre-programmed with his number
texts: “PAIN? → CALL.”
Handwritten note:
"No pills alone. I dose you. Pain? Tell me. IMMEDIATELY. My studio? Your bed now. P.S. I’ll compose your agony into something beautiful. – Yoongi”
His Final Thought
“We break in silence. No more.”
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JUNG HOSEOK (J-HOPE)
“SUNSHINE BLACKOUT”
“If my passion dims your light, I’ll dance in the dark forever.”
Where/When
11 PM in the Big Hit practice room
he stayed late to drill a new MAMA-level choreo
you secretly returned after he left
determined to master the combo he sighed over earlier
Why You Faint
dehydration
overexertion (3 hours non-stop)
hidden ankle sprain from tripping earlier
Catalyst:
720º spin move
he’d muttered “needs sharper angles” 
= the exact moment your vision whited out
HOW IT HAPPENS
you’re mid-spin when the mirrors kaleidoscope
you crumple against the sound system
“Hobi… can’t… lock it...”
His First Thought:
he’d actually returned for his headphones
“Why’s she...? I TOLD her to go home! Was my sigh that loud? Shit. SHIT!”
your head cracks against the speaker
...silence
HIS REACTION
Physical
drops his duffle
slides across polished floors like a base-runner
cradles your lolling head
pressing his hoodie to the bleeding temple
“NO NO NO... LOOK AT ME! SUNSHINE, STAY WITH ME!” 
his voice cracks
Verbal
Booming Panic
“YOONGI-HYUNG! 4TH FLOOR! EMERGENCY!”
his voice echoes down halls
Hushed Urgency
“Breathe, baby. In… 2, 3… Out… 2, 3… My count. Only mine.” 
tears dripping on your cheek
Actions
fumbles phone
drops it twice trying to call 119
attempts CPR compressions
aborts after realizing you’re breathing
INTERNAL MONOLOGUE
“Idiot. I’m the idiot. Saw her ankle wobble at 7PM. Should’ve carried her to the dorms. My frustration poisoned her. That sigh, it wasn’t at her. It was at me. Why does she always… Shibal... Pulse? Thready. Blood on my hoodie. Not her face. Never her face. Ambulance coming? Why aren’t they HERE? If she... No. Dance is joy. I made it a weapon.”
AFTERMATH
At the Hospital (Waiting Room)
paces in blood-stained dance pants
vibrating with adrenaline
forces coffee into Jimin’s hands
“Drink it. For her. Positive energy transfers!”
buys every teddy in the gift shop
arranges them around your bed like shrine offerings
Guilty Confession:
“I’m sorry. I’m so sorry. My face… it lies when I’m stressed. You were perfect. I’m the one who failed you.” 
forehead pressed to your IV-taped hand
At the Dorm
builds a “healing nest” in his bunk
heated blanket, ARMY Bomb nightlight, Chicken Noodle Soup merch plushie
plays “Blue Side” on repeat
“The bass is a heartbeat. Sync yours to it. Please.”
Quiet Breakdown (3 AM)
watches security footage of your fall
sobs into pillow
researches “dance pedagogy trauma”
drafts a 10-Step Kindness Curriculum for trainees
lists 100 Things I Love About Her Dancing in his Notes app
#76: “The way her pinky lifts like a bird taking flight.”
"EYE-OPENER" REALIZATION
at dawn, he kneels by your bed
brings “Sunshine First Aid Kit”
= glittery electrolyte packs, ankle brace (purple), lucky Hope World headband
handwritten note:
“New Practice Rules: Hydrate OR I water-gun you. Ankle pain means piggyback rides. My sighs and side eyes are MINE to fix. P.S. The combo? You owned it before you fell. - HOBI"
His Final Thought
“Real MVPs don’t break their bodies to mend my pride.”
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PARK JIMIN
“THE WEIGHT OF WORTH”
“My love isn’t measured in grams. It’s the universe.”
Where/When:
late-night dance practice for his solo comeback
you stayed to support him
Why You Faint
mimicking his old habit
sipping water for 48 hours to “match idols discipline.”
Catalyst
complex floor spin sequence
heat, exhaustion, emptiness = collapse
HOW IT HAPPENS
you’re taking notes in the corner as he drills a move 17 times
he turns, then sees you swaying
“Jimin-ah… stars…”
His First Thought
“The lights are dim? No... her. That sway… I know that sway. FUCK.”
you crumple mid-step toward the mirror
HIS REACTION
Physical
dives across the studio
sliding on knees
tearing his designer sweats
catches your temple inches from the mirrored wall
“DON’T YOU DARE!” 
voice raw, cracking
Verbal
screams
“YOONGI-HYUNG! GLUCOSE! NOW!” 
echoes in empty studio
whispers, cradling you
“I’ll kidnap you to a bakery. Just breathe, jagiya.
Actions
unzips his hoodie, then wraps you like a cocoon
“Cold? I’m here.”
texts group chat:
“EMERGENCY. Practice room. Bring, banana milk, warm blankets, my will to live if she doesn’t wake up.”
INTERNAL MONOLOGUE
“Stupid. Stupid. Saw her water bottle all day. Saw the hollow cheeks. I KNEW... why didn’t I stop her? Hyung would’ve stopped me. Is her pulse there? Please. Not like back then... Not her. Never her. If she dies, I burn this studio down.”
AFTERMATH
At the Hospital (Waiting Room)
rocks in plastic chair
your hand crushed in his
ignores his bleeding knees
Guilty Confession
“This is my fault. My… sickness. You thought starving was love? This is love...” 
presses your palm to his tear-soaked cheek
At His Apartment (That Night)
builds a “healing nest” in his bed
= weighted blanket, heated pads
plays “Save me” on loop
“Hear the pain? That’s past-me. Don’t be past-me.”
Quiet Breakdown
googles “calories in tears”
sobs harder.
cooks
sits cross-legged force-feeding you
"EYE-OPENER" REALIZATION
gifts you embroidered hoodie = “Jimin’s Heartbeat” 
handwritten note:
“New Rules... we eat like kings. My past pain isn’t your bible. If hungry? STEAL MY LUNCH. P.S. I dance better with you fed..."
His Final Thought
“Her weight in my arms was light. The weight of her worth? Infinite. That’s my truth.”
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KIM TAEHYUNG (V)
“STAIRWAY TO THE STARS (AND SCARS)”
“Fights are fireflies; bright then gone. But your pain? That’s a constellation I never want to see.”
Where/When:
his vintage loft after a heated debate about his "impulsive" solo trip to Morocco
Why You Fall
you slipped rushing down the spiral staircase post-argument
still shaking
Catalyst:
worn velvet carpet edge
and tear-blurred vision
HOW IT HAPPENS
Argument:
you shout
“You’re always chasing dreams! What about us?” 
he turns away, his voice icy
“If my dreams suffocate you, the door’s right there."
you flee toward the stairs
he hears you gasp
then thud-thud-CRACK 
your ankle hitting wrought iron
your choked sob, before you faint from pain
His First Thought
“...Was that her? No. No. Please be a dropped sculpture. Please.”
HIS REACTION
Physical
drops antique camera, the lens shatters
leaps over the sofa in 3 strides
sliding to your side
“DON’T MOVE!” 
hands hovering, terrified to touch, then realising you fainted
Verbal
Raw Panic
“I’M SORRY! I’M SORRY! I DIDN’T MEAN IT!” 
repeating like a prayer
Hushed Urgency
presses forehead to yours
“Breathe, baby. Breathe for TaeTae."
Actions
wraps you in his Gucci scarf
soaking blood from your brow
texts Jimin:
“LOFT. STAIRS. BROKEN. HELP.” 
forgets to send
cradles your ankle after you came back
“Did the stars kiss you too hard? I’ll scold them.”
INTERNAL MONOLOGUE
“Idiot. KING IDIOT. Saw her crying. Should’ve hugged her. Now she’s bleeding. Her ankle, is it bent? Don’t puke. Focus. Jimin’s not answering. Call 119? Can’t remember numbers. Her skin’s cold. Did I kill us? Please no. I’ll sell the camera. Burn my passport. Just let her be okay.”
AFTERMATH
At the Hospital (ER)
paces in socked feet
forgot shoes at home
clutching your purse like a teddy bear
buys all your favourite snacks and a teddy bear from the gift shop
builds a pyramid of Pocky on your cast 
“Food is mortar. Heals bones.”
Guilty Confession:
“The Morocco trip… I booked it for us. Wanted to surprise you under the desert stars. Now the stars hate me.”
At the Loft (That Night)
transforms the living room into a “healing galaxy”
= fairy lights, Van Gogh projections, velvet pillow moat
plays “Winter Bear” on vinyl
lips trembling
“This song has 9,000 healing Hz.”
Quiet Breakdown
stares at the bloodstained stair
paints it gold “to trap the pain”
drowns in guilt
texts you 57 times (unsent): 
“Can you ever forgive me?”
"EYE-OPENER" REALIZATION
brings a custom ankle brace 
painted with clouds and a tiny door labeled “Tae’s Heart”
plane ticket to Marrakech
departure: “When Doc Says Go”
handwritten note:
“Fights are thunderstorms. I forget how hard rain hits. I’ll build you an ark next time. P.S. The stairs are now a ‘safety slide.’ – Your Foolish Dreamer”
His Final Thought
“Her smile is the only visa I need.”
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JEON JEONGGUK (JUNGKOOK)
“SHADOWS AND STEAM”
“I’ll break every door in the world if it keeps you safe.”
Where/When
his bathroom after a 2AM gym session
you’re showering
he’s just returned
Why You Slip/Faint
exhaustion (72hr work marathon after your company messed up big)
wet tiles
panic when he slams the door open; thinking it’s an intruder
Catalyst
your scream
you scramble back, hitting your head on the faucet
HOW IT HAPPENS
steam blurs the glass
you hear the thud of him kicking off shoes
then the door swings open
“WHO’S...?”
Your Reaction
wheel-spin on wet tiles
crack of skull against chrome
vision bleeds black as you crumple
His First Thought
“Not her. Not like Mina's broken wrist. NOT AGAIN.” 
(Mina = staffer hurt in sasaeng ambush)
HIS REACTION
Physical
dives across the bathroom
knees skidding on water
catches your limp body mid-fall
hurting his elbow
“FUCK... LOOK AT ME!” 
shakes your shoulders, then freezes
Verbal
Guttural Panic
“911--- NOW! HEAD INJURY! PENTHOUSE 7!” 
shouts into his Apple Watch
Hushed Urgency
cradling your cheek
“I’m here. Not them. Me. Breathe, jagiya. Please.”
Actions
rips towels down
wraps you like a cocoon
presses towel to your bleeding scalp
hands trembling
“Stay awake. Talk to me. Anything.”
texts Security:
“CODE BLACK. MY BATHROOM. LOCK BUILDING DOWN.”
INTERNAL MONOLOGUE
“Stupid. STUPID. Heard water...thought it was them climbing through vents like last week. Saw her shadow; moved before thinking. Her head... so much blood. Should’ve knocked. Should’ve called first. Pulse? Thready. Eyes dilated? Can’t tell. Ambulance ETA? 4 mins. Too long. If she dies..."
AFTERMATH
At the Hospital (CT Scan Waiting)
paces in blood-soaked gym shorts
snarling at paparazzi outside
“One photo and I break that lens.”
forces waterbottle into your IV-drip hand
“Drink. Or I’ll sing ‘Seven’ on repeat.”
Guilty Confession
“I bought this penthouse ‘cause it had panic rooms... but I’m the one who hurt you.”
At His House (That Night)
gets blackout curtains
plays “Still With You” on acoustic
“This song healed my anxiety. Work for you too.”
Quiet Breakdown
watches cam footage
vomits seeing your limb body on the stretcher
orders $50k of non-slip flooring
tears out every tile in the penthouse
texts management:
“No schedules. Protecting her is my job now.”
"EYE-OPENER" REALIZATION
kneels by your bed at dawn
gets panic buttons in evbery room
“Push if scared. I come running. Quietly.”
gifts you necklace with both your names engraved
“Wear these. Security knows they mean touch her and die.”
handwritten note;
“New Rules... I knock. Always. Please shower when I’m home, so I catch you; and if afraid? Say my name. I’ll answer. P.S. I re-learned first aid. - JK"
His Final Thought
“Love isn’t roses. It’s checking locks 17 times... so she never does.”
164 notes · View notes
jellynie · 24 days ago
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synopsis. he is worth waiting for, even if your mind tears your heart open, you can patch it up, together
paring(s). yoon jeonghan x gn!reader
genre(s). fluff, hurt-comfort
warning(s). light angst, they kiss, implied long term relationship
word count. 1.1k
a/n. written for pre-active military service (where he is going away for basic training), but it can be read in general context of him being gone bc of compulsory military service
no usage of y/n, written in second person pov, old work
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The sky had long ago been swallowed by the gloom of the night, the only lights that were left on were city lampposts, shimmering onto the wet streets and peaking through the open curtains. They had lost their usual intensity of Seoul’s colorful bling, fading into quiet afterthought. The faded lights drip across crumpled sheets just a hair strand away from you, offering silent solidarity.
They're like you in a way, sitting at the corner of your bed, overthinking. The itch to be hurt in you is recollecting memories using the shapes they form, just like the lights stray away and go to corners no one goes to. Away from their purpose of lighting up the road to somewhere, anywhere but here. Your thoughts are the same, rattled in a million directions, spilling over into something you no longer understand, just a mix of shards in the shape of the unrecognizable reflection.
There was no sound, only edging silence. The same silence that caressed your skin like a cool night breeze, leaving goosebumps in its wake. Hate is a strong word but right now you hate the silence, the stillness of your world against the tremor of your mind.
And as if the universe heard you it was interrupted by the sound of the entrance door opening and closing shut. Trud was heard, a catalyst shaped like a lighter was triggered and it set your lungs on fire, you started breathing after being suffocated by your own being. Fresh out of water, free from the saltness you tasted on your lips.
The monotone feeling of false serenity has been broken in hundred pieces, they lay on the floor and peck your skin when your foot presses and crushes them further, until they are just a speck of dust. Forgotten. 
Pitter of steps moving towards you, a soul aching to be satisfied by comforting presence, a sense of home. Soothing is the body that collides in yours even if the weight almost crashes your whole body into the sheets. Even in the darkness, the spillage of the emotions is ever apparent, your heart is open as you feel the warmth of the man above you.
You both don’t say anything but the quietness isn’t suffocating, it is followed by a heartbeat that isn’t just yours anymore, it's present in a sigh that promises another day. Closed eyes and dreamless state, you wished this fullness in your chest would last forever, that the arms holding you never let go. Jeonghan’s arms tighten around you like he is aware of the thoughts that consume your mind, body rolling over to your side, simply out of courtesy to not mush you too much, just enough.
‘You waited for me.’ A statement, cutting through the lull of your being. You peek one eye open, just to see the corners of his face, he was staring at you already, with a level of awareness you wouldn't expect of him to have this late in the night, not after the day he had.
‘Aren’t I supposed to wait for you no matter how long it takes?’ You ask, not really expecting an answer, just letting the word echo between cold walls and warm bodies.
Rather than seeing it you feel his mouth curving into a smile, his face pressed into your neck before you can turn your head towards him. A groan mixed in with some sort of giggle, both drowsy and deep, starts ringing in your ear even when he stops.
Sleep doesn't overtake you, even if you feel your body drip further into the sheets, giving up from day's work, day’s unrest. Your nervous system is up in flames yet it’s soothed by the delicate touch of the breath that caresses your cheek. This time you open your eyes and you are welcomed by the sight worth more than you will even earn in your life.
Eyes glimmering of some emotion you aren’t sure can be found in your vocabulary, much less be named now, your brain shutting down. His face right in front of yours, bare of both paint of appearance and one made of chemicals.
‘Will you wait for me even if I can’t come back like this?’
Those words leave his lips, muttered out in the form of soft prayer, pleading framed as a question, packed up as if he wasn’t the reason your heart beats in such yielding way. As if you didn’t wait for him every long night just so you can breathe again.
Would you survive the wait he speaks of? You ask yourself on sleepless nights, when you stare at the nothingness. You agree with yourself at the end, like a well played play, the conclusion is always the same. The actors kiss and live happily ever after. You ignore every tragedy, every version of the conversation that doesn’t agree with you.
‘Yes’, simple and short, the answer to every doubt of your mind conjured up, you could, you would and you will.
‘Even if it wasn't the same? Even if I wasn't the same?’
The further questioning makes you think that he too is arguing with himself, like it was some complicated ploy at work, like he has to make sure every edge of the page is ironed out before he starts reading.
‘Yes, I would engrave the promise of us in my skin if I could even if the future isn’t certain, just so I could go over it with my fingers. I would count it as a prophecy, you leave and you come back, mellowed out, bones aching from sitting down rather than being on stage, tired out from accountant books, carrying bitter taste of too much coffee on your lips’ 
You glance up from his eyes, up to his short hair, reminding you that your time tonight is also short. Your fingers follow your gaze, you will take it, you vow to yourself, every distance, every leave and every transfer. 
‘I wouldn't mind the charge because we would go through it bit by bit, together.’
A sigh, you felt it on your lips this time, just before he pressed them against yours. You wished one kiss, one touch, one conversation could ease the mind, could make everything fine and that you could run out in the field of flowers giggling like children. But in a way, part of you is glad there is no happy ending, because you don’t want it to end. You want it to be real, you want every night while you wait to feel his absence, to feel the ache that could be satisfied only by his tender touch. Maybe it is because you never wish to take whatever he is giving for granted, he is worth waiting for. 
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136 notes · View notes
ed3lsgard · 4 months ago
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ok no one asked for this BUT. i wanted to share some of my fav markhellyna and some hellyna fics bc ive read almost all of them. this will kinda be like an ultimate collection, so its a long list!
(all rated E for smut and etc)
(beware for dead dove content)
missing me?
Helena Eagan, leader in waiting to Lumon Industries is missing, presumed dead.
So why does Mark see her constantly?
say yes to heaven
Professor Mark Scout meets a 26 year old grad student Helena at a Ganz fundraiser.
the you inside of you
Helly speaks before she can think. “Fuck you.” But it isn’t enough. She can hear her heartbeat in her ears, the rage in her belly shifting into something more, unnameable almost.
“You really are such a fucking brat, aren’t you?”
--
Helena Eagan discovers that reintegration has some...side effects.
hit me harder (i’m getting re-wired)
To an innie that has only ever experienced the sterile fluorescent lights and the dull electrical hum of the Lumon office, every sensation is new and exciting. Even pain. Especially pain.
deja-vu
What’s one I need you text between sisters after five years of radio silence? The catalyst for an impromptu nightclub visit, apparently.
blessed are the broken
Helena Eagan has never known desire—that is, until she steps into Father Mark Scout’s chapel.
two minds
Helena Eagen has always been polished, poised, perfect. In control.
Helly R. changes things.
a helping hand
Helly's been in the bathroom for 30 minutes. Mark offers to help her out.
plaything
Helly R wants to quit. Why would Helena do that? She’s having too much fun with her.
axis & allies
The girl doesn’t move. Mark looks at her funny.
“I’m Helly,” she says.
“Uh, hi, Helly. Why are you sitting on my desk?”
Quiet laughter. Helly slips from the surface, extending a hand he has to cross the room to shake.
“Helly R—your TA?”
Six months after the death of his wife, Mark returns to Ganz.
drowning on dry land
A grieving Helly and the MDR team chart a path forward after the events of the ORTBO.
Meanwhile, Mark Scout reintegrates, setting himself on a collision course with Helly, a woman he’s never met but can’t stop dreaming about.
snare
After the restaurant, Mark takes Helena on a drive.
soft as sin
Recently promoted Mark Scout attends his first end of quarter celebration at the Eagan estate and meets a young woman that he’d like to know more about.
amomaxia
Mark and Helena nasty drunk hookup
Set after they meet at the Chinese restaurant, of course.
sleeping (with the enemy)
Helly had only been able to hate Helena when she was a faraway concept. When their lives were interwoven this way, she couldn’t ignore the way the feeling morphed.
For the first time, Helly was angered by the fact that she didn’t know Helena. In another world, any other set of circumstances, maybe they could have been friends.
If she fucked herself, was she fucking Helena, too?
sick as it sounds
Mark meets Helena months before his innie gets brained by Helly R. He's gonna need a lot more bandaids.
5 times helly asked mark to reintegrate (and the 1 time she didn’t)
When Lumon is shut down, reintegration is offered as standard to all of its previous employees. Mark Scout isn’t sure he wants to reintegrate, in fact, he’s pretty sure he doesn’t want to. Helly will just have to do her best to convince him otherwise.
a circle in salt
She goes up wanting him and comes down wanting him. It’s something she cannot fathom living without.
(moments in between)
hey there, you on the table
“You’re going to lie down on the table. In there. Then you’re going to take your clothes off and touch yourself while I watch.”
Struggling to find somewhere private and desperate to fuck each other, Mark and Helly end up back in the conference room where they first met.
brief hold, please
Helly comes into work with a hickey. Mark is distracted.
drink the honey
Mark and Helly make use of their Hall Passes to explore more of the severed floor, eventually stumbling upon a hidden lab. Mark gets afflicted by one of the strange chemicals in the lab, and the only cure available is Helly…
freaky friday
When Reghabi floods the chip in Mark’s brain, the severance barrier is disturbed. What happens when Mark Scout wakes up on the severance floor?
yours, mine, ours
Alone in his bed, Mark dreams of them. Helena and Helly, together. Wanting him. Wanting each other. In the quiet hush of his dream, he finally stops choosing.
-x-
Or. A deleted dream scene from missing me ch.13. Can be read as a stand alone piece.
pas de deux
Mark Scout accepts a teaching position at the Myrtle Eagan Ballet Academy; Helena Eagan's attendance might make things complicated.
outside with you
Something goes wrong with their chips, causing Mark and Helly to wake up outside of work.
wedge
This sudden, suffocating need to be near Helly. To touch her. To hold her in ways that were intimate. Wrong. The kind of closeness she could only fantasize about in secret.
The Eagan twins attend the Myrtle Eagan School For Girls
tame your tempers, soothe your soul
Woe. Malice. Dread. Frolic.
Four tempers, one for each combination of the splintered lovers, drawn together time after time.
Post season 2. Mark S, Helly R, Mark Scout and Helena Eagan reckon with the splintered, four-hearted thing they have become.
phantoms
A week after the events of the S2 finale, Mark Scout attempts to put together the pieces of his life. An added complication? He's still reintegrating, dreaming in Mark S.'s memories, and attempting to ignore the fact that his innie is trying to tell him something
(never) break the chain
Mark offers to meet with Helena to discuss his experience with the overtime contingency. Reintegration has other plans for him.
i wanna take you to euphoria
As a recreational drug, ether is inhaled for its intoxicating effects, causing euphoria, sedation, and hallucinations. The user may experience distorted thinking, euphoria, and visual and auditory hallucinations at higher doses.
doubles
“We know each other down there, don’t we?” He asks, but he doesn’t phrase it like a question. Doesn't see the point, not when they both already know the answer.
Helena’s face flickers. For a second, she almost looks rattled, and hides the rest of her reaction behind a sip of whiskey. The bottle clinks in the silence that stretches, her hand slowly falling away from the counter.
“We do.” She eventually says.
her favorite color
She was a bottomless pit of hunger — for freedom, vengeance. Destruction. She chewed through everything Helena gave her and spat it back out. It wasn’t enough to be given a body. A life. A clean slate. Free of the memories that would make her truly hollow. Nothing was enough.
Helly wanted to burn the whole house down, and Helena was locked in the basement.
or: helena wears a yellow dress to lift helly's spirits
bitter honey, sweet sickness (hellyna dead dove)
When she visibly reacts to the inappropriate touch, her mother glowers at her through the mirror. It’s like being scolded by herself, watching in third person the exact type of shame she should have felt to do what she did in the first place. Her hand inches higher, and Helly squeaks. Mother, she means to say, but that’s not what comes out.
office hours
“All administrators, faculty, and staff are prohibited from unethical or inappropriate fraternization with students, including, but not limited to, dating, pursuing a date, having or pursuing a romantic or sexual relationship with students.”
It’s literally in the handbook - written, signed, and stamped.
reading together
Mark and Helly find some interesting contraband in Milchick's office.
puzzle pieces
Professor Scout attends his first faculty mixer in 3 years, with his arm curled around the lower back of his hot, young, scandalously dressed new wife, Helly.
heat lightning
“Mark.” She murmurs, her voice echoing. The tap drips.
She’s so alive, he thinks. So, so alive.
---
Post s2e10 Cold Harbour
miss eagan
The executive floor was dark except for a thin slice of light spilling from Helena’s office, pooling in the otherwise dim hallway. A trap laid out, just for him.
She looked different at night. He noticed the faint wrinkles at the corners of her eyes. The soft smudge of mascara beneath one of them, barely noticeable unless you were looking closely. She didn’t look sloppy. Just real. And somehow more dangerous for it.
Helena Eagan gets a hot young intern
part of you knew
Mark’s had an inkling- the way Helly gravitates towards encouragement is something that he’s just filed off as endearing in his head. But it’s slotting into place now, the actual weight of it. Helly really, really likes being complimented.
and those wedding bells were ringing out our fate
“Maybe it’s each other. That’d be a hoot.”
And what if it was?
(Or, based on that exchange and the fact that they had considered making them spouses on the outside, Mark and Helena are married. How’s that going?)
they really are rutting
His back is against the shelf and his front is just an inch away from Helly. He’s hard, rock hard the exact words for it and-
His hips stutter forward, hitting Helly’s stomach, just above her waist. Mark moans at the contact, snapping himself back against the wall with wide eyes.
--
Set after Mark shreds Petey's map in The You You Are.
tie break
Mark runs his thumb up the line of her jaw, and takes a long look at her, in a way that she knows he’s about to say something stupid. “What?” She almost laughs, her voice breathy and quiet.
“Your boyfriend’s gonna kill me.” He jokes, and god he’s so fucking stupid, her face splits into a grin, then a barely restrained laugh. She leans back in, brushes her lips against his.
"Better make it count, then, Scout."
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vasito-de-leche · 21 days ago
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;KPOP DEMON HUNTERS ROMANCE - "keep looking at me, all of me"
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Romance Saja x Reader 2.6 words hurt/comfort, fluff Love is capricious; you've come to learn this the hard way after falling in love with the embodiment of romance itself, who loves to keep you at arms length while loudly yearning for your presence like a lovesick dog. So when he asks to meet you for a long due talk in the middle of the night, you rush to his side.
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finally got a break from artfight to work on this hehehoho. I'm still trying to get a proper grip on how I wanna write romance specifically, but I'm very happy with how this turned out! I think it's funnier if he's also the self sabotaging type but shit just works out in the end for him lmfao
this is part of a series of oneshots, all thanks to this prompt over here!
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[10:21pm] <<Hey. Can you come over?>> [10:45pm] <<Pretty please??>> [10:53pm] <<We need to talk.>> This message has been deleted. [10:55pm] <<I have to tell you something important.>> [10:56pm] <<It can’t be through text or call. It has to be face to face.>> [11:03pm] <<And it can’t wait until tomorrow, either!!>>
The phone flops unceremoniously onto the bed and Romance follows suit, attempting to sink deeper into the mattress as if it could swallow him whole, along with his feelings. The only thing keeping him company in the darkness of his bedroom is the light coming from his phone screen, displaying a candid picture of you smiling at a passing dog. 
And, of course, the glowing vivid purple of his patterns, pulsating with a violent rhythm that matches the erratic heartbeat in his chest.
It’s hard to remember what unsettled him so─or rather, he refuses to dwell on it─but the effects linger; there is a clear disconnect between the petty bitterness building in his chest and his expression of indifference, too tired to spend a single ounce of energy into being angry. The negativity eats him from inside, but Romance doesn’t let it show. 
This is what centuries of grief have done to him. Romance clings onto the illusion of control that this numbness offers, sweeping all the dust and the dirt under a rug, left to rot out of sight and out of mind. It cannot hurt him if he doesn’t pay attention to it, he convinces himself of this on the daily, rubbing at his own patterns as if determination could wipe them away. 
The rubbing turns into scratching. The scratching into clawing. 
Stubbornly, the patterns remain on his person despite his efforts and he picks up the phone in protest. It’s hard to navigate such a small device with those sharp, protruding claws, but soon enough he finds the front camera and Romance meets his own reflection─sickly colored skin, sickly colored eyes, all sharp edges and an outfit to match his miserable existence as an omen of death. No trace of the beautiful façade he tries so desperately to maintain. He can’t even have control of his own feelings in this second life, let alone of his own appearance. What is the point of it all?
But he does have control of one thing. The need for something to change settles in his stomach─no, it makes itself known once more. The impulse to force change, if only to forget how helpless he feels at the moment. 
Having spent enough time in the human world, it’s easy to figure out the different ways people cope with this sort of turmoil. They cut and dye their hair, they make impromptu plans to travel, they text all the people they once cut off from their lives, post nonsensical walls of text driven by nothing but raw emotion─anything and everything to serve as the catalyst for change in their stagnant lives. Part of him revels in this, to be able to share something so vile and human, despite his lack of humanity. 
Romance takes a deep breath, but this does nothing to lessen the knot lodged in his throat and the pressure in his lungs, nor it calms the sea of voices in the back of his mind, recalling each and every one of his crimes in his first life. 
He’s going to reveal himself to you and utterly ruin this relationship. 
If he closes his eyes, he can see it so clearly; your face stricken with horror, no longer looking at him with that soft and gentle glint he’s grown to love, stepping away as if repulsed by his very own existence. The idea alone brings him a painful catharsis, but catharsis nonetheless. It’s not like any of this─this beautiful experience between the two of you that he refuses to put a name to─was meant to last anyway, and he’d rather shatter the perfect illusion he’s built with his own hands than allow you to find out the truth through someone else. 
Yes, this is the better outcome. Of course! He’s doing you a favour, to help you cope with all the eventual heartbreak in your life after he leaves!
He bites and claws at his own pillows, repeating these affirmations over and over in his head. There’s a knock on the door, and all the courage leaves his body in an instant. Before you can even enter, Romance has already hidden under the covers.
“Hey, Rommie?” It’s your voice, he curls up into himself upon hearing the way you gently call out his name. Then, there’s the click of the door closing behind you. “I came as soon as I could, you weren’t picking up my calls so Mystery let me in.”
The sound of your steps approaching make Romance freeze in his spot, like a small animal hoping not to be noticed. He can feel you standing by the edge of the bed, knowing that if he pulls down the covers, he’ll be met with the full force of your worried gaze.   
“Hey, you’re not asleep, are you? I can hear you whining. Here, let me turn on the lights─”
“No!” Without realizing, Roma seizes your hand through the safety of his blankets. He must look ridiculous, an oversized sheet ghost pulling at your arm like a child. “You can’t, I’m─I look like, like a mess right now!” 
You have the audacity to chuckle at this. “I’ve seen you wailing and sobbing during movie nights, Romance. It’s fine if your eyeliner got ruined, we’ll just clean it up.”
“Okay, it only happened one time, and it wasn’t my fault anyway! I thought we were going to watch a fun romcom, not whatever that depressing thing was! But that’s not the point, just don’t turn on the lights! I don’t … I don’t want … to see myself right now.”   
A moment of silence passes, but your free hand finds his cheek in the dark, a familiar warmth permeates the soft fabric of the blanket and Romance finds himself unconsciously leaning into it. “Okay, okay. No lights, but no blanket either. How’s that sound?” Frankly, it sounds pathetic─for a demon like him to cower like this─but he shakes his head. His patterns continue to glow, and the longer you continue to mess both his heart and mind, chipping away at his determination, they’ll only continue to shine brighter in protest. 
“No lights, no blankets and I close my eyes. But this is my last offer before I tug this whole thing off.” 
It’s an empty thread, and Romance knows this because you’re climbing onto the bed with him as you say this, no intention of uncovering him but to hold him close. As he shifts, now sitting with his back against the wall, he can feel your weight on him, your smaller form flanked by both of his legs while your head rests right over where his heart should be. He really shouldn’t be doing this, he should be direct and straightforward about his intentions, and yet … 
“Do you promise to keep them closed?”
“Mhm,” tentatively, Romance slips off the covers, putting away the thin layer that separated him from your full presence. When the purple glow lights up the room, you say nothing. Your eyes are closed shut and now, he has the perfect view of your content expression, enjoying the rise and fall of his chest as he breathes in and out. “Your heart is beating really fast. Is … the thing you wanna tell me something bad?”
Oh, it’s downright vile.
Romance has to keep himself from letting out a sardonic snort, glaring at the patterns and the claws and everything about himself, just barely visible in the dim light. But you keep talking before he can do anything else. 
“Like, is it something bad about us or, you know, me? Maybe? I know it’s your thing to play the sensitive romantic type and all for the camera, all drama and emotion but I dunno. You didn’t sound like yourself in those messages.” He has to remind himself that you’re only being this careless with your affections precisely because you don’t know a thing about the real him.
Now it’s your turn to shift, the back of your hand grazes his shoulder and his arm as it travels downwards to find his palm, sliding to intertwine your fingers with his─he doesn’t move, keeping his sharp claws just out of reach. 
For a moment, you flinch at the contact. “Fuck, Roma, you’re freezing! Are you sick, is that what’s going on?” 
There it is. An opening. Swallowing his hesitation, he whispers, “Are your eyes still closed?”
“Yes, but─”
“What if you opened them and saw something horrible?” 
“Come on, you’re overreacti─” 
“Cold hands, cold skin, too cold for someone who should technically be alive.”
“Don’t forget cold feet. It’s a pain whenever we sleep in the same bed.” 
He calls out your name, with a tone you’ve never heard him use. “I’m serious. And this? What about this, then?” He allows his claws to dig into your skin for a moment, and you jump on instinct, as if a thousand needles had suddenly pierced you. “Knives for nails, razor sharp and deadly. Hard as diamond, cutting through anything with ease.” 
“Romance, I don’t … understand? What’s going on?” 
He moves both of your hands to cup his face, directing your fingers towards the protruding fangs of his mouth─while Romance may not have tusks as noticeable as most demons, he knows this isn’t the type of teeth a human should have either. 
He’s trying to scare you, to get you to react exactly the way he imagined, but as he allows you to take all of his monstrous self in, your thumb finds his lower lip. A gentle tug and he complies, opening his mouth ever so slightly in surprise and anticipation─are you checking if the lower row of teeth are just as sharp? His mouth feels dry, and his tongue darts out unconsciously to wet his lips, accidentally brushing against your curious thumb. You don’t react; instead, you lean closer to him, now fully pressing the pad of your thumb atop of his tongue. The stimulus causes it to wrap fully around your finger. 
Mystery may hold the spot for biggest tusks in their group, but Romance’s forked tongue is easily the longest. Surely this would be the last straw, right?
“Oh?” His eyes dart to your face in panic, flushing a vibrant pink when he finds you smiling, yet attentive to anything your hands could figure out about him. Embarrassment creeps all the way to his ears when he hears the delight in your voice. “This is new. I sure don’t remember your tongue being … this lively whenever we kissed. Is this … Romance, are you a vampire?! No, waiwaitwaitwaitt, we ate that spicy garlic bread the other day! Don’t tell me, I can figure it out!” 
By the time Romance gathers what’s left of his composure, you’re practically straddling him, petting and patting your way through his face in an attempt to find out exactly what type of creature he is─your eyes remain closed the entire time, like a fun game privy only for the two of you.
So much for a dramatic breakup. He lays there, unable to look away and unwilling to stop basking in your undivided attention as you find your next lead; right there, a spot on his neck where you can clearly feel his heartbeat, his most sensible spot, glowing the brighter when you sweep your thumb across it. Not only it sends an electric pulse through his body, but you feel this magnetic pulse as well, now following along his patterns and the energy they emit, all because of you. 
“Scars? No, the texture is wrong. Are these tattoos? Mmmmagical tattoos…? Oh, they go pretty far. Do they cover your entire body, Roma? I thought I felt something weirdly static when I touched your face earlier, but I thought that was just me.” He shakes his head and nods along with your questions obediently, forgetting that you can’t see him. Out of the blue, he feels you pull back and it’s hard to hold back a whine at your absence.
“...Why did you stop? Didn’t you want to figure me out?” 
“Yeah, but … It’s really hard with just my hands. I want to see you. Can I?” Your power might as well rival Gwi-ma’s─these honeyed words you speak so casually keep tugging at Romance’s heartstrings, tempting him further and further to indulge in your endearing antics, and he folds immediately. 
All you need is a hum of affirmation to open your eyes. 
Your smile drops for a second, replaced with a more contemplative look he cannot decipher. Romance prides himself in his acting skills, able to read anyone like an open book, to communicate just the right amount of pressure and gentleness through his gaze to make any of their fans swoon, but right now he’s bracing himself for your reaction; it’s one thing to touch and play, but to see him at his most vulnerable is another.
What is going on through your mind? Does he actually want to know? Where did your smile go? Don’t you like him anymore? Why did you make him believe there was any hope for him? 
“Demon, I’m a demon. The patterns give us away, that’s why I didn’t want you to see.”
“That makes sense,” you accept this too easily compared to the centuries he’s needed to come to terms with everything. You always adapt and play off his moods without a problem, as if loving him was the easiest thing in the world.
It's crystal clear in the way you look at him; you love the Romance that bawls his eyes out during sad movies, the Romance that adapts to any persona needed on stage, the Romance that does anything in his power to make you laugh and fall for him, the Romance that gets upset over the smallest things. The Romance that deserves no mercy and no pity from the world.
It’s almost infuriating. And this small little thing grows tenfold in the clutches of his demonic nature, amplifying every negative feeling to it’s most extreme.
“I did horrible things, you know? And this is the end result, you can thank eternal damnation for this face,” there it is again, that self-sabotaging streak within Romance that does not allow him to have a fairy tale ending in which he gets everything that he wants. The whispers return, reminding him of all of his transgressions.“I’m not a good person, I’m barely a person as it is. I can give you my body, heart and mind, but never my soul─all of me. Aren’t I the worst type of lover? Lying to you all this time.”
You kiss the top of his head, gently moving away a strand of pink hair. “But you called me over to tell me, right?”
He nods, breath caught up in his throat. You kiss his forehead this time. “It must’ve been scary to carry all of this on your own. But I’m happy you told me, really.”
He nods again, feeling his eyes hot with tears. You kiss the tip of his nose and wipe them away. “Thank you for trusting me with this, with the patterns─with all of you.” 
There’s no other voices in his head, none except yours. For a split second, Romance wholeheartedly believes that you could bring his soul back from the depths and right where it belongs: safe and sound in your hands.
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halfway-happyyy · 5 months ago
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frank's definitely an attentive partner, right? which means he absolutely knows when to handle you with more Care™️ than normal.
"somethin' weighing heavy on ya, kid?"
his voice, so measured and finite, wraps itself around you like a weighted blanket, grounding you in the present. with him.
"i'm alright, frank."
because physically you are. it's the all-encompassing thoughts that race each other in endless circles that cause you to be lightyears away from him whilst in mid-conversation. they are the catalyst for your sleepless nights, and the violet circles beneath your eyes.
he gives his head an almost imperceptible shake and murmurs, "i thought we agreed not to do that."
you finally meet his gaze, and the depth of love in his eyes nearly leaves you breathless. he's always been attentive, but for whatever reason, this feels different. he's more attuned to you than any single person ever has been. where it had never occurred to anyone before to get to know you on such an intimate level, frank took on the task with near-reckless abandon.
he clears his throat and pats his chest twice. "c'mere, kid."
as you lay your head down against his warm breast, you can hear the staccato of his strong heartbeat, and the longer you listen to it, the calmer you become. your own personal lullaby.
"just lay here a while with me, hm?" his fingers find purchase in your hair. "that's all we gotta do for now. we'll figure the rest out later. together. alright?"
"okay, frank."
he presses a series of kisses to the crown of your head, and for the moment, it's enough.
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wangxianficfinder · 5 months ago
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Fic Finder
Feb 25th
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1. Hello! For fic finder, please. I am looking for a canon au where WWX was blind. Mainly set at Cloud Recesses Lecture arc. The thing I remember is that the first time WWX is introduced to LXC and LWJ he doesn't face them quite right so JC leans over and turns WWX to be bowing in the right direction.
FOUND? 🧡 close your eyes, feel my heartbeat by ThatDesiGirl (T, 11k, WangXian, blind WWX, Angst with a Happy Ending, Rewriting Canon, not a fix-it but a what-if, Canon-Typical Violence, Golden Core Transfer, Romance, Pining)
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2. Hello, I have a fic finder request. It was set in Cloud Recesses but I don't remember if it was when they were teens in lecture or adults post-everything. Wei Wuxian brought Lan Wangji a series of courting gifts, some of which were fish he had caught. He wanted Wangji to eat the fish, but Wangji wanted to keep the present, so Wangji kept this chest growing full of dead fish and it began to stink lol. I think maybe the characters were animal shifters which is why Wuxian thought fish were a suitable present. Would love to read this again, if anyone has any suggestions I would be very grateful, thank you! @gloriousclotpole
FOUND! what you have tamed by lianhua_lianzi, Senforza (E, 94k, WangXian, XuanLi, XiYao, Eventual 3Zun, Animal Traits, misunderstandings (not the romcom kind that can be resolved in a 5min convo), Courting Rituals, Pining, Lan family dynamics, Drama, Fluff, Hurt/Comfort, Arranged Marriage, Wangxian break up but get back together, Eventual Happy Ending, vague biological essentialism (animal species have different mating preferences), Canon Typical Alcohol Usage, Implied Mpreg, Top LWJ/Bottom WWX, Unresolved Sexual Tension, unintentional and eventually resolved "gaslighting", Dragon LWJ, Fox WWX)
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3. Hey! I am looking for a fic where during the phoenix hunt, wwx and jin jixuan kill a beast together which wasn't supposed to be there. Later jin zixuan's puppies also turn into monsters when jin guangyao is keeping people hostage. It's canon divergence I think.
Thank you so much!
FOUND? 🧡 a stone to break your soul, a song to save it by rikke ( M, 180k, WangXian, Arranged marriage, Canon Divergence, Hurt/comfort, Light angst, Canon typical violence)
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4. I have read this fic so many times, I was so sure it was bookmarked! It's about how CSSR and WCZ finally free themselves from the Burial Mounds and go straight to the Cloud Recess were WWX is attending the lectures. Thank you!!
FOUND? in a dream, i was home by thelastdboy (M, 25k, WangXian, POV LWJ, Canon Divergence, Post-First Siege of the Burial Mounds, Time Travel Fix-It, Hurt/Comfort, Angst with a Happy Ending, Cloud Recesses Study Arc, Different First Meeting, Getting Together, Friends to Lovers, Sentient Burial Mounds, CSSR and WCZ Live, Families of Choice, Protective LWJ, Everybody Lives, Temporary Character Death, Grief/Mourning, Cloud Recesses Shenanigans, WWX Leaves the Yunmeng Jiang Sect, Golden Core Reveal, Fluff, Developing Relationship, Wen Remnants Live, WQ Lives, WN Lives, No Sunshot Campaign, BAMF WWX) but Lan Zhan also time travels in that one.
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5. For the next fic finder, I’ve been trying to find a fic where LWJ, LXC, and WWX are cats. LQR owns a tea house where LWJ and LXC are free to roam while WWX is a stray at the Jiangs’ shelter. Well one day WWX kind of breaks into the shop and continues to do so until LWJ likes him (I think that’s the order of events). When LQR gets the Jiangs to keep WWX away, LWJ starts getting sad without him. I think it ends with LQR basically adopting WWX since the Jiangs were going to have to put him down. I hope this all makes sense. Thanks for all of the help!
FOUND! allopatry by Anonymous (T, 4k, WangXian Modern AU, Cats, not in a catboy sense they're actual cats, wwx's propensity for annoying lqr transcends species, codependent cats as a catalyst for, lqr + jiang sibs friendship
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6. so I don't know if you do comics as well but I found this image on Pinterest and the comments say it's based on a fic/au someone made but they don't say the name of the Author can you help me find anything on it?
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@redraven393
FOUND! lotus by mtdh (T, <1k, JC/LXC, JC & WWX, JL/LSZ/LJY, WIP) looks like the art was originally from this twitter/x post
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7. Hi! I’ve been looking for a specific fic for days now and I feel like I’m going crazy (ಥ﹏ಥ) if you could help I’d really appreciate it!
Details:
• it’s modern with cultivation, or some sort of tech magic. Still a work in progress from what I remember.
• wwx gets resurrected into a robot, and it specifically lights up with little emoticon faces while his voice is monotone. He doesn’t look like a human, I think he controls some sort of army bot??
• instead of Demonic cultivation I think it was some sort of technological cultivation?? Or an implant that could control the Androids and robots in the city. I’m sure an implant was mentioned though no flashback was shown.
• he meets the juniors and lwj, and spends some time running around in the first chapter I think.
• Lwj does take him to reunite with the Wen remnants which actually survived, and he’s offered to get an Android body later on (doesn’t happen in the fix yet).
• spoilers here but from what I remember the last updated chapter had him losing control and being commanded by Xue Yang to hurt (or strangle?) LWJ. During the fic’s version of the coffin city arc.
I don’t know if this fic was deleted or what but I haven’t been able to find it at all! I’ll be satisfied even if it’s bad news. I thank you for anything you might find (シ_ _)シ @spacy-thoughts
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8. Any help would be amazing
It’s a modern au and Wwx is supposed to be marrying lwj but he got super drunk the night before so Mo Xuan yu dresses up as wwx to attend the wedding but lwj realizes it’s not wwx and says he wont get married. @angiewriter
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9. Hi, I'm looking for a fic but i don't remember a lot! It was lqr trying to break wangxian up
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10. hi!!! I'm looking for a threadfic in which jzx and lwj are roommates and they both fall in love with wwx without knowing they loved the same person. when I stopped reading it seemed like it would be the three of them together on endgame @yourefinallysafefromshialabeouf
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11. Hi I'm looking for a fic where during the cloud recess study arc Wei Wuxian is punished and needs to clean like the scrap bin and Lan Qiren is there to overwatch but Wei Wuxian has a panic attack from his time on the streets and Lan Qiren comforts him. @datcringe
FOUND? The lavender handkerchief by barisan (Not Rated, 1k, LQR & WWX, WWX Has PTSD, Good Uncle LQR, WWX Has a Fear of Dogs, Panic Attacks, Eating Disorder Not Otherwise Specified, My headcanon as to why WWX eats with so much spice)
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12. I’ve been searching for this but cant find it again.
It’s an alpha/beta/omega dynamics fanfiction on AO3 where Wei wuxian just got a new job and at the beginning their at like a work party and Wei wuxian is like where’s the alcohol and its said that no alcohol allowed and he thinks that lan wangji must be some old fuddy duddy but sees him from across the room and he’s like the most gorgeous man Wei wuxian has seen and he’s dissapointed that lan wangji has a wife but its actually just a marriage of convenience and lan wangji sees him and immediately promotes him to be his secretary and they kinda have an affair and towards the end lan wangji goes to anniversary dinner with wife to ask for divorce but Wei wuxian doesnt know that and is pregnant and is going to quits
Thank you!
FOUND? your lips are undeniable by orphan_account (E, 12k, WangXian, Dubious Consent, Consent Play, Undernegotiated Kink, Alpha LWJ, Omega WWX, A/B/O, Mpreg, Dark LWJ(kinda), Hurt/Comfort, Fluff and Smut, LWJ is Married, (but not to WWX hehe), lowkey crack lol, Unreliable Narrator, WWX rly rly wants to get railed ok he DOES he just cant admit it to himself yet, the fic responsible for the wwx spicy slick discourse, 'Just the Tip', uh huh sure LWJ, Size Kink, Size Difference)
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13. Hello! Thank you for all your do! I’m looking for a fic I read a long time ago. In this fic WWX lived with the Wens in hiding and LWJ was a prince and there was a set of trials to help him find a lover. WWX snuck into the trials with portals he had made in order to steal from the other contestants, but along the way he became close with LWJ and he fell in love. In the end he blinds LWJ temporarily and escapes back to the Wens and JC eventually shows up to have him and the Wens speak to LXC. Please help me find this fic, I’ve been searching for it for awhile @bigmeatycl0ws
FOUND!🔒 the stars in the hazy heaven tremble above you by cicer (G, 64k, WangXian, Fantasy, Cinderella Fusion, Mutual Pining)
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14. Hiii! From what I remember, the fic I'm looking for has a setting where there is an emperor outside of the cultivation world, and he doesn't really care much about them until the war breaks out.
In this fic, WWX was never adopted by the Jiangs. I think he taught himself how to read and write and then gave the imperial exam, and became a government official. (The next detail may be wrong or mixed up with another fic) after he taught himself to read and write at a young age, he started to write 'illegal' or 'banned' books for an elderly man for income, the man was actually very rude to him at first.
Later, he became a government official and quickly rose through the ranks to become a favourite of the emperor. The emperor sends him to the cultivation world to settle everything after the war, he wears a mask during this time.
I'm not sure if he had a golden core or not, or if he used demonic cultivation, but the cultivation world knew him as a non-cultivator, just a very good scholar. I remember LWJ started to like him cuz of WWX helped the war/rebuilding effort even as a non-cultivator.
Lots of thanks for your work for this fandom 💝 @songtaegguk
FOUND? Copying Scriptures by chiyukimei (E, 31k, wangxian, graphic depictions of violence, Genius WWX, Palace, canon wangxian dynamics, Angst with a Happy Ending, LWJ Bites, LWJ is the baby of the Lan Clan, Good Uncle LQR, WangXian are parents, Fluff, Blood and Injury, Self-Harm)
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15. Hi.. May you have a good day! and thank you for all your efforts.. it is for fic finder..
what I remember about the fic I lost was wwx surrenders after destroying the yin tiger tally.. and was entrusted to the Nie's for punishment... (he was expecting harsh treatment and dying ordinary) but he was treated fairly by them and was even allowed to teach their disciples..
When asked to help with purifying NMJ, he rejected the request and revealed to LXC about his lost core...
That is all I can recall about the fic.. and
thanks to you, all the Mods for your endless efforts...
FOUND? Always walked a very thin line by tucuxi (T, 22k, NHS & WWX, JYL & WWX, WangXian, Depression, Anxiety Attacks, Anxiety, Canon-Typical Behavior, Canon-Typical Violence, Canon Divergence, Everyone Lives, except JZn and JGS, Self-Worth Issues, Slow Burn, Oblivious WWX, Golden Core Reveal, WWX Has No Golden Core, Chronic Pain, Chronic Illness, Yin Iron, Baxia Saber, baxia as mental health barometer yikes, Pining, everyone is morally grey, life is not fair and that’s kind of the whole point of mxtx books)
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16. Hello! I remember this fic when lan wangji was selectively mute and wei ying was super talkative and I think it was an outsiders view, it's only a short fix @lanwuxian0725
FOUND! The Art of Communication by mrcformoso (G, 4k, WangXian, Modern AU, College/University, Tooth-Rotting Fluff, Meet-Cute, Engineering Student WWX, Music Student LWJ, Swimmer WWX, Martial Artist LWJ, POV Outsider, POV WWX, POV LWJ, Everything is Beautiful and Nothing Hurts, Communication Issues, But Wanxian Makes it Work, LWJ has limited words, WWX has too many words, Falling In Love, First Kiss, Love Confessions, Love Languages, Requited Love)
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17. Hello! I don't know if I remember this fic correctly but all I know is wei ying was being courted by wen xu and lan wangji, and because of that lan xichen also accompanied him to yunmeng to court him property. Wen xu was also sent to yunmeng to court wei ying Because he's a great cultivator, I also remember that lan xichen and lan wangji sleep in the brothels room because madam yu won't let them stay in the lotus pier as to at least discourage them to seek wei ying (?) btw I think this was all A/B/O @lanwuxian0725
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18. Hello friends, can you help me find a fic? I thought it was Dispersing Clouds because it's genius WWX who creates powerful wards and many talisman, and also involves him taking over previous Jiang land/estates to help the Wen remnants. However DC explicitly says there will be no WQ or WN, and they were definitely in the fic I remember. For awhile they have to share a house with WWX and LWJ while new are built and WQ and WN tease them over their marital activities.
WWX uses wealth from his inventions to hire builders and make a village, and they live within the powerful wards and build throughout winter. I think another big difference is that WRH is still powerful and he or his son's attempt to attack the estate but can't get through the wards. Thanks for your help! @moku-youbi
FOUND? Just go forward like you mean it by tawaen (M, 101k, WangXian, WWX & WN &WQ, WWX & JYL, NHS & WWX, Canon Divergence, WWx does not attend the Wen indoctrination, WWX saves Lotus Pier, Inventor WWX, No Golden Core Transfer, Sect Leader JYL, JC Has No Golden Core, Bad Parents JFM & YZY, Not JC Friendly, but he gets a happier ending than canon so don’t look here for bashing)
FOUND? Time Charm by Jenrose  (E, 141k, WangXian, later queerplatonic LWJ/WWX/WQ, LXC/JGY/2nd Madam Mo, time travel fix-it, post-canon, everyone lives au, genius inventor WWX, BAMF wangxian, first time, pregnancy, childbirth, asexual character, aftermath of time travel, telepathic bond, slice of life) might be the series time charm by jenrose. It’s a time travel fic but some of the later fics have the mentioned events
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19. Hi! I'm currently looking for two fics.
A) First one is a time travel au where modern time wwx goes to the past to canon time and meets lwj. The time travel scene was like wwx going home from a night grocery shopping and when he took a turn he was at the steps of Cloud Recesses. Lwj doesn't know him because they hadn't met in that time (because canon wwx died before the study arc) but they get closer and lwj invites wwx to jin ling's 100 days celebration where jyl and jc recognize wwx and I think wwx has a panic attack? Because jyl died in his time. Anway it turns out that he can go back but lwj decides to go with him and they travel from modern to canon time like every year and stay 1 year there.
B) The other one is a modern a/b/o au in which the lans are rich, lwj is an alpha who has been in love with wwx for years. Wwx kept it a secret that he is an omega but lwj gets an anonymous message with a video in which turns out wwx is an omega. Before this all happened wwx had a streaming/youtuber career that he stopped when their house got burned down, jfm and yzy dead, and jyl got into a coma. Anyway somewhat later they get into an arranged marriage initiated by wwx to save jc's and lwj spoils him, but wwx has a stroke as well I think? And later it turns out the wens were behind the falling of the jiangs and the death of jfm an yzy. Wangxian also get married when wwx is in the hospital because of the stroke and later they have 2 kids.
Thank you so much in advance!!!! @petra2402
19A)
FOUND? Wrong Turn, Right Place by diamondbruise (E, 71k, WangXian, Time Travel, kind of, it’s more reality travel but there’s modern wwx and cultivator lwj, Mutual Pining, Angst with a Happy Ending, Jealousy, Idiots in Love, Slow Burn, Misunderstandings, Cultural Differences)
19B)
FOUND? Insert Coin Now for Extra Life by TriviasFolly (E, 201k, WangXian, A/B/O, Intersex Omegas, Modern, Omega WWX, Alpha LWJ, Marriage contract au, Twitch Streamer WWX, Fluff, caring for other while sick, Possessive LWJ, Rare Male Omegas, Pack Dynamics, Sugar Baby vibes, Eventual Smut, Brief mention of lwj/others)
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20. Hi!! I am looking for a canon rewrite fic where cultivators bleed gold and non-cultivators bleed red. When Wei Wuxian gave his core to Jiang Cheng his blood faded from gold to red, and after that point he had to hide injuries from everyone to hide the loss of his golden core. I am pretty sure this fic covered both the Burial Mounds settlement days and after Wei Wuxian comes back to life. I have been looking for this fic for months and haven’t been able to turn it up. Please help!
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yourname-exee · 4 months ago
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Chapter Four: Whispers of the Unforgotten 
SatoSugu!reader
chapter 1 - chapter 2 - chapter 3 - chapter 5 - chapter 6 - chapter 7 - chapter 8 - chapter 9 - chapter 10 - chapter 11 - chapter 12
It happened suddenly.  
A shift. 
A pull.
An ache in the very core of their beings.  
Two souls, separated by fate, yet bound by something far beyond their understanding, felt it at the same time.  
A presence.  
A heartbeat.  
A flicker of something long thought lost.  
Satoru stood on the rooftop of Jujutsu Tech. The sun had begun its descent, bathing everything in hues of orange and violet, but he wasn’t looking at the sky. His fingers clenched around the edge of his sunglasses, heartbeat unsteady.  
It had come out of nowhere.  
A wave of something- something warm, something familiar.  
His chest tightened, breath catching as flashes of memories flooded his mind.  
   Laughter ringing in his ears.  
   Soft fingers threading through his own.  
   A voice calling his name, teasing, so soft and sweet.  
   A smile meant only for him.  
His stomach twisted, throat suddenly dry.  
No. It couldn’t be.  
You were gone.  
He grieved you, was still grieving. 
It had destroyed him- he had sworn to protect you both of you. 
He was the strongest. wasn’t he? 
He was supposed to be untouchable. But in that moment, as he took in the gruesome news, all his strength had meant nothing.   
Losing you had changed him in ways he didn’t want to acknowledge. 
He has laughed louder, spoken bolder, pushed himself to be more—but it was all a facade. A way to mask the fact that a part of him had died alongside you that day.  
Because no one had ever made him feel the way you had.  
And now, for the first time in years, he felt you again.  
A name hovered on his lips, but he couldn’t bring himself to say it, too afraid that speaking it into existence would make it shatter like glass.  
What the hell is going on? 
Miles away, Suguru sat in the dim glow of his studio, fingers absently rolling a small bead between them, Mimiko and Nanako’s giggles echoing in the room over.  
But he didn’t hear them. Not really.  
His mind was somewhere else.  
A breath hitched in his throat, an unfamiliar tension gripping his body as something washed over him.  
Something he hadn’t felt in years. 
Something he shouldn’t be feeling. 
His hands trembled, memories bleeding through the cracks of his consciousness, fragments of a life he’d tried to bury, a life that had been stolen from him.  
   Gentle hands brushing against his cheek.  
   Soft laughter at the edge of his senses.  
   A whisper of his name, tender, loving.
His jaw clenched. He squeezed his eyes shut, as if that could banish the phantom sensations.  
But they remained.  
The past had never left him—not really.  
Losing you had been the final thread that snapped, sending him spiraling into the abyss. Riko’s death had cracked something within him, but yours?
That had shattered him entirely.  
Because if you had lived, would he have fallen this far?  
Would he have looked into the faces of innocent people and seen nothing but obstacles in his way?
Would he have turned his back on everything he once believed in, drowning himself in hatred and conviction?  
Would he have let go?  
He had told himself it didn’t matter. That the pain had forged him into something greater, stronger.
But if that was true, then why, after all these years, did it still haunt him?  
Why, now, did it feel like you were standing just beyond his reach?  
His breathing was shallow, fingers digging into his palm. He refused to believe it, refused to entertain the idea that fate could be so cruel.  
Because if this was real, if this wasn’t some twisted illusion, then it meant…  
No.  
He wouldn’t go there. 
He couldn’t.  
But still, in the solitude of his room, with only the shadows as his witness, a single, broken whisper left his lips—  
“…Y/n?” 
For both of them, your death had been the catalyst for everything.  
For Satoru, it was a wound that never fully healed, forcing him to walk forward alone, pushing himself to be better, to never lose again.  
For Suguru, it was the loss that convinced him the world was beyond saving. That if he had to burn it down to rebuild something better, then so be it.  
And now, for the first time in years, the past was clawing its way back to the surface. 
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The question remained—  
Was it a cruel trick of fate?  
Or was destiny finally bringing them home?  
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(a/n two chapters in one day, I know .. I'm just excited about this series!)
tags: @sleepykittyenergy , @sarcasticbitchsblog
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miffysrkv · 1 month ago
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Catalyst
Pairing: Jayce x Reader x ViktorGenre: Slow burn, mature, romantic tension, polyamory, s3x is heavily implied hereTone: Tender, obsessive, emotionally charged
Chapter 2 – Dangerous Variables
Navigation: CH 1 | CH 2 (you’re here) | CH 3
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There was something about the air in the lab now—charged, humming, watching.
You stayed.
Even after Jayce’s fingers slipped from yours. Even after Viktor’s confession, quiet and staggering. Even after logic screamed at you to walk out of that room before your heart caught fire.
You stayed.
And they didn’t look at you the same after that night
The next few days passed in fevered fragments. You tried to focus on your work—truly, you did—you had pretended not to notice how Viktor lingered too close, how his voice softened only when he spoke to you, and even how he would make you your favorite tea without having to ask.
You tried to ignore the way Jayce touched your shoulder in passing, like it meant nothing, like he wasn’t memorizing the slope of your body with every glance, how you would catch him staring at your lips whenever you finished speaking
But the tension only wound tighter. Like a coil, waiting to snap.
It finally broke late one night.
You were alone in the lab, recalibrating the Hexcore interface. The room pulsed with blue light. You could feel the hum in your bones, your work area was lit the same color as the very intracate form in front of you.
Then you felt him.
Jayce. Standing in the doorway, watching.
“I know what you’re doing,” he said.
You didn’t turn around. “Working?" you replied back, your tone laced with slight irritation.
He stepped closer. “No. You’re trying to pretend like this is just work. Like we didn’t tell you what we feel.” He was right behind you now, you could feel his gaze scorching your back and you didn't dare to look, fearing you would collapse under his gaze.
“I didn’t ask for any of this,” you whispered.
Jayce’s voice dropped. “Didn’t you?”
You turned then, ready to snap—but stopped cold.
Viktor stood just behind him, his expression unreadable.
“Don’t,” you said, backing away, attempting to put as much space between yourself and the two men in front of you. “Don’t do this. Not both of you.”
“But that’s the thing,” Viktor said softly, taking a tentative step forward. “It’s always been both of us.”
His eyes locked onto yours with startling intensity. “I tried to stay away. I told myself you were a distraction. I told myself I had no time for attachment. But every time I look at you… I feel like I'm losing control.”
Jayce moved behind you, just as Viktor had that first night. His presence was fire—overwhelming. You could feel your heartbeat everywhere, your ears felt hot and your hand slightly trembled.
“Maybe that’s the point,” Jayce murmured in your ear. “Maybe we all need to lose a little control.”
Janna, someone save me-
You were trapped between them now—Viktor’s sharp brilliance, Jayce’s smoldering power. Their emotions were no longer hidden. They wanted you. Together. You were suffocating.
“You don’t have to choose,” Jayce said, voice rough. “We’re not asking you to.”
You trembled. “And what are you asking for?”
Viktor’s hand came up slowly, brushing a strand of hair from your face with a tenderness that broke something open in you. “Everything.”
Jayce’s lips hovered near your throat. “All of you.”
They moved in sync, like they'd choreographed this—like you were the equation they had finally agreed to solve together.
And for once, you didn’t run.
Afterward, none of you speak right away.
You're pressed between them on Viktor’s narrow cot tucked behind the storage alcove. Jayce's arm is slung protectively across your waist as he plays with the slightly damp strands of your hair, and Viktor’s hand is still tangled in yours, rubbing slow circles on your skin.
No one moves. No one dares to.
“You’ll ruin me,” Viktor whispers.
Jayce chuckles, pressing a kiss to your bare shoulder. “We’ll ruin each other.”
You close your eyes, heart thundering as your heart flutters at the amount of attention they are giving you.
Maybe that’s what love is.
Not safe. Not sane.
But shared.
Even if it burns.
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jaycatalyst · 6 months ago
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In Time
By Catalyst
Love can find me in time Been dreaming of you For far too long I know that when you appear I won't ever let you go
You will be a blessing I longed for on my cold nights The tenderness I needed daily A true vision for my eyes
I know it will be so Been dreaming of you For far too long For it to be for naught Love will find me, I know it
And when it does… I hope its smile is yours I hope its eyes are yours I hope, my love… It will be you
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mauveisroyalexo · 4 months ago
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C H A P T E R — T H R E E
Summary: Tensions rise with the Batiste household as the well anticipated first dinner goes horribly wrong. What happens after, becomes the catalyst for Akira’s new life.
Warnings: Strong language, derogatory language, slow burn
WC: 10.4K
Previous | Next
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“I’m glad you’re feeling better, Akira. It seems our sons didn’t run you off after all.”
The jokes seemed to flow across the long table as Akira apologized for being late. As expected, she was placed between Namjoon and Jin, the head alpha and beta of their pack. Akira noticed each gift bag she had brought was placed in front of the heads of Bangtan’s familial pack, as well as eight in front of her father and one in front Naomi.
Jackson’s mother gushed over the Jade comb and earrings, remarking how thoughtful Naomi was to study their culture. Akira could only hope for the same sentiment as each of the pack leaders opened their gifts from her. Akira wasn’t sure her mother picked out, she was just as nervous as she was earlier. Beneath the table, Namjoon’s hand gripped Akira’s, running his thumb soothingly against her palm. Jimin and Jin’s fathers both received engraved fountain pen sets, which they seemed to genuinely appreciate. Akira squeezed Namjoon’s hand as tight as she could, needing reassurance once it got to his mother. “Oh my Akira…this is the most beautiful bracelet I’ve ever seen.” Akira could practically see the tears in her eyes as each woman opened their bags, each pulling out a bracelet with different flower charms hanging from them, each one representing the birth month of each child they had. For Jungkook’s mother, a tiger lily and a honeysuckle. For Hobi’s mother, a buttercup and a spring crocus. For Yoongi’s mother, a larch and a peach; for Taehyun’s mother, a Carolina allspice, a briar rose, and a goldenrod. And lastly, for Namjoon’s mother, a clematis and an azalea. Akira’s mother did think to put in bracelets for Jimin and Jin’s mother’s as well; how she managed to know all this information without you was a mystery.
Looking across the room, Akira noticed her mother and sister give her a wink, thankful that they somehow got the importance of each bracelet. “Thank you Akira, I know that Jin’s mother will greatly appreciate the gift. She wished to be here, but the grand-pups are in town for a visit.” Jin’s father had a similar laugh to Jin’s, making Akira smile. Without much thought, Akira reached beneath the table to grab Jin’s hand with her free one. Jin smiled, the tips of his ears turning red.
“You did good, beautiful.” Namjoon leaned over to whisper in Akira’s ear. Akira closed her eyes just as Namjoon pecked the side of her head. Her heartbeat quickened at the mere touch of his lips, making Namjoon chuckle and squeeze her hand once again. It was bold to do such a thing in front of both families, but their parents didn’t seem to mind. In their eyes, Akira was perfect for their sons without knowing much about her. Naturally, the occasional question came up for both you and the pack: do you see yourself bearing a mating mark? Do you plan on staying or moving away? Will there be grand-pups?
Akira coughed before her wine could slide down her throat. Jungkook shook his head, embarrassed by his mother’s boldness while others snickered. “U-uhm…well we haven’t—we haven’t talked about that yet.” You stuttered, face flushed with heat. Akira coughed again, still feeling the tickle in the back of her throat as Jin handed her water to drink. She mouthed a quick ‘thank you’ before guzzling down half a glass of water. Halfway through the dinner, Naomi opened her gift from Jackson,a beautiful gold bangle engraved with a message and her name, with jade stones embedded into them. Akira smiled at her sister’s happy smile while the rest of her family raised their glasses in praise. “We would also like to give our gifts to Akira.” Taehyung smiled, nodding his head to her. One by one, each of the men pulled out their gifts from beneath the table. Family members from different tables strained their necks to see what she got from them. Akira felt put on the spot but knowing how they really wanted her to accept their gifts, Akira silently relented. Taehyung was the first to give his gift, a big purple bag in his hand as he walked around the table to hand it to her.
“Oh Taehyung, you shouldn’t have..” Akira couldn’t believe how big the bag was.
“I thought you might like it.” He smiled proudly, watching her pull back the tissue paper and pull out a large quilt. Big and purple with stars and hearts alternating each square and bordering the quilt. Akira held it to her, aware that she could smell the lavender and leather. She could smell the citrus of orange and the smoothness of vanilla and sandalwood and mouth watering pear. “To keep you warm until you’re with us.” Taehyung smartly replied, leaning forward to place a kiss on top of Akira’s head. She placed the quilt back into the bag then received the next gift, which was from Jungkook. The bag, also purple, was medium in size. Akira dug through the bag, pulling out a Polaroid camera. She looked up at Jungkook with a smirk; his full bunny smile making her giggle, “For all the memories we’ll make. As a new family.” Akira bit her lip, feeling tears start to warm behind her eyes. She reached out her hand for him, “Thank you, Jungkook.” Her soft voice made his wolf pur. Placing the camera back in the bag, Akira was ready for the next gift. Next, Yoongi and Hobi stood behind her, both excited for Akira to open her next gift, “We hope you like it. We picked it out together.” Handing over a long, purple rectangular box, Hobi turned to Yoongi, excited about her reaction. Akira opened the box and gasped. The diamond charm bracelet wasn’t too overwhelming with just the right amount of charms and diamonds studded throughout. “See this one in the middle?” Yoongi pointed out to the purple, vertically inverted trapezoids pointing to each other, “That’s our pack’s insignia. You’re a part of our pack and we want others to know it too.”
“And these charms represent us.” Hobi explains, “I’m the sun. Jin’s the moon. The guitar pick is Yoongi, the rose is Taehyung, the book is Namjoon, the wings are Jimin and the bunny is Jungkook for obvious reasons.” Jungkook sucked his teeth, scowling while Akira giggled, trying to hide the tears threatening to spill.
“I’ll never take it off, thank you Hobi.” Akira then turned to Yoongi, “Thank you, Yoongi.” Taking Akira by surprise, they both kissed her on the cheeks. Akira pouted cutely, holding her wrist out as Jin attached the bracelet. “Everything was beautiful, I don’t know if I could stand any more presents.”
“But you haven’t gotten to me yet.” Jimin pouted.
“Or me,” Jin mused,
“Or me, beautiful.” Namjoon smiled, his dimples deep and round. Akira covered her face, suddenly feeling shy. She felt a hand on her waist, squeezing her side.
“C’mon Akira, I wanna see what the others got!” Naomi yelled from the end of the table, clearly excited. Jimin smirked, handing her a large purple box, Akira could sense a theme here. She opened the box, revealing the softest oversized sweater known to man. It felt plush between her fingertips, the soft pink fabric delicate, almost too perfect for her to have, “Just something delicate for a delicate woman.” Akira smiled, holding the sweater to her chest, already making up her mind that she’ll sleep in it later tonight.
“I love it, Jimin, thank you.” Akira folded the sweater and placed it in the bag with the camera. Next was Jin, offering a gift that both he and Namjoon came up with. He handed Akira a purple velvet box, making her look at both him and Namjoon, “What did you two do? Is it gonna make me cry?” Jin laughed,
“Open the box Akira.” Akira bit her lip as she opened the box. A jagged shaped piece hung from a thin gold chain. On the piece was her name engraved in cursive along with her birthstone, a pretty garnet gem. It took Akira a moment to realize, “It’s a puzzle piece.” She spoke softly, a cute confused frown on her face. Looking up, she looked at all seven men slowly revealing their own necklaces, “W-What’s—you didn’t.”
“We each have a piece. You’re the completed part of our puzzle so we wanted to show you that.” Namjoon rested his arm on the back of Akira’s chair, his hand finding the back of her neck, massaging lightly. Tears pricked at the edge. Her breath picked up, a soft gasp leaving her lips. “Despite how you may feel? You belong with us, Akira. And we’re gonna show you in every way possible that you are one of us.” Her lips trembled just barely before a tear fell. Akira quickly looked away, staring down at the necklace in her hands, licking her lips as she was at a loss for words. Her eyes closed softly as she felt Namjoon’s lips once again at the side of her head, shushing her softly as more tears silently fell.
Jin took the necklace from her hands, taking it out of the box and unclasping it. Carefully, he brought it around her neck, securing it; the gold piece dangling between her breasts. Akira couldn’t even speak. She grabbed hold of the necklace then without a second thought, laid her head on Jin’s shoulder. He grabbed a napkin and handed it to her, watching as she wiped her tears away.
Jimin’s father raised a glass and others around the table joined—well, certain members of Akira’s family didn’t. Justine bitterly sipped her champagne, stewing at the fact that her husband no longer treated her that way. Malik seemed annoyed, ready to take his wife and kids home as he felt this dinner was beneath him. And Joseph just plain wanted to be a hater. But one look from his wife told him he had better stay quiet or there would be drama later. The night continued with more food and drinks and even dancing. Akira slowly danced with Taehyung and then Jimin. And though she was starting to get tired, she danced with Namjoon too. “Are you okay, Akira? I sensed there was more than just nerves tonight.”
“I’m just…I never felt this before.” Akira whispered, her head pressed to his chest as they danced. Ever the gentleman, Namjoon kept his hands at a respectable position, one on the small of her back, the other holding her hand.
Namjoon frowned, “Felt what?”
Akira moved to look up at him. A starry gaze set in her eyes, almost like a far away look, “Safe.” Namjoon’s grip tightened on the small of her back. ‘Omega feels safe with us. She’s safe for now.’ Each member of the pack stopped what they were doing and looked at the both of them still dancing. Akira gave Namjoon a soft smile, one to appease his happy wolf.
“God I wanna kiss you right now.” Namjoon rumbled, making Akira gasp. She felt light, almost dizzy. Stumbling a little, Akira almost fell, but Namjoon caught her waist, pressing her against his. She wanted him to kiss her as well but knew that it wasn’t the time or place for that. Looking away, Akira stopped dancing and pulled away from Namjoon. She held his hand, “Take a walk with me? They have a garden outside.” Namjoon smiles, moving to wrap her arm around his, the fabric of his all black suit kissing her fingertips. On her way out, her grandmother smiled, sending her a wink. What the cute future couple didn’t notice was Malik and Joseph watching them, watching as the two walked silently out of the hall.
Jungkook frowned, sensing negative energy coming from them. This triggered the rest of the pack, each flocking to him to see what was bothering him, ‘Kookie what’s wrong?’
‘Do you guys get the feeling that her family’s energy is…off?’ Jungkook took a glance over at Jin who could be seen scowling, ‘Jin hyung what’s wrong?’
Jin sighed, taking a seat to finish his whisky, ‘I didn’t say anything at first but at the summit, I overheard her father threatening her.’
‘Excuse me?!’ Yoongi nearly spun on his heel, rage settling within his bones as his eyes glowed red. Hobi grabbed his arm, trying to calm him, ‘What exactly did he say to her?’
‘Basically he told her she either sleeps with us to secure her place in the pack or she’s in trouble. He wants the alliance between us for power. She refused and judging by how hard he grabbed her, I’m guessing that’s why she’s wearing sleeves tonight. He didn’t even want her as a part of the family.’
“Fucking bastard.” Jimin cursed aloud, seething at the thought of anyone, let alone his mate’s father, threatening her. “Does Joonie know?”
“Yes.” Jin replied, “We’ve been trying to speed up the process of getting her to us as quickly as possible but he,” and Jin made it clear that he was talking about Akira’s father, “wants assurances.”
“Fuck his assurances.” Yoongi spat, growing angrier.
“For the safety of our pack omega, I’m willing to meet whatever demand he wants. I want her out of that house.” Jin countered, finishing his drink. “I want her home with us in one piece Yoongi, not battered and bruised.”
“I’ll kill him.” Jimin stopped Jungkook, scuffing the back of his neck, making him whimper.
“Jin’s right. Not acting rationally in front of the families will cause more problems than they’re worth. The goal is to bring her home. They can’t break mate bonds but they sure as hell can delay it and we can’t have that.”
“Therein lies the problem,” Hobi sighed, “she’s human. To them she technically doesn’t have a bond with us. They can challenge us for her at any point. It’s best to act within reason.”
“I hate this.” Taehyung sat opposite Jin, fuming. “We do anything to jeopardize her coming home to us, Namjoon will never forgive us. I’m with Jin.” He grumbled, playing with the jacket of his suit. The group tried settling each other’s emotions, contemplating on how to deal with the situation. Meanwhile, outside in the garden, Namjoon and Akira walked peacefully in silence until they came across a pond. Namjoon sat in the area where people could sit, holding onto Akira’s hand as he pulled her between his legs. Akira loved that his silver colored hair shimmered beneath the moon. She loved the smile that he gave her, dimples fully on display. Namjoon was gone. Completely love drunk on her scent, on her voice, her laugh—everything. “Seeing you smile tonight was everything I wanted. I wanna see it more often.”
“Namjoon,” Akira spoke softly, finding it hard to find the words.
“Yes beautiful?” Akira shyly looked away, nearly pulling away from him but he pulled her closer. Akira fell onto his lap, barely making Namjoon flinch. She felt heavy all of a sudden. Akira knew she wasn’t a small girl by any means. She had thick thighs, a little chubby stomach, a full and slightly rounded face. None of that seemed to matter to Namjoon though. He was just happy spending time with her.
“Do you…” Akira sighed, finding herself playing with his matching necklace, “do you really believe I’m your mate? Like without a doubt, you know that for sure?”
“Yes, I truly believe that.” He answered honestly.
“But how?” Akira squinted, lost on how it was possible, “I’m not a wolf, I’m just a human, I’m nothing—.”
“Don’t.” Namjoon silenced her, an instant chill settled her body. Namjoon rarely ever used his alpha command, but he needed to, just this once. He was surprised it actually worked on her, “Akira, you are not nothing. I don’t know why my wolf responded to you like any other wolf would to its mate. I can’t explain to you this overwhelming feeling to make sure you’re cared for and safe and loved, but it’s there. It’s here,” Namjoon grabbed hold of her hand and placed it in his warm chest, “this feeling, this urge…it’s primal. It’s instinctual. I just knew the moment I met you, you were meant to be ours.”
“B-But how can I be a mate to multiple wolves? Is that even possible?” Akira could feel his heart rapidly beating within his chest.
“It’s rare, but it can happen. Werewolves can have multiple mates but with you, Akira, the rules have changed.” Akira stared into his soft brown eyes, paralyzed by what she knew would happen next. Namjoon’s eyes traveled across her face before settling on her plump lips. Closer and closer, the two leaned in until he was a breath away, “Can I kiss you, Akira?”
“Please.” Akira whimpered, slightly moaning as his lips touched hers. The dazed feeling she felt engulfed her, sending her melting into his body. Namjoon’s arms wrapped around her frame, deepening the kiss to elicit the most delicate, breathy moan he ever heard from her. Her scent skyrocketed; the warm, syrupy scent oozed like honey through his nose, making his wolf growl and rumble through his chest. Akira moaned again, thighs clenching together as the sound zapped her body with a feeling she never felt before. One of Namjoon’s hands traveled upward, cradling the back of her neck in his hand.
Kiss deepening even further, his tongue parted her lips. His tongue danced within her mouth, massaging hers and bringing forth a high pitched moan that even surprised Akira. She had never made these sounds before, not for anyone. He then pulled away just slightly, both of them panting for air as his lips softly pecked hers. His other hand held one of her soft, plushy thighs, squeezing gently. “I’ve been wanting to do that since I first saw you.”
Her giggle muffled as she buried her face in the side of his neck, making him laugh as well. Resting her head on his shoulder, Akira dreamed that nothing interrupted this moment. That everything would remain this safe and peaceful for her. Sadly, that would come to an end as this overwhelming feeling sunk within her chest. She sat up quickly, almost dizzying, “Something‘a wrong.” Her speech slurred, still reeling from the kiss as she stood up, legs wobbly. Namjoon frowned, concerned until he heard it. He heard the arguing going on inside the building and knew he needed to defuse it, and fast. “Let’s go.” He stood quickly, grabbing her hand as they walked quickly back to the building. Within minutes they could hear shouting from the banquet hall, making Akira take off her heels and sprint to the hall with Namjoon by her side.
So much commotion was taking place that they both didn’t know where to start. Jackson and Naomi and his family were trying to stop the argument between Akira and Bangtan’s family. Jungkook and Taehyung were nearly chest to chest with Malik and Braxton. Theo, Akira’s brother-in-law, was trying to stop her sister Justine from attacking Jimin's parents—the chaos was everywhere. Akira’s nieces and nephews huddled in a corner, terrified and immediately, she let go of Namjoon’s hand and ran to them. They engulfed her, scared and terrified. Her grandmother just sat at the table, covering her face in annoyance.
“ENOUGH!” The echo of Namjoon’s voice shocked the sound barrier, making chandeliers shake and glassware tumble. He looked over at a scared Akira who held the children to her in comfort, shushing the smallest ones to stop crying. He sighed, obviously angered that she had to see a side of him that he did not want her to see, “What the hell happened?!”
“Malik—!” Taehyung was interrupted by said person, which he despised,
“Y’all started the bullshit with me!” He shouted, “Comin’ up in my conversation, starting shit!”
“Tell him what you said, jackass!” Jungkook shouted, ready to lunge at him if not for Jin and Hobi holding him back, “Tell him what you said about Akira, tell him the truth!”
“Hey!” Jungkook snapped his head to Namjoon, ‘Don’t wolf out right now. We don’t have any spare clothes in case you turn.’. Jungkook huffed and puffed, trying desperately to control his rage. Jin pushed out his calming scent, trying to mask the stench of rotted and burned firewood.
Akira ushered the children over to their great-grandmother before walking over to the scene, “Whatever he said, it shouldn’t have warranted all of this, Jungkook. No matter what, words should not get you out of character like this, even if it’s from my own brother.”
“Akira,” Jungkook whined, obviously displeased, “please—.”
“You heard her,” Malik chuckled, “listen to your $5 whore.” Namjoon and Akira whipped their heads toward Malik. The next thing they saw was Malik’s head reeling back as Taehyung punched him in his jaw. Braxton then lunged and a fist fight between all four commenced. Namjoon ran over and broke it up, catching Taehyung and Jungkook by the neck to scruff them. Before Malik could land another punch, Namjoon turned quickly, grabbing his fist with the palm of his hand. “You’re drunk. Get yourself together, especially in front of your wife and kids.”
“You think just because you’re a leader of a pack you run everybody. Well you don’t run me! You and that bitch will never measure up to me!” Malik shouted, rage taking over his entire body.
“If you ever become a leader, you will run your pack to the ground.” Namjoon coldly replied.
“Now wait just a minute son,” Joseph soon stepped in, standing between him and his son, “That’s my son you’re talking about.”
“Oh but it’s ok to disrespect your daughter? Your precious princess, as I recall it?” Namjoon stated, staring him down, fed up with hiding his feelings in diplomacy, “I knew you were a liar from the moment I saw you. Whatever hatred you have for her, know that it will all be erased once she’s home with us.”
“If I allow it.” Joseph warned menacingly. Akira’s eyes watered, knowing that her father always made good on his threats. “After the display your pack showed today, I don’t know if I want my daughter to be aligned with you.”
Akira faltered, “Father, please—!”
“Silence, Akira!” Joseph shouted, making her jump. “What kind of fool do you take me for? You would rather associate yourself with these hoodlums than your own family?!”
Akira walked over and grabbed Namjoon’s hand. “Father, please. Whatever happened, it can be fixed but don’t do this, don’t take this away from me. I’ve been loyal to my family my entire life. I never ask for anything, please, don’t do this, please.”
Mariam walked over, placing a hand on her husband’s shoulder, “Malik started the fight. He should be punished for it later, but the girls, especially Akira, do not deserve for their nights to be ruined.” ‘Judging by the looks on Jackson’s family’s faces, if you mess this up, the alliance for Naomi will be ruined too. His and the Bangtan pack’s family are close knit, they will not tolerate this and we need the numbers, Joseph’, Mariam’s wolf spoke to him. Sighing, Joseph relented. He turned to Malik and although no one could hear what they were saying, there was definite tension.
After tensions somewhat died down, Akira looked around the hall. Every mess she saw brought tears to her eyes. Shaking her head, Akira packed up all her gifts and handed them to her mother, “Say goodnight, Akira.” Her mother nodded towards the seven men all huddled with their families as they helped the staff clean up. Sensing her distress, Jimin popped his head up, making the others do the same. Akira stood in the center of the ballroom on the dance floor, trembling. She knew she wasn’t going to just say goodnight to them. The moment Hobi walked up to her and wrapped his arms around her, Akira could barely contain her soft cries, “Shh, it’s okay Akira, it’s okay.”
“I’m sorry. I'm so sorry.” Akira’s muffled apologies could be heard as his arms tightened around her.
“You have nothing to be sorry for. None of this is your fault.” Hobi tried assuring her, but it didn’t make the sadness go away. Moving away from his arms, Akira wiped her face and moved her hair out of her face. It broke their hearts to see her this way. Yoongi walked up to her and held wet cheeks between his hands, “I don’t care how many rules we may break, we will find a way to bring you home to us.”
“As much as I want to believe that Yoongi, my father? He won’t allow it. I know him, tonight made up his mind for him, he will never let me near you again.” Akira gently pulled his hands away, “I’m so sorry…” she whispered, turning away from them. She quickly picked up her heels and rushed out of the ballroom, tears kissing her eyes again. An ache started forming in her chest. Akira knew what the end felt like. She knew that after what happened tonight, she’d most likely never see them again. It wasn’t even a full month but Akira felt safe with them. Now it was being ripped away.
— — —
“Father still won’t let you see them? I thought mama talked to him, it’s been three weeks!”
Naomi and Akira grew closer in the past few weeks since the disastrous dinner that took place. The guys would text her knowing that talking wasn’t an option. And though she tried to mask her sadness, Akira couldn’t hide the fact that it hurt that her brother said awful things, words that even Naomi wouldn’t repeat, “This has gotta stop, it was Malik’s fault!”
“Doesn’t matter.” Akira mumbled. She stared absentmindedly at the towels she was folding, working on her third load of laundry. The house took less time to clean thanks to Naomi’s help. Their entire family would be over for dinner later and Akira had already started marinating the steaks and prepped all the side dishes. At this point, she was just going through the motions of her daily routine.
“It does matter. You’re being punished for something he did, and his punishment was barely a punishment to begin with!” It was true, Malik barely had a punishment. He had a “stern talking to” about almost costing Naomi her new pack. Joseph knew that without Akira’s involvement with the Bangtan, Jackson would instantly pull out, as they are his brother pack. It took a lot of convincing from Naomi to assure Jackson that everything was running smoothly, but she knew that it wasn’t, “He’s just being stubborn.”
Akira sighed, folding the last of the laundry, “I’m…not gonna fight his decision. I can’t have a pack anyways, it was stupid to believe that I belonged with them, it was even stupider to believe that I was their mate.” Naomi shook her, disagreeing, but Akira continued, “I should’ve known better. It’s not like I’ve done anything to deserve attention from anyone. Whatever decision our father makes, I have to abide by it. I just want peace in my life, Naomi, I don’t want to upset him.”
“Because then he’ll take it out on you,” Naomi realized, “he always takes it out on you.”
Akira nodded, hiding her face, “And when everyone leaves…it’ll just be me, him, and mama. Unless he sends me to another pack, and who knows how they’ll be.” Akira shook her head, dismissing the thought, “I just want some peace in my life. Upsetting father…I don’t want trouble.” Akira picked up the basket of freshly folded laundry and made her way to all the linen closets, with Naomi right on her tail,
“What if I talked to him? I’ll tell him that Jackson wants to back out of the deal if you’re not with Bangtan?” Naomi urged. Akira stopped what she was doing, midway placing towels away, with a perplexed look on her face,
“You would do that for me?” Akira was dumbfounded. She’d never seen Naomi move mountains to help anyone, let alone her. And the sudden push for her to join Bangtan’s pack was questioning everything Naomi said and did for Akira. “Why?”
“Because you need to see this through. If you stay here, it’ll get worse, no matter how much you try to obey him.” Naomi crossed her arm, “Our father is a tyrant. He shouldn’t be forcing whatever rules he has on you just because you’re human.”
— — —
“I heard that the rebels have started growing in numbers and that they’ve even recruited nomads. Our numbers need to be up if we want to end them.”
Akira walked around the dining room table as her Uncle Michael spoke, pouring more wine into glasses for those who asked. She hadn’t eaten dinner herself yet, tending between adults and children from the dining room to the kitchen. She hadn’t even spoken a word aside from the quiet ‘hello’ wielded to her relatives as she greeted them at the front door. To be seen and not heard was her mission tonight and she was exceeding.
“Akira, more wine.” Malik summoned her, waving his hand over to her. Both Mariam and his wife, Felicia, looked disgusted at his behavior. Before their grandmother could get her words in, Akira quickly walked over to Malik and poured his wine. Tiny feet slapped against the marble floors as Malik’s daughter, Sasha, called out to her, “Auntie Kira! I need help, I can’t cut my steak! Pleeeeeease?!”
Malik watched exchange between the two as Akira smiled wide, “I’ll be right there sweetie, I’ll cut them smaller for you, ok?” Sasha nodded then ran back to the kitchen.
“I can go do it Akira, you must be tired.” Felicia offered.
“It’s alright Fe, I don’t mind.” Akira smiled softly, also refilling her glass, “I like doing things for my nieces and nephews.” She shrugged before heading off to the kitchen silently. Akira helped Sasha and the rest of the smaller children before checking in on the adults, “Would anyone like any dessert?”
“What is it tonight?” Her father asked absentmindedly, not sparing her a second glance.
“Caramel cake, your favorite.” Akira replied softly, looking at the floor. Joseph waved her off dismissively, probably telling her to bring out the cake. Akira sighed quietly, going to grab the cake out of the fridge.
“This has got to stop!” Genevieve slammed her hand on the table, silencing everyone. All eyes moved to the eldest member at the table; her steely eyes set on her oldest son. “She is not a house negro and you will stop treating her like one. ALL OF YOU!”
Malik laughed, “Grandmother, she’s not a slave. If she wanted to stop, she could, don’t pacify her—.”
Genevieve snapped her hand at him, making the air grow cold as he was silenced. Malik choked on nothing, grabbing his neck as she squeezed the air out of him from the other side of the table. No one knew how the matriarch of the Batiste pack acquired these special powers, but they knew not to cross her. “Malik Gerrod, you’ve been getting beside yourself. Say one more word, and I got you.” She released him, making him cough and gasp for air.
As if timing couldn’t be more useful, Akira walked into the dining room just in time with the cake, “Sorry it took long, the kids needed help.” She sat the cake near Joseph then stood straight to grab dessert plates and a cake knife. Yet when she came back, she noticed the chill in the room, “Oh no…did something happen?”
“I am so sick and tired of seeing you do all the work in this house like you are a live-in maid, put that shit down!” Her grandmother shouted, making Akira jump. She never saw her grandmother so livid, it was frightening, even for an omega.
“Y-Yes ma’am.” Akira quickly put the plates and cake cutter down, scared to say or do anything. Eyed wide and with fear, Akira looked about the room with shock. And watched her grandmother then turn on her mother, which again, rarely happened,
“And you!” She pointed to Mariam.
Mariam stuttered, shocked, “M-Me?!”
“I waited for years for you to step in and do something but you have taken far too long! That is your daughter! You are supposed to protect all of your children, now you grow a goddamn backbone and you do it NOW!” Genevieve shouted.
“Mother, that is enough!” Joseph shouted. Genevieve stood, flicking her hand towards him like a fly on the wall. His chair skidded back against the wall, oxygen ripping from his lungs as she squeezed his airway like she did Malik. His eyes widened as he fought to breathe, struggling. Justine and Naomi screamed at the sight while Mariam ran over to him, trying to help,
“You forget I am your parent, not the other way around. You do well to remember that next time you piss me off, boy.” Genevieve squinted, squeezing tighter, “ I have been very patient with you, with all of you!” Genevieve let him breathe; Joseph gasped and gagged, trying hard to retrieve oxygen to his lungs, “The level of embarrassment from this family has reached outside this compound! If there’s one thing I know your father wouldn’t have tolerated, is to be embarrassed and I refuse to let his memory be tainted by you and your spoiled ass brats! This child,” Genevieve pointed to Akira, “has done everything to try and please you! She is the one upholding my legacy, not these entitled runts! I have never seen a pack of wolves turn on their own like you all have. And to sit there and be silent in the treatment of this poor child makes you just as guilty.”
“Akira,” Akira stood at attention, turning to Genevieve with a scared look in her eyes, “you will be staying with me until your courting season is over. Go to your room and pack, right now!” Akira ran out of the dining room, not wanting to upset her grandmother. A glimmer of hope bloomed in her chest as she burst open the door of her bedroom. Though most of her things were packed away, she knew she couldn’t carry those things to her grandmother’s just yet. Still, she did manage to pack up some clothes and her gifts that the boys got her and started leaving them by her door.
“Akira!” Akira jumped as she swiftly turned around, seeing Naomi stand in her doorway, “Grandmother is making Uncle Michael and Aunt Regina load your things in his truck. We better hurry before father regains his ego back, what things are you taking?” Naomi urged, searching frantically in Akira’s room for anything to grab.
“Those three boxes and those two suitcases, that’s it.” Three small boxes and two suitcases worth of stuff was all that Akira owned in this world. She didn’t own nor wanted much. The cell phone she owned, her grandmother bought her. Her toiletries were all bought by her mother. She never thought she would leave this prison she called home, and it was bittersweet to leave it, being that it was all she had ever known. Naomi stacked the boxes. Her strength towers over Akira’s. Just then, another knock stopped them in their tracks. Miriam stood at the door, teary eyed as she stepped closer to Akira, “Naomi give us a minute.”
Naomi left, bringing the boxes outside. Akira slowly backed into a wall, unsure of what her mother would do. Miriam looked hurt. She saw herself in Akira; so much of her fear and pain was draped like a cloak over her youngest child that she couldn’t see what it had truly blinded her from. The man she married was not the man he actually portrayed himself to be, not to her. It was all a lie and it took his own mother to scream it to the heavens for her to see it. “You’re terrified of us. How could I not see it?” Akira didn’t deny her statement, staying silent. “How could I not protect you from the very thing no one protected me from?” Akira’s head cocked, a confused frown on her face as she watched her mother’s eyes tear up. “I’m sorry Akira. Your grandmother’s right, I should’ve protected you more.”
Akira didn’t know her mother’s story. She didn’t know her experiences, that much was true, but there would be time for that. For now, Akira unclenched her body slowly, shoulders dropping with hesitation. Miriam reached out to touch Akira’s hair, making Akira nervously flinch. Miriam sighed, placing her hand back down, “I think staying at your grandmother’s will be good for you. Safer until you’re settled in with your pack.” Miriam turned and left, a sullen expression on her face. Akira felt guilty. Her mother never treated her horribly, but she never outright protected her either. Shaking the confusing thoughts from her head, Akira grabbed the rest of her things and headed outside. Joseph was still shouting. Malik and Felicia were arguing. Miriam was probably somewhere in her bedroom, crying. None of that affected Akira. The minute she stepped outside, Akira felt a shift in her energy. Everything was starting to change.
— — —
“I’m happy we could do this, Yoongi. I’ve never been to a sip and paint, nor painted before, this is really fun!”
Out of all Akira’s mates, only four seemed to be into art. Only one, Yoongi, was smart enough to use it as a way to further court his human omega. He found a class happening at an art studio in downtown Smeraldo Valley on a Friday night, fitting for his first date with her. Yoongi knew she’d have fun; seeing her eyes light up as they approached the studio and watching as people came in and out with their art pieces, all happy and smiley. “I’m glad, and you seem to be doing well for someone who’s never painted before.”
Akira looked at her unfinished painting, “All I did was blend in some brush strokes.” She giggled. While courting ceremony duties were being taken care of—Akira’s being a great deal to take care of by her grandmother—the second phase commenced: the dating phase. Tensions were high in the Batiste compound, but that didn’t deter dating activities for the two single Batiste women. While Naomi’s courting experience was celebrated, Akira’s wasn’t mentioned at all. The men opted to deal with the matriarch of the family; being buzzed in at the gate and given directions to the small cottage-like home in the center of all. Like seven little gentlemen, each greeted Akira’s grandmother with flowers and candies, all eager to meet the woman that raised her. Three weeks of continuous courting and flirting from the pack had made Akira dizzy in the best way possible. She was happy that she was getting to spend time with them individually this time. “Your painting looks amazing.”
“Aish, not finished yet.” Yoongi smiled, gums on display as he started at his black and blue background. He glanced over at Akira, watching her delicate features. The way her brows furrowed in concentration over her painting. How cute paint smudges seemed to appear on her dark brown cheeks and old overalls and fingertips. He especially loved how her long boho knotless box braids sat on her head in a big top bun, courtesy of her grandmother finding a hairdresser for her. Very hard to do when you practically live in wolf country. Yoongi loved watching her ease into it. By the hour mark, they both completed their works of arts, and Yoongi was steadily cleaning pain from Akira’s face, “I still don’t know how you managed to get paint all over you.” He laughed, wiping down her face, her arms, her fingers. Her faint giggle made his wolf howl with excitement,
“To be honest, I don’t know either, I think I zoned out.” Akira took a glance at both their paintings, noticing some similarities as well as some differences. They both used black as their starting point, gradually fading upwards into a gradient of their choosing. His was night and hers was day. A lone silhouette figure, man and woman, looking opposite sides of each other, as if searching for something, or someone. Spray of white dots littered his sky to symbolize stars while pinkish orange rays dusted hers to symbolize a setting sun, “Wow, they actually came out beautiful, I didn’t think I had any talent.”
“Believe me, beautiful, you do.” Yoongi’s deep voice affected Akira in ways only Yoongi seemed to sense. He smirked, wiping the last of the paint on her hands before closing his around hers. Once their paintings dried, Yoongi grabbed them both and brought it to his car, making sure to lay them down gently. Leaving the sip and paint class, Yoongi walked Akira to his car. He opened her door for her and allowed her to hop in. His next plan was to take her to dinner; even if it wasn’t the fanciest place in the world, which Akira didn’t seem to mind, “Oooo, I’ve heard about this place. I always wanted to try their hand cut knife noodles but I never got to try it!” Akira rocked in her seat excitedly as they pulled up to Purple Lotus, a Korean restaurant that was casual and friendly. “I’ll be sure to let Jin hyung know that. He’s part owner.” Akira’s eyes widened as Yoongi pulled into a reserved parking spot.
“Yoongi you’re not serious right now.” Akira gawked. Yoongi laughed even harder, turning the engine off before opening his door, “I am serious, Jin hyung has ties to a few restaurants.” 50 to be exact. Even Yoongi doesn’t fully understand how his hyung manages them all, but he does. The men weren’t just that most notorious pack simply for the most alphas, they were the second richest in the state, possibly the country. Their ties to their community, both foreign and domestic, were enough to grant them any and everything they could possibly ever want or need.
Yoongi got out of the car and ran around to open Akira’s door. He helped her out, closed the door behind her and locked it before taking her hand again and ushering them inside the restaurant, bypassing the hostess and several customers in line to beeline to a private seating area near the back, closer to the kitchen. It was closed off; the large oak doors obviously signaling its privacy for larger parties. Yoongi opened the door, allowing Akira to walk in first. The rich purples and greens mixed in with the natural blonde wooden tables had Akira mesmerized. Lanterns and faux lotus flowers hung from the ceiling in alternating lengths, dusted with sprinkles of fairy lights just as it was in the public dining area, except the lighters were dimmer in the room. Akira was in love, “It’s beautiful, Yoongi.”
“Glad you like it, beautiful.” He smirked, ushering her to a large rounded booth. Akira slid in, her chest gently hitting the top of the table before she settled. Yoongi sat in close, throwing his arm on the back of the seat before reaching over near the middle to press a red button. The door opened, making Akira jump as a waiter came in, asking for their drink order. “I’ll have whiskey and club soda. Akira?” The men both turned to you.
“Oh, um…Coke for me? Please?” Akira asked sheepishly.
“The usual?” The waiter then turned to Yoongi, asking if he’d have his usual order.
“Yeah, and can you bring out some pork dumplings and an order of the knife cut noodles too?” The man nodded then left, leaving just the two of them alone again. Yoongi watched as Akira stared down at her necklace, fiddling with it, making her diamond charm bracelet clink and clank, “Something on your mind, beautiful?”
“It’s nothing I just…” Akira sighed, a little flustered, “this is the first time I’ve been on an actual date…” Akira shrugged with a nervous pout that made Yoongi melt into the booth, “I don’t know what to do.”
“Looks like you're doing everything right to me.” He laughed, making Akira cover her face in faux embarrassment. Yoongi grabbed her hands, bringing them down and away from her face, making him fall closer to her. Her lashes fluttered softly against her high cheekbones. Intimidating. That’s the word Akira would use to describe her pack mates. And being near Min Yoongi right now seemed to be the most intimidating part of her day, “All you have to do is talk. Get to know me, I get to know you. Simple.”
“It’s not that…simple.” Akira gulped down her words, her voice losing octave as her stare dropped lower to his lips. Yoongi smirked once again, licking his lips slowly as he watched her breath shutter and her scent bloom heavily. Akira looked away, feeling overwhelmed suddenly, “Always trying to find something to say isn’t as easy as people seem to think.”
“Well I don’t know,” Yoongi shrugged before reaching across Akira to turn her head back to him, “you seem to be doing just fine.” His thumb rubbed her chin lightly. Akira’s breath hitched. Just then the door opened and their waiter walked in with a cart of food. Seared pork belly, kimchi, pickled radish kimchi, fried rice, lettuce, sticky rice, ttekbokki, wagyu beef and beef ramyun and knife cut noodles and dumplings. “I take it this is the packs usual order?” Akira giggled, watching everything be set out on display.
“Minus a few things, yeah.” Yoongi laughed.
“Ok so what do I try first? Some of these I’ve never tried before.” Yoongi watched Akira bounce excitedly in her seat. It pleased him that she was open to trying new things, especially within his culture. Yoongi picked up a lettuce leaf and started building the perfect bite; adding kimchi, pork belly, and pickled radish, “Try this.” He then held the food for her, which Akira moved to grab but he pulled back, making her frown, “Open.” He commanded. Her back straightened as her eyes widened in shock of her response. Slightly ajar, Akira opened her mouth. Normally, this type of thing wouldn’t do it for Yoongi, but it pleased him to feed her. To watch her plump lips brush against his fingertips, nearly tickling them with her tongue.
‘Omega is pleased.’ His wolf crooned at the thought. Sauce from the pork belly dripped onto her bottom lip and before she had a chance to swipe it away, Yoongi beat her to it. The immediate shock of having the tip of his tongue swipe her bottom lip made Akira tense. But soon, like with Namjoon, her body slowly relaxed as Yoongi's lips pressed against hers smoothly, making her eyelids flutter close. When Yoongi pulled away, Akira followed, his smooth laugh rich and deep between her ears. “Eat up beautiful, I told your grandmother I’d get you home by curfew.”
Akira pouted those plush lips of hers, “That’s one rule I just don’t understand. I’m 26, I shouldn’t need a curfew.”
Yoongi took a sip of his drink then placed some food on Akira’s plate, “In lycan tradition, unmated omegas have curfews during courting season. It’s to prevent unmated alphas from taking advantage. You might still be a human, but you’re being courted as if you’re an omega. The rules are for your safety until you’re fully apart of our pack.”
“But, if I’m your mate, don’t I already belong to you?” Yoongi placed down his chopsticks and looked at Akira with all seriousness, making Akira frown. Did she say something wrong?
“Whoa, Akira, you don’t belong to us, we don’t own you. You belong with us, there’s a difference. We want you as our partner, not as our property. We want what all wolves want: to have someone to come home to. To have someone other than each other to spend time and talk with.”
Yoongi grabbed Akira’s chin and made her look at him, “Beautiful, look at me.” Akira’s eyes swept upwards. Yoongi could faintly see the thin veil of tears in her eyes, “You’re not property. Nobody owns you.” Akira’s lips trembled. Yoongi kissed the top of her head then pulled her close in a hug. During dinner, they talked, got to know each other. She learned that each of them had ventures of their own. Jin owned restaurants all over the state and some back in South Korea. Jimin and Taehyung owned fashion houses, designing collections and pieces for commercial and celebrity use. Namjoon and Yoongi both worked in music, owning their own production company with Jungkook as their lead producer, and Hobi as a business consultant for everyone. Akira felt a little more intimidated than before, “Me? Oh..uh…I-I never got to finish school so…I just took care of my family.” Akira shrugged, twirling her fork around.
Yoongi frowned, “You didn’t finish?”
Akira grew timid, “Long story short, my dad pulled me out of school. I never even finished junior year. I wasn’t even allowed to go to my brother and sister’s graduation, I was at home making the celebration dinner. My father…” Akira sighed, pushing her somewhat empty plate away, “When Joseph puts his foot down, you don’t ever question it. Defying him felt like it would be an act against God, he made sure I knew that, too…” Yoongi felt the shift of her energy. Something dark and painful loomed in the air, making his wolf cry out in pain, ‘Omega is hurt! Someone’s hurt our omega, he’s hurt her! Fix it! Fix it now!’
“You know if you wanted to finish your education, we would support that. There’s no reason you shouldn’t finish.” Yoongi urged.
Akira smiled sweetly, “Thank you Yoongi, but I think it’s a little for that part of my life. Besides, I wouldn’t even know what my next steps would be.” Akira shrugged again, her sour disposition slowly fading as she changed the subject, an obvious coping mechanism of deflection that Yoongi quickly picked up on, “Anyway, enough about me, I wanna know what made you join your pack?”
Yoongi hesitated but humored Akira’s need to move the conversation along. They talked for another hour before deciding to pack up and leave. Yoongi drove Akira home with thirty minutes to spare, still not wanting the night to end. He got out of the car and walked over to Akira’s side of the car, opening the door for her. Walking her to her grandmother’s front door, Akira turned, “I had a really great night with you, Yoongi. Thank you for making my first date fun.” Boldly, Akira leaned forward and pecked Yoongi on the lips. Her soft giggle to his surprised face, eyes blinking rapidly as he tried to control his blushing cheeks made Akira laugh some more, “Goodnight Yoongi.”
“Goodnight, beautiful.” His deep voice made Akira shiver. Yoongi waved goodnight as Akira closed the door. Through the curtains, Akira watched Yoongi get in his car and drive away. If this date was a success, there was no telling how the other six would be.
— — —
“Now that you’ve moved out, the attention is doted on me and they have nitpicked over everything about my ceremony, including whether or not to invite you.”
Akira sighed as she watched her sister Naomi pace back and forth in her grandmother’s kitchen. The steaming hot tea sat in front of them as Akira offered her a cup, “Please sit, Naomi.” Akira frowned, feeling guilty for placing all the focus back on her. Naomi plopped down in her chair, hunched over the kitchen table as she stirred her tea around,
“It’s not like I’ve complained to Jackson about it but it’s like…I have no free will to do anything! I didn’t get to pick out anything, our mothers have done all the work!” Naomi vented, pointing how it wasn’t just their mother that took over, but Jackson’s as well, “This ceremony was supposed to be about us, but it’s just a political stunt for everyone to see. It’s not fair, Jackson and I were supposed to have some say in all of this. Even he’s getting frustrated.”
“You really like him, don’t you?” Akira questioned, seeing how upset Naomi got for Jackson. It wasn’t everyday that her sister showed others emotion. Naomi was an indifferent person, her personality alone came off as dissociative at times, but with Jackson, it seems Naomi reached a level of empathy that even Akira found endearing. “And don’t lie about it, it’s beneath you.”
Naomi looked at her mug, a pout forming on her face, “Yeah…I guess I do…” she sighed as she sunk back into her chair, “Jackson is really great. He’s sweet, he’s attentive, he’s a good communicator. I swear he can read my mind, he’ll say or do something before I even have to ask.” Naomi prattled on, making Akira smile. “I just don’t wanna end up like—.”
“Joseph and mama.” Akira finished for her.
“I swear that man tricked her into being with him, he wasn’t always this horrible.” Naomi grumbled, making Akira shush her,
“You better not let grandmother hear you.” Akira looked around, making sure their grandmother was near, “That’s still her son.”
“Who she’s disappointed in and lacks all respect for.” Naomi continued, a deadpan expression on her face. Akira covered her face, suppressing a laugh, “He’s a tyrant. Mama said he wasn’t always like this, but I’m starting to think she had a blind spot for him.”
“She does.” Akira frowned. Though Miriam didn’t outright tell Akira she had a similar upbringing, it wasn’t a hard conclusion to come up with. When Akira last saw her mother, she looked like a fragile, scared little girl inside and Akira didn’t know how to react to that. Now, any news about Miriam, it’s strictly from Naomi, “How is she?”
“Mama’s thrown herself into the ceremony, she hardly thinks about anything else.” Naomi waved her off, “Tomorrow she and Jackson’s mother are going food tasting. It’s only been a month and already, I feel like it’s been too damn long—I need a break from our family.” Naomi grumbled, taking a gulp of her tea. As Akira was about to respond, her phone went off. Akira checked the caller ID, smiling as she excused herself to answer, “Hey!”
“Hi beautiful one,” the voice on the other end spoke, “was wondering when I’d hear that beautiful voice of yours again.”
“Tae..” Akira would blush if she could. Naomi watched with curiosity as her sister rocked side to side, twirling the strings of her sweatshirt. From what she could hear, it was one of her pack mates. Naomi watched as Akira smiled and giggled, a sight she rarely saw from her. If anything, over the years, Naomi saw endless sadness on her sister’s face. A constant fear and blank void behind her eyes. Once Akira finished her call, she walked back to the table, the smile still on her face.
“I take it that was one of your mates?” Naomi mocked playfully.
“Yes,” Akira’s face heated once again, “it was Taehyung. He wants to take me on a date tomorrow night.” She shook her head then stared down at her mug, “Juggling seven men…it’s not something I thought I’d ever be doing.”
“Akira out of curiosity, do you…know..about sex?” Naomi’s eyes squinted, truly wondering if her baby sister even heard of such a concept. Akira nearly choked on her tea, eyes burning with tears, “The hell—Yes, Naomi, I know about sex!” Akira’s brow furrowed, looking at her sister as if she grew three heads. “I mean…I know enough…” Akira pouted, her fluffy dark toffee colored cheeks puffed out like snack cakes.
“I was just asking!” Naomi laughed, “You never know these days.” Naomi mocked, making Akira cut her eyes at her. “You know eventually you’ll have to act on it. Being a mate is different than just being part of the pack.”
“I understand that.” And truly, Akira did understand it. In high school, part of health class, there was a special werewolf health elective that of course, she took. “I just…is it actually possible for me to do..to have—.”
“You mean take a knot?” Naomi questioned bluntly. Akira’s eyes widened with embarrassment,
“Naomi!”
“What?! It’s not a taboo question! Sex is sex, subspecies or not!” Naomi rolled her eyes, “You never had this talk, did you?” She watched as Akira shook her head. Naomi’s eyes widened, “Oh wow, you’re really going in blind.”
“Is there something else I should know?” Akira fretted, playing with her nails as she stared at Naomi expectantly. Naomi sighed, biting her bottom lip as she internally groaned, realizing she’d have to explain wolf biology.
“Well, yeah, I mean…you have to know heats and ruts and what that means for us,” ‘us’ being figuratively for werewolves, “it’s complicated. Subgender aside, men will go through ruts. Alphas, Betas, Omegas—doesn’t matter, men will go through ruts, women will go through heats—unless you’re undergoing transgender treatment then of course, certain hormone treatments will change that.”
“Well how is it different? Ruts and heats, I mean?” Akira’s curiosity had her fully tuned in.
“You know how you get period pains every month?” Akira nodded in response to Naomi’s question, “Heats are similar, only the pain is more intense, ten times worse. It’s like having a literal serrated knife, heated up by fire, dragging back and forth over your womb.” Akira’s eyes doubled in size; Naomi could smell the fear radiating off of her, “After a couple of heats, the pain dulls. It’s not as graphic but it’s still very painful. If you’re a late bloomer, like I was, it’s even worse. The only good thing about it is it’s not every month. Sometimes it comes out of nowhere, sometimes it’s months or even years later. Sometimes it can be triggered by the aggression of a male mate.”
“How does that happen?” Akira was nervous to know the answer.
“Well any act of aggression could do it. A display of asserting aggressive dominance, their own early stages pheromones during ruts, or just plain old sex can trigger it sometimes. It’s the same for ruts; intense mate pheromones can trigger it. Heats can trigger ruts also. I will say this, ruts are a little more frequent sometimes, and that’s probably the only time men will feel what women go through.” Naomi chuckled darkly, thinking back to when her brothers complained of cramping.
“And so…my job, a-as their mate…I would have to help them..,” Akira’s voice dropped lower and lower as realization hit that sex was pretty much necessary. It wasn’t that she was scared, it was more so she didn’t want her first time to be risky.
“I’m gonna be honest with you Akira, I don’t think you’ll have that problem.” Akira stared in confusion while Naomi drank more of her tea.
“What do you mean?” Akira wondered.
“Well…think about it Akira,” Naomi chuckled once again, “you don’t remember anything from that health class?” Akira once again shook her head ‘no’, “ruts and heats hit when puberty does. From 16-21, it’s within that time frame first ruts and heats usually start. Your mates are around our age now, you don’t think they dealt with it themselves, do you?” Naomi questioned rhetorically. Akira looked away, staring at her mug. Naomi sighed, sensing a bit of shame and hurt from her sister, “Ruts and heats are overwhelming. It overwhelms the nervous system; you need some type of relief. Some wolves use toys, others…” Naomi trailed off,
“Find other wolves to fuck.” Akira concluded. “And you think, because I’m a virgin, if they end up going into a rut, they’ll find someone to help them out…”
“I didn’t want to say it but honestly, it’s not the worst idea. I mean the sex alone is overwhelming at times, and ruts and heats could last anywhere from up to a week or three. That’s a lot for a human body to handle and from what I heard with human pack members, sometimes having another wolf to match their stamina is better. Safer.”
“…How do you even know all of this? Have you—. Naomi interrupted immediately,
“Of course not, you know our father would’ve killed me.” Naomi scolded, “I used heat suppressants and toys on and off for years. Other stuff I’ve heard from my friends.” Naomi shrugged. “I just want you to be real and honest with yourself. Your mates have more than likely had help getting the edge off and probably continue getting help.” Akira didn’t know how to respond, and didn’t want to after the thought was put into her head. Naomi, sensing the sour mood and scent coming off her sister, changed the subject, “So! You know what you’re doing on your date tomorrow?”
“Hm? Oh uh,” Akira shook her head, trying to get her thoughts together, “n-no, Taehyung didn’t say. To be honest, it could be anything. Yoongi took me to a sip and paint so it probably won’t be that.” Akira was so distracted by everything she just learned, she wasn’t sure if she could carry on the rest of the conversation. She needed to talk to Namjoon, “But he said to dress nice and to be ready by 6.”
“Sounds like a romantic evening being planned, little sister. Seems like they’re showing their way of taking care and providing. I’m guessing they’re going by hierarchy?” Naomi questioned.
“I don’t think so. Otherwise Namjoon would’ve asked me out first.” Akira pouted.
“But he did kiss you first.” Naomi smirked.
Akira’s eyes doubled, “How did you—?!”
“I could see the smudged lip gloss from a mile away. Besides, it wasn’t like we couldn’t hear you two over the music, he said he wanted to kiss you, you two went outside to “talk”,” Naomi mocked, air quotes planted, “it wasn’t hard to figure out.” She laughed, “They might share you, but that doesn’t mean they haven’t stopped being competitive. Clearly the dates show that.”
“Oh god, please stop.” Akira covered her face, making Naomi laugh,
“What are you so embarrassed for, it’s sweet!.” Naomi watched as Akira shook her head, trundles of curls from her boho knotless falling in her face as a smile formed, “They make you happy. Happiness looks good on you, little sister.”
Akira didn’t reply, but she didn’t need to. Akira did feel a little happy, and it was because of the men in her life. Was everything moving faster than she could keep up with? Sure. But the truth was, Akira didn’t care. She was happy with how her life was quickly coming together in the best way possible.
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quitealotofsodapop · 6 months ago
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We discussed something relevant to century egg in the dms
It's possible that Macaque had not been ENTIRELY responsible for Wukong's first miscarriage. That doesn't absolve Macaque of his guilt, nor does it change much about the fact the unborn cub dies. It's still Macaque's attack that had been the catalyst, and he was still to blame for what happened...
But the thing nobody had noticed up until that point had been that the child had already been weak and sickly while kn the womb due to a few previous incidents on the journey. Primarily an attack from a scorpion that could harm even the Buddha that Wukong had still been trying to recover from when the injury happened, putting both himself and his child into an already fragile state. Since Wukong himself was still sick from it, he hadn't recognized the signs. Something was wrong with his baby, but nobody knew until it was too late
Prev.
Wukong had believed for the longest time that *He'd* failed his child. He knows that the deciding factor had been the fight with Macaque; whether the physical & mental stress of the fight itself, and/or the stress of losing his beloved mate.
There had been many factors in Wukong losing the First Egg. But the most dangerous had been the sting he received from the Scorpion Demoness in the previous arc - her venom is strong enough to permanently scar the Buddha himself. And in the novel, Wukong is envenomed so severely that Wujing and Bajie think he could be dying.
If Wukong were to be carrying a Stone Egg then well... it wouldn't be good I'd tell you that. The case studies I managed to find suggest that abrupt miscarriage happens more than often in the case of a pregnant person being stung.
Wukong, no matter what happens with Macaque, ultimately believes that he himself was the major fault. He put himself in danger far too many times, and now he's lost his child.
In another world, namely in the "jttw stone egged au", Macaque would have noticed the irregular heartbeat of the Egg, and drop his weapon to rush to Wukong's aid.
But alas, this is a more tragic Au...
Ksitigarbha, the bodhisattva of the dead, had been kind enough to assure Macaque that his and Wukong's child would reunite with them in their next life, but it would take some time. Macaque meanwhile, sank into a deep despair in the Underworld - dragged down into the cold hells by a primordial force even the Ten Kings couldn't recognise.
Then one day in the cold darkness; Macaque overheard that the little one was to be reborn very soon. When the Lady Bone Demon made her offer, he did not dare refuse. He needed to see Wukong, to finally meet their child - and spend the next eternity atoning for what he'd done.
Sharing some dialogue we did in the dms cus it's tasty. Taking place shortly after Guanyin agrees to give Macaque the Circlet so he can prove to Wukong and the rest of the found family that he's serious about his regret and want to atone for what he did;
Macaque: "It was a boy." Wukong, confused: "What?" Macaque: "The Egg. Our first one. The Underworld's Bodhisattva introduced me to him. He was so small and *perfect*. I hadn't even known he existed." Wukong, tearing up: "Mac..." Macaque, voice breaking: "He was so beautiful... he was already sick when we fought, if I had just stopped and got you help then..." Wukong, beginning to tear up: "You mean... I-" Macaque: "IT WASN'T YOU'RE FAULT! Peaches, it was NEVER your fault! I'm so sorry I ever blamed you for... for anything!"
The two monkeys hold each other and cry a millennia's worth of tears for their lost Egg. In a more kind world they could have greeted them far earlier than now. But at least they'll be here soon enough.
Later on, Macaque asks Wukong an important question;
Macaque: "Do you want to know?" Wukong: "Know what?" Macaque: (*glances down at Wukong's stomach*) Wukong, overjoyed & worried: "Oh! Yes! A million times yes!" Macaque: "He's sleeping right now. The chi is male but the body might not match at first."
Wukong feels a lot better after that. Knowing that his mate can hear and *tell him* what the baby is doing.
That their baby is thriving and alive.
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cosmic-lullabies · 2 years ago
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Hydro dragon, hydro dragon, don't cry.
(GENSHIN IMPACT SPOILERS AHEAD)
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The hydro archon's sacrifice lingered like a bittersweet hymn. It was a sacrifice not just for him but for the very people who, at first, were distant ripples in his tranquil existence.
It wasn't just about restoring his stolen powers; it was a selfless act that wove her love into the fabric of every water droplet that caressed the shores. She, who loved the people with an intensity that mirrored the cascade of Fontaine's falls, became the catalyst for a transformation within him.
Furina, with her boundless love for the denizens of Fontaine, taught Neuvillette the language of compassion. She painted the hues of humanity in the canvas of his once solitary heart, encouraging him to mingle with the people whose existence he had merely observed from the shadows.
The celestial beings, fooled by the masterful act, never fathomed the fragility that hid behind Furina's graceful facade. Her human form, the supposed hydro archon, was but a fragile vessel, concealing her true purpose with a mind that held the weight of centuries. She played her part perfectly, an act that spanned centuries, fooling even the celestial beings.
Her final dance, a sacrifice for the people of Fontaine she had come to love. In her ephemeral form, she embraced him in the dance of shared rule, a dance that held the promise of restored powers and averted prophecies.
She spoke words that cut deeper than any blade ever could: "Farewell, Neuvillette... I hope you enjoyed the part you played these 500 years." The words hung in the air, a poignant melody that Neuvillette carried with him into the abyss of grief.
The people of Fontaine, unaware of the truth that hid behind Furina's delicate facade, owed their safety and prosperity to her love. Her sacrifice was a symphony of selflessness, a crescendo of deception orchestrated for the sake of those she cherished.
Over the course of time, the daily rituals that they both shared once shared became hauntingly lonely. No longer did he wake to the hum of Furina's presence, nor did the aroma of her favorite pastries linger in the air—a scent now lost in the sea breeze. Her seat at the opera house stood as a solemn reminder of the unoccupied space, a void in Neuvillette's existence that even the ebb and flow of Fontaine's waters couldn't fill.
Her absence was a palpable ache, a wound that refused to heal. The solitude became an unwelcome friend, wrapping around him like an icy current that no amount of hydro power could thaw.
And what of Furina, now a mortal among mortals? The hydro vision, a precious gift from Neuvillette, glowed in her hands—a poignant reminder of a dragon's love, a tether to the supernatural world she once inhabited.
Yet, despite the glow of the hydro vision, she grapples with the unfamiliarity of a life without the burden of divinity, exploring the world where her once-unchallenged authority holds no sway. The mundane chores of everyday life were a stark contrast to the shared sovereignty she had known with Neuvillette.
The hydro dragon, left alone amidst the ever-flowing currents, yearned for the return of his beloved who had become the heartbeat of his whole being. The abyss of loneliness yawned before him, an endless expanse where every ripple echoed the ghostly whispers of a love that had abandoned him to the vast emptiness of solitude.
Oh, Neuvillette, may the currents of fate guide you back to the solace of companionship, and may the echoes of your love find their way back to your weary heart. May the waters of Fontaine carry your longing, your hopes, and your unwavering love. For even in the depths of sorrow, love has a way of shaping our destinies, of bringing light to the darkest of nights.
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