#and then i run out of energy and fail to get to the proper rendering stage lol

[herrscherofmagic]

thank yooouuuu it does ^.^

and also i really like the way you sketch!

Now I'm a bit curious, though, in this sketch you're using lots of thin lines in monochrome, while in the other aglaea art it looked more like painting with broader strokes & a few simple colors.

do you usually make a line-sketch like this first and then paint over it? or did you make that aglaea sketch by directly blocking out those big shapes and then painting some of the thicker lines over them?

@herrscherofmagic I've been thinking about your comment on my previous art and have come to the conclusion that your point is absolutely valid. Hope this brightens your day at least a little!

[floralquafloral]

Watch out it's random splatoon headcanon time again

I was thinking about splatting and respawning recently, and @acid-hues used no less than Three looking emojis when I asked if anyone would want to hear my thoughts about how that stuff works, so here goes. Warning for potentially fatal quantities of pseudoscience, since I'm not a biologist or a chemist, just a goober who likes the squid game too much ;P

1. What is splatting?

Splatting is a reflex in inklings and octarians that occurs when they're been critically injured. It allows the cephalopod to escape and recover from a potentially fatal situation, effectively unharmed. Almost all of their body mass is liquefied to ink in a similar process to squid-form transformation, but it's all lost, resulting in the characteristic splatter. The only remaining structure is the "squid soul", which isn't actually a soul so much as a balloon-like vessel that can (under the right conditions) develop into a whole inkling body again.

2. What is a squid soul?

Squid souls aren't actually incorporeal souls, they're just very complicated (and lightweight) biological structures that contain all the mechanisms and information necessary to create an inkling body. Kind of analogous to an egg: given food and time, an egg can turn into a whole animal. Squid souls are just a great deal more precise, in that they generate an inkling body almost exactly as it was before, including the brain and all the inkling's memories and such. The squid soul itself, like an egg, isn't really comparable to an actual inkling - the soul can't talk, or eat, or think. The squid soul doesn't have a brain, and it only has just enough nervous system to seek out a location where it can respawn into a proper body. It uses a rudimentary form of the same senses that allow for the Turf Map. Because the squid soul isn't conscious, getting splatted kind of just feels like a very violent form of teleportation.

More information on the processes & technology behind respawning under the readmore :)

3. How does a squid soul respawn?

Squid souls can only develop into a proper inkling body if they can access two things: A bunch of biomass, and a bunch of electricity. Biomass is necessary because almost all of the inkling's original body has been exploded all over the place, so you need a bunch of stuff to make a new one. A large enough well of pure ink can contain all the necessary material for a body, but most respawn tech uses solutions of ink with other useful things dissolved into it. Respawning from a well of pure ink doesn't feel very good. Pure ink doesn't contain a very good amount of vitamins, iron, etc., so the new body will probably have less of that stuff in it than the old one.

Electricity is necessary to separate different compounds out of the ink, and to provide the energy required for some of the chemical reactions that need to take place - you can't just mush a bunch of ink together and get a body out of it.

4. What could prevent a successful respawn?

This part is pure headcanon, since there's nothing from the base game that relates to this, as far as I'm aware.

Some sources of injury won't trigger the splat reflex; the most common example is prolonged exposure to small amounts of water. Getting caught in heavy rain for hours can dissolve the body without ever triggering the splat reflex, so you just... don't come back.

Old age or severe illness can inhibit the reflex as well. If a young and healthy squid gets hit by a bus, they will explode and come back at the nearest respawn point. If someone whose splat reflex isn't working gets hit by a bus, then they just get run over, which very bad. Alternatively, in some cases the splat reflex could fail to generate a squid soul, so you'd just explode and not get to respawn, which would be exceedingly terrible.

For the kind of squid who would sign up for Turf Wars, there's basically no chance of this stuff happening, but there are still mandatory physicals before you can sign up for a Turf War just to make sure.

Lastly, of course, if someone gets splatted too far away from a viable respawn point, the squid soul will expire after only a few minutes.

5. What kind of tech allows for a respawn?

There are four different places you can respawn in-game: In the online battle maps (5.1), in the Octarian domes (5.3), in the Deepsea Metro's test stations (5.4), and from a Grizzco Tank (5.5). There's also presumably some way to respawn if you just, like, fall out of a tree and get splatted in the public park or something (5.2). There's also the floating respawn-thingies from the Splatoon 3 trailer, but since I don't know how they work in-game yet I don't have anything to make headcanons around. 🤷‍♀️

5.1. Turf War respawn pads: They're cheap to make, they work quickly, and they can handle dozens of squids getting splatted during a single 3-minute battle with no need for oversight during the game. It's worth remembering that the squid soul isn't sapient, it has no regards for the rules of a Turf War - so what prevents someone on Yellow Team from respawning at Purple's base? The answer is that, under most circumstances, the biomass requirement for a respawn can only be met with ink that matches your colour. Different colours of ink have different chemical compositions, so a squid soul that's seeking out a viable location to create a yellow squid won't be able to sense the purple respawn pad as a viable location.

The limitation of the Turf War pad is that they're not perfectly reliable. Occasionally it just won't appear as a viable respawn location to a squid soul, so someone will end up respawning outside the battle, which forfeits them from the match. (i'm only including this because i'm proud of coming up with an in-universe explanation for disconnects)

5.2. City respawn pads: Outside of inksports, it's still a good idea to have respawn pads all over the place so that if someone gets splatted they have somewhere to respawn. City pads, unlike Turf War pads, are designed to be 100% reliable and work for any ink color. Their natural drawback is that they require constant oversight. "Respawn operator" is a job you can have in most major population centers, that mostly involves sitting around, making sure nothing looks broken, and greeting anyone who shows up at the pad.

Getting splatted outside a battle isn't especially common (splatting someone outside a battle is a pretty serious no-no), so any given pad in the city will usually only get 1-2 respawns a day, if any at all. When someone shows up, the operator is supposed to write down their name, the time they respawned, and the reason they got splatted. If it was because of something legally messy like a road accident, they'll have more work to do to get that sorted out. If it was because of a Turf War pad failure, they'll contact the Judds to get that cleared up. If you were with someone when you got splatted, it's common courtesy to send a text or call once you respawn so they don't have to worry; since you won't have your phone with you when you respawn that's something the operator is also supposed to help with. Respawn operators are pretty helpful in general - if you tell them "I don't know how to get back to my house from here", they can usually give you a map or directions or something.

To allow for anyone to respawn at a City pad, they're filled with a very bright and saturated brown ink solution. This colour is unique in that basically any other ink colour can change into it very easily; if you get splatted while you've got red ink, you'll show up at the city pad with brown ink. This is why bright brown ink isn't frequently used for inksports (definitely not because the developers didn't want it to look like they're using poop for turf wars).

5.3. Octarian Checkpoints: As electricity is a precious and scarce resource for Octarians, their respawn pads are designed to use as little of it as possible. An Inkopolis respawn pad has a current running through it constantly, which combined with the large amount of ink, allows squid souls to perceive it as a viable respawn location. In contrast, Octarian checkpoints don't offer any ink or electricity when inactive. They only switch on when a nearby Octarian soldier gets splatted, using a signal transmitted by the Octarian's equipment. When they turn on, they temporarily fill with ink and run an electrical current, allowing the soldier's octo soul to make its way over and respawn before the checkpoint shuts down again.

The signal receiver of the checkpoints has a vulnerability that allows it to be overridden, which will fill it with any colour of ink solution and render it unable to receive power-on signals. The Hero Tanks worn by Agents 3 and 4 do this automatically when the agents get close to a checkpoint - this is why they're black before an agent gets close, then change to match their ink colour. However, once the checkpoint is overridden, it still doesn't provide electricity, and in fact can't be activated at all. The Hero Tank allows them to be used regardless by putting an electrical charge into the squid soul itself, so that it only needs the well of ink solution. It can only store up to three respawns worth of charge, though. If an agent gets splatted while the battery is empty, they're toast.

Octarians, of course, can't respawn at a checkpoint that's been overridden, not only because it won't power on but also because it doesn't match their ink colour anymore. Only one checkpoint will receive the power-on signal when an Octarian gets splatted, so when an overridden checkpoint is the one that receives the signal, there will be nowhere on the base for the Octarian to respawn. Instead, they'll end up in another dome, or in a civilian respawn pad. The agents aren't murderers, okay?

5.4: Deepsea Metro Test Station Checkpoints: The testing stations in the Deepsea Metro are adapted from Octarian checkpoints, but with some tweaks to reflect the different priorities of Kamabo Co. as opposed to the Octarian military. Metro checkpoints have their remote-activation functionality stripped out, and instead permanently activate once the test subject reaches them, filling with ink solution and receiving a constant electrical current. They probably still have the same vulnerability as the Octarian checkpoints, but Agent 8's has no means of exploiting it, and no reason to anyways - the checkpoints are already configured to match her colour, since they're there for the express purpose of respawning test subjects.

Because Metro checkpoints always match Agent 8's ink colour, the sanitized octarians in the test courses have nowhere they can respawn. Instead, they are simply replaced as needed.

5.5: Grizzco Tanks: I'll be honest, I can't come up with any good explanations for this one. The way it traps the squid soul inside it probably has to do with the same interference that blocks the Turf Map, but the explanation for why you have to shoot it to activate a respawn is beyond me. The best I can do is list what can be ruled out:

It's not because it's using the ink from the shot for mass. If the Grizzco tank itself doesn't contain enough ink for a respawn, then there's no way a single Inkbrush swing would output enough to make up the difference.

It's not using the kinetic energy from the shot to trigger some sort of chemical reaction. Getting hit by a Steelhead bomb or a Flyfish missile don't revive the player, even though they surely have more kinetic energy than something like a Bloblobber bubble, which can.

The weapons themselves aren't providing an electrical charge. If Grizzco could modify a Splattershot to output enough electricity to enable a respawn, then the tank would be capable of doing that itself without needing to be shot.

Whatever it is, it's probably not very good for you long-term to respawn like that. Grizzco just gives off those vibes, like working there is totally gonna mess up your health when you're older.

[loser-writings]

Pleeeeease since you did Mirio can you do Omega Tamaki and Omega Aizawa ^0^

(Of course! I knew it was a matter of time before I got asked to do Aizawa so I kind of went all out

Shouta Aizawa

 (TW: Mention of Teen Pregnancy and Miscarriage)

Nobody in class 1A had known that their homeroom teacher was an Omega, but looking back on it, it made sense. He was fierce when it came to protecting his students and made it clear that he would give up everything in order to keep them safe. His scent of coffee was just something the students had gotten used to, not considering it to be the scent of an omega since it wasn’t stereotypically sweet, and when you thought about it, that sleeping bag he carries everywhere may be his form of a nest since he clearly is rather too lazy to make a proper nest, or too lazy to clean it up when he has to put it away.

His low testosterone caused by being an omega also explains his overall lack of energy since lack of testosterone in males often causes sleeping issues, and even sleep apnea. Because of the downsides of being an omega, he takes testosterone injections at the cost of his fertility. Yes, he decided after high school that if he were to be a hero, he would need testosterone, but his doctors do say that if he ever decided to have kids, he could stay off of it for a while and let his body go back to how he used to be. He would experience a heat cycle (Another thing he hasn’t had to deal with for years) and then could start attempting. For now though, that was completely out of the question just because of his past. Something nobody knew about.

Despite his friends' attempts to set him up with somebody, everyone seemed to run away after hearing about his infertility and lack of desire for kids. He never really blamed them since he knew everybody wanted that ideal lifestyle. Get a mate, possibly get married too, have a kid and grow old. Yet here he was, choosing not to have kids because he wasn’t sure if he could handle it.

He sighed softly seeing Hizashi with a very familiar look on his face. “What do you wan-” “I found the perfect alpha for you! Seriously Sho, the best part is that they already know you too!” Shouta instantly rolled his eyes and looked back down at the tests he was grading. “And who might that be?” The second your name left the loud blonds’ lips, Shoutas’ eyes opened a bit wider than they usually did. 

You were in his class with Hizashi, so you both used to be close. Really close actually. When Hizashi noticed the others' silence, he cheered because he hadn’t protested to the idea yet. “Come on Sho! They’re relocating here since they got a new batch of heroes in Tokyo, and they got tired of it being a competition.” The Omega hummed and sighed, sitting up a bit. “Don’t call it a date, that is the last thing I want right now, but let them know I do want to meet up. It’s been a long time, and I want to see where they’re at now.”

Hizashi cheered again and quickly ran out of the room, Shouta assumed to tell Nemuri, leaving the Omega to his own thoughts. He sighed softly and laid his head down on the desk for a moment as memories came flooding back. Specifically the ones during the summer between 2nd and 3rd year. Neither of you had told anybody, but you were courting. 

Late night dates in downtown Tokyo resulted in hours of the two of you hopping from hidden cafe to hidden cafe, enjoying each other as you used each other to forget about stress. Sneaking into each others bedrooms to cuddle and talk resulted in the both of you getting caught and scolded by your parents, but neither cared since they knew they would do it again. 

Then it came back to his memory. The night where he had a nightmare about Oboro and went to seek you for comfort. It only ended up with you both going too far, yet at the time neither regretted it. It wasn’t until he sat in Recovery Girls office that he regretted what he did.

A hand slipped across his stomach and he shut his eyes as he gripped his shirt. Nobody ever knew except for you, and his omega wanted nothing more than you the second Hizashi said your name. His scent went from strong coffee, to burnt as he remembered hearing the news that the baby, the one neither of you had planned for, wasn’t there anymore. After that, he pushed you away and tried to avoid you by focusing only on his goal to become a hero. He never coped with any of it, just pushed it back down to ignore, but it was all coming back to him.

The students seemed to notice the horrible smell coming from Aizawa, but not one dared to mention it in fear of him snapping at them. At the end of the day, Midoriya seemed to pack up a little slower than usual and waited for everyone to leave before approaching his teacher. 

“M-Mr. Aizawa, Are you okay?” He asked softly to the man who rested on his desk. He slowly sat up and looked at the other, seeing how he seemed to tremble under the intense gaze. “No, but don’t worry. I just have to deal with something that I completely neglected.” He slowly stood up and grabbed the sleeping bag before sighing. “Midoriya,” The boy hummed, wondering what the other would say. “Thank you for checking on me.” Aizawa walked past him and ruffled the green locks as he left the room. Midoriya couldn’t help but smile. He smelled like normal coffee again.

When he got home, his Omega told him to clean himself so he at least didn’t look undesirable. He huffed, telling himself he wasn’t trying to be desirable, yet he did so anyway. He showered, trimmed up his stubble, and put on some nicer clothes. Nothing crazy, just a black long sleeve and some grey jeans. Once he had finished, he had realized how much effort he was putting into his appearance and sighed softly, upset because he was ignoring what his Omega wanted.

He felt himself growing anxious as he headed towards his destination only to scoff a bit as it was a little hole in the wall. You would easily pass this place if you didn’t know what it was. As he walked closer, he saw you standing there. You were obviously as anxious as he was, but you didn’t hide it as well. You never did. 

The second your eyes met, his Omega was scratching at his chest, yelling at him to run into your arms, but he kept himself calm as he approached you. When you opened your arms cautiously, he carefully slipped into your hug before subconsciously snuggling into your scent gland like he had done years ago. He pulled away after saying hello and followed as you walked inside.

The date itself was pretty awkward at first since you both knew a lot about each other already, yet almost nothing at all. He watched as he picked up on all of your nervous habits, smiling a little when he realized that you were still so similar to how you used to be. “Do you want to hold my hand?” He asked without thinking since it was something he knew would help calm your nerves. You instantly nodded and took it before smiling a little. “They’re still so rough. Do you even know what lotion is?” You joked a little, happy to see that it made the other grin a little. “I kind of forget about it until one of my students brings some in. Normally it smells disgusting though, so I had to start threatening them with extra homework if they bring in things that gave me a headache.”

That started the conversation of UA and how you were surprised when Hizashi said that he was a teacher. “You’ve always been a natural teacher though. I know you taught me a lot when we were together.” You spoke freely before tensing up when you realized your words. Aizawa sighed a little and squeezed your hand softly. “Yeah...You taught me a lot too.”

Another round of silence before you spoke again. “Hizashi also said that every date he or Nemuri set you up on failed miserably.” Shouta only smiled a little before nodding. “Majority of them were Alphas who only wanted to mate with a pro-hero. My guess is in hopes of having strong kids. Most left during the date once they found out I didn’t want kids or that I take testosterone since that also pretty much renders me infertile.” This time you held his hand a little tighter. “Well they don’t know what you went through. Not only that, it’s your body. Since that is what you wanted, that is what you did and you shouldn’t be treated badly because of it.” 

He noticed how you seemed upset by him saying that they just left and couldn’t help but smile a little. “It makes sense to me. Why would anyone want an Omega who destroys what makes them an Omega?” You scoffed at his words and rolled your eyes. “You aren’t destroying anything, Shouta. You are doing what you need to in order to be comfortable. There is nothing wrong with that.” 

His omega purred at your words, the first time he purred since high school, and squeezed your hand softly. “You haven’t changed at all.” He chuckled and rested his other hand on top of yours before sighing. “Neither have you. It’s nice knowing I don’t have to live up to some shitty hero expectation.” He hummed before nodding in agreement. 

“I assume you’ve been on some courting dates as well?” You scoffed and rolled your eyes. “Those weren’t shit compared to what we used to do. All they would do is complain about me not matching my hero persona and then want me to pay the bill after they spend hundreds of dollars on food.” He chuckled seeing you ramble. “They all thought because I’m a hero that I’m made of money. I have money because you taught me to save it and not spend it all the second I got my paycheck, not because I’m a hero.” 

After a bit at the cafe, you suddenly got an idea. “Sho, let's go run around the city for a bit?” He tilted his head as he sat down his empty drink. “We aren’t kids anymore-” “No, I get that, but one night. Let’s run around as if we were for one night.” He looked at your excitement and melted, feeling his omega begging him to agree. “Fine. Only because I don’t have to work tomorrow.” Seeing you cheer and stand up made him grin a bit. When you went to pay, he tried to fight over paying the bill because “You weren’t made of money” but you just flicked his head softly and told him to hush. He smiled one more time before giving in and letting you pay.

He let you drag him around the city and he couldn’t believe he was admitting this, but this was the most fun he or his omega had in a long time. Getting ice cream at 10pm, tasting random food from the vendors on the streets, window shopping, even sneaking into a drive in movie theater and renting a radio so you both could sit together and watch the movie. It made him feel young. 

It was almost sunrise and you both were walking along the beach, smiling and laughing like old times. Like how it was when you both were courting in high school. Maybe it was the lack of sleep or the fact that you had scented him extremely well, but he was as giggly and happy as could be. The cool water washed past his feet, pants rolled up to make sure they wouldn’t get wet, and you hummed, feeling him squeeze your hand softly.

“Hey Shouta?” He hummed softly before grinning at you. “Thank you for agreeing to come out with me. I was really scared when Hizashi offered to push you in my direction, especially after everything that happened in our past, but I hope that we can recover what we once had.” His omega purred again causing him to press a hand to his rumbling chest. “Yeah...No problem. I should thank you for getting me out of the house. If I’m not there, I’m in the school, so I guess I did need a break from that.” You grinned and squeezed his hand. “You always have avoided things by working. Sometimes you need to take a moment to just stop and relax. Remind yourself that everything happens for a reason, and that you’re alive. That in itself is something to be grateful for.” 

He hummed in agreement before sighing softly, looking out to see that the sun was rising. “I can’t tell you the last time I stayed up this long.” He admitted. You hummed in agreement before sighing. “I guess I should take you home, huh?” He instantly let out a whine at the thought before looking at his chest with a red face. “Come on, stop actually doing stuff and go back to sleep.” he mumbled to his omega before you laughed. “It’s cute Sho. I miss hearing your omega make noises like that.” You kissed his cheek which made him turn dark and his omega to purr once more. He glared at you a little and sighed. “You’re so lucky. If it were anybody else, I would’ve left a long time ago.” 

You chuckled before turning around to walk back to where you came from, pulling him behind you. “Come on, Sho. We need to sleep.” He huffed softly but nodded, moving to rub his tired eyes. 

He led you to his apartment before stopping outside. “Have you already found a place to stay yet?” “Not quite. Currently staying at a hotel until I can fin-” “Want to move in with me?” He asked abruptly. “I mean...It’ll make rent cheaper and it’ll stop you from wasting anymore money.” You could only chuckle before taking his hands and pressing a soft kiss to his cheek. “Only if you agree to not be a picky eater-” “I was not a picky eater when we were togethe-” “Don’t even try me, I had to convince you to eat real food.” “Okay and your point?” 

You both couldn’t help but smile and you sighed. “Fine, I’ll move in with you tomorrow...Or I mean I guess today, but we need a nap since I kept your ass up.” He hummed and nodded. “Fine then.” He opened the door and took your hand, pulling you in after him. “Sho, what are-” “We are taking a nap together. I’ve always slept better with you.” 

Tamaki Amajiki 

(Mention of heats, harassment, and implied NSFW)

Someone please tell this boy that being an Omega hero is okay. He often feels pressured by society to fit into the soft, omega role that everybody seems to want. Yet with the help of Mirio and Nejire, he easily became one of the big 3 in UA.

Yet when it came to talking to others, especially in crowds, he felt himself grow anxious and even slightly panicked. His normal sweet yet salty scent would turn to smell more like fish during these times. This was when most Alphas would scoff in disbelief at the fact this omega seemed to be one of the big three. 

Besides Mirio and Nejire, there was one other person he found himself able to talk to due to years of knowing each other. You were an alpha who never raised your voice or got irritated by his bashfulness. In fact, you would go out of your way to show your patience and kindness by doing little things when his anxiety was getting bad. Ordering for him at restaurants, letting him hide behind you when he started to tremble, and quickly getting him away from social situations that could cause him to have an anxiety attack were just a few of the ways you showed how much you cared.

This was one of those moments. He was out with you, Mirio, and Nejire when he heard them. The alphas behind him that were starting to comment about him being an Omega in a group of three alphas. 

“Must be a Knot licker to keep three alphas to himself.” “Don’t you know that the proper term for a bitch like that is a Puppymill?” Tamaki felt himself whimper and grabbed your arm, holding you tighter as they continued on with their comments. You hummed softly, feeling him start to tremble. “In front of me baby, come on.” Your arm wrapped around him and softly pushed him in front of you, yet the comments continued. 

Your alpha had started growling, scent starting to burn. Mirio and Nejire took notice and turned to see the Alphas snickering to themselves. “B-Baby don’t-” “Tamaki I don’t like how they’re talking-” “I know but...please ignore them. I’m not worth a fight.” You glared at him as he gave a sympathetic smile. You huffed softly and wrapped your arms around his waist. “It’ll be okay guys. Let’s just get our food and we can leave. Maybe a movie night would be fun?” “Yeah! Maybe we can watch something like shark tale! Right Amajiki?” Nejire spoke happily and the Omega couldn’t help but feel thankful for his friend group at that moment, but he then noticed your grip leave his hips as your sent burned ten times more. 

Your temper was getting the best of you and before the others could say anything, you grabbed both men by their heads before slamming them together. “Will you two Knotheads shut the fuck up?! You’re making Omegas uncomfortable with your disgusting language.” Mirio was quick to start pulling you away as the two Alphas began to growl. “Come on, the last thing Amajiki would want is a fight, now stop it-” “They wouldn’t stop making comments-” “Yeah welcome to lose-tie knotheads.” He moved to sit you in front of him and Nijire, who was holding the Omegas hand to keep him calm. 

After you all left the store, you stopped for a moment and shook your head. “Don’t you fuckin-” “Hey!” One of the guys from before started walking towards you. Tamaki instantly started to tremble as the men walked closer, yet you stood without wavering. “What.” you said bluntly. “That shit you did back there? Not fuckin’ cool”

“Oh but harassing Omega’s is?” Nejire spoke before they barked at her. “Shut the fuck up Cat-Pole.” “Cat-Pole?!” You growled once again and they just smirked. Mirio simply hummed and walked beside you before pressing his hand on your shoulder, a simple gesture to them but a secret code between the two of you.

You hummed and turned back to the other two, slipping an arm around them both as you walked down the street. “W-What was that-” Then there was the yelling before Mirio skipped back with you all happily. “Took care of that!” He cooed as you all continued to walk. Tamaki blushed slightly before noticing how your hand stayed on his waist. 

When you all got back, Tamaki excused himself. He claimed not to be hungry anymore since the alphas had upset his stomach, but you knew the real reason. You told the other two about your plan and they hummed happily, letting you leave after the tall omega.

“Tama~” You called as he stopped outside of his door. “O-Oh...Is there something you need?” You nodded and held out your hand. “Come to my room for a sec okay? I have some things for you that I didn’t have time to give you.” He blushed slightly at the idea of getting something from you, but nodded. His hand slipped softly into yours as he walked behind you to your room. 

He instantly purred the second he walked in. It always was comforting in your room, and it made him accidentally chirp. He instantly blushed dark and whimpered, covering his mouth with his spare hand. “You’re alright Tama. Sit on my bed, Okay? The stuff is in my closet.” 

He carefully sat down, huffing as he started rubbing at his neck. He was one of the few Omegas who couldn’t take suppressants due to them messing with his quirk, so he knew what was happening. He had attracted those alphas because his heat was about to start any moment now. He was about to hide in his nest right before you pulled him away.

He tried to focus on anything besides how strong the scent of saltwater taffy was becoming, huffing softly as he moved to shrug off his sweater since he knew he was going to start soon. Another soft whimper came from him and you darted out of the closet. “Sorry baby, I lost one of the items. I know you’re getting uncomfortable but I wanted to give you these for your heat.”

He let out another whimper as he moved to sit on his legs instead of his ass, huffing as he quickly started digging in the bag to pull out what you wanted to him to see. He was nervous because out of the three alphas, he grew closest to you and was hoping it was a courting gift even if it was a bit late. He only gasped when he pulled out a hand crochet octopus, smiling at it and hugging it tight to his chest. “T-Thank you, Alpha.” he called out before hiding his face in the toy. 

You simply hummed and moved to stand. “That isn't all of it, but your heat is coming faster than I thought. Come on, you can open the rest in your room” He nodded and felt you move to pick him up. He gasped and held onto you as you rushed him back to his room. The other gift was in your hand, but you could only focus on how amazing Amajiki smelled. Of course you knew why, but you held back as you looked for his nest, finding it on the floor in the corner of his room. You carefully sat him down and he quickly climbed in his nest, nose shoved deep into the toy as he trembled. 

“Here Omega.” You laid the blanket at the edge of the nest, making sure not to enter without the others permission. He let out a whimper and sat up slowly to grab the blanket. He held it close to his chest and smiled, still trembling like a leaf. “I-I love them, Alpha.” He chirped again which only made you smile. “I’m glad...I wanted to court you before your heat, but I was really late.” 

Hearing that made his eyes water before he crawled to you, sitting up to wrap his arms around you and hug you tight, scenting you completely in his thick and heavy scent. You only grinned and pecked his neck which made him gasp. “You smell like the Ocean Tama. I love it.” 

His omega purred before he moved to pull you a bit. “Alpha...Stay with me?” he mumbled softly as he tried to get you to crawl in his nest. You knew what he was implying and you only smiled, pulling away slightly. “You sure baby? I haven’t even taken you on a date.” He instantly nodded with no shame at all. “Please Alpha. I want you to help me.” Your alpha chuffed which made you blush and Tamaki snort before hiding in your neck.

“Okay Omega. I’ll stay with you.” He purred loudly and held you tighter as you carried him to the door so you could shut and lock it properly. “Thank you Alpha...I love you.” He chirped out with pink cheeks. You only smiled as you carried him back to the nest and pecked his lips before resting him in his nest. “I love you too. Omega.” He chirped again happily before pulling you down with him. 

He threw a leg over your stomach and snuggled into your scent gland, humming happily at how your scent was starting to become stronger in reaction to his. “Oh...I’m sorry in advance.” He whispered and moved to start kissing on you. “Why is that?” he blushed darker and moved to hold your hand. “I uh...might get needy.” You only grinned and pecked his lips once more. “It’s your heat. I’m right here to help you. Do whatever you need, alright Omega?” He purred once more at you calling him that before he sighed happily, melting into your arms. “Alright...I’m going to take a nap...Y-You should too.” You only pulled him closer before nodding. “Okay baby, rest now. Goodnight.”

[claude-frollo-archives]

Imposed Fate

Imposed Fate A Count Duckula Story

Chapter 1. Prelude of a Nightmare

       One fateful date, Tuesday 7 April 1870, Richter Von Gosling, a student of the arts of healing, decided to visit Transylvania in order to shed light upon a mysterious and disquieting subject, which was a case of vampirism. Legends and stories about the undead had the young scholar read before, yet he remained  sceptical, until his colleague and confidant Reinfelt witnessed an attack by one of those creatures, and not an ordinary one but Count Duckula himself, a feudal Lord supposed to be dead centuries ago. Despite of the absurdity of the notion, Richter was not to doubt his friend; therefore, he had to investigate in more detail about this terrible menace and put it to rest.

   The evening of Gosling's arrival, a thunderstorm loomed above the village, the weather cold and windy but rain was not to fall yet. Not a soul could be found wandering on the streets, there was a sense of quietude, a preface of the storm that soon would be unleashed over the town. Despite the feeling of impeding peril, inside the public house 'Ye Tooth and the Jugular' the mood appeared to be festive, with the regular crowd assembled for a pint or two, regardless the tragedies of life. In this place, the scholar found refuge as well as some more information concerning the malevolent aristocrat provided by the innkeeper and the parishioners. Gosling thought the recently gained knowledge would be enough to prepare a scheme to destroy the vampire.

    During the following days, the scientist worked in the development of a mechanism designed to shoot a wooden stake but cleverly set inside a camera. When the contraption was completed, the gander headed towards Castle Duckula, an ominous fortress that oversaw the village from atop a hill. Presenting himself as a photographer from a newspaper, Gosling attempted to gain access to the castle and destroy the Count; these actions would end the suffering of the villagers and bring peace to Transylvania. No time was wasted once he entered the Castle. Introductions were quick, the battle between Count Duckula and Von Gosling finished as quickly as it started and not even Igor -faithful manservant of the undead Count- was able to interfere. However, due the thrilling sensation of triumph, the scientist returned to the town without realizing that the stake managed to harm Duckula, but it failed to stab through the Count's heart.

    "Got him, the vampire is destroyed! ..." Exclaimed the deluded scholar as he rushed his way back to the village bellow, eager to tell what he assumed to be good news. "... The beast is no more!"

     Meanwhile, the Count lied motionless on the stone ground. Igor knelt beside his defeated master, lifting the wounded vampire on both his arms. "... Master, Master! ..." The old vulture sobbed in anguish, fearing this to be the last hour.

   "... Is all right, Igor! …" Duckula replied as he rose to his feet, dusting and straightening his suit jacket. Praised the Abyss, his Lordship was not slaughter, much to Igor's relief. "It was just a mere scratch …" The Count added with anger on his raspy voice. "... But he shall pay for this ... he shall pay!" He growled and proceeded to concentrate his energy in order to cast a spell. "... Come here, to my aid, oh winds of north, I summon your powers---…"

   "Milord... if I may be so bold to provide advice... I must remind his Lordship that the appropriate way to conjure for the assistance of this element, Sire, would be quite simpler: ‘come gust of wind and be wild’… Brief but no less effective, of course" Igor admonished his Master on the proper casting of dark incantations.

   "Thank you Igor, I had almost failed to remember that part … Anyway, you had already cast the spell, so you have heard it wind, obey our demand and be wild!" With that, the Count cackled with cruel glee, an aura appeared to surround his frame and a red spark was ignited on both his eyes, like flames of fire as he began to transform, while outside the fortress, gust of heavy wind gathered to form a dreadful tempest.

   Oblivious of the dangers ahead, Gosling stormed into the tavern. "… Is done!--- The vampire--- destroyed! ..." The gander addressed the landlord, though he was out of breath and could barely articulate a word.

    "What do you mean, young man?" The perplexed innkeeper questioned, while three peasants seated on a corner enjoying their last drink of the night, just had to listen and stare with curiosity.

    "… ... What I am trying to say is that the vampire fiend is no more!---..." Gosling recomposed before resuming his speech in a serious tone. "... The Count now rests in peace, finally there would be no more suffering ... is over." He softly stated, honestly believing that evil was successfully vanquished.

   A tense silence filled the inn until one of the peasants reacted. "... That is impossible!" He muttered in disbelief. "… Count Duckula defeated, requiring no effort?!" Added the landlord in dismay. "Yes, on the times past, I know the tale, the vampire was destroyed... but he was cornered by a group of vampire slayers! When we talked about the Count, I never thought you would attempt something so stupid, what have you done, lad?!"

   Gosling was completely appalled, realising something must have gone wrong and to learn that the Count was previously overcame, then who was this Duckula he had just met?! However, before the scholar was able to find his voice, the farmer seated near the window screamed in fear. "He is leaving the Castle! ..." Every fowl residing at the hostelry turned to the window. They saw the rainstorm and a giant bat flying from the castle in direction of the village. In matter of few minutes, chaos settled on the town: the wind destroyed some of the houses, demolishing the roofs of the buildings. Duckula on his bat form attacked people running outside in a futile attempt to seek shelter from the storm; others tried to escape the wooden debris carried by the whirlwind, people cried in panic, the peaceful slumber of the village residents turned into a nightmare.

   "Where are you, my dear Gosling?! Not so brave to defeat me?! ..." The evil laugh from the Count could be heard amid the commotion. "... Come, come out to play, do not make me wait!"

    "I am afraid he is calling for you!" Exclaimed the innkeeper’s wife who stood on top of the staircase, from there she threw Gosling’s luggage; the two suitcases landed loudly at his feet. "If you have any respect for anything sacred, get out of my house! ..." She ordered furiously, pointing to the main door of the hostel. "... Away with you!"

   "Wait, please!--- I don't understand! …" Gosling stammered. "My intentions were honourable; I was only trying to be of aid!”

    "Yeah, thank you for your help, you just made everything worse for our village!" Retorted an angry peasant. "Why did you have to mess with the Count?! Now his wrath is unstoppable, he would go on rampage until sunrise and is all your fault!"

   "I did try to do something, while you appear to accept this fate without resistance, why you don't fight back? For what reason you would even stay in a place like this?!" Although the scientist's response came out with a hint of defiance, in truth there was guilt within his heart.

   "Because this is our home, foolish lad! …" Replied the proprietress without hesitation. "We shall not abandon our land! If someone has to leave, that would be you!”

   "Very well said, Madam! Now you, go away!" A peasant urged Gosling to walk out the inn. "Hope he eats you, better you than us!"

   "Came on folks…" The landlord interceded. "… Don’t be cruel with the outsider, he couldn't know any better, after all he is only a boy."

   "… Oh nein, I am not! I will show you, I … I shall stop that fiend at once!"

    "No, if you go out he will kill you!---..." The innkeeper warned but he was unheard. Von Gosling stepped out the tavern and the sight of destruction and the monstrous vampire bat, rendered him to freeze in fright. However, the landlord had followed him and he placed the travel cases on Gosling's hands. "Come on, son … I wish I never told you about the Count." He said with regret and grabbing the young doctor by the arm, he led him to the back door of the tavern despite protest of the parishioners but some of them were to agree on the fact that at the present it would be for the best to escape.

    "I don't care if this is the land where I was born!--- The stranger was right--- I don't want to die!" Despaired one of the farmers as he hurried out to prepare a cart and soon enough, several of the town's people had joined him. Before Gosling was able to object, the innkeeper pushed him inside the stagecoach. From above, Duckula witnessed these actions and he was utterly amused. The giant bat could deliver an attack directly towards the doctor, given how easy was to detect him due his antiquated attire and the camera he was carrying; still, he interfered not for he had mused a greater plan since the instant he laid his eyes on Von Gosling. "That mortal had come to face me--- he failed no doubt, but he arrived on his own choice ... or maybe was it a design of fate? ..." The creature growled quietly. "... Nevertheless, I detected on him no greed for a reward or a desire of fame, not even a wish for vengeance ... What a disgusting attitude! However ... Could it be?---.... ... I wonder... ..."

   In the meantime, the doctor was still unable to fathom the burden he would be carrying now that the threads of fate had been tampered with. ".... Sir., oh please I---... I thank you ..." Gosling at last found his voice to express gratitude to the innkeeper. "... I will be praying Gott for your souls until I am able to come back---..."

   "Prayers?! ... Don't trouble yourself, it would be of no use" Said one of the villagers, quietly and embittered. "... God have forgotten about us."

   "That cannot be true! I shall pray for you all, our Lord will never forget His children!" Gosling stated firmly as the cart began to move.

   "Well, then I pray God I will never see your face again … may He bless and keep you!" Von Gosling frowned in sadness, lowering his head upon hearing those last words from the proprietor of 'Ye Tooth and the Jugular', the man who had just saved his life.

   As the stagecoach departed from the village, Gosling silently stared at the silver cross pendant he had on his hands, a gift from his mother that now held a much more profound significance. "… So, they believe our Lord has forgotten, ja? ..." He lamented in shame and remorse; no matter his efforts or his courageous discourse, in the end he was left trembling with fear in times help was most needed, it was an absolute disgrace. "… … I am to return, this is not over yet--- this awful mistake must be corrected … I will be back; that fiend shall be destroyed, I am going to save all those souls ... is a promise!"

           Later, at the break of dawn, the Count had enough leisure time and his thirst was quenched, so he returned to his fortress. As expected, Igor was patiently waiting for his master's arrival. "Did you find that miserable mortal, Master?" Greeted the sinister butler.

    "Ah, I let him go …" Duckula replied calmly, tonelessly even, like if the latest episode were of no relevance.

   The vulture raised a brow with suspicion at the Count’s answer; after such an eventful evening, this behaviour from the master was something unforeseen. "… I am not sure, Sire … you should have taken the life of that wretched miscreant ... or perhaps brought him here to me, I could have offered that Gosling a most proper … … care."

   "Worry not, dear Igor." The Count spoke, a grin crept onto his beak. "... Amongst all the pleasant visitors we have received through these the years, this one had proven to be the most interesting opponent".

    "Oh indeed, Milord, Indeed! There is no use on finishing the fun so early …" Igor rubbed his hands in pleased anticipation of the delightfully wicked punishments he would be able to inflict over that insolent gander.

    "That is right; you got the idea, my Igor!" The Count chuckled darkly. "… He is coming back, I assure you, and I will be waiting …" Then, the vampire grabbed Igor by the necktie, pulling his head down to meet his gaze. "After all … ..." Duckula continued, lowering his voice into a threatening though gleeful snarl. "… We have plenty of time ... … … don’t we, Igor?!"

________________

This is the first chapter from an old fanfiction of mine I am re-writing (began in 2009, is 2020 not completed yet, only three chapters are ready), is an attempt to set a prequel for the Count Duckula series, based on the Dear Diary and The Rest is History episodes, a particular scene that appears on the show's intro, the Castlevania games and last but certainly not least, Dracula the novel. Posting it here now as an experiment given I have no idea how it would look like on Tumblr, and so happy to see fans of the series!

Count Duckula and the characters on this chapter belong to Cosgrove Hall.

[burned-to-the-void]

Red in tooth, red in claw

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Maxim is reluctant to take, but Timur is willing to give. Even when the stakes are high.

Glaz/Kapkan, 2.5k words, M rated for violence, dark fantasy AU, graphic description of blood and feeding with dubious consent. 

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Maxim returns home well after sundown, with a dead rabbit in his hand and his bucket empty. Timur gets up from his seat and eyes him worryingly.

“No luck?” he asks, and gets a frustrated growl in return.

“Not a single track. I bet they’ll stay holed up until the snow stops.”

Maxim looks pissed but largely unconcerned, though Timur knows their situation is not something to treat lightly. The hunt hasn’t been successful for two weeks now, which is longer than any occasion he remembers. Usually there are plenty of hunters who are bold enough to venture into this deep, unknown part of the woods, never once imagining that for once, it's their turn to be the prey.

But recently things haven't been smooth. It's been a while since Maxim last had the opportunity to feed himself, and even though he's pretending to be unaffected, the damage is already showing on him. His eye are sunken, and his movement is getting sluggish like the air itself is constantly dragging him down.

Timur takes the rabbit from Maxim's hand and brings it to the kitchen to be cooked later. Since animal blood doesn't work the same as human blood for Maxim, this one is entirely for Timur's benefit, to make sure at least he won't starve. Timur feels terribly guilty for not suffering together, for not being able to help him―but if Maxim can't find anything in the woods there's no chance he can.

No, in fact, there is a way he can help, give him what he needs the most. He's been toying with the idea for a few days now and the only thing that stops him from saying it out loud is the fact he knows Maxim won't like it. Not in the slightest.

He follows Maxim to the bedroom and watches him take off his jacket and boots and collapse on the bed with a heavy thud, not bothering with the rest of the clothes. Timur can tell that his body is getting weary, running without fuel for day after day.

“Come here,” Maxim murmurs, shifting to make a space, and Timur wordlessly climbs onto the bed to snuggle up to him. His clothes are still cold to the touch but the body beneath them isn't, it never is, a perk of being what he is. Timur throws an arm over Maxim’s torso to pull him in and god , he can feel how lean he’s become.

"Maxim," he starts, and nothing has come out of his mouth yet but Maxim is tensing in his arms already.

"Don’t."

He lets out an exasperated huff at the immediate objection, because it's unfair, he's not even giving Timur a chance to reason with him.

"I know what you're going to say. And the answer is no. You can talk all day but I won't change my mind about it."

There is familiar, bullheaded determination embedded in his words. Timur presses his forehead against Maxim’s shoulder and closes his eyes because he’s tired too, of worrying and waiting, when a solution is right there where he can see.

"You can't go on like this."

"Why not? I’ve seen worse days and still I survived. I can wait longer if I have to."

"But that’s the thing, you don't. You don't have to go through this. Let me help."

Maxim grunts, annoyed that Timur won’t drop the topic already, but he’s not the only person in this house who can be stubborn.

"I’ll be okay. Just enough to keep you on your feet."

“It’s not that simple. You don’t understand.”

“Then talk to me, so I can. What are you so worried about?” With the tone he's using now he has never failed to coax an answer out of him, but still Maxim’s whole body is rigid, as if he’s considering fleeing if it means getting out of this conversation. When he opens his mouth again, his words are clipped like they're dragged out by force.

“There’s a reason I don’t let you come with me when I’m hunting. I’m― I don’t trust myself when I’m like that.” He turns his back to Timur, never comfortable about talking about this particular topic, because while he carries himself with certain pride there is shame that cancels it out too, about losing his control to mere instincts. “It’s too dangerous. What if I can't stop, huh? What if I won't?"

Timur lets him shy away from his touch against his own desire itching to do the opposite―he has learned that if he doesn’t give Maxim enough space, he’d only clam up further.

"I know there are… certain risks. But we can be careful. Make sure things won't get out of our hands."

"No," Maxim says, his voice flat, not budging an inch. "I don't want it, Timur."

Timur responds with a defeated sigh instead of a proper answer because he knows when he sees a lost cause. He can't be persuaded, at least not now, though it's unlikely that he'll change his mind anytime soon. Just when Timur assumes he's fallen asleep, Maxim rolls back to his original spot and buries his face into the nape of Timur's neck. The distance between his teeth and the warm blood that's coursing through his artery must be tantalizingly close for Maxim. But still.

"I'm not keeping you so I can fucking feed on you."

"I know."

"I don't want to think of you that way."

"I know, Maxim."

Maxim visibly relaxes at his answer, almost deflates even, and Timur feels an urge to shake some sense into him until he can see what a goddamn fool he is being but lets him sleep, the only thing he can have as much as he wants right now.

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Two days pass without any events, except that Maxim is a fucking mess. His skin is running even hotter than usual as if he's in a constant fever, his cheeks are hollowed, and he once loses his footing and almost stumbles on his way to the bed, but the answer remains a solid no. Timur wants to murder someone―until he realizes with sudden clarity that it's entirely up to him to take the necessary actions.

Maxim sleeps like a log these days, his body desperate to reserve every ounce of energy it can spare. So Timur waits, pretending to be asleep, only to slip out of the bed once it becomes sure Maxim won't wake at the slightest stir, and heads out to the shed to gather the necessary materials for the act he's about to commit.

Minutes later Maxim wakes up bewildered, each limbs tied firmly to the bedposts and a clean rag stuffed in his mouth―his empty threats won't intimidate Timur, but his pleas might weaken his resolve. Maxim starts to squirm, muscles tensing and tendons straining, but only thing he succeeds in is making the bed frame creak. A pity, really, because the ropes are thick and sturdy but not nearly enough to hold down a creature like him. He would've been able to cut himself free if he wasn't rendered this weak by his hunger. Maxim tries to speak around the rag, which comes out awfully close to a whimper. Timur reaches up and strokes his sweat-soaked hair soothingly.

"Shh, don't worry, you'll be feeling better soon. I promise," he whispers, and the muffled sound diminishes in volume, more confused than surprised now, only until Timur picks up Maxim's hunting knife and places it near his other hand. Then Maxim begins to thrash, with much force as his binding allows him to, the ropes pulled taut and the entire bed quaking. Timur straddles his hips to pin him down with his weight, and raises the knife again despite the protest. Maxim's eyes are trained on the blade, wide and frantic.

"Don't move, or I might cut deeper than I need to," Timur warns, and unsurprisingly, it does the trick. Maxim freezes in place, breathing hard through his nose but otherwise still as a statue. Timur takes the chance to slide the blade against his palm, making a shallow cut along the line there. After a moment's pause blood starts to seep out, drawing a thin red line, and Timur cups his hand to gather the precious liquid without spilling a single drop.

Meanwhile, Maxim is shuddering violently under him, definitely affected by the sight or the smell of the blood, maybe both. His physiology is betraying himself, his irises are getting paler in color to the point where his eyes are almost gleaming in the dark. Timur waits patiently, watching the thick, crimson fluid pooling on his palm.

"You might not want it, but you need it. And it's okay to need," he tells Maxim, softly. Something shatters in his eyes, and that's the cue: he removes the rag but the only sounds that comes out of his mouth are harsh pants and snarls, no accusing words or rejection. His tongue is tasting the air that's filled with coppery tang strong enough to be detected by Timur's untuned sense.

He brings his hand over the other man's mouth and tips it carefully, so the blood can trickle down to the edge of his palm. Maxim laps up to it obediently like a hungry kitten.

"There you go," Timur hums, his heart pounding fast and pushing the blood out of the wound. He's relieved, if anything, because now he can be sure that Maxim is going to be alright. The guilt of the act can be pushed aside until later.

After licking away what's dripping down, Maxim begins to suck on the wound lightly. Timur is mesmerized by the shape of the mouth on his palm, wet contact between the tongue and his skin. A set of sharp fangs graze his flesh, never quite puncturing.

He loses track of the time like that, and it becomes increasingly harder to gauge how much would be enough for Maxim and how much would be too much for himself, because the blood loss is slowly making him hazy. Thinking clearly is almost an impossible feat at this point.

When he finally withdraws his hand, Maxim doesn't protest but licks his lips with raw, insatiable kind of want in his eyes, and Timur feels fiercely tempted to give him more, might as well give away his whole being if Maxim would only ask, but shakes himself out of it. He did say he'd be careful, after all.

The rope can be gone after he comes to his senses, Timur decides, and heads to the bathroom to clean his wound and bandage it. It stings but not as much as the crack in his conscience. He's not sure if he'll be ever forgiven.

When he returns to their bedroom his heart drops to his feet with a sickening lurch, because Maxim is nowhere to be seen. The ropes are torn off with force and one of the bedposts is broken. Timur eyes the hunting knife on the bedside table, remembering how Maxim insisted he should never let his guard down around him, but decides against it and follows him out.

Maxim is sitting at the table, his head hung low and shaking badly. This has been the single flaw of his plan, because of course Maxim is putting the blame on himself, even when the decision was not his. Seeing him like this hurts more than any wound a knife can inflict. Timur approaches him slowly, talking in the gentlest voice he can manage.

"Don't be like that. You didn't do anything. I forced this on you."

"I wanted more," he confesses without meeting his eyes. He sounds hollow, haunted. "So much more. I could have killed you."

"Yet you didn't, because you chose not to."

Timur takes a step closer, and Maxim raises his head, startled. He is staring at Timur's bandaged hand, where last droplets of blood is seeping through and leaving a red smudge on the white surface. He jumps out of his seat and backs away from Timur warily.

"Don't come any closer."

Timur does as he's told, because he's done enough damage already by ignoring his wishes tonight.

"Maxim, I―"

"You really shouldn't have," Maxim mutters, sounding angry at last, and storms out of their cabin into the forest that's still doused in darkness.

.

Timur isn't worried, until he is. He knows for a fact that nothing in the woods can hurt Maxim, be it an animal or a human. But he's not in his best form, and what blood Timur could give can't be enough to sustain him more than a day or so.

He tries looking for Maxim, which is pointless because even if he manages to stumble upon the right path, Maxim can detect and avoid him from a mile away if he wants to. Still it's better than staying at home, because it seems he can't concentrate on anything at all.

A mouse worrying over a cat is a fool, he thinks, but is a cat who chooses to starve than to eat a mouse it got attached to any better?

It occurs to him that it's entirely possible that Maxim is not coming back. A concept of home doesn't mean much to him, the cabin of his used to be just another temporary residence until Timur came along. From then, his presence was what made it qualified to be home, but he might have broken the tie between them to the point it can't be repaired. He has violated Maxim's choice and betrayed his trust. The worst part is he'd do the same thing again even if he can reverse time to have a second chance, because this horrible emptiness of being left alone is infinitely better than watching him wither away, helpless.

The sleep doesn't come that night. The moon watches him toss and turn with no avail, its gaze judging and overbearing.

At dawn, there is someone knocking on the door. Timur walks up to the doorway, light-headed from lack of sleep―rather like lack of everything really, including food, physical contact, peace of mind―and opens the door without bothering to check who it is.

Maxim is standing there with his gaze cast downwards, smelling strongly of blood. Dark specks scattered over his clothes tells Timur it must have been a messy affair.

"I couldn't come back until I knew for sure I wouldn't―" Maxim starts to explain, only to be interrupted by Timur launching himself forward to wrap his arms around Maxim and hold tight. Maxim returns the hug cautiously.

"You should be more careful around me," he protests weakly, but his arms are comforting weight around Timur's shoulder, his scent beneath the metallic tang achingly familiar. It feels like nothing has ever gone wrong, like everything's going to turn out alright somehow. Timur smiles against the cold surface of Maxim's jacket, letting himself believe it.

"Don't be an idiot and come inside, it's cold."

.

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[succeedsuccess]

To Be Successful, Have Successful Beliefs

Successful people have successful beliefs. If you need examples for defining a successful belief, I suggest finding people you deem 'successful' and ask them, or read biographies from great minds you admire (sorry, mine isn't written yet. I kid, I kid.). If you talk with some of the most successful people in the world, past or present, the most common denominator is related to the goals they set and the beliefs they hold.

The belief in yourself, your abilities, your value, and your future success is paramount.

Let's dig in.

The Power of a Belief

"It always seems impossible until it's done." ~ Nelson Mandela

In 1954, the commonly held belief in the world was that it was humanly impossible to run a four-minute mile. That's until Roger Bannister came along, believing and proclaiming he'll do the impossible. Sure enough, after many close attempts, he broke the four-minute barrier by.6 seconds! He shattered people's beliefs by doing the impossible.

Know what happened next? A shift in belief occurred, which led to a plethora of runners conquering this once 'impossible' feat. Today, thousands of people have done it.

I don't believe humans evolved at such a rapid rate in the 50s and thus allowing our muscle fibers to increase in density, enabling new increases in speed and longevity. The only factor that changed was the belief that is was possible - starting with Roger Bannister, believing in himself and not allowing a commonly held belief to hold him back.

What you think about most, what you focus on, what you believe, has a direct connection to your overall well-being, happiness, and success. Check out 'Change Your Thoughts, Change Your Reality' for a more detailed discussion.

Clarity is Power

Beliefs form our view on life, and nobody wants a blurry view. Our beliefs naturally guide us in the direction we most desire, and the clearer we are, the better the results. Our subconscious can be our best friend or our worst nightmare, and proper programming (via our thoughts and beliefs over time) is required. Put garbage in, get garbage out.

Developing clarity is one of the hardest things to do; we are very complex creatures and knowing oneself thoroughly is not easy. I was always the kid trying to do anything and everything because I never knew what I wanted out of this life. I would tell my dad "If I knew what I wanted to do, I would start now and be the best at it!" - I was 12 years old. Sure, I held the empowering belief I could do anything and be great at it, but unfortunately, I had no where to point this energy. My goals and aspirations were fuzzy at best.

Let's look at a better example, from a person who knew what he wanted to do and the value he believed he was worth...

Picture the story of Canadian born Jim Carrey, rising from being a small time Comedian in Ontario, and landing on the big screens all over the world. Want to know something special about him? As crazy as he portrayed himself on screen, Jim had clarity - he knew what success meant to him and he believed he had the ability to capture it. Do you have this kind of belief in yourself? This is what he had to say:

"I wrote myself a check for ten million dollars for acting services rendered and dated it Thanksgiving 1995. I put it in my wallet and it deteriorated. And then, just before Thanksgiving 1995, I found out I was going to make ten million dollars for Dumb and Dumber. I put that check in the casket with my father because it was our dream together." ~ Jim Carrey

He knew his value, he believed in himself, and even put a deadline on it!

Do your dreams have deadlines? Do you possess the beliefs in yourself to back them up?

Great Role Models

Did you know that Michael Jordan was dropped from his High School team? He believed in himself, he believed he could fly, and before we all knew it he was flying across the NBA courts. In his book, "I Can't Accept Not Trying", he says that he can accept failure, but he can't accept not trying.

Lance Armstrong believes that winning is about heart, not just the legs. Your heart has to be in the right place. He also believes that if you are worried about falling off the bike, you'd never get on.

When Tiger Woods was a young boy, he wrote down on a 3x5 card that he was going to break all of Jack Nicklaus' records. Look at him now. Jack Nicklaus agrees that Woods can do it if he stays on the track he's on.

Bill Gates believes in the importance of hard work, and if you are intelligent and know how to apply your intelligence, you an achieve anything. This led him to drop out of college (scary!) to follow his passions.

Will Smith believes 'I can create whatever I want to create,' and 'We are who we choose to be'. Pretty powerful beliefs no?

All these people started with a belief and moved on to greatness. They believed in themselves and it's easily visible with everything they do. You shouldn't have to build confidence in yourself by the accomplishments you achieve, you should achieve accomplishments by the confidence you have in yourself.

What Prevents Successful Beliefs?

Have you failed more often than not? Have you been told by people close to you, that you won't amount to anything? What is holding you back from holding successful beliefs?

That last question may sound silly, because why would anyone hold onto beliefs that are NOT beneficial to themselves? Ludicrous! Well, this tends to be the main problem that people have, because belief formation is not dependent on a logical framework and are extremely resistant to logical thinking.

Why would a person believe they can't do something if they have no past experience in which to base that belief? Isn't it just as easy to believe you can do something? It sure is, but usually fear finds a way to sneak in and blind us. That is what is so great about fear - fearis usually a red flag, an indicator for opportunities to grow. If our beliefs create our reality, than in order to change our reality, we must first change our beliefs. Let's look at how we can do that.

The Power of Positive Affirmations

Positive affirmations refer to consciously programming your brain with positive thoughts. Reminding yourself of the potential you possess, the feelings you want to experience, the life you expect to have, and the life you want to live. I suggest creating your own affirmations that are personal to you in which you can easily subscribe to. Affirmations could include:

"I am a successful, hard working, and motivated businessman who people trust, respect and love doing business with."

"I am a loving father and husband who shows love, affection, and encouragement to my wife and children."

"I get excited and joyful when an opportunity arrives to help someone."

"I feel energized when a challenge presents itself because it is just one more success waiting to happen."

"My life is filled with an abundance of opportunities waiting to be acted upon."

"My mind and body are clean and healthy and I do something everyday to ensure this."

"I can do anything I set my mind to."

The most powerful statements are the ones that start with 'I am...' because you are declaring your ideal image of yourself, and your brain will start aligning itself with this image as if you've already become that person.

Sometimes affirmations don't feel like they fit, or we aren't living up to the expectation of the affirmation, and that is fine. If you are new to the idea behind positive affirmations, then it may feel like you are lying or tricking yourself into believing something that isn't true. Affirmations are not meant for lying to ourselves; their purpose is to enable the potential within us to fulfill the affirmations. Affirmations help fight the fear that holds us back from action.

Through affirmations, we consciously note the person we want to become, and we actively move in the direction naturally by programming our thoughts and beliefs. Simply thinking the affirmation does not have a positive effect until it is repeated, believed, and felt. This has the potential to be powerful. Start thinking of your subconscious brain as a programmable entity and you'll start aligning your thoughts and beliefs to promote feelings you want to experience.

Start Having Successful Beliefs

Personally, I strongly believe that men/women should have a life filled with creating - creating ideas or inventions, creating a better world, creating value for others, and creating a fulfilled life. In doing so, you leave your unique mark on the world.

I believe if you don't have the discipline to convert thought and beliefs into action, you are not living successfully. This belief pushes me and motivates me to produce something on a regular basis giving me feelings of accomplishment, satisfaction, and joy for fulfilling my belief. If I don't, I feel I am not living up to my potential. I don't even have to push myself anymore, I simply have the drive, urge, and need to create SOMETHING. This website is one outlet for this belief, and it is my attempt to create something that is timeless and challenges people's thought patterns, beliefs, and encourages them to live the life they can.

To start having successful beliefs, we need to start by recognizing the ones that hold us back, and as we noted, beliefs are not bound by logic. How can we pinpoint these harmful beliefs? We can do this by making goals and recognizing thoughts that arise when we aim big. We can do this by looking at our previous track record and discovering why we failed or succeeded. Sometimes other people have to tell us. And many times, recognizing a negative belief is as simple as listening to yourself every time you use the words 'I can't...'.

Eliminate these negative beliefs and start creating beliefs that motivate you to action, push you to succeed, remind you of your purpose, and fires up your confidence. The battlefield to success is not in the world, it's inside your head. Figure that out, and the world changes in front of you eyes.

[mobius-prime]

123. Knuckles the Echidna #24

Dark Alliance (Part Three of Three): Primary Evil

Writer: Ken Penders Pencils: Jim Valentino Colors: Barry Grossman

This issue's intro quote thing is from Spectre, rallying the citizenry of Echidnaopolis on the eve of a Dark Legion takeover of the city. His exact sentiment isn't important -it's basically a rephrasing of the whole "the only thing we have to fear is fear itself" concept. What I find interesting, rather, is the very vague description given of when this occurred. We're not given a time frame at all. We know that the Legion has made more than one attempt to take over the city in the past, but it's not at all clear whether this occurred, say, back during Spectre's own tenure as Guardian, or if it was just before the events of KtE#9 when the Dark Legion attacked Echidnaopolis in the modern day, or what. It's not at all clear, and for that reason I find it bizarre, especially since you'd think someone like Spectre showing his edgy face in modern, mildly technophobic Echidnaopolis might raise a few eyebrows.

Anyway, onto the issue itself. Archimedes is often forgotten and neglected as a character in a lot of these more action-packed later issues, now that he's not solely focused on training Knuckles anymore, but it turns out that after Knuckles and Julie-Su were captured by Xenin, he went straight to Locke and told him what happened. Spectre, the only other member of the Brotherhood not in Haven when it was taken over, arrives in the Chaos Chamber to demand Locke's help in retaking it.

Despite Locke's reluctance, Spectre's sheer edginess what with the literal cloud of mist always following him everywhere wins out, and Archimedes poofs them to the basement level of Haven so they can have the element of surprise in attacking. Meanwhile, in the Legion's current hideout within the city, Knuckles continues to trash talk Dimitri, even as Dimitri tries to insist that he's merely restoring echidna society to the way it once was and the way it should be. Really, dude, you think you're gonna convince Knuckles with your villain schtick? He's defiant to literally everyone who tries to tell him what to do, whether they're strangers, best friends, or his own flesh and blood. You're not gonna have much luck there. We hop over to Remington, who's been taken back to Pravda's office so that Benedict can lay out his own plot.

Ah, yes, this old trick. Remington retorts that Benedict doesn't even know yet if he'll be elected, to which Benedict responds that they've gone and installed fibre-optic systems in every echidna home allowing them to vote in mere days rather than the months it would usually take for an election to happen, and that they have control over the system to influence the results of the election to ensure his win. While the idea of in-home direct democracy does sound pretty sweet, how the hell did you go about installing this in every single echidna household so quickly considering it's been like, half a day since your rally? Remington, of course, is an upstanding individual (I actually do find him genuinely likable as a character) and tries to insist he won't go along with the plan regardless, to which Benedict decides to try to blackmail him by threatening to spill any secrets from his past that they find. While this is going on, we head back to the Legion's medical room, where Dimitri and his team of scientists are getting ready to put Knuckles under…

He intends to study his physiology while he's unconscious to figure out why he seems so powerful, and perhaps then use this power to restore his own emerald-enhanced abilities lost when Mammoth Mogul sucked them out of him. Ah, Dimitri, trying to pretend he isn't a selfish bastard as always, and failing utterly. While this is going on, Xenin finds his entertainment in taunting General Stryker and Julie-Su, still hanging upside down in their pod-things, and Locke and Spectre make their way through the halls of Haven, taking out stray soldiers on their way to their main objective. Back in Pravda's office, Remington, despite Benedict's threats, continues to refuse to support his candidacy, and Benedict becomes furious, shoving the brainwashed Pravda at him and stomping out of the room. Remington gently lowers the unresponsive, blank-faced former High Councilor to the floor and calls for someone to get him medical attention, then races after Benedict, hoping to catch him before he can get away. He's already found himself a taxi, but luckily for Remington, an old acquaintance is waiting for his own fare nearby…

Ah, Harry, good to see you again! Back in the medbay, Dimitri and his scientists are amazed to find that Knuckles, through entirely natural biological processes, seems to possess power equivalent to a Chaos Emerald. Dimitri is shocked, as after all he only managed to gain his own powers through the Chaos Syphon mishap centuries ago, and wonders if Knuckles was actually bioengineered to have this power - but before he can wonder much further, alarms start screeching within the room.

Looks like you guys done messed up plugging Knuckles in. Apparently, the rate of radiation discharge coming from Knuckles is so strong he's dangerously close to rendering the room uninhabitable. The technician operating gives Dimitri a choice - either he issues the order for evacuation, or he kills Knuckles to eliminate the problem. Meanwhile in the taxi, Harry stops driving abruptly, and when Remington yells at him he says that the car they're following has headed into the headquarters of the Technology Now party, AKA the Dark Legion's territory. Remington orders him to drive around back so he can attempt to infiltrate, deciding not to call for backup. Within Haven, Moritori Rex and the Kommissar are discussing Haven's benefits as a base for the Legion, when the lights abruptly go out and they lose contact with their main facility. They go to investigate, with Moritori using his visor to see in infrared, but a sudden flash of light blinds him.

I suppose Locke and Spectre are unaffected by the knockout gas because they're super powerful Guardians or something? Also keep in mind that again, Spectre was Tobor's son, and after the revelation a few issues ago he's essentially come to realize that the man he thought was his father all along was actually an imposter, and he never knew his real father. No wonder he's so determined to retake Haven at any cost. With Moritori not even being a real Guardian or receiving any of the proper training, it's amazing Spectre learned his duties properly and the line of the Brotherhood continued successfully at all.

As conditions deteriorate in the Legion's medbay, Dimitri, unwilling to give up on studying Knuckles yet, gives the order to retreat, and Xenin happily leaves Julie-Su and Stryker hanging where they are, not bothered with rescuing them. Benedict, running back into the facility, is alarmed by the chaos he's returned to, and as a sudden electromagnetic pulse sweeps through the facility…

Okay, I take it back, my line from two issues ago. This is the most disturbing page in the comic so far. The guy just melts, dude. It's like Kenders looked at the scene from the first Terminator movie where the T-800's flesh burns off in the truck explosion and was like "Nah, this isn't freaky enough. Let's turn it up a notch!" This isn't to say I disapprove, really. I just wonder how many young nightmares this inspired. Remington and Harry run past the nonfunctional endoskeleton with bits of melted flesh around it, and find Julie-Su and Stryker, releasing them from captivity. All the Legionnaires around the facility have dropped to the floor in shock, as the energy pulse has fried their cybernetics. While Harry is left to call the police headquarters for backup in cleaning up the mess, Remington runs through the halls and finds the medbay, with Knuckles still inside.

Dimitri, of course, has escaped in a private shuttle hidden within the facility, and gives us a final narration of the events after the chaos. He intends to rescue in the future any Legionnaires who survived the events within both bases, and with Benedict having won the city's election for High Councilor after all, Dimitri already has a replacement in mind given that Benedict has, well, fallen apart a little too literally. Apparently the power surge also took out Pravda's neural implants, and now he's a mindless vegetable, which is honestly quite a grim fate for him. No happy endings for Mr. Kidnapped From His Own Home in Front of His Wife, here. Dimitri, however, doesn't consider this event quite a loss, as now that he's aware of Knuckles' power potential, he's more determined than ever to gain this power for himself…

[pi-cat000]

MSA time travel idea (part 25)

1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, Vivi POV, 8, 9, 10, Lewis POV, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, Lance POV 18, 19, Lewis POV 2, 21 , 22, Vivi POV 2, 24, 

Part 26: here

“Welcome to MacDonalds Sir. Can I take your order?”

The van stops at a drive through, halfway to the hospital and his Uncle. Doom hangs over Arthur like a dense grey fog. A clock slowly counting down.

“Hey. You want anything?” The demon asks, nonchalantly rifling around in the glovebox for spare change.

Arthur’s never swum in the ocean, but he’s watched enough media to estimate and guess that this is what drowning feels like. Memories crash over him, pulling him about in waves. It’s had to keep a grip on what is current and what is past. It’s hitting him all at once. Images of Lewis falling are now mixing in with frames on Darrel’s motionless body left out in the middle of nowhere, carelessly kicked to the side of a narrow dirt road. Alone. Just like Lewis. Left behind to rot. Who knows if anyone would find him. Did Darrel have a family? Arthur can’t remember. What he does know is that it’s all his fault…and he can’t stop. Arthur needs help. He desperately needs help, but there’s no one. The only people who care are miles away and completely ignorant.

‘Why?’

The question is out before he gets the chance to clarify, his thoughts not coherent enough to manage a full sentence. There must be a reason. A point to everything. Because, if there isn’t, then there is no way that Arthur can convince this creature to stop. To leave his Uncle alone.

“Cause we’re hungry. Duh. Try not to ask dumb questions.” Arthur is dismissed, the demon turning back to order. So far, it has been quiet, exuding a calm satisfaction which is only marginally better than manic joy, ignoring Arthur’s thrashing with practised ease. This is the first time Arthur’s had the presence of mind to communicate since leaving Darrel.

At the order collection window, as the serving-girl hands over a brown and red paper bag, she points to her cheek, commenting, “Um. Sir. You have a little dirt on your face. Just there.”

“Do I?” The demon laughs good-naturedly, adjusting the rear-view mirror to reveal their reflection. Arthur looks out, unable to help himself, meeting his own gaze. Bright green eyes stare right at him. The pleasant smile shifts to become mocking. The ‘dirt’ referred to is the small flecks of Darrel’s blood, which have dried a dark brown.

“I do indeed. How embarrassing,” It chuckles, taking the bag, “Thank you for pointing that out.”

The girl smiles back, “Hey no problem. Have a good afternoon sir.”

If only she would lean further out and see the prominent blood splatter across Arthur’s front. She doesn’t. He watches powerlessly, feeling his body wave a goodbye.  

“Have to say. I love these new food options. You humans have certainly been busy this last century.”

Now. This is Arthur's opportunity to talk. He needs to use it and convince this creature to stop. It probably won’t work, if anything it’ll make everything worse, but he must try.

‘Why,’ Arthur asks a second time, pulling his focus forward.

“Why what,” The demon is deliberately obtuse, taking a bite with its free hand, steering back onto the highway with the other. Arthur would be grimacing at the taste. The last thing he wants to do is to eat greasy food. Luckily, nausea is primary a physical phenomenon, so his need to throw up is entirely associative.

‘Why are you doing this. What’s the point?’  How does he get it to stop?

The demon chews and slurps down a soda methodically like it is buying time to consider a response. More likely, it knows how anxious waiting makes Arthur.

“Because it’s fun. You know...Spread a little pain and misery. Cause trouble. Mess with the cosmic balance. You do know what fun is right?"

‘I can be plenty miserable without Uncle Lance dying.’ Arthur jumps on the connection despite how tenuous it is, ‘You’ve seen my memories! I can make anything good depressing if I want to.’

“Ha. Yeah. You do know how to screw yourself over. But, regrettably, I never leave a host alive. Personal policy. Less hassle down the line and all.”

‘He’ll be no hassle.’ Arthur lies blatantly because there was no way Lance wouldn’t try to hunt them down if given a chance, ‘Nope. No hassle at all. No one would care if I vanished right now. Especially not Lance.’

“I’m in your head, I can see you lying,” An eye roll, followed by unpleasant chuckling, “Besides, nothing beats the rush of cutting one of your pathetic lives short. All that potential. Poof. Gone.” The discordant sensation of happiness is back again, and Arthur quickly withdraws, mentally flinching away, doing his best to distance himself.

‘Someone will stop you.’  

“Who will? The dog? It’s miles away. Won’t be here till tomorrow and by then we’ll be done and dusted. I was thinking of going after Lewis’s family next. Sneak on in, in the dead of night, get em all in their sleep…”

Any further attempts at reasoning fall on deft ears. Begging is just as ineffective. All it does is inflate the awful feeling of calm satisfaction. Apprehensively, Arthur watches the demon wipe the blood off their shared face, energy well and truly spent. A grin is flashed towards the rear-view mirror which has yet to be re-adjusted. Not like this thing cares about road safety. It makes Arthur want to laugh hysterically. But he can’t. He can’t do anything.

Half an hour later, after getting waylaid by some traffic, they’re back at the hospital. All up, it’s hardly been two hours since their departure. They even park in the same spot.

Before heading inside, the demon pulls on one of Arthur’s old work shirts, which he keeps in the van for spur of the moment mechanical work. It’s got a few oil stains down the side and hasn’t seen a good wash in a while, but is inconspicuous when compared to coffee and blood splatters. Now, apart from the eyes, there is no other noticeable difference between the two of them. Nothing that screams ‘I’m a demon on a murder spree, please stop me.’ The sickly green skin Arthur had noted in his memories has faded to a natural colour.

St Peter’s Emergency Ward is as cold and sterile as he remembers. The smell of disinfectant and the return to chilled air-conditioning are equally unwelcome. Nurses, doctors and members of the public mill around, murmuring and talking in low tones. ‘Someone notice! Please,’ Arthur thinks desperately while the demon obtains directions from the reception desk. Despite Arthur’s less than clean appearance no one spares a second glance. Everyone is too busy, caught up in their work and lives, to notice his one falling apart.  

An older, matronly woman, sporting a messy bun and tired eyes, ends up leading Arthur to his Uncle’s recovery room. It’s not too far from the main entrance and is, to his dismay, empty of other patents. Space, meant for a second bed, is vacant.

Arthur, the demon- he’s having trouble separating the two -both watch the nurse check his Uncle’s IV, lowering the dosage of whatever is going into Lance’s arm. Probably a mix of pain medication and anti-inflammatories going off Arthur’s previous experience. Curiosity and interest flash between their shared mind. It is taking notes, intently watching the nurse work. Please. Turn around. Turn around and notice what a creepy monster he’s being.

When she does turn, Arthur has already stepped away, acting to part of the worried relative.

“Is he okay. Everything’s okay, right?”

“Your Uncle is recovering as per normal. He’s on a low dose of Dilaudid, to reduce pain and swelling.  It’ll make him drowsy when he regains consciousness so don’t be alarmed if he has trouble forming sentences,”

“He’ll regain consciousness? That’s good. When will that happen?” Its barely contained eagerness makes Arthur want to cry in dismay.  

“Another hour or two,” The woman gives him a perplexed sideward glance. If she does notice anything strange, it isn’t mentioned. “I’ll have a doctor come by and give you a proper run down and better details shortly.”

“Good. Good. That’s very good. Thank you for letting me know,”

A nod. A kind expression. She moves to away, passing by, leaving Arthur alone. She leaves the demon alone with his Uncle unconscious, helpless in the bed. Eagerly, the demon piolets his body forward, scanning the empty room, eyes landing briefly on the solitary clock decorating the otherwise sparse walls. 4: 59. Tick. Tick. Tick. An audible reminder that Arthur is running out of time. A hand reaches into his pocket to fiddle with Arthur’s keys and the small knife attached. Both are crusted with dry blood which crumbles when touched. They clink together threateningly.

‘What do I have to do to get you to stop. You have to want something. Anything.’

“Sure, I do. It’s just nothing you can give .” Nonchalantly, it approaches the bed, finally acknowledging Arthur's presence.

‘Don’t demons collect souls?’ He asks with increasing desperation. Can he give this thing his soul? Was that something he could do?

“Some. I don’t. I think you’ll find that ‘demon’ is a very broad term, covering a wide range of individuals. Besides, your soul is super screwy. Whatever’s shoved it back in here has bound it in tight, so I’d probably have to rip it up to get it free, rendering the activity pointless. So, no deal…But thanks for the offer. I’m flattered.”

‘Please. Stop. I’ll do anything!’

Does he really have nothing? No way to save his Uncle. The only member of his whole freakin family who gave a damn and he can’t even save him. Useless. Why does he fail in all the ways that matter most?

“Oh, don’t mope. Just think, once we finish up here, you’ll never have to worry about failing anybody ever again. No lying. No stress. Doesn’t that sound nice.”

It doesn’t sound nice. It’s the opposite of nice!

The demon drags over the one visitor's chair, which squeaks along the lino flooring, slumping down to stare at his uncle, waiting. It fingers the IV tubing, tracing the piping up to the control dial and back again. Deliberately, it pinches the thin tube shut, attention jumping back to Lance, scanning for any changes.

Waiting.

The waiting is terrible. Especially, when Arthur can feel its attention, partially giddy, laser-focused onto his Uncle. Arthur’s never seen the man look so pale or sickly. Apart from the odd work-related accident, which is impossible to avoid even with strict safety standards, his Uncle has always been healthy. Even the rare times he has seen the man sick it was still ‘no big deal,’ ‘just a scratch,’ or ‘the bodies way of forcing me ta rest.’ While Arthur flip-flopped from one emotional extreme to the next, his Uncle had been a steady, seemingly indestructible, pillar of support. Arthur had never said thank you for any of that. Worse, he’d repaid all that kindness with lies and evasion. Lance should have never taken him in. He had been more trouble than it was worth in his original timeline and he’s definitely not worth it now.

“Hey. HEY!” The demon grows tired of the waiting and gives his Uncle a light slap on the cheek with its free hand, “Wake up.”

“Arthur?” The word is half muttered, barely audible. Lance is phasing into consciousness slowly.  

‘Just say asleep. Stay asleep a little longer. Someone has to come in and stop him. Please.’

“In a manner of speaking. Yeah. I’m Arthur.”

That gets his Uncle’s attention. Lance violently twitches, forcing an eye open. It locks onto him, hazy but critical. Despite being in obvious pain a hand flashes out, snapping onto to Arthur’s wrist, pulling the hand away from his face. The grip is firm abet weaker than Arthur’s expecting.

“Whoa, you might want to take it easily Uncle Lance. Wouldn’t want to pull any stitches. You were stabbed five times you know.”

“You,” His Uncle growls hatefully, eyes narrowing, “Get out of Arthur ya fuckin, slimy piece of shit, bastard.”

“That’s some strong language. And in front of your nephew. He’s watching you know,”

A loose flick and the demon frees its wrist, efficiently shoving his Uncle back down when he attempts to lunge outwards. The hash action causes Lance to grunt in obvious pain. A move towards the emergency call remote has the demon snatching it up and placing it on the small table just out of reach, tutting in disappointment.

“I’ll get ya. Mark my words…You’ll regret this,” His Uncle spits, his attempts at sitting foiled.  His face is pure revulsion and fury. That determination and fire is something Arthur’s never seen directed his way before. It’s all in vain. Nothing matters. Not anymore.

A teasing, “How? You can’t even move. Soon you’ll never move again.” The demon releases its hold on the IV and turns the control dial up to its max setting. Dismayed, Arthur watches the drug take quick effect, rapidly dulling his Uncle’s movements. Eventually, Lance just lies still and glares, even while his eyes are dropping shut.

“Don’t worry about your nephew. He’ll be safe with me. Since you care so much and all.” The glare faulters much to the demon’s renewed glee. The predatory buzz is back, coiled alongside a sensation of anticipation and pleasure.

“Arthur.” His Uncle’s voice loses its heat, softening. He’s struggling to stay conscience, drowsy, eyes shutting.

‘I’m sorry. I’m sorry. Please. Stop. Please. PLEASE.’

A knife is produced after a small struggle. The hinge, which usually allowed it to flip cleanly open, is stiff, jammed with blood. The key ring makes a clinking sound, hitting the side of the metal bed frame. Tap. Tap. Tap. It echoes through the room in time with the ticking clock.

“Now. How do we go about this in a way that won’t immediately alert the plebs?”

‘NONONONO!’

“Kindy slow bleed? Good choice.”

“Nighty night,” It stands upright. The chair squeaks. Blankets and paper thin robe are pulled aside in an energetic flourish, revealing the assortment of bandages covering his Uncle’s chest and side. A second is spent in meticulous calculation. The knife is carefully positioned and thrust in. The demon waits for a beat before pushing forward against any resistance, twisting, then drawing out. Cold satisfaction. His Uncle’s fingers catch on Arthur’s retreating arm. This time, there is no strength behind the grasp, and it’s easily shrugged off.

“Not….You…r… Fa..ul…t...” The words are mumbled and slurred, swallowed up by the silent room. The clock on the wall ticks.

“Eh. Suppose we’ll look a bit suspicious if we stick around.”  

The blanket is tossed back into place, covering the reopened wound. They turn, strolling towards the door, practically skipping back down to the reception. Arthur can feel himself splitting, joy mixing in with panic and grief.

Just like his life, he’s falling to pieces. 

NOTE: re-writes, re-writes for days. But finally got a version I’m mostly happy with. I’m hoping to have the next section out within a shorter time frame so people aren't stuck on the cliff hanger but no promises.

Part 26: here

[eleanor-writes-stuff]

in sickness and in health [one-shot]

Flu season returns, and Ben is the first to fall victim to it. But that's okay, because he and Rey have promised to always take care of each other - through thick and thin, in sickness and in health, whether it's seven days or seven months...

(The one in which Ben gets a flu, and Rey gets a stomach flu... or does she?)

After an unplanned month-long hiatus, I’m back! ... with yet another plotless fluffy one-shot, because it’s important to stay on-brand, guys.

Also available on AO3. And hey, maybe check out my Twitter or Ko-fi?

Ben ❤️❤️❤️[04:26PM]: I think I’m dying

Rey rolls her eyes at her husband’s dramatic text and huffs out a little laugh under her breath as she replies. His whiny exaggeration and – more tellingly – the lack of proper punctuation are obvious indicators of his condition, but it’s hardly as serious as his message would suggest.

Rey [04:27PM]: Pretty sure it’s just the flu, babe

Ben ❤️❤️❤️[04:28PM]: Come home anyway Miss you Please

She shakes her head at the texts rapidly popping up on her screen and chances a look around the office. The workweek ends in just half an hour, and most people are already winding down for the day, either putting the finishing touches on whatever it is they’re working on or discreetly starting to shut things down and pack up to leave as soon as the clock strikes five.

It’s probably okay for her to leave early just this once.

Rey [04:31PM]: You’re a bad influence, Ben Solo Fiiiine Leaving work soon, will swing by the store on the way home to pick up a couple of things Try to survive without me for a little longer, okay? Love you ❤️

“Hey, Rose?”

Her cubicle neighbor wheels into sight with a smile on her face. “Hey, what’s up?”

“Ben’s sick, so I think I’m gonna leave early and go get some stuff for him. Can you just let people know if anyone comes looking for me?”

“Sure thing,” Rose agrees easily as she watches Rey pack up for the day. “Send my regards to Ben. Oh, and let me know if you guys need anything.”

With one final click of her mouse, Rey’s workstation is shut down and packed up for the day. “Will do. Thanks, Rose, you’re the best.” She shoulders her bag as she stands and leans down to give Rose a quick hug goodbye, and by the time Ben replies to her message Rey is already on her way down to her car.

Ben ❤️❤️❤️[04:37PM]: Thank you thank you thank you Love you too See you soon, Nurse Rey 😉

If the uncharacteristic use of an emoji is any indication, he’s probably pretty feverish already.

Rey sighs as she pulls out from the underground parking lot and straight into traffic. There’s no escape, not even with a ten-minute head start on everyone else. By the time she finally gets home, armed with the spoils of a quick detour, the winter sun has long since disappeared and so has what little energy Ben managed to derive from his feverish state.

She finds him asleep on the couch, curled up in a quilt from their bed while the TV casts dancing shadows across his face. Rey takes a moment to smile at the scene before she heads straight for the kitchen, careful not to wake Ben as she puts the kettle on and sets aside her purchases. It’s only once she’s armed with some lemon ginger tea and a plate of saltines that she heads back out to her sleeping husband and gently shakes him awake.

“Don’t wanna,” Ben whines even before his eyes are open, face scrunching up as he catches a whiff of the dreaded tea. Rey sets everything down on the coffee table before she braces herself against the couch and pulls, a determined force meeting a stubborn object.

“C’mon, up you go,” she insists as Ben groans and grumbles, and eventually he opens his eyes just long enough to take pity on his wife, forehead creased with effort and chest heaving from exertion. “No complaining from you,” Rey orders as she retrieves the tea and crackers and foists them upon a reluctant Ben. “I had to deal with looks because of this, you know.”

Bleary-eyed and two seconds away from a sip, Ben seizes upon the opportunity for a distraction. “Looks? What kind of looks?”

Rey shakes her head at him with a knowing smile and nudges the cup closer, pointedly silent until he gives in with a sigh and gulps down half the cup.

“Apparently Leia’s idea of an emergency flu supply run looks a whole lot like a morning sickness starter pack,” she explains as he starts nibbling on a saltine with considerably less disgust. “Maz even came out from the back to ask if congratulations are in order.”

“As if I’d make you buy your own morning sickness supplies,” Ben scoffs as he washes the cracker down with the rest of his tea, making a show of draining every last bit for her.

She runs a hand through his sleep-rumpled hair before sliding her hand down to gently pat his cheek. “Good boy. Think you can handle some soup?” Rey asks as she gathers his cup and plate and makes to leave the couch. “And for the record, I’d be perfectly capable of getting my own saltines, pregnant or not.”

Ben reaches for her wrist, his grip feverish and looser than usual. “I know,” he assures her, his thumb stroking the inside of her wrist. “But you wouldn’t have to. I’d take care of you. I’ll always take care of you – you know that, right?”

Even with his eyes fever-glazed, Ben still looks at her like he holds all the world’s sincerity in his heart; she doesn’t think he’s ever made her a promise with anything less than that. Rey smiles as she leans down to kiss his burning forehead. “I know, baby. But for now maybe let me do the caretaking, okay?”

“For now,” he relents, and lets her go with a loopy smile that’s only partially flu-caused.

Ben continues to be sick for the next five days, and by the fourth so is Rey.

“You did this to me,” she accuses him on Tuesday night, squirming as he pulls her overheated body closer to his. “I told you you were going to get me sick.”

“And I told you it was going to happen whether or not I kissed you,” Ben counters easily, his voice almost back to normal after days of sounding like he’s hacking up a lung. “Besides, I promised to take care of you too, didn’t I?”

Rey settles against his chest with a huff. “You better.” She knows she’s being snippy, but she figures it’s well-deserved because somehow, Ben managed to transform his regular flu into some kind of stomach flu from hell before passing it on to her. Her rational brain knows that’s not how it works, but rational thinking went out the window after the fourth time she failed to stomach a goddamn cracker.

Ben presses a kiss to her clammy temple. “I will. I’ll wait on you hand and foot until you’re 100% back to normal, okay? I promise.”

He keeps his promise for a whole week, tending to her every need without so much as an aggravated sigh even when she wakes him up multiple times a night with a coughing fit or sudden bout of nausea. So when Ben does finally suggest she see a doctor, she knows it’s not because he’s tired of playing nurse.

“I’m just worried, sweetheart,” he murmurs against her sweaty temple one morning when he’s running late, sitting on the bathroom floor with her instead of rushing out the door. “At least take another day off?”

“I’ve already stayed home for a whole week,” Rey protests as she struggles to get to her feet, only to have Ben scoop her up and seat her on their counter. “Besides, it’s probably just the last of this bug making its way through my system. I’ll be okay, baby.”

Ben frowns at her, complete with a crease between his brows and everything, but Rey maintains eye contact and refuses to back down. She knows he won’t hesitate to call in sick for her, won’t think twice before taking the day off himself to care for her, but at some point things have to go back to normal. And if her body refuses to acknowledge that, she’s more than willing to force it to play along.

“Look, staying cooped up in bed can’t be good for me,” Rey points out as she takes his hands in hers and gives them a little squeeze. “Maybe getting out of the apartment and actually moving around a bit will help me bounce back.”

“I don’t think that’s how it works,” Ben says, but his shoulders sag and seconds later he lets out a defeated sigh. “But okay. Just… promise me you’ll call if you’re not feeling well?”

Rey smiles and presses a kiss to his jaw, painfully aware of the lingering acidic taste in the back of her throat. “I promise. Now go, you’re going to be late!”

It takes another five minutes before Ben actually leaves, and another hour after that before she makes her way out of the apartment. Rey’s not too worried about that, though; Holdo made it clear yesterday that she doesn’t expect Rey in at all this week, so she’ll hardly mind a little tardiness.

She’s a little over an hour late by the time she gets to her desk, but everyone’s too busy asking after her health to care about that. It takes what feels like an eternity before her coworkers finally break apart from the circle they’ve formed around her cubicle and get back to work, leaving her alone with Rose.

“I know you’re probably sick of talking about this,” Rose says with an apologetic little smile, “but are you sure you’re okay?”

“I mean, I might avoid the breakroom today, but other than that I’m perfectly fine,” Rey assures her. “Really, Rose, I’m practically back to normal. It’s just a bit of nausea being stubborn.”

Rose, already half-turned away, suddenly spins back to her. “Nausea?”

“Yeah, the joys of a stomach flu, right? All my other symptoms disappeared days ago, but I still can’t keep anything down. I gave Ben hell for getting me sick, but it probably wasn’t even him. He was lucky enough to just get the regular– What?” Rey interrupts herself, skin prickling under Rose’s scrutiny.

Her friend has never been one to mince words, not even back when they were just colleagues, but there’s something delicate and careful about Rose’s next question. “Rey… are you sure it’s just a flu?”

“I mean, what else could it–”

She freezes up the second the thought occurs to her, rendered speechless mid-sentence.

Rose gives her a little smile. “Yeah. That.”

They spend their lunch break at the nearest CVS.

When Ben gets home on Thursday, she’s sitting cross-legged on the couch and twisting her fingers together into a hopeless, nervous knot.

“I went to the doctor today.”

He drops everything in a heartbeat, barely stops to kick the door shut behind him before he’s hurrying over to her side and taking her hands in his. “Rey, why didn’t you– I would’ve– oh god, is everything okay?”

She’d planned to build up to it a little, but Rey can’t bear the look of utter terror on her poor husband’s face for another second. “Ben, I’m fine,” she assures him, leaning down for a lingering kiss before she pulls him up to sit next to her. “It’s just…”

“Just?” Ben echoes, looking only slightly less terrified than he had ten seconds ago.

Rey decides to put him out of his misery.

“Remember that deal we made last week, to take care of each other?”

Ben nods. “Yes, of course,” he says as his brows knit together in concern. “Rey, whatever it is… I’m here for you, sweetheart. Always will be. Just tell me, please.”

She rises up on her knees to press their foreheads together, looping her arms around Ben’s neck as his hands find her waist. “I’m okay, I promise. It’s just… you definitely got the short end of the stick, babe.”

He draws back to frown at her. “What do you mean?”

Rey brings one hand up to cup his face, brushing her thumb along his cheek as she smiles. “Well, I only had to take care of you for a week.”

“Okay…?” Ben replies, concern slowly giving way to confusion.

She moves her free hand down to one of his, pulls it from her side to her abdomen. “Meanwhile you’re going to have to deal with this,” Rey whispers, applying the slightest bit of pressure on his hand and her stomach, “for another seven months.”

It takes a second, but she can see the exact moment Ben’s brain breaks. His eyes are fixed on hers but she knows he’s not actually looking at her, a million miles away as his lips part but nothing comes out, not until a full thirty seconds later when he finally says–

“Oh.”

And then, as his eyes trail down to their joined hands – “Oh.”

“Terrible deal, wasn’t it?” Rey laughs when he finally returns his attention to her, only for her laugh to turn into a gleeful shriek as Ben gathers her up in his arms and jumps to his feet to swing her around, his exuberant laugh joining her rare giggles in the moments between kisses.

“Are you kidding me?” he grins once she’s finally grown dizzy enough to ask him to put her back down, and Rey blinks back a sudden well of tears as her husband kneels before her and presses a reverent palm to her belly.

“Best deal ever,” Ben declares, and doesn’t change his mind even once throughout the next seven months of morning sickness and midnight cravings.

Was this just another excuse to write devoted, married Reylo? ... Why yes, yes indeed.

Hard to believe it's been more than a month since I last posted anything, but time's weird like that. I'm glad to finally be back after a particularly hectic month, and I hope I'm not too rusty!

As always, thanks for reading and please don't hesitate to like/comment/reblog!

[mycoffeeacademia]

➥ Tōgata Mirio ღ

                 ➳ Lemillion: What happens next?

“Nothing I’ve done up till now will ever be useless. I will always be Lemillion!”

When I was catching up in the manga Mirio’s character caught me by surprise. I was instantly interested in what he had to say to class 1-A. Along with Nejire and Tamaki of course. The Big 3 (Biggu Surī ) were all introduced as students who exceeded and outclassed many pro heros. I adore their characters, this trio all have outlandishly fantastic personalities, unique to them; Mirio’s energy, Tamaki’s social anxiety and Nejire’s endless curiosity. Make them especially fun to follow through the manga.

It was Mirio’s character that caught me by surprise the most. The insatiable thirst and sheer drive to be better, and not give up despite the obstacles ahead.

Not out of self gratification, or personal goal but truly to do well by his mentors and people that need help. This is a common theme in most hero universes, where you have the all loving, all perfect, all mighty (sorry had to do it) protagonist who runs straight in to the fire, uncaring if they get burned. This is commonly a trope that occurs, and sometimes it’s fun. Such is the case with current Marvel movies, Captain America being the most glaringly obvious one that comes to mind.

..but here’s the difference and why I think Mirio is absolutely spectacular!

What I feel really makes Mirio stand out as Lemillion is the way he processes the bad stuff, the stress of failing academically, having a quirk that is very intensive and hard to control, and the shaky foundations he had to build from.

Struggling as a transfer student without a proper introduction he struggled to make friends because of his social awkwardness. After a time however he found Tamaki, and finally had a friend.

Having been laughed at by his class and other students for not being able to control his quirk, or use it in a socially approved way he trained relentlessly to overcome it. Where he failed academically he jumped in physically to chase his dream, even after failing at his class year Sports Festival .

More importantly for me however it is in the way he treats his friends, especially Tamaki who struggles with severe social anxiety. Though he himself had problems he never let Tamaki see him fail. Even if he struggled Mirio would pull himself through - as he wanted that for his friend, so he helped pave the way for him to do the same. It was almost like Mirio couldn’t let himself fail, not for himself, but for others who looked to him. I find that more inspiring, because here’s a character that has struggled all the way. There was no magical transformation, like a drug or inheritance, or some magical OP gift, only grueling hard work. His motivations slowly changed and stretched beyond himself over time, and his want to be the hero that saves 1 million became focused on protecting and nurturing his friends and others.

This panel above perfectly captures what their friendship entails, how determined Mirio is and how that impacts others around him. Tamaki is almost frightened at first but as you can see a comfort seems to reach him a moment later.

This force of will is especially visible in his fight with Chisaki:

as even beaten, bruised and bloody – shot and rendered quirkless…

he.. out of sheer determination saved the girl.

All I’m trying to say is - in such a short burst of chapters we are introduced to an amazing character, and I for one cannot wait to see what happens for him in the future…

Which brings me to my next point, after the shock of losing his quirk what do you think is going to happen now?

➥ Predictions

1. I’ve seen some predictions which believe he will become a police officer. Which i believe to be in the characters nature, he certainly wont give up trying to save people, however there will have to be a compromise now that he is quirk less. This may sadly compromise his dream and lead him to a more assistive role.

2. In the world of Boku no Hero Academia there apparently isn’t such a thing as quirk less hero. However i believe this is just old fashioned prejudice. If you actually look at some of the main villains such as the Stain, or even hero’s like Nighteye, then you see people who use their quirks to assist their fighting but not define or dominate it. Mirio has went through some pretty intense training, so wouldn’t it be possible for him to continue hero work?

3. There is a mixed bag opinion over Mirio regaining his quirk. But I believe there are several ways this could be handled.

The most obvious is Eri gaining control of her quirk and reversing the drug effects.

Another is the quirk enhancing drug which is used in the arc where people’s quirks are enhanced. If Mirio’s quirk isn’t completely gone and is only muted maybe the enhancer could bring his quirk back for short bursts?

The third is the possibility that the drug he was shot with isn’t permanent. Overtime his quirk slowly comes back.

A lot of people seem to feel these predictions are copout’s and would cheapen the story and Mirio’s character arc. However I feel that it would be interesting and would add to the lore of this universe if done right. The thing is as well, he’s only 18 and to lose something so important is incredibly tragic. I get it, i know it’s the point of the whole thing.. but still.. maybe as compromise he gained his quirk back with slight changes in duration for example?

4. The worst case scenario. He hangs up his cape and Lemillion steps down forever. I really, really don’t want to see this. It would be such a waste for the character, and a betrayal. I mean I truly believe he could have his own series. This guy is a main character on his own!

These are the predictions I’ve seen floating about. However like most I feel that there will be people who wont be satisfied no matter the outcome.

Any thoughts? Do you think there is a better way to write it? What do you think of this character?

Let me know!

As for now I’ll just leave this here to cheer us all up!

[ghiblisprite88]

Mind over Matter

To say that society let science get a bit out of hand would be an understatement; between the constant strive to find cures for terminal illnesses or splicing DNA for “top secret” projects it was hard to figure out where exactly it all went wrong when scientists decided to play god. As a result of failed projects and outbreaks of viruses that took over the human population, there was only one option for survival and that was what all creatures do to survive...evolve. After years and years of evolution, there were some that were born just little bit extra different that couldn’t fit in with normal society. It was these individuals that were hunted down by the military or worse to be used in wars or as more science projects.

A small squad of men with heavy artillery guns was scanning the alleys of old Chicago on a mission to find a girl they had gotten a tip about from some “concerned citizens” who had seen her display her abilities recently. The girl had nearly been run over by a semi truck but she had stopped it by putting up a barrier around herself stopping the truck in its tracks demolishing the whole front end in front of a lot of people. The girl had panicked and ran off afterward. The squad was dispatched from a military compound outside the city; known for its shady activities...anyone who entered usually never left besides their soldiers.

Running down the alleyways she knew like the back of her hand; Ash ran until her lungs were burning. Once she could no longer hear the men following her she stopped to catch her breath; she scanned the area around her for a place to go, peeking around the corner of the building she hid behind she could see the men just beginning to walk down the alleyway she ran down. Trying for calm she looked for options and chose to run down the alley she was in and then blend into the crowd on the main sidewalk. Stealth was a skill she was proud of; slipping into the crowd seamlessly once she reached the end of the alley and headed toward her home as long as no one interrupted her along the way.

Feeling confident those on her tail were left far behind she slipped into her apartment building checking over her shoulder as she ascended the stairs to the third level where her apartment was located. Everything sounded the same as she drew close to her apartment; even her neighbor Mrs. Cramer was yelling at her tele about a character in her drama being a trifling cheat, bringing a small smirk to the girl’s lips. Drawing her keys from her pocket the girl opened her apartment and eyed her apartment for any disturbances before shutting her door and locking it. Not a thing was out of place, breathing a sigh of relief she tossed her keys into a bowl by the door and peeled her jacket off and hung it up before heading to her kitchen to get a much-needed caffeine fix. It was a close call that day; she knew they would send someone to look for her after her display a while back, but what was she supposed to do let the truck hit her and kill her? She didn’t even know she could do that to a truck her abilities had been minuscule in their usefulness thus far until that day. Not to mention afterward she suffered a pretty epic nosebleed from the exertion. Sighing she leaned back against her couch and closed her eyes; her muscles were very displeased with the strain put on them from running, but it wasn’t anything a hot shower couldn’t fix and maybe a pint of ice cream. With her eyes still closed she was starting to nod off until she felt a disturbance...something wasn’t right she could feel it; the energy around her felt overly charged like there was something coming and she had a feeling it was for her. Jumping up she pulled on her shoes getting ready to bail as soon as she found out which direction her attackers were coming from, her only warning was the deep rumble of a chopper above the building and then men dressed in black breaking through her windows off of ropes. Grabbing her door she was unlocking it faster than she ever had in her life.

“Ash Maddox! You are being detained by order of the city of Chicago’s threat council.” A man assumed to be the general of the group said as he stood in the middle of her living room.

“W-what?”

Ash didn’t have time to process that she needed to get away she knew these military types were from that side-show lab where people were taken and never returned; turned into science projects for the government or whatever she wasn’t going to be a part of it. As she started to bolt out of her door she was shot with an energy burst gun; dropping her in a twitching heap rendering her defenseless on the floor in the hallway. The soldiers crowded her and picked her up not all to gently before headed back to her broken windows where the ropes to the chopper were waiting; struggle as she might she was weak sauce against these men and they were armed to the teeth while she was barely able to resist against their strength. Panic took over and she felt herself seizing up; her body was still jittery from being hit by the energy gun which was only used for stunning people but wow it packed a punch. Digging her heels in the carpet as she might she was still easily dragged along; a soldier cuffed her hands behind her back and picked her up like a sack of potatoes before clipping his harness to the rope to be hoisted up; Ash struggled and kicked but it didn’t seem to phase the soldier at all.

Seeing the street below and the people standing around recording her being kidnapped was not how she expected her day to go; nor the lovely treatment of being tossed on the chopper floor when the soldier reached the top of the rope. Ash was grabbed by another soldier and tossed into a small holding space and as charming as the small four by four space was she was not happy about it. Glaring at the soldiers didn’t really do anything to help her situation but she didn’t want to keep her eyes off them for even a moment. Options were limited on what she could do to get out of her situation; not like she would know where they were going or how much ground they have covered while she sat in the holding space.

A soldier squatted in front of her little-caged area pulling down his mask only to reveal a very nasty smile that had a cold chill running down her spine. What did they want? Who even where they and threat council her ass she had done nothing to garner such hostility she had only protected herself from being hit by a truck.

“Well, Ms. Maddox now that we have a moment; do you plan on being civil and speaking.” He sneered.

“I haven’t done anything to be kidnapped for so you can start by explaining yourself.” She spat. “Oh on the contrary Ms. Maddox; you destroyed a semi truck in the middle of the street with plenty of witnesses to testify what they saw.”

“The truck was going to hit me! Should I have just let it mow me down? What would you have done?!”

“You see Ms. Maddox it's not about what you did; it's how you did it. An ability like yours is quite valuable and such a valuable ability must be protected and utilized by the proper authorities don’t you think?” He chuckled darkly.

“I’m not going to be a dog for your sick scientists or you're messed up military goons.”

“We’ll see about that because as far as I can tell you have no one that will be missing you or coming for you, maybe you should think about that a bit before we arrive.”

The man pulled up his mask again and moved away from her line of vision. What a prick. Ash pushed herself as far back as space would allow her; the metal was thinner toward the back, it was cooler than the rest of the area she was in...chewing on her lip she formulated a plan. Was she strong enough to withstand the mental strength it would take for a fall that high up? She was going to have to risk it; closing her eyes she tried to focus on how she was going to implement her plan of punching a hole through the weak spot of metal and bail hoping they wouldn’t open fire on her as she fell. Making quick work of her cuffs she rubbed her wrists before eyeing the soldiers to see if they were watching her. Night had fallen before long and she could feel the temp drop from that high up; it was now or never. Using her mind she built a barrier around her to muffle any noise she made...the soldiers would be able to see through it like it wasn’t there but that's what she wanted, bringing her hand over the weak point of metal it didn’t take too much power to punch a hole big enough for her to fit through. When no one was looking her way she slipped through it and crawled to the railing under the chopper; they were moving quite fast and she had a feeling no matter where she decided to fall...it was going to hurt. The wind was whipping at her hair and stinging her cheeks as she looked for a suitable area to drop. When they were going over a heavily wooded area she let go and formed a barrier around herself to protect her from being shot and hopefully her fall too.

Inside the chopper, the barrier disintegrated and the air pressure change threw off the chopper before the pilot got it right again, the general looked into the holding space and cursed to high heaven as he opened the side door of the chopper only to see his catch free falling. Grabbing the machine gun attached to the chopper he opened fire towards her, bullets soon ricocheted off her barrier but she was growing weak and wouldn’t be able to hold up the barrier for much longer. Ash could already feel blood running from her nose; wiping it away with the back of her hand she cursed as the trees grew closer and closer the impact was going to suck. The barrier was starting to waver and if the searing pain now running through her side was any indication the general had made a shot, pain burned through her making her pull on any strength she had left to minimize the hit of the impact, she crashed through the trees and hit a few branches going down before falling into a heap on the ground amongst the leaves. The chopper became a distant noise, but Ash was sure they would be on their way back to scout for her.

“Shitty landing but overall I’m not dead yet,” Ash mumbled to herself smirking.

Moving proved to be more than excruciating but she couldn’t stay still for long if she wanted to survive, her little daredevil escape would be worthless if she got caught by those soldiers. Assessing the damage done; a few ribs felt broken but she could handle it, thanks to the ever so forgiving branches on the way down. The bullet hole through her side was a bit alarming; pulling off her t-shirt she tied it around her waist to put pressure on it over her tank top...which just felt wonderfully painful.

“Fuck!” Ash hissed as she finished tying the knot and staggering to her feet.

The nosebleed had lessened thankfully; probably since blood was seeping out elsewhere. Ash trekked through the woods careful not to leave an easy trail for them to track her with, thank you girl scouts for that lesson. She came across a stream; stepping over some rocks she walked from rock to rock in the water until she spotted a few rocks piled up over a hill. Thankfully the moon was providing adequate enough light for her to see where she was walking without falling face first in a pit of snakes or something, the piled up rocks proved to be an abandoned bear den...crawling inside she moved all the way to back of the den. Old shedded fur was still laying everywhere; it was probably abandoned a while ago as there was no indication of recent activity in the tracks in the dirt. The chopper sounded above as it was circling around no doubt trying to spot her with night vision or something. After holding her breath for what felt like hours the chopper finally seemed to leave the area...probably to go back for reinforcements in finding her...lovely. Ash was feeling her strength seeping out of her...she was losing blood fast but there wasn’t much she could do about that at the moment and her broken ribs were making her wheeze. She had to admit though that there were worse ways to go than in a bear den...better than being sliced and diced by scientists any day. Ash was starting to lose feeling in her fingers and toes from the cold night air, her consciousness weaving in and out as she laid propped up against the rock wall, wheezing as her chest ached from broken ribs. How long had she been lying there now? She wasn’t sure...not until the early morning hours shone cobalt blue through the opening of the den. Not being very coherent she was numb to the sight of black booted feet making an appearance at the opening of the den, she could hear talking but couldn’t hear anything like her ears were muffled, she was scared but could barely move at all even as the boots entered the den and got closer to her. Looking up she couldn’t even see the face that belonged to the boots just a dark silhouette of a man.

“Shit this is bad. SEND IN SUGA AND JIN NOW!”

More shadows moved into the den...Ash feared the worse, were they soldiers from the compound or what? As two of the shadows moved closer she tried to move away only to let out a strangled noise of pain as fresh blood seeped from her side and out her nose too. Warm hands held her still as she wheezed through the pain.

“Shit this isn’t going to be easy to fix here; we need to get her out of here. Radio Hope to bring the ATV down here Kook this is serious.” Jin commanded.

Kook left the den to see V waiting for him radio already in hand; calling for Hope to bring the vehicle down to the stream with blankets. Inside the den, Jin was digging in his duffle of supplies until he pulled out gauze and tape to at least try to hold off her bleeding to death. Suga worked on untying her shirt around her waist, an unintentionally strong tug jostled her making her groan before she started to tremble.

“Shit, Jin I think she's going into shock.”

Jin was quick about his work and replaced her shirt with gauze and tape to seal the wound temporarily, he took off his jacket and wrapped it around her before grabbing an IV bag and inserting the needle to the line into her arm and taping it. It wasn’t much but it would help her until they got to their compound. The sound of the Atv was welcome as Suga and Jin carefully picked her up and walked out of the den, they had to lay her across the back seat and secure her with straps while everyone else either sat on the wheel wells or the back of the ATV on the way back to the compound. Ash was delirious at this point; too much blood loss and weakness making her oblivious to what was going on around her. The men drove through the woods like they knew the place, which technically they did before they drove down a hidden ramp leading into their compound. The men were met with two others holding a gurney; Jin and Suga got Ash out of the ATV and on the gurney where she was immediately wheeled away.

“Take her to ops now. Someone go tell Rm we found her. Suga let's wash up.” Jin ordered.

Jin and Suga followed the men with the stretcher who were Jimin and a young recruit by the name of Bambam. Once in the ops room Jin and Suga washed their hands and dressed up for surgery...it was looking pretty grim for the girl on their gurney but hopefully she was strong enough to pull through. Jimin and the recruit transferred her from the gurney to the op table; Jimin already working on gassing her and before long her unfocused eyes closed as she went under. Jin and Suga shooed the guys out before making quick work of her clothes; cutting through them with scissors until they could see all the damage done. A wide bullet hole on her left side a bit high looked like it had missed any major organs, her wheezing was worrying as they would have to x-ray to see the extent of how many ribs were broken and they needed to give her blood quickly. Suga took over hooking her up to a blood bag; while Jin got to work checking out the bullet hole...lodged in a rib was the bullet it had folded in on itself in an abnormal way, he held it up for Suga to see.

“How the hell did that happen?” He asked.

“She had a barrier up...it slowed down the shot but had to have been too weak to stop it. Look it didn’t melt the metal nearly as much as a normal shot would.” Jin handed the bullet over to Suga to look at.

Jin worked on sewing up the damaged tissues with precision before stitching her up and bandaging her securely. Pulling his moveable x-ray machine over he got a few shots of her chest and sides before going over to his computer to assess the damage to her ribs. Two on both sides were broken; mostly from one of the nasty hits on a branch as she fell through the trees. None were too close to her lungs so they were not worried about perforation. The men cleaned her up the best they could before putting her in a scrub gown and having Jimin and Bambam set her up in a room to recover.

“Think she will make it?” Suga asked Jin.

“Who knows...she's pretty banged up. The military is going to be looking for her no doubt, but we can let RM  worry about them. I’m going to check in with him now, keep the youngsters away from our patient until otherwise told.” Jin said before leaving for RM’s office.

Their compound oddly enough was an abandoned military one they found from the anti-terrorists days; it was pretty deep underground with thickened walls that made it nearly impossible for satellites, night vision or even thermal imaging to find. When Jin arrived he found RM pouring over maps and biting the end of his pencil as he concentrated.

“Think too hard and you’re heads going to explode.” Jin joked.

“Ah Jin; I heard recovery was a bit troublesome...what's the status on your patient?”

“A bit rough I won’t lie. She was using a barrier as she fell...but got too weak at the end before hitting the trees. Had a bullet still lodged in one of her ribs, it's been removed and she’s been stitched up. Maybe three days and she should wake up on her own, she slightly went into shock on the way here. I’ll give her a few more bags of blood before she wakes. Do you think she is the girl you were looking for?”

“Really? I mean you saw just like I did how she blasted a hole through that chopper and free fell, no one but Kook could do that but she didn’t use strength I felt her mental signature...she’s strong but only for short periods of time it seems. We’ll have to help her tap into that power better. She’s the one I’m sure of it.”

“You know the military will be looking for her; they are not likely to give up easily.”

“Already on it...I sent Mark to scout out the area for any info about any squads looking for her.”

“I’ll let you play strategic leader; I’m going to my room if you need me or something happens to my patient let me know.”

RM only grunted his understanding as he still poured over his maps; Jin gave him a small smile as he left to his quarters. The halls were mostly empty; walking by the common room he could hear the guys retelling the recovery story to the others.

“I thought she would be dead for sure the way I saw her fall out of the chopper; took me a while to find her trail but when I did...oh man it was thick with blood and fear. She crawled into a bear’s den and hid in the back with the old fur when I found her it was bad...blood pooled under her and she was barely even awake. Good thing we had Jin and Suga there or she would have been a goner for sure. But to punch out the back of the chopper like that it was sick!” Kook was retelling the story.

“How did she do that? Is she like you?” Youngjae asked.

“Nah she's something else uh what did RM call it?”

“Telekinetic Kook she used her mind to do stuff.” Jimin supplied.

“No shit! Dang, that's tight.” Jackson was excited.

“So she’s like Mark then...is he going to train her then?” Bambam asked.

None of the guys knew so they just shrugged. Jin continued on his way after that...who was going to train her, would she even want to stay? Jin’s quarters were pretty decent; everyone had a decent sized room to themselves with a queen bed, bathroom attached and closet for clothes. The ceilings were lined with a rope of lights that kept the rooms lit to the owner's desire, low or high it could be controlled remotely. Jin kicked off his boots and disrobed before walking into his shower to wash away the day; then he flopped on his bed staring at his ceiling. What was going to become of this girl they saved?

It had been four days since they had brought Ash into the compound; Jin was slightly worried as he checked her vitals, everything read fine but it seemed her mind may have taken a stronger strain to it than they thought. Every now and then the lights would flicker as he observed her, it gave him hope she would wake soon her powers already reaching out to her surroundings. For safely precautions RM had appointed Mark to stay on standby until she woke; which usually consisted of him just sitting in the room with her.

That afternoon Mark could feel a slight probing at his shields on his mind; she was coming too. Ash opened her eyes and blinked a few times until she could see clearly; she was laid in a bed that was propped up so she was in a near sitting position. A hospital bed? Did she go to a hospital? The room looked like one until her eyes fell on a man sitting in the corner of the room, fear took root in her chest as she took in his appearance. Lean face with high cheekbones, silvery hair parted down the middle long enough to almost touch his ears, silver earrings hung from his ears, his dark eyes looking up at her from the book he was reading. Then she heard it...his voice in her head.

“Relax Ash you are safe here. I’m Mark, I’m going to be looking after you. First thing is first let's test your memory ok. Do you remember what happened to you?”

Ash was shocked to have someone speak to her through a telepathic link but she was also thankful for it because she doubted her voice would work and her throbbing ribs weren’t encouraging.

“Yes...sort of. I was being collected by the threat council...I escaped out of the chopper and fell.”

“Do you remember what happened after that?”

“Bits and pieces...then nothing.”

“You were injured pretty badly; you took a bullet from the machine gun...your barrier wasn’t strong enough to stop it but it slowed it. You took a pretty nasty fall through the trees before crossing the stream and finding a bear den to hide in. Do you remember any of that?”

“N-n-no.”

“That's alright you probably hit your head pretty good. Our doctors took good care of you here, a six-hour surgery got you patched up as best as we can, we can't fix your ribs they have to mend on their own. I’m going to call in my commander to come to talk to you; are you ok with that?”

“W-w-why am I here? Where am I...this isn’t the compound is it?”

Her voice was fearful and Mark felt bad for her, she was doing her best to keep a neutral face on but her mental voice was riddled with fear.

“This is a compound but not the kind you think; we are all gifted here Ash...no scientist here and no military here. RM will be in here shortly...I’ll work on getting you some food and water in the meanwhile.”

Ash took in the environment she was in, she could sense she was underground but she couldn’t gauge how far down. The room was white one white with tiled floor in a light gray; she was in a scrub gown covered in a blanket and she had an IV in her arm. Patting herself down she was thankful she still felt normal. A light knock on the door brought her attention to the door; a tall man stepped through bowing his head slightly as he approached and gave her a big dimpled smile. Thick rimmed glasses rested on his nose; his eyes a warm chocolate brown, his hair a shade of chestnut brown and tan skin. His aura was open and friendly helping Ash relax a little bit he didn’t pose as a threat yet.

“It's nice to meet you, Ash, I am RM; Namjoon is my name but I prefer RM. I’m sure you have questions and I intend to answer them all to the best of my ability; however, first I would like to address why you are here.”

Ash gave a slight nod of her head to tell him she was following him.

“You were being collected because your ability had been reported to the threat council. I was aware of this and anticipated a way to intercept the chopper that collected you; yet surprisingly you escaped all on your own, I was thoroughly impressed. It was unfortunate how injured you became but you’re here and that's all that matters. We have brought you here because we are all gifted and we are part of a movement to end the experimentation and misuse of gifted people and fight the government if needed. We are hoping you will join our cause and fight alongside us. We will train you so you can control your gift better and perhaps even enhance it...we have many individuals here that are all different yet we have a common goal...to end the mistreatment of people like us and live freely.”

Ash couldn’t talk yet...her throat was far too dry and her ribs throbbed with every breath so she had to use her telepathic link to speak to him.

“RM sir.”

RM jumped at first but a smile soon spread across his lips as he looked at Ash waiting for her to continue.

“Thank you for helping me; I was in a tight spot and probably would have died without your help. I can’t talk just yet...ribs are a bit painful. I have a feeling this is the only safe place for me at the moment so yes...I’ll stay for now.”

Ash gave him a weak smile. RM was pleased, however.

“I’ll have Jin come in and check you over; he is our resident doctor along with Suga. They are the ones who really did most of the work in saving you. If you get the ok from Jin I’ll have one of my men show you to your residential room. Don’t push yourself too much; when you have healed we will talk about training...until then minimal usage of your ability.”

Ash nodded as she watched RM leave her in peace; shortly after Mark returned with a tray of food and water as promised. He wheeled over a table and put the tray on it for her and lifted the lid; beef roast set on the tray steaming with mashed potatoes and green beans on the side.

“Your mind is busy when you sleep just so you know; you kept craving this while you slept. Jimin made it for you, thank him later if you like it.”

Mark gave her a knife and fork to use...her hands were too weak to hold them. Mark offered to help her but she shook her head and instead focused her mind to cut it up for her and feed her pieces of everything. Mark smiled as he took a seat in the chair that RM vacated. Jin walked in shortly after with a surprised smile on his face; he wasn’t used to seeing someone feeding themselves with floating utensils it was kind of spooky.

“Hello, Ms. Maddox I am Jin. RM told me to stop by and see how you are doing, mind if I run a few tests?” He asked kindly.

Ash shook her head no and let him get started while she still fed herself. He grabbed a blood pressure cuff and tested her pulse, satisfied it was strong he moved on to checking her reflexes and again he was satisfied. Her ribs were still quite tender to the touch so he prescribed her some pain meds to help her ease the pain and advised her to not exert herself for fear of worsening the broken ribs. After all his tests he announced she was good to go to her new room and get situated. Mark found her some clothes that were borrowed from the guys in the compound...clearly, she was the only girl in the compound currently and she would have to make due with what was available for clothing. With Mark waiting outside she wobbled on her legs but was able to get dressed in the grey sweatpants that were too big for her so she had to use her ability to roll up the hem to fit her better. She also used her ability to help her into the white t-shirt so as not to hurt her ribs anymore than she had too, the shirt was rather large too and hung off one shoulder. Someone had provided her with some house shoes so she slipped them on before walking over to the door a bit shakily and knocking on it to let Mark know she was ready. He was quick to open the door and offered his arm to her to use for support.

“I did enjoy that roast...may I thank...Jimin was it? It was quite delicious.”

Mark chuckled but nodded as he led her toward the kitchen; the compound was rather large Ash noticed and she was a bit out of breath when they made it to the kitchen; although she blamed it on her current condition and not being out of shape. The kitchen was bustling with two guys prepping food and cleaning dishes.

“Jimin! Come here, dude.” Mark called.

The man that was prepping food looked up and Ash felt her breath catch; he had raven colored locks that layered around his face just above his ears, chocolate brown eyes, full lips and soft features. He walked over drying his hands on a towel looking at Mark curiously.

“Jimin meet Ash Maddox. Ash this is Park Jimin our chef of sorts.”

“Nice to meet you Ash; hope you enjoyed the roast.” He smiled and his eyes turned into crescents making it difficult for her to keep her train of thought.

She tried her voice but only ended up coughing and then groaning as she sank to her knees from the pain of her ribs. Jimin was quick to help her to a chair at a table and grab her something to drink, Mark retrieved her pain meds from the room and giving them to her. A light sweat broke out on her forehead at the strain of trying to breathe properly through the pain.

“I was trying to say thank you for the food it was great. Fuck this hurts.”

Jimin jumped from her for a second before looking at Mark who nodded at him; she was indeed telepathic and Jimin was surprised she was able to talk to him that way. Collecting himself he put on his smile and sat from across her.

“You’re very welcome. Glad you liked it. You should probably go get some rest though you're getting ghostly pale.” He smiled.

“I promise I won’t pass out here. I just wanted to say thank you to the chef.”

Ash smiled but didn’t chance to laugh like she wanted too; the pain was starting to ebb away but it was constricting how well she could breathe so she rested for a few more moments trying to regain some strength.

“You’re welcome here anytime you want; if you get hungry just call for one of us and we will help you out. That guy there washing dishes is Jhope...he's the one that drove you here. He's sick behind wheels. Both of us man the kitchen mostly with help from Jin too.”

“Thanks...I’ll keep that in mind. I better get going so I don’t pass out in your kitchen.”

Ash smiled and looked to Mark who was already offering his arm for support; he led her out of the kitchen and down a few halls until he stopped before a door. Opening the room; Ash was greeted by a nice comfy looking queen bed, the lighting was set on low so it was dim in there and the bed was just calling her. Mark led her to her bed and helped her to sit down; he put her pain meds on the nightstand and moved to her bathroom to get her a glass of water and set that also on the nightstand.

“Can you lay down on your own?” He asked her.

Carefully Ash pulled back the covers and tried to lean back but it hurt more than she was willing to admit; Mark sighed as he used his mind to help her lean back carefully and cover her up. Once situated she was content.

“If you need anything you can call for me; also like Jimin said you can call on him or Jin. Don’t suffer if you don’t have too ok so don’t hesitate to call any of us. You can meet the rest of the guys tomorrow.”

“Thanks, Mark. I’ll keep that in mind.”

Mark left her lights on low so she had some light to see before he left shutting the door after him. Ash stared up at her ceiling...never would she have thought she would be in a place like this. With others that were like her, who saved her and cared about her like she was a real person. Not many people knew she was different and anyone who did find out would immediately turn hostile toward her or cut her out of their lives forever. Made for a very lonely life growing up; she was never quite sure what happened to her parents as she was raised by a grandparent until they passed away when she was still a pre-teen and now here she was in her 20’s doing everything as best she can on her own. Getting collected by the council had not been included in her plans for her life but she was glad she had found this compound with other gifted people. If only her ribs would stop throbbing so much so she could sleep some more, that was all she wanted at the moment. Moving around as little as she did prove to be far too much for her weakened state.  

The following day she struggled to get up but eventually succeeded and got a hot shower before dressing in some more borrowed clothing. After checking her reflection she pouted at her pale complexion, she looked sick and she hated that. Easing out of her room and down the hallway she remembered her way to the kitchen; the sound of dishes and sizzling of food had her stomach immediately growling. Using the wall for support she made her way into the dining area; chatter was going but stopped as soon as she was seen. Jimin who was cooking over a grill looked up at the sudden silence and beamed when he saw Ash.

“Good Morning Ash. Take a seat and I’ll get you some breakfast.” Jimin called.

Ash could feel her cheeks burn...the sudden attention on her was uncomfortable. A young man got up from his seat and approached her; immediately she braced herself in case he was a threat. He gave her a reassuring smile displaying his bunny-like teeth, his brown eyes bright, his dark brown locks a bit messy like he had been running his hand through it. His smile never faltered even when she regarded him carefully; he simply gestured for her to take his seat at the table. Ash was nervous but walked slowly to the table; using the table for support as she sat down gingerly. Other men sat at the table that she didn’t recognize and they all had curious gazes on her. The man sat down next to her with a smile on his lips again.

“Since we know who you are we’ll introduce ourselves. I am Jungkook. At the table here is JB, Bambam, Jinyoung, and Youngjae.”

Ash nodded her head as she looked around the table giving them a polite smile. Jimin soon bustled over with a plate of food for her and juice to drink; her stomach growled in hunger making the men around the table snicker.

“Eat up Ash before your stomach eats you instead.” Jimin joked before returning to the grill.

Ash took a few bites to calm her ferocious stomach; everything tasted amazing. The juice was cool enough to ease the dryness in her throat and she could already feel some of her energy returning.

“So Ash what do you think of our lair.” Bambam laughed.

Trying again she tried to speak but nothing would come out; frowning to herself she sighed before opening a link to all the men at the table.

“It’s actually pretty cool. Kind of like a post-apocalyptic zombie movie feeling. I can’t talk yet I think I messed something up. Where do you guys get this food it's amazing.”

The looks of shock around the table had her dropping her fork; feeling uncomfortable she looked away from them all. Did she mess up already? Weren’t they all gifted as well? Did she make a fool of herself? Jungkook was the first to collect himself chuckling.

“Now that is cool! What else can you do? Can you like control people with your mind or something?”

Ash shook her head; the rest of the table seemed to return to normal as well and the chatter started up again. Ash ate the rest of her food and spoke to the guys at the table when she had an interest in whatever they were discussing. Jungkook was laughing at a joke when he looked over at her and his face fell.

“Ash you’re bleeding.”

Ash grabbed her napkin and touched it to her nose; sure enough, she was bleeding...she was overexerting herself again. Cutting the link to everyone she kept the napkin to her nose, her head starting to feel a bit dizzy. Mark had just made an appearance when he saw Ash starting to sway; thankfully Jungkook was quick and caught her shoulders before she could fall.

“What happened?” Mark asked.

“She was just eating and talking with us...like in our heads, then her nose started to bleed and now this,” Jungkook explained panicked.

Ash was leaning heavily on Jungkook, her head was spinning and she felt like she was sinking. Mark kneeled down to her level and looked her in the eyes...they were unfocused. He sighed as he thought of how much Jin was going to give him an earful about her condition.

“Kook help me take her to the infirmary...Jin’s going to be pissed but she needs attention.”

Jungkook nodded quickly as he easily picked her up; she groaned in protest because of her ribs but Jungkook couldn’t do any better than be gentle with her. Her head was getting too heavy for her to keep up, looking at the ceiling as they went she watched light after light pass over her. Jin was not happy when Mark entered the infirmary and Jungkook laid Ash down on a bed.

“What happened?”

“She overdid it is all; she had a link open with five people at once,” Mark explained.

“We were just eating breakfast and were chatting when I saw her nose start to bleed, is she going to be ok?” Jungkook asked concerned.

“Don’t worry about it Jungkook she will be fine after some rest. Go ahead back to the others I got it from here.” Jin gave the young man a small smile.

Reluctantly Jungkook left. Mark waited for Jin’s orders. Jin looked over Ash; her complexion was a bit pale and was proof that she had been pushing herself too much. Blood still ran down her nose but it was a weak flow, he grabbed some paper towel and wetted it with some water before he started to clean off the blood from her face.

“Ash? Can you hear me ok? Don’t use a link just nod or shake your head.”

Ash nodded.

“Good. I want you to stay here with me today; you pushed your mind too far and you are too weak at the moment to handle that. I’ll give you something to help you sleep.” Jin was gentle as he checked her vitals.

Ash nodded again...sleep sounded good. Jin sent Mark away and gave Ash an injection that quickly put her in a deep sleep. RM appeared later on asking about her condition.

“What's your opinion...is she going to be alright?”

“Yea she will be. Her ability takes more from her than she realizes...she had a link open with five people at once. Imagine what she could do with more training? We need to help her build up her body and mental strength.” Jin sighed.

“Good thing I have two of the best doctors around then huh.”

Jin gave him a smile. RM left to attend to business. Jin was strict that no one was to come to the infirmary unless it was serious, he kept a close eye on Ash all day. When she started to look more like herself with a nice color to her skin and her vitals were stable, Jin carried her to her room to let her rest some more.

Ash awoke in total darkness...something she didn’t want to admit to but she was scared like deathly afraid of the dark. Panicked she tried to feel around her to figure out where she was; feeling the blankets she knew she was in a bed but wasn’t sure where she was. Try as she might she couldn’t get her bearings and it looked like there were shadows moving about around her; fear took hold and she screamed internally not aware she was broadcasting to everyone in the compound through a link. Ash fell off the bed the throb of her ribs stealing her breath; she crawled to the wall and felt along it until she found a corner and huddled into it too fear-stricken to move anymore. She could hear running footsteps growing near; her breath caught in fear...had she been collected by the council while she was sleeping? Was she going to be sliced up by the scientists now? She screamed again through the link tears running hot down her cheeks. The door to her room opened and light filtered into the room; the beam of light landing on her but she couldn’t see it with her hands covering her face, her breath shuddering out of her. The footsteps drew near and then a gentle hand touched her shoulder; she jumped looking up with tear-blurred eyes.

“Shhh you’re alright; take a deep breath.”

“D-d-dark...s-s-shadows…”

“It’s alright I’m right here, nothing can get to you here.”

Jimin was crouched down beside her with Jungkook looking on over his shoulder. The soft timbre of his voice seemed to be relaxing Ash and she was able to collect herself. Jimin was purposely slow in his movements so as to not spook her further; he gently grabbed her wrists and helped her up to her feet.

“Let's get you to the kitchen and get some food in you ok?”

Anyone who had been in the hallway made themselves scarce as Jimin led her out of her room and down the halls to the kitchen with Jungkook in tow. RM had arrived shortly after Ash had been sat down and given a glass of water; Jimin busying himself in the kitchen cooking up something for her to eat. How long had she been asleep? Her stomach was growling its displeasure loud enough for everyone to hear it. RM had taken a seat beside her giving her a bit of time to calm down more.

“Are you feeling better now?” He asked after he felt she was ready.

“Sure. I think I’ll be fine now.”

“Are you aware that everyone could hear you screaming?” He asked carefully.

“Huh?”

“Ms. Maddox you were screaming through a link with everyone here in the compound. Thankfully Jimin and Jungkook were closest to you and found you. Can I ask what had you so scared?”

Ash felt her cheeks burn; it was embarrassing to admit she was an adult and still scared of the dark. Looking down at her lap she sighed before answering.

“The dark.”

“The dark? What is it about the dark that scares you so?”

“Shadows.”

Ash refused to look at him her embarrassment burning her cheeks before his eyes. RM gained understanding and patted her shoulder in comfort.

“We will make sure to take better care in the future.”

“Here you are Ash, nice and hot be careful.” Jimin smiled as he sat down a plate of pancakes.

Ash wanted to just tear into the pancakes but she had company so she ate politely instead making sure to douse her pancakes in syrup. Jimin sat down across from her with Jungkook beside him; RM watched on as she ate. He felt partially glad she was gaining her strength back and yet a bit unnerved by how she could open up to everyone in the compound, what if someone outside could have heard and pinpointed their location?

“Jimin, Jungkook...change in plan. You two look after Ash for me; Mark is needed elsewhere for now.”

The two men nodded slowly unsure about the change.

“Ms. Maddox rest easy please. Jin will have all our throats if you don’t heal properly. I will send Suga by to look you over.”

Ash nodded with a mouthful of pancakes. The men sitting across from her snickered to themselves. RM left them on his way to find Jhope and have him do a perimeter check for anything suspicious should her link scream have been heard by council scum. Finding Jhope working on the ATV in the garage; RM peered under the vehicle at the man.

“Don’t touch a fucking thing!” Jhope called under the ATV

“Why not? It's not like I would know what I was doing anyway.”

“I’m not sure what's worse your natural affinity to break things or your lack of control over your wind currents that tear up my garage. Whats up anyways? The girl alright?”

“Yeah she’s fine...she got spooked waking up in the dark not sure how she got there. Jimin and Jungkook are going to take over looking after her. But since she was broadcasting I want to ensure no one else heard.”

“Fine, I’ll go. Send Mark out too, in case we find spies.”

RM nodded before leaving Jhope to his ATV; spotting the organized arrangement of wrenches on a table. RM picked up one and the whole thing fell to the floor with a loud crash, Jhope cursed as he hit his head on the ATV.

“WHAT DID I FUCKING SAY DON’T TOUCH ANYTHING WHY IS THAT SO HARD!”

RM dropped the wrench in his hand and sheepishly left the garage. Jhope cursing him still as he picked up the wrenches.

Ash finished her pancakes and sighed content. Jimin cleaned up her dishes before offering her his arm for support to go back to her room. Jungkook walked ahead and turn the lights on dim much to her delight; Jimin helped her sit down on her bedside. A light knock at her door revealed a thin dark haired man with a face of soft features and distinctive cat-like looking eyes.

“Ah, Suga just in time. Want us to step outside?” Jimin smiled.

A short nod from the man and the two others stepped outside. Suga walked over to a chair in the corner of the room bringing it with him when he sat before Ash. His features registered in her memory making her blurt out.

“I remember you. In the den...you helped me.”

“That I did. I’m surprised you remember anything from then, you were pretty far gone when we got to you.”

“I think when I realized you all weren’t there to hurt me I could relax. Thank you by the way; I heard you and Jin had to surgically remove the bullet from me and stitch me up.”

“It would have been a shame to let such a courageous woman die like that. You were courageous but also foolish for what you did. It could have failed and you could have been in worse shape you understand?”

“Yes. I had to risk it though...anything was better than being a science project.”

“Well, we are passed that now. Let's get a look at you and see where you are healing wise.”

Ash nodded but was instantly embarrassed because she couldn’t get her shirt off without help, plus she was sure she would be scolded if she used her mind to do it so she looked at Suga sheepishly. Surprisingly he smirked at her in understanding and helped her. Grabbing his stethoscope from around his neck he checked her heart and breathing, there was some rattling but he would sum that up to the restrictions of her ribs still healing. Her vitals were good. Removing her bandages he could see her bullet wound was healing nicely enough for him to remove the external stitches. His biggest concern was her inability to use her voice just yet; perhaps her vocal chords had been severely agitated or damaged only time would tell. Suga felt around her throat, the valley by her vocal cords proving to be rather sensitive making her wince. Helping her put her shirt back on he called for Jimin; who poked his head in from the door.

“I need your gift,” Suga stated.

Jimin looked at him puzzled as he walked into the room with Jungkook close behind. Suga helped Ash up and had Jungkook stand behind her as support while he directed Jimin.

“Use your water to first cool the inflammation on her vocal chords, then on her rib cage, there is more inflammation that is impairing the healing process. Careful though not too strong. Jungkook...hold on.” Suga said in a bored voice as he waited.

Ash wasn’t prepared for what was about to happen; Jungkook had a gentle but firm grip on her shoulders letting her rest her weight against his chest which felt solid against her shoulder blades. Jimin’s demeanor changed as he squared his shoulders...his chocolate eyes turning a turbulent ocean blue as he moved his hands in smooth circles collecting water before her eyes from the air. She could feel the air becoming dry as he pulled the water molecules from it, with a decent sized ball of water the size of a small melon collected between his hands he walked up to her. Uncertainty had her swallowing thickly before reaching up to Jungkook’s wrists for something to hold on too.

“Relax Ash he won’t hurt you,” Jungkook whispered.

Watching Jimin stop only a few inches away from her she was not prepared for the cool feeling as he lifted his hands up to her throat; the water stretched between his hands like putty. The water was cool but not frigid, after a few moments she felt the ache in her throat dissipate and her vocal chords felt immensely better.

“Nice Jimin. Now the ribs.” Suga directed.

Jimin was totally focused as he pulled back his hands; Jungkook released his grip on her shoulders and laced his arms under hers bringing the hem of her t-shirt up with him to just under her breastbone as he resumed his grip of her shoulders making her gasp. Jimin seemed too focused to notice the pink tint of her cheeks as she looked away. His hands separated the water mass in two and used his hands to focus the water masses over her broken ribs indicated by the still bruised skin. She hissed through her teeth as the cool water touched her skin, everything was still tender. Her body was tensing from the sting and a small line of perspiration started along her forehead, gripping Jungkook’s forearms for support she opened a link to Jimin.

“J-jimin can you hear me?” She asked.

“Yes.”

“N-not so focused on the inner ribs, please. H-hurts. Try lower to the bottom ribs.”

Jimin followed her directions. The relief from the focused areas making her relax a small bit, she closed her eyes to focus more on the soreness in her ribs to help Jimin pinpoint where he needed to go.

“Better?” He asked sweetly.

“Tons. Can you warm it up a bit I’m chattering my teeth.”

He laughed through the link but obliged and warmed up the water temp to help her out. Soon the bruises looked to be fading and the tenderness of her ribs relieved. Suga watched with a hawk eye as Jimin worked, he wasn’t privy to what was said between the two but he could tell she was directing Jimin where he needed to go. Might come in handy later on with patients. When Jimin finished he stumbled a moment before his eyes returned back to their chocolate color, Jungkook released Ash and she tested her arm range now and was happy to not feel any pain from her ribs. Clearing her throat she got a whispered Thank you out for Jimin who beamed at her.

“That was impressive I won’t lie. I will have to let RM know about this, Ash you might be more valuable than you realize.” Suga mentioned before he weakly waved and left the room.

Ash looked at the guys for an explanation but they just shrugged. Jungkook whistle behind her when he saw the huge scar from the bullet she took, Ash flushed and yanked her shirt down properly. Jungkook chuckled.

“No need to be shy I didn’t mean to come off that way, your scar caught my eye. I’ve got tons of them. Each with a story and now you have one too.” He flashed her a big bunny toothed smile.

“Kook has a thing for scars.” Jimin shoved the younger playfully.

“You two are pretty close then huh. Is everyone like that here?” Ash asked in a whisper.

“This fool and I are only close because we come from the same city, plus he's lost without me.” Jimin jabbed.

“I’m the lost one? Yeah, right your ass would have been squashed tons of times if it wasn’t for me you water brained mochi!” Jungkook shot back.

Ash laughed for the first time since she got there and the sound caught both guys by surprise making them smile in return.

Mark and Jhope had split up to cover the perimeter quickly; luckily they found no sign of anyone. However, they had seen patrols from the threat council compound a few miles away from their perimeter. Something to report to RM, wouldn’t be long until they had a run in with them. RM was not happy about the news but he knew that the council wouldn’t give up that easily; especially if what Suga had told him was anything to go by. They had to protect Ash and help her strengthen her gift. Her ability to create links so that she could project her feelings or thoughts or who knows what else were amazing and the council would surely exploit her and use her for nothing good that was for sure.

A few days had passed and now Ash found herself sitting on her hands and knees with sweat dripping down her face; Mark walking around the large sparing room without so much as a flush to his skin in exertion.

“You’re going to have to try harder than that Ash. You have it in you...embrace it. Follow your instincts and you will persevere.” Mark directed.

Easier said than done. She huffed as she got to her feet again a bit wobbly but still up. Closing her eyes she built up her resolve before attacking Mark again with a focused ball of energy he had taught her how to do. He easily dodged, of course, nothing ever comes easy when sparring. Ash braced for his impact as he darted around her shots, she threw up a barrier around herself and he collided with it bouncing back a few feet.

“There you go. Make it tighter, stronger, leave no gaps.” He smirked.

Ash jumped back from him and launched more shots at him which he dodged firing his own at her, she had formed a barrier around her arm like a shield and deflected the shots as she ran away from him launching more at him. The almost excited smile on his face was a bit disarming but she didn’t let down her guard, Mark was sneaky she realized and his mental shields were too tight for her to get a read on him. He promised to teach her how to do that as well at some point. More shots were fired at her that she deflected and as she ran she fired more tumbling away from incoming shots. Mark slung an energy ball at her that wrapped around her feet and tangled her up as she fell; she braced her arms for an impact but it never came, peeking her eyes open she was shocked that she was in midair just hovering. Mark walked over whistling as he took in the sight.

“Well, that's new.” He deadpanned.

“How do I get down?” Ash panicked.

“Um...I don’t know.” Mark tried not to laugh at her predicament while rubbing his chin.

“It’s not funny Mark what if I get stuck like this?”

“I mean Jungkook could always yank you down.”

“AND BREAK MY FACE!”

Mark didn’t even try to stop his laughter as he doubled over. Ash crossed her arms defiant and pouting at her problem. V came in strutting up to them silently as he swung a gun around his finger playing around.

“Whatcha doin?” He asked.

Ash yelped and fell to the ground in a groaning heap, Mark laughed even more before he gave V a playful shove. Ash got up grumbling about rude men never thinking before they do things.

“Ash here just discovered a new trick. Thanks to you she’s grounded again.” Mark jabbed.

“Glad I could help. Are you two done? I wanna practice some shots before dinner.” V asked still swinging his gun around.

“Yea I suppose. Ash go clean up you’re a mess.” Mark commented before sauntering out of the sparring room.

Ash was seething; Mark had developed a fondness for picking on her and pushing her buttons that he was succeeding in very well. Huffing as she left the sparring room stomping to her room; V chuckling to himself as he set up some targets to fire at. Walking down the hall fuming Ash wasn’t aware of Jungkook until he ran up behind her and grabbed her up in a hug, she yelped and then the hallway fell in darkness making her panic, her body tensing in his grip.

“Ash? Ash calm down it's me.” Jungkook instantly tried to calm her down.

The lights flickered before turning on again; her rushing heart trying to calm itself down. Jungkook patted her on her back after he had set her down, she gave him a weak smile.

“You look rough, what has you so bent out of shape?” He asked with a smirk.

“Mark!” Ash spit out his name.

The name alone was enough for Jungkook to get the just of the issue. Ruffling up her hair he walked with her the rest of the way to her room after she got in he said he would see her at dinner. Ash jumped in her shower so fast it was embarrassing how gross she felt, the hot water washing away all her hard work in the sparring room leaving her refreshed and clean. Changing into some actual clothes that Jhope was so kind to go find for her, she sported a pair of fitted jeans with a large long sleeve in gray the hung off of one shoulder giving her an almost childish look. Her hair was rather long so she twisted it up in a claw clip and slipped on some vans before making her way to the kitchen. Just about everyone was there already seated, Jimin was manning the kitchen as usual with Jin as his partner cooking up something that smelled delicious. Jungkook patted the seat next to him excitedly kind of like the kid he still acted like. Ash took her seat next to him and was instantly handed a plate of food by Jin who was complaining she didn’t eat enough. Jungkook was snickering behind his hand as were a few other of the guys sitting at the table. Ash scrunched up her nose and glared at her plate; it wasn’t her fault she couldn't pack away the food like they could she was smaller than they were and didn’t need that much food. Once everyone had their food and drinks; conversations started up and soon the room was full of laughs and good mirth. Ash was sure to eat well while Jin was staring her down, he was never happy with how little she ate but she ate until she was full no more than that.

The room quieted down drawing everyone’s attention to RM at the head of the table. He had a serious face on and the atmosphere in the room had goosebumps running up her arms, it couldn't be good news.

“As you, all know...the council dogs have been trying to find our compound for ages now. Many of you have run into them on your patrols. Jhope had uncovered some troubling news...they are using gifted in their ranks now, but they are hollow like and seem to be being controlled somehow. This is cause for us to be on our toes and always alert when we patrol, I don’t want anyone of you being taken in. Team up, buddy system, whatever it takes do not leave anyone alone ever. Gear up anytime you leave the compound no exceptions.” His voice was strong with command.

There was mumbling among the men; looks of uncertainty crossing their features. All of which making Ash feel guilty; the council was only out looking for her and could quite possibly cause all of the trouble. Was she really worth the risk they were putting themselves in?

“Stop that right now. You know better than that.”

Ash looked up to see Mark giving her a pointed look.

“I can’t help it; what if something happens because of me?”

“That is a gamble we are willing to take and you know it.”

“Still.”

“You are a part of this group Ash...we watch over our own.”

Jungkook nudged her shoulder breaking her link with Mark; she looked over to him. He was already grinning like an idiot at her.

“Whats up you sick or something? You gonna barf?”

Ash shoved him playfully making him snicker. RM was called away to go manage some recruits. After a bit people started to head back to their rooms or go do their chores. Ash collected dishes off the table and took them over to the sink to start washing them.

“You didn’t have to do that doll we could have gotten it.” Jhope beamed at her.

“I don’t contribute enough around here let me help.” She smiled back.

Jimin was soaking some pots on the stove while he watched the exchange. Ash wiped her hands off on a towel while the dishes washed themselves thanks to her gift; Jimin was sure he would never get used to that. Jhope was a beaming ray of sunshine giggling about the dishes washing themselves.

“Guys it’s not that big of a deal. I did stuff like this all the time before I was being collected. Although I have to say it was a lot weaker then...surprisingly I’m getting stronger at it.”

“Must be that crazy training Mark is putting you through.” Jhope laughed.

“Crazy is right! Geez feels like a man of steel marathon. But at least I’ll be in shape right?” She beamed.

“Just do us a favor and don’t push past your limits, don’t need the nosebleeds everywhere.” Jimin chuckled.

“Hardy har har. Because I totally do it on purpose.” She snarked.

Jhope excused himself since he was on patrol that night. Ash made herself useful and helped Jimin finish cleaning the kitchen before they sat down at the dining table with some sodas. The room was still with them being the only ones left, the silence wasn’t awkward thankfully just peaceful.

“Are you worried?” Jimin asked.

“About the council...yes. I want to do something but I’m weaksauce right now.”

“I think you are stronger than you know.”

“I’m sure the council has stronger foes for me than your dirty dishes.”

“You know what I mean smart ass. Have more faith in yourself.”

Ash pouted as she sipped on her soda. She was starting to get a bit tired of being treated like the newbie by everyone, she wanted to prove she was capable and could look after herself. With resolve, she finished her soda before thanking Jimin for dinner and she headed back to the sparring room.

Thankfully it was empty, targets still lined up against the far wall with tons of bullet holes in them from V. Ash stood in the middle of the room and relaxed with some deep breaths before working through some exercises Mark had taught her. With her eyes closed she opened up her mind and used her ability to feel everything around her, she could feel the dimensions of the room and everything that was in it. She put up a barrier within the whole room so no one would be able to enter without her access. The ceiling was high in the room like an aircraft hanger; focusing on her position she gradually started to glide up in the air. Upon opening her eyes she could see she was nearly at the top of the room, a small smile played on her lips. Maybe she wasn’t as weaksauce as she thought. Returning to the ground hovering a few feet above it she then tried her hand at making multiple energy balls at once and launching them at the targets V had so helpfully left out. An array of different sized energy orbs floated around her as she zeroed in on her target of choice and launched them all at it disintegrating the target. Elated was hardly enough to describe her happiness in herself, she didn’t want to stop there. Next, she tried lifting up items far too heavy for her to lift on her own, channeling her inner Jungkook with his super strength. She picked up a large pallet of crates letting it float in the air; setting it down carefully she returned to the ground herself and released the barrier.

There was a commotion in the hallway; Ash ran out into the hallway watching as men were running from place to place orders being shouted out. What was going on? Ash searched for Jimin and opened a link.

“What's going on? Did something happen?”

“Ash where are you?”

“The sparring room why?”

“Bambam and Jhope ran into Council dogs and were captured while on patrol. RM wants everyone to report to the kitchen. Mark is on surveillance in case the dogs try to find the compound.”

“Will he be alright by himself? Shouldn’t someone help him?”

“Mind yourself, kid, I got this under control,” Mark interjected.

“Wow is that Mark too? Just hurry here ok? RM is getting antsy.”

Ash ran through the halls until she skidded into the kitchen area, the table full of anxious looking faces and RM looking tense. He was afraid of something happening that he didn’t expect a sneak ambush to happen and so soon. Taking a seat next to Jungkook; Ash looked at Jimin who sat across from them, he looked worried as did everyone else.

“Well, are we going after them?” JB said a bit agitated.

“Of course we are. We need to make a plan first. This isn’t just a simple recovery mission we have to think about the best way to minimize anyone else being lost you understand?” RM said leaning his palms on the table.

“I say we make teams and attack in full force,” JB suggested.

Alarm ran through Ash that was like handing themselves over to the council.

“Wait!” She exclaimed.

All eyes turned to her making her swallow thickly.

“Think about it if you attack full force then you will be playing into their hand, what if they only captured the two to lure you out? Haven’t you been working so hard to keep from being found? Why not have a dummy team go instead...let me be the decoy. They want me anyways and what better way to find out where Bambam and Jhope are but get inside the compound to search for them.”

“Absolutely not!” Jin was the first to jump up.

RM put a hand on his shoulder to calm him; he was thinking over the idea. Everyone waited in silence. It was risky but thinking about it was tempting, as far as the council knew she was still barely able to use her gift, she had improved since then and would do better should things go wrong.

“RM you can’t be seriously thinking about this? It would be foolish to throw her to the dogs.” Jin grumbled from his seat.

“Jin...we must consider our options. Would you like your infirmary full to the brink or have our boys safely home?” RM said calmly yet his glare was icy with agitation from the whole ordeal.

The room was silent as RM thought about his options; what was he to do to minimize casualties and get his men back? He wasn’t too worried for Bambam; as airheaded as he seemed at times he was the wildest of them all being able to tap into a beast that lived within him making him a raging humanoid beast with immeasurable strength and the anger of a volcano all in one. Jhope could use any electricity around him natural or not and manipulate how he needed, his men were trained and had been through enough tests with Mark to pass any kind of torture that messed with their minds. It wasn’t physical by any means just mental but the effect was the same where the men became hardened. Could Ash handle the same tests?

“Please RM...let me do this.” Ash stood firm eyes locked on his waiting.

“This is an opportunity to see the extent of her ability.” Suga yawned looking bored by the meeting. 

“I know I am not the only one who has felt a change happening, besides surely we wouldn’t send her alone that would be foolish...so who is stupid enough to volunteer?”

Suga slouched in his seat lazily looking around the table. V raised two fingers in a salute before his pistol was swinging around his finger like a toy that wasn’t loaded and potentially dangerous. Suga raised an eyebrow at him; should have been obvious the trigger-happy foolish earth gifted man would volunteer. It was a tie between what was more dangerous his sharpshooting skills or his ability to control how the ground around him moved or in some cases opened up and swallowed people whole never to return. Jimin sighed but he raised his hand as well, Ash’s eyes wide as saucers.

“Jimin what do you think you are doing! No, I can’t risk you getting hurt. They need you here--”

“I am not letting you go alone. Especially with a wild card like V you need someone to keep him in line.” Jimin’s mental tone was final and left little room for her to argue.

She looked around her for anyone who could help her talk him out of it, then Jungkook sighed before raising his hand.

“If water brain is going I will too.” He seemed annoyed but the look of mischief in his eye said otherwise.

“Jungkook?” Ash whispered.

“I guess that settles it. You four will be the dummy team, get Ash inside find our guys and bring them home. Destroy whatever you can before coming home.” RM seemed tired as he directed. “Hash a plan and run it by me in the office.”

With that RM left the room with the rest of them looking at each other uncertain of what to really do. Ash turned on the guys she had grown so fond of, she didn’t want them to risk themselves for her and she was more than ready to handle things on her own if she had too.

“What the hell was that?!” She ground out through clenched teeth.

“Settle down princess; as cute as you are even you cannot take on the council alone. Plus I’m getting rusty I need the practice...my headcount total hasn’t changed in ages I need to add to it.” V gave her a wicked smile sending a chill down her spine.

Barely even touching his mind she could already hear how excited he was for destruction and his excitement at getting to kill council scum. Scenarios running through his head playing like movies in hers, men running from him and him picking them off like flies. Jimin had to shake her arm to get her attention.

“Did you hear me?”

“No what did you say?”

“You are going to need back up and someone to help if anyone gets hurt. Besides with Jungkook with us, there will be no door or person who could stop us.” Jimin smiled.

“I’d like to see them try me.” Jungkook flared his nostrils in a challenge.

What if it wasn’t enough? She could feel Mark trying to probe her mind; she locked down her shields tight rejecting him, not wanting anyone to sense her fears. Ash was worried she had grown too close to Jungkook and Jimin, they were friends to her and she didn’t want to lose either one of them. V was a different case; he seemed very childlike at times or completely maniacal when the prospect of firing off rounds came up. She was leery of him. Sighing in defeat she sank down into her seat again and hashed out a plan with the guys.

RM was not happy with the plan but he was not blind to the fact that the probability of it working was higher than his cons list. V was in charge of weapons and took to checking all weapons, while Jimin was in charge of being the navigator and medic, Jungkook was the brawn and driver for their ATV. Ash’s plan was to essentially to scope out the place before having the guys set up C4 around the place and blowing it up to smithereens. Was she nervous about the plan? Well duh yeah, it involved people she saw as her friends and she wouldn’t be able to forgive herself if anything happened to them.

It was going to be quite the trip to even get within distance of the council’s compound so they planned accordingly. About halfway through the trip, they found a small cave similar to the one Ash was found in; nothing like being all snug and cozy in a bear cave but hey can’t be picky when trekking through the wilderness. Jungkook had made good work of disguising the ATV so nothing would look out of place should anyone be patrolling. Ash had taken to set up a fire while V brought back a few rabbits for dinner. Jimin was setting up bedding for everyone. After Ash finished getting a good flame going she went to help Jimin.

“So um...what are we going to be doing about sleeping arrangements?” Ash asked quietly.

“What do you mean?” Jimin asked while laying out more blankets.

“I’m not sure you remember or not but I’m the only girl in this sausage fest. Do I have to like sleep with one eye open or what?”

Jimin chuckled to himself giving her a smirk.

“Afraid we are going to gang up on you? I thought you had more faith in us than that?” Jimin replied.

“Oh forgive me it's not like every day I go camping with three guys who mind you all have abilities that can or cannot be used against me it's a bit new to me.” Ash snarked.

“No one will touch you I promise. Unless you want them too that is.”

“You seriously just can't say anything without being annoying can you,” Ash grumbled aloud.

“Nope.”

V was efficient with preparing the rabbits and getting them over the fire to cook, Jungkook was nearly salivating just looking at them. Ash had thought ahead and packed a few cans of veggies and passed them around to the guys. Thunder rumbled in the distance and the air changed with the charge of a storm on the way. Ash was a bit concerned about how well the plan would pan out if at all; she was taking a big risk giving herself over to the council and she couldn’t guarantee the safety of her team either.

Jungkook nearly moaned after finally getting to bite into his rabbit; V was fishing out green beans from his can when Jimin brought everyone drinks from the cave. Ash was on autopilot as she kept sweeping her mind around the area for anything; her nerves were bugging her and making her fidgety. Getting a raised brow from Jimin she just shook her head before finishing her food; the rumble of thunder growing closer and closer as the storm built. Killing the fire the guys joined her shortly after, rain fell heavily outside accompanied by flashes of lightning from the cave mouth.

“Hope you can sleep through storms princess; looks like this one will be sticking around for the night.” V teased.

Jungkook was snickering from his corner in the cave getting settled on his small cot of blankets. The urge to cause him mental anguish was high but Ash restrained herself; Jimin nudged her to the blankets he laid out for her before going to sleep on his not far from her. Muttering to herself she laid down; setting up a barrier at the mouth of the cave both to protect them and muffle the sounds of the storm.

“I’m half tempted to leave that one behind in the morning.” Ash threatened.

“He would find us quickly he's sharp when he's on a mission. Jungkook is no different he is kind of animalistic like a Tarzan or something. Nothing gets passed his nose and he almost goes feral in battle.” Jimin said tiredly.

“Band of misfits we are.” Ash laughed.

Jimin chuckled to himself before falling asleep. Ash had a harder time falling asleep; nerves making her antsy and scenarios playing out in her head not working out. Hearing the calm breathing of everyone lulled her to sleep eventually in a fitful sleep.

Waking up the next morning they scouted out their target the compound; it was heavily guarded and everything screamed trap to Ash. There were patrols that seemed to leave the compound every two hours like clockwork; not even touching the minds of the soldiers she could tell some of them were gifted, their faces gaunt and their eyes zoned out. They were like zombies; what had happened to them? Waiting for nightfall the guys took turns resting as they prepared for the break-in; they had found a weak point via the ducting system. Clearly, the council figured people may be able to get in but not likely leave, a bit cocky Ash thought. V was the lead as they carefully snuck up to the building; Jungkook made quick work of the grate and everyone filed into the tunnel, the darkness was not Ash’s favorite part about it but she dealt with it. Jungkook was using his nose leading them to Jhope and Bambam’s scent; the tunnel ran under the floors of the building only grating on the floor above them allowed them to see here and there as they moved.

“Make a right here; I can smell Jhope strongly there,” Jungkook whispered.

Faint noises could be heard from gifted people who were imprisoned there; groans and frustrated cries. They continued down the tunnel until Jungkook stopped; above them was a cell with Jhope inside, Ash opened a link to him but was rebutted with a wall. She stumbled against the tunnel wall; Jimin eyed her curiously.

“There is a barrier up, but I don’t think it’s his...someone has tapped into his mind. I’m going to have to break it down.”

Getting as close to Jhope as space allowed she squared her shoulders before she started to unravel the barrier that was up over Jhope’s mind, she could hear the constant murmuring that was telling Jhope to obey and that he wanted to obey trying to brainwash him into believing he did. Ash gritted her teeth as she unraveled the barrier carefully until she found his conscience in a corner of his mind trying to drown out the murmuring with his hands over his ears. Ash reached out and pulled his arms down so he would notice her.

“Hobi we are here.”

“You can’t be here they said they wiped everyone out. I’m so sorry! I wasn’t strong enough!”

“No Hobi you are strong enough. We are here to get you out of here, do you know where Bambam is?”

“No. We were ambushed and knocked out the next thing I know I woke up here and this guy was messing with my head. Make them stop...the voices make it stop.”

“I will Hobi. Stay with me ok, I need you to be strong for me and be prepared to fight ok?”

With confirmation from Jhope; Ash continued to break the connection that caused the voices sending along with it a power play of her own that would surely give the creator of the link a massive migraine. Jhope seemed to sag with relief; taking deep breaths as he became in control of himself again. Jungkook moved around Ash when she gave him a cue and he picked up the grate pulling himself up through the hole. His muscles flexing as he pulled on his inner strength and ripped open the door to Jhope’s cell freeing the man. Alarms started to go off and lights flashing.

“Well guess they know we are here now.” V huffed.

V pulled out his pistols as he prepared for the oncoming attacks; his fingers wrapping around the triggers ready to fire away. Jimin helped Jhope out of his cell, Jungkook followed his nose down the hallways until he picked up on Bambam’s scent. V picked off anyone that came their way; Ash threw up protective barriers for incoming bullets bouncing them back at the enemy. Jungkook stopped in front of another cell and pulled the door open. Bambam’s small frame was strapped to a table his eyes glazed over. Ash touched his mind and found the same kind of barrier as with Jhope. Growing agitated she unraveled it, but when she found Bambam he was reverted to more of a beast than himself...being a dominant presence she got him to listen to her, implanting the need to fight anyone of the council gifted or not was all she could do. It would take more time later to bring his conscience back to normal and she didn’t have the time to spare at the moment.

“Everyone step back. Don’t look him in the eyes I’m going to let him go.” Ash ordered.

Releasing the straps on the table Bambam instantly started to change, his frame growing and growing until he was a towering eleven foot tall and burly with pure muscle, a wolfish muzzle with sharp teeth dripping with saliva as he readied for a fight. Everyone stared at the floor as he sniffed everyone before howling a bone-chilling howl and taking off out of the cell down the hall where screams could be heard once he came across soldiers. Ash felt for the brainwave signature of the person behind the control on the gifted; Jimin pulled her along as they continued on their way to find their information base to destroy it. Using the signature she followed it back to the person only to receive maniacal laughter.

“I see this little bird has learned a few tricks how cute.” He sneered.

“Who are you?”

“Curious aren’t we? I am the dragon...play while you can you will be mine soon enough.”

Ash fought her rising anger, she followed the signature telling the guys where to go. She would confront this person and take them down even it if cost her life. Taking out soldiers as they went; Jhope regained himself fully and was using the electricity in the building to attack or disable the mobility of doors. The way he moved his arms made it seem like he was conducting a symphony rather than controlling lightning. Jimin had water droplets surrounding him; when an enemy appeared the droplets would thin out into needle-like projectiles and shoot at the enemy taking them down instantly. Jungkook was a force to be reckoned with; he would toss soldiers like tree limbs knocking down groups at a time or would use a solid metal door as a shield for incoming fire.

Jungkook and Jhope continued to release more imprisoned gifted as the others continued on to the man behind it all. V was starting to act funny; he was shaking his head a bit like he was trying to clear his vision or something. Ash eyed him carefully as she put herself between him and Jimin.

“Hey V you alright there?” She asked cautiously.

The ground started to shake around them, his shoulders were hunched up before he stood up straight and they straightened out again when he turned his eyes were glazed over and his face was emotionless. Fear struck her as she quickly threw up a barrier as he raised his pistols at her and Jimin, a bullet nicked her arm but it didn’t cause much damage other than a flesh wound. Hissing she glared at V, Jimin tried to warn her he was a wild card and she knew he had a desire for destruction but she didn’t think he would give in so easily to it and let the dragon or whoever controls him.

“Too easy. How does it feel to have one of your own against you?” Laughed the man in question.

“You’re sick.”

“It could all end if you would just bend to me little bird. You can’t beat me at this game it's too easy, minds are so impressionable.” More maniacal laughter.

Ash grit her teeth as she kept deflecting fire coming from V. Jimin tried to talk to him but was answered with only silence.

“It’s no use Jimin he's under control, I need you to go find the others.”

“I’m not just going to leave you here!”

“Do you want to die here! Go find the others and get out of here. I will handle this. Trust me Jimin.”

Pulling back until they reached a hallway that split into a T; she held up her barrier until she could usher Jimin to go down to the right and look for the others. He was angry at her for wanting to split up but he did it regardless.

“You better not die.” He ground out.

“You either.”

Jimin took off down the hallway; Ash formulated orbs of energy to knock V on his ass and hard. Releasing her barrier for just a fraction of time she fired at him and he took a solid hit to the chest sending him down the hallway skidding to a wall slamming his head against it. Approaching carefully she waited to see if he would wake; he laid motionless on the floor. Disarming him she called for Bambam’s beast; she could hear him crashing down the hall toward her. Pulling the hold the dragon had on V she left him unconscious temporarily. Bambam’s beast came up to her nuzzling her arm, Ash put the command to take V out of the building as far away from the building as possible and not to return after. The beast whined but complied; picking up V with the utmost care like he was a cub. The beast took off down the halls leaving Ash alone; chills ran up her spine she was all alone now and would have to fend for herself. Being on high alert she prepared for anything that might pop out at her; she drew closer and closer to the room she knew she would find the man who called himself the dragon, the building was becoming a mess with wires hanging down sparking, broken drywall laying in bits on the floor and the lights flickering repeatedly.

Using her mind she felt around her for anyone who may be close; she was alone save for the dragon himself, his laughter still echoing in her mind. His amusement was grating on her nerves. Facing the door to the room she knew he was in she prepared a tight barrier on her mind and a barrier around her body; good thing too because as soon as the door opened he fired orbs at her pushing her back against the wall of the hallways. They burned against her barrier; the heat making her breath nearly leave her lungs...she could do this.

“Took you long enough little bird. Now are you going to play nice or do we need to educate you.”  He laughed menacingly.

His face was pale in color with pitch black eyes no irises, his mouth is what creeped her out the most it was sewn shut, the strings pulling at the skin around his mouth when he moved it. He could not actually speak she realized; the sickness of his mind was becoming alarming. He was standing with his arms behind his back in a black uniform like trench coat from what she could see. His dark hair was sticking in all different ways making him even more unnerving than he already was.

Taking advantage of her shock at his appearance he shot off an attack on her mind making her cry out as she stumbled back from the force. His laughter in her head making her clench her teeth through the pain. He was jumping in glee at her pain; he pulled one of the energy guns from behind his back and shot at her, there wasn’t enough time to put up a barrier and she took the hit directly making her fly back on her back twitching from the aftershocks. She did not miss that stupid contraption. This man was clearly insane and laughing at her pain, his black eyes creasing as he smiled and laughed in his head.

“Oooh this is the best, you should have shown up earlier when we were testing the deatomizer. The screams were amazing! Watching as the testers were disintegrating at a molecular level, their bodies contorting on itself as they beg for their lives...gives me chills just thinking about it!” Again he was bouncing about in glee.

Ash glared up at him as she got up again; wary of him as he was clearly unstable. Taking in her surroundings more carefully this time she noticed they were in a command center of sorts. It was empty save for the two of them; yells could be heard and gunfire could be heard from the hallway echoing from who knows where. There were towers of servers that could be seen and monitors all around the room that displayed flickering camera feeds from around the compound.

Hordes of soldiers running and fighting against gifted. Ash threw back a mental attack on the man who called himself the dragon; Mark’s advice to embrace her powers replaying in her mind, giving her a bit of courage and making her numb to diving into his brain and breaking down who this person really was. It was a painful process for both parties; he screeched as she dug past his barriers and picked through his memories, Ash gritted her teeth as she got deeper. His memories playing like movies around her; watching him being a scared boy who didn’t know how to control his power and being abused at a young age, the growing hatred he harbored as he got older developing  to a hunger for power, he wanted to wipe the world clean of non gifted people and serve as a leader of sorts over the world. But his idea of ruling was sick and twisted, he had no regret for the people he hurt who were gifted he just saw them as cannon fodder or collateral not as beings. His mind was leaving a sour taste in her mouth and nauseous feeling in her gut. She learned his name was actually Jiyong, he held his head on the floor as she kept sifting through his mind.

“GET OUT GET OUT GET OUT!”  He screamed.

Ash wasn’t going to let up; disrupting his control he had on gifted in the compound she could see some of them looking around as the fighting was happening and going on the defense against the soldiers who held them captive on the monitors. Digging deeper she could not find even a glimmer of the conscience that would be the good in Jiyong he was rotten through and through, closing her eyes she did what she hated to do but needed to do...she caused an aneurysm in his mind and he fell to the floor limp and dead before her. The compound started to shake and tremble underfoot; she thought of V, was he out? Was he safe? Feeling wetness running down her chin she wiped her face only to see blood...the exertion did not come as a surprise she had done a lot. Stepping over to the servers she produced a USB and downloaded everything she could pocketing it and stumbling out of the command center. Using the wall as support she made her way toward the noise she could hear. Opening a link to her friends she gave them one more command.

“Retreat guys, get out of here. Grab anyone you can and get out of here, the dragon is dead. I can handle this from here. Get out.”

She was met with refusals but she cut the link from them her head was pounding but she would end this here and now. Finding a center point where the hallways connected it she watched as hordes of soldiers headed her way from all sides; she would take them all out and protect her friends. Reaching deep within herself she let go; untapped unstable power being unleashed. It burned like a fire in the center of her chest, letting it take over with the only thought being to protect her friends. Her skin burned with the raw power; her vision whited out as she felt her feet leave the floor and the walls around her crumbling. The whole building shook and started falling apart all around her, soldiers ran in fear but were crushed in debris as they tried. All her anger being unleashed on the building and the people inside it; the discrimination for being gifted, the experimentation on gifted, the hostility for being different all surfacing making her eyes glow as her power took hold bringing the building down on itself crushing the enemy inside. Only a beam of light could be seen shooting up in the sky before everything went dark and silent.

Jimin and Jungkook were safe outside with V and Jhope; the rescued gifted watching on in awe. The compound was destroyed and with it, they feared their friend as well. Jungkook was the first to move toward the rubble, his nose was never wrong he could still smell Ash knew she was still alive.

“V get over here we have to get her out!”

“Kook what are you doing?” Jimin ran up to him trying to pull him back from the rubble.

“She’s still there; I can smell her...I don’t know for how long though.”

A glimmer of hope sprung up in Jimin; V appeared by his side and started to control the pieces of concrete moving them bit by bit, each slab revealing crushed bodies of soldiers. Jungkook picked up pieces of rubble and threw them aside as he searched for Ash, her smell was growing weaker and he was panicking. V removed a rather large piece of concrete and under it lay Ash; her body was in a sorry state, cuts, and scrapes everywhere and a large gash on the side of her head that bled heavily. Jimin barreled passed Jungkook only to cradle her head gently, pulling out a bandana from his pocket to add pressure to the gash. His hands trembled as he tried to wrap his head around that fact that she was still alive.

“We should get her back to the compound,” V suggested.

“It’ll be too risky to move her that far, call for an helio pick up,” Jhope suggested.

V pulled out his radio and called back for a pickup, meanwhile Jimin collected water from the air around them. He was exhausted but didn’t want to risk losing her; pulling on any reserves of strength he had left he used his gift to heal the gash on her head, the gash closing on its own weaving back together. Jungkook was apprehensive too, her scent was wavering and he feared the worst. Kneeling by Jimin he offered as much support as he could as his friend focused on trying to heal her as best they could. It wasn’t long before the hum of a helicopter was heard approaching; everything was a rush after that. Both Suga and Jin jumped out of the copter and rushed over to them in the rubble; Suga being the first to curse as soon as he saw Ash. Jimin was swaying in his spot as he tried to heal her with his water. Jin had to forcefully pull him away; Jin had Jungkook help him gently put Ash on a stretcher and take her back to the copter, Jimin was slipping in and out of consciousness so they loaded him up as well. V took control of the situation on ground level as the copter took off back to their compound, he directed the newly released gifted and offered to give them sanctuary at the compound or they could return to a normal life if they wished.

The copter ride seemed forever long, Jin had set Ash up with an IV and was working his hardest to stabilize her. Jimin was not in much better shape; he laid beside Ash on another stretcher he reached a hand over to her wrist and refused to let her go.

“Looks like we might have to use the chamber...this is nearly beyond us,” Suga grunted.

Jin didn’t have much choice but to agree; they had recovered a chamber from a recon mission of an abandoned compound that enhanced healing with a controlled environment. It had never been tested, however, their options were limited for helping their friends so what better test subjects than them. Upon landing at the compound they were greeted with RM and a few recruits that helped unload Jimin and Ash, a worried frown took over RM's face as Jin filled him in on their plan to put them in the chamber. Taking their two now unconscious friends down into the compound to a room restricted from most in the compound is where they stored the healing chamber, taking scissors they made quick work of the tattered clothing covering Jimin and Ash. Jin fired up the chamber and typed in commands for the extent and strength level needed for healing the two. With the help of the recruits, they were able to carefully lift both Jimin and Ash into the chamber and close them inside it. RM was patient as he waited for Jin to finish the sequence on the chamber.

“What happened?” RM asked.

“I don’t have all the details but I can give you the quick version I did learn. Ash took out a man who was basically the leader. Then from what I gathered from V and Kook, she told them to retreat and the building started to crumble due to her and destroyed everything.”

Suga was going through Ash’s clothing when he found the USB she had pocketed; ignoring the other men he went to his computer and plugged it in, instantly videos of experiments started playing with documents reporting of their finds and names of individuals involved. One video stood out as it was of a man who was bound to a chair; the video was titled deatomizer test 63. He was hit with an energy blast from the gun in question; he screamed in agony as his body essentially broke down at a molecular level leaving nothing but a puddle of blood and bits of flesh in its wake. Silence filled the room, RM was the first one to curse after a moment.

“What else is there? What kind of sick person would create such a thing?” He grunted.

“There are projects for higher powered energy guns, and other potential weapons designed specifically for taking out gifted and nongifted alike. There were plans for a purge of sorts that would eliminate anyone that was ungifted, this guy seemed to want to create his own utopia.” Suga grunted not even hiding his disgust.

“Take what information you can and send it to my computer, I think it’s time we expose the government for their involvement in this and demand our rights back,” RM said as his anger lingered under the surface.

Getting short nods from both Jin and Suga he took his leave. Suga ran a hand through his hair messing it all up in frustration, his shoulders slumping as he looked over to Jin who didn’t look like he was in any better shape.

“Do you think they will pull through?” Suga finally asked.

“I don’t know; I hope so. Kook will kill us if we lose Jimin. I’m worried about Ash...her pulse was barely there when we picked them up...who knows how far she pushed herself.” Jin sighed.

Mark came in closing the door behind him quietly and clearing his throat to let the two doctors know he was there. Giving him tired looks they waved him in. They explained what the chamber was to him and that because of the urgency they put both Jimin and Ash inside.

“Do we even know if this thing works?” He questioned immediately.

“We don’t but we are willing to take a chance on it or we most likely would have lost both of them by now. All we can do is wait.” Jin said rubbing the back of his neck trying to ease out the kinks.

Mark tried to reach for Ash’s mind but was met with nothing but silence, it was unnerving, to say the least. Even when she was unconscious when she first arrived there was still some activity, now there was nothing. He tried for Jimin’s and was met with the same result, it made him uneasy not knowing if they would make it or not.

The men ended up leaving the room letting the chamber do its job; meanwhile, the others had returned later that night with refugees that required everyone to do their part and accommodate the extra mouths to feed and bed. When things finally settled down Kook was still in the chow hall with Bambam and V. Bambam regained himself once he wore himself out and transformed back into his small frame in the middle of the woods naked, he laughs about it now but it was a bit freaky at the time. V doesn’t remember being controlled or anything he did while under the influence of the dragon, just that his clips to his pistols were near empty. Kook had filled him in on it after they got back and he relayed everything that happened to Jimin and Ash afterward.

Days went by as everyone waited for any updates on Jimin and Ash, Jin was closely monitoring the chamber and said that the machine was working it was just a process due to the damage both had received. To say everyone was getting a bit antsy was an understatement; Kook seemed to be going through withdrawals from Jimin, the kitchen seemed empty without his presence. At the end of the week, the two had been in the chamber Jin started to feel a bit relieved as their vitals were stronger now and there seemed to be progress on their condition. Now it was only a matter of time before they were healed.

Jimin could feel a gentle caress on his mind; he knew instantly it was Ash...her mind seemed fragile and uncertain. Reaching out to her mind he sent to comfort and affection through the link; he told of his fears of losing her and his feelings for her he hadn’t been brave enough to admit to her or himself. He wasn’t sure when it started other than that when the idea of her being out of his life at all left a gaping hole in his chest ragged in pain. He wasn’t sure where they were just that he felt warm and almost like he was floating, he had feared they were dead at one point and that everything was just a dream or something. But then he could feel her body next to his; not thinking twice he reached out for her and pulled her close to him, his nose nuzzling against her neck.

“Jimin...is this real? I feel so heavy yet like I’m floating.”

“I don’t know...but I’ll take what I can get.”

“I don’t know how you can love someone like me...I’ve done horrible things, I killed a man...I killed him and who knows how many others.”

“You did what you had to do to stop him, without you he would still be tormenting people and getting a sick satisfaction over hurting us. You did what had to be done, that others were not strong enough to do.”

“My headaches still...I can’t remember everything. I don’t even know how I’m here. Is everyone alright? Did everyone get out? Where are they? V! Is V alright is he normal again?” Ash panicked.

“Shhh everyone is fine, V was fine when the building started to collapse...did you know you did that? Everyone got out just fine and probably waiting on us as we speak.”

“I don’t remember any of that. I don’t even know where we are.”

“I don’t know where we are either; but I know I have you here and that's more than enough for me for now,” Jimin said nuzzling closer to her.

The feeling started to return to Ash’s body the more time they were in their suspended feeling state; with the return of feeling, she realized she was naked and so was Jimin. Heat burned her cheeks as she tried to open her eyes only to be met with a dim blue light surrounding them. Jimin pulled back to see her face; his dark eyes cast in the darkness that drew her in more and more.

“W-w-we’re naked….hh-how?”

“Beats me. Why are you getting shy all the sudden? You were just fine a moment ago cuddling up to me with all these curves and teasing me.” Jimin joked.

“I-It's not funny! Just freaks me out.”

“I’m not freaked out...we are safe here, I kind of remember hearing the helicopter coming for us before I blacked out. We have to be in our compound so there's nothing to worry about.”

Searching his face for any sign he was uncertain; Ash sighed when she found none. They were safe then. Relief rolled off her and through the link, making Jimin relax though he didn’t know he had unintentionally tensed up. Carding his fingers through her hair to move it out of her face he was taken aback by her appearance...it had changed. Her irises had changed color to a vibrant purple, she still had the same glowing skin but her hair had changed to a silver like color.

“Ash...you're beautiful.”

“W-what?”

“Your eyes...they are like amethyst and look your hair...its beautiful.”

Taking her locks in her own fingers she could see it was now silver, when did that happen? Why did it happen? Jimin pushed her hands down so she would focus on him; he was leaning over her with his plump lips just moments away from hers. Caressing her cheek he leaned in and kissed her as he flooded their link with his affection for her, his need for her and his desire to be with her from that moment on. It was so much information at once all she could do was let out a breathy sigh as he leaned further on top of her, needing to feel skin on skin and be as close as possible. She didn’t fight him; she would be lying to herself if she didn’t say she hadn’t felt something for him for some time but was too afraid to do anything with the world potentially being destroyed as they knew it at the time. Jimin’s need was making itself very known by the hardness pushing against her hip making her gasp.

“Tell me to stop now or I won’t be able to control myself.” Jimin groaned into the link.

“Don’t stop.”

Her body was already moving on its own accord, hips rocking against him, hands weaving into his dark locks staring him down as she pulled him closer only for him to cave to his own desire and crush his lips on hers trying to steal her breath away. Like the turbulent waves of the ocean washing ashore; Jimin got lost in the moment, his hands roaming anywhere he could reach learning every curve every plain trying to commit it to memory, storing away every sound she made every sigh every moan. Turning his blue eyes on her amethyst ones they lost themselves in not just their power but each other, the air charged with their desire. Jimin slipped himself between her legs; his patience waning quickly, nipping her neck and dragging moans of his name from her he nearly lost his control there.

“Less thinking more moving!” Her own impatience evident.

Chuckling to himself Jimin bit her bottom lip as he lined himself up with her entrance and eased in slowly growling at how tight she was, what made it even more intense was how Ash passed through the link what she felt. The pleasurable stretch as he went further; the euphoria she was already experiencing from being filled and wanting him to move faster. Was he going to deny her? Of course not; wrapping his arms under her shoulders to hold her tightly he slammed his hips against hers driving into her faster and harder just like she wanted and hitting areas she had never experienced before making her world spin. Ash was beside herself in the flurry that was her thoughts; everything could be felt from his point of view just like her own, every thrust, every groan music to her ears.

“I think it’s time we check and see if they are ready to get out.” Suga drawled as he walked down the hallway with Jin.

“I didn't think it would take this long, to be honest. I’m concerned on how Ash will be; she was very close to the brink of death even after all Jimin had done.”

“It’s not like we are pros with the damn thing yet.”

“I hate worrying you know that.”

“Yea yea.”

Suga pushed open the doors to the room the chamber was stored in; lights flickered on as they entered the room. Jin went over to the cabinets along the wall and pulled out some standard sweatshirts and pants to give his patients should they be well enough to get out. Suga was looking over the readings on the screen knitting his brows.

“What the fuck?”

“What is it?” Jin walked over worried.

“Everything is elevated.”

“Is it malfunctioning or something?” Jin tried to decipher what was happening on the screen.

Muffled sounds could be heard from the chamber but they summed it up to the hum of the machine doing its job. Suga dragged a chair over to the chamber to reach the observation window; Jin tried going through options on the screen to see if he could figure out what was going on. Suga slides back the door to the window and peeked inside; his eyes widened before he shut the door quickly and busted up laughing as he leaned against the chamber holding his ribs.

“What the hell is wrong with you?” Jin asked him with a raised brow.

Suga couldn’t answer as he continued to laugh and Jin started yelling at him for not spitting it out already.

Ash squeezed her eyes shut as she felt the tension in her womb then snap like a rubber band making her walls tighten and flutter around Jimin stealing his breath as he pumped into her faster and harder until he heard her scream as they both fell over the edge.

“Shit! Shit! Shit!” Jimin chanted as he emptied inside her.

He didn’t get a response from her other than the feeling of being high; he collapsed beside her drawing her closer as he pushed her sweat-drenched hair from her face and tilting her chin up for a kiss.

“I can’t feel my legs.” She laughed.

“Good...means I did well then.” Jimin chuckled.

Before they could get too comfortable the mechanical sound of the chamber around them startled them; Jimin instantly got in a protective position in front of Ash as the chamber opened revealing Jin and Suga. Suga was still chuckling to himself and Jin was looking cross at him as the chamber opened.

“How you doin Min? Have a good fuck?” Suga blurted.

Jin blanched as he looked to Jimin and then Ash taking in their appearances and then back at Suga. Then angry Jin appeared.

“You were laughing over that what the hell is wrong with you!” He pointed at Suga who just shrugged then he turned to Jimin. “WHY! IT'S BRAND NEW! YOU COULDN’T WAIT 20 MINUTES!”

Jimin had the sense to blush while rubbing the back of his neck; Ash hid behind his back only looking around his shoulder to see Jin’s flushed face before the man was silenced.

“Ash?” Jin asked.

She jumped at hearing her name; looking around Jimin’s a bit further she nodded to Jin. Suga held up his arm to keep Jin from getting closer and tossed the sweats to the two in the chamber. Making Jin turn around.

“Hurry up and get dressed before we have everyone down here after hearing this idiot yelling.” Suga snarked with a smirk on his face.

“ME! YOU COULD HAVE TOLD ME WHAT WAS HAPPENING YOU SICK LITTLE FREAK!” Jin yelled.

Jimin chuckled as he passed clothes to Ash who quickly tugged them on before waiting for Jimin to finish before he helped her down from the chamber. Padding over to the two doctors; Jin turned around quickly getting up in Ash’s face taking in her appearance.

“What happened here?” He asked picking up a lock of her hair.

“I-I-I don’t know I woke up this way.”

“Would you back the fuck up Jesus.” Suga pulled him back. “Looks like from exerting yourself you either manifested or altered your gift somehow that it affected your outward appearance. Let me get a blood sample from both of you to see what I can find.”

Suga left them to collect some syringes and vials while Jin was looking at Ash like she was an exotic animal or something. Jimin didn’t like the look too well and stood closer to Ash tugging her a bit closer to him.

“Alright, kids hop up on the gurney over here so I can get this shit over with.” Suga patted the gurney on the other side of the room.

Jimin grabbed her hand and led her to the gurney putting himself between her and Jin. Suga was as gentle as he could be with her as he found a good vein in her arm for the syringe; Jimin rubbed her back as he waited for Suga to finish.

“JIN! Get your shit together, get me some gauze and tape.” Suga barked.

Jin jumped before glaring at the younger before muttering to himself as he went to collect the items. Suga finished with Ash pressing the gauze to her arm before securing it with tape; moving on to Jimin who was helpful and already had his arm outstretched for him.

“Do you guys feel any different? Any aches or pains anywhere?” Suga asked all business.

“My head ached a bit when I woke up...I can’t seem to remember a few things. There are a few gaps in my memory.” Ash spoke rubbing at her temple where a dull ache still lingered.

“With as much as you pushed your limits it would be expected you would have some issues with your mind, what do you remember?” Jin asked.

“Um...I found that Dragon guy, I-I-I killed him.” Her voice dropped at the end, Jimin wrapped a comforting arm around her shoulders.

“What else?” Jin asked kindly.

“Telling everyone to get out...then nothing.” She looked up to Jin with fear in her eyes.

“It’s alright. We will take things slow, perhaps you will remember in time. For now take it easy until you are cleared got it?” Suga spoke up.

Nodding Ash watched as Suga secured gauze on Jimin’s arm before tugging down the sleeve to his shirt. Jin took the vials and headed out to the infirmary where their testing machines were; following behind Suga, Ash clung on to the hem of her shirt as she walked beside Jimin.

“I’m sure you two are starved; you’ve been in there for little over a week.” Suga drawled.

“A WEEK!” Both yelled.

Suga covered his ears as he glared at them over his shoulder; the two had the sense to look sheepish. They continued down the halls until they were reaching the chow hall. All conversation ended as they entered all eyes trained on Jimin and Ash, he squeezed her hand as they stared at their friends. Everyone was accounted for and a small wave of relief washed over her. Jungkook ran across the room and tackled Jimin knocking him to the ground like an offensive player.

“Had me worried sick you fucking water brain!” He chuckled as he helped Jimin up. Turning his gaze on to Ash he beamed.

“Look at you looking all fancy with a new look, whoa check out them eyes...nice!” He pulled her into a tight hug as the others gathered around to greet them.

Soon everything seemed just fine; laughs were shared and before long plates of food were pushed in front of Jimin and Ash making their stomachs growl loudly. Taking the time to eat and talk with their friends they finally started to relax that is until Suga spoke up.

“So Jimin you wanna tell everyone what you did today?” He smirked.

Jin still seemed upset about the christening of the healing chamber, Ash was pretty sure they would have to sanitize it for him later. Jimin could feel heat burn his cheeks as he glared at Suga who seemed to be having a field day at his expense. Jimin tugged Ash closer to him as he made everything clear.

“Ash is my girl now so hands off.” He pointed playfully at his friends.

“No that's not what I meant.” Suga chuckled.

Ash couldn’t bear it she jumped up and walked to the fridge to get a refill for her to drink her plate and utensils following behind her in the air distracting a few people. Going back to the table she figured she might as well clear the air and get it over with, setting her cup down loudly she sent a pointed to Suga who was enjoying himself too much.

“We fucked...there happy?” She growled.

If his growing smile was anything to go by yes he was. The guys around them were a mess of hollers of congrats or shock, Ash rustled Jimin’s hair before she left the chow hall a bit fed up with the embarrassment. As she entered the hall she saw Mark coming her way; his look of relief made her smile.

“About time you woke up sleeping beauty.” He jabbed.

“Yea yea gotta keep this face young you know.”

“That's not all you’re sporting a new look too. It's good to have you back.” He hugged her gently like a brother would.

“I was scared, Mark...I didn’t think I could do it.”

He knew immediately what she was referring too; he had taught her how to defend herself but he had also taught her how to kill if necessary. Pulling back so he could see her face he messed up her hair earning a growl from her.

“The first time always sucks no matter the circumstances; you did what you had to do and thanks to you we got all the intel we needed to fight against the government. You and Jimin have missed a lot. RM leaked the videos you downloaded on every facet he could you name it the internet, tv, streaming everything and bet your ass it got the government shaking in their boots now. They have opened negotiations that's where RM is now with Jhope and Bambam, using them as testimonies of the mistreatment of gifted.”

Ash looked up at him stunned; negotiations? Would they be able to return to normal lives someday? Live normally without fear of being captured and used as test subjects? The possibilities were unlimited and hope started to flare up in her chest at the thought of a normal life for herself and with Jimin too. Mark couldn’t help himself as he hugged her tight against his chest; whispering in her ear.

“Ash we owe you everything; you are the hero today. Thank you.”

He let her go and left her in her thoughts as he continued on to the chow hall; a small smile tugged at her lips. Continuing down the hallway she had the biggest urge to get some fresh air; going up to the garage she could feel the light caresses of a breeze coming through. Walking to the door she stepped outside and was greeted with a full sky of stars; the milky way seeming to smile down at her as she gazed at it. The breeze was lightly tugging at her hair making strands tickler her cheeks; a childish glee seemed to bubble in her chest and a smile pulled at her lips.

“Welcome back.” A deep voice pulled her out of her thoughts.

RM was walking up to the garage from the tree line; Jhope and Bambam not far behind and they already had smiles on their faces when they saw her. RM pulled her into a hug; she could feel the tension leaving his body as he hugged her. Guilt had her nibbling on her bottom lip; she must have worried him a great deal and she wanted to promise to never do it again but she wasn’t sure she could.

“You have missed a lot, but I am glad to say we might be able to return to normal lives again soon.” He beamed at her as he pulled away.

“What do you mean?” Ash was confused.

“The negotiations were a pain in the ass but I think things will work out in our favor; I have a few friends of mine who are supporters of our cause working laws and clauses to protect gifted and to keep us protected from the government and give us equal rights to those ungifted. There is the idea of making a gifted only neighborhood or city. There are tons of possibilities now all thanks to you and everything you have done for us.” He beamed at her like a proud father.

Her mind was racing and she had the sudden urge to want to cry; first Mark called her a hero and now RM treating her as one too had her feeling like she should be thanking them not the other way around. Tears tried to well up in her eyes and she looked away from him to Jhope who was giving her his award-winning smile.

“Hey, stranger. Digging the new look.” He chuckled.

Ash willingly walked into his outstretched arms for a hug. Bambam joined in hugging her as well, her tears won and trekked down her cheeks unchecked as her happiness went uncontrolled. A voice called out to them making them all laugh.

“I leave for a week and you all become softies on me,” Jimin called.

Ash detangled herself from Jhope and Bambam going up to Jimin’s side; he swept her cheek with his thumb wiping away wetness from her tears. Giving her a look asking if she was ok she only smiled and walked with everyone back inside.

RM gathered everyone in the chow hall and gave them the good news; he explained how he used the videos of the test subjects being killed and asked the government officials if they would like to explain such things. He also explained how he had shared the videos on every outlet he could and how the public was now aware of the treatment of gifted people and how their very own government had a hand in it. Speaking about the possibility of a normal life returning to them had everyone feeling hopeful. Afterward, Ash left with Jimin; he took her to his room and she finally got to see what his quarters were like. Pretty neat for a guy anyways; his bed wasn’t made and he had a few clothes draped over the back of his desk chair but otherwise it was neat and smelled like him...like home for her.

“What's running through your head?” He asked quietly.

“Honestly nothing...it's all so overwhelming.”

“Hard to believe it all worked out right? What will you do now then? Will you stay with us or move on?” Jimin asked a bit uncertain.

“That's a stupid question...I don’t have anywhere else I would rather be. My home is here...with you stupid.”

“Oh getting haughty now that you think you’re big shit? I might have to teach you a lesson or two.” Jimin growled playfully.

“Bring it on water brain.” Ash quipped.

Jimin tackled her onto his bed making her squeal in surprise before drowning her with his searing kiss making her forget her name with its intensity. Smirking against his lips she thought to herself it might just be worth it to save the world from time to time if it meant having Jimin like this in her arms.

[goldenscript]

rule breakers. (m)

↳ based on the prompt, “best friend’s sibling au” → drabbles

pairing: kim taehyung | reader genre: fluff, light smut warnings: light voyeurism word count: 20,453 description: there’s some unresolved history involving your best friend’s brother... but hey, maybe some rules are meant to be broken. author’s note: i get inspired by the oddest little tidbits, and i swear the word count was supposed to be half the amount you see up there. also, say hello to the longest one-shot i’ve done so far.

You have one of the greatest fortunes to be acquainted with the Kims in your first year of primary education, and perhaps it’s what has led you to one of your greatest downfalls (but we’ll get into that later on).

Your best and only friend at the time -after all kindergarten is the toughest on the shy ones- is a girl by the name of Jennie. She’s lively and outgoing, smart as all hell and knows it, and overall, the girl among the rest of the class. For some reason, ones you spent nights on end trying to figure out with no prevail, she picks you to play with. The moment she locks eyes with you, a wide grin already plastered all over her features, she latches herself onto you and won’t let go, and despite your inability to figure out why, you roll with it like many kids do to enjoy this time with a newfound friend.

It doesn’t stop there either. She actually invites you to her house on a play date, something your mother rejoices in as she had fears that your shyness might bar you from proper social development, and you acquiesce within the two weeks of your budding friendship with the extroverted girl, who seriously can’t fight the grin on her lips at the fact that you’re coming to her house the upcoming Saturday for a day of “fun in the sun” despite summer being another ten months. She doesn’t care, and for once, neither do you. You can’t even deny your own excitement at the prospect either, so you’re content to continue chatting with Jennie about the homework for the week now to avoid worrying about it then.

It’s Saturday in no time, and you’re anxious more than ever to be going to the Kim’s house for the very first time. Your mother smiles as she drops you off, pressing a kiss to your forehead before she waves at you. Her eyes are trained on your figure as you knock on the door with a mild tremor, eyes shifting between the light blue paint and the fern perched beside the door. You barely notice the way the white curtains shift off to the corner of your eye though you barely have time to register it in your brain when the door is flung open--a boy with a mop of chocolate brown locks hanging dangerously close to his eyes and a toothy grin meets your wide eyes.

This is Taehyung.

You remember when Jennie told you about her family, naming him right off the bat as the most annoying, gross boy ever that she loved on occasion when he wasn’t trying to show her the worms in their dad’s garden. He has the notorious Kim grin--absolutely unabashed in joy and ulterior motives beyond the innocence their childlike features could mask, and still so strikingly alike, you were absolutely certain that they were indeed siblings.

Behind him are their parents, Jin and Yuna, a peaceful and passive pair who loved that Jennie made a friend she could jabber about as animatedly as she did with you. They’re kind, smiling at you before turning to your mother. They talk to her while Taehyung cranes his head toward the open hallways, giving a squeaky shout of his sister’s name.

Jennie grunts a “What!” from up the stairs.

“Y/N is here!” He huffs, “Hurry up before she dies of boredom!”

She doesn’t say a word until she bounds down the carpeted stairs with a Kim grin on her lips, already locking a hold on your wrist.

“As if she’d die of boredom with me! Maybe with you, Tae!” She giggles, dragging you along.

You turn your head and give your mom a wave while she utters a “Have fun!” A grin on her lips before turning back to Mr. and Mrs. Kim to exchange another string of words before she takes her leave.

Although her departure slips your mind as Jennie leads you outside, releasing your arm and plopping on the soft green grass with an elegant “oomph!” Her legs are folded beneath her and you follow suit, giggling as Taehyung quickly runs past with complaints on his lips about being the ‘boring’ one though she blatantly ignores him.

“Anyway,” She smiles at you, holding an arm behind her back. “I was taking a long time because I have something for you!”

You blink, eyes wide, “Me?”

She nods, leaning in close and even cupping around her lips, “It’s a special thing for our friendship so you absolutely cannot take it off! I mean unless we stop being friends but we’re gonna be friends forever anyway so yeah.” She drops her hand, looking serious, “No taking it off, okay?”

“Okay,” You nod, still trying to figure out what this thing would be. You and Jennie had talked plenty of times about solidifying your friendship together but it still never occurred to you what it could be. You had a handshake already. Hell, you both hung out at lunch. What else was there?

And then it struck you as she has you stick your arm out, tying a small multicolored band made of rope around your wrist. A friendship bracelet.

You stare at it, still amazed as ever at the intertwining of colors and the way they all suit each other. It settles nicely on your wrist and you smile broadly at her.

“Thank you!” You exclaim, touching the way the reds and blues mingle together, a string of black thrown in there as well. Hers is the same color scheme (though hers is white instead of black), just in a different style. The pattern on her wrist crosses in the opposite direction of yours, and it works when it’s held side by side. You touch the half-inch wide material in awe, “I love it…”

“Good, I’m happy. That’s why I was late!” She says a little louder, glancing at the corner of the garden where Taehyung is look beneath the decorative stones for some new creature. He ignores Jennie, his gaze flickering you for a split second before he pretends to get interested by the dark dirt below.

She shakes her head, turning to you with raised brows. “So, how about we play something?”

You nod, “Okay!”

The two of you decide on an imaginative game where you’re in search of a magical world that can only be accessed through the stepping stones. It’s a place where ice cream is behind the foliage of the trees, waiting to be eaten, a place where each step is carefully calculated, and a place where there are “no annoying brothers” according to Jennie. Taehyung only complains when he hears that, eyes flickering to meet yours though you look away immediately and try to avoid his stepping stone to save his feelings.

Taehyung doesn’t bother you two after that though he does manage to wiggle his way in when you’re both complaining that there needs to be some action in your sudden tale of a prince turning into a monster so the princesses must save him. He pretends to try and throw dirt at you two, nearly whacking a brass wind spinner in the process. The shrieks you and Jennie elicit in response are matched his squeaky laughter, the three of you running around in a frenzy until their mother comes to check on what all the ruckus is about.

She returns to a seen of Taehyung beneath you in Jennie, his small pants trickling out in between bits of laughter as his sister attacks his sides with laughter to get him to release you in your failed attempt to “turn” him back to human. You can’t help but squirm, trying to join in as soon as he releases his hold and already calling for mercy.

You two are triumph, and although he grumbles about losing he can’t seem to deny the happiness in seeing how happy you two are with a satisfied grin. He glances at his mom, waving at her as she laughs at you three, a twinkle flashing in her eyes that none of you seem to notice.

“Come in for lunch, sillies.”

When the day comes to an end -basically 6 PM- you three are exhausted, spent from the day yet still housing enough energy to voice your disappointments when your mother comes to pick you up. She’s happy to see you’ve enjoyed yourself, and even Mr. and Mrs. Kim are happy to see their own kids quite elated from the day as well.

Before you go Jennie gives you a hug and Taehyung gives you a small wave, both of which you return, and as you turn to leave, Mrs. Kim is content to say, “Please come again!” with that same twinkle in her eye as before.

The moments to transpire afterwards meld into more memories where Taehyung integrates himself in your adventures, and in turn, your friendship.

Usually asking if you need a third person or if there’s anything he can do to contribute though Jennie often just as quick to shut him down, taking you by the hand away from his vicinity to continue your game without his intrusive presence. But sometimes -okay, most times- he grows a little more sad about the rejection, his sunny smile fading into a deep pout, and then you’re the one who warms to the idea of incorporating him. If it meant keeping his tears at bay, you were all for it. After all, seeing Taehyung, toothy grin inventor, unhappy was far too much for you to handle. It just never sat well with you. So, begrudgingly Jennie would acquiesce, telling her older brother to stop crying before explaining him the gist of the current scenario, earning the two of you a very sunny smile.

As time faded into weeks to months to even years, you found your time spent at the Kims was no longer in make believe adventures in the backyard but lounging there on an old blanket of Jennie’s as you both tried to do your book reports on S.E. Hinton’s The Outsiders, your budding kinship with Taehyung began to fade as he entered the seventh grade. The bond between the three of you in hour long playing sessions where he begged to join in on were practically rendered moot the moment he brings Park Jimin into the house.

He’s a perky kid like Taehyung, but he’s no stranger to attention and often basks in it whenever it’s given to him. With a mop of dark hair and a charming smiling, he loves to aim it at you and Jennie though nothing comes out of it with the older Kim by his side to drag him away to his room to play a new video game or do homework. You admit he’s cute but you only told Jennie that once, and she agreed, swearing you to secrecy when you nearly toppled over in laughter considering she actually dumped a bowl of water on him and Taehyung on a dare from your last sleepover with Hani.

But it isn’t those things that really strike your attention as the main catalysts to Taehyung’s sudden departure from your trio--.

It’s actually the way he treats you.

Nowadays, he ignores you, avoids your eye contact, and only vaguely flashes you one of his sunny grins. If you’re lucky you’ll catch him in mid-laughing fit with Jimin when you’re passing by his bedroom to Jennie’s or when Mr. Kim tries to crack a pun joke, running a palm across his features along the way. You’d be lying if you said it wasn’t a sight you missed, but you decide to ask Jennie about it one day.

“Does he hate me or something?” You ask her, lying atop her bed with your palms underneath your head.

She blinks over at you, head tilted as she swivels around on her chair.

“Who? Tae?”

You sit up so you can nod, “He avoids me like the plague and won’t look me in the eye. So, what’d I do?”

She shrugs, halting her twirling, “Nothing, I bet. You’ve always been nice to him. He’s probably just going through like puberty or whatever--y’know like Jisoo’s brother, Namjoon. Apparently, he -like- skyrocketed over the summer and his voice is all hoarse like a donkey’s.”

You have to refrain from laughing though you fail miserably.

“Oh god, That’s weird to imagine. Tae’s always had a squeaky voice.”

She shudders, nodding, “I’ll need to invest in a new pair of headphones if he starts sounding like a donkey.” She lets out a small giggle before looking back at you, “But yeah, don’t worry about him. He’s just gotten weirder since he became friends with Jimin.”

You can’t seem to get it off your mind though you’re not even entirely sure why it matters in the first place. It isn’t like he was going to keep playing make believe with you and Jennie forever… you just didn’t think he’d end up forgetting your existence in the process.

But then again, it just brings the thought to mind: why does it even matter anyway?

Taehyung hates that he doesn’t understand a damn thing about feelings and expressing them.

He doesn’t get it. What does he do? Is he even supposed to be feeling these things anyway? He’s only in the seventh grade, so why is his heart doing funny things around you?

Out of all people, he can’t shake you off his mind.

He remembers the way you scrunch your nose when you laugh at something he says (at least back when he actually talked to you) or when Jennie brings up an inside joke between the two of you that no one else would understand. Or the way your smile shines the brightest compared to any star in the galaxy in his book. It’s so contagious to smile or laugh when you do, and even though he avoids making any eye contact with you now, he does so with his back turned, trying not to let it show just how much you seem to get him to feel things so effortlessly.

He’s not sure how it happened, because after seeing you in the house for six years straight, he should be used to these things. He shouldn’t think twice about what you mean to him because what you should be is his sister’s best friend and nothing beyond that. Hell, you should be considered a sister by now, but instead you’ve become something beyond platonic names. He doesn’t even want to say the word--crush, but Jimin loves to say it whenever the four of you are within the same vicinity of the second floor with a shit-eating grin and coaxes to get him to confess already.

Whenever he sees you, there’s a sudden flutter to his organ akin to a heart murmur, but perhaps it’s the murmuring of his own heart yearning to tell you the truth about his feelings because he feels like shit for ignoring you, but dammit, he’s so scared of talking to you and risking his feelings getting revealed. He’s seen what’s happened when people confess in the seventh grade. It ends in two ways--success or failure, but for the most part, the good looking boys score the girl, and he’s most certainly no Hyungwon, and he doesn’t want to risk doing that to you--of all people. Plus, Jennie might actually kill him if he scares you off.

He just… he wishes he knew what to do with these feelings he can’t seem to control or comprehend a great deal. It isn’t like he doesn’t think other girls are cute or pretty, but it seems like you just come pushing through the crevices of his mind and settle back to the forefront with that smile and kindness that makes him a mess.

“Just tell her and get it over with,” Jimin tells him one day.

It’s another day back at his house as his place was always the most fun with his large array of video games and the plenty of open space, and although Taehyung has no complaints to his best friend coming by, he hates having this conversation because he’s always conflicted between blurting it out or keeping quiet until he’s certain it’s finally died down, because feelings do that eventually right?

Chocolate brown locks go flying across his forehead as he shakes his head. He states, “No way. We’ve talked about this before, Chim.”

“C’mon, Tae,” Jimin says, eyes wide and brows slightly furrowed. “It wouldn’t hurt you to get it off your chest for once.”

“Yes, it does. It will...” Taehyung says, turning his limbs away from the boy. “Unlike you, I can’t get girls so easily, especially not this one.”

Jimin’s features fall for half a second. It’s quite obvious to Taehyun that his best friend is only trying to help alleviate his growing issue, but it’s one that thinking about is something he already does… on more occasions that he really means to.

You’re already on his mind, when he was in 6th grade and he had no true conception of a crush, only vague pieces that never really pricked his mind into a wholesome puzzle, he enjoyed all his time spent with you. He was able to play games of catch with you and Jennie. Sometimes even create a new one that the three of you could play altogether. There were other times where the three of you would hang around in the living room during a sleepover, talking about the universe and if aliens existed or not. It was all normal and easy and it stuck with him even after the hours of your usual midday departure.

But now, he can’t look at you without his mind drifting to his newfound realization of romantic feelings. Or just feelings in general since he didn’t know what being a romantic was. He’s only seen Nicholas Sparks movies and that one really good film that the three of you loved called “Ten Things I Hate About You”. Unfortunately, he could not be the Patrick to your Kat or the Cameron to your Bianca. Not even the Michael to your Mandella. He was just Taehyung, your best friend’s older brother.

“I mean… would it really hurt to let her know? Just tell her and even if she doesn’t feel the same way then you can get over her! That could be pretty beneficial, y’know.” Jimin perks up, eyes alight with a glimmer of hope.

It’s endearing, and Taehyung actually considers the possibility. What we would do to just tell you and see what happens… but then it hits him--.

What if you do feel the same way? What then? What’s supposed to happen after you two realize your feelings for one another? Do you start dating? Are you boyfriend and girlfriend already? Again, he has no actual conception of what to do in either situation. Either get hurt and deal with his first rejection or get thrown into a scenario that he is far from being equipped to handle.

And so, he shakes his head again. His eyes trained on his desk where their finished homework lay. He just wishes it was simple again.

“I can’t even do that…” He sighs, “I still wouldn’t know what to do.”

“Taehyung…” He hears Jimin’s voice, soft and a little sad, but he just flashes the older boy a halfhearted smile even if it didn’t seem to reach his eyes.

“I think it’s better I don’t say anything. Maybe the feelings will go away on their own.”

In this moment, a quote from the Outsiders flashes his mind: “I lie to myself all the time. But I never believe me.”  

Perhaps he just hoped the more he said that the feelings would go away, the more likely they actually would.

The next two years pass by quickly, each one filled with a new adventure with Jennie and Taehyung, nothing but soft smiles gracing his lips or a gentle greeting that comes in the form of a flick of the wrist. It all leads to the big announcement at the end of your eighth year in education.

In the midst of planning your next four years in high school with your best friend, the plans are put to an immediate halt when your mother announces that you’ll be moving to a city nearly an hour and a half away for a new job. It feels like everything’s suddenly been put on pause and your heart can’t bear the news when you break it to Jennie, who actually looks like she could start crying if you keep talking about the notion.

The ideas of experiencing high school parties and later curfews seems like a fleeting ideal as your mind wraps around the mere fact that you will no longer be living in this same, quaint town with the same people you’ve known since you were learning how to read and write, some even before that like learning the concept of sharing and manners with them in the year prior to the real, hard-hitting academics. Even if you can’t say your entire experience in this place is perfect, it was the best that it could’ve been through your eyes, and what’s worse is knowing that high school is going to be spent alone without the comfort of your best friend at your side.

The day you tell your surrogate family the news, their downcast faces are fresh in your mind. Yuna gives you a tight hug and Jin gives you one as well. The former imparting her own wise words before you move onto the next stage in your education before you’re moving onto college. Given, that’s only four years away, you take her kind words to heart: “Don’t let the world change you, okay? Whatever you want, you chase for it because what you want will always set you free from whatever boundaries your mind thinks up.”

Jin just grins at you, a bright, pearly set meets your eyes and it immediately strike you how much it reminds you of Taehyung’s, instructing you on how to throw a mean punch if you ever need to, and of course, you make sure to keep that one in mind as well. Who knows when you’ll need either pieces?

Jennie is an absolute wreck. She makes her upset visible and her bleary eyes make yours prick with threatening tears. Your heart feels like it’s being wrenched together and apart like an accordion as she continues to mention all the things you were supposed to do together during high school, all the things you were going to experience together, all the parties, the sleepovers, the conversations about which teachers you hated and loved together, and all the other components that best friends often did during these fours years before college came and took its course on their lives--the ultimate test to the friendship that would determine whether it powers through or falls apart. And now… it’s not possible.

At least not in that way you both anticipated.

There’s no doubt you two would keep in contact —cell phones, letters, social media… it’s all within your reach and at your disposal so there is not any reason to fear for a future without your best friend. You know this; she knows this. And as begrudging as she is to the idea of letting you go, you two promise to talk everyday and, if you can help it, then visit one another during the summer time or during school vacations because it was absolutely necessary to see one another.

“We’ll have a spring break where we go to the beach or something. Maybe you can come for like a month of summer too!” Jennie says, her eyes are glimmering with hope and anticipation among the sadness that still clouds her warm brown eyes.

You nod vigorously, hoping that she won’t start crying again. Once she starts, you might not even hold back either. It’s worse thinking about the actual moving day when you’re sure the water works are going to burst for certain.

“Of course! When our new place is settled and you’re free, you’re visiting me too okay?”

She flashes you the famous Kim smile, at least an attempt of one, before extending her hand out to yours, “Of course! It’ll be the only thing I look forward to.”

You give her hand a squeeze, feeling your heart flutter at the warmth it provides.

It makes you sad that you can’t even take away the pain. This is beyond something that comforting words and tight embraces can fix, and perhaps it’s just something you two will have to overcome for the sake of each other.

“You should tell Tae when you’re moving.” She says softly, “I’m sure he’d like to be there. Not that I wouldn’t drag him over there but it’s probably better he hears it from you anyway.”

You quirk a brow at her, “Would he even care to come?”

“You never know… maybe he’s grown a heart now that he’s in high school.” She gives you a shrug, but your confliction is obvious on your features because she continues to speak, “Hey, he still cares. You’re the one who used to defend him from me remember? He just has trouble expressing himself.”

“Over what?” You ask her, both brows now quirked upward. “I mean what would he need to express. A simple conversation wouldn’t hurt y’know. And for the past three years all he’s done is ignore me or act really awkward around me.”

“Maybe you make him nervous?” She suggests and her usual sarcastic smile isn’t curved on her lips as she says this, which throws you off over all else. Taehyung being nervous around you of all people? You’re hardly anyone should be nervous around--let alone him.

Your eyes narrow and your brows scrunch together, “Ha-ha. Very funny, Jen. But I’ve been around for like nine years already, why would I do that?”   

She lets out a small huff, “Honestly, I have no clue. I confronted him on it like once but he never told me anything. Just that he really wasn’t sure how to be around you. Whatever that means--just… well, you don’t have to tell him, Y/N. I can do it.”

You smile and nod, “Please do. I want to. I do, but it’s always a door to the face talking to him. He barely looks at me, acknowledges me… I mean I’d understand if I actually did something but the worst thing I did -that I can remember- is stepping on that one stone with his friend Mr. Grey!”

Jennie lets your hand go, trying to cover her mouth of the titters leaving her lips, visibly failing, mind you.

“You still remember that?”

You nod, “It might’ve been second grade but I certainly remember making him cry, okay!” Even though it was a terrible thing at that time, you can’t help but smile as your best friend laughs with wholesome giggles.

Even if Taehyung didn’t want to speak to you, and leaving without a word leaves you feeling off and empty like an unnatural and uncomfortable jab to your side. It gives you an ache in your head and heart, because for the past three years, you’ve been ignored by him. And for the past three years, it’s been on gnawing on your mind as to why this might be.

What did you do? You’re certain that it’s nothing. Could you have done something? Possibly, but how can you ever know if he won’t tell you? But most of all, the same question you had three years ago: Why does it matter anyway?

He’s your best friend’s brother. Why does it matter that he’s been ignoring you? If anything, this should’ve been a blessing. Most siblings were extremely annoying like Jisoo’s older brother, Namjoon! He loved listening into your conversations and wouldn’t relent unless you three blackmailed him with that one time he slipped onto his back after one step into a pool that Jennie (thankfully) recorded.

However, he’s far from being like that. He’s always been supportive and quite respectful toward his sister, always the one to drag Jimin away if the older boy was being too flirty though it was in good fun anyway. You and Jennie didn’t mind, but her brother did in that respect. And it was admirable.

Whatever his reasons are, you’re actually quite surprised to see him at your door on your moving day.

He softly asks if you need any help moving, and when he steps aside, you only see Jimin behind him, waving at you while he goes over to your mom to ask if there’s anything that he can move while it appears the brunet entering your home handles the inside.

You nod, pointing him in the direction of the kitchen where all the silverware and the plates are. One of the boxes is still taped up, a few handmade knick knacks placed inside that your mother was still carefully wrapping up before it got stored away inside the front of the care alongside a few other important, fragile items you both wanted close.

He grabs hold of one of the box of plates with as much grace as a baby deer trying to walk. He huffs a little at the sudden weight but his long, gangly arms manage to grapple onto the cardboard material with a proper grip before he’s asking you where you want it in the truck. You follow him outside, giving him instructions on putting it near the front since most of the heavier stuff has already been loaded into the back.

He nods, placing it onto the metal bed before following you back into the house for another load while Jimin is still chatting with your mother about where what goes.

“Where are Jennie and your parents?” You ask him as you finish the job your mother was setting out to do with the handmade knick knacks.

You try not to make eye contact with Taehyung, but the burning desire to see him is all too powerful as your eyes flicker in his direction to find him staring at you.

He blinks away, eyes trained back on the cardboard box on the counter filled with pots and pans. “Um, Jennie wanted to surprise you with something, and my parents said they’d come in a bit…”

“Okay…” You nod, eyes flickering over his figure. His posture albeit terrible from all his countless video game marathons with Jimin finds purchase in the corner of your counter and his fingers are gripping the box so tightly it’s damn near slipping. “Are you alright? I’m sure you could’ve waited with your parents to come or something...”

He nods quickly, suddenly meeting your eyes, “I’m fine… I—uh; well, I figured I should help out. Jimin wanted to also… so… yeah.”

When you nod again, he adds, “It’s no problem anyway.”

“I hope you aren’t just helping ‘cuz your parents are forcing you to…” You half-joke with a matching half-smile. For whatever reason, if being around you made Taehyung that uncomfortable then you certainly hoped that he wasn’t being forced into being around you. You can accept his discomfort, and if it’s that bad then you’d certainly do your best to alleviate it without too many qualms about it.

“No, I wanted- I mean I want to.” He stammers just a bit. His cheeks dust with slight rouge, but you make no comment on it.

You have your own little dust of pink when you feel yourself smile ever-slightly, but try to ignore it enough to nod once again. “Okay, since you say so…” You rise from your spot, knowing that the busy work can wait as you grab hold of a different box with an assortment of bowls before guiding him back to the truck where it appears Jimin is also shoving one of the containers of your mother’s clothes into the moving van.

You follow suit and Taehyung does the same, and the cycle goes on even as Jennie arrives after another hour with her parents with a item behind her back.

Your mother goes over to them with a grateful smiling, thanking them profusely for sending the boys over to help out and for coming on such a busy day to see you off. Of course, they assure her it’s no problem, and that they’re more than happy to stop by and whenever we’re ready at our new home then they’d gladly come by to check it out and celebrate which your mother was more than elated to agree to.

Jennie sneaks over to you, Taehyung, and Jimin perched on the edge of the truck. Her lips are pulled into a grin as she reveals the concealed item from her back and into your lap. It feels quite light as a whole and it takes up a small, rectangular shape in the newspaper wrapping.

Soon enough, you’re tearing into the paper as the onlookers watch around you. There’s hints of red and canary yellow with some black thrown in on the cardboard packaging. The ideas are already pouring in your head at the Kodak reusable camera now unsheathed in your palms. Before you decide to take action you turn to Jennie with a grin on your own lips, pulling the brunette tightly in your arms.

“Thank you,” You tell her, feeling something well up in your chest. It goes upward into your throat and settles in your tear ducts, but you refuse to let it overtake you. If you start, she’ll start too. For both your sakes, you just muster enough of a poker face and turn to the pair beside you, “D’ya guys wanna take a group photo?”

Jennie voices her affirmation and even Jimin’s chorusing with his own ‘yes.’ It just leave Taehyung, and he barely looks at you when you focus on him. Despite him ignoring you these past few years, you won’t deny that you’d like to have his face commemorated among yours, Jennie’s, and Jimin’s after all of this.

He turns away from your expectant gaze, looking at the ground before softly offering to take the picture instead.

The three of you are quick to voice your complaints, but he merely continues his ministration, ignoring the white noise. He’s almost ready to hop off the truck and walk away until you say, “C’mon Tae, I want you in the picture too!”

For whatever reason, it grows a little silent after that, and as embarrassing as it sounds, you refuse to take it back when you mean every word.

He looks up at you, ignoring the look that Jimin and Jennie both have trained on him. He sounds different when he talks once more, but his still slightly high voice is complete with conviction when he says, “Alright. I will then.”

You grin widely at him, taking a seat beside him while Jennie hails one of the adults to your area. That alone halts the adult conversation, piquing their interest as someone begins to talk back as Jennie takes her spot beside you. Yuna appears with curious eyes before you hand her the camera and ask if she’d be so kind as to taking a photograph of the four of you together.

She makes sure to hear the click of the camera before counting down from three and snapping the shot of the four of you perched at the back of the moving van. There are three photos from that day - one normal one of the four of you, a silly one, and somehow the four of you managed to squeeze in together the rest of the adults altogether. Each one you absolutely knew you would adore.

As sad as the day is, you can’t deny how much you’ve come to enjoy it.

How the sun is just right, hanging in the middle of the sky casting a yellow and orange glow, melding together in a swarm of flames that dance lower and lower into the sky as time continues to pass. Although it reminds you of the fact that your time in this town is up, it brings you joy that everyone could gather and spend it all together.

The last of the boxes are soon packed up, and the tears welling up in your tear ducts threaten to come loose, cascading down your visage in waves as Jennie gives you one last squeeze. Yuna even adds in her own set of warmth as well as Jin. You aren’t surprised Jimin does so as well, but you feel another set of arms soon wrap around you that you swear you never thought you would feel again.

Mr. and Mrs. Kim have long seen released you, going to your mother to comfort her with their words and even appease their own sadness of letting go of their own friend. Somewhere along the way so does Jimin and Jennie, but only to look on with curious eyes veiling the wide ones at this sudden form of contact.

You see Taehyung with pink cheeks adorning his too-small face that housed his too big nose. His long, lanky limbs too long and lanky for his still-growing body. And although he’s nothing like the boy you remember in previous years, you can’t deny the warmth he offers you as he squeezes you tight without another word aside from a soft good-bye before Jennie takes you back up in her arms and lets her water works continue to flow.

“Visit soon okay?” She mutters into your ear, causing a small convulsion to wrack your body. It tickles as she continues but you cling to her tighter, “We’ll get through high school together. Me and you.”

You nod vigorously, “We will… Jen… I’ll see you soon.”

The embrace is broken, sad smiles both perched on your lips before you approach Jimin and Taehyung one more time and Jennie’s gone over to your mother to give her one last hug. You glance between them and say, “I know I didn’t say this earlier but thank you for helping and coming out here. I know it’s not the best way to spend a Saturday but I’m glad I got to see you, Tae…”

With an added nod in Jimin’s direction, you continue, “Chim…”

You turn to go, seeing as everyone else seems to be wrapping up their farewells, trying not to focus too much on the push that Jimin sends in Taehyung’s direction.

When he nearly topples over, you’re at his side. “Are you okay?” You ask, eyes as wide as they can get despite the puffiness overtaking them.

He nods, muttering, “Jimin’s just a dummy,” as the older boy walks off in search of nothing in particular, “I- um- I’m alright by the way.”

His voice is soft again, but you just smile and giving him a little room.

“Y/N-”

You tilt your head at him, eyes meeting his in the ensuing twilight, mind completely blank in the possibilities of what he might say next. It’s been so long since you two have last talked. It’s actually been too long since then. The moment you two will finally talk is here, and it’s invigorating to imagine that, because after so damn long you can finally hear him talk to you instead walking the other way or giving you that really awkward tight-lipped smile and flick of his wrist combination.

“I-” But a voice calls your name, and disappointment plunges your heart into your stomach at the interruption. You look at Taehyung with apologetic eyes, hoping he’ll continue but his mouth is clamped shut. “Never mind.”

“Are you sure?” You ask, still looking at him.

He refuses to meet your eyes now, but nods in response.

“Yeah… I’ll -uh- see you whenever. Good luck.”

You don’t press further, no matter how much your curiosity burns,  just flash his a small smile then take your leave to the moving van with your mother.

The scene passes in a blur - you remember waving at all the melancholic faces, sporting your own as well, and suddenly you’re down the highway toward your new home.

His mind swims with too many thoughts. What he should have done, what he did not do, and what went wrong — especially to what broken sentiments his heart is feeling.

You are gone, leaving him alone; and, he never found the courage to tell you three simple words.

“Did you do it?” Jimin asks, returning to the younger boy’s sides the moment the van begins to disappear down the street.

Soon it’s out of sight.

And suddenly Taehyung feels worse than before. The sun’s already gone down and like the warm and light of the burning sun, you’re gone too.

He shakes his head, “No. I couldn’t.”

As sharp exhales exits Jimin’s lips and he gives him a small shove.

“You know you could’ve. You just chose not to, Taehyung.”

The aforementioned dares a glance at the older boy, receiving a disappointed look. He knew he was supposed to, but even just saying it now wouldn’t have been right either. The more he considered it the day Jennie told him you were leaving, he wanted to denounce the idea of telling you altogether.

He was getting closer and closer to just ignoring the mere fact, pretending it never existed like he thought he should before - after all, feelings go away right? And with enough time he’d forget the curve of your smile or the light in your eyes or the way you’d scrunch your nose is amusement whenever Jimin tried to throw a cheesy pick-up line your way.

He still finds his mind plagued with thoughts of you and the regrets he’s had since the moment he acquired feelings for you, because since then he’s treated you as crappy as he could muster without being completely terrible in hopes that maybe he won’t have to admit to it some time down the road. It’s all too much to believe that he still has feelings for you now.

Nearly four years down the road, and here he is - still in awe over your visage and your hard work. All your passion in things aside from boys and what the girl wear -”because who gives a crap?”- and instead all your focus on academics and making sure Jennie’s on track right with you. Even asking him how he’s been despite his prolonged attempt in shutting you out.

Telling you on your last day in town wouldn’t have done anything but confuse you. And if he could help it, he wouldn’t let you suffer through that phase like he did… like he’s still suffering through it.  

“It’s just not the right time, Chim.”

Maybe one day.

You move that summer before high school begins, unseeing the magic of puberty take its course on the young man by the name of Kim Taehyung, yet leaving him in that same dilemma in which he is unable to see puberty take its course on you as well.

The move away from Daegu is a positive one. Busan itself is beautiful and an opportunity to redefine yourself as a solo person. Back there, you were always one half of a dynamic duo, and now you’re free to finally understand yourself and not be clumped with Jennie in case any mishap happens among your peers though it was highly likely it was because of the two of you but that is besides the point--

Your freshman year is spent getting adjusted to a life away from the place you considered home for the past thirteen years. It’s spent getting to know the other first years, trying to establish some form of friendship to make the entire experience bearable. They certainly came considering you were not part of their middle school cliques, but very few actually withstood the passage of time - a boy by the name of Jeon Jungkook, a girl by the name of Rose, and another boy by the name of Kim Yugyeom. Each other of them were kind, sticking by you and even advising you in the ways of navigating the campus whenever you got lost though there were times when the tallest of the bunch managed to get you all on the opposite side of where you were supposed to go, it certainly saved for plenty of stories that you’d relay back to Jennie, who would do the same with her tales about Hani, Jisoo, Changkyun too, and even some of Jimin and Taehyung.

Now that you weren’t around, it seemed that Taehyung had opened up though you aren’t sure how your presence would’ve changed anything either way you were glad to hear him finally speaking up for himself whenever it was granted. He never gave an indication of contact with you. Not even when you called Jennie and she offered to pass him the phone, opting to do homework or excuse him to go out with the rest of the guys, because someone he managed to befriend Namjoon and Hoseok.

Jennie tells you his voice gained momentum, deepening at the start of his sophomore year and his lanky, awkward limbs grew into their own proportions, leaning him up to almost two two meters. No longer soft spoken or quite as awkward, he seemed to find his place among his friends, earning a title as the most daring of the bunch.

It’s surprising at first, but you’re glad that he has finally found a place now.

Your sophomore year is spent with a new array of challenges, but ones that pay off nonetheless. There are things like feelings and boys and some girls and it’s an utter mess. You don’t even know how to feel or what to think so much as you’re certain that you can’t wait for your spring break when you’ll get to have your best friend come over. The plans you two can do together mostly mean a venture to the beach and it brings a smile to your face to finally have close.

It’s only a little different to see her in the flesh this year. The passage of time is washed over her features, her hair is a little longer past her shoulders, and her limbs have grown just a smidgen taller, and nonetheless she is gorgeous as ever. Her personality has changed little, still the spitfire, ready for the next adventure as you two go on to meet up with some of your friends after she’s settled at your place.

They suggest a day at the beach, and perhaps that’s the day that changes more than you think. For reasons unbeknownst to you, those feelings you’ve never understood resurface and play into your excursions together. You’re not sure why you feel so fond of her, but there are butterflies that ricochet throughout the confines of your stomach the longer you spend with her. That day at the beach changes everything. The feeling of her taking away your first kiss as innocent as it was. Your heart flutters but the two of you know beyond the title of best friends there’s nothing to change that status even with a little kiss that washes away the anxieties you’ve had previously about whether you could actually do it because this is the sole reason why things never worked out with Jaebum anyway (not that he’s very bitter about it either).

Like any other moment between you two, this one is sealed away like a tale for a random day when you’re among friends.

What she tells you afterwards still resonates in your mind, “At least I was the first one.”

“Well, who’s supposed to be the second then?”

She winks and gleams the fact that you might find out the following year — whatever that means.

Your junior year is finally your time to stay at Jennie’s for spring break. It’s exciting to know you’ll be spending that time at the Kim’s, maybe catch a glimpse of Taehyung if you’re lucky, and spend that time with your second family. For whatever reason, he was never present at your brief visits prior to this one. Something akin to being out with the guys or spending nights at their place until your visit was over.

Still, what are the chances of him avoiding you again anyway?

Jennie did say he changed since you were last living there after all.

You find out the day you arrive at the Kim’s. Jennie’s elated visage greeting you at the doorway before wrapping her arms around you and guiding you inside. She has you set all your items in her bedroom while you plop onto her bed, feeling the fatigue of travel finally washing away the longer you’re around your energetic best friend, who’s already chatting your ear off about the plans you two have for the next six days together.

Luckily for you, today is the chill one.

“Where is everyone?” You ask her, sitting up as she swivels around on her chair.

“Mom and dad went grocery shopping since you’re here, Tae’s -um- I think he’s out with friends maybe?” She shrugs her shoulders, “He’s usually out doing something nowadays.”

You nod, feeling oddly curious to see the elusive boy. It’s been too long since you’ve seen him and his mop of dark locks or heard the sound of his voice. Hell, you actually wondered if he sounded the same or if he even looked remotely akin to what you remembered. Time itself usually aids in the transformation but how different did he look now?

“Oh! I finally printed those pictures I was telling you about,” Jennie exclaims, rolling her chair over to the white bookshelf leaning against the wall beneath her window. “Some of them are from last spring, but I have a few from Christmas that you haven’t seen yet. My mom loves the oven mitts, by the way.”

You grin, “Good, I’m glad! Did the tie fit your dad okay?”

She nods, handing you the faux-leather bound album. “Take a look. I think he’s wearing it in the picture. He loved it a hell of a lot more than the Rugrats tie Tae got him. Mind you, dad was even happier that you actually remembered he was a Pokémon kinda guy.”

You laugh, flipping through the pages of the album from the start. It’s large and filled with tons of photos that start from the moment Jennie picked up a camera. Each one a memory that she deemed necessary to be recorded - quite a few had you in it, and you smile at the one you sent her that time you moved.

The top one has you, Jennie, Taehyung, and Jimin seated in the back seat of the moving van with the light of the sun casting a deep orange glow over your smiling faces. You remember Yuna taking the photo, smiling as ever, as she counted down and snapped two shots. This one was the normal one. The second one was the silly one with the eldest of your bunch sticking his tongue out, Taehyung had his nose puffed out with his cheeks, Jennie was cross-eyed, and you were doing a mix of nose scrunch and puffing out your cheeks. It elicits a growing grin on your lips.

The next set is the one of the everyone cramming together. Somehow half of Jimin managed to get cut out and Jin’s shoulders are mostly present, but it’s a photo of that you still have hanging in your room, reminding you of simpler times.

You continue onto the next set of photos, catching glimpsing of a familiar Taehyung in some of them until the next two pages have someone else in his place. It’s a man who has the same mop of dark brown hair as him, but the usually large nose of his face actually fits the rest of his features and the limbs are evened out. He actually looks really tall compared to the others too.

Is that him?

Now that you’re looking at the other faces, you catch sight of Jimin’s - his notorious eye smile is a dead giveaway next to the mop of jet black locks adorning his forehead haphazardly. You see Jennie’s, dark brown like the taller man’s, and a grin that matches his. And suddenly it hits you!--

Same grin… it has to be… right?

“That’s your brother?” You ask, pointing at him.

Jennie blinks, glancing at your finger, before nodding.

“Yeah, why?”

You respond, “He…” Looking at it once more, “Looks different.”

“I suppose so. I did have to buy a pair of those headphones though.”

Your nose scrunches as you giggle at the reminder of donkey screeches back in sixth grade though you still can’t deny how much Taehyung has aged nicely.

If Jennie had not confirmed your suspicions you would’ve assumed the guy in the photos was just some really attractive guy standing between your best friend and her brother’s best friend. But the more your eyes linger on the photo, it becomes undeniable that it is indeed Kim Taehyung, aged gracefully and fruitfully by time and her companion puberty at its finest.

And for anyone, this might seem weird (and perhaps it is) but you’ve spent plenty of time wondering what he looks like now, how he’s been, and what he sounds like because there has been too many times where you swear you hear a deep, baritone voice and it makes you curious who that could be.

You genuinely ponder if could it really be him? It strikes you how much has changed now that you’ve seen him and possibly heard his voice, but you try not to dwell on it so much. After all, why does it matter anyway?

People grow up, get taller, voices change — it’s normal.

So, you continue to flip through the photos, settling on the Kim’s last Christmas photo. The unrecognizable man in the photos is among the four bodies smiling broadly with a grin that is akin to Jin’s, and it’s just presently clear just how much time has passed since you last came around to visit and it definitely makes you wonder just how much you’ve missed since that day three years ago.

> > >

And not even an hour later, you do find yourself face to face with the man you’ve spent that time pondering about.

You’re downstairs with Jennie while Yuna and Jin are preparing dinner together, happy to have you but insistent as ever to get you to relax since you drove over there. The two of you are just giggling over what’s going on in the movie, the two of you coaxing the main characters to think a little more wiser when the doorbell rings and halts your advising.

Jin asks if either one of you two can get it, so you and Jennie decide with rock-paper-scissors, leaving you as the loser and the door opener.

Rising from your seat, you tentatively make your way to the door and briefly check on the peephole. You see a mop of dark locks and open the door, smiling when you see that it’s Jimin, who’s eying you with raised brows.

“Y/N?” He says with a curving grin on his lips.

“Yes, and you’re Jimin.” You reply, he’s ready to flick your forehead like he used to before but he wraps you up in a tight hug instead, earning a yelp in response.

Somewhere in the background, Jennie snickers in response.

“Hey!” You huff when he promptly lifts you from your spot. “Use your strength for good, not evil Chim.”

When he sets you down, he’s about to open his mouth when someone comes jogging beside him. Their attention is trained on the alabaster-skinned boy with a pointed look. A deep voice questioning him, “Are you harassing my sister again, Chim? ‘Cuz-”

“No!” Jimin says immediately, gesturing toward you. His eyes are agleam, a smirk curving on his pinkish lips.“I was greeting Y/N!”

There’s air of mischief as the eldest teen says this, not that you have a moment to question it, because the moment he does, Taehyung’s gaze follows the trail of his arm and rests his sights on your visage. His eyes go wide as if he’s never seen you before, but when he utters your name, your heart is fluttering in an unfamiliar tempo.

When he sees you, he can’t deny how much time has aged you to perfection. The way your hair falls past your shoulders, eyes still lovely as ever, and the smile he sees on your lips from your residual fun with Jimin. He’s not sure what of seeing you has caused his brain to go into haywire, but any other words can hardly formulate sentences as he continues to make eye contact with you.

“Hi,” You say without a moment to spare. A part of you hopes to see if he’ll respond, but another part is still stuck in how brown his eyes are, how much wiser they look now that there’s been some years between his freshman self to now -- a senior in high school no less.

In all the time that has passed, neither of you never would’ve anticipated seeing each other in a flurry of circumstances like this one, and neither of you certainly never would’ve found yourself finding a sudden sensation of chemicals to rush in the your brains and relinquish something as potent as it did, but even as you both stand there staring at one another, he’s thrown back to emotions he thought he forgot about and now you’re thrown into a set of emotions that you never once thought were ones you held for him.

Whatever is the case, the two of you break away from the contact. Its power resides over the two of you like a cloud, leaving one another in a semblance of turmoil to understand what exactly happened just then.

“R-right, um… hi.” He says, blinking once again as Jimin nudges him from the corner of your eye. His voice is familiar, yet far from the soft, squeaky voice you’ve known though you have to admit you quite like the sound of it now as well.

You step aside to allow them a chance at entering and wonder back to your seat besides Jennie. Jimin waves at Jennie and sneaks into the kitchen to greet Mr. and Mrs. Kim before the two are scurrying off into Taehyung’s room.

Jennie looks over at you, cheeks flushed and eyes trained on the coffee table, and asks after nudging you with her elbow, “You okay?”

You blink before meeting her gaze, her coffee brown hues taking in your features with a keen eye, so you nod quickly, “I’m fine. Just surprised to see them s’all.”

The brunette nods, humming an affirmation though the prominence of her cheekbones only tells you that she knows more than you’re letting on.

> > >

The next few days have become an odd nostalgia to the sixth grade when Taehyung did his best to avoid you or keep as far as he could without being too weird about it. He’s mostly been going out with his friends. On occasion, he’ll wave at you, then turn away to leave to wherever is his next venue, but each glance you two share lingers and your thoughts about one another seem to only come more and more frequently. At least on your end, you can’t seem to get him out of your mind.

Coming back to the Kims reminds you of all the times you spent playing with him as a kid then later all the times you spent wondering why he refused to talk to you. It bothered you back then like it does now because you simply didn’t know why he was ignoring you. All you wanted to do was hang out with him, have a laugh… be someone to make him laugh, make him smile, spend time with him. It’s not wrong right?

It’s new to think that these are the reasons why him not talking to you bothered you so greatly, but in understanding your feelings and what it meant to have crushes in the past few years, you’ve slowly started to succumb to the idea of seeing Taehyung as more than just Jennie’s older brother. He was more than that in your eyes, but you never considered him like your own brother either. Maybe that was why it always bothered you. Maybe in seeing him as more than a surrogate sibling and in your irritation of being ignored, you hoped that he would simply see you as more than just his kid sister’s best friend.

Maybe that’s why things never worked out with Jaebum or never started with Jennie though you’re still fuzzy on the latter. You’re sure that whatever’s there for Taehyung runs deep because since you were a kid you saw him in high regard. He was always helping you if you needed it, and if there was a monster at the door he would answer it and try to chase it away. Back when you were scared to sleep over at Jennie’s for the first time, he tried to make that time as comfortable as possible by nestling himself on the floor of the bedroom, making a tent so the three of you could nestle inside with giggles and stories to last until it was midnight and you were all fast asleep.

It isn’t to say that these were the reasons for you to crush on him, but it’s your reasons to see him so fondly because instead of deeming you and Jennie “dumb girls” he played with you two anyway - cooties or not. He made sure to take your feelings into account because that’s what kind of person he was. No matter what he wanted to make sure you and Jennie didn’t have to suffer too much heartache as kids because he didn’t like it himself.

And in all that consideration, you can’t help but recall the fondness you’ve always held for him during this time spent at the Kims. It’s been there. You know that for certain. Without a doubt, it’s become second nature to care for him and Jennie - it’s why you’ve sent Christmas and birthday gifts because you loved the entire family, including them both.

Jennie is indeed your first friend, but to be perfectly honest, Taehyung is your second friend.

Since this realization, an epiphany that cost you a sleepless night, you’ve tried to determine whether they were plausible feelings or not. For all you know, it could just be your own hormonal lust over the sight of your best friend’s attractive older brother over all else, and doing anything with him might actually leave you with nothing in hopes of a relationship or a connection.

You had it with Jennie, that’s for certain, but neither of you pursued anything further. But what about Taehyung? Could anything be there as well?

You’re not even sure if you want that, but an answer is better than waiting forever.

> > >

Later that night, Jennie hears about a party at a Min Yoongi’s house. It’s supposed to be a rager considering it’s a spring break kickback, but she knows that the prospect of alcohol and smoking will turn her parents away from the idea. Especially knowing that Yoongi is one of Taehyung’s friends - not that he has bad friends, per say, but the last time your best friend tried going to one of his friend’s parties, the elder Kim did his best to turn his parents away from letting her go despite him going later on.

“We’ll take my window.” She answers when you ask her how she expects either of you to get out without anyone realizing it. “And we’ll use your car since my parents are gonna be deadass asleep anyway. Tae’ll be out before we are so we’ll just go late.”

It all sounds fairly simple, and you’ve never doubted Jennie’s skills once.

There’s a white fence leaning against the space beneath her window. You scale it and hop down, sneaking out by the fence on the opposite end of where Mr. and Mrs. Kim are sleeping. You’re donning a pair of shorts and sheer blouse, thankful that you didn’t opt for anything other than that as you maneuver your way down toward your car alongside a grinning Jennie. You parked a little down the street, so you’re both quietly jogging over, trying to stifle your excited giggles.

It’s around 1 AM when you both arrive to the shindig.

Min Yoongi’s house is filled with bodies clumped together is masses among the dimly lit living room, red cups in their hands as some dare to take tentative sips. Others down the whole thing like it’s some cup of liquid courage before trying their hand at impressing one another with some sauve opening line. Some seem to be successful while others are visibly drowning as their possible partners walk off in search of other options. At the least, decent music is reverberating against the walls in waves, even the crowd is swaying rhythmically to the well-produced tunes.

There’s a refreshments table on the left side of the room, a crowd of bodies in the center of the floor, and the entrance of the kitchen is at your right past a corridor and at least three other bodies that you didn’t bother getting a good look at.

Jennie’s eyes are gleaming with excitement at the sights, darting between the options,  and you admit that you’re bubbling all over as well.

She leans in close to the shell of your ear and whispers, “What should we do first?”

Your eyes scan the area carefully. Next to enjoying yourselves, you both did not want to bump into Taehyung or any of the other guys if possible.

From where you are by the doorway, you catch a glimpse of Taehyung laughing up a storm with Hoseok about god-knows-what in the kitchen. The former is seated on the counter while the latter leans his hip against the edge.

“Dance floor,” You turn to her, pointing a thumb toward the kitchen. “Spotted your brother and Hobie, by the way.”

By the time you’re on the dancefloor, you two have narrowly missed a stretched out version of Namjoon. You sway besides Jennie, her body pressed against your body in the close-knit circle of dancers, watching as he’s now chatting up a tall girl with long legs and short hair, but the dimpled grin on his lips and the cup in his hand is enough to keep him busy for quite a bit.

At least Tae and Hobie are in the kitchen… Joon’s there. That just leaves Chim.

It reeks of booze and sweat in circle, not that it’s any better on the outside, but you two come out for air after a good twenty minutes.

Perspiration coats the sides of your faces, smiles already curved on your lips, and an insatiable thirst overtaking both of your senses. You two then scurry over to the drinks table for the glorious red cup to quelch yourselves. All it takes is one sip for you to feel the burn tingle through your throat as it goes down. Then you’re taking a long swig until it settles in your stomach and leaves it tingling all the way through.

You’ve never been considered a lightweight. Three, maybe four cups and you’re probably on the precipice of a drunken state, but one does nothing but get your nerves feeling less terse. Since your agreement with Jennie to avoid her brother and his friends at all costs, you’ve tried to be aware of your surroundings and keep the possible deterrents away from you and your best friend, who is now giggling at something that someone named Lisa is saying, a flash of a look in your direction.

Before you can speak, you hear another voice enter the conversation, “Jennie? Y/N? What are you two doing here?”

At your left stands a baffled Jimin, brows raised and hands cupped around his mouth, but neither you or Jennie give him an answer.

Instead the brunette winks at you, “I got this.” She turns to Lisa apologetically and says, “Hopefully I see you later, yeah?”

The blonde nods, watching as your best friend scampers off into the crowd while you make a break for the other side of the crowd. Jimin appears to follow the same path at Jennie, so you try your best to get somewhere safe so she can meet you. It’s silly to think that you’re running away from Taehyung and his friends right now, and a part of you actually starts to slow down in your movements between the crowd of bodies on that realization. After all, what can he do? Send you two home, rat you guys out? Wasn’t he here too? If he was bringing you two down, then you were certain you would do the same just because it wasn’t fair.

By the time you’re on the other side of the crowd, you’re only slightly breathless as you turn toward the open corridor of the hallway. You’re positive that if you see him or Jimin or anyone of his friends then you’ll be sure to tell them that if they are there, then you and Jennie should be perfectly fine with being there as well. If anything, you’d just tell them to screw off.

Not that you mean any disrespect or anything but you need this. Maybe not need it. But it’s a risk that you feel as though you can afford to take when all your mind has been clouded with is over him.

You want to understand why he ignored you so much since you were eleven. You want him to just tell you what changed. And you really want him to stop ignoring you period. It’s not hard to see that it’s just you he’s treating differently. Since your return it’s like being thrown back to sixth grade when he hardly ever wanted anything to do with you, and of course, you’ve been more than willing to ask what you did wrong, but when he goes on and claims nothing then what are you supposed to do but wonder what the hell is going on?

Honestly, if he was here, you’d give him a piece of your mind!

I would tell him that it’s pretty shitty of him to tell me one thing then act another way. I mean… I’d get it if he would just say something. I wouldn’t be so bothered by it if I had an explanation. Simple as that. Yet another part of you thinks, But is it really? Are you bothered that he’s ignoring you because of that or because you’re confused by your own feelings?

You let out a deep sigh before entering the free bathroom to check your phone. There aren’t any new messages from Jennie. It’s nearly 2 AM, and you’re feeling the beer coursing through your veins.

Maybe it is because of him. I just- don’t understand this. Of all people… of all times… why him? And why now?

With a shake of your head, get a grip, you open the door, turning to exit when you feel yourself collide with someone’s chest. Their hands immediately settle on your shoulders to keep you steady.

Have his hands always been this warm?

You’re about to brush them off when your eyes make out the familiar shape of the Taehyung’s straight nose, furrowed dark brows, and wide, coffee brown eyes from the light of the open door.

The words trail off weakly, “Oh shit-! Sorry… Tae.”

“Y/N… what are you-” His eyes wash over your features, taking in your dishevelled state, though they linger longer on the bottom of your face. “Never mind. You’re here with Jennie?”

You nod, brow quirked upward, “You gonna make us go back home?”

“I-” He blinks once again. Now that you’re focused on his visage, you note the way his breath is a mix of mint and that beer. His furrowed brows relax the longer his eyes remain trained on yours, and it seems he hasn’t moved his hands from your shoulders either. He shakes his head, “I won’t. Just… surprised to see you here.”

“Yeah, I know being around me is the last thing you want so seeing me must’ve been disappointing.” You reply, already beginning to slip away from his touch when he tightens his grip to keep you from leaving.

You look at him in confusion.

“Why would you think that?”

“It’s pretty obvious you’ve been avoiding me, Tae. Anyone with eyes can see that, but I can feel it. You leave when I’m around, you can barely talk to me. Let alone look at me… it’s actually a miracle this conversation is happening at all.”

He genuinely looks like he’s at a loss for words though you can’t blame him. Rose and Jungkook have always told you that you’re too blunt for your own good when you’ve had alcohol in your system, but hey… drunk words are sober thoughts right?

“I can leave you alone now.” You say after another moment.

He shakes his head, eyes no longer in a daze on the space over your head but are now trained on you. “No, it’s not like that, Y/N. I- I mean yeah I have been avoiding you but...”

You interject, hoping to coax him back into words, “But what?”

“It’s not for what you think, okay? I don’t hate you. I definitely don’t hate you, I promise.”

“Huh? Then why?”

You’re heart is thudding against your chest, reverberating inside like the bass against the walls, and still you’re not sure what to think or feel. A part of you is burning to know the answer, but another part fears that maybe you overlooked something and maybe he was just uncomfortable around you. It could be a possibility, but it’s one that your heart definitely hoped wasn’t so.

“I- I can’t explain it, okay? You just do things to me and I can’t quite explain it.”

His visage is so close now. It hardly registered in your mind how close they were, but it still elicits a thrumming in your chest. You don’t know what to say or think, but when he’s this close your brain ponders what it’d be like to feel his lips against yours.

“They look soft.”

He blinks, “What looks soft?”

You shake your head, snap out of it goddammit, “Your lips--but explain your thing. Try. Please ‘cause I’ve really been stuck with this impression that you hate me or something, Tae.”

“You think my lips look soft…” He says to himself, his eyes glance at the floor until you wave your hand in front of his face.

“Still here.”

“I don’t hate you, Y/N.” He repeats, taking his time to meet your eyes once again. There’s a quiet determination set in his dark hues. It’s one of the few times you’ve seen it, but having it trained on you is both unnerving and titillating.

His voice is low when he mutters under his breath, “I’d say it’s quite the opposite.”

“What was that?”

He shakes his head, “It’s nothing. Um- remember that day before you moved?”

You nod.

“Well, that day I was going to tell you something. Do you remember that?”

It’s almost instantaneous when you affirm his question. Since that day, you’ve thought back to a lot - always wondering what was he going to tell you. You had too many ideas back then, but none of them ever seemed to suit Taehyung and the patient, levelheaded way he had in going about things. He could never be that person to tell you some half-assed secret about liking pie or joke about dying… no, you knew that it was something important, and for whatever reason, when he didn’t tell you that day you were sure that he’d choose the right time to do it.

Now with this moment happening, you’re hoping that this is the moment of truth.

“Well, I was gonna tell you that…” He utters a guttural “fuck it” under his breath before finishing his statement, “I like you. I mean that I liked you back then. I know it’s silly to keep it from you for this long but I wanted to tell you in person, not over the phone… and really, it’s no excuse to treat you the way I did but I... yeah… That’s why.”

You’re not sure what you’re thinking when you were hearing him out. It isn’t like you weren’t paying attention, but the longer you listened to him, the more you noticed just how soft his lips looked up close, how cute it was to see his eyes dart across your features as he talked, and how his hands on your shoulders never seemed to leave your vicinity or just how much you liked the way they rested on your shoulders...

Even when he has long since stopped talking and the only thing that surrounds you two is a comforting silence, the rest of the world- party and all, there’s an overwhelming desire inside you that you can’t fight. (Not that you want to anyway.)

When your brain makes aware just how close he is, you can’t help but feel yourself lean in to close the distance between your lips.

The feeling of the soft plushness dulls down the beer permeating his mouth. It elicits the same tingling in you- not in your throat; however, it travels up and down your body. Your adrenaline pumps just as erratically as your heart because holy shit I’m really kissing Taehyung right now, and what blow your mind the most is the fact that he’s actually kissing you back.

But just as quickly as the kiss comes, it ends.

You both pull away, watching one another as you stand before one another, probably both trying to register what the hell just happened. Given, you two just kissed, but again you two kissed. It isn’t just everyday that you give into your own impulses and just kiss your best friend’s brother. Nor is it an everyday thing that he kisses you back.

It’s like a looming cloud over you two now that this has happened. Neither of you saying a word, but it feels like you should. After all, didn’t he just tell you that he used to like you as kid? What did this kiss mean th-

Ring!

You nearly jump at the sound, looking down at your pocket to see Jennie’s calling.

When you chance a look over at him, he’s still staring at you; his eyes alight with something vibrant, but his lips are clamped shut as if whatever he said prior to what just happened are the last things he’ll say. Regardless, it causes blood to rush to your cheeks before you excuse yourself to the bathroom to answer your phone.

He only nods, his own cheeks giving way to his own embarrassment but he waves you off.

Once the door is shut, you say, “Jen? Where are you?”

“Better question is where are you? I lost Chim a while ago, but I’ve been trying to find you for the past fifteen minutes!”  

Her voice is relatively clear from the rest of the partygoers, so you just ask where she is.

“I went out front. It was getting hot and stuffy after running from Chim. So are you gonna answer my question?”

“I’m coming to you. I went to the bathroom.” You reply though you don’t hear much else of what she’s saying when your brain is replaying the kiss.

After a moment, you hear her break the sudden silence, “Hello?”

“Sorry, I’m on my way.” You reply quickly, wondering if he’s still outside the door. But when you open it, he’s nowhere to be seen. Where did he…? Never mind, I shouldn’t keep Jennie waiting. “See you.”

You meet the younger Kim outside, a smile on her lips when she sees you. Her eyes are trailing over your visage, searching for any signs of distress that you refused to show over the phone. It’s like she knows something went down, but she’s just waiting for you to expose yourself.  Twelve years of friendship can really help you read someone after all.

“Did something happen back there? ...You look frazzled.”

“Sorry, that beer might’ve gotten me after all...” You say though your brain scolds you for trying to lie right now, and to Jennie of all people.  

“Is that really all that happened, Y/N?”

“Um, I’ll -uh- tell you later, yeah?”

She nods, a brow quirked in interest as if to tell you that she intends to get the truth out of you one way or another.

“You wanna head back in or are you done for the night?”

You think for a moment, if you go back in you’re risking on any more poor decisions -not that kissing him was a poor decision but it’s opened up another box of uncertainty- or did you want to go back home to the possibility of this whole thing being some forgotten memory?

It was probably just a drunken kiss on both our parts… right?

She nudges you, “I can just ask Tae to drive us back if you really don’t feel up for it? He hardly ever gets wasted when he comes to parties anyway, so I don’t think he’d mind.”

“What?” You ask, blinking at her.

Before she continues, you shake your head, “Never mind. Um, I think I’m okay to drive us back. I just had one beer.”

“But didn’t you just say it got to you…?” She raises a brow at you, stepping forward to press her hand to your forehead, “Are you sure you aren’t coming down with anything, Y/N?”

“I’m fine, I promise. It’s just… c’mere,” You pull her toward the direction of your car. “I’ll tell you once we’re inside.”

When you’re settled inside your car, you tell her about the kiss. Her eyes widen for a brief moment before she utter something under her breath - it sounds like “final-fucking-ly” but you’re so spent from what just happened you can’t even find yourself to ask her to repeat herself. You just want to shower, lay down, and sleep.

By the time you two get back, it’s nearly half past 3 AM.

All you do is park down the street, sneak your way into the house, and wait for Jennie to finish using the bathroom. You don’t talk further about what happened though it’s probably on the fact that the one person you do want to talk to this about is someone that’s not even there. It just rings through your mind that the pounding in your mind is because of Kim Taehyung, a boy you’ve known since you were in kindergarten, a boy that ignored you for three years straight because he liked you, and a boy that you just kissed with complete awareness.

By the time you’re out of the shower, hair only a little damp as you clamber into the bed beside your best friend, you can’t help but think back to the conversations you had with her in regards to him, questioning her why he seemed to hate her so and questioning yourself about why it seemed to bother you so much. Then you think back to tonight, to your revelations- it all becomes even more clearer than before.

This is why it matter so much back then isn’t it?

He wishes to savor the taste of your cherry ChapStick and the beer in your mouth.

He never imagined this is what you’d taste like but where is he to care when he’s finally tasting you after years of pining. He knows how long he’s spent trying to repress the feelings he’s had bubbled inside, and now that he’s finally let it loose he feels lighter.

The fact that he got to kiss you after all of that is still replaying in his head- he smiles broadly as he ventures away from the closed bathroom door. It’s all he can think about by the time he’s reached the kitchen, and the questions aimed in his direction go unanswered because what can he say? That he finally told his first crush that he liked her and he kissed her?

It’s not that he doesn’t want to brag about it to the world but that’s all that happened. You two didn’t consummate some hidden, undying love for one another. You two barely even talked about what just happened anyway. And the more he thought about it, he actually has no clue how to go about talking about this with you either. Even when he had the moment to say something post-kiss, all he could do is stare at you in wonder because holy shit you’re still cute as ever and what else is he going to say? What can you two say?

He must’ve looked pretty fucked over this because he’s suddenly getting taken aside by Jimin, who’s looking at him with furrowed brows and concerned eyes.

“Are you okay, Tae? You’re just smiling…. At nothing in particular?”

“I kissed… her…” He answers the older man.

Jimin blinks at him, squinting in the placid darkness. “Kissed who? Are you talking about-”

Taehyung shakes his head, interjecting immediately, “Y/N. We kissed.”

“What?”

“Yeah, we kissed earlier, Chim. Holy shit…” He says softly, looking at the shorter boy with a broad grin. “I’m just not over that…”

“That makes two of us…” Jimin tells him. “So you told her that you love her then?”

“What- I don’t….” Taehyung blinks, shaking his head from the thoughts floating around his head to meet Jimin’s raised brow. “What?”

“Okay, what exactly happened that led up to the kiss? And what happened after?”

“Well, we bumped into each other by the bathroom and I told her what I was supposed to tell her the day she moved. Then it just got really quiet and still and we just… kissed. We didn’t talk afterwards because I think Jennie called her and then I came over here.”

“What? He says in response to the incredulous expression wash over his best friend’s features.

“So, you didn’t ask her how she felt? Or I dunno… try to figure out what that kiss meant?”

“It’s not like I had any time to since Jennie called her, Chim.” Taehyung scoffs, his lips pulling into that of a pout. “And besides, what am I supposed to say? ‘Oh, by the way, I think I’m in love with you, Y/N. I hope that kiss doesn’t weird you out too much?’”

“Well, I would’ve thought you’d at least tried to talk to her about what the kiss means to her as well? i mean are you gonna try to talk to her about it tomorrow or are you just going to keep ignoring her every chance you get?”

It occurs to Taehyung that as irksome as Jimin is being to his happiness he knows that he’s right, that there is an after to this tale, and that he cannot keep running from the moment of truth. You weren’t drunk and incapable of controlling your own actions, so why had you kissed him? What made you initiate it?    

“I’ll give it some time… or something.”

Jimin rolls his eyes, a small smile curving on his lips, “I hope you do… congrats, by the way.”

I will… I’ll talk to her about it… eventually.

The next few days at the Kim’s roll by in ease.

You try not to dwell too much on the events of what had happened that night, mostly to enjoy the rest of your time with Jennie, who was more than ecstatic to take you back to old sites just for the sake of nostalgia.

She takes you to the old arcade you both liked to go to with Taehyung and Jimin, to the movie theaters with the out of this world buttery popcorn, to the old elementary school where you two met and grew up together in, and to the small market by both of your houses for a bunch of snacks to take on your other trip to the park.

Each place holds a place in your memory that you can always correlate to the Kim siblings. If it wasn’t just you and Jennie, then Taehyung would accompany the two of you - if he couldn’t, for whatever reason, then Yuna and Jin were happy to take you two wherever you wanted. You can recall the key events like the time when Jennie sprained her wrist trying to rollerblade at the park or the time when you hid so well by the market everyone else had to give up and how Jennie was genuinely close to tears because she thought you really disappeared.

During those next few days, you’re taken back in time to simpler moments when boys and girls and feelings didn’t muddle with your brain. And despite those moments when you wished you could grow up faster, you can’t deny how much you appreciate your childhood and how much the Kim family helped create most of those memories you cherish to this day.

You tell Jennie your feelings on your last day in town, and she receives you with a broad grin and tight embrace.

“Good, I hope this makes you miss us so much you’ll come back again.”

You wink with your own growing smile, “I will. Just like you’ll come back right?”

She rolls her eyes, poking your cheek, “Of course! Why wouldn’t I huh? The beach is always nice around this time anyway.”

Yuna and Jin brush their daughter aside when you both release your tight holds to give you their own set of embraces, both of them mumbling their gratitude for your visit this spring.

You respond, immediately tightening your arms around them, “It was my pleasure. Thank you for having me!”

They both press kisses to your forehead, setting aside so Jennie can help you shove your duffle bag into the trunk of your car.

Despite what happened at the party, Taehyung didn’t dare intrude on your time with Jennie. He didn’t necessarily ignore you, but every time you two had a moment together, it was silent and almost foreboding in the sense that neither of you genuinely didn’t know how to breach the point of conversation to what you both wanted to discuss most.

You debated on it incessantly. You questioned whether you should or shouldn’t, but of course you knew you should. You just kept choosing not to. For Jennie’s sake, but also for Taehyung’s, because what if the kiss was just something that happened and nothing more?

Given he did like you at some point, but perhaps the reason why neither of you talked about it these past few days was simply on the basis that there was nothing to talk about.

After all, it happened, and that’s it.

Although you’re the type of person to address confusing things with confrontation -nothing aggressive or anything- you decide that this just isn’t the time to do it. You’re leaving (again), so it certainly wouldn’t be fair to Taehyung to suddenly spring the topic of what happened on him. Not to mention the fact that he would be leaving for college later in the fall… like he did with withholding his confession from you, perhaps you would just do the same in this regard. Rather than confusing him the day you’re supposed to leave, you’ll wish him the best of luck and bring this up the next chance you get when you’re alone like at a Christmas party a few years down the road or something.

Once you’re packed and ready, you smile at Mr. and Mrs. Kim and Jennie, the two already waving you off though the latter is calling for Taehyung to at least do the same with them as well. You assure her it’s fine, but he comes bounding out the door to stand with his parents, waving with a small smile as well.  

Your brain wishes you wouldn’t be so considerate, but you’re determined to let him live on because feelings fade right? Especially fuzzy ones like these…

Right?

“Dude, she’s coming here.”

“What? Who? Stop playing this pronoun game with me, Tae!” Jimin scolds him, ready to flick the taller man’s forehead.

“Y/N, Chim. She’s coming here. Same school, same building, same floor. Fuck-!” Taehyung says in a quick huff. He doesn’t know what to think or do at this point. His mind already knows what he plans to do, but his body is still preparing itself on the fact that this is the moment of truth.

He mutters to himself, “What am I gonna do?”

“Well, for starters, you could tell her how you feel,” Jimin quips, his inflection already hinting to the impatience the shorter boy has had with him for the past seven -or was it eight?- years of pining. “Better yet, actually have a conversation with her… wait, that might be difficult for you.”

“I can talk to her!” Kinda.

He can already imagine Jimin quirking a brow at him, looking up he sees his guess is true, “Oh really? So what would you say when you see her?”

“I -um- would say… er...” His heart is hammering at the thought of seeing you again. When he heard you were coming to Seoul, he knew he had to prepare himself. All this time without talking to you, and this was going to be his moment.

“What was that?”

Taehyung groans, “Oh shut up, Chim. Seriously what do I do?”

“Tell her. That’s it. You’ve said ‘maybe someday’ since she moved, so take this as your chance as your damn someday already. Please.”

The brunet releases a deep sigh, running a hand over his visage before nodding.

“That’s the plan.”

The events that transpire after junior year are hardly worth mentioning aside from the fact that not another word is passed between either you or Taehyung about the kiss though it still plagues you at the back of your mind.

Aside from all that-- senior year passes in a blink of an eye.

It’s a joyous time for you and for your friends. Finally free from secondary education, and going onto tertiary school. Some actually accompanying you to Seoul while others chose the local college in Busan. Either way it’s liberating… No more stuffy teachers constantly telling you that what you do now with your life will cement what you will do after university, no more peers either watching you or not giving two craps about you, and no more worries about whether you’ll actually get into university because you’re well on your way to Seoul where you’ll be attending school alongside Jennie (and apparently Taehyung as well).

College is the new beginning. Everyone says so, and you think so too.

This is the place where opportunities will arise and you’ll be able to learn more about yourself than you did in high school, because this is the place where there won’t be any stuffy teachers breathing down your neck or any forgettable students trying to use you for your academic strength. Here, it’s worrying about yourself and doing what’s best for you.

Although you don’t entirely have worry about yourself too much.

Under your mother’s worrisome calls to Yuna and Jin, mostly just for the reassurance that you’ll be fine in Seoul, the Kims suggested to her that if she was that worried then you could choose the same residence hall as Taehyung so he can help keep an eye you. Not that you really mentioned any of the odd behavior that passed between the two of you to either of the parents, you figured you’d appease your birthgiver in that respect.

That was months ago, and you actually forgot about the whole thing until you find yourself on the fourth floor of Potter Hall, standing in the lounge among the other students, Jennie included, being led by Taehyung and a girl named Minah. The two are giving the entire floor a breakdown of the rules and their information in case any of you first years need to contact them.

The rules are fairly simple: No messing with the lounge furniture unless it’s put away properly afterwards, no disturbing students during study hours, no avoidable messes in the bathroom, and for some reason (though you can see why), no two people in the big shower stall of the bathrooms. There are a few others, but these are the ones they liked to emphasize the most, so you don’t argue with any of them.

What strikes you the most in the whole thing is seeing Taehyung. He’s still as handsome as ever, but for the past year and a half since you’ve seen him that day, this is the first time you’ve seen him. He didn’t show up to the visits to Busan and he certainly wasn’t around when you stopped by Daegu. Whatever the chances were, you didn’t have the opportunity. But seeing him now is like seeing him for the first time again.

It’s like the sunrise waking you from an open window in your bedroom- completely unexpected, but nonetheless a wonderful sight. He looks so much older now. His mop of dark hair is still hanging in his eyes, but it suits his now filled-out face. His lips are pulled into a boxy grin, and he looks completely in his element as he answers questions from your peers. He’s almost akin to the boy you saw at the party all those years ago, but there’s no red Solo cup in hand this time.

It’s cute. You think to yourself with a small smile threatening to curve on your lips.

You still had yet to talk to him about it. With Taehyung-less visits, texting or calling him didn’t seem like the right way to confess. You want the moment to be right. Like the way he confessed to his middle school crush. It only makes sense that way. However, the more you didn’t see him, the less you found yourself anxious to tell him and the more you just figured it was just something that came in passing. Whatever was there, you could just store away with the memory, and so you did with full certainty that it wouldn’t resurface.

However, it seems that whatever feelings you stored away your junior year are beginning to resurface at the sight of Taehyung and his true colors. Not that you’ve tried to forget but after a few disappointing Taehyung-less visits, you told yourself that it was better to just let the feelings stave off until they were completely gone. You were certain upon entering that it wouldn’t be a problem, but damn seeing him again elicits waves of nostalgia to permeate your mind, taking you back to the night when your lips made contact.

Since that night, before you decided to store it away, the kiss passed your mind. The softness, the feelings… it was everything you wanted in one after sharing your first one with Jennie. It felt almost identical, even the flutters in your stomach, but the dismissal of the latter kept the former from leaving your mind completely, because at least there was closure with Jennie. You both thought your friendship was worth more than a relationship though you’re both damn sure that it would’ve worked out either way. But… Taehyung?

There’s still so much you don’t know. Why was he still ignoring you long after his crush on you in middle school? When did he stop? Why did he even start? And more seriously, did he still think about the kiss?

The last one is more for your own curiosity on the matter, because you can’t be the only one right?

You try not to ponder it further when Minah cups her hands around her mouth to call everyone else to attention.

When the older girl is certain that everyone is paying attention, she drops her hands and announces with a smirk, “We’ll be throwing a celebratory welcome party for you all tonight. Consider yourselves lucky since classes start on Wednesday so try taking it easy, yeah?”

She leaves everyone with a wink, “See everyone at eleven!”

Afterwards, you and Jennie head over to your room among the other dispersing bodies. The two of you still have plenty to unpack so you decide to start on that before getting ready for the festivities later on.

“Have you talked to your brother since you arrived?” You ask as you lug a stack of tops from your giant purple suitcase.

She shakes her head, “Not yet. I’ll catch him at the party or something. What about you?”

You guffaw, “Not since eleventh, Jen.”

There’s a small smirk curving on her lips, “So, not then… what about now?”

“I mean I wouldn’t mind it- I still have a bone to pick with him about what happened honestly.”

“Better now than never amirite?”  

You nod, setting your stack of clothes in the provided tan drawers. Most of it’s filled now that you’ve emptied out your suitcase. You also have a miniature fridge for food and drinks that you were sure you brought snacks for -- where are they?

“Damn, did I grab the snacks from my car?” You ask as she’s zipping up her suitcase and stowing it underneath her car.

She pauses for a moment before shaking her head, “Want me to go grab ‘em?”

“You don’t have to-!” You say, trying to stand among your luggage and the duffle bag, but she only giggles in response.

“It’s no biggie, I was gonna grab some drinks from the convenience store downstairs anyway.”

You relent, tossing her your keys before turning back to your mission of unpacking. She slips away, and just as quickly as she leaves comes a knock soon afterwards.

You let out a laugh, carefully stepping over your methodical mess to open the door. “Didja forget your keys, Jen-” You blink, taking in the sight of Taehyung in all his brunet glory, “Oh hi, Tae.”

He smiles at you, and it feels like your chest might implode,  “Hey Y/N! How’s moving going?”

“It’s… happening.” You laugh, looking back at the mess you and Jennie unleashed in the meager room. “Were you looking for Jennie or did you catch her on your way?”

He laughs at the sight of the clothes covering your beds, the large stacks all threatening to topple over. There are some boxes of school supplies placed carefully around the room as well. And unfortunately, a large box of Jennie’s shoes too. It’s chaotic, but you know he’s seen worse in his own room.

He whistles before saying, “Wow, and yet that’s still not the worse one I’ve seen so far. And to answer your question, I did. Just wanted to check on you guys... and the other students too. ”

His cheeks are threatening with an onslaught of pink as he continues to meet your gaze, “But, um, that’s good you’re… settling well.”

You nod, “Well, thank you for checking in. How do you like being an RA?”

“It’s actually really fun. I like it a lot. Getting to know people, see little first years… I’m sure you’d like it too.”

You quirk a brow, a small smile threatening to curve on your lips, “Really? How are you so sure about that if you haven’t actually talked to me, hmm?” Not to mean it in insult, but you wanted to see what he’d say in response to that.

“Um.. uh… I-” He’s stammering out of nerves. His hand runs over his visage before he seems to compose himself, “Well, I mean you’ve always been nice and friendly, so that’s something we look for in an RA, y-y’know?”

You laugh, “What happened to Mr. Suave RA Dude earlier?”

His mouth opens before shutting, his cheeks burning as ever as he tries to formulate a response.

You wave it off, “It’s okay. I’m messin’ with ya. I’ll consider it next year. But um, yeah- so far everything’s pretty good.”

He nods, smiling, “That’s good to hear then…” He’s about to turn to leave when he turns to you again, “Oh! Are you coming to the party tonight?”

“Yeah,” You answer, “I’ll see you there!”

He’s about to turn and leave once more, but he cranes his head in your direction with a pink-cheeked grin, “Can’t wait to see you until then.”

With that, he leaves you in a hot-cheeked mess. Your heart thrums even louder now that he’s gone, the conversation going through your head as it hits you that you guys actually talked for once. As fleeting as they are, they always seem worthwhile - at least this moment gives you the impression that maybe you’ll finally have that chance at talking to him about everything.

> > >

The party is in full swing.

Your fellow first years are mingling among each other in the lounge while some music plays off someone’s portable speaker. There’s a makeshift snacks table and what looks like a makeshift mini bar with Minah pouring the drinks into the red Solo cups by hand. Her partner, Taehyung is nowhere to be found, and the moment she spots Jennie, she asks her if she knows where the elder Kim.

The older girl’s features contort in irritation and a huff departs her semi-chapped lips. “Damn him for disappearing on me,” She says before turning back pouring the drinks.

“Who disappeared?” Taehyung’s notorious baritone voice cuts through the loud playing of one of Chance the Rapper’s song.

He has a grin on his lips even as Minah rolls her eyes at him, holding him an empty cup and a can of beer for him to pour. “What took you so long, princess?”

He laughs, “Y’know me I had to get all dolled up for this thing.”

She looks him over, eyes narrowed in playful scrutiny, “Hm, I see no difference.”

He pouts at her, “Aw, my feelings are hurt.”

She scoffs, a smile curving on her lips, “Good! Your ass tried to leave me to do all the work! I’m giving you hallway duty after this, you got it?”

He lets out a guttural groan before turning back to work on the rest of the cups. “Fine, I deserve that,” He says. Turning to Jennie, he grins, “Heyo sis! Enjoying yourself?”

She laughs, grabbing two cups of the beers, “Yeah! We’ll see you later, Tae. Have fun~”

“Drink responsibly!” He warns, watching as you two depart. He only receives giggles in response, a lazy wave from his sister as you two weave through the crowd of students. You can feel something burning into your back but you’ve already rounded the corner toward an open space in the corner of the room.

You’re met with a view of the other three buildings spread nearby Potter. Other floors are hosting their own array of parties, many of them wildly dancing and even yelling so loud, it feels like the sound is resonating toward your own building. None of it really bothers you too much, on a normal basis you wouldn’t be partying like this, but having this taste of freedom in higher education is liberating. Even more so, the taste of your beer -the burn and all- is helping you edge off the sudden wave of nerves nestling at the back of your mind.

Maybe tonight is the night I talk to him about it.

It’s a bit of jump considering he was casually talking to you a few hours ago, but seeing him is a revival of feelings that haven’t left. If you want to move on, whether that’s from or with him, then this is something that needs to be done, because the longer you push it away, the more you know you’ll be scared to speak on any of it. After all, feelings are so damn scary. It’s hard to understand them, especially if it involves someone you’ve known for more than half your life. Taehyung has never has a title above your best friend’s brother, maybe crush too, but nothing more beyond that and it’s not even guaranteed that he feels the same.

You suppose the most important aspect to your feelings is the finality of it. You want answers. You want to put an end to all your confusion. And you hope that he provide this mystery to a conclusion-

“You good?” Jennie asks suddenly, tilting her head at you with raised brows. “Want any snacks?”

You shake your head, freeing yourself from your thoughts, “Sorry, my mind’s just everywhere right now.”

She nods, squeezing your shoulder in sympathy, “Take this,” Her drink now in your hands, “And I will go grab some snacks, yeah?”

You smile, “Thanks.”

Your first beer is gone after another swig. The alcohol flooding your system in its usual burn while you take a tentative sip at Jennie’s cup the moment you leave. You don’t feel your body quiver so much - your nerves mostly washing away the more you focus on the cup than the rampant thoughts running circles in your head. You’re not ready to do anything but stew right now.

Unfortunately, the universe doesn’t want that. (Is it really unfortunate though?)

All you’re doing is sitting by the bay window, holding your second beer when a flying projectile comes in your vicinity and suddenly your second beer is no longer in your grasp but on the front of your T-shirt and denim shorts, some of it is even dripping down your leg in an uncomfortable drip. The perpetrator is some jock mumbling a curse, asking you to pass the Nerf football, which you do with an aggressive lob. You don’t bother staying where you are, opting to travel to the bathroom near your dormitory.

I’ll just tell Jennie what happened after I get this crap off.

All your mind is focused on is getting the stench and stickiness of beer off your body and your clothes that anything else slips your mind - this includes watching your surroundings for any wandering bodies. Of course, there’s plenty of those, but most of them have either stuck to the wall or wandered into the confines of their dormitories where there are actual beds. But it’s this particular one that has you reeling when you realize you nearly plowed through Taehyung on his hallway monitoring.

“Oh shit- sorry!” You say, turning on your heel when you realize you bumped shoulders with the lanky boy.

He barely notices, only focusing on your features when he sees that you’re kind of sopping wet at your waist and down below. “You okay there, Y/N? Try your hand at chugging or somethin’?” He half-jokes, a corner of his lip quirking upward.

You shake your head, “Some idiot spilled their beer on me, so I thought I’d go wash off. How’s playing hall monitor for the night?”

He scrunches his nose, shaking his own head, “If you’ve ever seen movies with a hallway monitor included, then it’s exactly like that - just even more boring.”

“I’d feel bad if I wasn’t doused in beer,” You say with a half smile of your own. “I mean I’d stay out here with you, I just… should get changed…”

“Oh… right,” He nods, his eyes appear a little more clouded than normal as if he’s conflicted with some internal issue, but you make no mention of it.

When you’re about to turn in the direction of your dorm, he stammers, “Y/N, w-wait! I need to -um- tell you something.”

You blink at him, tilting your head, “What’s up, Tae?”  

He licks his lips before taking a deep breath, the cloud in his eyes subsiding just enough to showcase his determination, “Do you -um- still think of the kiss from… before...?”

You freeze in that moment, reiterating his words over in your head just to make sure you heard the question correctly.

“The kiss…?” You say softly.

“Yeah… I mean I get if you don’t remember since you drank that night but I’m asking because…” He lets out a deep breath as if to release a weight set on his shoulders, “Well, because I do. I think about it a lot. Probably more than I should.”

“You do?” You say, taking a step to face his direction. “Really?”

He nods, “I actually like you a lot. Again, probably more than I should, but after eight years I thin-”

“Wait, you what?” You say, hoping to hear him say it again. You want to make sure this is real. This can’t be a dream right?

“I’ve -um- liked you since the sixth grade.” He says, scratching the back of his head in a nervous huff. “I know that’s a really long, fucking time. Jimin even says that’s probably love but I mean who knows? All I do know is that I like you and that kiss really fucked me up over you.”

He stands there watching your reaction though you give little away but a transition of surprise to actual… elation. You break out into a small grin before you reply, “I- I still think about it too, Tae.”

Immediately, he says, “Really?”

“And that kiss fucked me up too.” You add, “I wasn’t sure what to think when I did it, but I knew that I really wanted to kiss you. I knew that I felt something toward you, and I just… couldn’t control myself. Then you kissed me back- all I could think is, ‘holy shit, he’s kissing me back,’ and fuck, I haven’t stopped thinking of it since.”

It’s a quiet moment between the two of you. The kind that comes after the moment of truth. Both your bated breaths suddenly released from your lungs, and all you can think to do is take another tentative step towards him while he matches each one until you’re standing directly in front of one another.

Without a second thought, you ask him, “What did that kiss mean to you?”

He replies, “Everything. It meant the entire world to me, and I have enough bruises from Jimin because I would not shut up about it.”

You laugh when he offers to show you. His lips pulling into a broad grin, “What about you?”

“It answered some questions for me, but it was the second best kiss I’ve had.” You admit, returning his smile. Your mind can’t seem to wrap your head around this whole thing, even the pinch to your arm does nothing but make you think that your brain might just be playing some cruel joke on you, so you grasp his shoulders like how he held yours to steady you at Yoongi’s party. “Fuck… wow, you’re real. This is real...”

“It is. I’m here. This is really happening.”

You meet his gaze, delving into the coffee brown hues in search of nothing in particular. You want to bask in the warmth they provide, you want to understand the emotions behind them… wait, did he just look at my lips? You mirror his gaze, training your sights on his soft, pinkish lips.

Fuck, they still look just as soft as before.

Your brain is still muddled with the first beer, blunt thoughts already formed into physical words as you ask him, “Can I kiss you?”     

He can’t contain his grin, and it’s seriously the most adorable sight you’ve seen. His voice is a low, guttural sound as he replies, “Fuck, please do.”

And you do.

The kiss is like the first one, setting jolts of electricity running up and down your skin, it makes you feel alive more than anything else to feel his soft lips pressed against yours in a matched pace to yours. It’s continues to escalates in a fervid flurry, your tongue grazing his bottom lip before slipping into his mouth and his exploring the crevices of your taste. His is that of beer, mint, and remnants of a cherry lollipop, but nonetheless, a taste so divine you want to keep indulging.

His body presses against yours, his hands intertwining with your soft locks. His breath fans across your visage while the notorious Kim grin graces his features. When he speaks, it’s a deep sound that elicits a shiver in your ear, “That was even better than the first time… fuck…”

The sound of his voice ghosting the shell of your ear ignites a fire in you, and you’re asking him where his dormitory is.

“Let’s make up for lost time,” You smile, pressing your lips to his once more.

He exchanges your grip on his shoulder for his hand, half-guiding and half-glancing at you until he halts your further trek down the hall to press his lips to yours once more. This time you two don’t break away quite as quickly as last time.

“It should be that one.” He points at a dark room right across from where you stopped. It isn’t like you both are paying much attention, but you allow him to move the two of you toward the open door. His hands fumble for the light switch until you take a step backwards and find yourselves in the bathroom.

You hear someone call your name from down the hall, so you push Taehyung toward the large shower stall. You press a finger to his lips when you lock it behind you with your free hand.

When you’re sure you’re safe, you let out a deep breath, walking over to the water control and turning it on.

You whisper, “Sorry, I kinda panicked.”

He shakes his head, wandering over to you, “It’s okay. I like that we can spend time together… in a shower stall.”

You try not to laugh, nudging his chest with your cheekbones prominent.

“I’m sorry, I just want to spend this time with you-”

He finishes, “in a shower stall.”

You try not to laugh again, watching as his lips are pulled into that usual grin of his. When it sounds like he’s ready to let another joke rip out in a hushed whisper, you merely hush him once again, earning you a puppy dog pout.

With a roll of your eyes, you tug on his T-shirt and press your lips to his once more, leaning on the tile wall of the shower area. It’s cool against your skin which is balancing the heat pressed against your still-damp front.

From the sensation of his body against yours, you feel your hips roll against him. He releases a pretty, guttural groan in response, so you do it again.

He whispers under his breath, “Y/N, what are you doing?”

You fail to bite back a smile, “Kissing you… in a shower stall.” You pause for a moment to recall something from earlier, “Unless I mean you write me up since there are two people in here right now.”

He rolls his eyes this time, kissing your nose. He rests his hands on your hips, kissing you again. He mutters between pecks, “You’re so silly. I wouldn’t do that. You’re safe with me as your RA.”

The two of you begin rocking your hips against one another in attempts to create friction between your clothed heat. Your lips are locked until he breaks from the connection to press his soft lips against your jawline.

You don’t realize that anyone’s walked in until you hear Jennie ask from outside the shower stall, “Y/N, are you in here?”

You hum an affirmation, adding in a grunt when Taehyung mischievously rolls his hips again.

“You okay in there? What was that?”

“Just trying-” You huff when he nuzzles his features against your neck, “-to remove this stain this idiot at the party poured on me.”

“Oh, I’m sorry to hear that! You want me to go get your towel and some clothes then?”

“Please?” You squeak when he nips at the skin again.

“On it!”

“Thanks!” You say as you aim a glare at the man stroking your cheek.  Only letting out a breathe of relief when you’re certain that she has left the vicinity.

“What?” He asks, batting his eyelashes up at you. “Aren’t you glad you’re sharing a kiss with me in shower stall?”

You let out a small breathy laugh, poking his cheek, “Well, you aren’t the first Kim I’ve kissed, but I’m glad that I can say this one was in a shower stall.”

He breaks out into his boxy grin though it falters in a moment just to say, “Wait, what do you mean by that?”

Before you can answer, Jennie answers, carrying your necessary items, so you pull the curtains around Taehyung. You make sure to let Jennie know that you’ll return after you’ve washed up, apologizing for not reaching out to her sooner. You then grab your necessary items with a grateful smile to your best friend before returning to the probably sopping wet boy.

When you’re sure she’s gone, he tells you, “I hope you know I’ll be asking for an elaboration on what you just told me earlier, miss.”

You set your shower caddy down, placing the clean clothes on top before giving him your answer, “I know but we have plenty of time to make up for what we lost right?”

Taehyung sighs, giving a nod, “Right. That we do.”

He goes to the other side of the stall, allowing the curtain to separate the two of you. Like you said, there’ll be plenty of times for you two to share anecdotes and precious moments together.

Despite all else, he still looks at you in wonder, leaning against the other side of the stall. All these years left wondering if you would ever feel the same, wondering if things would be weird between the two of you if he ever decided to bounce back- now he’s free from his bounds, smiling wide as ever as you rinse off the scent of beer, humming a song he’s unfamiliar with but one he’s sure you’ll be glad to tell him someday.

It’s funny how someday turned into today, and how he broke a rule today as an RA -probably a lofty offense- but moreover, he’s quite amused that you two have finally admitted to your unspoken feelings through drunken stupors and kisses.

All he knows is that he can’t wait to share a proper sober moment with you.

[broomballkraken]

Title: Shock and Awe, Chapter 2

Fandom: Fire Emblem: Three Houses

Pairing: Sylvain/Lorenz

Word count: 3851

Warnings: None

Summary: Sylvain runs into his insufferable rival Lorenz after not seeing him for a year. He is eager to battle him again after such a long time, but neither of them were prepared for what would transpire as they both sent out their first Pokemon…

Now Sylvain and Lorenz are forced to travel across Faerghus together until they reach Garrag Mach, the sight of the annual Gym Leader Summit, where they would gladly part ways and hopefully never see each other again. Or so they thought...

It hadn’t even been 24 hours yet, but Sylvain was already regretting his decision to travel with Lorenz.

“Will you hurry up already?” Sylvain groaned, arms crossed over his chest and fingers drumming against his arms impatiently. Both he and Lorenz had woken up at the same time, just as the sun was rising over the horizon, and while Sylvain had managed to clean up and make himself presentable in about ten minutes, Lorenz’s morning routine was taking over an hour. It was starting to piss Sylvain off.

“Come now, Sylvain,” Lorenz said, glancing briefly at him out of the corner of his eye before turning his attention back to the hand mirror that Lorenz’s Roserade was holding up for him. “I just happen to care greatly for how I present myself to others...Unlike some people.” Lorenz ignored the heated glare that Sylvain was sending his way as he continued applying his eyeliner.

“Ugh, fuck off. I do care about my appearance, you just care too much about yours.” Sylvain grumbled, and Lorenz huffed as he finished putting on his makeup and moved on to carefully and meticulously brushing out his long purple hair.

“Whatever you say. I do have an extra brush if you need one. And, judging by that rat’s nest on your head, it looks like you indeed are in need of one. Badly.” Lorenz said, letting out a haughty chuckle as he looked at Sylvain with narrowed eyes. Anger bubbled up within Sylvain, and he couldn’t stop it from spilling over as he let out a frustrated growl.

“Okay, that’s it!” Sylvain spat, whipping out one of his Pokeballs and thrusting it in Lorenz’s direction. “We’re having a proper battle, right now. Three-on-three. If I win, we get on the road as soon as possible, whether you’re ready or not.” Lorenz glowered at Sylvain as he stood up, taking the mirror that his Roserade was holding and stashing it away.

“Very well. I accept your challenge. If I win, I will take as long as I like to get ready, and will not hear a peep from you about it for the duration of our journey together.” Lorenz said coolly, “Rosepetal, my dear, let us teach Sylvain the importance of a proper morning routine, yes?” The Roserade nodded and stepped in front of her trainer, and Sylvain snorted as he tossed the Pokeball in his hand, his Houndoom appearing in a flash of red light. He howled and took a fighting stance, growling as he glared at the Roserade in front of him.

“Bring it on, Lorenz!” Sylvain taunted, and their heated battle had begun…

...only for Sylvain to lose by the slimmest of margins in the end.

“This is fucking bullshit…” Sylvain grumbled from his spot on the ground, his shoulders slumped dejectedly as he glowered at Lorenz, who was now preparing tea in a large kettle over the campfire.

“Hm? Is that complaining that I hear, Sylvain?” Lorenz said, raising an eyebrow as a sly grin crossed his face. Sylvain pursed his lips together and glared even harder at Lorenz, hoping that a laser might shoot out of his eyeballs and disintegrate the pompous asshole into dust. Lorenz chuckled softly and continued making his tea.

Sylvain chewed on his lower lip, stewing in his disappointment at his loss. He had thought that his Houndoom, Doom, would have easily wiped out Lorenz’s Roserade, but Sylvain had not expected Rosepetal’s moveset to include Dazzling Gleam of all things. The first hit had caught both Sylvain and Doom off-guard, and that had proved costly, as the hit was critical. However, Doom was as stubborn as Sylvain was, and he had managed to get a few good hits on the Roserade before succumbing to his injuries.

Sylvain had sent Ty, his Typhlosion, out next to make quick work of the exhausted Rosepetal. His brief confidence boost was short-lived however, because Lorenz’s next Pokemon was his Milotic, Majesty. Majesty had been with Lorenz since he was a tiny, weak Feebas, and he was anything but weak now, as Lorenz’s training had turned him into a beast of a Pokemon. He had, unfortunately, quickly defeated Sylvain’s beloved starter, but not before Ty had managed to hit with a successful Wild Charge that had luckily resulted in a paralyzed Majesty.

Lux, Sylvain’s Luxray, was his last hope in winning the battle. The paralysis was a blessing, for the first hit with Discharge had almost knocked Majesty out. Almost. That was unlucky, because it allowed the Milotic to get off a Mud Shot, which did a good chunk of damage and rendered Lux a bit sluggish. After Majesty went down, both Sylvain and Lorenz were down to their final Pokemon.

Sylvain’s heart sank when Lorenz sent out Serenity, his Serperior, who had been with him since the start of his career as a Pokemon trainer. Sylvain had been there when Lorenz had picked the grass snake as his starter, as Sylvain had picked his fire mouse at the same time. Their rivalry had started right then and there, as Sylvain had challenged Lorenz to a battle immediately, after the latter had already begun gloating to the former about his superior starter choice. That time, Sylvain had been victorious and shut him up good, but he knew better now. Even though he didn’t like the guy one bit, Sylvain knew that Lorenz was an exceptional trainer. He wouldn’t have called the snobby, stuck-up guy his rival if he didn’t always push him to better himself by giving him outstanding battles time and time again.

Unfortunately for Sylvain, the Mud Shot that had slowed Lux was proving to be costly, as it allowed Serenity to move first and poison him with a nasty Toxic. She then quickly followed up with a Giga Drain, sucking away Lux’s energy to use for herself. Lux had managed to get a few good hits in with Crunch, knocking enough of Serenity's health to cause her to stagger, but the poison and the grass serpent’s relentless assault proved to be too much for Lux and he fainted, granting the victory to Lorenz.

And now Sylvain had to wait until Lorenz was ready to get back on the road, much to his dismay. At this rate, they wouldn’t get moving until noon, and their journey would take twice as long. Sylvain didn’t want to spend any more time than necessary with his insufferable rival, but he had lost a bet fair and square, so he’d have to just deal with it. It was all for the happiness of one of his beloved Pokemon, after all.

As if on cue, Sylvain glanced down at his Pokeball belt when one of them started shaking. Shortly after, Tox had released himself from his ball and let out a big yawn. Sylvain looked over at Lorenz, and found that Lavender had done the same thing, and it wasn’t long before the two love-struck Toxtricity were back in each other’s arms, nuzzling their cheeks against each other.

“Ugh, get a room already!” Sylvain said, rolling his eyes. Tox stuck his tongue out at his trainer and trilled at him in Pokespeak, and a sour look crossed Sylvain’s face.

“I am not jealous of you! I could have anyone I want, when I want,” Sylvain said, smirking as he ran a hand through his hair, “I’m totally a catch.”

“Oh please,” Lorenz interjected, trying and failing to contain his laughter, “I don’t know how anyone could stand to be around you for more than a few minutes. I’m certainly having a time of it.”

“You’re one to talk, Lorenz. As if anyone could tolerate your insufferable snobbishness for any longer.”

“Hmp, you have no idea what you’re talking about.”

“Don’t I?” A smug grin crossed Sylvain’s face, but was quickly replaced with a look of confusion as Lorenz poured a cup of tea and offered it to him. Sylvain just stared at it with an eyebrow raised, and Lorenz let out an annoyed huff.

“Take it already.”

“Why?”

“It would be rude for me to indulge without offering some to my traveling companion. Wanted or not.” Sylvain pursed his lips at that, but took the cup from Lorenz anyway.

“Thanks, I guess,” Sylvain mumbled, lifting the cup to his lips and taking a small sip. The warm tea chased away the morning chill, and the taste made Sylvain let out a content sigh.

“Bergamot? Damn, that’s my favorite,” Sylvain said, a small smile crossing his face as he moved himself closer to the fire.

“Oh? How interesting,” Lorenz said as he pulled out six Pokeballs, “It is also one of my favorites. How I loath to have something in common with you of all people.”

“Egh, I feel sick just thinking about it,” Sylvain said, the loud exaggerated gagging noise he made causing Lorenz to send a glare his way.

“Stop being so childish,” Lorenz said, rolling his eyes as he tossed his Pokeballs behind him, releasing his entire team. “Come, my dears. The tea is absolutely delightful today.” His Pokemon let out excited chirps as Lorenz began handing out cups of tea, and Tox and Lavender were quick to join in as well.

“Sylvain, are you not going to have your Pokemon join us?” Lorenz asked, and Sylvain shrugged.

“I guess I could. Wouldn’t want to use up your precious supply of tea, though.”

“Oh, nonsense. I have plenty stored up, and I can always restock in Fhirdiad if need be. No need to worry.” Lorenz said with a nonchalant wave of his hand. Sylvain sighed and shook his head; he really should have known that Lorenz would have an entire stock of tea with him. He had been notorious at the Academy for inviting women to have tea with him, and ultimately getting rejected every time. Sylvain had often teased him about it, leading to rather hostile arguments that more often than not had almost resulted in them trading physical blows. It had never come to that, luckily.

“Alright, if you say so.” Sylvain said, and soon the rest of his Pokemon had joined the massive tea party. After the tea had been dispersed to everyone, Sylvain and Lorenz’s Pokemon talked happily among themselves, and Sylvain couldn’t help but smile at the sight. He had to admit, even though their trainer was an insufferable twat, Lorenz’s Pokemon all seemed to be well-trained and got along with his own rather well. It was odd, considering a few of them had been battling earlier this very morning, but Sylvain guessed that to Pokemon, fighting in battles brought them closer together. If only that worked for humans too.

“I must say, Sylvain,” Lorenz said, snapping Sylvain from his thoughts, “your team is rather impressive. I’m surprised to see how much it has changed over this past year.”

“Well, yeah,” Sylvain said with a shrug, “I think the last time we battled I only had Ty, Lux, and Dash with me, of my current team.”

“Do you still rotate your team out every now and then?”

“Well, yeah. Gotta keep all of my ‘mons trained up and ready for anything.” Sylvain said with a grin. In addition to his current team of six, Sylvain had six reserve Pokemon: Arcanine, Corviknight, Umbreon, Steelix, Walrein, and Pangoro. They had all gotten their time to shine in his main team, and he wouldn’t trade any of them for the world.

“Yes, yes. As it should be. One should always have at least two full, diverse teams of Pokemon to battle with.” Lorenz said, nodding as he took a sip of his tea.

“Heh, there’s another thing we agree on.”

“Unfortunate.”

Sylvain couldn’t help but snort-laugh at that, and Lorenz even let out a small chuckle. Sylvain hated to admit it, but Lorenz was actually being quite tolerable at the moment. In the end, they were both future Gym Leaders and their rivalry did push Sylvain to be a better trainer, so his relationship with Lorenz was a bit more complicated than what it looked like on the surface.

“Your team’s seen some changes too. Where’d you find a Froslass? I’ve never heard of them or Snorunt appearing anywhere in Fodlan.” Sylvain asked, glancing over at the ice/ghost Pokemon. Her attention was pulled from her conversation with Dash and Ty as she floated over to Sylvain, bringing a graceful hand up to her chin. She tilted her head as she gazed at Sylvain with big, blue eyes overflowing with curiosity.

“Ah, my dear Aurora here is the newest addition to my team,” Lorenz said, a look of fondness crossing his face as he reached over to pet Aurora’s head, and she cooed with delight, “I actually just caught her on my recent visit to Sreng. She is a beautiful, pristine example of her species, and she has already shown immense potential in the few battles that we have engaged in.” Aurora let out a cry of joy at the praise and wrapped her arms around Lorenz, pulling him into a tight hug.

“A-Aurora! You will make me spill my tea, darling!” Lorenz said as he tried to push her away with his free hand, “And you are messing up my hair!” His plea fell on deaf ears as Aurora only hugged him tighter. Luckily for Lorenz, Ty had been watching this whole exchange, and he grabbed Lorenz’s tea cup from him before it could spill. Sylvain burst out laughing at the scene, and Lorenz glared at him before sighing in defeat and embracing Aurora in return, earning a pleased hum from the affectionate Froslass.

“Thank you, Ty. At least you have some grasp of common courtesy, unlike the person who trained you.” Lorenz said, and Sylvain's laughter faded as his eyes narrowed.

“Tch, whatever. Ty learned everything from me.”

“Yes, learned everything not to do.”

“Why you-”

Sylvain stood and took a step towards Lorenz, who had also risen from the ground, but they were prevented from moving any closer to one another when Ty stepped in front of Sylvain, and Serenity in front of Lorenz. Ty crossed his arms over his chest and a burst of fire erupted from the spots on the back of his neck, signifying annoyance. Ty let out a few growls and Sylvain sighed as he ran his hand through his hair.

“Ugh, fine, I’ll calm down.” Sylvain mumbled, and he snorted to stop from laughing when Serenity smacked Lorenz over the head with her tail.

“Will you stop that, Serenity? Ugh, at this rate I’m going to have to redo my hair-”

“Oh hell no! We are not wasting any more time here for that!”

“I do recall winning a bet that prevents you from complaining.”

“Fuck you!”

Sylvain pushed his way past Ty this time, seething with anger as he stalked his way up to Lorenz. Lorenz met him halfway and Sylvain grabbed the collar of his shirt, cursing the fact that he was just an inch shorter than his bastard of a rival.

“What the fuck is your problem, anyway? Why do you have to be the most stuck up, insufferable snob that I’ve ever met?” Sylvain hissed, his face only inches away from Lorenz’s and eyes set into a heated glare. The unique amethyst eyes of his rival narrowed as he glared right back at Sylvain, and Sylvain continued to hold his gaze even as Lorenz’s hand came up to fist into the front of his jacket, jerking Sylvain closer so that their foreheads were barely touching. They were so close that Sylvain could smell the sweet scent of Lorenz’s shampoo; lavender with a hint of rose. It was amazing that someone who smelled so good could be such a fucking thorn in his side.

“My problem?” Lorenz echoed, his voice low and surprisingly threatening, “My problem is you Sylvain. You have always aggravated and instigated these pathetic confrontations and I-”

“Me? You’ve started just as many of these fights, you arrogant douche bag!”

“How dare you!”

Just as Sylvain and Lorenz both pulled back their fists to throw a punch, a powerful blast of ice-cold water slammed into them, knocking both of them off of their feet. Sylvain winced as he hit the ground hard, and he lay soaking wet on the ground for a moment to try and process what had happened.

“Majesty! What are you doing?” Sylvain pushed himself up to find Lorenz yelling at the Milotic, who just flicked her tail and turned her nose up at her trainer in response. Sylvain chuckled, but his humor faded when he saw all 12 of their Pokemon staring at them, with a mixture of looks ranging from disappointment to annoyance to anger. Lux and Tox looked the most angry, as electricity sparked dangerously over their bodies, and Sylvain paled slightly.

“Haha, it’s fine guys! We’re gonna get along now, right Lorenz?” Sylvain said, laughing nervously as he got to his feet and threw his arm over Lorenz’s shoulders. He felt Lorenz bristle at the contact, and he turned his head to shoot a venomous glare at Sylvain.

“Get off of me you-” Lorenz started, but his gaze turned to the angry electric Pokemon and his mouth snapped shut. Sylvain was relieved at that, for he certainly did not want to experience what it was like to receive an electric shock while soaking wet, and he expected that Lorenz felt the same. Sylvain’s arm dropped from his rival’s shoulder when Tox and Lux calmed down, and Lorenz groaned as he peeled his wet hair from his neck.

“Ugh...How bothersome…” Lorenz muttered, crossing his arms over his chest with a huff. Sylvain violently shook his head, sending beads of water everywhere, including on the already soaked Lorenz. Sylvain snickered when Lorenz shot him a sour look, and he was surprised when Lorenz dissolved into a fit of laughter. That made Sylvain’s grin widen. Huh, odd...

“Hey, uh, sorry about...all that.” Sylvain said, rubbing the back of his head with one hand while he waved the other awkwardly in front of him. He hated to admit it, but he had been acting like a prick, even if Lorenz deserved it. Lorenz averted his gaze for a moment, before sighing with defeat and turning back to Sylvain, a surprisingly guilty look appearing in his eyes.

“I, well...I accept your apology,” Lorenz said, “And...I’m sorry too. I lost control of my temper...how incredibly uncouth of me.” An awkward silence fell upon the two for a few moments, before Sylvain peeled off his wet jacket and walked off towards his tent.

“Well, I guess we better get dried off and changed. Didn’t think anything would stall us more than your insufferable morning routine, but…” Sylvain said, glancing over his shoulder with a shit-eating grin on his face.

“Hmp. I do have to go through that routine again, though, so do get comfortable, Sylvain. Maybe you’ll have enough time to do something about that messy mop on your head that you call your hair.” Lorenz said, turning up his nose as he sauntered to his own tent.

“Eat shit.”

“Profane degenerate.”

With that trading of insults done with, both men retreated to their tents to change and dry off. Sylvain sighed, already tired from arguing with Lorenz for the entire morning. He wasn’t sure if he was going to survive this journey, or at least make it to the end without throttling the insufferable bastard. Sylvain let out a frustrated grumble as he stripped out of his wet clothes and threw on some dry ones. He just had to keep reminding himself that he was doing this to make Tox happy, but it was almost not worth it, if Sylvain was being honest with himself. He could only hope that Tox’s infatuation with Lavender would wear off and Sylvain would never have to look at Lorenz’s dumb face ever again.

Sylvain left his tent and tossed his wet clothes to Ty and Dash, leaving the two fire types to dry them off for him as he packed up his tent and other supplies. Lorenz had given his clothes to Majesty and Serenity, who had them hanging off their tails to air-dry. Lorenz was back to fixing his hair and makeup, so Sylvain resisted the urge to complain and instead pulled out his phone, texting his childhood friend group chat to inform them of the drama of the morning.

Ingrid was sympathetic, but told him to behave for the sake of Tox’s happiness, Felix relentlessly teased him about his situation, and Dimitri wished him luck and offered to buy him a beer when Sylvain got to Fhirdiad. Sylvain was grateful for that, because he’d probably need a stiff drink or twelve after his time spent with Lorenz.

Finally, just a little bit after noon, Lorenz was finished getting ready and had packed up his things. They both returned all of their Pokemon to their balls - with some resistance from the two love-struck Toxtricity - except for the two Rapidash.

“We should make it to Fhirdiad tomorrow morning if we ride through the night.” Sylvain said, hopping onto Dash’s back. The Rapidash neighed excitedly and stomped her hooves, restless and eager to get moving.

“Indeed. It is a good thing that we both have fast, ride-able Pokemon,” Lorenz said as he followed suit and mounted Beauty, “I shall buy you some treats when we reach our destination and give you a good brushing, my dear Beauty.” Beauty whinnied as Lorenz cooed at her, running his hands over her neck fondly. Sylvain rolled his eyes and took hold of Dash’s mane, and a sly grin crossed his face as an idea popped into his head.

“Hey, Lorenz?” Sylvain said, and Lorenz raised an eyebrow at him as he waited for him to continue, “Let’s make this a race. Last one to Fhirdiad has to buy tomorrow’s meals!” Sylvain did not wait for Lorenz to answer as he yelled for Dash to go. Dash reared up and neighed before taking off at a thunderous gallop. Laughter filled the air as Sylvain turned around to see Lorenz yelling at him, but the wind whipping past his head prevented Sylvain from discerning what Lorenz was saying.

Sylvain turned his attention back to his front, and he heard another set of hooves thundering behind him, and he knew that Lorenz and Beauty had given chase. The two rivals raced off to Fhirdiad together, and Sylvain would be sure to order the most expensive items on the menu for his meals after he won this race. The absolutely sour look that was sure to cross Lorenz’s face would be so, so worth it.

[thecomicsnexus]

The Flash of Two Worlds

The Flash #123. September, 1963. By Gardner Fox and Carmine Infantino.

Iris West hosts a function at the Central City Community Center on behalf of the Picture News Orphan Fund Group. Unfortunately, the magician she had hired to entertain the children fails to arrive. When Barry Allen shows up, Iris tells him the news and he suggests that he might be able to convince the Flash to stand in for the missing magician. Barry steps outside to don his Flash costume, and then races back in, much to the delight of dozens of young orphans. The Flash spends the next hour entertaining the kids with a variety of super-speed tricks. First, he astounds them by playing a game of tennis with himself. He serves the ball then races to the other side of the net to receive it just as the ball reaches its destination. He then does a variation of the old Indian rope trick. By vibrating his hands at super-speed, he makes a length of rope appear to rise into the air. He then begins scaling the rope while it continues to hover. As the children applaud, the Flash suddenly disappears, making Iris wonder what could have happened to him.

Barry reappears outside the city limits of a strange-looking town, with no idea where he is. As he begins investigating the town, though, he realizes that he is no longer in Central City. He stops at a newsstand and picks up a copy of the Keystone City Herald. The Flash recognizes the name of Keystone City as the fictional hometown of his childhood comic book hero, Jay Garrick – the original Flash. Barry recalls that comic book writer Gardner Fox created stories of Jay Garrick for Flash Comics based on dreams that he had experienced. He deduces that he must have vibrated between the dimensional barrier separating parallel worlds and has arrived on an Earth similar to the one that he had just left. On this Earth, however, the Golden Age Flash was an actual, living super-hero. Excitedly, Barry looks up Garrick's home address in a phone book and then races off to meet him.

The Flash arrives at the Garrick residence and meets an older Jay Garrick with his wife Joan. He tells them of how he knows Jay's secret identity, explaining that he is the Flash of an alternate universe. Jay confides in Barry that he was thinking of coming out of retirement due to a series of strange crimes that have been plaguing Keystone City as of late. At the Keystone City Bank for example, a teller was shocked when money suddenly began floating out of her drawer. He further describes a robbery at Carmody's Jewel Salon where the crime was obscured by a thick cloud of pure darkness. Another mysterious theft involved an armored car that was ruptured by the sounds of strange music. Upon hearing this, Barry offers to help Jay solve these mysterious crimes.

Across town, three super-criminals gather together and boast about the success of their most recent schemes. The Thinker commits crimes by way of a hypnotic Thinking Cap. The Fiddler is able to generate destructive sound waves with his violin and the Shade uses a special cane to create blankets of darkness to conceal his actions. The one thing these three have in common is that they are all old foes of the Flash. Each of them goes off to commit their next robbery.

The Thinker goes to the Jarvis estate and uses his Thinking Cap to order the guard dogs to warn the Flash about his actions should he arrive. He then hypnotizes Mister Jarvis's butler into relinquishing the valuable Neptune Cup to him. Jay Garrick arrives and is shocked when the dogs tell him that the Thinker is robbing the Neptune Cup. Jay speeds around the inside of the house, but he is unable to lay his hands on the Thinker. The Thinker is using his Thinking Cap to make himself appear to be in several places at once. When Jay finds the real Thinker he speeds after him, but the Thinker erects a wall of pure psychic energy that renders Jay unconscious upon impact.

Barry Allen meanwhile scours the docks when he sees a yacht off in the river with thick clouds of black smoke emanating from it. He runs off to investigate, but falls victim to the Shade. The Shade thinks that this Flash is Jay Garrick in a different costume. The Shade escapes in a speedboat, and lays down a slick trail of oil that prevents Barry from chasing after him. Barry later meets up with Jay at the Jarvis estate and Garrick tells him about the Thinker.

In the middle of town, the Fiddler rides down the street in his Fiddle Car and plays music from his violin. The sound waves shatter windows and cause a girder to fall from the top of a partially constructed skyscraper. A worker falls in the path of the girder, but fortunately, the Flashes arrive to save him. Jay pulls the man out of the way, while Barry deflects the falling girder. The Fiddler escapes during the melee and meets up with the Thinker and the Shade. Together they decide to rob the Keystone City Museum.

The Flashes track the villains down, but the Fiddler uses his violin to hypnotize them into obeying his commands. For fun, he has them dance for him like puppets on a string. Then he has them steal jewels for him. As the crooks gather their bounty, they prepare to leave, but the Flashes spring into action and apprehend them. The Fiddler doesn't understand how they resisted his mental commands. Jay explains that while they were forced to do the Fiddler's bidding, there was no command that prevented them from trying to escape. While robbing jewels for them, they plugged their ears with small gems, which distorted the effects of the Fiddler's violin, ultimately enabling them to break free of his control.

After the crooks are arrested, Barry and Jay say goodbye to one another and Barry invites Jay to visit his Earth some time. He then vibrates at super-speed and returns to his proper world. He then visits Iris at Picture News and explains to her why he disappeared, before deciding to visit Gardner Fox and tell him the story — so Fox can write it up in a comic book...

From DC Wikia

Gardner Fox gets so meta in this issue, I wonder if this issue was meant to have the significance it ended up having. Let’s see Barry, if you tell this story to Gardner Fox, your identity would be exposed. Think about it.

Fox’s science facts are a good fit for The Flash (not that much on Justice League). But I also have to say that Fox is always drawn by his own creations, and this issue has a lot of Earth-2 and very little of Earth-1 (three golden age villains).

Now, was this the beginning of the end for DC pre-crisis? I don’t think so. If anything, it made the Golden Age important again, and brought back characters associated with those golden age heroes. As usual, I think the fault of everything was in the editor’s chair.

I give this issue a score of 8.25.

[mountainrunner-de]

The post Take It Easy: The Benefit of Backing Off appeared first on iRunFar.com.

“To be a wise runner, you must learn that if the previous training session was hard, regardless of what your mind tells you or what you imagine your competitors might be doing in training, you must allow your body to recover so that it can restock its energy stores and repair the microdamage caused by the previous day’s heavy training. Hard training when the body is not fully recovered simply compounds damage already done.” -Tim Noakes, professor, MD, and author of Lore of Running

According to 1,134 runners who answered an informal survey shared over social media between July 15 and July 22, 2018*, runners generally look forward to easy runs and recovery days, don’t feel guilty about the thought of relaxing during these outings, and understand that easy runs and recovery days enhance performance. However, when it comes time to implement, more often than not, we miss the mark.

Easy Runs

Easy runs, a focal point of this casual study, build, maintain, and maximize aerobic fitness. Though the pace should be steady, we should still be able to hold a relaxed conversation and maintain a heart rate between 65% and 78% of maximum. Typically, most runs within a given week should fall into this category.

“There are several benefits, and the first is that you build up a certain degree of resistance to injury by taking it easy in many of your runs,” says coach and PhD Jack Daniels in his book Daniels’ Running Formula. “During easy running, your heart is delivering a good amount of blood and oxygen to the exercising muscles. These muscles respond by making changes in the muscle fibers that allow the muscles to accept more oxygen and convert more fuel into energy in a given period. Fairly easy running is a good developer of the heart muscle, and although it doesn’t feel as if you are working very hard, your heart is.”

Recovery Days

The survey also asked about recovery days. The duration, intensity, and structure of a recovery day will vary according to the runner’s experience, preferences, training schedule, and individual response to tough workouts. The body does an amazing job of healing itself, but musculoskeletal and cardiovascular systems will only adapt and grow stronger if they receive the proper recovery between tough workouts and races. Recovery can be achieved by doing nothing more than performing daily tasks, using passive methods like massage or sauna, or by more active methods like, but not limited to, biking, hiking, swimming, yoga, and strength work. Recovery runs can also assist with the recuperation process between tough efforts. These are purposely short in duration, kept at a very slow pace and low effort. These ‘jogs’ are a form of active recovery where your heart rate should be kept below 65% of maximum.

“Recovery runs are very similar to normal distance runs, except the pace is slower and the duration is typically shorter,” says Steve Magness, head cross-country coach at the University of Houston and lecturer of strength and conditioning at St. Mary’s University in England, in his book The Science of Running. “A recovery run helps the body return to homeostasis, and prepares the body for the subsequent work to be done the following day. Often overlooked, recovery runs work to enhance the supercompensation (the body’s response and adaptation to an exercise stimuli) effort.”

Survey Feedback

Now that we’ve established that easy runs and recovery days require the least amount of effort on the athlete’s part and are a recognized pillar of the training process, they should be fairly simple to execute. Yet, the majority of runners, who ought to know better, reported that they fail in their training by running easy runs too fast or too hard and/or by not incorporating enough recovery.

As a coach and social-media user, I’ve been interested in the paces, distances, and efforts runners record on what they call “easy” or “recovery” days. As well (and this could be due to the magnifying effect of social media and growth in the sport), there seems to be a growing amount of injuries, overtraining, and burnout, especially within the ultrarunning community, at all levels. With your help, this is what the survey revealed:

97% (1,101/1,133) believe that easy runs and recovery days improve performance.

81% (918/1,134) do not feel guilty about taking an easy or recovery day.

Of the 19% (216/1,134) that feel guilty, 85% (181) admit to running their easy runs too hard/fast.

84% (948/1,134) look forward to their easy run and recovery days.

Of these who happily anticipate their easy and recovery days, 15% (143) still feel guilty when taking a less intense day.

80% (894/1,112) consciously decide about the effort they’ll expend before beginning a run.

Of this pre-planning 80%, 67% (598) make mid-run alterations in effort (harder or easier) based on how they feel on a given day.

78% (880/1,134) sometimes find themselves working harder than they should during an easy run.

68% (774/1,132) share their run data socially (for example, Strava or Garmin Connect).

Of this socially-active group, 79% (611) find themselves pushing hard during easy runs.

53% (606/1,132) work with a coach or follow some sort of training plan. 86% (513) of these athletes have a purpose laid out before starting their runs. 63% (377) follow specific easy-run guidelines (like heart rate, pace, perceived effort, and/or choice of training partners) to ensure they stay within the parameters of their specific program. However, 78% (472) of coached athletes following a training plan still run their easy runs too hard/fast.

78% (883/1,124) take between one and three days easy and/or as a recovery day per week.

For the entire responding group as a whole, no matter the guidelines used to keep an easy run relaxed (heart rate, pace, perceived effort, and/or training partners), resulting easy-run efforts can still end up higher than they should.

Recovery days are taken most often after tough workouts, long runs, races, when fatigue sets in, or when injury niggles appear. Life’s stresses were least likely to keep the survey participants from lacing up their shoes.

How to Take It Easy

Here are a few suggestions and observations to keep your pace and head in check the next time you head out for an easy run or are contemplating a recovery day.

Long runs aren’t easy. In his book Training for Ultrarunning, Andy Milroy states, “One important thing to remember is that your long run should be considered as a hard day, not an easy day, even though the run is tackled at an easy pace.” Distance is a relative concept and varies for each individual, however, an easy run is no longer easy when muscle vigor and glycogen storage are tested and extra recovery time is required.

Social fitness platforms may encourage harder efforts. “I do think with social media and tracking websites it feels weird/bad to take easy/recovery days,” said a survey respondent. “Everyone is always trying to hit PRs and course records and even Strava will tell you if a run is trending slower because of an easy run.”

Running with others can be a mixed blessing. “I’d say it’s much harder to recover or take it easy when you’re running with a group,” said one runner. “Someone always wants to push the pace. Recovery should be done alone or clearly stated with your running friends.” However, another respondent countered with, “I really struggle with running slowly on my own. I enjoy running with company, so solo runs always tend to be hard because I get bored and want them over with.”

Hard evidence and research proves that easy runs and recovery days improve health and performance. Though most runners already know this, keep yourself up-to-date by immersing yourself in reputable reading material and podcasts. At least four respondents referenced books that improved their running, like Matt Fitzgerald’s book, 80/20 Running: Run Stronger and Race Faster By Running Slower. Others mentioned their “coaches” came in the form of magazines, like Ultrarunning, and podcasts.

Though they performed poorly for effort control according to this survey, consider using a heart-rate monitor or pace calculator to keep you running true. “An easy day requires a maximum effort of no more than 70% of heart rate. A recovery day requires holding back to a maximum of 60% effort, which is deliberately relaxed,” said an athlete in the survey.

Working with a coach (also not a proven way to control effort according to this survey) can hold you accountable and structure your recovery appropriately. “Having a coach gives me confidence that my training plan will work,” said another respondent. “So I approach easy runs and recovery days without any worry that they’ll harm my conditioning; in fact, I trust they will boost it.”

No two runners respond the same way to the same training stimuli. Our ability to recover depends on genetics, age, lifestyle (including diet and sleep), environment, training history, and training structure. But, for all runners, relaxed training has its place. “There’s no shame in running slow,” says coach Brad Hudson, who coached athletes in the 2004, 2008, and 2012 Olympic Games. “Running slow allows you to run longer, and it also enables you to run harder when you want to run hard.” We all get what we want by taking it easy.

*The survey can be viewed in its entirety and the comment function is live. Feel free to add your constructive observations. However, understand that the conclusions rendered above are observational (no statistically significant tests were performed) and based on a small sample size and the author’s assumptions of the responding population. Check out the full survey results.

Bibliography

Daniels, Jack. Daniel’s Running Formula. Champaign: Human Kinetics, 2014. Print.

Hudson, B. & Fitzgerald, M. Run Faster. New York: Broadway Books, 2008. Print.

Magness, Steve. The Science of Running. Stephen Magness, 2014. Print.

Milroy, Andy. Training for Ultrarunning. Great Britain: DB Publishing, 2013. Print.

Noakes, Tim. Lore of Running. Champaign: Human Kinetics, 2003. Print.

Call for Comments (from Meghan)

Did you participate in Ian Torrence’s survey? If so, would you care to share how you answered a few of the questions?

How well do you recover on your recovery days or run easy on your easy days? Do you stick to your plan well or find yourself deviating and working too hard? If the latter, why do you think that is?

Take It Easy: The Benefit of Backing Off by Ian Torrence.

Read More at: https://ift.tt/2AOqbp2

[the-fitsquad]

Facts&Stuffs

Ignoring Information In #SQL Scripts

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